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."

I had just come out from a long

"Good choice."

pleased smile, Douglas waved

of us. Then, with a simple

was preparing the tea, he started

find

a pretty nice

Anything

"The war."

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

me, an amicable smile appeared on his

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

chair behind me,

to know

answering, Douglas continued

take that

replaced it was a serious one, but I couldn't help it. I was about to take a huge

that could decide

only selfless humans in the novel I wrote, I felt that he could be trusted. He

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 was anyone that

changes that had been happening due to what I did shouldn't have

After all,

though unlikely,

knew that I

begin? It

I started to tell Douglas about

teleported to the Monolith to how I escaped and saved the people from the Union to only be stabbed in the

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

face slowly started

bounty on me. Because 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

before he

the Union

"...I do."

I replied.

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

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

my hand on the armrest, and

and sell me out. At the end

lid from the teapot, Douglas poured the now-ready tea into a tiny porcelain teacup

"Do you resent them?"

so, yes, I do. I very much

decided to be honest with my

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

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

that I

of the tea, Douglas opened his

you become strong enough to face them, what are you going

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

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

planning on

staring at Douglas in the eyes, I shook my

not. Although I do resent them, I

referring to the demon

"Yes."

matter how much I hated the people at

to defeat the demon king, I needed them

eyes and musing for a moment, uncrossing

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

the teacup down, I looked at the small

depend on

Then, with my

"Sigh."

putting the teacup

good enough for

walked towards a particular painting.

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

they powerfully rang