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

planted a seed of doubt

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

things through,

something extreme like an execution. After all, although

was before, things

escalated the situation with

executed for a failure not entirely on him, he

was betting on his

determination made Gernis

be stupid

Gernis decided to see where this bet would take the

Tell me

"I apologize."

expected.

this, Gernis's face

you playing with

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

that I don't want to tell you, but I just don't really

"Why is that?"

his head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked at the other

his brow, he

already obvious why?" It was

Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of

words as all of those

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

nonsense is 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

none other

face was twisted

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

kept quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone

kinna believe ye guys be even listening ta him! Ye

right? what if he truly knows o' a way ta stop tha

of the dwarves seated finally spoke

in the dwarf's

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

make a valuable point,

chimed in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

words caused

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

turned his attention

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

sat there with his mouth hung open.

up my mind. 'Tis shall be

person, the other dwarves present could do

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 ye try anything funny, ye will nae be tha only one that will suffer tha

eyes, Waylan

understand. I will do my

all we wish

left and

needs

"Understood."

displeased, the other dwarves

the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan, and Waylan,

was going

***

Gulp-!

this point, my eyes were bloodshot and

I had managed to last for another

managed

I wanted, I

was only a matter

Cli Clank-!

The

to relay

"On with it."