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.."

confident expression, Gernis's brows knit in

sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted a seed of

could he? Was he really just saying this to save his

things through, Gernis

an execution. After all,

that was before, things were different

the situation with his

situation. If before he couldn't have been executed for a failure not entirely on him, he would be guaranteed death for failing in his mission after making

betting on his

gravity of Waylan's words and determination made Gernis think that he

would be stupid

decided to see where this bet would take the future of the

Tell me what

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected. lowering his

Gernis's face

you playing with

glanced at all of the individuals seated in the

to tell you, but I just don't

"Why is that?"

his head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked at the

brow,

why?" It was then

Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that a

wasn't the only one who understood his words as all of those present in the room

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

there might be

dwarf was none other than

was twisted with

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

kept quiet didn't want to

even listening ta

be right? what if he truly knows o' a

the dwarves seated finally spoke up and

head in the dwarf's

only now? Something ain't addin' up! I dinna and winna

a valuable

much to

"Then..."

caused

us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's nae

turned his attention

have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've

to some of the elders present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But, before anyone could even protest, Gernis raised

be the final

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

others calmed down, turning his attention back to Waylan, Gernis continued, "Waylan, tha only reason why I'm giving ye this chance be because o' Douglas. Me faith be

his eyes, Waylan nodded his

do my best to keep my

we

and

Waylan needs something, try

"Understood."

though displeased, the other dwarves

was that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a

was going

***

Gulp-!

transfixed on the panel in front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all the way down to ten percent

to last for another eight

managed to infiltrate

I could deactivate the

only a matter

Cli Clank-!

me opened up. The guard that brought me

here to

"On with it."