[How dare you betray the gods!!]
The skeleton adorned with the most splendid relics and burial items from the ancient Empire of Ashit, Tutankhamun Gartep, glared down at his city from the palace balcony.
Fires raged throughout the city, and soldiers pointed their swords at each other. The magic artillery that should have been aimed outward was now turned inward, raining destruction on slums, bustling districts, commercial areas, and residential zones alike.
-BOOM!!
A magic projectile traced a pale trajectory before slamming into a building. And then,
-RUMBLE!!
The building and its surroundings crumbled into pieces as an earthquake shook the ground. The magic artillery, crafted by the finest magic engineers of Ashit, was modeled after the ancient dwarves’ technology. Its destructive power was akin to that of a god of ruin, and Tutankhamun Gartep trembled with rage.
[To betray the descendants of the gods!!]
A rebellion, of all things. In the days of Ashit, those who dared not carry the Pharaoh’s bloodline would never have dreamed of rebelling against the Pharaoh. Even in a weakened dynasty!
A Pharaoh was not merely a king in human society. They were the descendants, representatives, and incarnations of the gods. Only another descendant of the gods could dare raise a sword against them.
Thus, Pharaohs traditionally only distrusted their own kin. Tutankhamun Gartep believed that in this Great Wilderness, only two other Pharaohs of the Ashit Empire could turn their swords against him.
Yet, his own subordinate dared to raise a sword against him. How dare they? Tutankhamun Gartep’s hand shook with fury. The ornaments adorning his body glinted ominously, clattering as he moved.
[Oh Divine King, remain steadfast.]
[Kaharefer…! Is this something to remain calm about!]
[The rebellion was orchestrated by Prince Neferka. His forces are insignificant, and though they may seem formidable now, they are laughable.]
[You go!]
Tutankhamun Gartep shouted at Kaharefer, who was prostrated in the Audience Hall. With blazing eyes, he spat out his words as if cursing.
[Show him hell. Make him pay dearly for daring to defile the Divine King’s city. No, do not kill him. Bring him alive before the Divine King!]
[That may not be possible.]
[…What did you say?]
Kaharefer rose slowly and spoke respectfully.
[Oh Divine King, Prince Neferka is a court official who has received divine permission to enter the Audience Hall. In my absence, you will need soldiers to protect you should he dare to harm you.]
[What is Meremre doing now?]
[He has just arrived at the palace and has immediately headed to the battlefield. Prince Meremre is personally leading the troops to crush the rebels.]
[Good. Send Tamphtis and Sepses.]
[Shall I deploy all three Triarchs?]
[Order Tamphtis to halt the artillery at the spire. Tell Sepses to assist Meremre in capturing Neferka alive. Even if Neferka comes to the Audience Hall himself, you alone are more than enough to handle him.]
Kaharefer bowed deeply at Tutankhamun Gartep’s words.
[As the Divine King commands.]
Tutankhamun Gartep watched Kaharefer leave the Audience Hall, then turned his gaze back to the city descending into chaos.
-Screeeech…
A skeletal eagle traced a blue trajectory, gliding gracefully through the air. It was a minion sent flying through magic. The eagle circled widely before diving toward the residential area like a speeding arrow.
-Thud.
At the end of its flight, it landed on a rooftop where Fernandez sat, observing the city. He looked at the eagle that had snatched his forearm. A green glow flickered beneath the eagle’s skull.
Fernandez tapped and stroked the eagle’s head before retrieving a scroll from between its ribs.
The small note bore two ancient Ashit hieroglyphs. It was written in Kaharefer’s blunt handwriting.
‘The palace is empty. Anyway.’
Well, it must mean they succeeded. Fernandez watched the magic projectiles tracing their trajectories as they fell. Impressive technology. The city’s core districts were being destroyed in an instant, and even Prince Neferka’s small force was throwing the Pharaoh’s legions into disarray.
Shaksisi and Neferka had seized the magic artillery on the city’s outskirts as soon as the operation began. While Prince Meremre gathered the scattered guards to prepare a counterattack, the city was already being destroyed beyond recovery.
However, Tutankhamun Gartep’s true legions were not stationed within the city. News of this chaos would have already reached the legions stationed outside. Indeed, countless ravens were flying chaotically across the night sky.
‘We’re running out of time.’
No matter how capable Shaksisi was, and no matter how fiercely Neferka fought, they couldn’t withstand Tutankhamun Gartep’s main force once it began its assault on the city. Fernandez gazed at the Pharaoh’s palace with lowered eyes.
The massive inner walls and strict defenses. The artificial hill towering high enough to block the moon, crowned by the splendid palace. Though countless soldiers were pouring out from beneath the castle, the palace’s minimal defensive functions remained intact.
So, this was a race against time. Could he defeat the Pharaoh before Tutankhamun Gartep’s main force arrived? And—
‘Necro…’
