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.."

at Waylan's confident expression, Gernis's brows

what Waylan said sounded absurd, his fearless expression planted a

if he could actually do it? Or could he? Was he

through, Gernis doubted

be punished for 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

that was before,

escalated the situation with

had aggravated 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

betting on

gravity of Waylan's words and determination made

one would be stupid enough to worsen their

see where this bet would take

got me interest. Tell me

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected. lowering his

Gernis's face

you playing

at

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

"Why is that?"

Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked at the

brow, he indifferently

already obvious why?" It was then that

he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one

as all

wasn't happy with his words as he raised his

insinuate that there might be a spy amongst

none

face was

wasn't the only one that thought in such a way, but unlike the

who kept quiet didn't want to annoy

guys be even listening ta him! Ye are a bunch

right?

finally spoke up and

head in the

know? And why only now? Something ain't addin'

a valuable point,

much

"Then..."

caused

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

turned his attention

have. If ye manage ta

Randur who blanky sat there with his

be

and respected person, the other dwarves present could do nothing

because o' Douglas. Me faith be nae with ye but with Douglas. If ye try anything funny, ye will nae be tha only one

eyes, Waylan nodded his head

do my best

all we

and right,

all for now. If Waylan needs

"Understood."

up, though displeased, the

that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the

was going

***

Gulp-!

this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my

had managed to last for another eight

since managed to infiltrate the

I wanted, I

was only a

Cli Clank-!

the door behind me opened up. The guard that brought

here to

"On with it."