Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 35

The council members stood nervously as they hear the tapping sound of the king's finger on the armrest of his throne. They glanced at the young yet terrifying king. His cheek is resting on the knuckles of his hand and they could see on his face how his patience is almost reaching its limits.

"He's not here yet?" tanong ng hari. His voice is cold and demanding.

One soldier spoke up, "General Zenlhoir hasn't arrived yet, your majety."

The king clicked his tongue, "Damn that Zenlhoir. It's been ten days since I sent him there for the arrangements that needs to be done and he still hasn't finished yet?" his eyes sharpened, "How tardy."

Tumayo ang hari at nagsimulang maglakad patungo sa pinto ng throne room. The door opened and he continued walking. Feniel, a general as well, followed behind him. The king spoke, "Any sign of movements?"

"None, your majesty. Shaera still has not made any kinds of actions."

The king squinted his eyes, "How suspicious." he then asked a different question, "How about the witches? Have you sent them the letter?"

"Yes, your majesty. One of our men is already on his way to deliver the letter."

The king's jaw clenched, "I can't believe I'm relying on another country's information."

They received information three weeks ago from Westernia through a letter. It says there that Shaera wants the books that has been passed down to every royal families of each kingdoms. The king didn't believe it at first because the kingdoms have no good relationships with each other in the first place. It could be a trap. But ten days ago, Zenlhoir reported about the incident that happened and they found out that they were Shaera's subordinates. They collected blood from him to revive the Hevrion clan. That's why the king started to believe the letter even though it's against his will.

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Muling humigop ng kape mula sa hawak na tasa si Sinbad at nagpatuloy sa pagtingin sa labas ng bintana ng café na kinaroroonan nila. Hinawakan naman ni Rui ang tasa na may lamang mainit na tsokolate gamit ang dalawang kamay at marahan itong ininom.

Ang ibang mga taong nasa loob ng café ay minsang mapapatingin sa kanilang direksyon. The two of them can feel how cautious they are towards them. Pero umakto sila na tila ba wala silang napapansin.

Sinbad squinted his eyes at the soldier that just walked pass the store they are in. Dumako ang kaniyang mga mata sa bewang nito at nakita ang isang kahina-hinalang bagay. Hindi siya pamilyar sa bagay na iyon ngunit noong nakita ito Ero, napansin niya ang saglit na pagbabago ng ekspresyon nito. Mas mabuti ng tanungin na lamang ang lalaki mamaya sa kanilang pagbalik. Muling bumalik ang kaniyang paningin sa kaniyang tasa at uminom ulit.

"Narinig mo ba ang balita? Hindi pa raw bumabalik si Heneral Zenlhoir kahit sampung araw na ang nakakalipas mula noong nagtungo siya sa pabrika."

Sinbad acted normal when he heard the conversation of the two men behind him. They were whispering but Sinbad was able to hear them. He knows the name they mentioned. As far as he knows, Zenlhoir is a general of Northernium and he also heard that he is a very skilled soldier. But what got his attention is the factory that he is talking about.

"Baka naman nagkaroon lang ng pagbabago sa schedule."

"Siguro nga pero may kumakalat na haka-haka na may planong gumawa si Heneral ng bagong produkto."

"Shh! 'Wag muna nating pag-usapan 'yan dito."

Naramdaman nina Sinbad ang pagtingin ng mga ito sa kanilang direksyon. Naubos naman na nila ang kanilang mga inumin at nagsimula na silang maglakad papalabas ng pinto. Sinbad walked out first and the moment he got out, he felt a presence on his side that was about to bump into him but it was too late to avoid it. But his eyes widen when the person jumped and rotated his body midair as he holds his knees to his chest then he landed safely on Sinbad's other side.