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

what Waylan said sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted a seed

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

thinking things through, Gernis doubted

wasn't going to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although he was one

before, things were different

escalated the situation with

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

was betting

of Waylan's words and determination made Gernis think

would be stupid enough

bet

interest. Tell me what your

"I apologize."

contrary to what Gernis expected.

Gernis's

you playing

Waylan shook his head and glanced at all

want to tell

"Why is that?"

head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and

his brow, he indifferently

was

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

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

dwarf, in particular, wasn't happy with his words

first say you can stop the war and then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you purposely trying to

none other

face was

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

want to annoy Gernis, someone whom they highly

guys be even listening ta him! Ye

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

seated finally spoke up and

his head in the

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

a valuable

much to Randur's

"Then..."

next words caused Randur's face to sink

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

his attention

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

present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But, before anyone could even protest,

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

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

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

his eyes, Waylan nodded his head

do my

all we

left and right,

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

"Understood."

up, though displeased, the other

Randur, the dwarf that

going as

***

Gulp-!

panel in front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all the way down to

managed to

long since managed

I could deactivate

was only a matter of

Cli Clank-!

up. The guard that brought me

here to relay a

"On with it."