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."

better for relaxing. Now that I had just come out from a

"Good choice."

smile,

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

the tea, he started making small talk

you find your stay

pretty

Anything you

"The war."

began to boil, the headmaster threw in black tea leaves before closing

to me, an amicable smile appeared on his

tea to be ready, how about you tell me about your

the chair behind me, I crossed

to know why

answering, Douglas continued to

that as a

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

that could decide my

I wrote, I felt that he could be trusted. He had a deep sense of responsibility, especially to those that were part of the

was the one that engraved onto them

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

never say for sure. After all, I was no

though unlikely, have

I knew that I

I begin? It

so I started to tell Douglas

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

I tried

face slowly started to

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

slightly. For a while, he didn't say

wasn't long before he

you know why the Union decided

"...I do."

I replied.

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

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

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

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

now-ready tea into a tiny porcelain

"Do you resent them?"

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

personality very well, I decided to be honest

their decision was the right one, that didn't

But, to throw me under the

just say that I

of the tea, Douglas

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

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

me to leave the human domain pay for what they did to me? Or

you planning on causing them significant

staring at Douglas in

I have to keep the bigger

to the

"Yes."

much I hated the people at the Union, they were

demon king, I needed them

uncrossing my legs and leaning forward,

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

the teacup down, I looked at the small ripples that appeared on the

depend on

a deep silence shrouded the room. Then, with my

"Sigh."

putting the teacup down, Douglas

enough for

particular painting. Halting his steps, with

on the hatred you have for

soft, they powerfully