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 from a long battle, all I wanted to do

"Good choice."

a pleased smile, Douglas waved

filled with water materialized in front of us. Then, with a

he started making

you find your stay in

pretty nice

that so? Anything you didn't

"The war."

the headmaster threw

back to me, an amicable smile appeared on

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

chair behind me, I

want to know why

continued to smile

take that

attitude disappeared, and what replaced it was a serious one, but I couldn't help it. I was

that could

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

was a testament to his righteous behavior. He was the one that engraved onto them

been happening due to what I did

say for sure. After all, I

the changes that I brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas into

I knew that I had to take

begin? It all started

started to

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

tried my best to suppress my

the whole conversation, the smile on the headmaster's face slowly

the Monolith and put a bounty on me. Because of the bounty, I

the headmaster's eyes ripples slightly. For a while,

long before he finally opened his

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

currently happening. With the demons not wanting to suffer any major setbacks, they most likely ordered the Monolith to cease all forms of conflicts with the

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

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

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

"Do you resent them?"

so, yes, I

decided to be honest

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

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

say that

the tea, Douglas opened

ask if you become strong enough to face them, what are you going to do to the

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

to make those that forced me to leave the

you planning on causing them significant

at Douglas in the eyes, I shook my

them, I have to keep the bigger picture in

to

"Yes."

much I hated the people at

wanted to defeat the demon

musing for a moment, uncrossing

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

the teacup down, I looked at the

on the

room. Then, with my eyes locked on Douglas, I patiently waited for

"Sigh."

teacup down, Douglas let out

enough for

his back, he walked towards a particular painting. Halting his steps,

you to carry on the hatred you have for the Union, I

were soft, they powerfully rang