The Author's POV

Following the dwarf, we soon got out of the northern tower and directly entered the city of Henolur.

Upon entering the city, I noticed that compared to before, it was a lot quieter.

The liveliness that shrouded the city when I had first arrived was no longer there, and what replaced it was a solemn atmosphere.

"We're almost there."

Walking through the city's empty streets, before long, we arrived in front of a mansion.

With metal fences surrounding the place, what I could see from the gap of the fences was a lush green garden filled with all sorts of plants and trees.

Stopping beside the gate, the dwarf that led me here pressed onto the bell of the mansion. Then, as if expecting the dwarf's appearance, the gates of the mansion opened up.

Ki Clank—

The moment the gates opened, the scenery that I could barely see from the gaps of the fence was now on full display for me to see.

Surrounding a large fountain in the middle of the garden was a neat array of plants and trees. The wide range of colors that came from the plants perfectly contrasted the beige-colored mansion that stood in the middle of the garden.

Taking a step into the mansion, I took a deep breath. Compared to the city, the air here was much fresher.

With both feet outside the mansion gate, the dwarf that brought me here opened his mouth.

"Please enter tha mansion, me duty be now over an' I shall now leave."

"Oh, sure."

I absentmindedly replied at the dwarf.

My mind was too distracted by the view presented before me.

"This is amazing..."

Walking around the mansion, I couldn't help but marvel at the garden.

It had to be noted that we were currently underground, meaning that there was no sunlight. For the plants to grow this healthy, it was a testament to how advanced the dwarves were.

"You like it?"

Startling me out of my thoughts was an aged voice.

Without turning around, I already knew who it was.

"It's nice."

I faintly replied.

"I'm glad you like it, Ren."

Turning my head, my eyes paused on the old man standing next to me.

As I stared at him, he gave me a calm and unfathomable feeling.

Looking back at me, he asked.

"Should we head inside?"

"Sure."

Judging from how he called me Ren, he appears to have finally recognized me.

Not that it was hard since I wasn't trying to hide it.

From how I didn't hide my face, to how I straight up used my real name in the achievement points section.

The goal in doing so was to gain his attention. Even if I was acquainted with Waylan, that didn't mean he could allow me to meet Douglas.

The purpose of exposing myself was to gain Douglas's attention.

"Over here."

Upon entering the mansion, Douglas brought me inside of an enormous living room where we sat down.

Right as we sat down, Douglas offered me some tea.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Sure."

"Green or black?"

"Let's go with black."

tea was much better for relaxing. Now that I had just come

"Good choice."

smile, Douglas waved

front of us. Then, with a simple touch, the water in the pot began

tea, he started

you find your stay in

a pretty nice

Anything you didn't

"The war."

water began to boil, the headmaster threw in black tea leaves before closing

attention back to me, an amicable smile appeared on his

tea to be ready, how about you tell

behind me,

know why I'm

Douglas continued

that

it was a serious one,

could decide

Douglas not being a part of the Union and being one of the only selfless humans in the novel I wrote, I felt that he could be trusted. He

behavior. He was the one that engraved onto them their current upright and selfless personalities. If there was anyone

due to what I did shouldn't have

all,

that I brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas into someone

I knew that I had

I begin?

to tell Douglas about my

from the Union to only be stabbed in the back by them. Of course, I did omit some important information, but I did say most of the important

story, I tried my best

face slowly started to fade as his brows knit

on me. Because of the bounty, I was forced to leave the human

ripples slightly. For a while, he didn't say

before he finally opened

Union decided to

"...I do."

I replied.

after coming to Henolur, I understood why the Union

the demons not wanting to suffer any major

thoughtfully said before leaning back on my chair. Propping my hand on the

solution, which was to accept their offer and sell me out. At the end of the day, they

now-ready tea into

"Do you resent them?"

so, yes, I do.

personality very well, I decided to be

decision was the right one, that didn't mean that I didn't

resented them. But, to throw me under the bus right after getting

say that I was very

of the tea, Douglas opened

to face them, what are you

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

to let them go for what they did? Was I going to make those that forced me

you planning on causing them significant

my head and staring at Douglas in the eyes,

them, I have to keep the bigger picture in

referring to the

"Yes."

people

wanted to defeat the demon king,

musing for a moment, uncrossing my legs and leaning forward,

it'll be on

down, I looked at the small ripples that appeared on

on the

my words, a deep silence shrouded the room. Then, with my eyes locked on Douglas, I patiently waited for

"Sigh."

while, putting the teacup down, Douglas let

good enough

particular

wish for you to carry on the hatred you have for the Union, I do understand where

words were soft, they powerfully rang inside of my