Notorious Nightingale

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“How do we strike the kingdom, Queen Zendaya?” Tanong ni Marayuka pagkatapos ko silang bigyan ng mga titulo. Tumango naman ang mga iba pa at halatang hinihintay nila ang aking plano.

“We start one by one with everyone in the Grand Council.” Sagot ko naman sa kanilang lahat. “We shake off the kingdom by its foundations.” I added, at tumango naman sila.

“How?” Margaux asked.

“We start with its economy.” Ngumiti ako sa kanilang lahat. “The economy is the heart of every kingdom. And those who usually profit from it are the ones on top, the elites, nobles, and aristocrats. Those who are at the bottom are the ones exploited. We will eradicate that...”

Nagtinginan silang lahat at halata ang pagtataka sa kanilang mga mukha kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin.

“Nephyria Kingdom is known for its slave centered economy, with Alexandro Belmonto at the center. His influence has crossed the borders of the kingdom as well, and other kingdoms are adopting the slave-trade practice in the name of addressing poverty from the marginalized.”

“If I may,” tinaas ni Marshall ang kaniyang kamay, “Alexandro Belmonto oversees Espania, the City of Slaves.” Nilabas niya ang kaniyang mapa at tinuro ang isang parte roon kung saan nakatayo ang Espania.

“Marshall, is the atlas you are holding a world map?

“Yes.” Sagot naman niya.

“May I please have it for a moment?”

Halata ang pagtataka na nabahid agad sa kaniyang ekspresyon, ngunit sumunod siya at naglakad siya palapit sa akin. Tumayo naman ako mula sa trono at kinuha ang mapa nang inabot niya ito sa akin. Tinitigan ko nang maigi ang mapa, at saka ako tumingin sa marmol na sahig ng silid.

Slowly, colors started to cascade the tiles and everyone watched in awe as I painted the map towards the marble floor with my magic. When I was finally done, they all looked at the floor where a big map now resides.

I returned the map to Marshall, tumingin ako sa tabi ko at nakita naman si Genesis na halata ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang mukha. It shows. Kanina pa siyang tila ngumingiwi, lalo na kapag ginagamit ko ang aking kapangyarihan.

“Anyway, step out of the map.” Utos ko sa kanila at agad naman silang umalis mula sa kanilang kinakatayuan at pumwesto sa gilid ng mapang nakapinta sa sahig. Makikita na roon ang lahat ng mga kaharian sa Terra Forma, at ang iba pang mga lugar.

I looked at the island that stood between the four kingdoms—Nephyria, Arcane, Galily, and Elvene Kingdom. Then across these kingdoms are other kingdoms and empires as well. I will start with these four kingdoms that surrounds the Nightingale Empire.

Kasabay ng aking pag-iisip ay biglang nagkaroon ng tatak sa isla kung nasaan kami. Slowly, it formed the words Nightingale Empire in black paint, written with medieval and intricate letters. I imagined of the bridge I created as well which connected the island to the Mainland of Nephyria Kingdom, and a line was drawn from it. Now, the world map at the floor has become more accurate.

“My initial dream was retrieving my throne from the people who has stolen it from me, it was focused on revenge. But I was enlightened by some people here,” tumingin ako kay Genesis at Lilith, “and after experiencing the real world, my perspective has changed. I begun to realize that I do not need to sit on the Grand Throne at the Kingdom Palace of Nephyria Kingdom in order to be able to do something.”

“This is my new place already. Here. On this empire built upon Nightingale Island, and it shall extend across the lands and kingdoms... We shall dominate and conquer our enemies and change the systems that will be best for everyone and we shall sentence justice unto the unjust. We will start with Nephyria Kingdom.” Saad ko sa kanilang lahat, “we shall eliminate those who are on top and those who stand my way. This is for the people beneath them, the powerless and those who are voiceless.”

Chapter 68

A few seconds of silence, and I continued.

“I am fighting for our people.” Tumingin ako isa-isa sa kanilang lahat, “everyone, my Night Court, I have assembled you in order for you to help me with this dream of a land where everyone is happy. We shall make this possible with my magic—with our powers combined.”

I looked at the map... I didn’t see other kingdoms. Instead, I saw lands that will be part of my empire soon.

“Zendaya,” it felt more natural when Margaux called me without honorifics, naninibago ako kapag tinatawag akong Queen, maybe I’ll discuss about this later after she say something what she is about to, “are you hinting world domination?”

“I am.”

“That’s going to be impossible.” Narinig kong komento ni Wendy, “it’s unthinkable to think that the entire Terra Forma is ruled by one only. I am not questioning your capability too, I am just surprised how things have escalated suddenly. Not to impose too but... Isn’t this going a little bit overboard? Ang unang plano ay ang Nephyria lamang, ngunit nadagdag na ang iba pang mga kaharian dito. We’ll be making enemies out of everyone in the whole world.”

“I understand the sentiment.” Sagot ko naman, “but everyone of you must be aware already that it is not only in this kingdom where people are oppressed and exploited. I want to live in a world where everything is fair and just. I will destroy the wheels that continues to perpetuate the system, and will replace it with mine—equality.”

“Do you mind if I propose something?” Tinaas ni Genesis ang kaniyang kamay, tumango naman ako.

“You have every right as my adviser.” Sagot ko naman.

“Let’s show the entire kingdoms around Terra Forma what Nightingale Empire can do.” Aniya, “we start by destroying our enemies in Nephyria, specifically, Pope-King Mateo Xavier III who sits on the Grand Throne and is also the Head of the Church that has influence across the world.”

“Yes, if we finally destroy that old man, then other kingdoms will recognize us finally and see us as a force to be reckoned.” Ngumisi si Wendy dahil sa ideyang iyon.

Then, Genesis continued. “And since ruling over a lot of lands will be too taxing and demanding for Zendaya herself as she won’t be able to govern everyone in such a vast land, once we successfully destroy Pope-King Mateo Xavier III who has escalated more of his power and influence across the lands, then the other kingdoms who are thinking right will have no choice but to submit to Zendaya. Those who will choose to resist, on the other hand, will meet their doom.”

I looked at everyone, at my Night Court, as they waited for my response. I smiled.

“Are you all ready for war?”

They kneeled before me as a sign of respect, and they replied. “We are at your command, Zendaya.”