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."

Now that I

"Good choice."

smile,

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

the tea, he started making small talk

you find

pretty nice

Anything you

"The war."

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

an

ready,

the chair behind me, I crossed my

to know why I'm

answering, Douglas continued

that as a

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

that could decide my

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

Donna's and Monica's master was a testament to his righteous behavior. He was the one that engraved onto them their current upright and selfless personalities. If there

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

sure. After all,

that I brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas

knew that I

begin?

to tell Douglas

to the Monolith to how I escaped and saved the people from the Union to only be stabbed in the back by them. Of course, I did omit some important

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

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

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

the headmaster's eyes ripples slightly. For a while, he didn't

he finally opened his

know why the Union decided to

"...I do."

I replied.

wasn't too sure, but after coming to Henolur, I understood why

the war that is currently happening. With the demons not wanting to suffer any major setbacks, they

back on my chair. Propping my hand on the

and sell me out. At

Douglas poured the now-ready tea into

"Do you resent them?"

to the Union? If so, yes, I do.

I decided

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

But, to throw me under

that I

a small sip of the tea,

to face

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

to make those that forced me to

you planning on causing them significant

Douglas in the

I do resent them, I have to keep the

to

"Yes."

matter how much I hated the people

defeat the demon

and musing for a moment, uncrossing my

whatever I do to the Union, it'll be on the forms

teacup down, I looked at the small

depend on

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

"Sigh."

teacup down, Douglas let out

good enough

particular painting. Halting his steps,

hatred you have for the Union, I do understand where

words were soft, they powerfully rang inside of my