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."

relaxing. Now that I had just

"Good choice."

a pleased smile, Douglas waved

with water materialized in front of us. Then, with

tea, he started making small

find your stay

a pretty

Anything

"The war."

began to boil, the headmaster threw

me, an amicable smile appeared

we wait for the tea to be ready, how about you tell me about

back on the chair behind me, I crossed my

want to know why I'm still

Douglas continued to

take that as a

relaxed attitude disappeared, and what replaced it was a serious one, but

could

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

master was a testament to his righteous behavior. He was the one that engraved onto them their current upright and selfless personalities. If there was anyone that could be trusted, it would be

changes that had been happening due to what I did shouldn't have affected him since he wasn't within the scope of my

say for sure. After all, I

the changes that I brought, though unlikely, have changed

that I

should I begin?

I started to

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

recounted the story, I tried my best to suppress my

whole conversation, the smile on the headmaster's face

of the bounty, I was forced to leave the human domain. It is also the reason

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

long before he finally

Union decided to agree to your

"...I do."

I replied.

first, I wasn't too sure, but after coming to Henolur, I understood why the Union decided to agree to the Monolith's

because of the war that is currently happening. With the demons not wanting to suffer any major setbacks, they most likely ordered the Monolith to cease all

hand on the armrest,

pragmatic solution, which was to accept their offer and sell me out. At the end of the day, they are still not

lid from the teapot, Douglas poured the now-ready tea into

"Do you resent them?"

yes, I

decided to be honest with

decision was the right one, that didn't

But, to throw me under the bus right after

say that I was

the tea, Douglas opened

become strong enough to face

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

to let them go for what they did? Was I going to make those that forced me to leave the human domain pay for what they did

planning on

staring at Douglas in the eyes, I shook

resent them, I have

referring to the demon

"Yes."

I hated the people at the Union, they were still

to defeat the demon

moment, uncrossing my legs and leaning forward, I softly

the meantime, whatever I do to the Union, it'll be on the forms of self-defense, as

down, I looked at the small ripples

on

with

"Sigh."

while, putting the teacup down, Douglas

good enough

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

you have for the Union, I

words were soft, they powerfully