Dapat Bawahan: Perjalanan ke Desa Perbatasan - 07

Dapat Bawahan: Perjalanan ke Desa Perbatasan

Fakta bahwa gue punya bakat sihir di luar empat elemen berhasil ditutup rapat. Semua yang tahu dipaksa bungkam. Tapi selalu aja ada yang nggak bisa diem. Dalam waktu singkat, gosip mulai menyebar di antara pelayan Keluarga Marquis kalo gue punya atribut nggak berguna.

Sementara itu, gue sibuk persiapan berangkat. Murcia ngasih pinjaman biar gue bisa dapet uang dan tenaga yang dibutuhkan buat perjalanan.

Tiga kereta berjejer di platform pemuatan, siap diberangkatkan. Baju, kebutuhan sehari-hari, dan zirah mulai dimuat. Gue nggak bisa pinjam orang dari ordo ksatria keluarga buat pengawal, tapi gue punya sekitar sepuluh petualang yang disewa Murcia. Walaupun mereka kasar, tapi gapapa lah.

Awalnya situasi cukup berat. Kami cuma dikasih satu kereta dengan Kamsin sebagai satu-satunya pengawal. Gue khawatir apa gue berdua bisa muat dalam satu kereta. Sampai akhirnya Dee datang. Kayaknya dia maksa ikut sebagai "pengawal pribadi".

"Saya bakal latih sampe mati dengan pedang, Van-sama! Hitunglah! Hahaha!"

Tolong jangan.

Gue pengen ngomong gitu, tapi Dee manggil anak buahnya yang ikut dengan sukarela, dan dia cepet nyiapin kereta. Sebelum gue sadar, ada dua kereta besar tambahan, dengan Dee dan dua ksatria di kereta paling belakang.

Yang terakhir dan nggak disangka-sangka adalah Espada.

"Saya udah bilang ke Jalpa-sama kalo saya mau pensiun lebih awal. Penerus saya udah matang, jadi tuan dengan senang hati setuju. Umur saya lima puluh lima tahun, dan saya mau santai di pedesaan. Boleh?"

Waktu dia ngomong dengan nada enteng, entah gimana Espada tiba-tiba muncul dengan kereta lengkap. Dari mana dia dapet kereta itu? Berapa lama dia nyiapin?

Atau, apa ayah gue rela ngelepasin Espada gitu aja setelah bertahun-tahun? Harusnya susah cari orang yang bisa dipercaya kayak Espada.

Waktu gue liat dia curiga, Espada buka mulut sambil naik ke kereta.

"Saya lihat aja apa bisa belajar sesuatu dari Tuan Van, buat bumbu-bumbu di masa tua."

Abis ngomong gitu, Espada masuk kereta. Tolong banget. Kalian udah cukup ngajarin gue.

Entah Dee atau Espada, kenapa sih ngikutin gue ke desa terpencil yang nggak ada kerjaan selain nyiksa gue? Gue pengen bilang cukup.

Tapi gue bersyukur Dee yang jago bertarung dan Espada yang tahu banyak hal ada di sisi gue.

Waktu gue naik kereta dengan perasaan campur aduk, Till buka mulut senang.

"Tuan Van, ada kabar baik?"

"Hah?"

Gue balas tanya dan Till angguk sambil ketawa.

"Tuan ketawa, lho."

Baru sadar kalo gue lagi ketawa. Kayaknya meskipun gue pikir nggak peduli, ternyata gue khawatir juga ngirim mereka ke perbatasan. Gue juga seneng mereka semua ikut.

"Gue seneng kalian semua mau ikut ke perbatasan. Makasih."

Waktu gue senyum ke dia, Till nunjuk diri sendiri dengan senyum nakal.

"Sebenernya, banyak pelayan yang mau ikut Tuan Van. Tapi saya kan pelayan eksklusif Tuan. Saya bilang ke Murcia-sama dan rebut kursi ini mati-matian."

Sambil ngomong, Till tepuk tempat duduknya.

"Kan bisa ajak semua yang mau ikut…"

Kenapa jadi kayak sistem turnamen pemenang ambil semua? Kecewa berat. Impian gue dikelilingi pelayan cantik lenyap. Sialan.

Tapi Till nggak sadar perasaan gue.

"Saya nggak tahu banyak, tapi Murcia-sama keliatan sibuk banget dan jarang ngobrol sama pelayan. Tuan Yardo dan Tuan Sesto juga nggak perhatian sama pelayan. Tapi Tuan Van beda. Tuan nyapa tiap hari dengan ramah, kadang kasih camilan, bahkan bantu kalau saya lagi bersih-bersih. Pelayan yang dulu bareng Tuan juga sayang sama Tuan Van."

Till ngomong panjang lebar bikin gue malu. Gue liat Kamsin dan buka mulut sambil dengerin dia.

"Kamsin juga nggak apa-apa. Kalo nggak mau ikut, bisa tinggal di Keluarga Marquis. Kayaknya kontrak budak bisa diubah atau dibatalin, jadi kalo minta kakak Murcia urusin, dia bakal bantu."

Waktu denger itu, Kamsin liat gue kayak marah.

"Tuan Van. Saya udah mutusin buat ngabdi seumur hidup ke Tuan Van. Setiap saat, saya bakal layani Tuan Van dengan nyawa saya."

"Apa sih? Kamsin, sebelas itu sama gue?"

Gue malu, jadi gue pura-pura, dan Kamsin angguk kuat.

"Iya, saya sayang dan hormat Tuan."

Hasilnya malu banget. Kamsin juga udah besar. Gue angguk haru.

Awalnya kira bakal tinggal sendiri di perbatasan, tapi sekarang ada empat orang teman perjalanan. Bersyukur banget.

"Baik, ayo berangkat."

Waktu gue ngomong gitu, kereta mulai jalan. Gue jaga jendela tetap tertutup sebisa mungkin, nggak banyak bersuara. Gue harus ngilangin keberadaan sebisa mungkin. Makanya kereta ini nggak pake lambang Keluarga Marquis. Ayah pengen gue pergi tanpa banyak yang tahu.

"Dua tahun terakhir sering banget main ke kota, jadi sedih ninggalinnya."

Gue bergumam, buka jendela sedikit buat liat keluar. Liat ada anak kecil di dekat kereta yang jalan pelan.

"Ah, Tuan Van!"

"Oh, Viza. Halo."

Anak itu Viza, putri penjaga yang sering gue temui di kota. Viza buka mulut dengan sedih.

"Tuan Van mau pergi ya? Kenapa?"

"Hah!? Hei, siapa yang bilang?"

Waktu gue tanya, Viza nunjuk ke belakang kereta. Pas gue liat ke belakang, kereta Dee, salah satu dari dua kereta di belakang, ngibarin spanduk. Spanduk itu nulis "Van-sama Datang" dengan huruf gede.

"Apa-apaan? Malu banget."

Waktu gue ngomong gitu, anak buah Dee yang jaga kereta dateng dan jawab.

"Itu atas perintah Tuan Dee! Tuan Dee sedih liat Tuan Van pergi kayak kabur diam-diam, jadi dia berusaha bikin keberangkatan sehormat mungkin…"

"Tapi ayah gue nyuruh jaga diri, lho?"

Waktu gue tanya, pemuda ksatria itu ketawa kayak iseng.

"Begitu ya! Saya nggak pernah denger perintah itu! Mungkin Tuan Dee juga nggak tahu. Saya mau nurunin spanduknya, tapi Tuan Dee lagi tidur di kereta… maaf! Begitu Tuan Dee bangun, saya bilang!"

Di belakang pemuda yang nyengir kuda, Dee yang ngintip dari jendela teriak keras.

"Putra keempat Keluarga Marquis! Bangsawan Van Ney Fertio di sini! Dia mau pamit. Dan kalo ada yang mau ngabdi…."

Gue liat Dee yang lagi pidato dengan suara lantang, lalu liat pemuda itu.

"Dia nggak tidur?"

"Oh, maaf! Saya harus patroli! Tenang aja, urusan patroli sekitar kereta biar kami!"

Dengan ketawa gugup, pemuda itu naik kuda dan pergi. Kerumunan mulai ngumpul, beberapa yang kenal dekat manggil.

"Tuan Van! Mau ke mana?!"

"Cepet balik ya!"

"Mau ke Akademi King's Landing?"

Awalnya gue bingung dipanggil-panggil, tapi lama-lama gue buka diri.

"Semuanya! Gue berangkat sekarang!"

Waktu gue muncul dan sapa, bahkan yang baru ketemu sekali aja balas.

"Dadah!"

Gue teriak balas, tapi tanpa sadar gue nangis. Beberapa kenalan di kota nangis pas pamit, dan air mata mereka bikin gue ikutan. Kirain nggak peduli, ternyata salah.

Gue usap air mata dan duduk lagi. Till kasih sapu tangan, tapi gue nangisnya kenceng sampe harus ganti baru.

Gathering Companions: Journey to the Frontier

The fact that I had magic aptitude outside the four elements was kept under wraps. Anyone who knew was silenced. But some people just can't keep their mouths shut. Soon, rumors spread among the maids of the Marquis family that I had a useless attribute.

Meanwhile, I was busy preparing for departure. Murcia lent me money so I could get the funds and manpower needed for the journey.

Three carriages were lined up at the loading platform, ready to go. Clothes, daily necessities, and armor were being loaded. I couldn't borrow people from the house's knightly order for escort, but I had about ten adventurers hired by Murcia. They're roughnecks, but whatever.

At first, things were tough. We were only given one carriage with Kamsin as my sole escort. I was worried whether the two of us could fit in one carriage. Until Dee showed up. Looks like he forced his way in as a "personal bodyguard."

"I'm gonna train you to death with my sword, Van-sama! Count on it! Hahaha!"

Please don't.

I wanted to say that, but Dee called his men who followed voluntarily, and he quickly prepared carriages. Before I knew it, there were two more large carriages, with Dee and two knights stationed at the rear.

The last and most unexpected arrival was Espada.

"I told Jalpa-sama that I'd retire a bit early. My successor's matured well, so the master gladly agreed. I'm fifty-five, and I want to relax in the countryside. Is that alright?"

When he said that casually, somehow Espada showed up with a fully prepared carriage. Where'd he get that? How long had he been preparing?

Or wait—would my father really let Espada go so easily after all these years? Must be hard to find someone as trustworthy as him.

When I looked at him suspiciously, Espada opened his mouth with a wry smile as he climbed into the carriage.

"I'll see if I can learn something from Master Van, something to spice up my old age."

After saying that, Espada went inside. Seriously, please don't. You guys have already taught me enough.

Whether it's Dee or Espada, why are you following me to some remote village with nothing to do but torture me? I wanna say enough already.

But I'm grateful that Dee, who's strong in battle, and Espada, who knows so much, are by my side.

As I got into the carriage with mixed feelings, Till spoke up happily.

"Master Van, did something good happen?"

"Huh?"

I asked back, and Till nodded laughing.

"You're laughing, you know."

That's when I realized I was laughing. Seems like even though I thought I didn't care, I was worried about sending them to the frontier. I'm also glad they all came along.

"I'm happy you all followed me to the frontier. Thanks."

When I smiled at her, Till pointed at herself with a mischievous grin.

"Actually, lots of maids wanted to follow Van-sama. But I'm your exclusive maid, you know. I told Murcia-sama and fought to keep this seat."

She patted her seat as she said that.

"You could've brought everyone who wanted to come…"

Why'd it turn into some winner-takes-all tournament? Big disappointment. My dream life surrounded by cute maids vanished. Damn it.

But Till rambled on, oblivious to my feelings.

"I don't know much, but Murcia-sama seems really busy and doesn't talk much with maids. Master Yardo and Master Sesto don't care about their maids either. But Master Van's different. You greet me every day, sometimes give snacks, even help when I'm cleaning. The maids who served you also love Van-sama."

Till's rambling made me embarrassed. I looked at Kamsin and spoke while listening to her.

"Kamsin, it's okay too. If you don't want to come, you can stay with the Marquis family. Seems slave contracts can be changed or canceled, so if you ask brother Murcia, he'll handle it."

When he heard that, Kamsin looked at me like he was angry.

"Master Van. I've decided to dedicate my whole life to you. Always, I'll serve you with my life."

"What are you saying? Kamsin, you like me that much?"

I was embarrassed, so I faked it, and Kamsin nodded firmly.

"Yes, I adore and respect you."

The result was even more embarrassing. Kamsin's grown up too. I nodded emotionally.

Thought I'd be alone in some frontier, but now I have four travel companions. Grateful for that.

"Alright, let's go."

When I said that, the carriages started moving. I kept the windows closed as much as possible, didn't make much noise. I need to erase my presence as much as I can. That's why this carriage doesn't even have the Marquis family crest. Father wants me to leave without anyone knowing.

"I used to come to town a lot the last two years, so it's sad leaving."

I muttered, opening the window a bit to look out. Then I noticed a child near the slowly moving carriage.

"Ah, Master Van!"

"Oh, Viza. Hi."

The kid was Viza, a guard's daughter I'd met many times in the city. Viza spoke with a sad face.

"Van-sama's leaving, aren't you? Why?"

"What!? Hey, who told you?"

When I asked, Viza pointed behind the carriage. When I looked back, Dee's carriage—one of two behind us—was holding up a banner. It read "Van-sama Arrives" in big letters.

"What the—? So embarrassing."

When I said that, one of Dee's men guarding the carriage came up and replied.

"That was Master Dee's order! Master Dee was sad seeing Van-sama leave like sneaking away at night, so he tried to make the departure as dignified as possible…"

"But my father told me to keep it quiet, though?"

When I questioned him, the young knight laughed mischievously.

"Is that so! I never heard that order! Maybe Master Dee didn't know either. I'd take the banner down, but Master Dee's asleep in the carriage… sorry! As soon as he wakes up, I'll tell him!"

Behind the grinning young man, Dee peeked out the window and shouted loudly.

"Fourth son of the Marquess family! Noble Van Ney Fertio is here! He wishes to bid farewell! And if anyone offers to serve…."

I looked at Dee giving a speech in a loud voice, then at the young man.

"He's not asleep?"

"Oh, sorry! Gotta do my rounds! Don't worry, we'll handle patrol around the carriage!"

With a nervous laugh, the young man rode off. A crowd gradually gathered, some who knew me well called out.

"Master Van! Where are you going?!"

"Come back soon!"

"Going to King's Landing Academy?"

At first I was conflicted being called out by the crowd, but then I started opening up.

"Everyone! I'm leaving now!"

When I showed up and greeted them, even those I'd only met once replied back.

"Goodbye!"

I shouted my own goodbyes, but next thing I knew I was tearing up. Some acquaintances in town cried when I said goodbye, and their tears made my eyes water again. Thought I didn't care about them at all, but I was wrong.

I wiped my tears and sat back down. Till handed me a handkerchief, but I was sobbing so hard I had to replace it with a new one.

Terima kasih sudah mampir! Jika kamu menikmati konten ini dan ingin menunjukkan dukunganmu, bagaimana kalau mentraktirku secangkir kopi? 😊 Ini adalah gestur kecil yang sangat membantu untuk menjaga semangatku agar terus membuat konten-konten keren. Tidak ada paksaan, tapi secangkir kopi darimu pasti akan membuat hariku jadi sedikit lebih cerah. ☕️

☕ Buy Me Coffee