PSW Chapter 31: The Cat Has Grown Up
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[Oh, Nile, I praise you,
You rise from the earth and flow unceasingly.
You irrigate the land and nourish Egypt.
You offer wheat, bringing joy to the gods.
When your waters recede, people cease to breathe.]
The Nile River is the lifeblood of Egypt, its mother river.
Every summer, Egypt endures scorching heat and drought. The hot winds from the Sahara Desert bake the land like fire, and the vast yellow sands seem to swallow everything.
This suffocating period lasts for over fifty days, spanning May and June. During this time, people pray silently, yearning for the Nile to flood.
By July, the rainy season arrives.
Cool winds from the north drive away the heat, and torrential rains fall in the mountainous upper reaches of the Nile. The river surges with raging floodwaters, swelling rapidly.
The Nile roars, carrying decayed plants and minerals downstream. In the first few days, the river turns into a murky green torrent.
The Nile floods.
The decayed plants it carries serve as the best fertilizer, turning the land black. The Egyptians call this the "black soil." They drive pigs and cattle onto the fields to trample the soil, preparing it for cultivation.
The Nile borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, and Nubia (modern-day Ethiopia and Sudan) to the south. On the map, Egypt is flanked by deserts to the east and west, with treacherous rapids to the south, leading into forests and grasslands.
The river connects Upper and Lower Egypt. Before Egypt was unified, Upper Egypt in the south had the bee as its emblem. Its king wore a conical white crown and venerated the vulture as a protector.
Lower Egypt in the north worshiped the papyrus plant and had the cobra as its guardian deity. Its king wore a red crown.
After unification, an authoritarian ruling system gradually took shape. The pharaoh (king) became Egypt’s supreme ruler, wearing the combined red-and-white crown to symbolize unity.
Just like Yofar.
Sometimes, he wore the white conical crown; other times, he donned the red one. But most of the time, he wore the double crown.
In the reign of Yofar’s predecessor, the old king once lost Lower Egypt, forfeiting his right to wear the double crown. Only after Yofar ascended to the throne and waged wars with his golden chariots did he reunify the two lands.
But Lower Egypt remained unstable, and Yofar frequently faced assassination attempts—half of which came from there.
When Yofar announced his journey to Lower Egypt, Nephthys, the high priest, immediately sprang into action.
To reach the destination quickly, they needed to travel via the Nile. The best mode of transportation was the Egyptian felucca, and for the pharaoh’s grand standards, an enormous vessel was required—something that took time to prepare.
A majestic, massive longship sliced through the water, its hull parting the river like scissors, sending waves splashing on either side.
The sail bore the emblem of an "eagle seizing a venomous snake."
On the vast, murky yellow waters of the Nile, the current surged forward relentlessly.
No one would dare look straight down at the water—doing so would make them dizzy.
On the deck, Yofar’s trusted generals gathered, enjoying the rare cool breeze, leaning against the ship’s railing, and gulping down sour barley beer while cracking bawdy jokes.
Among them was the towering giant Sok, the scarred and one-handed Abelieu, the grinning rogue Breton, and several other unfamiliar men Bastet had never seen before.
"The women of Lower Egypt have long, jet-black hair and such supple waists. No matter how you bend them, they can take it. They wrap around you so tight, you’d think they’re swallowing your soul."
"Haha, yeah, but watch out—Lower Egypt is full of venomous women. Enjoy yourself too much, and one of them might just strangle you to death mid-act."
"So what if they have beautiful hair? What’s so great about flexible waists? Our Upper Egyptian girls are the real beauties! Their chests are like two giant loaves of bread!"
"Pfft—hahahaha!"
"You’re right! Hahaha!"
The men, exuding a fierce and battle-hardened aura, burst into laughter.
Even the usually stoic Abelieu seemed relaxed. He patted the massive Sok on the arm. "Hey, Sok, what are you staring at? Not interested in women? I’ve never seen you with one before."
"I’d rather hold my hunting dogs than those soft, weak women!" Sok grumbled, making the others laugh again. He then pointed ahead, his gaze fixed. "I’m looking at it—the king’s cat."
Abelieu and the others followed his gaze. A black cat lay atop the circular railing at the ship’s bow. Its dark fur blended with the surroundings, making its features hard to distinguish. Its luminous green eyes stared forward, calm and deep.
The Nile’s breeze ruffled its soft fur, its whiskers and eyelashes trembling in the wind. The sound of rushing water filled the air as the evening sky darkened, making the black cat resemble the legendary Bastet, the goddess said to absorb the sun’s radiance and bring forth the night.
"It’s incredible…"
Sok’s rough face revealed admiration and longing. "I wish I had a cat like that. It’s so beautiful."
The towering Sok was known as a berserker among the giant warriors. But his companions knew he shared a common Egyptian trait—
He loved small animals, especially furry ones.
Over the years, he had raised countless dogs, employing over twenty servants and slaves just to care for them. He had neither a wife nor children.
But cats? They always ran away from him. The scent of blood clinging to him made them wary, so Sok had never been able to keep one.
"It is beautiful," Abelieu agreed, then turned to Breton. "Isn’t that the cat that saved Konopo? I heard the king was so furious he almost had him executed. But Nephthys brought the cat in, and it managed to calm him down."
Breton chuckled and nodded. "That’s right. We saw it at the banquet before—it’s no ordinary cat. It’s a divine creature, fiercely loyal. Nephthys even said its divine oracle is the most remarkable she’s ever witnessed."
"I see… then we really should thank it." Abelieu said, raising his cup. The others also nodded while holding their drinks.
Konopo had been among the earliest warriors to follow Yofar into battle. These ruthless and fearless soldiers treated their comrades like brothers.
"Sigh."
Sok looked at the cat, feeling even more envious.
But that was the king’s cat, and the king adored it. There was no way he would be given such a precious gift…
The towering Sok was deeply disappointed, but he still reached over and grabbed a piece of meat from his friend’s plate.
"I’m going to give it a try!"
Even if he could just pet it while feeding it, that would be great!
The others watched as the massive Sok hesitated for a moment before rolling forward like a boulder. They chuckled kindly, and a few even whispered encouragement behind him.
"Go on, Sok! Maybe this cat won’t be afraid of you!"
Abelieu gripped his cup in his right hand, sipping the strong, sour barley beer while chuckling. Knowing all too well about his friend’s "cat-repellent" nature, he had already planned how to console the big guy.
Inside the ship’s cabin, Yofar was discussing the strategy for their journey to Lower Egypt with Nephthys and Hesse.
After the banquet, they were short on manpower. While Hesse hadn’t made any serious mistakes, Yofar had initially removed him from duty. However, Nephthys spoke on his behalf, and Yofar reconsidered, allowing him to return.
Though Yofar had conquered and unified Lower Egypt, hidden resistance remained. Over the years, countless assassins had been sent his way. This time, they had to be on high alert.
Bastet, however, didn’t understand their conversation. It had never lived in such an environment before, so it slipped out to enjoy the night breeze.
Back in May, Egypt had been unbearably hot, causing Bastet to shed fur like crazy. Now, with the cool breeze drifting over the water, brushing against its fur, it felt unbelievably comfortable.
Bastet squinted contentedly, feeling like a wealthy noble on vacation.
Just as it was enjoying itself, a sudden, delicious aroma invaded its nostrils.
Bastet turned its head toward the scent, only to find a piece of meat right in front of its nose. It blinked and looked up, spotting a giant hand, a massive figure, and a broad face—practically a man who was one size bigger than everyone else.
"Meow~" Oh, it’s you.
Bastet recognized him. He was one of Yofar’s most trusted men—Sok.
Seeing that the cat didn’t immediately run away, Sok breathed a sigh of relief. He made a deep, clumsy attempt at mimicking a cat’s meow and gently wiggled the piece of meat in his hand.
"Want some, little guy? It’s really tasty."
Oh~
Bastet understood immediately—Sok was here to pet the cat.
Ever since it had turned into a cat, many people in the palace had tried to lure it with treats or toys, just so they could pet its soft fur once it got close.
Bastet never refused cat lovers. After all, when it had been human, it had also adored cats, always stopping to watch them on the street and following countless online cat accounts. Unfortunately, before its death, it had never gotten the chance to own one itself.
"Meow~"
Bastet deliberately softened its tone, gazing at the towering man with a look of "benevolence." Then, it took a bite of the meat, accepting the bribe.
Sure enough, Sok grinned with joy and reached out with his massive palm, carefully running it down Bastet’s back.
His hand was so big that it practically covered Bastet’s entire body, making it impossible to perform a proper "petting" motion.
But for Sok, just being able to touch the cat was enough. He bent down, frozen in place, afraid to startle it. His rough face radiated pure happiness as he carefully savored the soft sensation under his palm.
Bastet lazily half-opened its eyes, deliberately eating slower.
Such a big guy, yet he had such a soft spot for cats. Well~ it wouldn’t hurt to let him pet a little longer.
From a distance, the sight of the little black cat and the hulking warrior actually looked rather harmonious.
Abelieu and the others watched in disbelief.
A few seconds later, they smiled.
"Unbelievable. Sok actually managed to pet a cat." Someone remarked. "No wonder it’s the king’s cat—it’s got nerves of steel."
Breton and Abelieu nodded in agreement, then turned their attention back to their drinks and conversation.
Sok was the type of man who liked talking to animals.
Whenever he returned home, he could spend an entire day chatting with his hunting dogs.
Now that he had discovered Bastet wasn’t afraid of him, he began to mutter nonstop, rambling on about all sorts of things.
For example, he talked about how feeding cats animal liver made their fur especially smooth, or how old dogs would develop white fur around their muzzles.
These were all things Bastet, a modern-day cat, already knew. But to an ancient Egyptian like Sok, these were valuable insights from years of experience raising animals.
Sok could really talk, and he genuinely loved small creatures.
The little black cat yawned repeatedly, flashing its tiny red tongue against its dark fur, which sent Sok into a delighted frenzy.
He stared in awe and then studied it for a long time.
"You’re really black!" Sok praised with a goofy grin.
Bastet: "……" Complimenting a black cat for being black… well, that’s a compliment, I guess.
Aside from that remark, their conversation went surprisingly well. Once again, Bastet’s "divine oracle" ability was acknowledged.
Sok said, "As a cat god, you have an incredible gift. I’ve seen many cat gods before, but they can only say simple words like ‘yes, no’ or ‘good, bad.’ Even the rare ones that speak more clearly can’t form sentences as long as yours."
Bastet: "Meow—Really? I thought there were lots like me!"
Sok shook his head. "You’re the only one I’ve ever met. Hey, do you want more roast meat? Can I come see you again?"
The piece of meat in Sok’s hand was gone, and thinking that his time with the cat was up, he looked genuinely regretful.
"Meow~" Of course! I’ll come find you every afternoon from now on.
"Really? That’s great! Next time, I’ll catch a live fish for you! Fresh fish is the best—so tender and sweet."
"Meow?!" For real?!
"For real."
"Deal! From today on, you’re my long-lost brother from another mother!"
Sok beamed with joy. Bastet licked its lips, already anticipating the fresh fish.
Neither of them seemed to realize that they were different species, making the concept of brotherhood rather questionable.
Only when the noticeably thinner Hesse arrived to fetch Bastet on Yofar’s behalf did the two reluctantly part ways.
Back in the cabin, Bastet returned to Yofar’s arms.
As always, Yofar’s expression remained cold. He wore a white, one-shouldered linen robe, his narrow waist wrapped in a wide, gem-encrusted belt.
Golden accessories adorned his ears, forehead, neck, and wrists, their craftsmanship both grand and ancient.
He wore thin lambskin gloves on both hands, specially made for petting cats.
Bastet, as boneless as ever, was scooped up with one hand cradling its hindquarters and the other supporting its spine, pressing it against the man’s firm shoulder. Its nose twitched as the platinum-blond hair hanging down in soft arcs tickled it.
Lately, Yofar had inexplicably fallen in love with this position. He also seemed to enjoy pressing his cheek against Bastet whenever it purred, leaving a faint red mark on his neck and cheek.
Fortunately, the hottest season had passed, and Bastet had finished shedding. Cat fur no longer floated everywhere.
Nephthys and Hesse stood in a corner of the room, each holding a staff, seemingly done with their discussion.
“Meow~”
Bastet yawned lazily, revealing a mouthful of roasted meat-scented breath.
Yofar slid his gloved palm along its spine and, catching a whiff of the smell, frowned. He tilted his head, his soft pink lips brushing ever so slightly against Bastet’s triangular cat ear.
“What did you eat, hmm?”
“Meow~” Roasted meat slices!
Bastet twitched its ears and smacked its lips, still savoring the taste.
“You sneaked into the kitchen?”
“Meow!” No, Sok gave it to me!
Bastet swished its tail, the tip curling slightly, flicking against the back of Yofar’s hand.
Yofar let out a faint “hmm,” his furrowed brow relaxing as the sound of Bastet’s contented purring filled his ears. His lips curved slightly before he gently bit the soft, warm cat ear.
Not hard, not painful.
Bastet was already used to it.
Ever since it had finally been released and no longer had to be a lonely palace cat, Yofar often held it like a child. His cold eyes carried a hint of tenderness.
Just like an ordinary person, he would nibble on its ears, pinch its paw pads, and kiss its belly. He would place his hand under its paw, watching as Bastet, due to the "cat paw dominance principle," would irritably retract its paw only to put it back on his hand again. Then he would chuckle softly.
Sometimes, Yofar could play with the cat like this for an entire afternoon.
It made Bastet want to bite him, yet it also suddenly realized how much closer they had become.
That kind of feeling was like how people start raising a pet just for fun, but over time, the pet becomes more like a companion, a source of emotional support and reliance.
“If I’m busy in the future and you get hungry, just endure it for a bit or go find Sok or Abelieu. But don’t go looking for food on your own,” Yofar suddenly said.
“Meow?” Why?
“Because it’s not safe.”
“……”
At first, Bastet didn’t understand, but after a moment of thought, it did. Yofar’s daily wine, food, clothing, and accessories were all tested for poison by his attendants.
After all, poisoning was one of the most common assassination methods.
…Poor human servant.
Understanding now, Bastet tilted its head to look at Yofar’s perfectly sculpted profile. Sensing its gaze, Yofar looked back. His gemstone-like eyes reflected two round, glowing green orbs, and his cold, flawless face softened slightly.
His tenderness was rare, but his focus was unwavering.
Being stared at like this, Bastet suddenly felt as if he was only ever gentle with it. That, to Yofar—the Pharaoh—it was special…
Some illusions could be deadly.
Yofar’s smile was cold and distant, yet his powerful presence made it seem sharp and overwhelming, pulling Bastet deeper into his world. It feared meeting his gaze, yet it couldn’t bear to look away. A strange desire rose—a craving to be the sole focus of his attention.
Boop~
Without warning, Yofar kissed its nose again.
“Be good.” His voice was cool and clear.
The ambiguous atmosphere instantly shattered.
Bastet snapped back to reality. “……” Damn!
The black-furred cat lord licked its own nose and then buried its face into the strands of long hair at Yofar’s neck, its fur-covered face burning.
Am I at that stage?
Why am I going into heat for my human servant?!
___
[Author’s Note – Mini Theater]
Bastet: The cat has grown up.
Yofar: I see, you’re in heat now.
Bastet blushes.
Yofar, smiling as he unsheathes his sword: You can only be in heat for me. Otherwise…
Say goodbye to those fuzzy little balls!
[Extra Note]
Ahem, all historical knowledge in this novel comes from books on Ancient Egypt that I bought, as well as online sources. I will review and revise as needed. My knowledge is limited, so please forgive any errors.
T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you🍊🍊🍊
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