Pertemuan Pertama dengan Warga Desaku - 10

Pertemuan Pertama dengan Warga Desaku

Pertempuran itu cuma berlangsung sekitar lima belas menit.

Rasanya seperti keabadian, tapi juga seperti sekejap mata. Pokoknya, kami berhasil meraih hasil terbaik yang mungkin.

Para penyerang yang mengepung desa berhasil dipukul mundur. Beberapa lolos, tapi sebagian besar tewas dan sisanya sekarat. (Red: Awww… nggak ada adegan pertarungan. Kerjaan gw jadi ringan.)

Beberapa saat setelah pertempuran usai, warga desa mulai berkumpul di belakang pintu gerbang.

Laki-laki dan perempuan bersenjatakan tombak dan perisai menatap kami waspada dari balik pagar.

Ada sekitar lima puluh orang. Kalau itu semua aset tempur yang bisa dikerahkan desa, sungguh menyedihkan. Tapi untuk desa seukuran ini, mungkin itu jumlah yang besar.

Kutarik napas panjang sambil menatap desa. Pagar kayunya dari tiang tebal dan terawat. Tapi temboknya cuma papan sederhana. Begitu juga rumah-rumah padat di belakangnya.

Kalau Kerajaan Yelinetta atau Wilayah Count Ferdinand mengirim pasukan, desa ini bisa hangus terbakar hanya dengan beberapa panah api.

Satu-satunya alasan kenapa itu tak terjadi adalah Pegunungan Woldburg yang konon dihuni naga melindungi punggung mereka, plus sulitnya mengirim ekspedisi militer ke daerah terpencil begini.

Kurasa siapa pun akan mengirim ekspedisi, tapi jika harus bertarung melawan kedua kekuatan itu, desa ini pasti hancur.

Saat aku mengkhawatirkan skenario terburuk, Till menghampiriku.

"Sudah waktunya, Van-sama. Memang tidak sesuai rencana, tapi kita sudah sampai di desa."

Aku mengangguk.

"Ya. Ini pertemuan pertama. Mari sapa mereka dengan wibawa."

Aku melangkah keluar menuju pintu masuk desa. Dua kesatria berdiri di depanku, Dee dan Espada di sampingku, Till dan Kamsin berbaris di belakang.

Orto dan yang lain menjaga kereta serta mengawasi tawanan.

Sementara warga desa berbisik-bisik menatapku, kubuka mulut.

"Halo. Aku Van Ney Fertio. Aku penguasa yang ditunjuk Marquis Fertio untuk mengelola wilayah baru mereka, termasuk desa ini. Mulai sekarang, desa ini akan dikelola olehku. Tapi tenang saja, aku takkan meminta hal tidak masuk akal atau memungut pajak berat yang tidak adil."

Saat kuucapkan salam yang sama sekali tidak seperti bangsawan, warga desa saling pandang dengan bingung.

Melihat itu, Espada mengernyit dan melangkah maju.

"Kalian sedang berada di hadapan Van-sama, penguasa baru kalian. Buka gerbang."

Suara yang jauh lebih kuat dan berwibawa dari milikku bergema. Seorang kakek tua muncul dari antara warga dan membuka mulut.

"Buka gerbang."

Atas perintah kakek itu, warga buru-buru membuka gerbang. Di balik gerbang, pria dan wanita usia 20-30an berdiri siaga dengan tombak dan perisai. Di depan, kakek itu tanpa senjata menatap kami tajam.

"……..Aku tetua desa. Namaku Rhonda. Terima kasih telah menyelamatkan desa kami."

Aku membungkuk pada Rhonda yang menunduk sopan.

"Kudengar selama ini, baik penguasa maupun pasukan pertahanan tak pernah dikirim ke desa ini. Pertama-tama, aku minta maaf soal itu. Aku akan mengemban peran itu dan memberikan perlindungan yang lama kalian nantikan. Kuharap pengertian dan kerja samanya selama kalian di bawah pengelolaanku."

Entah kenapa aku malah menyapa lebih mirip sales layanan daripada bangsawan. Takkan ada bangsawan yang menyapa warga desa begini.

Pokoknya, warga desa termasuk tetua membeku, mata mereka bergetar hebat.

"Huhaha… Bwahahahahaha!"

Kudengar Orth tertawa di belakang, tapi kuhiraukan dan tunggu jawaban Rhonda.

Beberapa detik kemudian, Rhonda mengedip dan membuka mulut.

"Sungguh luar biasa sopan santunnya. Silakan ikut ke rumahku. Akan kutunjukkan sekeliling."

Rhonda berbalik dan berjalan ke belakang desa. Kami mengikuti, tapi warga menatap kami dengan waspada.

Sepertinya ini bakal jadi wilayah yang sulit diatur.

Tak bisa dibilang gubuk reyot, tapi bangunannya sederhana sekali.

Batu disusun, kayu bekas dilapis jadi lantai, tiang-tiang primitif ditegakkan, papan kasar dipasang jadi dinding dan atap. Bangunan barbar sekali. Mungkin tahan angin dan hujan, tapi bakal roboh kena gempa kecil.

Yah, sejauh ini belum pernah gempa di dunia ini.

Di bangunan reyot ini, ada kepala desa dengan dua pria paruh baya di depan dan dua di belakang diagonal. Di sisi lain, Espada, Dee, dan aku duduk, kedua kelompok saling berhadapan.

Awalnya ada seratus lima puluh penduduk di desa. Tapi mereka diserang dua kali dalam enam bulan, jumlahnya susut jadi seratus sepuluh.

"…Jadi ini serangan ketiga? Apa semuanya dari kelompok bandit yang sama?"

"Bukan, semuanya beda. Yang pertama masih bisa diatasi karena cuma sekitar sepuluh orang, tapi yang kedua mantan tentara bayaran atau petualang, kami bertahan sehari penuh baru bisa mengusir mereka. Yang muncul kali ini kelompok lain lagi."

"Menurutmu kenapa mereka begitu tertarik pada desa ini?"

Saat kutanya, Rhonda tergagap dulu.

Tapi cepat dia membuka mulut.

"Desa ini terisolasi dari desa lain, apalagi kota besar. Karena penguasa berganti, kesatria tak lagi berjaga di sini. Dulu perbatasan dengan Kerajaan Yelinetta dekat, jadi kesatria penjaga perbatasan dari Wilayah Count Ferdinand biasa berpatroli. Sejak wilayah berpindah tangan, kesatria tak punya alasan patroli, jadi mereka pergi."

"Jadi maksudmu desa ini terancam punah karena Marquis of Fertio."

Rhonda diam saat kusampaikan persis apa yang tersirat.

Itu kritik pada Keluarga Marquess. Bahkan jika aku tak duduk di sini, itu tabu diucapkan, apalagi di hadapanku langsung.

Yah, kalau aku bangsawan pemarah, kepala Rhonda pasti sudah dipenggal begitu menunjukkan ketidakhormatan.

"Maafkan. Count Ferdinand memang menunjuk wakil di tiap kota, tapi kami tarik semua administrator itu. Sepertinya keluargaku memilih yang berpengalaman sebagai penguasa dan wakil dari Wilayah Marquis Fertio lalu menempatkan mereka berurutan dari kota besar, tapi kami belum tahu situasi di desa kecil."

Saat kujawab jujur, Rhonda menatapku dengan mata tajam.

"…Maksudnya, Marquis mengabaikan kami, kan? Ah, kurasa semua bangsawan begitu. Desa kecil bayar pajak setara kota besar tapi dianggap tak penting. Semua rakyat bangsawan harusnya diperlakukan sama, tapi…"

Apa dia percaya padaku atau cuma perlu meluapkan kekesalan? Rhonda mulai mengungkapkan amarahnya pada bangsawan.

Tapi takkan kudengarkan. Aku perlu mengalihkan pembicaraan ke hal lebih produktif… dan tak berbahaya. (Red: Aku ambil sedikit kebebasan kreatif di bagian ini karena MTL asli bacanya kayak omongan manusia gua agresif.)

"Kepala desa, hentikan. Aku ingin bicara soal administrasi desa ke depan."

Saat kukatakan tegas, Rhonda membungkam diri seolah marah. Kulihat sedikit permusuhan di mata dua pria wanita di sampingnya, tapi mau tak mau.

Aku menatap mereka bergantian dan buka mulut.

"Tak gunanya mengeluh, membenci, atau meratapi keadaan negara ini. Aku tahu kalian kecewa, tapi sekadar mencela di belakang pintu tertutup takkan mengubah apa pun."

"Hah! Tentu saja bangsawan bicara begitu."

Seorang pria paruh baya berdiri dan berteriak padaku. Mungkin anak Rhonda. Pewaris kepala desa.

Kulihat dia bertubuh besar dengan sorot mata tajam. Tapi dengan kepribadian picik begini, tak ada masa depan desa di bawahnya.

Kutatap dia tajam dan keluarkan suara rendah.

"Silakan duduk. Aku yang akan menentukan arah desa ini, aku penguasa yang ditunjuk, bukan kau."

Saat kukatakan itu, Rhonda menatap tajam pewarisnya, membuatnya duduk kembali dengan cemberut. Melihat itu, kutelapakkan tangan di dada dan buka mulut.

"Memang bangsawan yang salah atas cacat negara kita. Lebih spesifik, hukum yang ditetapkan Kerajaan Berlinate, pendiri kerajaan Mordial kita, itu cacat."

Saat kukatakan ini, bukan hanya Rhonda dan bawahannya yang terguncang, tapi juga Espada dan Dee di sampingku.

Seseorang dari keluarga marquis mengkritik keluarga kerajaan secara terbuka. Bangsawan biasa takkan pernah melakukan hal tabu dan bunuh diri begini.

Tapi apa yang perlu kutakutkan? Aku penguasa desa terbuang, tak ada yang perlu ditakutkan.

Kutatap semua dengan bangga, dada membusung.

Chapter 10: Meeting My Villagers for the First Time

The battle only lasted about fifteen minutes.

It felt like forever and like a split second all at once. Anyway, we managed to get the best possible outcome.

The attackers who'd surrounded the village were routed. A few got away, but most of them were dead, and the rest were dying. (T.N.: Awww… no fight scene. Less work for me, I guess.)

A little while after the battle ended, the villagers started gathering behind the entrance gate.

Men and women armed with spears and shields stared at us warily from behind the fence.

There were about fifty of them. If that's all the combat power the village could muster, then it's pitifully weak. Well, for a village this size, maybe it's actually a lot.

I looked at the village with a sigh. The wooden fence was made of thick posts and well-maintained. But the walls were just simple lumber. Same for the tightly packed houses behind the wall.

If an army from the Kingdom of Yelinetta or Count Ferdinand's territory were sent, this village could easily be burned to the ground with a few fire arrows.

The only reason that hasn't happened is the Woldburg Mountains—supposedly dragon-infested—protecting their rear, and the difficulty of sending a meaningful military force to such a remote area.

I figure anyone would send an expedition, but if we ever had to fight either power, this village would definitely be annihilated.

While I was worrying about worst-case scenarios, Till walked over to me.

"It's time, Van-sama. It didn't go as planned, but we've arrived at the village."

I nodded.

"Yeah. It's our first meeting. Let's greet them with dignity."

I stepped out and headed to the village entrance. Two knights stood in front of me, with Dee and Espada on either side, and Till and Kamsin lined up behind.

Orto and the others guarded the carriage and kept watch on our captives.

While the villagers whispered and stared at me, I opened my mouth.

"Hello. I'm Van Ney Fertio. I'm the lord appointed by Marquis Fertio to rule their new territory, which includes this village. From now on, this village will be managed by me. But don't worry—I won't make unreasonable demands or impose unfair heavy taxes."

When I greeted them in a way that was totally unlike a noble, the villagers looked at each other, visibly confused.

Seeing this, Espada frowned and stepped forward.

"You are in the presence of Van-sama, your new lord. Open the gates."

A voice far more powerful and dignified than mine rang out solemnly. A small old man appeared from among the villagers and spoke.

"Open the gate."

At the old man's order, the villagers hurriedly opened the gate. Behind it, men and women in their twenties and thirties stood ready with spears and shields. In front, the old man stood unarmed, staring intently at us.

"……..I'm the village elder. Name's Rhonda. Thanks for saving our village."

I bowed to Rhonda, who politely bowed his head in return.

"I've heard that until now, neither a lord nor any self-defense forces have been sent to this village. First of all, I want to apologize for that. I'd like to take it upon myself to fill those roles and provide the protection you've been denied for so long. I'd appreciate your understanding and cooperation while you're under my management."

For some reason, I ended up greeting them more like a customer service rep than a lord. No noble would ever greet villagers like this.

Anyway, the villagers, including the elder, froze in place, their eyes darting wildly.

"Huhaha… Bwahahahahaha!"

I could hear Orto laughing behind me, but I ignored him and waited for Rhonda's answer.

After a few seconds, Rhonda blinked and opened his mouth.

"What incredible politeness. Please follow me to my house. I'll show you around."

Rhonda turned and walked off toward the back of the village. We followed, but the villagers stared at us with wary eyes.

Looked like this was going to be a tough territory to rule.

I wouldn't call it a hovel, but it was a shabby building, to say the least.

Just stack some stones, lay salvaged wood for the floor, put up some primitive pillars, and roughly place some wood for the walls and roof. It was barbarically simple. The building might withstand wind and rain, but it'd collapse at the slightest earthquake.

Well, I haven't experienced any earthquakes in this world so far.

In this ramshackle building sat the village chief with two middle-aged men in front and two diagonally behind. On the other side, Espada, Dee, and I sat, both groups facing each other.

Originally, there were a hundred and fifty residents in the village. But they'd been raided twice over six months, reducing their numbers to a hundred and ten.

"…So this is the third attack? Were they all from the same bandit group?"

"No, all different. The first group was manageable—only about ten of them. But the second were ex-mercenaries or adventurers; we fought them off after a whole day of fighting. The one that showed up this time was yet another different group."

"Why do you think they're so interested in this village?"

When I asked, Rhonda stammered at first.

But he quickly opened his mouth.

"This village is isolated from other villages, let alone larger towns. Since the lord changed, knights no longer garrison this area. In the past, the border with the Kingdom of Yelinetta was close, so the border watch knights from Count Ferdinand's territory used to patrol here. Since the territory changed hands, the knights lost their reason to patrol, so they left."

"So you're saying the village is in danger of extinction because of the Marquis of Fertio."

Rhonda fell silent as I stated exactly what he'd been implying.

It was criticism of the Marquess family. Even if I weren't sitting here, it'd be taboo to say, let alone with me right across from him.

Well, if I were a hot-tempered aristocrat, Rhonda's head would've been cut off the moment he showed disrespect.

"I'm sorry. Count Ferdinand had set up deputies in each city, but we pulled out all those administrators. It seems my family selected those with experience as lords and deputies from the Marquis Fertio's territory and placed them in order from larger towns, but we still don't know the situation in smaller villages."

When I answered honestly, Rhonda looked at me with observant eyes.

"…In other words, the Marquis put us on the back burner, didn't he? No, I guess all nobles are like that. A small village pays tax rates equal to a big city but is treated as if it's less important. All of a noble's people should be treated equally, but…"

Did he trust me or just need to vent? Rhonda started voicing his anger at the nobles.

But I wasn't going to listen to it. I needed to steer the conversation toward something more productive… and less treasonous. (T.N.: I took a bit of creative liberty here because the original MTL read like some kind of aggressive caveman speech.)

"Village chief, please stop. I want to talk about matters pertaining to the future administration of the village."

When I told him that sharply, Rhonda held his tongue as if angry. I saw a hint of hostility in the eyes of the two men and women sitting next to him, but my hand was forced.

I looked at the three of them in turn and opened my mouth.

"There's no point complaining, resenting, or lamenting the state of this country. I know you're dissatisfied, but simple slander behind closed doors won't change anything."

"Hah! Of course a noble would say that."

A middle-aged man stood up and yelled at me. Probably Rhonda's kid. The village chief's heir.

I saw that he was big in stature and had a powerful light in his eyes. But with such a shortsighted personality, there was no future for any village under his rule.

I gave him a stern look and lowered my voice.

"Please sit down. I'll dictate where this village is going—I'm the appointed lord, not you."

When I said that much, Rhonda looked up at his heir with narrowed eyes, making him sit back down with a scowl. Seeing this, I placed my hand over my chest and opened my mouth.

"The nobles are indeed to blame for the flaws of our country. To be specific, the laws laid down by the royal house of Berlinate, the founder of our Mordial kingdom, were flawed."

When I said this, not only were Rhonda and his subordinates shaken, but also Espada and Dee, who were sitting next to me.

Someone from a marquis family openly criticizing the royal family. An ordinary noble would never do such a taboo and suicidal thing.

But what did I have to fear? I'm the lord of a doomed village—I've got nothing to lose.

I proudly looked around at everyone, my chest puffed out.

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