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

what Waylan said sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted a

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

through,

his failure, it wasn't going to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although he was one of the main

before, things were different

escalated the situation with his

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

was betting

determination made Gernis

be stupid enough to worsen

bet would

interest. Tell me what

"I apologize."

expected.

Gernis's

playing

head and glanced at

want to tell you, but I just don't

"Why is that?"

his head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked at

brow, he indifferently

obvious why?" It was then that it finally dawned

saying anything was because he was afraid that a spy

the only one who understood his words as all of those present in the room showed

in particular, wasn't happy with

insinuate that there might

none other

was twisted

Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that thought

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

listening ta him! Ye are a bunch

Randur, but what if his words be right? what if he truly knows o' a way ta stop tha

the dwarves seated finally spoke up

head in the dwarf's direction,

he know when even we don't know? And why only now? Something

a valuable

in, much

"Then..."

caused Randur's

still give him a 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

turned his attention

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

some of the elders present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with

'Tis shall be the

present could do

be because o' Douglas. Me faith be nae with ye but with Douglas. If ye try anything

his eyes, Waylan nodded

do my

we wish

left and right, Gernis stood

is all for now. If Waylan needs something,

"Understood."

standing up, though displeased, the other dwarves

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

was going

***

Gulp-!

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

had managed to last for another eight

long since managed to infiltrate the

I could

a matter

Cli Clank-!

up. The guard that brought me here came

to

"On with it."