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."

black tea was much better for relaxing. Now that I had just come out from a long battle, all I wanted

"Good choice."

a pleased smile, Douglas waved his

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

he was preparing the tea, he started making small talk with

did you find your stay in

pretty

Anything you didn't

"The war."

the headmaster threw in black tea

attention back to me, an amicable smile

to be ready,

the chair behind

to know why

answering, Douglas continued to smile

that as

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

could

a part of the Union and being one of the only selfless humans in the novel I wrote, I felt that he could be trusted. He had a deep

fact that he was 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 could be trusted,

that had been happening due to what I did shouldn't have affected him since he wasn't

say for sure. After all, I was no god. I

brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas into someone

I had

begin? It all

so I started to tell Douglas about my

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

story, I tried my best to suppress my

headmaster's face slowly started to fade

on me. Because of the bounty, I was forced to leave

ripples slightly. For a

wasn't long before he finally

you know why the Union decided to agree to your

"...I do."

I replied.

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

suffer any major setbacks, they

said before leaning back on my chair. Propping my hand on the armrest, and resting my cheek on my

Union's situation, 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 fight against

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

"Do you resent them?"

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

very well, I decided to be honest

one, that

But, to throw me under the bus right after

just say that I was very

the tea, Douglas

I may ask if you become strong 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

planning on causing them

head and staring at Douglas

I do resent them, I have to keep

referring to

"Yes."

how much I hated the people

wanted to defeat the demon king,

musing for a moment, uncrossing my legs and

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

teacup down, I looked at the small

depend on the

the room. Then, with my

"Sigh."

putting the teacup down, Douglas

good enough

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

carry on the hatred you have for the

were soft, they powerfully rang