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."

that I had just come out

"Good choice."

pleased smile, Douglas waved

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

preparing the tea, he started making small talk

did you find your

pretty nice

so? Anything you

"The war."

the headmaster threw in black tea

his attention back to me, an amicable smile

to be ready, how about you tell me about your

chair behind me, I

to know why

Douglas continued to

take that as

a serious one, but I couldn't help it. I was

could

novel I wrote, I felt that he could be trusted. He had a deep

one that engraved onto them their current

been happening due to what I did shouldn't have affected him since he wasn't within

never say for sure. After all, I was no

changes that I brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas

I knew that I had to take this

begin? It all started

to tell Douglas about my

I escaped and saved the people from the Union to only be stabbed in the back by them. Of

I recounted the story, I tried my best to suppress my uneven

face slowly started to fade as his brows

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

eyes ripples slightly. For a while,

wasn't long before he finally opened

why the Union

"...I do."

I replied.

but after coming to Henolur, I understood why

any major setbacks, they most likely ordered the Monolith to cease all

my chair. Propping my hand on the armrest, and resting my cheek on

sell me out. At the end of the day, they

poured the now-ready tea into a tiny porcelain teacup in front

"Do you resent them?"

yes,

well, I decided to be honest with my

that didn't

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

say that

the tea, Douglas opened

I may ask if you become strong enough to face them, what are you going

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

they did? Was I going to make those that forced me

planning on causing them

Douglas in the eyes, I

I have to

to

"Yes."

how much I hated the people

wanted to defeat the demon king, I needed them

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

Union, it'll be on the forms of self-defense, as for

the teacup down, I looked at the small ripples that appeared on the

depend on the

my words, a deep silence shrouded the room. Then, with my

"Sigh."

while, putting the teacup down, Douglas let

good enough for

his hands behind his back, he walked towards a particular painting. Halting his steps, with his back facing me,

the hatred you have for the Union, I do understand where you are

soft, they powerfully rang inside