Chapter 203 - Decision (1)
"If it is possible, may I have the pleasure of knowing your names too?" Aura asked.
"Do we really have time for that?" Marie asked. "The beastmasters are working to take down our states while we speak. We need to move."
"Their movements have been a lot more timid since the pursuers that had been sent to kill Rosalie stopped sending news," Aura said. "They don't care about the truce, but they can't exact so many of their best agents to enemy territory, and their ordinary soldiers can't do that kind of work skillfully. So, you can rest assured that nothing really big will happen in the next month."
By sending some mana on the floor, Billy could check a good part of the mansion, but he didn't feel the presence of any guards around. Aura sure was relaxed around them, to the point that it could be considered reckless since she was only level twenty. When he looked at Natalie, she looked confused as well.
"My name is Billy, and these are Alexander, Natalie, Lily, Kate, and Sarah," Billy said to get over that as soon as possible.
"Billy and Alexander are pretty famous names… the two young warriors that helped in the war," Aura said and then looked to the girls. "You didn't join, right? I can understand how troublesome it is to be underestimated by men."
"You said it," Kate said and then nodded.
Kate needed to learn how to be wary of others more and learn some conversation skills to avoid being fooled since getting on her side about a single matter was enough to convince her. In any case, Aura looked troubled, and soon Billy learned why.
"You guys are awfully young…" Aura said. "That is why I hate conflict; the younger generation loses important years of their lives because of the interest of the old ones. Your group seems fine, but that kind of thing always takes its toll on others. Well, I suppose you all want some rest as well. Let's talk more over the dinner table."
After that, another servant came and guided everyone to new rooms. They even had bath tubes and two bests in each. It seemed that Aura had a lot of visitors. In the end, even though he was married now, Alexander decided to share a room with Billy since he was used to that, but Billy knew that he didn't want to fool around in someone else's house. It has been a while since he had some privacy with Lily, after all.
Billy was tired and wanted to sleep, but soon the girls began to make some noise. The walls were thick, but even so, it didn't help Billy. For some reason, even Marie joined them, so Billy clearly wouldn't have much peace until dinner. So, he decided to take a hot bath and relax as much as possible. Using his magic, he heats the water just to the right point, and he feels his fatigue melting away.
"I am going to make some of these and sell them. I bet it will be a hit," Billy muttered.
A couple of hours later, Aura invited all the visitors to have dinner with her. Since things at the table were pretty luxurious as well, Billy thought that they might have poison in it, and while he had acquired some Resistance while he was messing with the dagger during the last war, only Marie and no else could deal with it. Marie began to stuff her mouth with meat despite his worries without worrying about her bad manners.
Billy began to eat as well, but just in case, he kept an eye on everyone's status. It might be that the poison has a delayed effect, but if he starts thinking like that, then he won't even stop worrying about the problems that might come.
"I sent a wagon with some of our products, and the rider will give a letter directly to Jean informing of your arrival," Aura said. "I suppose he didn't give you any orders after this, but I think it would be wise to wait for an answer. It should come in six days. In the meanwhile, you are guests in my house, and you can use it as you see fit. Not wandering at night in the fields is the only thing I request since you might get lost inside it."
That sounded a bit suspicious, but Natalie probably could check from their rooms if something weird were happening outside, so they all nodded in agreement.
"If you don't mind, I would love to see your magic in action," Aura said with her eyes sparkling. "Magic… that is so novel. I read some books mentioning some states that have people with that power, but I never imagined people so close would start using it."
"There are states that have people that can use magic?" Sarah asked.
"Yes, they aren't close, though," Aura said.
Billy had considered that possibility, but he didn't imagine that they would be so far away. The states of that world were smaller than the ones Billy had known in his previous life, but they weren't that smaller. So, he probably will have to travel for thousands of kilometers to see them, and as of now, those thousand of kilometers will have many hostile individuals.
"I wouldn't mind showing it," Billy said. "If it is possible, can I see the books you mentioned?"
"Certainly, I will take you there first thing in the morning," Aura said with a sweet smile on her face.
Kate began to massage her forehead; it was annoying for her about how Billy could be so nice with an older woman while he treated her and his friends like snot-nosed brats.
"Maybe I should come too," Kate said.
"Sure, why not?" Billy asked. "It will be fun to read more about places beyond our reach currently."
It was even more annoying for her that Billy was so oblivious of her jealousy.