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

"Good choice."

smile, Douglas waved

Then, with a simple

he

you find your

pretty

so? Anything you

"The war."

boil, the headmaster threw

to me, an amicable smile

ready, how about you tell me about

the chair behind me,

to know why I'm

continued to smile

that as a

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

could

Douglas not being a part of the Union and being one of the only selfless humans in the novel I wrote, I felt that

the one that engraved onto them their

been happening due to what I did shouldn't

could never say for sure. After all, I was no god. I didn't

brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas into

I knew that I had to take

I begin? It

I started to tell

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

tried my best to

face slowly started

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

eyes ripples slightly. For a

long before he finally

know why the Union

"...I do."

I replied.

coming to Henolur, I understood why the Union decided to agree to

wanting to suffer any major

my hand on the armrest,

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

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

"Do you resent them?"

Union? If so, yes, I

Douglas's personality very well, I decided to

decision was the right one, that didn't

very much resented them. But, to throw me under

that

the tea,

enough to face them, what

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

to make those that forced me to leave the human domain pay for what they did to me? Or was I going to

you planning on causing them

Douglas in the eyes,

not. Although I do resent them, I have to keep the

to the

"Yes."

how much I hated the people

I wanted to defeat the demon king,

uncrossing my legs and leaning forward,

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

down, I looked at the

depend on

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

"Sigh."

the teacup down, Douglas let

enough for

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

not wish for you to carry on the hatred you have for the Union, I

were soft, they powerfully rang