Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 15

"You said you intend to behead Shaera yourself but how would you do that alone, Zai?" seryosong tanong ng hari habang naglalakad ito patungo sa kaniyang lamesa. Sinbad closed the door of the king's office behind him and just listened to what she has to say.

Ali sat on his chair and looked directly at Zai's sharp yet unreadable eyes. Zai opened her mouth ngunit imbes na sagutin ang tanong nito ay iba ang kaniyang sinabi, "I clearly remember that I said I want to speak with you alone, your highness," tiningnan naman ni Zai sina Trois at Shane sa gilid na tahimik lamang na nagmamasid, "Those two are with me and they already know what I'm about to tell you so they're fine being here. However, that doesn't mean that this information can be revealed to the others thoughtlessly even if that person is a prince. It is considered as a government's secret after all. Or should I say the royal family's secret that has been passed down to every generation. Surely, you know what I mean. Right? Your highness?"

Sinbad became curious and conscious as well with their conversation but his stoic face didn't falter. Ali's eyes squinted and his serious expression remained. He started to wonder why does she know something like that? Ali and Zai stared at each other's eyes before Ali closed his eyes for a moment then opened them like he just made a decision.

"No. My son is staying here. As the heir to the throne and the next ruler of this kingdom, it is his duty to know the most hidden secrecy of our land."

Zai stared at him first before she nodded and just went along with the king's decision. "Very well then."

Woods began to grow from the floor behind Zai. It formed into a chair and when it stopped moving, Zai sat down. Shane frowned then glanced at Sinbad, "Hindi niyo kasi binigyan ng upuan eh."

Zai put one leg on top of the other and clasps the fingers of her hands as her back is leaning confidently on the wooden chair. "There are five books that were originally owned by the Gods are currently scattered everywhere. I believe that Dethania, the book of the dead, is here and you have it, King Ali."

Nanatili na lamang tahimik si Sinbad at napiling makinig na lang kahit siya'y naguguluhan. Zai continued to speak. "Northernium has Enchantra, Southernium is holding onto Mortalia, and the Livia who was supposed to be in Easternia is currently in Shaera's hands."

Ali's eyes widened, "What?" Ali was shock but he kept himself together and calmed down. "Why do you know that?"

"I had contact with Shaera's men here in Westernia. One of them sort of blurt it out." Zai clearly remembered what the young boy said back then. Damn it..! I won't die again! She smirked, "Shaera's main force are actually dead people who were revived using the Livia. I only recognized one of them that Yan told me about before and that is Xhen, who is the greatest general in Northernium's history and is now working as the leader of Shaera's force. She stole the book to gain useful pieces."

"If she revives more like them, we'll have trouble. Although that is exciting." komento naman ni Trois rito. Shane kept quiet because clearly, he's still sorting out the informations that are coming in.

Ali sighed and massaged the gap between his eyes. "So in order for you to behead her you want me to hand over the Dethania to you?"

Zai shooked her head, making the king confused. "Like I said. I'm only here to give you information as part of our agreement. I have no rights to overstep." the king was quite surprised with her answer but a small smile that is barely seen crept on his face.

Zai continued speaking, "In order to prevent the world falling under her feet, we have to stop her and while doing so, destroy her forces slowly yet effectively."

Ali just kept quiet and let the girl speak. "There is a possibility that she has other connections. There might be organizations that has connections to her and I would like you to handle that part, your highness."

Ali nodded, "Alright. I'll do what I can," he then glanced at Sinbad who is just quietly listening to them, "Sinbad, tighten the security of the kingdom. Intruders easily infiltrated the kingdom walls, that shouldn't be ignored. Also, starting from this day, no one is allowed to cross the borders. Inside or out. Whoever disobey, shall be arrested at once."

Sinbad nodded, "Yes, Sire."

Zai continued speaking, "I might as well tell you that Historia is safe. It is currently in the academy and I have no idea how the one, I trusted it to, hid it successfully. Shaera would never guess that the book she's looking for is just beside her."

Ali chuckled, "So you're acting like a diversion huh. You're quite good at that." ngunit ilang saglit lamang ay muling sumeryoso ang mukha nito, "You said you'll kill her yourself. I know that you have great skills but no matter how you see it, you can't defeat a God like her. How are you going to succeed without a power that is comparable to the highest beings?"

Zai stared directly at his eyes, "That is something that I cannot tell you but I'll surely, without fail, kill her myself." Zai showed an excited smile that made Shane almost tremble as he sees how scary the girl became in an instant, "If someone's gonna kill a God, that would be me."

The room went silent after hearing those words from the girl. That's what you don't normally say to anyone but she declared it without hesitation. But the silent room was filled with the king's amused small laugh, "You really are one odd girl."

Ali stood up, "You said you'll recruit people who worth a thousand foot soldiers to be in your crew, didn't you?"

Zai nodded, "Yes. That is my intention for now."

"Then take my son with you."

...

"HA?!" tila binging matanda na saad ni Shane na bumasag sa katahimikan.

Trois grimaced, "No one's expecting that reaction from you. Really."

Sinbad's stoic expression didn't waver. Instead, an expression of annoyance just added. "I refuse. I am one of the generals of this nation and also the one in charge of the kingdom's security. I would never leave when there is a possibility that our country might get attacked."

"Don't worry about it. Someone can replace you." Ali said, carefree about the situation.

Sinbad's jaw clenched, "No." he said, with a hint of finality in his voice but his father could careless. He even ignored his son's word. Sinbad gritted his teeth and was about to say something to refuse his father's order again but Zai spoke up.

"It's fine. I don't need a government's dog in my team," Zai stood up. "I don't intend to build a group that has a good reputation. I'm branded as a traitor and so as Trois who came along with me. Shane is a thief. We're all criminals. It's more easy to catch Shaera's attention when she can hear our names popping out from who knows where? Criminals gain more attentions than people with good will."

"Then that's easy. We'll just create an excuse like Sinbad committed treason against his country and fled with your group."

Sinbad's eyebrows furrowed. Zai and Trois thought that it is possible. Shane's jaw dropped then he grimaced, "Wow. You're one heck of a parent."

"But isn't he the heir to the throne? Having a bad reputation before taking over isn't good at all." Trois said.

Ali put his thumb and index finger below his chin then he started to think. After a few moments he smiled like there's no problem, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure everything will work out."

Sinbad face-palmed and shook his head as he sigh and whisper. "Damn. I knew I should've come with that idiot brother of mine."