“Kemampuan untuk membuat teman.”
Yuder tidak langsung mengerti apa yang dimaksud dengan kekuatan itu. Meski sudah kembali dalam waktu, ini pertamanya dia mendengar kekuatan semacam ini. Saat pandangannya bertemu dengan Yuder, si anak dengan cepat bersembunyi di belakang Nahan, seolah-olah ditakuti.
“Benar, sejak kamu telah menemukan temanmu, tujuanmu pasti sudah tercapai.”
Yuder mengira Nahan akan mengambil rekan muda itu dan menghilang. Jika itu keputusannya, dia juga akan melakukan hal yang sama. Bagaimanapun, jika mereka melewatkan kesempatan ini, mereka mungkin tidak akan mendapatkan kesempatan lain untuk melarikan diri dengan tidak terdeteksi.
“Benar. Namun kali ini, aku ingin mengikuti engkau hingga ke akhir.”
Namun Nahan mengatakan sesuatu yang tak terduga.
“Aku tidak membutuhkan penonton.”
“Aku adalah sesama yang telah berjalan sejauh ini bersamamu. Cukup tidak nyaman terpinggirkan seperti ini.”
Apa yang dia pikirkan? Yuder semakin mencurigai Nahan, lebih dari sebelumnya. Namun, tidak perlu menambah jumlah musuh pada saat ini. Dengan demikian, ia memutuskan mundur, sambil tetap waspada terhadap Nahan.
“Jika menjadi penghalang...”
“Tidak akan pernah. Seperti yang belum terjadi.”
Nahan rupawan, jika tidak ada hal lain. Mengabaikannya, Yuder melangkah menuju sel penjara terakhir. Saat mengunci pintu, orang yang terikat di dalamnya dengan tali rafia biasa itu menatapnya dengan marah.
“Ugh... uuuhh...”
Tentu saja, ini adalah Kiolle da Diarca, yang ditinggalkan hingga akhir.
Ia mencoba mengeraskan suaranya, namun karena digaguin, kata-katanya tidak kunjung jelas. Yuder menatapnya sejenak sebelum akhirnya berkata.
“Kiolle da Diarca.”
Itu adalah nama yang ia upayakan dilupakan sejak pertemuan pertama, namun akhirnya mengukirnya dalam ingatannya, yang cukup mengesankan.
“Akau akan melepas gagumu, namun jika kamu mengeong atau membuat kebisingan yang tidak perlu yang bisa menarik perhatian, aku akan membuatmu tak sadarkan. Angguk jika kamu mengerti.”
“Uuuuhhh!!”
Kiolle melamun seolah menolak tawaran Yuder, memutar kepalanya dengan keras. Sepertinya ia tidak mengerti apa pun.
“Apakah kita benar-benar harus menyelamatkan orang ini?”
Nahan yang menyaksikan pemandangan ini bertanya dengan nada acuh.
“Dialah bukan saudara kandung yang mempunyai kekuatan yang sama. Sepertinya tidak cukup istimewa untuk layak diselamatkan.”
“Uuuhh!! Uuh!”
Kiolle menatap Nahan dengan amarah dan mencengkarungkan giganya. Jelas, ia tidak menyukai kata-kata Nahan.
‘Benar juga... aku tidak bisa setuju dengan itu.’
Apakah Kiolle bahkan akan bersyukur jika diselamatkan? Beruntung jika dia tidak langsung melompat dengan tangan kepalanya penuh makhluk. Namun, Yuder masih berpendapat bahwa lebih baik mencegah kematiannya.
Baik apa pun yang terjadi, ia telah memutuskan untuk mencegah pengulangan masa lalu.
‘Dan jika dia mati di sini, mereka bisa menyalahkan kematian Kiolle kepada keluarga Apeto, menarik perhatian Kavaleri.’
Ia harus menghindari segala kemungkinan yang bisa menyebabkan bahaya bagi Kavaleri. Inilah sebabnya ia menyimpan Kiolle hingga terakhir.
“Jika kamu terus tidak kooperatif, aku tidak bisa berbuat banyak. Kita tidak punya banyak waktu.”
“Uh, uuhh! Uuh!!”
“Tidak suka? Aku bisa dengan mudah meninggalkanmu di sini?”
“Urrgh!”
Kiolle menatap Yuder seperti ingin meregangkan tubuhnya.
“Kemudian aku menyarankan agar kamu diam.”
Yuder tidak repot untuk menyiapkan Kiolle; ia hanya menggeser gagunya ke leher, menyisakan tubuhnya berserakan di lantai. Tak lama kemudian, suara penuh amarah terdengar.
“Kamu... kamu orang Kavaleri itu.”
Untungnya tidak lantang, tapi katanya sama sekali tidak menyenangkan. Kiolle batuk beberapa kali, mengertakkan gigi dan mengangkat kepalanya, sementara Yuder menatap diam dengan ekspresi netral.
“Aku sangat menantikan bertemu kembali denganmu. Kamu tidak tahu betapa menghinaankan keadaannya bagiku, terpinggirkan ke pinggiran pedesaan karena kamu, dikelilingi oleh orang-orang bodoh.”
“Apakah kamu mengatakan ini semua karenaku?”
“Ya! Dengan taktik licikmu, kamu membuat aku jadi bahan candaan, menghancurkan kehormatanku. Bahkan ayahku sendiri meminta kuhalau rendah dan berlatih keras, mengusir kuhuan. Itu pertama kalinya. Tidak ada yang mendengarkanku!”
‘Adipati Diarca sepertinya lebih peduli pada anak ini dari yang lain kira-kira.’
Kiolle mengungkapkan kekecewaannya terhadap ayahnya, namun Yuder mentafsirkan makna yang sama sekali berbeda dari katanya. Mengingat percakapan bawahan dengan Penjaga Apeto, Kiolle mungkin adalah putra termuda Adipati Diarca. Dalam hidup sebelumnya, Yuder pernah melayani seorang Kaisar yang merupakan anak angkat keluarga Diarca, jadi ia cukup mengenal suasana keluarga Diarca lebih baik dibanding dukedom lainnya.
Keluarga Diarca adalah sesuatu yang sangat ‘bangsawan’ tertentu. Hubungan keluarga hanya terikat oleh nama keluarga. Sedikit emosi antar sesama anggota keluarga dan turi.
Dalam hidupnya sebelumnya, Yuder bertemu dengan Adipati Diarca saat ini beberapa kali, namun kesan pertama yang lebih kuat adalah seorang pria gila seperti babi, bukan manusia.
Adipati saat ini meninggal karena penyakit tak lama setelah Yuder mengambil posisinya, namun putra sulung yang menggantikanya sebagai pewaris tidak jauh berbeda.
Kaisar menjaga keluarga Diarca sedikit lebih dekat karena ikatan masa kecilnya dengannya, namun tidak pernah benar-benar memercayai mereka. Keluarga sering menggambarkan jarak ini sebagai sesuatu yang ‘bangsawan’ dan sangat ‘Diarca’.
Di bawah Adipati lama dari keluarga Diarca yang demikian, fakta seorang putra yang begitu bebas seperti ini lahir, dan meskipun menyebabkan banyak kecelakaan, tidak pernah benar-benar didisplininkan hanya dikirim untuk dilatih, cukup mengejutkan.
‘Jadi dia adalah putra termuda, mungkin hanya karena dibiarkan.’
Namun Kiolle hilang lebih awal bahkan dalam hidup sebelumnya. Jika dia terus hidup seperti ini, meskipun Yuder menyelamatkannya kali ini, masa depannya tidak terlihat mudah berubah.
“Apakah kamu mendengarku? Lepas semua ikatan segera!”
Yuder melepas nafas dalam, menghadapi Kiolle yang sedang meraung-teriak.
“Kamu... kamu nekat betapa kamu menganggap diri sendiri rendah?”
“Lalu apa yang akan kamu lakukan setelah kuhilangkan?”
Kiolle menutup mulutnya sejenak saat menghadapi pertanyaan yang tenang ini yang tidak menunjukkan rasa takut terhadap teriakannya, lalu membukanya lagi dengan mata yang mengintip seperti ular.
“Yang jelas. Aku akan menumbulkan kekacauan denganmu di bantal darah.”
“Dan bagaimana, sebenarnya? Kamu sekarang tidak bersenjata.”
Yuder mengingatkannya bahwa pinggangnya kosong. Hanya pada saat itu Kiolle sepertinya ingat senjatanya hilang, lalu memeriksa pinggangnya sambil membuka mulut.
“…Itu, itu memang perlu. Aku harus mengalahkan anjing-anjing Apeto dan mengambilnya kembali……”
“Lalu apa yang akan kamu lakukan tanpa senjata?”
“Kamu semua akan membantu, kan? Bukankah kamu mendengar dengan jelas bahwa kamu akan membantu tawanan lain melarikan diri?”
“Kita tidak semestinya harus melakukannya, kamu tahu?”
Yuder sengaja berbohong.
“Untuk jujur, aku bisa dengan mudah meninggalkanmu dan melarikan diri.”
“Apa, apa yang kamu katakan? Bagaimana bisa kamu...!”
“Lalu apa yang akan kamu lakukan selanjutnya? Apakah kamu berencana mengalahkan semua orang keluarga Apeto tanpa senjata?”
“Ya!”
Kiolle berteriak seolah menantang.
“Yang kus butuhkan hanyalah mengalahkan seseorang dan mengambil pedangnya! Jadi lepaskan aku!”
“Apakah itu saja rencana yang kamu miliki?”
Pada saat ini Yuder berhenti menggunakan kata yang sopan.
“Apa?”
“Aku bertanya, apakah rasa bijaksana itu benar-benar ada pada dirimu, Kiolle Diarca.”
“Kamu...! Seorang rakyat jelata yang meragukan diri sendiri sebagai seorang ksatria Kaisar!”
“Siapa yang pingsan dua kali karena lemah dan bertindak tercela karena tidak mampu menerima perbedaan kemampuan? Lihatlah dirimu sendiri. Apakah penilaianmu benar-benar bagus?”
Kiolle mungkin tidak pernah diajak bicara seperti ini seumur hidupnya. Ia terdiam, bibirnya terbuka sedikit, wajahnya campur marah dan terkejut saat kata-kata kejam dari seorang rakyat jelata mengalir.
“Meskipun kamu membuat keputusan bodoh, kamu tidak pernah menyesal meskipun kehilangan nyawa sesama.”
“Sesama? Sesama? Siapa!”
Dan di saat itulah Kiolle akhirnya bergerak, meraung mengeong sambil mengangkat tubuhnya.
Chapter 86
"The ability to make friends."
Yuder couldn't immediately understand what that power entailed. Despite having traveled back in time, it was the first time he'd heard of such a power. Upon making eye contact with Yuder, the boy quickly hid behind Nahan, as if frightened.
"Yes, since you've found your companion, your objective must be achieved."
Yuder thought that Nahan would just take his young ally and disappear. If it had been him, he would have done the same. After all, if they missed this moment, they might not have another chance to escape unnoticed.
"True. However, this time, I think I'll follow you to the end."
Yet, Nahan said something unexpected.
"I don't need a spectator."
"I'm an accomplice who has come this far with you. It hurts a bit to be called a spectator."
What was he thinking? Yuder grew suspicious of Nahan, more than ever before. However, there was no need to unnecessarily increase the number of enemies at this point. Thus, he decided to retreat, keeping a wary eye on Nahan.
"If it becomes a hindrance..."
"It definitely won't. Just as it hasn't until now."
Nahan was eloquent, if nothing else. Ignoring him, Yuder headed towards the last remaining prison cell. As he unlocked the door, the man tied up inside with ordinary ropes glared at him, his eyes filled with rage.
"Ugh... uuuhh..."
Of course, it was Kiolle da Diarca, the one left behind until the very end.
He tried to yell something, but because of the gag, his words were incomprehensible. Yuder stared at him for a moment before finally speaking.
"Kiolle da Diarca."
It was a name he'd tried to forget since their first encounter, yet it had eventually etched itself into his memory, which was impressive in its own way.
"I'll remove your gag, but if you scream or make any unnecessary noise that might attract attention, I'll knock you unconscious immediately. Nod if you understand."
"Uuuuhhh!!"
Kiolle thrashed about as if telling Yuder to stop spouting nonsense, twisting his head with all his might. It didn't seem like he understood Yuder's words at all.
"Do we really need to save that guy?"
Nahan, who had been watching the whole scene, asked in an indifferent tone.
"He's not a brother or sister who possesses the same power. He doesn't seem extraordinary enough to merit rescue."
"Uuuhh!! Uuh!"
Kiolle directed a furious glare at Nahan and yelled at him. Clearly, he didn't appreciate Nahan's words.
'Honestly... I can't argue with that.'
Would Kiolle even thank him for being rescued? It would be fortunate if he didn't rush at him with fists clenched right away. However, Yuder still thought it was better to prevent his death.
Whatever it was, he'd decided to prevent a repeat of the past.
'And if he dies here, they might pin Kiolle's death on the Apeto household, drawing the Cavalry's attention.'
He had to avoid any situation that could cause harm to the Cavalry at all costs. That's why he had left Kiolle until last.
"If you continue to be uncooperative, there's not much I can do. We don't have much time."
"Uh, uuhh! Uuh!!"
"Don't like it? Should I just leave you here?"
"Urrgh!"
Kiolle glared at Yuder as if he wanted to tear him apart.
"Then I suggest you keep quiet."
Yuder did not bother to get Kiolle upright; he simply slid the gag down to his chin, leaving him sprawled on the floor. The instant he did, a voice, brimming with rage, echoed out.
“You, you’re that guy from the Cavalry.”
Luckily, he didn’t yell, but the words themselves didn’t feel any less menacing. Kiolle coughed a few times, grinding his teeth and lifting his head, as Yuder watched him silently, offering no response.
“You have no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again. You wouldn’t know how humiliating it has been for me, banished to this countryside because of you, being watched over by idiots.”
“Are you saying this is all because of me?”
“Yes! You’ve made a laughingstock out of me with your underhanded tactics, ruining my honor. Even my own father asked me to keep a low profile and train, casting me out. That was a first. No one would listen to me!”
‘The Duke of Diarca seems to care more for this lad than I thought.’
Kiolle vented his frustration about his father, but Yuder interpreted a completely different meaning from his words.
Recalling the conversation the underlings had with the Warden of Apeto, Kiolle was likely the youngest child of the Duke of Diarca. In his previous life, Yuder had served an Emperor who was a foster son of the Diarca family, so he knew the Diarca family atmosphere a bit better than other dukedoms.
The Diarca family was the epitome of ‘nobility’. They were tied together only by the family name. There was little affection between family members and relatives.
In his previous life, Yuder had encountered the current Duke of Diarca a few times, but his impression was stronger of a cranky old raccoon rather than a human being.
The current Duke died of an illness not long after Yuder took his position, but the eldest son who succeeded him as the heir was not much different.
The Emperor kept the Diarca family slightly closer due to the bond he had with them when growing up, but he never fully trusted them. The family often described this distance as being noble and very Diarca-like.
Under the old Duke of such a Diarca family, the fact that such a free-spirited son came out, and despite causing multiple accidents, he was never properly disciplined but just sent off to train, was frankly quite surprising.
‘So he's the youngest son, maybe they just doted on him and let him be.’
However, Kiolle disappeared early even in the previous life. If he continued to live like this, even if Yuder saved him this time, his future didn't seem like it would change easily.
“Are you listening to me? Undo these bonds immediately!”
Yuder exhaled deeply, facing the shouting Kiolle.
“You... you impudent brat, dare to sigh?”
“And what will you do once I free you?”
Kiolle shut his mouth for a moment at the calm question showing no fear of his yelling, then opened it again with a venomous glare.
“The obvious. I’m going to bring you to your knees.”
“And how, exactly? You're unarmed at the moment.”
Yuder pointed out Kiolle's empty waistband. Only then did Kiolle seem to remember his weapon being taken away, opening his mouth and looking down at his waistband.
“…That, that is. I need to knock down Apeto’s dogs and retrieve it…….”
"So, what will you do without any weapons?"
"You guys will do something, right? Didn't I hear clearly that you were going to help the rest of the prisoners escape?"
"We don't necessarily have to, you know?"
Yuder purposely lied.
"To be honest, I could just leave you here and escape myself."
"What, what did you just say? How could you...!"
"So, what will you do next? Are you planning to defeat all of Apeto Duchy’s people unarmed by yourself?"
"Yes!"
Kiolle shouted as if in defiance.
"All I need is to beat someone and take their sword! So, let me go!"
"Is that all you have planned?"
At this point, Yuder stopped using honorifics.
"What?"
"I asked if that was the extent of your situational judgment, Kiolle Diarca."
"You... How dare you, a commoner, question me, a high-ranking Imperial Knight...!"
"Who's the one who passed out twice because they were weaker than a commoner, and behaved disgracefully due to inability to accept the difference in skill? Look at your state. Is your judgment that poor?"
Kiolle had probably never been spoken to in such a cold manner in his life. He was frozen, lips slightly parted, his face a mix of rage and surprise at the abusive words spouted by a commoner.
"Even with your foolish decisions, you haven't shown any remorse even after losing a comrade's life."
"Comrade? Comrade, you say. Who!"
It was then that Kiolle finally started to move, thrashing about as he let out a scream. He managed to sit up, albeit with difficulty. His noble-like demeanor had long since faded from his dirty, earth-covered face as he looked up at Yuder.
"Are you talking about the dead Paviel right now?"
"Yes."
"Did you overhear that from Apeto's dogs on your way here? Ha. That traitor being my comrade is a ridiculous joke. He betrayed me and surrendered to the enemy so he could live. It's natural that he died. How is that my fault?"
"If it's not your fault, then whose is it?"
Yuder's reply was calm, his gaze frosty.
"He was your comrade. He must have trusted you enough to get to that point. You had countless ways to make better decisions to save your own life and your comrade's. But you didn't. Blinded by anger, you risked everyone's safety, pushing yourself into a life-threatening situation. And still, you say it's not your fault that he died because of you?"
"Shut up! What do you know! Should I have cared for the one who betrayed me out of fear of death and insulted me? Why should I!"
Kiolle Diarca seemed just like a stubborn child, too full of himself to see what was happening around him. He was not the sort of person who could stand above others and take responsibility. Yuder leaned slightly towards Kiolle, who was gnashing his teeth in anger.
"That's why you have three flowers on your armor. Do you need any other reason?"
Kiolle's expression mixed with anger and confusion as their gazes met.
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