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,

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

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

before,

escalated the situation with his

he could stop the war, he had aggravated the situation. If before he couldn't have been executed for a failure not entirely

was betting on

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

one would be stupid enough to worsen

to see where this bet would take

interest. Tell me what your

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected. lowering his

this, Gernis's face

you playing with

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

want to tell you, but I just

"Why is that?"

shrugged his shoulders and looked at the

his brow,

why?" It was then that it finally dawned on

reason why Waylan was not saying anything was because he was

his words as all of those present in the room showed a displeased

in particular, wasn't happy with his

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

dwarf was none other

face was

have this sort of vendetta against Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that thought in such a way, but unlike the rest, Randur

kept quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone

listening ta him! Ye are a bunch of

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

dwarves seated finally spoke up and

his head in the

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

make a

chimed in, much to

"Then..."

caused Randur's face to sink

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

attention back towards

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 clear ye O'

there with

shall be the final decision. You can't change

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

the others calmed down, turning his attention 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 one that will suffer

eyes, Waylan nodded his

will do my best to

we wish

left and

for now. If Waylan needs something, try your best

"Understood."

up, though displeased,

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

going

***

Gulp-!

my eyes remained transfixed on the panel in front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my

had managed to last for

managed to infiltrate

wanted, I could

was only a

Cli Clank-!

behind me opened up. The guard that brought me here came

here to

"On with it."