CHAPTER 71
In the Land of Mysarea
Tahimik na pinagmamasdan ni Rassia ang mga batang lumilipad sa kalangitan sakay ng mga Pegasus. Sa malayo, kapwa lumilipad sina Dragoroth at Razareth, tahimik na nagbabantay mula sa himpapawid.
It's been three weeks since I sent Desmond for his mission... nalalapit na rin ang aking pagbabalik sa Vermeleyon...
Maya-maya ay biglang lumitaw si Anastacio mula sa kaniyang dimension at bahagyang yumuko.
"Master. Two of my siblings who were slumbering in Gadesea have also awakened. They are the Sovereign of Frost, the Winter Swan, Evelisse, and the Sovereign of Water, the Sea Serpent, Adam."
Kumunot ang noo ni Rassia at napatingin kay Anastacio.
"Oh, really? ngunit bakit tila walang pagbabago sa kalikasan? It should greet them, just like how the temperature rose when you awakened as the Sovereign of Fire."
Bahagyang gumalaw ang Adam's apple ni Anastacio bago siya muling nagsalita.
"I'm certain, Master. The awakening of a Sovereign Spirit usually leaves a mark on the world around them. When I awakened, the heat spread across the surrounding lands because my existence itself affected the balance of nature. If Evelisse truly awakened here in Arcadeya,
we should have noticed an unnatural drop in temperature. The same applies to Adam. His awakening should have affected the waters, the tides, or even the mana flowing through nearby rivers and seas."
Bahagya siyang tumingin sa kalangitan.
"But nothing happened."
Muli siyang humarap kay Rassia.
"That is why I believe their summoners are not here in Arcadeya. Their awakening may have occurred somewhere beyond this world..."
Hinawi ni Rassia ang kaniyang buhok habang unti-unting pinoproseso ang sinabi ni Anastacio.
"Then it's a possibility that there are ordinary humans in Holmeia who have been chosen by your brothers..."
Sandali siyang natigilan nang biglang sumagi sa kaniyang isipan ang sinabi ni Lapileon.
"Wait... it couldn't be a coincidence."
Muli siyang napatingin kay Anastacio.
"The two dragon friends of Dragoroth and Razareth were in Holmeia. Sinabi iyon sa akin ni Lapileon... that day during my execution. He told me that a portal somewhere in Holmeia was unintentionally opened by some girl.
Kaya nakalabas sa mundong ito ang mga kasama nina Razareth at Dragoroth noong araw na iyon."
Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ni Anastacio habang pinag-iisipan ang sinabi ng kaniyang master.
"It most likely is, Master."
Umiling si Rassia sa kaniyang naisip.
"I hope those dragons didn't burn all the cities there..." bahagya siyang natawa.
"Mukhang nagkagulo na rin sa mundong iyon..."
Ilang sandali pa ay tumikhim si Raja mula sa likuran ni Rassia at bahagyang yumuko sa dalawang pigurang nasa kaniyang harapan.
"My Queen... may ipinadalang liham si Lord Hand Desmond para sa inyo," aniya bago marahang iniabot ang isang liham na nakapatong sa isang maliit na wooden tray.
Napatingin si Rassia sa liham bago ito kinuha mula sa tray.
"Dumating ito kaninang umaga."
Bahagyang tumango si Rassia habang sinusuri ang seal sa sobre.
"Very well. You may leave."
"Yes, my Queen."
To the Queen of Mysarea,
Everything is moving as you planned.
The citizens of Sartores and the surrounding towns and villages have begun gathering together and speaking openly against the Holy Cathedral. Their voices are spreading across the country, and more people are finding the courage to question those in power.
The letters have achieved their purpose. The people are no longer willing to remain silent. The Mysarea Knights continue watching from the shadows, protecting them from anyone who attempts to silence their voices.
Parating na rin riyan ang mga taong walang wala, ang mga pakalat-kalat na lamang sa mga lansangan, pati na rin ang mga taong gusto nang umalis sa Sartores. We offered them what you told us about, my Queen.
There is also growing concern over the disappearance of several women across the country of Sartores. Maraming kababaihan ang nawawala at hindi na raw umuuwi. Not only women, but some men have also disappeared without a trace. Some say they disappeared during the night.
Your loyal servant,
Desmond
Tila nanlamig si Rassia sa kaniyang huling nabasa.
Unti-unti niyang ibinaba ang liham, ngunit hindi niya agad ito binitawan. Nanatili lamang ang kaniyang mga mata sa huling bahagi ng mensahe ni Desmond, habang unti-unting nawawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi.
"Who is behind this...?" mahina lamang niyang sambit, ngunit sapat iyon upang mapatingin si Anastacio sa kaniya.
Women... and men disappearing from their homes... This isn't random. Mukhang hindi rin ito krimen. Hindi maaaring nagkataon lamang na sabay-sabay silang nawawala sa iba't ibang lugar. Someone is taking them, and whoever is behind this knows exactly what they are doing. But who? The Holy Cathedral?
No... something feels wrong...
If the Holy Cathedral is truly behind it, then why would they risk creating even more suspicion when the people are already beginning to question their authority? Unless this has nothing to do with them at all...
Unless someone else is moving quietly while everyone is too distracted to notice. And if that's the case, then what do they need all those people for?
Tila dumilim ang ekspresyon ni Rassia nang biglang may pumasok na isang posibilidad sa kaniyang isipan.
Could it be...
Fuck... they are moving now...
Napahawak si Rassia sa kaniyang dibdib habang mabilis ang kaniyang paghinga. She could feel the anxiety, pressure, and fear for the people building inside her all at once.
Mabilis niyang ipinikit ang kaniyang mga mata, trying to steady herself as countless thoughts rushed through her mind. Agad naman lumapit si Anastacio upang pakalmahin siya.
Huminga siya nang malalim bago marahang ibinaba ang kaniyang kamay.
There are people depending on me now. I can't let my fear make the decisions for me.
Kahit pilit niyang pinapakalma ang kaniyang sarili, hindi pa rin niya mapigilan ang bahagyang panginginig ng kaniyang mga kamay.
In the City of Sartores,
Vermeleyon
Sa loob ng Imperial Office, tahimik na naghihintay sina Pope Roque, Cardinal Asphodel, at ang tatlong High Priest. Halata sa kanilang mga mukha ang pagkabalisa, habang malalim na nag-iisip ang bawat isa habang hinihintay ang pagdating ng Emperor at ng Empress Dowager.
Naroon din si Athena. As the only concubine, she was currently serving as the acting Empress of the Empire. Tahimik lamang siyang nakaupo habang nakikinig sa ibang mga council members na tila mas abala sa sarili nilang mga usapan kaysa sa problemang kanilang kinahaharap.
"Have you heard of the Red Queen? In the land of Mysarea? rumor says a woman defeated the five Lords there by herself."
"C'mon, it's just a rumor," scoffed one of the council members. "A woman? capable of defeating all five Lords? especially Lord Aryo?"
Napatawa ang isa sa mga council.
"Exactly. Lord Aryo has ruled Mysarea for years. Do you really expect me to believe that some woman simply walked into his territory and defeated him?"
"Kahanga-hanga kung tunay nga ang mga sabi-sabi. Lord Aryo attended the same academy as the late Emperor Luthor. Naroon lamang siya sa Mysarea dahil nais niyang magkaroon ng higit na kapangyarihan. Pareho rin silang water holders,
and Lord Aryo was considered one of the most talented mages of his generation..." ani ng isang matandang council.
"Kung totoo ngang natalo siya ng isang babae nang mag-isa, then that Red Queen must possess an extraordinary level of power. Hindi basta-basta matatalo ang isang tulad ni Lord Aryo... because he himself defeated the late Emperor Luthor in a sparring match back when they were still students."
another council replied.
"Perhaps the story became exaggerated along the way," dagdag ng isa. "She probably had an entire army behind her, and now the people are calling her the Red Queen as if she personally conquered Mysarea."
"Or maybe the five Lords simply allowed her to win," another council member mocked. "Who knows? People love making legends out of nothing."
Napailing ang isang High Priest.
"Women should know their place. Even if she truly possesses some unusual power, defeating five Lords is an entirely different matter."
Umiling si Solomon, tila hindi man lamang kumbinsido sa narinig.
"A woman? ruling that filthy city? that's ridiculous. Mysarea is nothing but a filthy, lawless city filled with commoners. And now they're claiming that some woman has taken control of it?" ani Solomon.
Laughter filled the room as several of the council members continued to mock the Queen of Mysarea.
Marahang ibinaba ni Athena ang kaniyang tasa, dahilan upang mapatigil sa pag-uusap ang ilan at mapatingin sa kaniya. She remained calm and composed, wearing an elegant white dress with gold embroidery and minimal makeup that made her look graceful and dignified.
"Maghinay-hinay kayo sa inyong mga sinasabi. You are the council of the Empire. Inilagay kayo sa posisyon na ito because you are supposed to think rationally, study every problem carefully, and make decisions that will benefit the entire Empire,
not sit here and mock rumors about a city that is far from us."
Athena stared at them one by one.
"Mysarea is not even within the borders of Vermeleyon. It is a distant land, and whatever happened there is not our immediate concern. Marami tayong mas malalaking problema na kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin ngayon. People are disappearing, citizens are beginning to protest,
the Holy Cathedral is facing growing opposition, and yet you are here discussing whether some woman truly defeated five Lords?"
Hindi makatingin ang ilan sa kaniya at tila yumuko na lamang, bahagyang tumikhim habang pilit na itinatago ang kanilang pagkailang.