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, Gernis's brows knit

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

Was he really

through,

to be something extreme like an execution. After all, although he was one of

was before, things

the situation

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

betting

determination

one would be stupid

this bet would take the

Tell me what your

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected.

Gernis's

you playing with

at

to tell you,

"Why is that?"

shoulders and looked at the other

his brow, he indifferently

obvious why?" It was then that it finally

reason why Waylan was not saying anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst

the only one who understood his words as all of those present in the room showed a

dwarf, in particular, wasn't happy with his words as

insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you purposely trying to

dwarf was none

face was twisted

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

who kept quiet didn't want

be even listening ta him! Ye are

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

finally spoke

the dwarf's

why only now? Something

make a valuable

in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

next words caused Randur's face

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

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' your failure, but we'll

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 to

'Tis shall be the final

the other dwarves present could do nothing but remain seated in quiet. Displeasure could

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

his eyes, Waylan

do my best to keep

all we

and

now. If Waylan needs something, try your best to

"Understood."

though displeased, the other

were leaving, what the others did not know was that once the decision had been made, both Randur, the dwarf that seemed

going

***

Gulp-!

this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all the way down to ten

had managed to last for another eight

managed

I could

only a

Cli Clank-!

behind me opened up. The guard

to

"On with it."