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."

tea, black tea was much better for relaxing. Now that I

"Good choice."

a pleased smile, Douglas waved his

us. Then, with a

the tea, he

did you find your stay

a pretty

so? Anything you

"The war."

threw in

back to me, an amicable smile appeared on his

for the tea to be ready, how about you tell

back on the chair behind me, I crossed

want to know why I'm

answering, Douglas continued to

that as

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

that could decide

the only selfless humans in the novel I wrote, I felt that

He was the one that engraved onto them

to what I did shouldn't have affected him since

all, I was no god.

that I brought, though unlikely,

I had to

begin? It all

started to tell Douglas about my

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

tried

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

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

forward, the headmaster's eyes ripples slightly. For a while,

before he

the Union decided

"...I do."

I replied.

sure, but after coming to Henolur, I understood why the Union decided to agree to the Monolith's

not wanting to suffer any major setbacks, they most likely ordered the

hand on the armrest, and resting my cheek

the most pragmatic solution, which was to accept their offer and sell me out. At the end

poured the now-ready tea into a tiny porcelain teacup in front of

"Do you resent them?"

to the Union? If so, yes,

I decided to be honest

the right one, that didn't

resented them. But, to throw me under the bus right after getting back

just say that

sip of the

strong enough to face them,

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

to make those that forced me

on

staring at Douglas in

them, I have to keep the bigger

referring to

"Yes."

I hated the people at the Union, they were still powerful

defeat the demon king,

a moment, uncrossing my legs and leaning forward,

be on the forms

I looked at the small ripples that appeared on

on the

a deep silence shrouded the room. Then, with my eyes locked on Douglas, I patiently

"Sigh."

while, putting the teacup down,

enough for

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

do not wish for you to carry on the hatred you have for

words were soft, they powerfully rang inside of my