"Omong kosong apa ini!
"Orang yang bertanggung jawab, katamu? Tempat ini bukan panggung untuk pemuda hijau seperti kamu, seorang平民 biasa. Kalau kamu sudah gila, mundurlah dengan baik!"
Reaksi terhadap Yuder, yang berdiri sendirian di hadapan kerumunan protes yang memenuhi depan cabang, sangat panas. Tak seorang pun percaya pada kata-kata Yuder; kesimpulannya adalah seorang orang gila telah muncul, melontarkan omong kosong.
Tidak terpengaruh oleh ejekan dan protes yang berdatangan, Yuder bahkan tidak berkedip. Saat dia sedikit mengalihkan pandangan, Kurga, yang bertemu matanya, membuka mulut dan berteriak keras.
"Orang ini memang orang yang bertanggung jawab di Kavaleri! Bukankah kalian semua tadi berteriak meminta orang yang bertanggung jawab maju? Kalau begitu, apa masalahnya?"
"Apa?"
Kerumunan, yang awalnya seperti kawanan lebah dengan ejekan mereka, mundur sejenak mendengar kata-kata Kurga. Dia agak dikenal oleh mereka, dan dia berpakaian seragam Kavaleri dengan benar. Tapi tak lama kemudian, keheningan singkat itu dihancurkan oleh raungan dua kali lebih keras dari sebelumnya.
"Kalau dia benar-benar dari Kavaleri, itu lebih konyol lagi! Setelah semua pengabaian, jawaban mereka adalah pemuda ini yang membesar kepala karena kesombongan – hanya kambing hitam?"
"Bawahan langsung Kaisar memalukan!"
"Benar. Kalau dia benar-benar dari Kavaleri, tunjukkan buktinya! Pakaiannya kayak muncul dari nowhere – mau percaya apa?"
"Sejak kapan Komandan Kavaleri berambut hitam kotor? Aku tidak pernah mendengar rambut Duke Peletta jadi hitam!"
"..."
Yuder memperhatikan wajah-wajah pengacau paling keras dengan sungguh-sungguh. Seperti yang diharapkan, ketiga orang yang ditunjuk Kurga adalah pelaku utama.
Mereka sepertinya berpikir pemuda berambut hitam ini akan segera meledak air matanya dan mundur, dikalahkan oleh hujatan ejekan. Tapi Yuder melakukan kebalikannya.
"…Tertawa?"
Di tengah keheningan, Yuder sedikit mengangkat sudut bibirnya menjadi senyuman.
Matanya tidak tersenyum sama sekali, tapi bibir tipis pucat itu, terentang panjang menjadi senyuman aneh yang menakutkan, membuat beberapa orang merasakan keraguan dan kegelisahan lemah pada saat itu.
"Kalau kalian tidak percaya pada kata-kutaku, aku tidak punya pilihan selain membuktikannya. Aku adalah anggota Kavaleri dan orang yang bertanggung jawab layak untuk berdialog."
Dengan kata-kata itu, Yuder tiba-tiba melangkah maju, menginjakkan kakinya ringan ke tanah.
*Thump…!*
Langkah yang terlihat ringan.
Namun, repercussion-nya bergema di seluruh sekitar.
Getaran, bermula dari kaki Yuder, menyebar jauh dan luas, membuat gedung-gedung bergetar seolah dilanda gempa, dan cabang-cabang pohon di sepanjang dinding patah dan jatuh.
Akibat yang tak terhindarkan adalah orang-orang, tidak bisa berdiri di tanah yang bergemuruh, berteriak dan tergeletak.
"Ah!"
"Astaga, selamatkan kami!"
"Kasihanilah!"
Setelah gelombang berbagai tarian berteriak menyapu, mereka yang tertutup debu mengangkat kepala, wajah mereka berlumuran ketakutan.
Yuder, berdiri tegak dan tegap, dengan tenang memiringkan kepala dan bertanya.
"Tadi aku melihat seekor lipan merayap di kakiku, dan demi keamanan, aku menghancurkannya... Apakah tingkat kekuatan ini cukup untuk berbicara dengan kalian? Atau masih tidak cukup?"
Memang, di bawah kaki Yuder tergeletak mayat lipan yang gepeng. Tapi itu hanya alasan. Semua orang yang punya mata bisa merasakan apa yang benar-benar ingin dihancurkan oleh orang gila yang tampak tenang ini bukan lipan, tapi para protes yang hadir.
Dengan mata sehitam dan seancam jurang, Yuder menyapu pandangannya ke wajah semua orang, acuh tak acuh seolah dia hanya melihat serangga yang dihancurkan di bawah kakinya. Tatapan mendinginkan itu mengirimkan getaran dingin ke punggung beberapa penonton.
"Dari mana orang gila ini muncul...!"
"Kau... tidak, siapa kau sebenarnya? Bagaimana seseorang seperti kau...!"
Seorang pria berpakaian seragam administrasi yang bagus, suaranya gemetar, mencoba mundur, bergolak-golak, setelah mengunci mata dengan Yuder. Yuder menatapnya ke bawah dengan ketidakpedulian dingin dan memperkenalkan dirinya.
"Aku adalah Yuder Aile, asisten Komandan Kavaleri."
Sebenarnya, percakapan ini seharusnya terjadi saat Yuder pertama kali melangkah maju.
Luar biasa bagaimana, awalnya, tidak ada satu pertanyaan pun diajukan, bahkan namanya tidak ditanyakan, sampai mereka mengalami demonstrasi apinya. Yuder memilih untuk tidak menyinggung kesopanan mendadak mereka.
'Biasa saja orang-orang seperti ini.'
Kerumunan mungkin ketakutan dengan demonstrasi kekuatan Yuder, tapi itu bukan satu-satunya alasan rasa hormat mereka yang baru. Alasan sebenarnya mereka menunduk adalah keberanian Yuder yang tidak malu-malu, bahkan setelah tindakan liar seperti itu.
Dalam pikiran mereka, hanya 'orang benar-benar berpangkat tinggi' yang bisa bersikap sembarangan begitu dan tetap congkak. Sepertinya mereka hanya berpura-pura mendengarkan dan memperlakukan seseorang sebagai setara setelah diberi tahu tempat mereka.
'Tapi tetap... melihat mereka semua tersungkur seperti ini pemandangan yang cukup bagus.'
Mereka tidak tahu, Duke Peletta, pemimpin Kavaleri, Kishiar, juga berdiri di antara mereka. Yuder mengizinkan senyum dingin melintas saat dia mengamati mereka yang telah berlutut di hadapan Kishiar.
Senyuman itu mengirimkan rasa dingin ke tulang para protes, menghabiskan keberanian mereka untuk bicara lebih lanjut.
"Nah lalu... yang berjubah administrasi merah, yang di sampingnya berjubah penyihir hijau, dan di sini berpakaian abu-abu. Sepertinya kita sekarang bisa melakukan percakapan yang layak. Apa pendapat kalian?"
Dengan itu, seluruh konfrontasi berakhir.
Yuder dengan percaya diri membawa ketiga orang tercengang itu ke dalam cabang, nada suaranya beralih ke register yang lebih formal begitu situasi selesai. Perubahan itu hanya meningkatkan rasa ngeri para protes.
"Silakan, duduk di sini."
Kurga, menunjukkan kecerdasan cepat, membawa ketiganya ke ruang untuk duduk berdampingan. Memprediksi Yuder akan duduk di hadapan mereka, mereka menegangkan badan, tapi kebingungan mereka bertambah ketika seorang pria dengan penampilan samar dan rambut coklat mengambil tempat duduk sebelum Yuder.
'Siapa dia?'
Sepanjang keributan yang ditimbulkan Yuder, pria ini hanya berdiri di belakang, tangan menyilang, mengamati. Tampak tidak penting, kehadirannya yang tiba-tiba membuat gelisah.
'Dia juga anggota Kavaleri? Atau orang lain sepenuhnya?'
Terlepas dari apakah mereka melirik diam-diam atau bertanya-tanya tentang identitas Kishiar, yang telah mengubah penampilannya, Yuder tidak duduk sampai Kishiar nyaman menemukan tempatnya. Baru kemudian Yuder duduk di sampingnya.
Saat dia duduk, suasana membeku sekali lagi, seperti danau di musim musim utara.
"Sebelum memulai, aku sudah memperkenalkan diriku. Sekarang, aku ingin mendengar nama masing-masing dari kalian."
Biasanya, beberapa basa-basi akan ditukar sebelum memulai percakapan, tapi Yuder tidak punya niat memperluas kesopanan seperti itu. Sikap dinginnya menuntut nama mereka terlebih dahulu membuat ketiga protes itu tidak bisa menyembunyikan kemarahan mereka. Namun, mungkin masih ingat jelas pengalaman seperti gempa tadi, mereka segera membuka mulut.
Pria berjubah administrasi adalah pejabat rank ketujuh dari Charloin, sedangkan penyihir itu berasal dari 'Serikat Penyihir Safir,' koalisi penyihir terbesar di selatan. Orang yang tersisa berasal dari guild dagang yang sudah bergenerasi berdagang di Charloin, tampaknya memegang posisi signifikan di asosiasi pedagang kota secara keseluruhan.
Mereka mencoba menekankan kepentingan mereka, berharap bisa sedikit menakut-nakuti Yuder, tapi mereka tidak bisa membayangkan bahwa Yuder sudah melupakan nama-nama mereka begitu mendengarnya.
Satu-satunya hal yang Yuder ingat adalah secarik informasi berguna yang tersembunyi di dalam perkenalan megah mereka.
'Seperti yang diharapkan, ketiganya punya koneksi dengan bangsawan yang menentang Kaisar. Mereka pasti termotivasi oleh antisipasi keuntungan masa depan kalau usaha ini berhasil.'
Bukan semua orang yang datang protes didorong oleh motif seperti itu. Yuder berani taruh banyak yang percaya mereka benar-benar melindungi keamanan Charloin.
Orang-orang inilah, yang biasanya tidak akan maju, yang dihasut oleh orang-orang yang mencari keuntungan politik – 'suara-suara' yang mengambil alih kepemimpinan gerakan ini.
Singkatnya, kalau para pelaku hasut ini ditangani, sisa masalahnya kemungkinan besar akan menyelesaikan sendiri.
'Nah, mari kita tangani mereka satu per satu.'
"Jadi, apa persyaratan kalian sebenarnya?"
Yuder bertanya dengan wajah datar, membuat ketiganya mengerutkan dahi.
Penyihir berjubah itu yang pertama mengeraskan suara dan berbicara.
"Apakah kau tidak mengerti setelah melihat semua ini? Kami tidak bisa mentolerir kelompok berbahaya seperti Kavaleri masuk ke Charloin, kota terbesar di selatan. Kenapa harus mendirikan cabang di Charloin? Cuma sedikit lebih ke selatan, ada area yang cocok seperti Mclara."
"Kamu benar," setuju pejabatnya. "Banyak administrator di Charloin yang punya kekhawatiran sama. Meski Menteri Tinggi merekomendasikan kerja sama, itu mengabaikan karakteristik unik wilayah kami. Lebih-lebih, transaksi mengenai gedung ini yang diperuntukkan cabang jauh dari bersih. Lord Giol Terme, pejabat rank ketiga, menuntut klarifikasi dan penyesuaian."
Terakhir, pedagang menambahkan bagiannya.
"Charloin gemetar kecemasan karena para Pembangkit datang untuk asesmen atau apapun itu. Guild dagang menderita kerugian bisnis signifikan. Harusnya Kavaleri bertanggung jawab atas ini?"
Pernyataan mereka panjang, tapi bisa dirangkum singkat:
'Omong kosong seperti ini, dibicarakan panjang lebar.'
Yuder, dengan ekspresi datar, menoleh ke Kurga.
"Kurga."
"Eh? Iya?"
"Sepertinya kita perlu menuliskan dan mengatur persyaratan ini. Bisa bawa kertas?"
"Kertas? Oke."
Kurga, sedikit bingung, membawa kertas, yang lalu diletakkan di meja panjang.
"Pulpennya di sini, jadi kamu bisa nulis pakai ini."
"Tidak usah. Aku punya pulpen di sini."
Yuder mengeluarkan pulpen dari sakunya. Saat itu, mata pejabat itu berkedip-kedip gugup.
'…Itu apa?'
Chapter 649
"What nonsense is this!"
"The person in charge, you say? This place is no stage for a green youth like you, a mere commoner. If you've lost your mind, step down gracefully!"
The reaction to Yuder, who stood alone before the protesting crowd filling the front of the branch, was explosively heated. Not a single soul believed in Yuder's words; the consensus was that a madman had appeared, spouting nonsense.
Unfazed by the numerous jeers and protests, Yuder didn't even blink. As he slightly turned his gaze, Kurga, meeting his eyes, opened his mouth and shouted loudly.
"This man here is indeed the person in charge of the Cavalry! Haven't you all been clamoring for the person in charge to come forward? If so, what seems to be the problem?"
"What?"
The crowd, initially like a swarm of bees with their jeers, recoiled slightly at Kurga's words. He was somewhat familiar to them, and he was properly clad in the Cavalry uniform. But soon after, the brief silence was shattered by roars twice as loud as before.
"If he really is from the Cavalry, it's even more ludicrous! After all the disregard, is this young man, swollen with arrogance, their answer – a mere scapegoat?"
"The Emperor's direct subordinates are a disgrace!"
"Indeed. If he truly is from the Cavalry, then present some evidence! His attire looks like it's come from nowhere – what are we supposed to believe?"
"Since when did the Cavalry Commander have such filthy black hair? I've never heard of Duke Peletta's hair turning black!"
"..."
Yuder intently watched the faces of the loudest agitators. As expected, the three individuals Kurga had pointed out were the main instigators.
They seemed to think that this black-haired youth would soon burst into tears and retreat, overwhelmed by the barrage of insults. But Yuder did the exact opposite.
"…Laughing?"
In the midst of silence, Yuder slightly lifted the corners of his lips into a smile.
His eyes weren't smiling at all, but the pale thin lips, stretched into a long, eerie grin, made several people weakly sense doubt and unease at that moment.
"If you can't believe my words, I have no choice but to prove it. I am a member of the Cavalry and a person in charge worthy of dialogue."
With those words, Yuder suddenly stepped forward, lightly stomping his foot on the ground.
Thump…!
A seemingly light step.
Yet, the repercussion resonated throughout the vicinity.
The vibration, starting from Yuder's foot, spread far and wide, causing buildings to shiver as if struck by an earthquake, and branches from the trees along the walls to break and fall.
The inevitable result was the people, unable to stand on the trembling ground, screaming and sprawling.
"Ah!"
"Good heavens, save us!"
"Mercy!"
After a wave of various screams swept through, those covered in dirt lifted their heads, their faces smeared with terror.
Yuder, standing firmly and upright, quietly tilted his head and asked.
"Just now, I saw a centipede crawling at my feet, and for safety, I caught it... Is this level of power sufficient to converse with you? Or is it still inadequate?"
Indeed, beneath Yuder's foot lay a flattened centipede corpse. But that was just an excuse. Everyone with eyes could feel that what this seemingly calm madman really wanted to flatten was not the centipede, but the protesters present.
With eyes as dark and ominous as the abyss, Yuder swept his gaze over everyone's faces, indifferent as if he were merely looking at the crushed bug under his foot. The chilling intensity of his stare sent shivers down the spines of several onlookers.
"Where in the world did this madman come from...!"
"You... no, who exactly are you? How can someone like you...!"
A man dressed in a fine administrative uniform, his voice trembling, tried to retreat, shifting uneasily, after locking eyes with Yuder. Yuder looked down at him with a cold detachment and introduced himself.
"I am Yuder Aile, the assistant to the Commander of the Cavalry."
In truth, this conversation should have taken place when Yuder first stepped forward.
It was remarkable how, initially, not a single question was asked, not even his name was inquired, until they experienced his fiery display. Yuder chose not to point out their sudden politeness.
'Typical of such people.'
The crowd might have been frightened by Yuder's display of power, but it wasn't the sole reason for their newfound respect. The real reason they were cowering was Yuder's unabashed audacity, even after such a wild act.
In their minds, only a 'truly high-ranking person' could behave so recklessly and still remain impudent. It seemed they only pretended to listen and treat someone as an equal after being shown their place.
'But still... seeing them all prostrate like this is quite a sight.'
Unbeknownst to them, Duke Peletta, the leader of the Cavalry, Kishiar, was also standing among them. Yuder allowed a cold smile to slip as he observed those who had knelt before Kishiar.
That smile sent a chill through the protesters, draining them of the courage to speak further.
"Now then... the one in the red administrative robe, the one beside in the green mage's robe, and over here in the grey clothes. It seems we might now be able to have a proper conversation. What do you think?"
With that, the entire confrontation came to an end.
Yuder confidently led the three stunned individuals into the branch, his tone shifting to a more formal register as soon as the situation was resolved. This change only heightened the protesters' sense of dread.
"Please, take a seat over here."
Kurga, showing some quick thinking, led the three to a space for them to sit side by side. Anticipating that Yuder would sit across from them, they tensed up, but their confusion grew when a man with a vague appearance and brown hair took his seat before Yuder.
'Who is he?'
Throughout the commotion caused by Yuder, this man had simply stood back, arms crossed, watching. Seemingly unimportant, his sudden forwardness was disconcerting.
'Is he also a member of the Cavalry? Or someone else entirely?'
Regardless of whether they surreptitiously glanced or wondered about the identity of Kishiar, who had altered his appearance, Yuder didn't sit until Kishiar had comfortably found his place. Only then did Yuder take his seat beside him.
As soon as he sat, the atmosphere froze over once again, like a lake in the northern winter.
"Before we begin, I've already introduced myself. Now, I'd like to hear each of your names."
Ordinarily, a few pleasantries would be exchanged before starting a conversation, but Yuder had no intention of extending such courtesies. His cold demeanor in demanding their names first left the three protesters unable to hide their anger. However, perhaps still vividly recalling the earthquake-like experience, they promptly opened their mouths to speak.
The man in the administrative robe was a seventh-rank official from Charloin, while the mage belonged to the 'Sapphire Mage Union,' the largest mage coalition in the south. The remaining individual was from a trading guild that had been conducting business in Charloin for generations, seemingly holding some significant position in the city's overall merchants' association.
They tried to emphasize their importance, hoping to intimidate Yuder slightly, but they couldn't have imagined that Yuder had already dismissed their names from his mind upon hearing them.
The only thing Yuder retained was the sliver of useful information hidden within their grandiose introductions.
'As expected, all three have connections with the nobles opposing the Emperor. They must be motivated by the anticipation of future benefits should this endeavor succeed.'
Not everyone who had come to protest was driven by such motives. Yuder would have bet that many believed they were genuinely protecting the safety of Charloin.
It was these individuals, who wouldn't normally have stepped forward, who were incited by those seeking political gain – the very 'voices' who had taken it upon themselves to lead this cause.
In essence, if these instigators were dealt with, the rest of the problem would likely resolve itself.
'Now, let's deal with them one by one.'
"So, what exactly are your demands?"
Yuder asked impassively, causing each of the three to furrow their brows.
The mage in the robe was the first to clear his throat and speak up.
"Don't you understand even after seeing all this? We cannot tolerate a dangerous group like the Cavalry entering Charloin, the largest city in the south. Why must you establish a branch in Charloin? Just a bit further south, there are suitable areas like Mclara."
"You're right," agreed the official. "Many administrators in Charloin share the same concern. Even though the High Minister has recommended cooperation, it overlooks the unique characteristics of our region. Moreover, the transaction regarding this building intended for the branch was far from clean. Lord Giol Terme, a third-rank official, demands clarification and adjustment."
Lastly, the merchant added his piece.
"Charloin is trembling with anxiety due to the Awakeners coming for your assessment or whatever it is. The trading guilds have suffered significant business losses. Shouldn't the Cavalry take responsibility for this?"
Their statements were lengthy, but could be summarized succinctly:
'Such nonsense, drawn out so long.'
Yuder, with an expressionless face, turned to look at Kurga.
"Kurga."
"Huh? Yeah?"
"It seems we'll need to write down and organize these demands. Could you bring some paper?"
"Paper? Okay."
Kurga, slightly puzzled, brought over the paper, which was then placed on the long table.
"The pen is here, so you can write with this."
"That's alright. I have my pen here."
Yuder produced a pen from his pocket. At that moment, the official's eyes twitched nervously.
'…What's that?'
[BL] Bermuda
Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.
Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.
"Since when have you been watching me?"
Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.
"From the very beginning."
[BL] Cloudless Sky
Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.
"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."
In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.
"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."
And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.
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