Billy wondered why he was angry… while he wasn't showing it, he had decided to leave the party already. Until now, he had decided most things when they were working together. While he heard the others opinions, the last word was always his.
He wondered if all that was reasonable, but he truly didn't want to be part of the reason why another war starts, so he decided to just let the others determine their next steps. The idea of his actions causing the deaths of thousands wasn't something that he needed in his life…
"I suppose this is also an effect of my recent actions," Billy thought. "I have kept my distance and certain things away from them, so their respect for me decreased; thus, they decided that following their wills this time was for the best. I respect that. I wouldn't be able to respect them if they don't think for themselves, after all."
Still, Billy couldn't tolerate that kind of attitude. He wanted to keep their friendship, but working together was no longer an option. Billy woke up the next day thinking about that…
"I suppose we can't use the most common roads and stop in cities and villages…" Kate said when they finished packing their things. "What path should we take, Billy?"
"No clue, here is our map," Billy said.
"... Are you mad?" Kate asked.
"No, I just honestly don't know the path we should take to achieve your goal," Billy replied.
Kate realized that Billy was a bit angry, that or he was being childish while being uncooperative. In any case, Kate wasn't good at reading maps, and while she could recognize the roads, cities, and villages drawn by Billy, telling their exact location was a bit more challenging.
In any case, the group began to move while following Kate's leadership. Usually, Billy would stay in the front and determine their walking speed, but this time he stayed behind and made the visitors sweat cold with his stare. They didn't have weapons or armor with them, so Billy could put a bolt on their back whenever he wanted, and they wouldn't be able to do anything to prevent it.
"I am a bit worried about Billy," Alexander whispered to Lily.
"He seems a bit angry, and while that is unusual, aren't you too worried about it?" Lily asked.
"How many times have you seen him so uncooperative and angry?" Alexander asked. "He didn't get angry, not even when one of the enemy's commanders almost cut his throat during the war."
"He certainly has some nerves…" Lily said.
"I think he didn't like about the argument we had yesterday, he never wanted to become our leader, but he accepted the role when we nominated him officially to clear the first dungeon," Alexander said. "Since then, he had accepted to do most of the miscellaneous work like gathering materials and doing research about all kinds of things, all in order to help us and give us combat experience. Focused on the growth of the party instead of his own, and I think that he was thinking about us again yesterday and yet…"
"... When you put it like that, it really looks like we betrayed his trust and his position as the leader of the party," Lily furrowed his eyebrows. "Still, this is something important for Kate… how would she feel abandoning someone when she was saved after being on the same spot? Can't you help Billy realize that?"
"I think he knows how important that is. That is why he didn't disagree with Kate for long," Alexander said. "The timing for her to do this is also bad… he was starting to get conscious of Kate and Natalie's feelings…"
"Really? I didn't notice it…" Lily said, visibly surprised.
"He talked directly to me about them," Alexander said.
"Hmm… Let's take turns and talk with him to make him cool his head and make realize that this isn't a big of a deal," Lily said.
"I suppose that is all we can do," Alexander nodded.
"I can't read this map well…" Kate said.
"I suppose I will have to teach you," Billy said.
Just when Lily was going to talk with Billy, that happened. It seemed like the usual, Billy acting like the older brother of the group, so Lily thought that Alexander was just worrying too much, but then the conversation proceeded.
"Can't you just read the map? It will be faster that way," Kate said.
"What is wrong in learning it?" Billy asked.
"But…" Kate said.
"Do you think that I will always be around to do the annoying things for you?" Billy asked. "I am supposed to be just like a useful tool to you? When did I become your servant?"
"I didn't say that!" Kate said.
"True, I suppose I went too far," Billy said. "Let's see if you truly mean it by learning how to read a map then.".
Billy didn't show with actions, but his words showed that he was pissed. Alexander's analysis was spot on. Billy didn't want to be the leader anymore, and since he didn't want to be the leader, he certainly wouldn't stay in the party to become the Jack of all trades.
"I am going to a nearby village to send the letters. It will be faster and less troublesome if I go alone," Billy said after they set their camp as soon as night fell.
As soon as Billy left, Lily and Alexander went to talk with the other girls, but they looked troubled and depressed enough. It seemed that they noticed Billy's behavior.
"I really did it this time…" Kate said with her head down.
"It was unavoidable… You aren't someone who would abandon those in need," Natalie said. "Besides, we also decided to support you."
"Yeah, and because of me, Billy doesn't want to be in this party anymore…" Kate said. "I just.... I just wanted to help someone, but I was supposed to find a better way to do so."
