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.."

Waylan's confident expression,

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

could he? Was he

things through, Gernis doubted

extreme like an execution. After all, although he was one of the main people responsible for the failure, they too were at

was before, things were different

situation with

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

betting

gravity of Waylan's words and determination made Gernis think

one would be stupid enough to worsen

Gernis decided to see where this bet would take

Tell

"I apologize."

what Gernis expected. lowering his head,

this, Gernis's face

you playing

and glanced at all of the individuals seated in the

don't want to tell you, but

"Why is that?"

and looked at the other

brow, he indifferently

already obvious why?" It was then that

Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that

words as all of those

with his words as he

then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us?

dwarf was none other

face was twisted

to have this sort of vendetta against Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that

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

ye guys be even listening ta him! Ye are a

words be right? what if he truly knows o'

finally spoke

head in the

when even we don't know? And why only now? Something ain't addin' up! I dinna and winna trust that

a valuable

chimed in, much to

"Then..."

words caused

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

his attention back

carry on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae only will we clear ye O' your failure, but we'll also

blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But,

my mind. 'Tis shall be the final decision. You

and respected person, the other dwarves present could

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

eyes, Waylan nodded

understand. I will do my best to

all we wish

and right, Gernis

all for now. If Waylan needs something,

"Understood."

standing up, though displeased, the other

Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan,

going

***

Gulp-!

me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and

I had managed to last for

managed to infiltrate the

wanted, I could

was only a

Cli Clank-!

me opened up. The guard that brought me here came

to

"On with it."