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.."

expression, Gernis's brows knit

absurd, his fearless expression planted a seed of doubt inside of the

could he? Was he

thinking things through, Gernis

an execution. After all, although he was one of

before, things

situation with his

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

was betting on

and determination made Gernis

would be stupid enough to worsen

bet would take the

got me interest. Tell me what

"I apologize."

contrary to what Gernis expected. lowering

this, Gernis's face

playing

at all

me wrong. It's not that I don't want to tell you, but I just don't really think that it's

"Why is that?"

shrugged his shoulders and looked at the

his brow, he

it already obvious why?" It was then that it

was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of the dwarves

words as all of those present in the room showed

wasn't happy with his words

you can stop the war and then you insinuate that there might

was none other than

was twisted with

this sort of vendetta against Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that thought in such a way,

didn't want to annoy Gernis,

believe ye guys be even listening ta

if his words be right? what if he truly

of the dwarves seated finally spoke up

the

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

make a valuable

in, much

"Then..."

caused

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

attention back

with tha plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae only will

there with his mouth hung open. But, before anyone could even protest,

already made up my mind. 'Tis shall be the final decision.

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

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 nae with ye but with Douglas. If

Waylan nodded

understand. I will do my best

all we

and right, Gernis stood

all for now. If Waylan needs something, try your

"Understood."

displeased,

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

was going as

***

Gulp-!

panel in front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my

to last

since managed

I wanted, I could deactivate the

only a matter

Cli Clank-!

me opened up. The guard that brought me

to relay

"On with it."