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."

contrast to green tea, 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

Then, with a simple touch, the water in the pot

preparing the tea, he started making small talk

find your

a pretty

so? Anything you

"The war."

boil, the headmaster threw in black tea leaves before

his attention back to me, an amicable

be ready, how about you tell

on the chair behind me,

to know why I'm

Douglas continued to smile

take that

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

that could

not being 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 sense of responsibility, especially to those that were part of the

master was a testament to his righteous behavior. He was the one that engraved

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

could never say for sure. After all, I

changes that I brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas into

I knew that I had to

I begin? It all

to

the people from the Union to only be stabbed in

I tried my best to suppress

the headmaster's face slowly started to fade as

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

slightly. For a while,

wasn't long before he

know why the Union decided

"...I do."

I replied.

to Henolur, I understood why the Union decided

demons not wanting to suffer any major setbacks, they most likely ordered the Monolith to cease all forms of

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

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

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

"Do you resent them?"

so, yes,

personality very well, I decided to be

was the right one, that didn't mean that

me under the bus right after

say that I was very

small sip of the tea, Douglas opened his

to face them, what are

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

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

you planning on causing them

and staring at Douglas in the eyes, I shook my

do resent them, I have to keep the bigger picture in

to the

"Yes."

much I hated the people at

to defeat the demon

and musing for a moment, uncrossing my legs

meantime, whatever I do to the Union, it'll be on

teacup down, I looked at the small ripples

on the

room. Then, with my eyes locked on Douglas, I

"Sigh."

teacup down,

good enough for

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

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

they powerfully rang inside of