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

expression planted a seed of doubt inside of the old dwarf's

Was he really just saying

things through, Gernis doubted

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

before, things were different

escalated the situation with his

could 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 mission after making such

was betting on his

words and determination

one would be stupid enough to worsen their

this bet would take the

got me interest. Tell me what your

"I apologize."

to what Gernis expected. lowering his head, Waylan

Gernis's face

playing with

at all of

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

"Why is that?"

shrugged his shoulders and looked

brow, he

why?" It was then that it finally

was because he was afraid that a

who understood his words as all of those present

wasn't happy with his words as he raised

the war and then you insinuate that there

dwarf was none

face was twisted with

trial started, he seemed to have this sort of vendetta against Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that thought

who kept quiet didn't want to annoy Gernis, someone whom they

believe ye guys be even listening ta him! Ye are a bunch

ye feel, Randur, but what if his words be right? what if he truly knows o' a way ta

finally

the dwarf's direction, Randur

how can he know when even we don't know? And why only now? Something ain't addin' up! I dinna and winna trust

a

chimed in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

his next words caused Randur's face to

ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's nae like we're going ta let him do

attention back towards

have. If ye manage ta successfully do as ye've said,

who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But, before anyone could even protest, Gernis raised

mind. 'Tis shall be the final decision. You can't

most powerful and respected person, the other dwarves present could

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

his eyes, Waylan nodded his

my best to keep

we

left and right, Gernis

now. If Waylan needs something, try your best

"Understood."

up, though displeased,

Randur, the dwarf that seemed to have a vendetta against Waylan, and Waylan, smiled, in a way

going as

***

Gulp-!

front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and

to

long since managed to infiltrate

wanted, I could deactivate the

was only a

Cli Clank-!

the door behind me opened up. The guard

here to relay a

"On with it."