Billy tried to reason with Kate, but she didn't listen to a single thing. As expected, her mental age was that of a teen… she just couldn't accept the risks and the problems that such an attitude would cause. A problem soon arrived… the next day, Billy was summoned by Edward… it was about time for him to receive another job. Still, Billy was pretty sure that Edward wanted to talk about Kate. As expected, he already looked sick and worried in his office. His daughter's recovery gave him some good news and now she was causing some trouble again...
"You look exhausted," Billy said.
"... Since I have heard about Kate's plans to go on adventures outside town, I have been unable to sleep for more than a few hours," Edward said. "Was it you who taught her how to use knives and magics like that, Billy?"
"No, I just taught the very basic elemental magic, but she understood what I did after hearing about it from my friends," Billy said.
"I asked that, but I suspected as much… Kate told me what you two talked about yesterday," Edward said and then began to massage her forehead. "As expected, you understand my worries. To be honest, I don't know what I can do to make Kate understand her position… she was such an obedient girl before, but now…"
"I suppose not everything can be the way we want," Billy said. "Still, I might have a solution to this problem… but it might also cause more problems depending on Kate's reactions."
"I am listening…" Edward said.
"What if you give Kate the chance to explore a dungeon?" Billy asked. "If she sees first hand how dangerous things can be, she might have a change of mind."
"However, she might lose her life in a dungeon… she might also get addicted to the atmosphere there," Edward said.
"Those possibilities certainly exist," Billy nodded.
Edward took his time to think about the chances of actually succeeding, and then something clicked in his head, then something also clicked in Billy's head. Most likely, he will ask Billy's group to escort her, and even if she doesn't change her mind, she will end up a bit closer to them, and the others probably soon will welcome her.
"Let me offer an alternative," Billy said in a hurry. "Lock her in her own room and throw away the keys."
"I wish it were that easy… there was this talk about sending some of us to clear the easiest dungeons in the Hiloh state. Are you interested in that?" Edward asked.
In the end, Edward wouldn't just give Billy the order to do that. He would ask if he was interested and then bring up that topic. He had already asked too much to him over the last few months, after all. In any case, Billy facepalmed when he realized that the choices that he made to solve a problem, created another problem.
"All right… we will take her to a dungeon, but then I will work hard to make her hate the experience," Billy said.
"I suppose that is for the best," Edward said. "I want her to live a long life, even if she has to endure some harsh moments to achieve that."
"When can we depart?" Billy asked.
"In one week should be enough," Edward said. "Alongside the gifts, Jean sent a messenger and many ravens. We can communicate with them freely now."
That was good to know… in any case, preparations had to be made, and who knows for how long they would stay away this time, so Billy wanted to spend his time with his family. Over the course of the next few days, Billy told his friends about the chance to go to a dungeon. Naturally, they didn't refuse it. In fact, they were so ecstatic that they barely could wait a week… they were like kids on the night before a trip.
"Are you going to explore a dungeon?" Camilla asked while frowning. "I am surprised that you were the one who proposed."
"Me and my big mouth…" Billy said.
Meanwhile, Billy's siblings had sparkling eyes while imagining the exploration in a dungeon. At their age in his previous life, Billy feared the things below his bed… he thought there was a shark there, all because of an old movie that he saw, but he shouldn't have.
On the day of the departure, everyone's family walked with them toward the gates. While Lucy and Natalie were at odds, they didn't hate each other. Billy assumed that Edward would send more guards to keep her guard safe, but he didn't. She probably complained about that, and he changed his mind… he is spoiling his daughter too much.
"Be careful out there, all right?" Edward asked.
"Not to worry, I already have everything prepared," Billy said. "We will probably clear the dungeon in a single try."
"You sure are confident," Drew said.
"Well yeah, since we are going to spend a few days gathering Intel about the dungeon from professionals," Billy said. "Once we get the tools, the knowledge, and a map, everything else will be easy."
"Where is the adventure in that?" Kate asked.
"Entering a dungeon is already adventurous enough. No need to take extra risks just because you are morons and can't think things through," Billy said.
Usually, the parents would feel angry after hearing that, but they were fully aware that their kids were morons. Even Billy was somewhat of a moron in his mother's eyes since he didn't want to marry a kind and top-class beauty like Kate.
In any case, the group of misfits had a new addition… a weird addition, but at least all of them were carrying some backpacks with food and tools. It wasn't much, but they were making use of their brains.. Regardless, they said goodbye to their families and began to travel toward Hiloh state once more… and all that walking made Billy think that they needed to buy some horses.
