“…Is this for real?”
Just a single attack.
Without even using any special powers, merely a light touch caused 99% of the allied forces to vanish.
A world where it’s natural for people to turn into sand.
The ruler of that world was the Pharaoh, so it was something to be expected the moment they spotted him in the desert.
“What a cocky bunch. How dare you step foot on the Emperor’s land without permission?”
“…Insane.”
“Ugh…”
“It’s a monster…”
The remaining 1% barely survived, but compared to the number that had gathered, it was extremely small.
If they were somewhat decent…
“The Emperor is… something beyond expectations.”
“Well, we anticipated this level.”
“The target isn’t the Emperor, you know.”
“…How do we even fight that? Isn’t it Kraken-level?”
The Knight, along with some Guild Masters surrounding him, managed to block the attacks using the mythical item ‘Griffin’s Shield.’
“…Is there really this much sky?”
“Nyaaah… This guy uncle is awesome…”
And then there was the Heavenly Horse and Yena who had joined in.
These were all the survivors.
[St-st-st-stuttering]
[This guy uncle is seriously cool, lol]
[Wow]
[“This guy”]
[This guy could wipe them all out in one go?]
[That’s some area attack for sure]
[What a guy]
[The Emperor’s attack level is on another level, hahaha]
[Why are the allies even trying?]
[What’s with Lily having a subordinate like this guy…]
[Lololololol]
[What a Lily]
“Today is a good day, so I’ll allow you to retreat at this point.”
They are a bunch of cocky ones, indeed.
The Pharaoh, wearing an annoyed expression, relaxed his clenched fist.
“…What’s happening with the disaster?”
“Why should I explain anything to you?”
“We have to catch the disaster. If we fail to catch it, the world will perish.”
Boom!
A protective skill called ‘Guardian’s Shield’ appeared around the Knight as his momentum surged.
Though the opponent wielded power beyond imagination, having blocked once, he figured he could withstand at least a couple more times.
He had some combo tricks prepared too, so if he waited for the right moment while pretending to talk, he could strike decisively…
“…As expected.”
“…?”
“Oh, it’s nothing special.”
The Pharaoh’s massive hand continued to close and open, and then he grasped once more.
Crash!
Golden heat erupted from the sun tattoo etched on his shoulder.
The shield surrounding him melted away, and the Guild Masters near the Knight, unable to receive protection, turned to sand.
“…Huh?”
“The fusion is still incomplete. How can I not pierce even such a power? Hmm?”
“…Is this what you call an incomplete state?”
“Now that I look closely, it’s a bit different.”
“How much─”
Whoosh.
Before the Knight could step back, the Pharaoh instantly closed the distance and reached out his hand.
He approaches and extends his hand towards the liver.
A very small shield in his hand sprays blue sparks recklessly.
“It’s Griffin, huh? It’s more like a heritage than an existence.”
“……”
“I have some connection with him, you see.”
Creeeaaak…!
Griffin’s shield is a bound weapon.
It’s a weapon that cannot be taken away unless it’s through item theft via PK or ‘trading’.
The Pharaoh’s hand is restrained by the system’s control, but his touch doesn’t stop despite the blue sparks flying everywhere.
“If you hand this over, I’ll also pass on the disaster. Of course, after I’m done with my business. How about it?”
“…I’m retreating!”
Boom!
Griffin’s shield explodes.
As the explosion of light occurs, the shield, now free from the Pharaoh’s grasp, disappears with the Knight.
The Pharaoh smirks, looking at his scorched hand in the empty desert.
‘Is this already the second time today?’
Once was the Heavenly Horse who threw a fierce punch for a human.
The other was the Knight wielding the heritage imbued with Griffin’s power.
Both showed quite exceptional abilities for humans, ranking among the top that the Pharaoh taught at the academy.
He thought only about two or three would be special, but the number exceeded his expectations.
Of course, the Knight’s talent and power fall short compared to the Heavenly Horse, but they use a considerably high level of power with ease.
This was also something ordinary humans could never wield.
‘The system, huh…’
A power that brings souls from other-dimensional humans and maintains and protects them in new bodies.
This ability allows them to break free from the general ‘frame’ of the human race.
There’s a reason Lily invests time and resources into raising humans.
The Pharaoh’s gaze turned to the remaining two.
Yena, staring blankly at him, and the Heavenly Horse, still maintaining a wary posture.
‘Still, telling them would be the less bothersome route.’
“The disaster will be handled on its own. So, if you come here again for the same reason, I’ll uproot the seeds of those aftereffects.”
“Is that something agreed upon with Lily?”
“No. But you won’t suffer any harm.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“The Emperor does not lie.”
“…Understood.”
The Heavenly Horse vanished without leaving any lingering regrets.
Yena…
“So tsundere. Said they wouldn’t tell me.”
“……”
[Tsundere Emperor]
[Look at him sharing everything, lol]
[That guy uncle is a tsundere, lol]
[But seriously, he’s strong]
[Lily, where are you?]
[So when is Lily coming!!!]
■
Clack.
“…So, this is the whole sequence of events from the incident that invaded Desertum over the past four days.”
“Indeed.”
At the top floor of the Sun Palace.
The Pharaoh responded while reading a report from Serrek’s desk during his visit to Serrek’s office.
In front of him stood Serrek, her face hidden behind a mask, yet she was bowing her head.
“……”
Whether it was a bow of loyalty or a sign of hiding her true feelings, she wasn’t quite sure.
Thud.
“You did well. You’ve kept Deserthum safe while I was away.”
“That’s just my duty. I allowed no intrusions in the Inner Fortress, but permitting damage to the Outer Fortress was a grave mistake.”
“A mistake… That isn’t entirely wrong.”
In the absence of the Pharaoh, Serrek held total responsibility for Deserthum, overseeing nearly all matters of the Empire.
Diplomacy, politics, accounting, security, personnel… and so on.
Even the tiniest details might be handled by her subordinates, but aside from the Pharaoh, Serrek held the final decision-making authority.
“However, this time was an exception. While human matters are one thing, the forces you command also include Lily’s specters.”
“They’re quite busy—”
“Busy? What are they busy with? Most are just lazing around with nothing to do.”
The Ancient Beasts were beings of god-like power; many viewed them not just as physical entities but as deities in spirit as well.
Usually, it is the lesser beings who think this way…
‘Those guys?’
They are merely children wielding power.
Years of strength can make one forget fear, and it solidifies those who have built themselves so thickly over time.
The Pharaoh, who had lived the life of an Emperor, was the exception, but most were notorious for slaughtering countless lives for the frivolous reason of feeling upset.
“I mean, that bloodsucker brat probably came up with some weird experiment nonsense or claimed it was too hot to come.”
“That’s correct.”
“What a ridiculous bunch.”
Tsk. The Pharaoh clicked his tongue and clenched his fist.
Once unity is achieved, soon enough in this place, ‘Deoen,’ he can surpass the bloodsuckers.
By then, he should be able to knock some sense into them.
“Speaking of which…”
“Command me.”
“How long do you plan to keep your head down?”
“…….”
The Pharaoh’s eyes, holding the light of the sun, were focused on Serrek.
Bowing her head was something one naturally does before the one and only Emperor, but there was no need to keep it down for so long.
They had been together for thousands of years; stiffness wasn’t necessary.
Moreover, as the Pharaoh’s level had improved, Serrek’s stability had greatly increased, allowing for more extended durations and actions.
“…How could I even dare to?”
“It takes me back. I remember the time before power was granted, when you boldly came to the high Sun Palace to oppose my decree.”
“Contrary to fate, I have boldly come all the way to the Sun Palace.”
“Is it contrary now?”
“…!”
“I remember when you looked me in the eye and spoke so confidently. Such sincere eyes they were.”
“That was! When I was still young…”
“Serrek.”
Creak.
“Look at me.”
“……”
“Quick.”
Following the Pharaoh’s command, Serrek slowly raises his head.
Though still a body of sand, she gazes at the Pharaoh through her eagle mask, and their eyes meet.
One side is incomplete, the other has entirely lost its body and is nothing but sand.
“……”
“……”
With just a tiny trigger, sincerity can be conveyed.
“…That.”
Cough!
They avert their eyes.
Both flinched at the same time, but Serrek was the first to look away.
Somehow, the eagle mask seemed to go a shade red as murmurs slipped out.
“Th-that’s unfair…”
“…What’s unfair?”
“I’m, I’m not in my original body, am I…”
The Pharaoh has regained his body, but Serrek cannot.
Her soul is halfway disintegrated, and her physical form is completely dead, making revival impossible.
“…There must be a way to regenerate your body.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Stabilizing the Emperor’s body takes priority…”
“There will be a way. No, there is a way.”
“…Yes.”
Serrek’s head bows again.
And they look at each other once more.
“…Feels like I’m remembering the old days.”
“We faced each other like this back then too.”
The transcendent Pharaoh and the mere residents of Desertham.
When the gap in power and the meaning of being an emperor began to fade, the Pharaoh wandered the lower floors of the palace with a conflicted heart and encountered Serrek.
A newcomer in the diplomatic department who had just entered the palace, Serrek.
That day, they met for the first time, and destiny began.
“Just like that time.”
The Pharaoh rises from his seat.
Serrek looks at the Pharaoh with frozen eyes, and the Pharaoh looks back at Serrek…
Creeeak…
“Then rest.”
“…Understood.”
■
“Oh.”
I put down the popcorn I was eating.
Is this how it ends up?
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