Notorious Nightingale

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“Raise your heads and stand up, my Night Court.” And they followed after kneeling down. “We still have a long way to go, and this dream won’t happen overnight.”

Tumango sila.

“But we’ll be taking our next steps now.”

Muli kong binalikan ang mga sinabi ni Genesis. If we destroy the Church, then the other kingdoms will see our power. They will be shaken as well.

This means we have to show the whole world how powerful and indestructible my forces are by starting with my initial enemies. Right. I guess my kingdom comes first, then I expand my influence across the borders one by one. If I keep on winning wars and taking over lands, then my name will be talked about by everyone. News will spread about me.

“What happens to the kingdoms who will submit?” Tanong ni Wynonah.

“They will retain their reign and have my protection. However, they have to swear their loyalty towards me.” Mas madali na rin ito dahil ibig sabihin, may katulong ako sa pamumuno at hindi lang ako. But this is reserved for the distant future as we still have a long way to go, and we’ll be taking over Nephyria first for starters.

“And the kingdoms who will resist?” Tanong ni Enzo.

“They’ll be enemies... And we will destroy our enemies.” Sagot ko naman.

Tila nag-isip nang malalim si Enzo, ngunit hindi na nagsalita pa.

“Anyway, for now, our goal is to take back Nephyria Kingdom from the hands of the traitors and my enemies. Once we completely destroy them, the people here will be able to breathe finally again from the oppressive ways of Pope-King Mateo.” Pagbabalik ko sa unang usapan, “as I have proposed, we shake off the kingdom’s foundations, starting with economy and Marshall has mentioned Espania, the City of Slaves.”

I’ve never been there, but I know some of it because Scholar Jung used to discuss this towards me. I remember him telling me that he wishes for a land where everyone is free too—but he is an enabler of the oppressors and he has shown his true colors too. Binaling ko na lang iyon. I asked Marshall to feed us information about that city, and he complied.

“Espania is a city under the protection of Alexandro Belmonto. He has people around the kingdom disguising themselves as helpers of the poor and after taking them in, they are moved towards that city where they are turned to slaves and sold.”

“That’s pretty messed up.” Halata ang inis sa boses ni Marayuka, halatang hindi makapaniwala sa totoong nangyayari sa kaharian. “Pero wala pa akong masyadong nakikitang mga alipin sa kaharian.” Dagdag niya.

“That’s because most of them are distributed and sold outside the kingdom. Nephyria Kingdom is like the breeding and training ground for slaves who are sold on other kingdoms.” I explained, “kaya gusto ko rin na hindi lamang sa Nephyria ang aking impluwensiya, kundi sa lahat ng kaharian sa mundong ito.”

Tumango naman silang lahat.

“Can’t the slaves just run away themselves?” Kumunot ang noo ni Wynonah pagkatapos.

“They can’t.” Sagot naman ni Marshall, “remember the sirens we saved?” She nodded, “the slaves are like that, they have collars around their neck and it is embedded with magic that if they defy or runaway from their masters, they will die.”

Halata naman ang gulat sa kanilang mga mukha.

“That’s why we have to move now or else more people will be kidnapped and turned to slaves. We have to free them of that misery and put them under our protection.”

“Ah, Queen Zendaya—”

“I’ve been meaning to say this from the start,” I cut Marshall off, “just call me Zendaya, everyone. I’m not comfortable with the honorifics. Just call me Queen when we are in the presence of other people.”

They all smiled and nodded. I had to remind them that we were all friends. Mas naging komportable naman ang hangin sa paligid.

“Anyway, what was it again, Marshall?”

“Tomorrow, there will be a grand slave trade at Espania.” May nilabas siyang isang papel kung saan naroon ang kasulatan ng kaganapan bukas.

Tumingin ako kay Margaux, “can you take us all there?”

“Yes, Zendaya.” She smiled. “Thanks to this big map,” tinuro niya ang sahig, “we can simply point here where we want my portal to teleport us towards, and we’ll be there in no time.”

“Good. We’ll be going tomorrow...” Then I continued, “Margaux, Wynonah and Wendy, you three will be coming with me and the rest will focus on their assigned ministries.” I looked at Genesis, “you’ll take charge here, which will happen always, as long as I am gone, as my right hand and advisor.”

She nodded.

“What about me?” Kumunot ang noo ni Shinigami.

“Rest. You just came back from the dead and you can barely stand right now.” I replied, “you’ll need plenty of rest.”

“I can manage.”

“Rest.” Pag-ulit ko at bumuntonghininga naman siya.

“Zendaya, paano natin ililigtas ang lahat ng alipin bukas?” Wynonah asked.

“We eliminate the masters.” I replied. “And enemies there.”

Chapter 70

“Expect that there will be hired magicians there.” Sabi ni Marshall, “not that they can overpower you.” He looked at me and chuckled. “But still, beware. Sigurado ka bang kaya ninyong apat?”

“We can do it.” We replied.

“Alright... By now, news about your supposed-to-be revival should be spreading like wildfire across the kingdom already, but I am sure that Pope-King Mateo would think of it first as a joke, so, tomorrow will be your official appearance.” Marshall added.

“And I’ll make it grand.” I grinned. “You are all dismissed now, as for those who will come with me tomorrow, we’ll settle this matter after lunch.”

They all nodded and left, inalalayan ni Enzo si Shinigami muna rin. A few minutes later, kaming dalawa na lang ni Genesis ang naiwan sa silid.

“Zendaya...” She started.

“I know you lied about my mother.”

“I’m sorry... But I had my reasons.”

“I know.” I smiled at her, “I just wished that you told me the truth.” Bumuntonghininga ako, “is it true that my mother is alive?”

“It is true that she died... And you did turn her time back with your magic, but ended up with turning her into a baby...”

That gave hope right away. She’s probably fourteen years old right now. I want to meet her. Alam ba niya kung nasaan si Mama?

“So, totoo ang sinabi sa akin ni Margaux.” Ngumiti ako.

“Margaux?” Kumunot ang noo ni Genesis.

“Yes, sinabi niya sa akin na buhay pa si Mama ngayon.” Halata ang gulat sa mukha ni Genesis ngunit agad itong nawala na tila tinago niya agad, “sinabi ni Margaux na dinala siya sa bahay-ampunan ni Papa, sa malayong lugar, kung saan siya ay kinupkop at inampon ng mga walang anak na mga maharlika sa ibang kaharian.”

“Is that what she said?” Genesis whispered.

“Yes. As long as she is alive, I am happy. Kahit hindi niya ako maalala.” Tumingin muli ako sa kaniya, this time, I had a more serious expression. “Don’t lie to me ever again.”

“I won’t.” Genesis smiled, “you’re like my own child, Zendaya. That’s why I had to do what must be done. You were too young to experience what you’ve experienced... So, I erased your memories of that time and replaced it with something less heavy. I am glad that you’re able to accept it now, though, that you’ve learned of the truth.”

I nodded.

“About Shinigami... I heard you revived him from the dead?”

I nodded. “I do. Hindi ko pa alam kung hanggang saan ang limit ng aking kapangyarihan. I seem to be able to do anything with it.”

“Before, you relied too much on your flute and magic ring to be able to use it, but now, you rely too much on your magic.” Saad niya, “don’t rely on your magic too much, Zendaya.”

Kumunot ang aking noo, “and why is that?”

Genesis sighed, “I will not hide it from you anymore like I did before. I will tell you the truth about your magic now before it’s too late again.”