Whoosh!
As the envelope was opened, the communication Magecraft embedded within it activated, rippling with resonant patterns of light.
Moments later, a small girl wearing a crown and a crimson dress, barely over a meter tall, leapt onto the throne. She leaned back against it, wriggling restlessly until she found a comfortable position. Only then did she straighten her little face, peering through the hazy glow of magical resonance with a deliberately solemn expression.
"Heh. A rose raised in a greenhouse—be careful it doesn't wither under the sun's brilliance. So, little girl of Rome, what brings you to seek an audience with this Pharaoh?"
Resting his chin on one hand, Ramesses II curled his lips into a faint smile, his tone proud and laced with mockery.
Only the divine ancestor Romulus had ever been worthy of standing as his equal. This Nero, hastily elevated to the throne, was still just a child, no matter how exceptional she might be. Naturally, she could not earn the same regard.
"Umu… then how about we discuss the future after Rome falls?"
Nero blinked her bright eyes, her voice lowering slightly.
"Oh? Now that's interesting. Go on."
Ramesses II paused, clearly intrigued. With a casual wave, he dismissed the two female pharaohs, clearing the hall, then turned his gaze back to the girl within the Magecraft array, watching her with amusement.
"It is an undeniable fact that the Divine Ancestor has fallen. If destroying Rome allows Egypt to recover its losses and even profit, then by all means, proceed. I would even offer my congratulations—for preserving yourself and your lineage."
Nero spoke calmly and plainly, her emerald eyes shining with clarity.
"But among Egypt, Persia, Carthage, and the Huns, Egypt is the farthest from Rome. A campaign across such distance would cost you the most. Even if you seize large portions of Roman territory, Carthage lies in between. Crossing that barrier and turning Roman lands into Egyptian frontier provinces would be extremely difficult, wouldn't it?
At best, you would plunder some population and wealth from Rome, then withdraw in good order.
But once Rome collapses, Carthage is too small, and the Huns are scattered nomads. The only power truly capable of devouring and digesting Rome's vast territories… is Persia."
At this point, the Rose Emperor frowned slightly, a trace of displeasure surfacing on her small face.
Clearly, her distaste for Persia ran deeper than Rome's entanglements with Egypt.
At the same time, Ramesses II subconsciously raised a hand to his neck, cracking his stiff joints, a fleeting shadow passing through his golden eyes.
Growing more animated, Nero jumped onto the chair, planted her hands on her hips, and continued confidently.
"If Persia takes Rome, it grows stronger. That weakens Egypt. And if Cyrus then conquers Greece, who will end up sharing a border with that colossal empire?"
High above, within the Temple of Radiance, the Pharaoh let out a cold laugh.
"Little girl, are you trying to drive a wedge between allies? Cyrus is my ally."
"The ally who abandoned you and fled first last time?"
Nero sneered, tearing apart that fragile alliance without hesitation.
Ramesses II's breath stalled, his expression stiffening.
"Even without Rome and Greece, Persia's expansion won't stop. So next time, whose lands will the blades of the Immortals turn toward?
Let's hope your alliance is just as solid when that day comes."
The Rose Emperor raised an eyebrow, her gaze full of teasing provocation as she looked at the Pharaoh's projection within the Magecraft array.
The meaning was obvious.
Ramesses II frowned, closing his eyes briefly in thought. After a moment, he opened them and asked,
"Then what do you propose I do?"
"Leave Rome standing. Let us hold back Persia and the Huns."
"Hah. Even if I do nothing, do you really think Rome, in its current state, can hold?"
"Isn't Egypt still here?"
"You expect me to betray my alliance and ally with Rome? On what grounds?"
"What if we add the chance to jointly explore the Inner Sea of the Planet?"
Nero met his gaze directly.
"Beyond territory, that's what you truly want, isn't it? And right now… that opportunity is still in our hands."
"Hah. And you think you can decide that?"
"Believe what you want. But even if you can't obtain it, you shouldn't let Cyrus take it."
Nero answered without hesitation.
Ramesses II stroked his chin, the tension in his expression gradually easing as a hint of approval appeared in his eyes.
"Not bad, little girl. You've earned a word of praise from this king."
"Umu! Naturally. I am a genius!"
"And who taught you to say all that?"
"Of course it was me… my own idea!"
The little girl proudly puffed out her flat chest, chin tilted upward.
"So, the Regent Prince who took over on the eastern front must have been badly injured…"
Ramesses II immediately understood, a pleased smile forming at the corner of his lips.
"Hmph! My teacher is the strongest! If you're scheming anything, come and try it yourself!"
Like a kitten with its fur bristling, Nero glared fiercely at the Pharaoh, grinding her teeth as if she wanted to leap through the Magecraft array and bite him.
Snap!
The Pharaoh flicked his fingers. Divine power rippled, dissolving the Magecraft array before him. Rising slowly, his golden gaze shifted toward a figure curled beneath a white cloak behind one of the stone pillars.
"Nito, summon the Anubis Legion. Awaken my Solar Barque of the Night."
"My King, we did manage to persuade the nobles of Carthage, but Hannibal, who holds military command, still refuses to relinquish control of the defenses…"
At the call, Nitocris's ears twitched. She hurriedly got up, pulling off the white covering as she stammered her reply.
"When did I say we were going to attack Rome?"
"Then… what are you planning?"
"If I recall correctly, a Persian fleet is currently anchored in the nearby Chaotic Seas…"
Ramesses II glanced over the papyrus map in his hand, a cold smile tugging at his lips.
"You're going to make a move against Persia!"
Nitocris's face showed clear shock, her confusion obvious.
"You believe what the Romans said?"
"Whether I believe it or not, the facts remain."
The Pharaoh looked toward the east, his gaze turning cold.
"Rome can barely sustain itself. If Cyrus takes the opportunity to conquer Greece and seize the Greater Source, then Egypt will be next."
And besides, there's no need to wait until then. That bastard is already making his move.
Ramesses II rubbed his aching neck, instinctively cracking the stiff joints. Realizing his lapse, irritation flashed across his face, followed by a surge of killing intent in his eyes.
"First, lure that fleet into the coastal waters. I'll give them a proper reception. Nito, you'll handle the arrangements. Don't mess it up. After all, this is a gift I intend to present to our new allies."
Called out, the female pharaoh nodded rapidly like a pecking chick, then grabbed her staff and hurried off to make preparations.
Left alone once more in the vast, silent hall, the Pharaoh stepped down from his throne. With a flick of his fingers, he summoned the gold-and-blue scepter from the Magecraft array. His fingertips traced the smooth fracture along it, his expression turning dark and grave.
A True God… a god-slaying assassin… and now a God of Darkness has appeared on the eastern front.
Persia… truly is too powerful…
...
Several days later, at the Vulture's Nest, within the Temple of the Evening Bell.
An encrypted letter written in runes, along with a crumpled draft bearing the words "Moses" and "Jews," was tossed into a brazier and quickly burned to ash.
Click…
On the black-and-white checkered board, a single piece was placed.
In an instant, the precarious balance of the game flipped, offense and defense reversing completely.
The second move was complete.
Samael stepped past the king piece, picked up the white queen, and looked at the several faintly glowing crystal fragments on the table. A slight smile curved his lips.
"Now then… you're the only one left, old friend…"