Mengikuti kurcaci itu, kami segera keluar dari menara utara dan langsung memasuki kota Henolur.
Begitu memasuki kota, aku menyadari bahwa dibandingkan sebelumnya, kota ini jauh lebih sepi.
Kegembiraan yang menyelimuti kota saat aku pertama kali tiba sudah tidak ada lagi, dan yang menggantikannya adalah atmosfer yang khusyuk.
"Kita hampir sampai."
Berjalan melewati jalanan kota yang sepi, tak lama kemudian kami tiba di depan sebuah mansion.
Dengan pagar logam mengelilingi tempat itu, yang bisa kulihat dari celah pagar adalah taman hijau subur yang dipenuhi berbagai macam tanaman dan pepohonan.
Berhenti di samping gerbang, kurcaci yang mengantarku ke sini menekan bel mansion itu. Lalu, seolah sudah menduga kemunculan kurcaci itu, gerbang mansion terbuka.
Klik—
Saat gerbang terbuka, pemandangan yang tadinya hanya bisa kulihat samar-samar dari celah pagar kini terpampang jelas di hadapanku.
Mengelilingi air mancur besar di tengah taman, terdapat tanaman dan pepohonan yang tersusun rapi. Beragam warna yang berasal dari tanaman-tanaman itu sangat kontras dengan mansion berwarna krem yang berdiri di tengah taman.
Melangkah masuk ke mansion, aku menarik napas dalam-dalam. Dibandingkan kota, udara di sini jauh lebih segar.
Dengan kedua kaki berada di luar gerbang mansion, kurcaci yang membawaku ke sini membuka mulutnya.
"Silakan masuk ke mansion, tugas saya telah selesai dan saya akan segera pergi."
"Oh, tentu."
Aku menjawab dengan linglung pada kurcaci itu.
Pikiranku terlalu terganggu oleh pemandangan yang terhampar di hadapanku.
"Ini luar biasa..."
Berjalan mengelilingi mansion, aku tidak bisa menahan kekagumanku pada taman itu.
Perlu dicatat bahwa kami saat ini berada di bawah tanah, artinya tidak ada sinar matahari. Tanaman bisa tumbuh dengan sehat seperti ini, itu membuktikan betapa majunya bangsa kurcaci.
"Kamu menyukainya?"
Mengejutkanku dari lamunanku adalah suara tua.
Tanpa menoleh, aku sudah tahu siapa itu.
"Bagus."
Jawabku pelan.
"Aku senang kamu menyukainya, Ren."
Menolehkan kepalaku, mataku berhenti pada lelaki tua yang berdiri di sampingku.
Saat aku menatapnya, dia memberiku perasaan tenang dan tak terduga.
Menatapku kembali, dia bertanya.
"Bagaimana kalau kita masuk ke dalam?"
"Tentu."
Dilihat dari caranya memanggilku Ren, sepertinya dia akhirnya mengenaliku.
Bukan hal yang sulit karena aku tidak berusaha menyembunyikannya.
Dari caraku tidak menyembunyikan wajah, sampai aku terang-terangan menggunakan nama asliku di bagian poin pencapaian.
Tujuan melakukan itu adalah untuk menarik perhatiannya. Meskipun aku kenal dengan Waylan, itu tidak berarti dia bisa mengizinkanku bertemu Douglas.
Tujuan mengekspos diriku adalah untuk mendapatkan perhatian Douglas.
"Lewat sini."
Setelah memasuki mansion, Douglas membawaku ke dalam ruang tamu yang sangat besar di mana kami duduk.
Saat kami duduk, Douglas menawarkan teh kepadaku.
"Mau minum teh?"
"Tentu."
"Hijau atau hitam?"
"Hitam saja."
Berbeda dengan teh hijau, teh hitam jauh lebih baik untuk bersantai. Karena baru saja keluar dari pertarungan panjang, yang kuinginkan hanyalah bersantai.
"Pilihan yang bagus."
Dengan senyum puas, Douglas melambaikan tangannya.
Tak lama kemudian, sebuah teko berisi air muncul di depan kami. Lalu, dengan sentuhan sederhana, air di dalam teko mulai mendidih.
Sambil menyiapkan teh, dia mulai mengobrol kecil denganku.
"Bagaimana menurutmu tinggal di Henolur?"
"Tempat yang cukup bagus."
"Begitukah? Ada yang tidak kamu sukai?"
"Perangnya."
Begitu air mulai mendidih, kepala sekolah memasukkan daun teh hitam sebelum menutup teko.
Mengalihkan perhatiannya kembali padaku, senyum ramah muncul di wajahnya.
"Sambil menunggu teh siap, bagaimana kalau kamu ceritakan tentang keadaaanmu."
Bersandar di kursi di belakangku, aku menyilangkan kakiku.
"Kamu ingin tahu mengapa aku masih hidup?"
Tanpa menjawab, Douglas terus tersenyum ramah.
"Aku akan menganggap itu sebagai 'ya'."
Sikap santai sebelumnya hilang, dan yang menggantikannya adalah sikap serius, tapi aku tidak bisa menahannya. Aku akan mengambil sebuah perjudian besar.
Satu yang bisa menentukan masa depanku.
Karena Douglas bukan bagian dari Union dan merupakan salah satu dari sedikit manusia tanpa pamrih dalam novel yang kutulis, aku merasa dia bisa dipercaya. Dia memiliki rasa tanggung jawab yang dalam, terutama kepada mereka yang menjadi bagian dari Lock.
Fakta bahwa dia adalah guru Donna dan Monica adalah bukti dari perilaku benar dan adilnya. Dialah yang menanamkan kepribadian mereka yang sekarang lurus dan tanpa pamrih. Jika ada orang yang bisa dipercaya, itu adalah dia.
Sekarang kupikir-pikir, perubahan yang terjadi karena perbuatanku seharusnya tidak memengaruhinya karena dia berada di luar cakupan perubahanku.
Tapi aku tidak akan pernah bisa memastikannya. Lagipula, aku bukanlah orang yang tahu segalanya. Aku tidak tahu segalanya.
Mungkin perubahan yang kubawa, meskipun kecil kemungkinannya, telah mengubah Douglas menjadi orang yang berbeda.
Tetap saja, aku tahu aku harus mengambil risiko ini.
"Bagaimana aku harus memulainya? Semuanya dimulai ketika..."
Dan begitulah aku mulai menceritakan pengalamanku kepada Douglas.
Dari bagaimana aku diteleportasi ke Monolith, bagaimana aku melarikan diri dan menyelamatkan orang-orang dari Union, hanya untuk ditikam dari belakang oleh mereka. Tentu saja, aku menyembunyikan beberapa informasi penting, tapi aku menceritakan sebagian besar hal penting.
Saat menceritakan kisah itu, aku berusaha sebaik mungkin menahan detak jantungku yang tidak beraturan.
Sepanjang percakapan, senyum di wajah kepala sekolah perlahan mulai memudar saat alisnya mengerut.
"...Union bergabung dengan Monolith dan memasang hadiah di kepalaku. Karena hadiah itu, aku terpaksa meninggalkan wilayah manusia. Itu juga alasan mengapa aku ada di sini."
Bersandar ke depan, mata kepala sekolah sedikit bergetar. Untuk beberapa saat, dia tidak mengatakan apa-apa.
Tidak lama kemudian dia akhirnya membuka mulutnya.
"Apakah kamu tahu mengapa Union memutuskan untuk menyetujui hadiah di kepalamu?"
"...Aku tahu."
Jawabku.
Awalnya, aku tidak terlalu yakin, tapi setelah datang ke Henolur, aku mengerti mengapa Union memutuskan untuk menyetujui persyaratan Monolith.
"Itu karena perang yang sedang terjadi saat ini. Dengan iblis yang tidak ingin menderita kemunduran besar, mereka kemungkinan besar memerintahkan Monolith untuk menghentikan segala bentuk konflik dengan Union."
Kataku sambil berpikir sebelum bersandar di kursiku. Menopang tanganku di sandaran lengan, dan menyandarkan pipiku di tanganku, aku melanjutkan.
"Mempertimbangkan situasi Union, mereka memilih solusi paling pragmatis, yaitu menerima tawaran mereka dan menjualku. Pada akhirnya, mereka masih belum siap untuk melawan Monolith."
Melepas tutup dari teko, Douglas menuangkan teh yang sudah siap ke dalam cangkir porselen mungil di depanku.
"Apakah kamu membenci mereka?"
"Maksudmu Union? Jika ya, aku membencinya. Aku sangat membencinya."
Mengetahui kepribadian Douglas dengan sangat baik, aku memutuskan untuk jujur dengan jawabanku.
Meskipun keputusan mereka adalah keputusan yang benar, itu tidak berarti aku tidak membenci mereka.
Aku sangat membenci mereka. Tapi, untuk membuangku begitu saja setelah aku baru saja kembali ke rumah...
Anggap saja aku sangat marah.
Menyeruput tehnya sedikit, Douglas membuka mulutnya.
"Bolehkah aku bertanya, jika kamu menjadi cukup kuat untuk menghadapi mereka, apa yang akan kamu lakukan pada Union?"
"...Pertanyaan yang bagus."
Aku menghela napas.
Apakah aku akan membiarkan mereka pergi atas apa yang mereka lakukan? Apakah aku akan membuat mereka yang memaksaku meninggalkan wilayah manusia membayar atas apa yang mereka lakukan padaku? Atau apakah aku akan membiarkan mereka pergi?
"Apakah kamu berencana untuk menyebabkan kerusakan signifikan pada mereka?"
Mengangkat kepalaku dan menatap mata Douglas, aku menggelengkan kepalaku.
"Sayangnya, tidak. Meskipun aku membenci mereka, aku harus tetap memikirkan gambaran besarnya."
"Maksudmu Raja Iblis?"
"Ya."
Tidak peduli seberapa besar aku membenci orang-orang di Union, mereka tetaplah orang-orang yang kuat.
Jika aku ingin mengalahkan Raja Iblis, aku membutuhkan mereka untuk hidup.
Menutup mataku dan merenung sejenak, melepaskan kakiku yang bersilang dan bersandar ke depan, aku berkata dengan lembut.
"Untuk saat ini, apa pun yang kulakukan pada Union, itu akan dalam bentuk pembelaan diri, dan untuk apa yang terjadi nanti..."
Meletakkan cangkir tehnya, aku melihat riak-riak kecil yang muncul di permukaan teh.
"Itu akan tergantung pada masa depan."
Mengikuti kata-kataku, keheningan yang dalam menyelimuti ruangan. Lalu, dengan mataku terkunci pada Douglas, aku dengan sabar menunggu jawabannya.
"Hah."
Setelah beberapa saat, meletakkan cangkir tehnya, Douglas menghela napas.
"...Itu sudah cukup baik untuk saat ini."
Berdiri, dengan tangan di belakang punggungnya, dia berjalan menuju sebuah lukisan tertentu. Menghentikan langkahnya, dengan punggung menghadapku, dia bergumam pelan.
"Meskipun aku tidak ingin kamu membawa kebencianmu pada Union, aku mengerti dari mana asalmu."
Meskipun kata-katanya lembut, kata-kata itu bergema kuat di telingaku.
"Alasan mengapa aku tidak pernah bergabung dengan Union justru karena pandangan pragmatis mereka tentang kehidupan."
Douglas menutup matanya sedikit.
"Mereka adalah orang-orang yang memberi nilai pada kehidupan, dan aku tidak setuju dengan pandangan seperti itu. Setiap kehidupan sama pentingnya dengan yang lain, dan saat kita memikirkannya seperti itu, masyarakat kita akan hancur."
Mendengarkan Douglas dari samping, alisku semakin mengerut.
Seperti yang kuduga, aku tidak salah tentang dia. Dia benar-benar memiliki moral yang tinggi. Aku semakin yakin tentang ini setiap kali mendengarkannya.
Menolehkan kepalanya, Douglas menatapku dengan mata yang jernih.
"Alasan kamu menceritakan semuanya kepadaku adalah karena kamu ingin aku melindungimu saat waktunya tiba, benar?"
Mengedipkan mataku perlahan, aku menganggukkan kepalaku.
"Benar."
"Aku suka kejujuranmu."
Senyum kecil muncul di wajah Douglas.
Berbalik menghadap lukisan itu sekali lagi, dia mengunci tangannya di belakang punggungnya.
"Aku tidak akan ikut campur dengan apa yang ingin kamu lakukan pada Union; Namun, aku berharap kamu mengingat gambaran besarnya. Tidak ped
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.
<br/>Right as we sat down, Douglas offered me some tea.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Sure."
"Green or black?"
"Let's go with black."
In 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 to do was relax.
"Good choice."
With a pleased smile, Douglas waved his hand.
Soon, a teapot filled with water soon materialized in front of us. Then, with a simple touch, the water in the pot began to boil.
While he was preparing the tea, he started making small talk with me.
"How did you find your stay in Henolur?"
"It's a pretty nice place."
"Is that so? Anything you didn't like?"
"The war."
Once the water began to boil, the headmaster threw in black tea leaves before closing the pot.
Turning his attention back to me, an amicable smile appeared on his face.
"As we wait for the tea to be ready, how about you tell me about your circumstances."
Leaning back on the chair behind me, I crossed my legs.
"You want to know why I'm still alive?"
Without answering, Douglas continued to smile kindly.
"I'll take that as a yes."
My previous relaxed attitude disappeared, and what replaced it was a serious one, but I couldn't help it. I was about to take a huge gamble.
One that could decide my future.
With Douglas 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 Lock.
The fact that he was Donna's and Monica's master was a testament to his righteous behavior. He was the one that engraved onto them their current upright and selfless personalities. If there was anyone that could be trusted, it would be him.
Now 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 scope of my changes.
But I could never say for sure. After all, I was no go. I didn't know everything.
Perhaps the changes that I brought, though unlikely, have changed Douglas into someone different.
Still, I knew that I had to take this gamble.
"How should I begin? It all started when…"
And so I started to tell Douglas about my experiences.
From 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 say most of the important stuff.
As I recounted the story, I tried my best to suppress my uneven heartbeat.
Throughout the whole conversation, the smile on the headmaster's face slowly started to fade as his brows knit tightly.
"…the Union joined hands with the Monolith and put a bounty on me. Because of the bounty, I was forced to leave the human domain. It is also the reason why I'm here."
Leaning forward, the headmaster's eyes ripples slightly. For a while, he didn't say anything.
It wasn't long before he finally opened his mouth.
"Do you know why the Union decided to agree to your bounty?"
"...I do."
I replied.
At first, I wasn't too sure, but after coming to Henolur, I understood why the Union decided to agree to the Monolith's terms.
"It's 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 cease all forms of conflicts with the Union."
I thoughtfully said before leaning back on my chair. Propping my hand on the armrest, and resting my cheek on my hand, I continued.
"Considering the Union's situation, they chose 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 against the Monolith."
Removing the lid from the teapot, Douglas poured the now-ready tea into a tiny porcelain teacup in front of me.
"Do you resent them?"
"You're referring to the Union? If so, yes, I do. I very much resent them."
Knowing Douglas's personality very well, I decided to be honest with my answer.
Although their decision was the right one, that didn't mean that I didn't resent them.
I very much resented them. But, to throw me under the bus right after getting back home...
Let's just say that I was very pissed.
Taking a small sip of the tea, Douglas opened his mouth.
"If I may ask if you become strong enough to face them, what are you going to do to the Union?"
"…Good question."
I breathed out.
Was I going to 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 go?
"Are you planning on causing them significant damage?"
Lifting my head and staring at Douglas in the eyes, I shook my head.
"Sadly, not. Although I do resent them, I have to keep the bigger picture in mind."
"You're referring to the demon king?"
"Yes."
No matter how much I hated the people at the Union, they were still powerful people.
If I wanted to defeat the demon king, I needed them to live.
Closing my eyes and musing for a moment, uncrossing my legs and leaning forward, I softly said.
"For the meantime, whatever I do to the Union, it'll be on the forms of self-defense, as for what happens later…"
Putting the teacup down, I looked at the small ripples that appeared on the tea.
"That'll depend on the future."
Following my words, a deep silence shrouded the room. Then, with my eyes locked on Douglas, I patiently waited for his answer.
"Sigh."
After a while, putting the teacup down, Douglas let out a sigh.
"…That's good enough for now."
Standing up, with his hands behind his back, he walked towards a particular painting. Halting his steps, with his back facing me, he softly muttered.
"Although I do not wish for you to carry on the hatred you have for the Union, I do understand where you are coming from."
Though his words were soft, they powerfully rang inside of my ears.
"The reason why I have never joined the Union is precisely because of their pragmatic view on lives."
Douglas closed his eyes slightly.
"They are those that add value to life, and I do not agree with such a view. Every life is as important as the other, and the moment we think of it that way, our society will fall apart."
Listening to Douglas from the side, my brows progressively furrowed.
As expected, I wasn't wrong about him. He really had high morals. I was more and more convinced about this the more I listened to him.
Turning his head, Douglas's looked at me with clear eyes.
"The reason you told me everything is because you want me to protect you when the time is right, correct?"
Blinking slowly, I nodded my head.
"That is correct."
"I like your honesty."
A small smile appeared on Douglas's face.
Turning to face the painting one more time, he interlocked his hands behind his back.
"I will not interfere with what you wish to do with the Union; However, I do wish for you to keep in mind the bigger picture. No matter how much you hate them, they are individuals who will play a big role when the time comes that the demon king descends. If the Union falls into chaos, our chances against the demon king will decrease."
"…I'll keep those words in mind."
From the very start, I was trying to keep the bigger in mind.
At the end of the day, my goal was to survive the third cataclysm. For that, I needed as many pieces on the board as possible.
Still, it wasn't like I was going to let them go scot-free for what they did to me. Once I had enough power, I was definitely going to let them understand what they did.
"I'm satisfied as long as you think that m—"
Clank—
Cutting Douglas off, the living room door suddenly opened, and a haggard figure walked in.
The moment he entered the room, the mana in the room thickened up considerably.
"Ugh, Douglas, I was so close in defeating that de—Huh? What are you doing here?"
It was then that Waylan suddenly noticed my presence.
"I called him here."
Douglas replied with a helpless smile.
"You did? Oh, right. You did mention something about you recognizing him."
Slumping on a sofa near me, Waylan helped himself to a cup of tea.
After taking a sip of the tea, Waylam's shoulders fully relaxed.
"Haaa..."
Letting out a relaxed sound, he lifted his head and looked at Douglas.
"So, what did you guys talk about?"
"…That."
Turning to face Douglas, my face twitched.
It wasn't like I could reveal to Douglas what had happened with the Union when he was the Vice-leader of the organization.
Although his position was lower than the seven heads, he was still the Vice-leader.
Fortunately, Douglas understood this as well. However, the answer he gave completely caught me off-guard.
"We were talking about a new assignment that I will be giving him."
Blinking a couple of times, a look of understanding appeared on Waylan's face.
"Oh? Are you talking about that job?"
"Yes."
"Hold on, what are you guys talking about?"
What in the world were the two of them talking about?
"It's better if I show you."
Walking towards me, Douglas waved his hand, and a piece of paper appeared in his hand.
"The task is simple. All you need to do is protect someone."
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