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 battle, all I

"Good choice."

a pleased smile,

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

was preparing the tea, he

did you find your stay in

pretty

that so? Anything

"The war."

began to boil, the headmaster threw in black tea leaves

an amicable smile appeared on

ready, how about you tell me about

the chair behind me, I crossed my

to know why

Douglas continued to

that as a

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

that could

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

his righteous behavior. He was the one that engraved onto them their current upright and selfless personalities. If there was anyone that could be

that I thought about it, the changes that had been happening due to what I did shouldn't have affected him since

After all, I was

the changes that I brought, though unlikely,

I had to take this

I begin? It

started to

the Monolith to how I escaped and saved the people from the Union to only be stabbed in the back by them. Of

I tried my

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

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

eyes ripples slightly. For a

he finally

you know why the Union decided

"...I do."

I replied.

after coming to Henolur, I understood why the

suffer any

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

the Union's situation, they chose the most pragmatic solution, which was to accept their offer and sell me out.

from the teapot, Douglas poured the now-ready tea into

"Do you resent them?"

yes,

decided to be honest with

the right one, that didn't mean

to throw me under the bus right after getting back

just say that I was

the tea, Douglas

I may ask if you become strong enough to face

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

they did? Was I going 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 significant

at Douglas in the eyes, I

them, I have to keep the

referring to the demon

"Yes."

how much I hated the people at the

defeat the demon king, I needed

and musing for a moment, uncrossing my legs and leaning forward,

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

looked at the small ripples that appeared on

on the

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

"Sigh."

putting the teacup down,

enough

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

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

were soft, they powerfully rang