When they heard that, the girls looked a bit surprised. Alexander was quite shy, so he didn't have many friends. Staying away from home for so many months was unexpected, given that.
"You should start working on the letter you will send to Jean," Billy said. "By the time you go home and pack your things and tell everyone, he will have prepared things on his side as well. Anyway, is anyone else going to do that?"
Sarah had her job as the elementalists leader. Natalie wasn't suited for instructing anyone. She had a short temper. As for Lili and Kate. They were too important for their own tribes to stay away for so long. Even though they didn't have any jobs fitting those positions…
"What are you going to do, Billy?" Alexander asked. "And when should we talk about our future operations again?"
"I am going to try several things. You should focus on your objectives for the time being," Billy said. "As for when… In one year, we can talk about this again."
Billy's words seemed harsh, but Alexander understood the meaning behind them. They should focus on working to achieve their goals. They don't have time to worry about each other's affairs. A lot of work was ahead of them, after all.
After that short meeting, the group began to pack their things. After saying goodbye to Marie, they entered the carriage. Pierre left with them and then departed. At first, they stayed silent since that would be their last trip together. At least for a while, but then they relaxed more because not everything was over.
After a few days, they found Pierre's group guarding the bridge, and then Alexander passed to him his letter. As for Billy, he gave him ten gold coins for him to find a way to get him those trees…
"I heard what happened. You must have left a good impression on my elder sister since she decided to work with you," Pierre said. "Lord Jean was having a hard time assembling adventurers to work with her."
"Well, she caused us a lot of problems since she always does things at her own pace," Billy said.
"I more than anyone else understand that…" Pierre said and then sighed while he recalled his youth. "Regardless, the trees will take a few weeks to arrive. Meanwhile, you should prepare an area where than be put. It goes without saying, but while those trees are strong, they need to stay in a place where they can't be damaged."
Billy nodded. He wondered if Edward would get pissed if Billy got rid of some bricks in front of his house to plant those. Now that he thought about it, that was something his, so he shouldn't interfere with the lifestyle of his family.
Two days later, the group finally returned home, and after crossing one of the entrances, they split up and headed toward their homes. Along the way, Billy saw a weird building near the walls, and he saw some carrying herbs. That was probably the underground facility created to grow some weird herbs. Billy had bought gifts for everyone, but it would be a bother to look for his grandma and give it to her while she was working.
Billy only felt at home when he reached the district of his tribe and saw his little siblings sparring. They were so focused that they didn't even notice his approach. Only when they stopped to rest for a short while did they notice that someone was watching them.
"Billy!" Samuel and Samara said in unison before jumping to hug him.
"Hey, everyone's favorite big brother is back," Billy said while head patting them.
It was kind of funny how much those two actions mirrored each other so much. That probably still would last for a few years, even though their personalities were very different from each other. In any case, he gave them some items that would boost their stamina regeneration. That would help them over time with training, and they sure look delighted with that. Toys were hard to find and not very well made, so it seemed like a waste to give them. Even though it seemed pretty Spartan to give kids items that will help them with their training.
After playing with them for a while, Billy went to his home and found his mother meditating. He thought that he should surprise her, but Camilla opened her eyes and then showed a soft expression.
"Welcome back, Billy," Camilla said. "I take it that everything went well, even though you returned later than you promised."
"Yeah, well, more or less," Billy said and then hugged his mother tightly. "I am home, and I bought some gifts."
"These are pretty expensive… are you becoming loose with money because this adventure business is going well?" Camilla asked.
"I believe I am being pretty cautious with it, and yes, we made quite the sum this month," Billy said. "But this much is fine. Money only exists to be used. Besides, it is not like this is crap that won't help anyone."
Camilla agreed since those items that have been spreading around recently were really useful in helping peoples training or with their work. In any case, a few hours later, Billy's father and his grandmother appeared, and then he gave them their gifts.
"It seems that you have quite the adventure. I am proud of you for helping the people of that town," Drew said after Billy told them what had happened.
His siblings wanted to hear more, but telling such a long story over the dinner table gave him too little time to eat. In any case, while eating alongside his family, Billy wondered about Alexander. He will probably give his farewell to his friends in the next few days, and then he will propose to Lily once he returns. They were just seventeen, and it seemed a bit too early for them to start their own family, but they at least managed to make Billy wonder if he should consider starting one.. Besides, that was the normal age in their world.