Billy began to wonder what he should do. That was a mission given by the lord of the town, and while he doubted that things could go as smoothly as he had planned, it wasn't like he wouldn't gain anything in exchange. He might convince one of the elementalists to teach him magic, and when they finish the bridge, he might have the chance to ask him to be part of the exploration group. As for the downsides, those who truly hated the elementalists would look at him with wary eyes, but given his fame, they probably won't try anything.
"I don't know if I can succeed with that… or even convince them to join our side fast enough," Billy said. "Besides, my father and many others were almost crippled by them."
"The adults will understand that this is necessary for the future of the town," Edward said. "As for the matter of time, as long as we get the result in a few months, it will be fine. I am certain that the elementalists will eventually cooperate. Still, I want them to become loyal to the town, and that is why you need to get close to one of them and make them change their minds from within."
"Is there any reason why they would be so stubborn? Even though most of the prisoners are just ordinary people?" Billy asked.
"Yes… they had many reasons to act like that," Edward said and then sat down on his chair before letting out a long sigh. "They had fewer numbers compared to us, and despite that, they attacked all the other tribes and put us against the wall with ease. Have you wondered why?"
"Is it related to the past?" Billy asked.
"Indeed… few people know that since most of our elders died fighting, but around 150 years ago, all the tribes in the area chased out the elementalists to those harsh areas," Edward replied. "At that time, we didn't understand their power, so they were feared… the tribes joined forces and made them move away. Thanks to that, in the last fifty years, they attacked all the tribes after sharpening their fangs and their desire for revenge."
That sure complicated things… neither side was right in that situation. The tribes couldn't pay for the crimes of their ancestors. Still, the elementalists could have gained some lands without waging a war that lasted for fifty years.
"Well… I will see what I can do," Billy said. "What else can I say to make them understand that we want to leave the past behind?"
"We have some residences ready for them, so they can use those immediately," Edward said. "They also can join the guard and the future expeditions to distant lands. As long as they are willing to cooperate, they will receive the same treatment as the other tribes."
"All right… I will try to use that," Billy said. "To avoid problems and suspicions, I will send someone to give my report to you every week."
Edward nodded, slightly surprised. Despite his young age, Billy sure was considering a lot of things. His head wasn't only good for combat… Nevertheless, Billy left the mansion after that. He was given an important task, it was also a pretty annoying one, but he was determined to make most of it. Putting Edward's expansion plans aside, Billy truly wanted to learn the magic of the elementalists… but how should he convince one of them to work with him?
"But now I have the perfect excuse to show my magic…" Billy thought.
Billy had a few days off to prepare, but since his work now will probably be guarding the prisoners for a while, he didn't have to hurry. Still, he decided to hurry because he couldn't waste his second life lazing around. He went to where the prisoners were and made the guards frown since he left with his glaive with the guards, and now he was unarmed, and going to such a place after what she did to them was dangerous. Billy couldn't just tell the others his orders, so things only looked weirder.
Many of the prisoners recognized Billy and glared at him, but most of them also looked away when he returned the glare. Some of the youngest elementalists still kept at it, though. Probably because they admired the genius boy that he had defeated a week ago. Billy used Appraisal on them and found a girl around that boy's age that had almost one thousand points in mana, and she also could use the four elemental manipulations. She was probably the most talented individual of her generation now that the other body was dead. Also, her glare was especially vicious… she probably was close to that guy.
"Hey, you, come over here," Billy said.
The girl ignored Billy, and he just shrugged. He looked around them and noticed that the elementalists didn't look much like each other. The only characteristics that they shared in common were their pretty thin bodies and had no signs of developed muscles. Aside from that, Billy realized that they had a certain glint in their eyes… a light blue glint. Even though their colors varied, the glint was the same… probably because they could control mana really well. Nevertheless, the girl had long black hair and eyes of the same color. Although she was around three years older than Billy, it was hard to see it like that since the others looked more debilitated than usual due to the lack of food. In any case, Billy could use that.
"Do you want to avenge that guy? This is your chance to do that," Billy said. "Duel with me."
The guards and the elementalists frowned at the same time, but the guards knew that Billy had been called by the lord of the town that same day, so perhaps his actions had a meaning behind them. Regardless, the elementalists didn't take that lightly. It was a cheap taunt, after all.
"Don't worry, they won't attack you if you mana to hurt me," Billy said. "So, what are you going to do?"
