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

fearless expression planted a seed of doubt

actually do it? Or could he? Was he

things through,

was going to be punished for his failure, it wasn't going to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although

that was before, things were

the situation with his

he 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

was betting

gravity of Waylan's words and determination made Gernis think that

stupid enough to worsen

this bet would take the

Tell me

"I apologize."

Gernis expected.

Gernis's

playing

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

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

"Why is that?"

Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked at the other dwarven

brow, he indifferently

obvious why?" It was then that it

was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of the dwarves

as all of

wasn't happy with his words as he raised

that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you

was none other than

face was

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

kept quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone whom they

be even listening ta him! Ye are a bunch

but what if his words be right? what if he

of the dwarves seated finally spoke up

in the dwarf's direction,

even we don't know? And why only

make a

chimed in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

caused Randur's face

us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's nae like we're going ta let him do this

his attention back

on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage

were like a thunderclap to some of the elders present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But, before anyone could even protest, Gernis

be the final decision.

the other dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated

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

Waylan nodded his head

understand. I will do my best to keep

all we

and

Waylan needs something, try your best to help

"Understood."

standing up, though displeased,

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

going as

***

Gulp-!

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

I had managed to last for

since managed to

I could deactivate

was only a matter of

Cli Clank-!

opened up. The guard

here to relay

"On with it."