Great people... the time of glory has arrived."
Serene's voice echoed with majesty and strength, igniting enthusiasm in everyone's hearts.
"I know you have suffered greatly during this long period. I know that, like your ancestors, you have never abandoned your homeland. Therefore..."
Suddenly, Serene bowed before everyone, her demeanor radiating respect.
"Please accept this bow as a gesture of gratitude and apology."
"No, Your Majesty, please stand up immediately!"
"It is our duty, for we are blessed to live on this sacred land."
Protests rose against Serene's bow, and then, as if their voices could shake the heavens, they chanted in unison:
"Victory... Struggle... Strength... Strength... Resolve!"
Serene lifted her head, her pride and admiration for her people evident. She then declared:
"I, Queen Serene, as the wife of the general and ruler of this land, have decided to establish an academy to train our warriors."
"It will be open to all residents without exception—no distinction between rich and poor, black and white."
"The academy will be located here, at the center, beside the Great Pyramid, where the blessings of our ancestors reside."
"As for its name, we shall call it Per Medjay, which means 'House of Warriors' in the language of our ancestors."
"Long live the Black Land... Long live Kemet!"
"Long live the Queen... Long live the Ancestors!"
The citizens cheered with overwhelming joy and excitement as Serene continued her speech, setting forth the rules to be implemented.
Meanwhile, from a distance, Jowalin watched his mother. He smiled and said to himself, "It seems my mother is an empress by nature. Is this the bloodline of my grandfather or the influence of my father? Either way, it seems I don't need to worry about her."
Relieved, Jowalin turned his head toward his room and thought, "What I need to focus on now is Caesar. He's a promising warrior who deserves to stand beside me. But can he control this bloodline with his will?"
"Well, let's find out... Hahaha!"
Jowalin opened the door and entered quietly, not waiting for the speech to finish. Closing the door behind him, only he and a deeply sleeping Caesar remained in the room.
"Hmm... how long do you plan to keep sleeping?"
Jowalin asked with mock annoyance as he approached Caesar slowly. Then, raising his hand...
"Slap!"
"Rise, or I'll make sure you never sleep again!"
Jowalin shouted loudly after delivering a sharp slap to Caesar's face.
"Aah... Sarah... my sister... where is my sister?"
Caesar sprang from the bed, shouting in alarm, his stance immediately shifting to a battle-ready posture—a stark contrast to the sleeping figure moments ago.
In truth, that slap was no ordinary slap. Jowalin had infused it with energy to stimulate Caesar's brain, forcing him to awaken.
It was an extremely dangerous process, as there was a risk of the brain exploding if the energy was not controlled precisely. But who was Jowalin?
"Slap!"
"Silence, in the name of the Abyss! Your voice grates on my patience."
Caesar took a real hit this time, sending him crashing to the ground. He clutched his head in pain.
"Agh... damn it, who dares... hmmm, the Commander?!!"
Caesar was about to get angry and curse, but he quickly calmed down when he realized it was Jowalin. His expression turned serious as he spoke respectfully.
"Commander?!... Why are you calling me that? I'd prefer if you just called me Jowalin."
"...Alright, Jowalin... Since you're here, I'm sure my sister is safe now."
"Hahahaha... you're right, you two are quite the intriguing pair of siblings. Please, sit down and let's talk for a bit."
Jowalin laughed heartily and gestured for Caesar to sit. Once they were seated, Jowalin's face shifted into a serious expression.
"I need to know... what exactly is your goal? I mean, if you gain enough power..."
"Power enough to destroy everything. Power that can challenge death itself—so terrifying that even the denizens of hell would tremble before it."
"What will you do with that power?"
"..."
Caesar fell silent, staring into Jowalin's serious eyes. Eventually, he spoke.
"I've hated my power since the beginning. I thought I was a monster, doomed to be abandoned because of it... until I met my father and... Sarah."
"After your father, the General, sealed my power, I hoped to live the rest of my life peacefully with Sarah. I just wanted to make her happy, but..."
Suddenly, Caesar's tone shifted from calm to one filled with the fire of battle. His eyes burned with determination as he spoke.
"After Sarah nearly died because of my weakness, I want to be stronger. I want the power to protect her."
"I want the strength to stand by your side... I want to be the strongest spear user in the entire universe."
"Hahahaha... yes, yes, that's exactly what I expected from the bloodline of that bastard."
"Well... you will be the first member of my team. Together, we'll embark on an adventure that will shake the very world. Are you ready for that?"
"Yes... I'll do everything I can to stand by your side."
Upon hearing Jowalin's words, Caesar clenched his fist and responded with great enthusiasm. But suddenly, his excitement faded. Jowalin noticed the shift and smiled, saying:
"You underestimate yourself... Your bloodline is not some strange one. It's one of the most powerful bloodlines known to history."
"One of the strongest ancestors to ever live in Kemet, before humans, before the Fourth Era of Earth."
"He was the hellhound of the damned... Anubis."
"!!!!!"
Caesar was stunned, jumping to his feet in shock. Like most of the youth in this land, he had grown up hearing stories about his ancestors. One of the most terrifying and powerful legends was the hellhound of the damned.
"Hahahaha... no need to be so surprised. Whatever you've heard about that bastard, it's nothing compared to the truth."
"They say he was the guide of the dead, but he chose to stay at the gates of the underworld for two reasons."
"The first was to prevent any creature from hell from passing through and disturbing the peace of this world. The second..."
Suddenly, Jowalin smiled and looked at Caesar with a strange expression, then said sarcastically:
"He wanted to temper his murderous intent so he could control his rage. Everyone feared him because of how easily his anger would flare up."
"I nearly killed him once because of that strange trait... Hahahaha..."
"!!!?"
Caesar was deeply shocked. How could you have almost killed him? Aren't you around my age?! He wanted to ask, but the words wouldn't come out.
Meanwhile, far away, Anubis's body suddenly trembled for no apparent reason. He looked into the distance and cursed loudly, causing everyone around him to wonder.
"Alright then... let me ask you this: Do you think you can control the rage that even Anubis could barely restrain?"
Jowalin turned serious again, turned his face, and walked toward the door, asking with genuine concern:
"...I... I don't know, but... I have to do it if I want to achieve my dream."
"Hahahaha... just as I expected from you."
Jowalin laughed and then quickly opened the door, stepping away with a smirk.
"Ah... Ah!"
Two girls who had been eavesdropping behind the door suddenly tumbled to the ground with a scream. Jowalin had obviously intended this.
"My brother, you're so bad..."
Isis looked at Jowalin with a sad expression, trying to hide her embarrassment with her innocent face, while Sarah remained silent, still feeling embarrassed.
"Hahahaha... you're both so mischievous."
"Hmph... I'm joining your team too."
Isis didn't wait for Jowalin to finish, quickly speaking in a seductive tone as she puffed out her beautiful cheeks, making Caesar's face flush.
"...Of course. How could I forget such a talented and handsome swordsman? You'll be the second member of my team."
Jowalin smiled, extended his hand, gently patted Isis's head, and then embraced her.
"Brother?!! Are you alright?... sniffle"
Finally noticing Caesar, Sarah rushed to him, hugging him tightly as tears streamed down her face.
"Alright, alright... don't worry. I'm fine."
"Hmph... sniffle... You... you better not do that again... sniffle"
"Alright... I swear I won't."
Caesar comforted his sister, but his cold nature made him speak little. However, Sarah calmed down and stopped crying.
"Alright... I'll give you two choices. Either you learn the technique that Anubis himself created, which you will inherit from your bloodline, or..."
"Or you learn the strongest technique I've created myself. I'll leave the choice to you."
After Sarah had calmed down, Jowalin spoke again in a deep voice, almost as if testing Caesar. In truth, Caesar didn't even think twice before answering.
"I'll choose the technique you created."
"??... Hahahaha... You truly deserve to be my first companion."
"Alright, this technique is the most powerful of all ages. I've spent countless eras and created an innumerable number of techniques to craft it."
"This technique is called the Art of Abyssal Ruin...."