The Author's POV

335 Infiltration [3]

[Henolur, Elder council]

A deathly silence enveloped the hall.

"…what did you just say?"

Gernis's solemn voice echoed across the hall.

A terrifying pressure spread out from his small and aged body, completely enveloping the hall.

Subjected to such pressure, Waylan merely frowned.

Having been with Douglas for a long time, he was already used to the pressure. Although Gernis was indeed higher ranked than Douglas, at the end of the day, the dwarves weren't really a combat-oriented race. They were craftsmen, not warriors. They didn't possess the bloodlust or battle-aura frontline fighters did, not to the same extent.

The pressure wasn't anything that Waylan couldn't handle.

"Haaaa..."

Closing his eyes and breathing out, Waylan opened his eyes and stared directly at Gernis.

"I'll say it again. Give me a chance, and I will help you end this war."

"Pftt..."

Once Waylan's words faded, the dwarf with red eyebrows, Randur, burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, I can't-I can't believe this! What kind of nonsense is this?"'

Slapping the table, Randur continued to laugh for a solid minute.

It was only when he realized that everyone's attention was on him that he finally stopped laughing.

Looking around, he asked with a deadpan look, "What? dinna ye guys also find his delusions funny?"

"This be nae laughing matter, Randur."

Gernis spoke gravely, the look on his face severe.

"Don't tell me you actually believe his words?" Randur asked with an incredulous look.

To him, it was clear to see that Waylan was merely spouting nonsense to save himself.

Leaning his body forward, he looked towards the other dwarves present before pointing at Waylan.

"Stop tha war? bah, if he cou've done it, he wou've done it 'afore. Why now? he's clearly just trying ta save his ass. I'm sure yer all smart enough ta understand this, right?"

Unexpectedly, Randur was met with silence. No one spoke up.

The silence further enraged him. He glared at everyone present.

"Have low have we fallen for you guys to not realize this, eh?!"

In reality, everybody shared the same thoughts as Randur. However, unlike Randur, they didn't speak up because of Gernis.

The solemnity clouding his face prevented them from speaking up. He had a grim aura surrounding him, one that seemed to suffocate the air itself.

No one was as fearless as Randur in that situation.

Fortunately for Randur, Gernis didn't seem to mind his words. The latter seemed too preoccupied with Waylan's actions. All of his attention seemed focused on the human before him.

Staring at him for quite a while, he asked.

"...How confident are you in your words?"

"Very."

Waylan flatly replied.

Looking at the other dwarves present, he straightened his back.

"If you give me a chance, I'll do what I said I will do."

"Hmm.."

at Waylan's confident expression, Gernis's brows knit in

fearless expression planted a seed

it? Or could he? Was

through, Gernis

wasn't going to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although

that was before, things were

situation with his

executed for a failure not entirely on him, he would be guaranteed death for failing

was betting on his

Waylan's words and determination made

be stupid

where this bet

interest. Tell me what your plan

"I apologize."

contrary to what Gernis expected. lowering his head,

Gernis's

playing with

shook his head and glanced at all of the individuals seated

don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't want to tell you,

"Why is that?"

his head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and

brow, he

It was then that

why Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of the

words as all of those

dwarf, in particular, wasn't happy with his words as

that there might be a

was none

was twisted

vendetta against Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that thought in such a way, but unlike the rest,

ones who kept quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone whom

ye guys be even listening

right? what if

the dwarves seated finally spoke up and addressed

his head in the

only now? Something ain't addin' up!

make a

chimed in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's

I'll still give him a chance ta prove himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we

turned his attention back

If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae only will we clear ye O' your failure, but

a thunderclap to some of the elders present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open.

up my mind. 'Tis shall be the final decision. You can't

dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated in quiet. Displeasure could

back to Waylan, Gernis continued, "Waylan, tha only reason why I'm giving ye this chance be because o' Douglas. Me faith be nae with ye but with

his eyes, Waylan nodded his head

do my best to keep my

all we

and

If Waylan needs something,

"Understood."

standing up, though displeased, the other dwarves

they were leaving, what the others did not know was that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan, and Waylan, smiled, in a way

going

***

Gulp-!

my eyes remained transfixed on the panel in front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot

had managed to last for another

since managed

I wanted, I could

a matter

Cli Clank-!

the door behind me opened up. The guard that brought me

here to relay a

"On with it."