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.."

expression, Gernis's brows knit in

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

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

thinking things through, Gernis doubted

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 at fault

that was before, things were

the situation

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

was betting on

of Waylan's words and determination made Gernis think

one would be stupid enough to worsen their

see where this bet

got me interest. Tell

"I apologize."

contrary to what Gernis expected. lowering

Gernis's face

you playing with

at all of the individuals seated in the

I don't want to tell you, but I just don't

"Why is that?"

his shoulders and looked

brow, he

it already obvious why?" It was

Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of the

wasn't the only one who understood his words as all

happy with his words as

first say you can stop the war and then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you purposely trying to create a rift among the

dwarf was none other than

was twisted

the only one that thought in such a

quiet didn't want

kinna believe ye guys be even listening ta him!

right? what if he truly knows o' a way ta stop

of the dwarves seated finally spoke up and

head in the dwarf's direction,

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

make a valuable point,

chimed in, much to

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's face to

still give him a chance ta prove himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta

his attention

everyone 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 only

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 to stop

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

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

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 one that will

Waylan nodded his head

do my best

we

left and

for now. If Waylan needs

"Understood."

up, though displeased,

once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan, and

going as

***

Gulp-!

my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all the way down

to last

managed

wanted, I

was only a matter of

Cli Clank-!

the door behind me opened up. The guard that brought

to

"On with it."