Ezra menjawab pesan dari BNC Broadcasting Group.
Jarinya bergerak tenang di atas layar.
Wajahnya tak membela diri.
Seperti seseorang yang sedang membalas pesan bisnis biasa, bukan berkomunikasi dengan salah satu kelompok pemeranan paling berpengaruh di Britannia.
u2018Sungguh terhormat bagi kelompok besar seperti kalian menghubungi saya.u2019
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Setelah mengirim pesan, Ezra diam dan menatap layarnya.
Balasan tiba hanya beberapa detik kemudian.
u2018Senang kami juga.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Izinkan saya langsung ke inti.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Ezra Ashenlocke, kami telah meninjau penemuan Anda, Phantom Rolls, dan kami yakin ia berpotensi mengubah total desain eksterior Steam Carriage.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Memang benar sekali. Jika hiasan dihapus dari Steam Carriage Bangsawan dan Royal, dan dibandingkan dengan Steam Carriage biasa, strukturnya hampir sama.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Namun dengan penemuan Anda, bukan hanya masalah itu menghilang, tetapi Britannia juga bisa memasuki era baru desain unit kereta yang sederhana namun elegan.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Jadi, tanpa bertele-tele...u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Kami ingin mengadakan Lelang Penemuan untuk Anda, jika Anda tertarik.u2019
BNC_Group
Ezra membaca setiap pesan dengan cermat.
Ekspresinya tak berubah sama sekali.
Grup itu berlanjut.
u2018Lelang ini akan didedikasikan sepenuhnya untuk penemuan Anda. Ia akan memungkinkan Anda memamerjinkan Phantom Rolls di hadapan banyak industri dan perusahaan terbesar di Britannia.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Bahkan ada kemungkinan Royal Industries ikut serta dalam acara ini juga.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Silakan jangan khawatir soal pengeluaran transportasi dan akomodasi.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Kami akan menguruskan transportasi Anda pribadi dan memastikan perjalanan lancar ke Northwick.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Apa pandangan Anda?u2019
BNC_Group
Ezra membaca semuanya dengan cermat.
Baru setelah sampai ke akhir ia mulai mengetik.
u2018Saya di tangan baik Anda.u2019
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Tepat ketika ia mengirim balasan, tiga titik mengetik muncul.
u2018Pilihan yang luar biasa.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Tidak peduli apa keputusan Anda selama Lelang, apakah Anda memutuskan menandatangani kontrak atau menjual hak penemuan Anda...u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Anda akan mendapatkan banyak keuntungan dari kesempatan ini.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Dokumen akan dikirimkan segera. Harap isi dengan informasi Anda, tandatangani, dan kirimkan kembali agar kami bisa mempersiapkan segalanya.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Baik.u2019
Ezra_Ashenlocke
u2018Tanggal acara akan dikirim setelah proses perencanaan selesai.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Baik.u2019
Ezra_Ashenlocke
u2018Terima kasih lagi atas kepercayaan Anda untuk bekerja dengan kami, Ezra Ashenlocke.u2019
BNC_Group
u2018Sama-sama, terima kasih telah memberi saya kesempatan ini.u2019
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Ping!
Notifikasi muncul.
Dokumen segera tiba.
Ezra membukanya dan membaca setiap bagian dengan cermat.
Nama.
Alamat.
Tanda tangan.
Informasi peserta.
Syarat dan perjanjian.
Beberapa menit berlalu sebelum ia akhirnya tegap.
u2018Lucy.u2019
Ia memanggil namanya.
Lucy yang baru saja membaca komentar di bawah postingan Phantom Rolls, langsung mengangkat kepalanya.
u2018Master, Anda memanggil?u2019
Ia meletakkan ponsel di pangkuknya.
Lenny dan Rogers, yang berdiri di belakangnya sambil membaca komentar bersama, juga tegak.
Rogers berjalan ke sofa dekat dan duduk.
u2018Kami akan ke kota.u2019
Ezra berdiri.
Starlix-nya menghilang ke lubang saku tengah kartaknya yang hitam.
u2018Saya perlu ke pekerjaan cetak.u2019
u2018Baik.u2019
Lucy mengangguk dengan segera.
Ia berdiri dan menyetel uniform layanan.
u2018Saya akan bersiap.u2019
Saat ia berjalan ke kamarnya...
u2018Kalau kalian sedang keluar...u2019
Lenny tiba tiba mengangkat kedua tangannya.
Matanya menerang.
u2018Aku ingin ikut juga!u2019
Semangat di suaranya pasti terlihat.
u2018Tidak mungkin!u2019
Rogers menolaknya dengan tegas; lengan ia melipat ketat.
u2018Hah?u2019
Lenny menatapnya.
Keheraan di wajahnya jelas.
u2018Kalian sedang keluar untuk bekerja, bukan untuk bermain-main.u2019
Rogers melambangkan tangannya.
u2018Jangan ganggu mereka.u2019
u2018Mengganggu mereka?u2019
Lenny mengerut.
u2018Aku tentu tidak akan melakukan itu. Aku hanya ingin melihat kota dengan benar.u2019
Suaranya semakin serius.
u2018Aku ingin tahu bagaimana kehidupan di luar bengkel sebenarnya.u2019
Rogers menatapnya, lalu menghela napas.
u2018Apa yang ingin kamu lihat?u2019
Ia bersandar.
u2018Makanan?u2019
Sebelum Lenny bisa menjawab, Rogers melanjutkan.
u2018Ezra dan Lucy bisa membawa makanan untuk kamu.u2019
u2018Bukan soal makanan!u2019
Lenny langsung protes, dengan frustasi mulai tampak di wajahnya.
u2018Kamu selalu melakukan ini setiap kali, ketika kamu dan Bibi kesini, rencanamu adalah meninggalkan aku di bengkel, kamu bahkan tidak berencana untuk mengambilku dari awal. Jika tidak karena aku menggunakan hak yang kamu hutangkan padaku karena tidak melaporkan kamu kepada Bibi, aku tidak akan sampai ke sini. Kamu benar-benar tidak mengerti perasaanku.u2019
u2018Aku tidak mengerti?u2019
Rogers menatapnya seolah telah mendengar hal tertolong yang pernah ia dengar.
u2018Kamu adalah seorang penggemuk.u2019
Suaranya mendingin.
u2018Yang kamu butuhkan sekarang adalah latihan, yang kamu butuhkan lebih adalah mengasah keterampilanmu. Bukan berkelana di kota.u2019
Lenny menghijium.
Minggu.
Bulan.
Tahun-tahun.
Frustrasi isolasi yang selama ini ditahan tiba-tiba muncul.
u2018Jadi kamu ingin aku menghabiskan hidupku terjebak di dalam bengkel?u2019
Suaranya membiram.
u2018Apa yang kamu katakan?u2019
Rogers tidak menjawab segeri. Diam itu hanya membuat Lenny semakin marah.
u2018Kamu bisa mendengar suaramu sendiri?u2019
Lenny menggenggam tinjunya.
u2018Kamu selalu bicara tentang pengecorbesian. Kamu selalu bicara tentang bekerja. Kamu selalu bicara tentang latihan.u2019
Suaranya terus naik.
u2018Tapi apa dengan segala hal lain?u2019
u2018Bolehkah aku punya satu hari? Satu hari saja untuk diriku sendiri? Apa yang salah dengan inginku untuk melihat dunia di luar?u2019
u2018Diam, ANAK BRENGSEK!u2019
Suara Rogers meledak ke seluruh ruang tamu.
Teriak mendadak itu membuat seluruh ruangan membekukan.
Bahkan udara terasa lebih berat.
Lenny secara insting mundur satu langkah.
Rogers sudah berdiri.
Matanya dingin mengunci pada muridnya.
u2018Aku telah melatihmu selama bertahun-tahun!u2019
Suaranya mengandung kemarahan sejati.
u2018Dan entah bagaimana kamu masih belum tumbuh sama sekali!u2019
Setiap kata jatuh berat.
u2018Lihatdirimu.u2019
Ia menunjuk langsung ke Lenny.
u2018Mengeluh karena tidak bisa berjalan-jalan. Kamu siapa? Lima tahun?u2019
Lenny menurunkan kepalanya.
Tinjunya erat.
Vena di punggung tangannya kelihatan.
Rogers melanjutkan.
u2018Lihat Ezra...u2019
Lalu...
u2018Kami akan ke kota dengan Ezra dan Miss Lucy!u2019
Lenny tiba-tiba meraung.
Suara ia pecah di tengah.
Air mata sudah mulai mengalir di matanya.
u2018dan tidak ada yang bisa kamu lakukan!u2019
Ia menunjuk ke Rogers.
u2018KAMU BISA MEMBERSAMI AKU JIKA MAU! AKU TIDAK PEDULI!u2019
Kata-kata itu terdengar lebih terluka daripada lainnya, lalu ia berbalik dan berlari.
Langkah kakinya menggema di koridor.
Beberapa saat kemudian...
Sebuah pintu diketuk.
Ruang tamu menjadi sunyi.
Rogers menggaruk kepalanya.
Lalu menghela napas berat lagi.
Untuk pertama kalinya, ia terlihat lebih seperti seorang pria tua yang lelah daripada penggemuk yang ribut.
u2018Maaf, Ezra.u2019
Suaranya mengandung penyesalan sejati.
Ezra menatapnya dengan tenang.
u2018Aku bukan orang yang harus Anda minta maaf, Pak Rogers.u2019
Jawaban itu segera.
Rogers menurunkan pandangannya.
u2018Aku tahu.u2019
Suaranya terdengar lelah.
u2018Tapi aku baru saja akan membandingkannya dengan kamu.u2019
Suaranya terdengar sangat lelah.
Sebelum suasana semakin berat...
Lucy kembali.
Sebuah kantong ruang di pundaknya.
u2018Apa yang terjadi?u2019
Ia menatap ke semua orang.
u2018Aku mendengar teriak.u2019
Kemudian ia menunjuk ke arah koridor.
u2018Dan aku baru saja melihat Lenny menangis sambil berlari ke kamarnya.u2019
u2018Abaiakan saja.u2019
Ezra menjawab dengan tidak terganggu sama sekali tentang situasi ini.
u2018Kamu sudah menelepon taksi?u2019
u2018Sudah.u2019
Lucy mengangguk.
Meskipun ia tidak bisa tidak menatap Rogers.
Ekspresi teguh di wajahnya cukup memberi tahu.
Mereka bertarung lagi.
Pikirnya.
Sesama sementara kemudian, Steam Carriage tiba.
Dan meskipun segalanya...
Lenny tetap mengikut mereka ke kota.
Tepat ketika mereka memasuki distrik sIBukan Steelhaven, suasana hatinya berubah sepenuhnya.
Ekspresi suramnya menghilang.
Matanya melebar dengan godaan menggantikan kesedihan.
Kota itu sendiri terasa hidup.
Steam Carriage melaju di jalan.
Kereta kuda bergerak di antara persimpangan.
Penjual kelontong memanggil pelanggan.
Pekerja mengangkut barang antar toko.
Orang-orang mengisi jalan.
Sementara Ezra masuk ke pekerjaan cetak untuk menangani dokumen BNC, Lucy rela menunjukkan Lenny di sekitar.
Pengukir muda itu dengan cepat melupakan argument terakhirnya.
Lucy membeli camilan yang belum pernah dia coba.
Kue manis.
Buah karamel.
Makanan goreng.
Lenny dengan antusias mencoba segalanya.
Setelah itu, ia membawanya ke distrik lain yang tidak jauh dari pekerjaan cetak.
Di sana, Steelhaven Park menyatu di hadapannya.
Barisan pohon
Ezra replied to the message from the BNC Broadcasting Group.
His fingers moved calmly across the screen.
There wasn’t much excitement on his face.
If anything, he looked like he was replying to an ordinary business message rather than communicating with one of the most influential broadcasting groups in Britannia.
’It’s an honor to have a big group like yours messaging me.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
After sending the message, Ezra quietly watched the screen.
The reply arrived only a few seconds later.
’The pleasure is ours.’
BNC_Group
’Let me get straight to the point.’
BNC_Group
’Ezra Ashenlocke, we have reviewed your invention, the Phantom Rolls, and we believe it has the potential to completely transform the field of Steam Carriage exterior design.’
BNC_Group
’Honestly, you made an excellent observation. If the decorations are removed from Noble and Royal Steam Carriages and they are compared to ordinary Steam Carriages, the exterior structure is practically the same.’
BNC_Group
’However, with your invention, not only does that problem disappear, but Britannia may also enter a new era of simple yet elegant carriage designs.’
BNC_Group
’So, without further delay...’
BNC_Group
’We would like to hold an Invention Auction for you, if you are interested.’
BNC_Group
Ezra’s eyes moved across the messages one after another.
His expression remained unchanged.
The group continued.
’This Auction will be dedicated entirely to your invention. It will allow you to properly present the Phantom Rolls before many of the largest industries and companies in Britannia.’
BNC_Group
’There is even a possibility that Royal Industries may participate in the event as well.’
BNC_Group
’Please do not worry about travel and hotel expenses.’
BNC_Group
’We will personally handle your transportation and ensure you have a smooth journey to Northwick.’
BNC_Group
’What do you think?’
BNC_Group
Ezra read everything carefully.
Only after reaching the end did he begin typing.
’I am in your care.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
The moment he sent the reply, the three-dot typing indicator appeared.
’Amazing choice.’
BNC_Group
’Regardless of what decision you make during the Auction, whether you decide to sign a contract or sell the rights to your invention...’
BNC_Group
’You will gain a great deal from this opportunity.’
BNC_Group
’A document will be sent shortly. Please fill in your information, sign it, and send it back to us so we can begin preparations immediately.’
BNC_Group
’Okay.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’The event date will be sent to you once the planning process has been completed.’
BNC_Group
’Alright.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
’Thank you once again for choosing to work with us, Ezra Ashenlocke.’
BNC_Group
’Thank you as well for giving me this opportunity.’
Ezra_Ashenlocke
Ping!
A notification appeared.
The document arrived immediately.
Ezra opened it and carefully read through every section.
Names.
Addresses.
Signatures.
Participant information.
Terms and agreements.
Several minutes passed before he finally sat upright.
"Lucy."
He called her name.
Lucy, who had been reading through the comments under the Phantom Rolls post, immediately looked up.
"Master, you called?"
She placed her phone on her lap.
Lenny and Rogers, who had been standing behind her reading the comments together, also straightened their backs.
Rogers walked toward a nearby couch and sat down.
"We’re heading into the city."
Ezra stood up.
His Starlix disappeared into the middle pocket of his black cardigan.
"I need to visit the print shop."
"Okay."
Lucy nodded immediately.
She stood up and adjusted her maid uniform.
"I’ll get ready."
As she headed toward her room...
"If you guys are going out..."
Lenny suddenly raised both hands.
His eyes brightened.
"I want to come too."
The excitement in his voice was impossible to miss.
"No way!"
Rogers rejected the idea instantly; his arms were folded tightly across his chest.
"Huh?"
Lenny stared at him.
The disbelief on his face was obvious.
"They’re going out to work, not to play around."
Rogers waved dismissively.
"Don’t disturb them."
"Disturb them?"
Lenny frowned.
"I would never do that. I’m just following because I want to properly see the city."
His voice grew more serious.
"I want to see what life outside the workshop actually looks like."
Rogers looked at him, then sighed.
"What exactly do you want to see?"
He shrugged.
"Food?"
Before Lenny could answer, Rogers continued.
"Ezra and Lucy can bring food back for you."
"It’s not about food!"
Lenny protested immediately, with frustration starting to appear on his face.
"You keep doing this every single time, when you and auntie were coming here, your plan was to leave me back at the workshop, you weren’t even planning on taking me in the first place, if not because I used the favor you owe me for not reporting you to auntie, I wouldn’t have made it here. You really don’t understand how I feel."
"I don’t understand?"
Rogers looked at him as if he had just heard the dumbest thing imaginable.
"You are a blacksmith."
His voice became colder.
"What you need right now is training, what you need more is improving your craft. Not wandering around the city."
Lenny’s face darkened.
Weeks.
Months.
Years.
The frustration of the isolation he had been suppressing suddenly surfaced.
"So, you want me to spend my entire life trapped inside that workshop?"
His voice rose.
"What are you even saying?"
Rogers didn’t answer immediately and that silence only made Lenny more upset.
"Can you even hear yourself?"
Lenny clenched his fists.
"You keep talking about blacksmithing. You keep talking about work. You keep talking about training."
His voice continued rising.
"But what about everything else?"
"Can’t I have one day? One single day for myself? What’s wrong with me wanting to see the world outside?"
"SHUT UP, BRAT!"
Rogers’ voice exploded throughout the living room.
The sudden shout made the entire room freeze.
Even the air seemed heavier.
Lenny instinctively took a step backward.
Rogers had already stood up.
His cold gaze locked onto his disciple.
"I’ve been training you for years!"
His voice carried genuine anger.
"And somehow you still haven’t matured in the slightest!"
Every word landed heavily.
"Look at yourself."
He pointed directly at Lenny.
"Whining because you can’t go sightseeing. What are you? Five years old?"
Lenny lowered his head.
His fists tightened harder.
The veins on the back of his hands became visible.
Rogers continued.
"Look at Ezra wh..."
"Uncle Rogers."
Ezra’s voice interrupted him.
Calm and polite.
Yet carrying enough warning to stop him immediately.
Rogers froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
Only then did he realize what he had been about to do.
Compare his disciple to another child.
A comparison that would have only made things worse.
Silence spread through the room.
Then...
"I’M GOING TO THE CITY WITH EZRA AND MISS LUCY!"
Lenny suddenly shouted.
His voice cracked halfway through.
Tears had already begun forming in his eyes.
"AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!"
He pointed at Rogers.
"YOU CAN DISOWN ME IF YOU WANT! I DON’T CARE!"
The words sounded far more hurt than rebellious, then he turned around and ran.
The sound of his footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Moments later...
A door slammed shut.
The living room became awkwardly silent.
Rogers scratched his head.
Then sighed heavily again.
For the first time, he looked less like a loud blacksmith and more like a tired old man.
"I’m sorry, Ezra."
His voice carried genuine regret.
Ezra looked at him plainly.
"I’m not the one you should be saying that to, Uncle Rogers."
The answer came immediately.
Rogers lowered his gaze.
"I know."
He sat down slowly.
"But I was just about to compare him to you."
His voice sounded tired.
Before the atmosphere could become heavier...
Lucy returned.
A space bag rested across her shoulder.
"What’s happening?"
She looked between everyone.
"I heard shouting."
Then she pointed back toward the hallway.
"And I just saw Lenny crying while running into his room."
"Forget about that."
Ezra replied completely unbothered about the whole situation.
"Have you called the cab?"
"Yes."
Lucy nodded.
Though she couldn’t help glancing at Rogers.
His stiff expression told her enough.
Those two fought again.
She thought to herself.
A short while later, the Steam Carriage arrived.
And despite everything...
Lenny still followed them into the city.
The moment they entered the busy districts of Steelhaven, his mood changed completely.
The gloomy expression disappeared.
His eyes widened with excitement replacing sadness.
The city itself seemed alive.
Steam Carriages rolled through the roads.
Horse carriages moved between intersections.
Shop owners called out to customers.
Workers carried goods between stores.
People filled the streets.
While Ezra entered the print shop to handle the BNC documents, Lucy volunteered to show Lenny around.
The young blacksmith quickly forgot about his earlier argument.
Lucy bought snacks he had never tasted before.
Sweet pastries.
Candied fruits.
Fried treats.
Lenny eagerly tried everything.
Afterward, she led him to another district not far from the print shop.
There, the famous Steelhaven Park stretched before them.
Rows of trees stood neatly arranged.
Golden-yellow leaves swayed gently beneath the afternoon sunlight.
The peaceful scenery instantly captured Lenny’s attention.
For several moments, he simply stood there.
Watching.
The Park felt completely different from the noisy workshop he was used to.
They walked beside the stream where colorful fishes swam beneath the clear water.
The sunlight reflected beautifully across the surface.
After that, Lucy dragged him into several clothing stores.
Mostly for fun.
Lenny ended up trying on outfits he would never normally wear.
To his surprise...
He actually enjoyed it.
Before he realized it, hours had passed.
By the time they returned to their original meeting spot, he felt completely exhausted.
The two sat on a bench together, with the noise of the busy city filling the air around them.
People passed by.
Steam Carriages rolled through the streets.
Merchants called out to customers.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then...
"Miss Lucy."
Lenny looked down at his joined hands.
"How does it feel to have a master?"
Lucy blinked, then smiled softly.
"I feel lucky."
The answer came immediately.
"Lucky to be serving someone like him."
"You don’t have anything bad to say about Ezra?"
Lenny asked.
His gaze remained on his fingers.
"I do."
Lucy answered honestly.
"I mean..."
Lucy sighed.
"He’s far too difficult to understand."
She leaned back slightly on the bench.
The afternoon breeze gently moved several loose strands of her hair as she looked toward the busy street ahead.
"He never shows what he’s actually thinking."
Her fingers lightly tapped against her lap.
"I’m still not sure whether he fully trusts me."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"And he works way too hard."
A small frown appeared on her face.
"Sometimes I feel like he’s overdoing it, and whenever I tell him to rest, he listens for a day."
She raised a finger.
"Then the very next day, he starts doing the exact same thing again as if we never had that conversation."
The complaints continued flowing naturally.
Almost as though she had been holding them in for a long time.
Lenny slowly turned to look at her.
His eyes widened.
A strange expression appeared on his face.
He genuinely hadn’t expected this.
From the way Lucy usually acted around Ezra, he thought she would only praise him.
Yet here she was listing problem after problem without hesitation.
"He doesn’t even let me properly serve him as a maid in training."
Lucy folded her arms.
"And I’m certain he knows perfectly well that those things are part of my duties."
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