The weather here in Merriole Kingdom is so refreshing. It's so peaceful that you can even hear the wind whistle, the singing birds, and look, there's even a rainbow. What a perfect day to start the expedition.
I am currently riding a carriage as we are on our way to Dednia Wilds, the place where Barry Ferrell allegedly saw the demon. I stopped admiring the weather outside for a while and looked at the man sitting in front of me instead while he feeds my snake some raw beef he brought.
Since when these two got close?
Naalala ko tuloy yung nangyari kagabi. May mga nagsipasukan na mga maids sa room ko nung narinig nila yung sigaw ko. "We heard your scream, what happen, Lady Eveque?", pasok nung mga maids na naka-assigned sa akin.
Dahil sa madilim dito sa kwarto ay agad nakapagtago si Daryl sa may kurtina. "Oh nothing. I j-just got startled by the l-leaf that flew in. I was just getting some air", napatango-tango nalang sila. I think my lie worked. I hope.
"You can all go now. I think I already had enough air", the maids are looking at me weirdly as they exited my room. "What are you doing here?", agad na tanong ko kay Daryl nung umalis siya sa pagkakatago sa kurtina. "How did you even know I'm here? No-- scratch that. Did you follow me here?"
Hindi sumagot si Daryl sa mga tanong ko, bagkus iniwagayway niya yung dalang niyang karne kay Zaggy na agad namang nilapitan nung isa.
Patay gutom!
"I wonder how will you able to feed your snake these", ani ni Daryl sabay labas ng dala pa niyang mga maliliit na bote and I think those are poisons. Nakanganga lang akong pinapanood yung dalawa na akala mo matagal nang magkaibigan.
"Zaggy? What the hell are you doing?", I asked Zaggy telepathically. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm eating". Gago din ito eh. Hindi ko na makausap ng matino itong ahas na ito. Ipinagpalit na ako sa pagkain.
"How do you even know that I feed my snake raw meat and poison?"
"I have my ways, my lady", sagot lang ni Daryl tsaka siya umupo sa may couch na akala mo pagmamay-ari niya. I just rolled my eyes and close the curtains instead. Mukhang wala siyang balak umalis eh. "Of course you have your ways, as expected of the master a..ssa..si..n", what the hell did I just say?
"Now how would you know that my lady?", naramdaman ko ang hininga ni Daryl sa may leeg ko. I just mentally slapped my face. Alex, you and your stupid mouth! "Why does it feel like that you know me, my lady. Like you know everything about me".
Hindi ko alam kung paano siya nakapunta agad diyan sa likuran ko. "Ha.Ha.Ha", I faked a yawn then move away from him. "It's late, I'm gonna go sleep", agad-agad akong tumalon sa higaan ko at nagtalukbong.
Bahala na kung anong gawin niya diyan basta matutulog na ako. Narinig ko ang mahinang tawa niya at yung mga hakbang na papalapit saakin. Now what? Naramdaman ko nalang na parang may dumikit sa ulo ko. What was that?
I'll just sleep for now. Kung hindi man ako magising bukas, it just mean that I died. Hahahaha. Kung magising man ako, edi thank you God for another day.
Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakatulog basta ginising nalang ako nung mga maids na naka-assigned saakin. Napatingin ako sa paligid, wala yung ahas pati si Daryl. Napanaginipan ko lang ba yun kagabi?
Tinulungan ako nung mga maids na mag-prepare dahil sa ngayon araw kami magpupunta sa Dednia Wilds para sa expedition. Before we depart, the crown prince met us and introduce the Knights of the Golden Rose. All of my classmates were joyful about the Knights of the Golden Rose accompanying and will be protecting us during the expedition.
It seems like the Knights of the Golden Rose is very popular here in Merriole Kingdom. I think Chadwick mentioned it when he was lecturing me but I didn't pay any attention at all because of his stupid face... Do I regret it? Nah.
"My name is Cyan Glyn, captain of the Knights of the Golden Rose. Rest assured that you will be safe throughout the journey---", hindi ko na narinig yung ibang sinabi nung captain dahil sa katabi kong halos himatayin na sa sobrang kilig.
Well looking at the captain and the crown prince side by side, they are indeed handsome. They're on a different level. I think I should write Sir Cyan Glyn on the tiny notebook Prim gave me.
"Alex, bring this notebook and list all the handsome men of Merriole Kingdom. Their complete name, characteristics, all you can know about them, okay? Theenks", naalala kong sabi saakin ni Prim sabay bigay nung maliit na notebook.
1. Gabriel Vische de Auguste - crown prince, blinding teeth
2. Cyan Glyn - captain of the Knights of the Golden Rose
Pagkatapos kong magsulat ay itinago ko agad yung notebook. May mga sinabi pa sila kung anu-ano hindi ko na napakinggan ng mabuti lalo na't hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Zagan. I can't obviously call out on him publicly.
Pinapunta na kami sa kani-kaniya naming mga carriages at nadatnan ko lang naman doon ay sila Daryl at Zaggy. And here we are.
Napailing-iling nalang ako at tiningnan ulit yung dalawa. Seriously, when did these two got so close?
=========================
We've been traveling for like 2 hours from now. Pasimple ko nalang na inaalalayan yung dibdib ko dahil umaalog-alog. Medyo bako-bako na kasi yung dinadaanan namin kaya naman pati dede ko nagba-bounce bounce na dito.
It's uncomfortable lalo na't nakatingin saakin si Daryl tapos ngumingiti pa minsan. Feeling ko napapansin niya yung pag-alog ng dede ko.
Itong si Zaggy naman ay natutulog sa leeg ni Daryl. Walanghiyang spirit guardian ito, porke hindi ko siya mapakain ngayon at iniwan ko yung mga poison niya, sumama na sa iba. Ipinagpalit ako sa pagkain.
That traitor!
"Zaggy, wake up".
"What?"
"Come here".
"Don't wanna".
"And you call yourself my spirit guardian?"
"You're just going to use me to support your bouncing bosom"
How did he know that? "You're so useless".
Binuksan ko yung bintana at inilabas yung ulo ko. "Are we there yet?", sigaw ko. Mukhang nagulat yung knight na malapit sa carriage ko. Forget about my image and everything, my boobs are tired!!
"We're getting nearer, my lady", sagot nung isa.
"Okay", ani ko nalang. Hang in there, I said while looking at my boobs.
Ilang oras lang din ang lumipas ay nakarating na kami sa Dednia Wilds-- sa may entrance lang Dednia Wilds.
It turns out, Dednia Wilds is an abandoned forest infested with monsters. No wonder they sent the Knights of the Golden Rose with us. It's a suicidal expedition.
Kasama ko mga kaklase ko pati si Sir Howard and we are about to enter the forest. Nasa may leeg ko ulit si Zaggy, si Daryl, ewan ko kung paano siya nakalabas ng carriage ko nang hindi nakikita or napansin ng iba. Nandiyan lang siguro siya sa tabi-tabi. It's not that I'm worried, the forest is full of monster and he's strong so he can take care of his self.
I think yung mga monster pa matatakot sakaniya. No, the monster (Daryl) just entered the Dednia Wilds.
Kanina pa kami naglalakad dito sa forest and it seems it's getting creepier and creepier and darker. The forest is far-reaching and ancient. It really does look abandoned.
I don't know what we are looking for. It's so silent that all I can hear are my classmate's heavy pants. We've been walking for hours and it appears to be the Archaeology class has no stamina, including Sir Howard.
"Lady Eveque", may lumapit saakin na knight.
"Yes, Captain Glyn?", the captain is talking to me.
"I don't want to sound pompous, but it seems like the lady has a lot of stamina", he said while looking at my classmates. Well compared to them, I still have a lot of energy. Sanay na ako sa mahaba-habang lakaran noh. "I hope I didn't offend you in any means, it is not my intention", dagdag niya.
"Oh no worries, actually, it sounds like you just complimented me", ani ko sabay tingin sa mga kasama ko na tagaktak ang mga pawis. "I just happened to be fond of physical activities". LIE! After my short swordsmanship, I stopped exercising.
"Is that so? As expected of Kershian Kingdom", I just shrugged at him. Dito kasi sa Merriole Kingdom, the noble ladies are prohibited to do things what man does. They are not even allowed to learn swordsmanship. They are taught to be elegant and live sophisticated all through their lives and that is why I don't belong here. "I'm no longer surprised since you give the same energy as my younger sister".
So her sister is weird? "Hahaha... That makes me want to meet your sister".
"Actually, that would be great. Violet would be delighted. Ever since she knew that there will be a guest from a foreign country, she's been insisting on coming to the palace. Just a warning though, my lady, Violet is quite different from other ladies but not in a bad way I assure you that. She has a bright personality that some people find it a bit odd. I hope that didn't scare you. I just have this feeling that you two complement each other".
"Aww. Now I want to meet your sister", and I'm curious too.
"Also, my lady, I've been meaning to ask, aren't you a bit hot with the bonnet you are wearing? The forest is shady", dagdag pa niya. Napangiti nalang ako. I can't tell him that I have a snake on my neck.
"Ah? Hahahaha.. I just used to wear it whenever I go outside", palusot ko. It looks like my lie works.
==================
Umupo ako sa may malaking root ng tree. Nope, we're not having a break. May mga monsters lang na umatake saamin. While the knights are fighting the monster, some of my classmates are also helping since they can use magic, then Sir Howard sat beside me.
"Sir, I'm gonna be frank but what exactly are we looking for?"
"Miss Alexandria, I'm gonna be honest with you", Sir Howard looks so serious like now. It must be important. "I also don't know what to look for. The journal just said Dednia Wilds, it didn't mention where exactly".
Minsan, gusto ko nalang manampal ng tao. Pinanliitan ko ng mata si Sir. "Sir, it's best not to tell them that. They will totally flip you or they will feed to the monster", I think that realization just sink into his head because his face looks like he's panicking.
Pinanood ko nalang nalang yung mga knights na makipaglaban.
"What?", napatingin ako sa captain. I watched him fight and kill those monsters effortlessly. And there is this aura around him. "That's sword aura", that's clearly like Qi Manipulation. And here I thought, I founded Qi Manipulation.
Ilang minuto lang ay natapos na silang makipaglaban. Of course I didn't helped at all but I cheered.
Nagtatakang tinitignan pa ako nung ibang knights because I was clapping, sitting, and cheering the whole time. What? Do they expect me to get scared, instead? That's boring. I'm not one of those damsels in distress who needs a prince or a knight to be saved. I'm one of those singing candles, teapot, or something.
After nila makipaglaban, itinuloy ulit namin maglakad. Ilang beses pa na may lumabas na mga monsters until we decided to camp out.
"Zaggy, what do you think of this forest? It's kinda eerie, you know what I mean? Or is it just me?", medyo pagabi na din kaya naman mas lalong naging creepy yung forest.
"Hmm", puro ganyan lang si Zaggy na akala mo may iniisip na malalim.
"Zaggy? Do you sense something?"
"Hmm? As a matter of fact, there is. I'm just not sure who is it?"
"So you are saying there is really a demon here?"
"Yeah"
"Is there something or somewhere we can go to proved it?", I know that I should be afraid since there is a demon but why am I getting excited? Is it because I got to meet another demon other than Zaggy?
"I'm not sure".
Hmm? If only there's a place to check it. AAAHHH.
Napatingin ako ulit sa camping site dahil sa biglang pagsigaw nung isa sa mga kaklase ko. "Zaggy, what are those?", tanong ko kay Zaggy nang mapansin ko kung ano yung dahilan ng kaguluhan.
There are black spirits surrounding the campsite. "Sir Howard?!", tawag ko kay Sir. Lalapit sana ako sakanila nang may humarang na black spirit saakin. I think it was going to attack me when someone pulled me. "Daryl?"
"Who are you?", may narinig akong sumigaw na nagtanong kay Daryl. He's not showing his face because of the hoodie he's wearing.
"You in the black robe! Who are you? Is this your doing?", the captain of the knights asked Daryl while he is trying to fight those spirits but it seems his attacks are not working.
"No, I know him. He's not a threat", I answered. Kinunutan lang naman nila. I know it's suspicious that I'm acquainted with a suspicious man.
"Alexandria, stay here", hila ulit saakin ni Daryl ng may lumapit saakin na black spirit. Why do I feel those black spirits are aiming at me. I'm sure I made eye contact with one of them.
"Inferior spirits", rinig kong sabi ni Zaggy.
"Inferior spirits?", ulit ko. " Is this something to do with the demon here? Do you know him?"
"Are you okay, Lady Alexandria?", rinig kong tanong saakin ni Sir Howard. Everyone is having a hard time fighting with the black spirit, including Daryl. "Come forth, Leo", a lion appeared as he summoned his spirit guardian. Oh, an elemental spirit might work. They started attacking the black spirits again. Medyo umatras ako dahil sa alikabok.
/cough/ - /cough/
"Zaggy? Can we do something?"
"Well, if you want me to".
"Then, can you--- AAHHHHHH!!!", hindi ko na natuloy yung order ko kay Zaggy nang biglang nawala yung tinatayuan ko. "ALEXANDRIA", the last thing I saw is Daryl's shocked face before I started falling down.
Parang may bumutas sa lupa, and now I'm falling down. "ZAGGY! HEEELLPP MEEEE!"
"AAHHH!! ZAGGY DO SOMETHING!!", jusmiyo ayoko pang mamatay. Ito ba yung literal na nilamon ng lupa? What the heck is happening?!
10 minutes have passed...
I'm still falling! Natanggal na yung bonnet ko, gulo gulo na yung buhok. "AAHHHH! I DON'T WANNA DIE!"
20 minutes have passed...
I've been falling for 20 minutes. "It appears to me that you have calmed down?"
"Since I don't know what's going on aside from falling down, I think I've calmed down.. for now". Buti nalang kasama ko si Zaggy, kung hindi baka nabaliw na ako.
"That's good. I mean, there's nothing to worry about. I think he just wants to meet you".
"Huh? Who? Who wants to meet me? AH!My butt!"
Sa tagal kong nahuhulog, I didn't expect na may babagsakan akong lupa. "A ground. How I've missed you. Pwe!", sa sobrang saya ko hinalikan ko yung lupa.
"AH!", nagulat ako nang biglang lumiwanag. The place looks like a cave, there are torches around. That's why it's bright.
"Wait? Who wants to meet me again? Is it the demon?", tanong ko ulit.
"Yeah", sagot lang ni Zaggy.
"Zagan", rinig kong tawag sa may likuran ko. Kinilabutan naman ako. Lumingon ako kung saan galing yung boses at mukhang nakilala iyon ni Zaggy at tinawag ang pangalan niya.
"Zepar".