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

what Waylan said sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted a

could he? Was he really just saying this

through, Gernis

his 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, things were

the situation with

the 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

was betting on his

sheer gravity of Waylan's words and determination made

stupid enough to

decided to see where this bet

interest. Tell me

"I apologize."

expected. lowering his

Gernis's

playing

Waylan shook his head and glanced at all of the individuals seated in the

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

"Why is that?"

head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and

brow,

It was then that it finally

he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one

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

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

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

none other

was twisted

started, he seemed to have 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 his

the ones who kept quiet didn't want to annoy

be even listening

his words be right? what if he truly knows o' a

the dwarves seated finally spoke

his head in the

we don't know? And why only now? Something

make a valuable

chimed in, much

"Then..."

caused Randur's face

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

attention

manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae only will we clear ye O' your failure, but we'll also

the elders present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But,

already made up my mind. 'Tis shall be

present could do nothing but remain seated in quiet. Displeasure could be seen on

Douglas.

his eyes, Waylan nodded

will do my best to

all we wish

his head left and right,

is all for now. If Waylan needs something, try your best to

"Understood."

up, though displeased, the

had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that

going as

***

Gulp-!

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

managed to last for

since managed to infiltrate

I could

was only a matter

Cli Clank-!

me opened up. The

here to

"On with it."