Conquerors of the New World ✓

CNW 32: Underwater (III)

“Kay Dustine.” I have to confirm it.

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sasabihin nya at nagpunta kung nasaan si Dustine. I saw him fixing his thing. Nanliliit ang mata kong tinitignan ito.

“We have to talk, kuya.” Diniinan ko ang pagkakasabi ng kuya na dahilan upang mapatingin ito sa akin.

“We have nothing to talk about, bunso.” Tulad ko ay diniinan nya rin ang pagkakasabi ng bunso. Umirap ako.

“Oh heck! You have to explain it to me! Bakit wala akong alam na may nirerequest-an kana pala ng couple request?” As his ‘little sister’, malamang dapat kong malaman 'yon, 'di ba?

It seems like he got my point when he sighed deeply. Inilapag nya ang armas na kanyang tinitignan kanina at humarap sa akin. “Alright. After we got this scroll, we'll talk. Now, be ready okay?” Marahan nyang sabi at lumangoy palapit sa akin. He, then, kissed my forehead when he was now in front of me. “I'm sorry for bursting our of you earlier, for shutting you out and for hiding this from you. I promise, we will talk.” Dagdag nyang bulong at ngayo'y hinahaplos na ang aking buhok.

Tumango ako. “Dapat lang.” Maldita ko pa ring sabi. I heard him chuckled.

“Now, be ready.” Tumango na lang ako nang sinabi nya iyon. I'm already ready na kaya. Nanliit ang mata ko. I'll make sure to finish this as fast as I could.

***

“I stole it? Of course, not. She's the one who stole it from me.” Eric, the other kingdom's king said with seriousness and a bit of coldness in his voice. Nakita kong bumakas ang pagtataka sa mukha ng aking mga kasama habang kami naman ni Dustine ay nanatili sa gan'ong ekspresyon. Malamig at seryoso lamang na nakatingin dito.

“How can you prove to us that you're saying the truth?” Red said with coldness in which, he doesn't really use that tone. I could say that he's entirely annoyed right now.

Sino nga ba naman ang hindi maiinis? We're here to get the ‘stolen’ scroll in which, we find out that the one who said it was stolen from her care was the one who stole it from the original owner.

Magulo ba? Okay, ganito na lang. Para mas madali, “We've been deceived.” Sabi ko na sinadya kong iparinig pati sa hari mismo.

Right. Tama ang nakita ko sa ilalim ng matatamis na ngiti at salita ng reynang iyon. I gritted my teeth. I'll make sure I'll burn her kingdom with fire even it's underwater.

Una pa lang ay pinapaikot na kami. Bakit ko nga ba naisipang mapapadali ang quest na ito? Eh sa pagkakaalam ko'y isang Rare scroll ang nandito sa lugar na ito? Rare, second to the legendary, meaning, second to the highest scroll.

“Hindi pa nya nacoconfirm, Nightingale.” Sabi ni Marky sa akin. Of course, hindi pa. Iyon lang ay nagpadala kami sa mapanlinlang na babaeng iyon.

“He doesn't need to.” Dustine, who's been silent for the long time, suddenly spoke. “He's saying the truth because the ring he's using is still in its color.” Sabi nito na ikinatingin naming lahat. Tama, doon ko lang napansin ang singsing na suot nito na kulay green pa rin ang crystal.

“What's that?” Stanley asked. Yvonne, being our greek medic, explained what it is.

“It's the ring of truth. The color will stay in its true color, which is green, if the owner is saying the truth, otherwise, it'll change into red if the owner lying.” Yvonne said. Biglang lumabas ang staff nito at naglabas iyon ng kulay puting mahika sa ilalim ng tubig. Pinalibutan nito ang singsing at hindi nagbago ang kulay nito. “He's saying the truth.” Sabi ni Yvonne nang mawala ang kulay puting mahika doon.