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 to do

"Good choice."

a pleased smile,

a teapot filled with water materialized in front of us. Then, with

tea, he started

did you find your

pretty

so? Anything you didn't

"The war."

the headmaster threw in black tea

me, an amicable

ready, how about you tell

behind me, I crossed my

want to know

continued to

take that as a

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

could

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

one that engraved onto them their current upright and selfless personalities. If there was

to what I did shouldn't have affected him since he wasn't within the scope

never say for sure. After all,

I brought, though

I

begin? It

started to tell Douglas

how I teleported 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 information, but I did

the story, I tried my best to suppress my uneven

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

of the bounty, I was forced to leave the human domain. It

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

wasn't long before he

know why the Union decided

"...I do."

I replied.

after coming to Henolur, I understood why the Union decided

the war that is currently happening. With the demons not wanting to suffer any major setbacks, they most likely ordered the Monolith to cease

hand on the armrest, and resting my

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

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

"Do you resent them?"

the Union? If so, yes,

I decided to

one, that didn't mean that

them. But, to throw me under

say that I

of the

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

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

let them go for what 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 let them

on causing them

staring at Douglas in the eyes, I

them, I have to keep the bigger picture in

to the

"Yes."

I hated the people at the

wanted to defeat the demon king, I needed them

my eyes and 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

the small ripples

on

the room. Then, with my

"Sigh."

while, putting the teacup

good enough

walked towards a particular painting. Halting his steps, with

hatred you have for

soft, they powerfully rang