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,

planted a seed of doubt inside of

do it? Or could he? Was he really just saying

things through,

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

that was before, things

situation with his

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

was betting on his

and determination made Gernis think that

would be stupid

decided to see where this bet would take the future

me interest. Tell

"I apologize."

contrary to what Gernis expected. lowering his

this, Gernis's

you playing

shook his head and glanced at all

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

"Why is that?"

head, Waylan shrugged his shoulders and looked

his brow, he indifferently

was

anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one

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

particular, wasn't happy with his words

insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you purposely trying to create a rift among the

was none other

was

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

quiet didn't want

believe ye guys be even listening ta him! Ye

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

finally spoke up and

in the dwarf's direction,

And why only now? Something ain't addin' up! I

make a valuable point,

in, much

"Then..."

caused Randur's face to sink

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

his attention back

present, I grant ye tha power ta carry on with tha plans ye have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said, nae

words 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 decision. You can't

was the most powerful and respected person, the other dwarves present could do

back 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

eyes, Waylan

do my best

we wish

left and right,

If Waylan needs something, try

"Understood."

up, though displeased, the other

that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan, and Waylan, smiled, in a way similar but

was going as

***

Gulp-!

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

I had managed to last for another

managed to infiltrate the

I could deactivate

only a matter

Cli Clank-!

opened up. The guard that

here to relay

"On with it."