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,

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

Was he really just saying this

thinking things through,

was going to be punished for his failure, it wasn't going to be something extreme like an execution. After all,

that was before, things were

the situation with

been executed for a failure not entirely on him, he would be guaranteed death for failing in

was betting on

Waylan's words and determination made

one would be stupid

decided to see where this bet would take the future

Tell me what your

"I apologize."

contrary to what Gernis expected. lowering his head,

this, Gernis's

playing with

at all of the

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

"Why is that?"

his shoulders and looked at the other

his brow,

It was then that it finally

anything was because he was afraid that a spy hid amongst one of the

all of those present in the

happy with

nonsense is this? You first say you can stop the war and then you insinuate that there might be a spy amongst us? Are you purposely

was none other than

face was twisted

Waylan. In fact, he wasn't the only one that thought in

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

ye guys be even listening ta him! Ye are

be right? what if

the dwarves seated finally spoke up

the

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

a valuable point,

chimed in, much to Randur's

"Then..."

caused Randur's face

himself ta us. Since Jomnuk has been kidnapped, we have nothing ta lose. It's nae like we're

turned his attention back

manage ta successfully do as

a thunderclap to some of the elders present, especially Randur who blanky sat there with his mouth hung open. But, before anyone

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

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

because o' Douglas. Me faith be nae with ye but with Douglas. If ye try anything funny, ye will nae be

eyes, Waylan nodded

will do my best to keep my

we

head left and right, Gernis

If Waylan needs something, try your

"Understood."

standing up, though displeased, the other dwarves

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

going as

***

Gulp-!

front of me. At this point, my eyes were bloodshot and my mana was all the way down

to last for another

since managed

wanted, I could deactivate

was only a

Cli Clank-!

opened up. The

to

"On with it."