PSW Chapter 23: He Is a King

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🍊 Chapter 1-80

After finalizing the details of their big plan, the group of unfamiliar, fierce-looking men left as silently as they had arrived, following behind Nephthys’ attendants.

As the High Priestess by the King’s side, Nephthys naturally had to stay. With the Queen-selection ceremony about to begin, there were still many tasks requiring her attention. If she suddenly vanished, the ministers would surely grow suspicious.

Once the others departed, the heated, battle-thirsty atmosphere gradually faded, swallowed by the vast silence of the opulent palace.

The man who had just roused his subordinates into a fervor with his impassioned words now stood still, gazing at a fixed point. His ice-blue eyes, sharp and dazzling like the facets of a gemstone, were unreadable. His soft pink lips pressed into a taut line.

He looked utterly serious, his profile resembling the chiseled perfection of Michelangelo’s David.

But Bastet, who had been secretly observing him, knew the truth—Yofar was lost in thought. He was remembering something, something unpleasant. The coldness in his gaze betrayed it.

Strands of platinum hair fell past Yofar’s ear, catching the light and scattering tiny reflections as they rested against his cheek. The sight made Bastet itch to reach out a paw and tuck them back.

Suddenly, Nephthys spoke.

"Alina."

Her clear, commanding voice shattered the silence, startling Bastet.

Holding her staff, Nephthys instructed, "Have the maids bring the ceremonial robes."

"As you wish, High Priestess," Alina responded, bowing respectfully before quietly exiting the chamber.

Nephthys then turned to the still-absorbed Yofar, bowing slightly as she addressed him in a soft, reverent tone.

"My King, the ceremony will begin soon."

"…Mm."

Yofar blinked slowly, as if only now returning to the present.

"The past will always remain the past," Nephthys murmured.

Her smile was perfectly measured—poised, mysterious—befitting her status as the High Priestess.

"You have changed, Your Majesty. Now, you are the master of Egypt. You rule this land and all who dwell upon it. We belong to you—there is no question of that."

"Sok, Breton, Abelieu, and I… we swear unwavering loyalty to you. We will fight for your glory and your honor whenever needed."

So there is no need to dwell on the past.

Yofar understood the meaning behind her words.

"I have never doubted that, Nephthys."

His expression remained cold as he finally turned his gaze toward Bastet.

Yet, as he looked at the dark-furred feline, it was as if he saw something beyond the little cat—his features softened, and warmth returned to his eyes.

"Come here, Bastet," Yofar called, extending a hand.

From his shadowy corner, where he had been trying so hard to blend in, Bastet froze.

…No way. I worked so hard to minimize my presence, and he STILL noticed me?!

Ever since Bastet overheard their little conspiracy, he had been feeling a bit nervous around Yofar.

So when Yofar called him over, the cat gulped, hesitated for a moment, and then cautiously shuffled to his side.

He let out a trembling, “Meow~”

W-What do you want? You’re not crazy enough to silence a cat, are you?!

I didn’t hear anything! I swear!

Bastet widened his large, grape-like eyes, staring up at Yofar in wary terror.

But in truth, Yofar wasn’t that paranoid—he wasn’t suspicious of his own pet.

He merely picked up a clean cloth, his cool, dry palm pressing it gently over Bastet’s head as he examined the wound on the cat’s ear again.

Seeing that the blood had already crusted over with the wound, he withdrew his hand.

Freed from the light pressure, Bastet’s flattened black triangle ears biling-biling popped back up.

Yofar spoke:

“Bastet, from now on, unless you’re at the sacrificial ceremony, do not leave my side—”

Midway through his sentence, he paused and raised an eyebrow.

“…What’s wrong? You look frightened.”

At that, Bastet instantly bristled and shot to his feet.

“Meow!” Excuse me?! What kind of way is that to talk?!

“Oh~” Yofar’s lips curled into a chuckle. “So you’re not afraid?”

Bastet: “Meow!” Be more confident! Just take out the ‘look like’ part entirely! I’m scared out of my damn mind, okay?!

“……”

Bastet, fully aware of his spectacularly weak combat skills, internally panicked.

Who knows what kind of bloodbath will happen tonight?! If you didn’t say it, I was already planning to cling onto your leg for dear life!

“Meow~”

—Let me tell you something, human.

The pitch-black cat, so dark he seemed to absorb all light, with only his big green grape-like eyes visible, gripped Yofar’s pant leg, shivering.

His voice trembled, but he still tried to sound firm as he kindly advised:

“Meow-aoooo~”

—Litter box cleaner, you better protect me, okay? There aren’t many cats as black as me in all of Egypt! If I die, that’s a huge loss!

“Meow~”

—And actually, I’m not that scared. I’m just protecting you! After all, you are my poop servant!

“Meow~”

—Hmph. Well? Are you touched?

Yofar lowered his gaze, staring at the trembling black blob gripping his leg.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds…

Then—

“Pfft—”

A moment ago, the Egyptian king had been as cold and distant as ice. Now, his sculpted fingers curled into a loose fist, half-covering his lips as a quiet chuckle escaped.

Bastet, who had just embarrassed himself completely, soon received an ‘air petting combo set’ as encouragement.

And watching this interaction, the smile on Nephthys’ face became just a little more genuine.

The ceremony was held outside the royal palace, at the Temple of Bastet, the Moon Goddess, located on the western side of the royal city.

As the newly appointed Cat God, Bastet was supposed to be taken to the temple in advance for preparation.

At first, the High Priest sent other temple priests to fetch the cat, but Yofar rejected them.

Then, the High Priest came personally.

Yet, Yofar still refused.

The old priest’s face darkened, but after a moment of silent endurance, he turned on his heel and left with large strides.

He seemed angry, but Bastet wasn’t sure why…

Somehow, he had a gut feeling that the old man was actually afraid of Yofar.

As the palace gates swung open, a long procession of soldiers lined up on both sides of the road, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Each warrior was armed, holding torches that illuminated the path ahead for their king.

At the forefront, clad in ceremonial golden armor, stood Pharaoh Yofar.

His double crown rested upon his platinum-blond hair, which had been elegantly tied up.

He was strikingly beautiful, yet his presence carried a sharp, commanding air.

The golden armor was adorned with countless gemstones, its edges lined with fine animal fur.

Beneath it, he wore a soft linen and leather undergarment to prevent chafing. A deep crimson cloak, as red as blood, was fastened at his shoulders.

The weight of this ceremonial attire only amplified his majestic and fearsome aura.

In one hand, he gripped the scepter—the symbol of Egypt’s royal power.

His other hand rested on the hilt of a jeweled sword at his waist.

Behind him followed:

Nephthys, the leader of the High Priesthood

Several noble lords, representing the aristocracy

Vizier Lakmara, the highest-ranking minister in court

Numerous other ministers and royal guards

Before the ceremony, a royal decree had been issued, warning the citizens to stay indoors during the pharaoh’s passage.

And so, on this night, the streets of Egypt’s royal city were completely deserted.

All doors and windows were firmly shut, as the people hid from the overwhelming presence of their king.

Only the bravest of them dared to poke tiny holes through their window covers, secretly peeking outside.

“Clang!”

“Clang!”

“Clang!”

Every step the armored warriors took echoed in unison, their heavy boots striking the stone pavement.

In the dead of night, their synchronized march reverberated like rolling thunder, amplifying the weighty, solemn atmosphere.

Even the earth itself seemed to tremble beneath them.

Cradled in Nephthys’ arms, Bastet stared wide-eyed at the scene before him.

The silent streets and the flaming torches held by the soldiers created a path of fire leading through the city.

The opulent palace, the grand procession, the grave and dignified expressions of the gathered nobles and officials…

At the very rear of the procession, musicians and temple chanters walked, playing their instruments and singing ancient hymns in a low, sacred chant.

At this moment, the glory of ancient Egyptian civilization unfolded before Bastet’s eyes like a magnificent painting—

A sight of unparalleled splendor and grandeur!

Bastet had been in this world for quite some time, but for the first time, he truly grasped the magnitude of the legendary kingdom he had arrived in.

And ahead of him, the man who was sometimes cruel and sometimes gentle—

The man whose crimson cloak billowed as he strode forward, his tall figure unwavering…

Was a king destined to be immortalized in history!

Bastet stared, wide-eyed, at Yofar’s commanding silhouette, his heart pounding.

A thrill of excitement surged through his small body, causing his fur to bristle.

He felt his claws extend instinctively, as if itching to grasp onto something tangible.

A wild urge stirred within him—

He wanted to leap out of Nephthys’ arms, rush forward, and see the pharaoh’s face up close.

…This is just too damn cool.

Bastet murmured softly, his emerald eyes sparkling with exhilaration.

Since this was merely a selection ceremony and not a coronation or grand festival,

Yofar did not use the golden war chariot for his procession.

Fortunately, the temple on the western side of the city wasn’t far.

Bastet, barely able to contain his excitement, watched as Yofar came to a halt.

At last, the path of fire reached its end.

Surrounding the Temple of Bastet, dozens of towering white stone pillars stood in a sacred formation.

At the top of the temple’s grand staircase, the priests were already waiting.

As Yofar and the others approached, the High Priest raised his staff—

And slammed it down onto the stone floor with a resounding thud!

_____

Author’s Note: 【Mini Theater】

Bastet excitedly jumped around Yofar’s feet: “Wow! You’re so handsome! So handsome, so handsome, so handsome—!”

Yofar, outwardly solemn but inwardly: (^▽^)

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