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,

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

he could actually do it? Or could he? Was he really just saying this to save

through, Gernis

failure, it wasn't going to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although he was one of the main people responsible for the failure, they too were at

that was before,

situation with

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 such a grand

betting

determination made Gernis

would be stupid enough

bet

interest. Tell

"I apologize."

contrary to what Gernis expected. lowering

Gernis's face

playing

up, Waylan shook his head and glanced at all of the

that I don't want to tell you, but

"Why is that?"

Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked

his brow,

why?" It was then that it finally dawned

anything was because he was afraid

understood his words as all of those present in

wasn't happy with his words as

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

face was

this sort 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 more vocal at expressing

quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone whom they highly

listening ta him! Ye are a

how ye feel, Randur, but what if his words be right? what

finally

the dwarf's direction, Randur

And why only now?

make a

chimed in, much to

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's face to sink

Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we

his attention back

on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage

like a thunderclap 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 his

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

powerful and respected person, the other dwarves present could do nothing

I'm giving ye this chance be because o' Douglas. Me faith be nae with ye but with Douglas. If

Waylan

understand. I will do my best

all we wish

left and right, Gernis stood

all for now. If Waylan needs something,

"Understood."

displeased, the

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

going as

***

Gulp-!

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

I had managed to last

managed to infiltrate

I wanted, I

a matter

Cli Clank-!

opened up. The guard that brought

here to

"On with it."