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,

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

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

through, Gernis

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

before,

the situation with his

stop the war, 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 failing in his mission after making

was betting

words and determination

would be stupid enough to

see where this bet would take the future of

me interest. Tell me what

"I apologize."

what Gernis expected.

this, Gernis's

playing

glanced at all of

don't get me wrong. It's not that I don't want to tell you, but

"Why is that?"

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

his brow, he

obvious why?" It was

was not saying anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid

who understood his words as all

particular, wasn't happy with his words as

and then you insinuate that there

dwarf was none

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

want to annoy Gernis, someone whom

even listening ta him! Ye are a bunch of

what if his words be right? what if he truly knows o' a

finally spoke up and

his head in the dwarf's direction, Randur

why only now? Something ain't

make a

much

"Then..."

words caused Randur's face to sink

kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's nae like we're

attention back towards

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

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 raised his hand

my mind. 'Tis shall be the final

most powerful and respected person, the other dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated

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 nodded his head

will do my best to keep my

we wish

left and

all for now. If Waylan needs

"Understood."

displeased, the

know was that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta

was going as

***

Gulp-!

transfixed on the panel in front of me. At this point, my eyes

I had managed to last

long since managed

I wanted, I could deactivate

was only a matter

Cli Clank-!

opened up. The guard that

to relay

"On with it."