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."

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

"Good choice."

smile, Douglas waved his

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

he started making small

did you find

a pretty nice

Anything

"The war."

headmaster threw in

back to me, an amicable smile appeared on

the tea to be ready, how about

the chair behind me, I crossed

want to know why I'm still

continued to

take that as

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

that could

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

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

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

for sure. After all, I was no god. I didn't know

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

knew that I had to take

should I begin? It all

started to tell Douglas about my

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 say most of the

story, I tried

smile on the headmaster's face slowly started to fade

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

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

long before he finally opened

know why the Union decided to agree to your

"...I do."

I replied.

coming to Henolur, I understood why the Union decided to

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

said before leaning back on my chair. Propping my 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 ready to fight

now-ready tea into

"Do you resent them?"

yes, I do.

I decided to be honest with

was the right one, that didn't mean that I didn't

But, to throw me under the bus right after getting

just say that I

the tea, Douglas opened his

you become strong enough to face them,

"…Good question."

I breathed out.

me to leave the

planning on causing

my head and staring at Douglas in the eyes, I shook my

them, I have to keep the bigger picture

to

"Yes."

people at the Union, they

I wanted to defeat the demon king, I needed

moment, uncrossing my legs and

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

I looked at the

depend on

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

"Sigh."

putting the teacup down, Douglas let

good enough for

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

to carry on the hatred you

were soft, they powerfully rang inside of