Billy sighed… his father was in the middle of his thirties, and while people in that world aged a lot slower than Earth, he wished that he stayed away from the front lines. It would be better if his skills were only used to protect the twins since they couldn't protect themselves right now.
"Aside from twenty gold coins as a payment, how about some residences in my capital?" Jean asked. "It would make things easier for all of you to move around that way. Life would become a lot easier there. Although I can't deny that it is a bit expensive."
Billy furrowed his eyebrows… at that point in time, they couldn't ignore the things that happened in his territory. Still, it seemed that he wanted their help even faster than usual. However, that didn't seem like a bad idea. Billy was already sixteen, and there was his issue about marrying Kate and Natalie. Since that wasn't normal back home, it would be better if they lived somewhere else.
"Some titles and lands would also probably be a good idea," Jean said.
"Just the money and the houses will be enough. Don't put more workload on our shoulders, please," Billy said.
It would be nice to have some places outside when Billy decides to take his siblings on some trips. Inns were noisy, and it was hard to have some family time on them. In any case, those last two months had been filled with work, but Billy and his friends will be rewarded appropriately by them.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"By the way, how is Rosalie?" Kate asked.
"She apparently is fine. If you are that much worried about her, I suppose you can make her move to your new residences, but it will take a while for those to become ready for you all," Jean replied.
"You seem pretty relaxed. Are you sure that we can drop our guard now?" Billy asked.
"I obtained some Intel about the beastmasters. They are in conflict with one of their neighbors on their east side," Jean said. "For at least six months, we will be free to move and act as we see fit."
Six months wasn't a long time, but that was a minimal estimation. The beast tamers also could risk some revolts if they wage a war that often. So, Billy assumed that they had at least one year. Enough time to make some decent walls around the largest cities and towns and also to strengthen their armies.
"Billy, shouldn't we use this time to spread our knowledge and skills?" Kate asked.
"I was thinking that but I don't think Natalie and I are suited for teaching many people at once," Billy said. "I am short-tempered with large groups, and she is even more."
"I can be patient if I want," Natalie said.
"Not for long," Billy said. "Well, let's take a break for a month and see what we can do."
Spending several months teaching others would make Billy earn a lot of money, but that wasn't something he needed. He felt like improving his forging skills would be better, but leaving his friends to go alone seemed a bit risky. That being said, they would probably keep their guard up if he isn't close by. In any case, Billy had one month to think about that.
"Let's go home," Billy said.
The trip back home only lasted for ten days since Jean lent them his best carriage and horses. He also said that they could only return it later, so they would keep those for a while. Much to Billy's surprise, his family was already back home.
"I thought that you guys would stay for a while longer… did something happen?" Billy asked.
"No, we cleared the dungeon and then helped the kids who wanted to become adventurers and work gathering materials inside. Things worked well and on schedule," Drew replied.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Samara and Samuel were quite insistent that they want to explore the dungeon alone, and while fearing that they might slip between the guards, we decided to return," Camilla replied. "We returned one month ago… we stayed there for quite a while, but you took longer to return."
"Well, several things happened…" Billy said and then decided to tell his parents what happened.
They seemed quite relieved that their current enemies were busy dealing with another state. While it was unavoidable, they didn't want to let Billy participate in a war any time soon. They had heard that some elementalists had left a month ago, but they didn't know what for. Besides, it was rare for them to leave on such a long trip.
"A house, huh… it seems that Jean is liking your services a bit too much," Camilla said. "The next time, he will probably try to reward you with several women."
"Speaking of women, there is something I have to tell you both," Billy said. "... I decided to get married. In a year or two, that will happen."
"That is good… so why are you being so hesitant?" Drew asked.
"... Who is it?" Camilla asked with a very stern look on her face.
"I am going to marry Kate and Natalie," Billy replied. "Tomorrow I am going to tall with their parents."
"Well… what can I say?" Drew frowned. "We don't have that kind of tradition of marrying more than one person, but… Congratulations?"
"Seriously, Billy… you ignore them for so long, and out of nowhere, you want to marry both?" Camilla asked. "Even if they are fine with that, their families won't like you taking them lightly. It will also raise a lot of rumors… when that kind of thing becomes widespread, it is bound to cause problems to all of you and the people around. Not to mention…"
In the end, Billy had to listen to a lecture for several hours… he had been waiting for it, but it didn't make things any easier for him.. Camilla was quite lenient, so the others probably will be even more complicated.