Reidel looked at the blonde woman who landed nearby. Recalling the slave's warning, he unconsciously gripped the sword at his waist and strode to the very front of the troops.
"Who goes there?"
The True Moon, having descended to the ground, surveyed the army of thousands with interest. Then, in his cold and clear voice, he spoke to the Egyptian army.
"Impressive! You are all fine warriors. Now—kneel before your King!"
As he spoke, the True Moon spread his arms, and a terrifying magical energy erupted from him, placing a horrifying pressure upon every person in the Egyptian army.
Standing at the front, Reidel bore the brunt of it. He was instantly pinned in place by the pressure, unable to move, and his knees began to buckle.
Just as more than half the army had fallen to their knees and Reidel himself had one knee on the ground, a golden light suddenly flashed from him. Reidel, who carried the blood of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, drew his sword as if possessed by a god and pointed it at the True Moon, shouting,
"Evil god! I am a descendant of Thutmose! I am a child of Amon! I am a general of Hatshepsut! You cannot defeat me!"
As Reidel shouted, the golden light erupting from his body also enveloped the entire army, freeing everyone from the True Moon's pressure.
Then, Reidel stabbed his sword into his own warhorse. Driven by pain, the horse no longer cared about the fear the True Moon instilled in it. Amidst a spray of blood, it carried Reidel in a charge toward the True Moon.
Seeing Reidel charge, the rest of the army followed him in a suicidal assault.
The True Moon watched the army rushing toward him and smiled as he withdrew his pressure.
"Fine warriors, though unfortunately polluted by gods. In that case..."
Swoosh!
The True Moon instantly vanished and reappeared in the middle of the army.
"Die!"
A terrifying tide of red magical energy erupted from within the formation, easily shredding the warriors' protective magic and then tearing the Age of Gods soldiers into pieces. The bright red blood and crimson magic made the True Moon look like a Demon God incarnate. A single strike was enough to shatter the morale of these battle-hardened Egyptian warriors; after all, ordinary humans cannot face a 'god.'
As the army scattered in flight, two figures continued their charge toward the True Moon, standing in stark contrast to the fleeing crowd.
Those still charging were Reidel and the Six Authorities.
Relying on his divine bloodline, Reidel drove his dying horse to within ten paces of the True Moon. Then, he leapt from the horse, transforming into a shooting star that struck downward with his longsword at supersonic speed.
Seeing Reidel choose a direct frontal assault, the Six Authorities quickly stopped, pulled a short spear from his back, and hurled it at the True Moon while shouting to Reidel,
"Reidel, don't attack head-on!"
The True Moon, who had been raising his hand to tear out Reidel's heart, heard the Six Authorities' voice. With a slight smile, he changed his strike to a swat, knocking Reidel away with a backhand. Simultaneously, he used Reidel's flying body to deflect the spear thrown by the Six Authorities.
The Six Authorities quickly rushed to Reidel's side, supporting the general as he coughed up blood, and watched the True Moon warily.
However, the True Moon seemed to have taken an interest in the Six Authorities. He didn't attack but instead casually swept his gaze around with his Mystic Eyes of Enchantment.
"You seem... never mind. If you can survive this, we shall speak again!"
Saying this, the True Moon used Marble Phantasm to manifest a throne. He then sat upon it, resting his chin on his hand, intending to watch a good show.
The Six Authorities soon realized that the warriors who had been fleeing had unconsciously surrounded him and Reidel. These warriors, now with hollow eyes, had clearly been enchanted by the True Moon.
The Six Authorities looked at the heavily injured and weakened Reidel, then calmly drew his short sword and gripped the short spear on his back, facing the warriors closing in from all sides.
Soon, under the gaze of the True Moon, a direct slaughter between humans began in this open desert.
Facing attacks from his former companions and colleagues, the battle-hardened Six Authorities relied on his refined combat skills to protect Reidel while continuously killing.
Watching the Six Authorities calmly slaughter 'their own people,' a tear slid from the corner of Reidel's eye, though it was quickly evaporated by the desert wind and heat.
Then, Reidel forced his body up from the ground, picked up a scimitar from a nearby corpse, and began to assist the Six Authorities in the slaughter.
"Nash, you know, sometimes I really envy you. I envy your carefree nature and how you don't have to bear any pressure. But I suppose you must envy me too!"
"Yeah."
"Nash, surrender! That evil god held back just now; he must be looking for subordinates. Nash, you're a genius. It would be a waste for you to die here with me!"
"Reidel! I will not surrender!"
"No, you will! You bastard, you're not even Egyptian, you don't believe in the Ennead, and there's no reason for you to risk your life with me. Why do you have to go this far!"
As Reidel spoke, he swung his scimitar, tears falling uncontrollably from his eyes.
"I don't know, Reidel, I don't know. I'm just a slave. I was taught to obey since I was a child. I don't even have my own name. Reidel, I really don't know!"
Reidel gave a tragic smile and pulled several arrows from his body, letting his blood flow onto the scorching sand.
"Nash! You idiot, do you know? I've always considered you my friend. You're no slave! My aunt promised me she would release you from slavery after this hunt... I wanted to tell you as a surprise after we were done, but it looks like I won't get the chance!"
With that, Reidel glanced toward the True Moon and sliced his own wrist, shouting,
"The House of Nash, the place where slaves live—you, who were named after it, seem to have no name of your own. I entrust everything I have to you! From this day forward, you shall live as the sixth successor to the Egyptian throne. Live on in my stead! So live on, Six Authorities!"
Then, without giving the Six Authorities a chance to object, Reidel used the blood flowing from his wrist as a medium to cast a spell. He transformed into a golden'sun,' and a massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky, taking the thousands of Egyptian elite warriors with it. Only the Six Authorities remained, standing amidst the black grit, murmuring blankly.
"Six Authorities! My name is Six Authorities! Reidel, I have a name now!"
At that moment, the True Moon slowly walked up to the Six Authorities and looked at the tall man with interest.
"It seems you survived. Have you made your decision?"
The Six Authorities looked up, his eyes devoid of hatred or any other emotion. He spoke to the True Moon with abnormal calm.
"I want to live!"
The True Moon was momentarily stunned by the answer, then a burst of clear laughter rang out across the desert.
"Hahahahaha!"
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