Myth: The Ruler of Spirituality

Chapter 657: 226 Pharaoh

Chapter 657: Chapter 226 Pharaoh

“`

...

Hemenu, Mortal World.

Outside the City of Memphis, on the road built along the Nile River.

The setting sun was blood-red, and a gentle breeze blew in gusts. The wheels of the ox cart rolled on the road, attracting the gazes of passersby.

The sound of whips cracking could be heard from time to time, accompanied by bouts of whimpering.

This was the royal capital of the Egyptians, as well as a great city that stood alongside Heliopolis and Thebes in fame.

If the latter two were renowned for their theological sanctity, Memphis, as the dwelling place of the Pharaoh, represented the secular sense of a capital.

Located at the heart of Upper and Lower Egypt, it wasn’t far from what would later be Cairo. The dynasty’s decrees emanated from here, reaching all the city-states of Egypt.

Of course, there was an additional significance to this place now—under the orders of the Messenger of Ra, one of the Nine Pillars Spirit, Shu, the Sin People from all over Egypt had been driven here in the last few years, then gathered around this city.

Thus, in almost no time, this place had become the largest gathering spot for the Hebrews, as well as the largest construction site. For some unknown reason, ever since several years ago when Shu delivered the last divine decree, the continuous contact between the gods who resided in Heliopolis and the Mortal Realm had become intermittent.

Some said it was the presence of the Sin People that angered the heavens, while others argued it was the gigantic bronze statue cast for himself by Pharaoh Ramses II in his extravagant desires that displeased All Gods.

In any case, as the ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt, the Pharaoh, the Divine Envoy on earth, hereby issued a command. He ordered the slaves to be organized and to erect a massive temple to please the heavens, sparing no expense for this purpose.

So, vast amounts of stone material were transported to Memphis, and countless slaves perished under the increasingly fierce sun.

During such days, one day, two ox carts arrived from afar, heading toward Memphis.

...

Rumbling...

Clink—

“Thank you, my Lord, for granting me this lunch.”

With eyes slightly closed, he tapped the plate with a silver spoon. Amidst the ringing sound, Messe knelt in the carriage, praying softly to God.

The carriage shook a bit, but Messe, who was eighty years old, still sat very steadily.

His back was as straight as a rod, and beside him, two young children, a boy and a girl, imitated his movements, tracing intricate patterns across their chests and closing their eyes in prayer.

“Thank you, my Lord, for granting me this lunch.”

“...All right, that’s enough. You two must be hungry too, so go ahead and eat,” he said.

After a short while, Messe opened his eyes.

He looked at the two children who appeared to be praying with closed eyes but were in fact covertly watching him and smiled.

His wife and family were on the cart behind; at this point, it was just him and the two half-blood children they’d rescued on the road.

They weren’t true Hebrews but rather offspring of mixed blood between Egyptians and Hebrews. Their mixed lineage ensured they weren’t oppressed like the slaves carrying heavy stones on the roadside, but their rights weren’t acknowledged either.

After all, it was because of the Hebrew bloodline that Ra had punished them, which made these half-bloods sinners by birth. No law would protect them, and if they hadn’t fortuitously encountered Messe, they likely would have already perished in the Wilderness under the torment of their peers.

“Thank you, sir,” the children said.

Although they couldn’t resist the tempting aroma of food, the kids still thanked Messe first.

Seeing this, Messe waved his hand, indicating they need not worry about formalities.

His smile was like the warm sun on a winter day; although his age was advanced, his eyes were still full of spirit.

“Well... yes, children, you are right.”

“He is the god of everything in the world, but also the god of the Hebrews. Whoever brings destruction upon us will also be punished by Him.”

“This is the covenant He made with me in the revelation of the flame.”

At least in words, it was indeed so... Messe didn’t feel he had deceived them.

Memphis was near, and he also had to think about how to persuade the Pharaoh.

Although God said the road he would travel would be tortuous, and the journey for the Hebrews to return to their land would be full of death and injury, Messe still wanted to try.

If the Pharaoh would willingly let them go, nothing could be better.

...

The brief conversation did not interfere with the progress of the ox cart, and as time passed, the cart finally arrived near Memphis.

In comparison to the fantastical version of the big city referred to as Chaos in the mortal world, Memphis was far less impressive.

With city walls only over ten meters high, and guards dressed in leather armor... As the ox cart approached the city gate, it immediately attracted the attention of the soldiers.

Clack—

The sound of leather armor colliding, the guards showed no intent to inspect, instead, they expressed their respect towards the cart.

In the current Upper and Lower Egypt, horses were an exceedingly rare beast of burden, often employed in military units like chariots. For transportation, camels or ox carts were used instead.

Of course, even saying ‘more used’ is a bit of a stretch. In contrast with the dramatically transformed Chaos, Hemenu’s world in the mortal realm truly possessed the productivity of a classical era.

Thus, to be able to avoid the weariness of travel, and even escape the scrutiny of soldiers, to the point that now even the guards of the Egyptian capital acknowledged them as aristocrats of the city, Messe truly had to thank his wife’s distinguished family, who were respected priests among the Midianites.

Otherwise, even if his status as a fugitive from forty years ago was forgotten, he might still be directly detained as a Hebrew and be taken to work on building the Temple.

“Please enter, honorable lords,” said the captain of the guard, as the cart slowly made its way into Memphis.

After more than forty years, Messe was stepping foot into the city where he had grown up once again.

“I remember, the Pharaoh’s residence should be there. I wonder if it has been relocated or renovated over the years.”

Giving the two curious children a rundown of all the sights they passed, he traveled through the city—called a Royal Capital, yet not as large as one would imagine.

Soon, the Royal Palace of Egypt was but a stone’s throw away. However, here Messe’s cart could no longer pass through unhindered.

“Stay here, I must go and meet with the King of Upper and Lower Egypt alone.”

Reaching for the staff that had been lying across his knees all this time, Messe instructed the two children before stepping down from the cart.

He looked levelly at the place of his upbringing, as old memories flashed through his mind.

“Who goes there?”

The inquiry came from ahead, with two long spears crossed, blocking the path.

Messe’s cart had already caught the attention of the guards, who scrutinized this unfamiliar ‘aristocrat,’ pondering which city-state he might have come from.

“I am Messe, from Midian, come to pay my respects to His Majesty Ramses II.”

“By the command of God, I have come to discuss the future of a race.”

Clutching his staff, Messe spoke softly.

Let the first step begin here.