Asten Hatshepsut

The renowned Romellan smith delivered on their promise, and a powerful artifact lay in my hands. The smith created a gorgeous, traditional double crown first worn by Pharaoh Menes, the uniter of Upper and Lower Tamery, which signified rightful rule over both of them. The sekhemty in my hands faithfully adhered to the traditional design, but its actual materials couldn’t be more different.

Between the use of the leathers of various high rank A beasts and the numerous complicated enchantments, which were powered by easily rechargeable fragments of rank A mana cores buried within the leather, this crown was truly worthy of the title of ‘National Treasure.’ And yet, it seems that mother will never get to wear it. I drew a deep breath in an attempt to bury the bitterness I felt at the current circumstances, but I failed.

My mother was leaving to the afterlife prematurely, and it seems that fate decreed for me to never see her again in this life. I grit my teeth in frustration; frustration at the Republic raising tension throughout the continent. Frustration towards the throne of the Pharaoh, which took my mother from me. Frustration towards the Gods, who refuse to intervene and protect the nation in the Pharaoh and her army’s stead, or even permit her a retirement with her friends and family. Frustration that even in death, my mother ought to continue serving the nation, as if her life wasn’t enough. Frustration towards my mother herself for putting the nation before all else, our relationship as parent and child included. Frustration at myself, for knowing this eventuality was inevitable, yet failing to prepare for it accordingly. Pretending mother wasn’t going to ‘die’ prematurely rather than dealing with it has finally come around to bite me in the rear.

I turned to look at the communication device she handed me before we set off.

Not once had I called her, knowing that she was busy even before we left for the Republic. With her abdication announced and civil war erupting in the Republic, things likely couldn’t be more hectic.

She would make time for me if I needed it, but that was selfish behavior unfit for one in her station, and immoral for me to take advantage of. If I wanted to see my mother once more before she was gone, and without compromising our shared principles, I had one choice left: to seek an audience with her over state affairs, and I had one such affair sitting in my hands – literally and metaphorically.

The only problem was getting back to Tamery, but that problem had a solution present as well.

***

“Checkmate.”

“What the abyss do you mean ‘checkmate?!’ We’re playing poker!” Nico snapped at me.

“There is now!” I snickered as I arbitrarily grabbed the makeshift ‘chips’ we were using to suit me.

“Don’t be a sore loser, Kiara. Just take the loss gracefully.” She sighed, collecting the cards and reshuffling them.

“Another game?” She asked.

Before I could answer that, a colossal torrent of mana flooded the room, nearly blinding me with the sheer power it contained.

“Enemy attack?!” I half-yelled.

“Unlikely – we’d be on the receiving end of more than just ambient mana otherwise. Let’s go find out.” She said, hopping off the bed we sat on to play cards and heading for the door. Curious, I followed after her to the source of the mana flood.

Already, a confrontation between the Major and Asten was brewing at his door. A few of our teammates were already standing by the side watching, while the rest rushed to see what was going on.

Loud knocks from the front door of the inn made their way to our ears, and with it, the voice of the Republic’s ‘escort’ requesting access and asking if we were unharmed. Just as a member of the Major’s staff arrived on the scene, the Major wasted no time giving him an order.

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“Lieutenant Amense, keep the Republic out of the inn. Use any means necessary.” She ordered, not breaking eye contact with Asten.

The man hurriedly saluted without missing a beat and went back down the stairs he’d just climbed. With that settled, the Major addressed Asten once more.

“I did not give you permission to evolve, Captain Hatshepsut.” She said with narrowed eyes.

“You’ve just disqualified yourself, and you threatened our position in Romellus by being the second rank S member of this group.”

‘Second…?’

“I thought you were rank A, Major Amset?” Durreg asked.

The Major spared him a glance before answering.

“I was a peak rank A creature until the day we set off from Tamery. Diplomatic convention held that each mission hold no more than one rank S creature for security purposes.”

I activated [Appraisal] on him to see what changed, only to be dumbfound by what I found.

[Asten Hatshepsut, Lesser God of Austerity Lv. 1 – Withering Sun Lv. 197]

Rank S creature.

Further Appraisal Denied.

“A lesser god…” Nico whispered in awe, while the humans and beastmen were rendered speechless.

“That will not be a problem, Major.” Asten said.

“Even if the tournament continues, a member of the Suns would be guaranteed to win it, so my participation is not necessary. More importantly, I am leaving the mission early to deliver this crown before the coronation in Thebos.” He said.

“You think the guard will just let you walk past them?! They’re detaining us in all but name!” Asty protested.

“They have no legal authority to detain us, they are busy with a civil war, and using my own safety as a pretense to attack me is laughable to the entire continent. I am going, and no one is going to stop me.” He said, his tone subtly brooking no argument.

Major Amset stared down the (former?) captain of the Suns.

“You may go. That said, you will not do so until I inform the guard that I am revoking your diplomatic immunity and disavowing any responsibility towards your actions. Any objections?” She asked, though the rhetorical question had an edge of an ultimatum to it.

“None at all.” Asten said.

The tension remained as the two stared at each other before the Major nodded.

“Wait here.” She said, turning to move down the stairs, where Lieutenant Amense was engaging in a passionate debate with the Legionnaire at our door.

Just before she could take the first step down the stairs, however, a nearby window suddenly opened, and a familiar face emerged from it - Spartacus.

“Spartacus? What are you doing here?” I asked.

The young man gave a polite smile.

“Good day to you, brave warriors from the south. Honored Dragon.” He bowed lightly, directing the last words towards me with a wink.

“I presume that you are facing the same predicament that we foreign dignitaries have found ourselves in. With our freedom, security, and right to return home being in the hands of the Legion, I imagine we could come to an agreement of sorts to do something about that?” He asked with a conspiratorial smile.

The Major, quick on the uptake, nodded.

“It depends on what you have to offer, but we’re not necessarily opposed to it.” She said, before turning to Asten.

“We’ll be putting a temporary pause on your plan, Captain Hatshepsut. We’ll see where this is going before you leave on your own.” She said.

“Very well. But I am leaving if and when I determine that I am running out of time to return before the coronation.” He warned.

The Major nodded, then turned back to Spartacus, who watched the exchange with interest.

“So, what did you have in mind?” She asked.

***

Floria Ventor

“Legate Ventor!” a legionnaire yelled as he knocked urgently on my door.

“Enter.” I said.

The guard quickly entered and gave me a salute.

“Report from the Tameryian Delegation Guard! A large volume of mana emerged from within, with no signs of combat or destruction. The captain on site believes it to be the result of an especially powerful rank S evolution, and requests back up!” he said.

“A rank S evolution? Are you sure?” I asked.

“I am merely the messenger, Ma’am, but the captain seemed very sure of her conclusion to me.” He answered.

I tapped my finger on the table.

I expected dissatisfaction and even anger with the protective custody order we’re carrying out, but it seems the Legion vastly underestimated the distrust they harbor against us.

“I see. Good work, legionnaire. Return to your post and inform your captain that reinforcements are coming. And remind the captain – above all else, do not attack or needlessly antagonize the dignitaries.” I said pointedly.

The legionnaire flinched, but saluted loudly and ran out of my office to deliver the order. I sighed and held my brow.

“At this rate, this is shaping up to be a shitshow of catastrophic proportions. What the abyss is the Senate thinking?” I wondered.

I shook my head and took a bottle of wine from my cabinet to pour for myself.

“Worrying about an escalation is beyond my damned pay grade. Hopefully, things just work themselves out and the foreigner missions are allowed to go home.”