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.."

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

absurd, his fearless expression planted a seed of doubt inside of the old dwarf's

Was he really just saying this

things through, Gernis

execution. After all, although he was one of the main people responsible for

that was before, things were different

escalated the situation with

saying something like he could stop the war, he had aggravated the situation. If before he couldn't have been executed for a failure not entirely on him, he would

was betting on

gravity of Waylan's words and determination made

would be stupid enough to worsen

this bet would take the

me interest. Tell me what your plan

"I apologize."

what Gernis expected. lowering his head, Waylan

this, Gernis's face

playing

at

not that I don't want to tell you, but I

"Why is that?"

shoulders and looked

his brow, he

It was then that it finally dawned on

Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that

his words as all of those present in

with his words as he raised

this? You first say you can stop the war and then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you purposely trying to create a rift among

dwarf was none

was

he wasn't the only one that thought in such a way, but unlike the rest, Randur was a lot more

didn't want to annoy

kinna believe ye guys be even listening ta him! Ye are a

be right? what if he truly knows o'

finally

head in the

even we don't know? And why only now? Something ain't addin' up! I dinna and winna trust

a valuable

in, much

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's

chance ta prove himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's nae like we're going ta let him do this

attention

tha witness o' everyone present, I grant ye tha power ta carry on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae only will we clear ye O' your failure, but we'll also

sat there with his mouth hung

my mind. 'Tis shall be

and respected person, the other dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated in quiet. Displeasure

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

his eyes, Waylan

I will do my best

we wish

left and right,

needs something,

"Understood."

standing up, though displeased, the other

been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have

was going

***

Gulp-!

of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all the way down to

had managed to last for another eight

long since managed

wanted, I could deactivate the

was only a matter of

Cli Clank-!

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

here to relay

"On with it."