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.."

Waylan's confident expression,

expression planted a seed of doubt

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

things through, Gernis

to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although he was one of the main people responsible for the

before, things were

escalated the situation with

the situation. If before he couldn't have been executed for a failure not entirely

betting on

and determination made Gernis think

would be stupid enough to worsen

to see where this bet would

Tell me

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected. lowering

Gernis's

playing with

glanced at all

to tell you, but I just don't really think

"Why is that?"

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

brow, he indifferently

was then that it finally dawned on

was not saying anything was because he was afraid that

one who understood his words as all of those present in

dwarf, in particular, wasn't happy with his

stop the war and then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are

dwarf was none other

face was

In fact, he wasn't the only one that

quiet didn't want to annoy

ye guys be even listening

feel, Randur, but what if his words be right? what

finally spoke

the

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

a valuable point,

chimed in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's face

ta prove himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have

attention back

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 will we

present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his

be the final decision.

the most powerful and respected person, the other dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated in quiet. Displeasure could be seen on

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

eyes, Waylan

do my best to

all we wish

his head left and right, Gernis stood

Waylan needs something, try

"Understood."

displeased, the other dwarves

made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against

was going

***

Gulp-!

point, my eyes were

managed to

long since managed to

wanted, I could deactivate

a matter

Cli Clank-!

up. The guard that brought

to relay a

"On with it."