Bab 102: New City (1/2)
They all looked at each other before one of them spoke up. "It was Baron Frederic who gave us the idea and how it should work."
Oof, Rafael thought, feeling a twinge of relief.
"Tsch. Alright then, those who work with wood, step forward and follow him," the soldier said, pointing to a guard beside him. At first, no one moved.
"What's this? Do you want to live on the streets like a fucking dog begging for food? Start moving, or I'll make you!" The threat spurred the group into action as they reluctantly followed the guard.
"So the rest of you are metalworkers, huh? Wow, only this many? Hahaha... Let's go then, you all have a long day ahead of you," the soldier said with a mocking tone.
"Wait," came a voice from behind. The soldier turned, clearly annoyed.
"Who said that?"
"It was me," Rafael said as he stepped forward. He expected the usual reaction of a commoner—fearful and disheveled—but the young man who approached was calm and composed, dressed in a white coat with blue details and black pants.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Rafael."
"And...? Am I supposed to know you?" The soldier's irritation was evident. He was accustomed to commanding with authority and instilling fear, not dealing with defiance.
"I was one of Frederic's helpers. I was there when he proposed the crossbow idea and helped refine it."
"... So you're saying you aren't a blacksmith or a woodworker?" The soldier's tone was condescending.
"I'm not, but I have knowledge—"
"Then you're just dead weight." The soldier attempted to punch Rafael, but his hand met only air.
"As I was saying, I can help—"
"Fucking peasant! I bet you stole those clothes!" The soldier kicked at Rafael, but he sidestepped the blow. "Stop, Count Edwin won't be happy with this."
"Aarggh!" The soldier grabbed a nearby chair and hurled it at Rafael. Rafael deftly deflected it, causing it to crash loudly against a table. The onlookers were impressed by Rafael's calm demeanor and his ability to avoid the soldier's attacks.
"Hehehehe, you piece of shit, I'll make you suffer!" The soldier drew a dagger and advanced menacingly.
"Hey, stop that! Leave him alone!" the group of workers finally spoke up, though no one moved to intervene.
'Great...', Rafael thought as he prepared for another confrontation. "Stop it; the Count will be displeased if something happens to me."
The soldier paused, but only for a moment. "You're no one! He doesn't even know you!" he continued his advance. Rafael threw a chair at him, hitting him in the arm. The soldier yelped in pain.
To Rafael's relief, the door swung open, and three soldiers entered. "What's happening here?"
"What is this? Are they attacking us?" The new soldiers took in the sight of their injured comrade and the tense room.
"Wait, no! It was him who started attacking us! We did nothing!"
"Yeah! They were talking and suddenly your soldier tried to punch and kick the man," the blacksmiths and carpenters chimed in.
"Kill them all! They're all traitors, they are the enemy!" the injured soldier declared.
"Wait, this is all a misunderstanding. I simply told him I don't have the skills these men have, and he suddenly tried to kill me," Rafael explained calmly.
"Liar! Brothers, don't listen to the enemy!" the soldier retorted.
"Call your commander here and he will understand everything," Rafael suggested, stepping forward to confront the soldiers. Seeing his calm demeanor, the soldiers looked at each other before one of them went to fetch the commander.
The commander arrived shortly, his serious expression fixed on Rafael. "Your name is Rafael, right?"
"Yes."
"I've received a report from my men. Now, I want to hear your side of the story." The commander's gaze was intense as he listened to Rafael's account of the events. After Rafael finished, the commander asked, "Now tell me, who should I believe? My trusted soldiers or someone we don't know, coming from afar?"
"Why would I create trouble? What would I gain from that? I helped Frederic design the crossbow, so I believe I can be of great assistance, just like these men," Rafael responded.
The commander scrutinized him for some time before issuing orders for the soldiers to resume their duties and escort the workers to their new workspace.
"But sir…! He…", the soldier who had attacked Rafael protested.
"Silence, soldier! This is an order. Stop whining like a child and forget what happened here. Am I clear?"
"… Yes, sir," the soldier replied, his voice tight with frustration.
As Rafael followed the others to their new location, a guard stopped him. "You, stop. Come with me, commander's orders." He was led to a small office where the commander awaited him.
The room was plain, with no chair for Rafael. He stood in front of the commander's desk.
"So, you were close to Baron Frederic and even helped him with the weapon. Hehehe, so you lied to Count Edwin. Do you know what happens to people who lie to someone like him?"
"What do you mean by that?" Rafael asked, puzzled.
"Oh, now you're acting as if you don't understand? Let me remind you. You said to Lord Edwin that you only know how to use the weapon. Now, what's your excuse?"
"There's no excuse because I didn't lie. I do know how to use the weapon, and that's what I told him. Nobody asked me anything else," Rafael shrugged, meeting the commander's raised eyebrow with calmness.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" The commander tilted his head, studying Rafael closely. "First, you lie to the one person you shouldn't. Then you attack and injure one of my soldiers, and you act like none of this bothers you. Tell me, why shouldn't I send you to prison right now?" The commander's smile was intrigued.
These rich people think they're above everyone, but can't he see that he's out of his element here? This isn't Calistoga; now he's under our command…
"Because I create things. The idea Baron Frederic showed me about the crossbow was very crude. I refined that idea and made it feasible. And," Rafael raised a finger, "I have some ideas on how to improve the weapon even further."
"And I have many other ideas and inventions that might change the course of this war."
The commander studied him for a moment before his smile broadened. "Okay, I'll buy your excuse."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone