Chapter 90 - Offer (6) (1/2)
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.”