Notorious Nightingale

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I looked at the long bridge that I created with my magic. It stood strong above the water, with its pillars planted unto the depth of the sea. It was wide enough for many wagons and carriages to pass through at the same time and it was high enough for ships to cross below. I watched the golem knights to position themselves near the bridge’s railings and they stood there, unmoving, like real statues.

For now, we were with Marshall’s men and those he helped before me, those who were at his estate. Right. They’ll be moving here with us and they’ve already proven enough of their loyalty. At dahil lalabas na ang balitang buhay talaga ako, panigurado ay agad na lolooban ang kaniyang lupain sa Royal Capital upang patayin siya at ang lahat ng kaniyang tauhan—after all, Marshall was the one who gave away my corpse, along with Enzo’s and Shinigami’s. I wonder what face Pope Mateo would make if he learns of the truth that he was played with all this time.

Anyway, thankfully, Marshall is a smart thinker and he can foreshadow the next course of action of the enemy. This is Marshall. Hindi ako nagkamali na siya ang pinili kong adbisor ko.  

“Marshall, I leave you to find someone who will be in charge of allocating the homes of the people who will live under my empire.” Saad ko sa kaniya, “as you were the one in-charge with its creation, you will know better than anyone here.”

Yumuko si Marshall at saka tumingin sa akin, “I will, Queen Zendaya.”

Tumingin ako sa mga taong kasama namin, sila ang mga naunang napili ni Genesis, ang iba naman ay pamilyar ang mga mukha dahil nakikita ko sila dati sa estado ni Marshall. From my count, perhaps there were more than a hundred of them. These are my people, the ones who sought refuge to me, those who needed help and were victims of the system that the oligarch has perpetuated, and more people will come.

Sabay silang lumuhod lahat sa harap ko. “Long may she live, Queen Zendaya! Long may she live, Queen Zendaya!” Pag-uulit nilang lahat. Hindi ko maiwasang ngumiti habang paulit-ulit na sinasabi nila ang mga katagang iyon. Their voice echoed across the island, along with the small waves that swept back and forth from the shore.

After their cheer that was built upon collective effervescence, we started to move towards the city. The city ascended with the castle at its center. From below, I can immediately see the medieval construction of the city. It was ancient, but beautiful regardless. With cobblestone for walls, and the bricked pathway where we walked. The city was still empty as it is yet to be inhabited, and I can hear the nightingale birds singing. They filled the sky too. It was beautiful. No wonder this island was called the Nightingale Island.

This island is my first stepping-stone in building my empire. It is strategically placed at the center of four kingdoms as well... And I will start with conquering Nephyria Kingdom, the kingdom that once belonged to me. Any enemies who will stand in my way will fall... After I am done with Nephyria Kingdom, I will proceed to the next, until I have dominated the entire world.

The thought sent chills down to my spine. I will make this world a better place. No one shall be discriminated again, nor treated as slaves. No one shall be deprived of their human rights anymore. A world where people are free... I smiled at the thought. I know everyone will be happy.

And I can make it possible... After all, I have the power to turn my dreams into reality. And I have gathered powerful people who will fight for my cause. I am not alone.

We ascended towards the castle that will be my new home along with my Night Court. In front of it was a fountain with a nightingale statue built on top. The castle had four towers on different sides, and there was a black banner on top of the towers, with the silver nightingale insignia. I am impressed with the work of Marshall, Wendy, and Genesis.

Lumingon ako at mula sa taas ay nakita ko ang siyudad at ang mga taong nagsisimula nang pumasok sa mga gusali.

“Nightingale Empire.” I smiled at the thought of it, “my Night Court, we shall make it happen.” And with that, we entered the castle and proceeded to the Throne Room of the castle. It was spacious and big; this castle was probably even bigger than the Kingdom Palace where I used to live. It was grand too, with high windows painted with the face of angels and saints, and there were at least twelve chandeliers with diamonds hanging on them.

I ascended towards the golden throne and my Night Court were left below as they watched me with my regal steps. Nang nasa harap na ako mismo ng trono ay umupo ako rito at humarap sa aking mga tauhan.

“Long may she live.” Marshall started.

“Long may she live.” And the rest followed.

Tila naghihintay sila ng aking talumpati. I did not prepare much, but as someone who had concrete goals and principles she wants to achieve, I already know the next things to say.

“My Night Court, I have travelled across the kingdom in search of you, just to complete my army of trusted fellows.” Ngumiti ako at sila naman ay nakatingin lang sa akin habang hinihintay pa ang susunod kong mga sasabihin. Admiration was visible to their eyes. “Will you join me as I make the Nightingale Empire happen?”

“Yes.” Sabay na sagot nilang lahat.

“Will you pledge your loyalty to my name, Zendaya Zandeyi Nightingale, and strike down my enemies?”

“Yes.”

“Will you die for my dream?”

“Yes.” They all answered in unison.

“Wrong.” I said, “do not die for my dreams, live for it.”

They were all astonished, and Marshall looked at me with more admiration. They were caught off-guard, but I needed to make them realize that their life is worth more than anything else. And while I may be able to revive them if they die, it is still best if they see the worth of their lives.

Chapter 66

“So, Zendaya, now that we are finally here, together and complete, what’s the next plan?” Lilith asked. Tumango naman ang iba pa.

“First, I’ll focus on assigning everyone here with tasks.” I looked at each of them. “You are all now nobles as well, Lords and Ladies, yourselves. As the Queen, the head, as my word is the law, I can make that. Any objections?”

They all shook their heads, a sign that they do not. I am finally putting to life the things I learned at the Grand Library. Reading really pays off.

“With that in mind, I will start with Marshall Leones, I’ve already made you my adviser, however, I will relieve you of that post and make you the minister of economy. You will be in-charge with the economy of my empire, given your vast knowledge on trade and your connections as well with other nobles who may be of help. Do you object?”

“No, Queen Zendaya.” He bowed his head.

“Genesis, with your immense knowledge and the guidance that you have given me, I shall make you as my new advisor. In my absence, you shall be the one who will lead the empire. Do you object?”

“No, Zendaya.” She bowed her head. After being assigned, she went beside me. Right. She’s very much my right hand already, so her place will now always be beside me. “We will talk later after this.” I whispered.

“I know.” She smiled and looked in front of everyone else as well.

“Marayuka Arada.” I proceeded.

“Yes, Queen Zendaya.” She curtsied.

“You shall be the Minister of Health, given your power to heal people. This is the most suitable unit for you. Do you accept?”

“Yes, Queen Zendaya. It is an honor.” She smiled.

“Enzo Zoren Machiavelli,” I proceeded. He looked at me and nodded, “you will be the General of our Knights, do you accept?”

“I do, Zendaya.” He smiled.

“Then as you have agreed, Enzo, our General, you will have to build your army of knights as well who will fight under my flag. Are you prepared for it?”

“I am.”

“And for Lilith, you will be the head of the Ministry of Education, given your immense knowledge and wisdom, I thought this would be great for you.”

I actually based the titles on the Grand Council that my father used to have. But I hated everyone in it. They were all selfish and evil, especially Alexandro Belmonto.

“Do you agree, Lilith?”

“I do.”

“And for the rest—Margaux, Wendy, Shiroki Shinigami, and Wynonah Lullaby.” They looked at me and waited for my next words, “you are free of such responsibilities that I have given to those whom I called first.” Bumuntonghininga naman si Wendy at nagpasalamat. “However, expect that I will be taking most of you for battles... You will be the front-liners.” I told them, “Margaux’s power to teleport is absolutely necessary to make travels easier too.”

“Yes! I love that! Gusto kong sunugin ang mga kalaban nang buhay!” Ngumisi si Wendy.

“Iyon talaga lagi nasa isip mo. Kaya amoy-sunog ka.” Wynonah replied.

Nakita ko naman ang inis na agad na naipinta sa mukha ni Wendy dahil sa sinabi ni Wynonah. Oh, right. They used to belong to rival schools. Naalala ko ang kuwento rin ni Marayuka na naglaban sila noon sa isang kompetisyon. In the end, Wynonah came as first in place and Wendy was the second. They’re literally fire and water. They don’t match.

“Ano ang pinagsasabi mo dyan, magdilig ka na lang ng halaman sa labas.” Sumbat naman ni Wendy kay Wynonah. They glared at each other afterward. Si Marayuka naman ay umiling lang dahil sa inasta ng dalawa sa aking harap. I guess they can’t help it as they were rivals before.

“Silence.” Genesis’s soft voice echoed on the Throne Room, she was in a body of a child, after all. “This is not a way to act in front of the Queen. Pay your respects.”

And with that, they stopped and bowed their heads.

“It’s alright.” I added. “What’s important is that you are all loyal to me. Now that the posts have been assigned and also, given the update of Marayuka before that Pope-King Mateo has gone very oppressive and the kingdom has worsened, we will start making ourselves known to the world already. It is time to see what my Night Court can do.” I smiled, “are you all prepared?”