Chapter 201 - Divergence (7)

Rosalie woke up when the sun was rising, and she began to tremble like a leaf when she noticed that Billy was carrying her on his back. She still feared him pretty much, even though he felt like he didn't do a lot to deserve that.

"I am sorry! I am so sorry!" Rosalie said.

"If you are, then stupid pouring snort and tears in my back, it is getting itchy," Billy said.

"Yes, yes!" Rosalie said and then breathed in to pull all the snort inside her nose again.

"That is just…" Billy frowned.

"Stop scaring her, Billy," Kate said.

"I didn't try to. It isn't my fault if she is scared like a rabbit," Billy said.

It was time to take a break and rest a little while they had their breakfast. Fortunately, Billy could see a grove in the distance, so they walked toward it after Rosalie was put to walk. The whole group needed a break, so they welcomed that.

"What do we know about the Riormi state?" Alexander asked

No one replied, when they traveled, they only investigated things regarding dungeons, after all, so that wasn't surprising. Even Billy, who wanted to learn more about the story of the states, forgot to do his research time and time again.

"We will meet Marie on the way. She probably knows enough," Billy said. "Regardless, we should… no, it is nothing."

Old habits die hard… Billy was confirming that he was trying to control his instincts to take leadership of the mission. Although Jean asked him to help Rosalie's groups, he wasn't doing it alone, and that was a mission that was the continuation of what Kate had decided to do. She had to take the reins and see the success of the mission until the very end.

"Ugh… her again," Kate said.

It seemed that Kate was jealous of Marie's devilish charms. Billy could understand that Marie was… eye-catching, to say the last. In any case, Billy had some time to think about the issue again since Kate made him remember. What should he do about Kate and Natalie? They were his friends and two gorgeous women, but he couldn't see them more than that. Besides, with him leaving his position as the leader of the party, choosing one of them even when he wasn't in love with them would only put a crack in their relationship.

"Why does life have to be so complicated…" Billy said and then sighed.

"That is because you are quite complicated yourself," Alexander said.

"I said that out loud, huh," Billy frowned.

"What is bothering you?" Alexander asked. "Having second thoughts about your decision regarding the party? After thinking for a while, I realized that it wasn't a big of a deal. I mean, we are relying on you too much for most things. We need to develop some independence when it comes to things that we don't know."

"Well, well, aren't you actually acting pretty mature?" Billy asked.

"The girls will soon realize that once they begin to work on things that they never did," Alexander said. "In any case, if you are thinking about that matter, then why don't you try to put yourself in Lily's position?"

"Sorry, but I can't. You aren't my type," Billy said.

"You can even joke about that, huh," Alexander said and then sighed. "What I mean is… try to imagine how special you are to them. The timing right now isn't good, but try to stay as close as possible to them for a day, and you might change your perspective."

Billy doesn't remember doing anything out of normal to become special to them. Still, that didn't help on the main issue. They were two, and he was one… even if Billy changes his view about them, he had no idea if polygamy existed in that world. He decided to deal with one problem at a time.

After traveling on foot for a week, the group reached the northern area of Hiloh state. Since they didn't use horses or any other vehicles and didn't stop to sleep at any inns, they were a bit tired mentally, but at least the mission was about on the halfway point to ending.

One night before they reached the town closest to the border, they set up camp behind a hill. For whatever reason, Kate had the idea to teach Rosalie magic. As if a kid who had never seen it could learn it so fast. In any case, it was probably for her self-defense, but it would take a while before any she could use with magic could become useful.

"Someone is coming," Natalie suddenly got up and then slowly climbed the hill.

Billy equipped his crossbow and spear, but he had a feeling that it was all right. If someone had noticed them, and they were an enemy, they wouldn't come alone, but there was one person waiting for them, and once Billy checked their silhouette, he confirmed it.

"Hey, it has been a while, kiddos," Marie said. "Jean informed me of your arrival."

"Yes, it has," Billy said. "I thought we took an unusual route and hard to predict, but as expected of someone who lives here."

"Putting that aside, those are our guests, huh," Marie said while looking at Rosalie, who hid behind Kate. "I knew that those guys were assholes, but not to the point that they would try to hunt down kids. I can't cut their throats."

Those words only made Rosalie more fearful. In any case, to think that she would begin to trust Kate that fast…

"By the way, I heard that the two of you got married. Congratulations," Marie said. "The next will be the straight-faced kid, and who else? It would help if you had a hard time choosing an order. It is amazing that your party hasn't collapsed yet."

Billy wondered why Marie was talking so much, but at least she confirmed that polygamy existed in that world. Now he just has one problem in his head...