Translator, Editor and Proofread: theunfetteredsalmon
That simple sentence revealed many underlying meanings and urges as well as Icho Maria’s concern and worry . Because of that, when Amon appeared before her, she felt her mind become clear and true, away from the troubles of life outside of that room . She felt that even the silent gaze was a moment that was especially worth cherishing .
Amon did not feel the same as her . When he returned to see the Adoratrice, he saw a person who would always be Icho to him in his heart . In the past, he would always be in a trance when he looked at her . He could not tell whether it was the Adoratrice of Isis or the young Icho he met in Duc . There was always an indescribable conflict that waged war in his heart . But now, he could see clearly and truly . She was her, Icho in his heart and the Adoratrice before him .
Amon did not want to tell her, nor did he need to tell her that he had seen her during his meditation after killing the two-headed serpent in the Great Lake . It was not a dream, it was like the replay of the past . They returned to her room in Duc, except the two now looked the way they did now . He was him and she was her . Amon embraced her, felt the shape of her body on his fingertips and kissed her as sincerely as he had done back in Duc .
When the sun rose the next day, Amon opened his eyes and smiled . When he stood up he realised that the inexplicable entanglement that choked his heartstrings had finally been untied . He was relieved . He was looking at the world around him calmly…
At that moment, Amon’s smile shone as bright as the sun in response to her statement . He said, “Your Majesty, I have two things to report . ”
Maria looked at him, her eyes shining like stars in the silent night . “I await your report . ”
“First of all, I have inspected the topography and landform status of the original site of Duc town and I have given the recorded information to the priest committee of the Shrine . ”
Maria nodded satisfactorily . “I’ve seen it . The description of the terrain and landform is exactly the same as that of other channels . You also provided a detailed demonstration with a sandbox . What’s rare and unprecedented was the distribution area of all the monsters . What you have done is a most detailed investigation . You had to traverse those places on foot, which earns you special praise . ”
“High Priest Idu recommended a substantial reward for you, but I have temporarily suppressed the report . It is not because I do not want to reward you, but because your report was not sufficient to justify a reward . After all, most of the information you gathered was common knowledge amongst kingdoms . Amon, the other thing you wanted to report, is it regarding your progress in body arts?”
Amon nodded . “Yes . As you expected, I am now a seventh level warrior . ”
Maria giggled . It was exactly the same as a little girl’s innocent laugh . “Many people could already tell, yet you said nothing about it . Did you want me to be the first to know? In accordance with tradition, the city of Memfis will hold a celebratory ceremony for you, followed by your induction into the ranks of nobility of the Ejyptian Empire . When you retire to your chambers, do prepare . ”
“What do I need to prepare?”
Maria thought and chuckled again . “You are the first of my subordinates to advance to a supreme warrior since my arrival in the Shrine as the Adoratrice . Frankly, there is nothing to prepare… I know your name is Amon but you still require a formal title, not only for the city’s aristocratic roster but also to record at the awakening of power ceremony . ”
Amon was slightly stunned . He immediately replied, “A second awakening of power? I was allowed to practise magic alongside body arts?”
The Adoratrice showed a rare, playful but witty look . “Yes, this was arranged a long time ago . Everything past that depends on you . The second awakening ceremony may not necessarily succeed and only a supreme mage and perform such a ritual . Amon, I hereby allow you to request for and choose any supreme mage in the Shrine of Isis to oversee your ceremony, as a special tribute .
Will you choose Wadj-hotep, our most esteemed ninth level mage of the Shrine, or do you choose me, who has only recently become a supreme mage of the seventh level? Do be reminded that the more powerful the mage is, the higher the chance of the ceremony succeeding . However, the most important thing is whether you yourself can awaken the power that our gods have bestowed upon you . It requires a process . The ceremony is but a symbol . It is like the opening of a door . I have never presided over it, so I have no experience . ”
Amon did not want to think about it, but he said, “Everything has a beginning . I am honoured to request for Your Majesty Adoratrice to preside over the ceremony of the awakening of power for me . This is your first time, which makes me even more honoured . ”
Maria was laughing again, her eyes looking like crooked crescents . “That’s good, so be it . I’ll host your second awakening of power ceremony for you . Let us hope we succeed . ”
Amon stood up to salute . “Thank you, my Lady Adoratrice! You will succeed!” He was as calm as Icho when he said those words .
The ceremony itself was a guaranteed success because Amon was already a supreme sorcerer himself . As long as he attends the ceremony, he will be able to begin using magic with less discretion . As an additional bonus, the people will worship the Adoratrice even more because of her skill in magic . However, Amon was also highly interested in this second awakening ritual . Perhaps he could learn something from it .
As Amon set to leave, Maria stood up and asked, “Have you read all the books I showed you?”
She was referring to the military books and information relating to the operations of their legions . Amon nodded and said, “Yes I have . In addition, I also tried looking for relevant documents to study . It took a long time to memorise it in my heart . ”
Maria added, “It’s not enough to just memorise, you also have to learn how to apply those principles . You could walk through that forsaken terrain while studying all those books . I believe that should have provided you with experience traversing all kinds of environments while commanding marches . ”
“My Lady, are you suggesting…” Amon wondered aloud .
Maria replied with deep enthusiasm . “You will soon understand . ”
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A few days later, Djehutihotep, the governor of Memfis, held a celebration ceremony in the city for Amon and issued a public announcement . The people heard good news, that a man named Amon, a glorious warrior of the Shrine of Isis, had become a supreme warrior of the seventh level!
The name given to Amon at birth by his alcoholic father was as such:
‘Allaha-Men-Soti-Messiah-Hehut-Allah-Yahya-Montemun’ .
This name was being put to use for the first time, aside from Amon’s birth . It was even written by a priest in the recording catalogue in the shrine . However, such long names were often too difficult for people to remember . People just called him Amon the Great Warrior .
Shortly after the celebration, Amon was subject to another ceremony revolving around him in a small hall in the Temple of Isis . The host was the noble Adoratrice, there to awaken Amon’s power . Such a ritual would be highly difficult for Amon to succeed because he did not truly believe in gods . He only looked at his own heart and silently looked at Icho, with her staff in hand .
Since the ceremony was personally presided over by the Adoratrice, the ceremony was quite grand . Amon first bathed in incense and put on intricate, beautiful armour only worn by the best and the noblest . His hip belt was adorned with weapons of the highest quality . He would then offer sacrifices to the gods before accepting congratulations from the people . When Amon walked on the path to the ceremonial hall, warriors on both sides of the steps into hall sprinkled lotus petals like a wedding . The priests in the temple sang poems in unison . Maria stood in front of the altar, tall and proud with her golden crown and staff .
When the ceremony officially began, Maria gently lifted the staff of the Adoratrice, displaying indescribable nobility and elegance . She also sang poems in the name of the goddess Isis while a soft golden light approached Amon, who was kneeling before her .
This was the Blessing of Isis, first saw on the outskirts of Duc . Maria first comforted and relaxed Amon’s body and mind, letting him feel all of the magic in silence . Then, the golden light began to twinkle and move in circles, surrounding and enveloping Amon’s body as if they were strands of yarn floating on water . The light danced and changed in colour and density . This was some of the most basic magic, but it guided Amon into a state of calm meditation .
Maria’s voice rang in Amon’s head –
“Put aside all troubles and hesitations and forget all your sorrow .
Pray devoutly to the gods and ask them to give you the strength you need .
In meditation, close your eyes and gaze at the solemn image of the gods .
The light that raises is akin to the sun that rises from the east, disbursing in all direction .
The glory disperses the darkness, the earth wakes from its slumber and the world is no longer lost .
Open your heart, and be welcome to draw on the power of the gods .
You will awake in the fog and spread your wings and fly . ”
Amon did not resist the guidance that Maria was providing . When the Blessing of Isis hung over him, Amon opened his heart completely and entered a silent, clear state of mind . Although he was not a believer in the goddess Isis, he held no scorn when he incorporated his beliefs into Maria’s devotion .
When Maria’s voice rang in his head, Amon closed his eyes and saw a ‘god’, but it was not Isis . the ‘god’ had a distinct appearance and posture similar to Maria . He felt the so-called power bestowed by the gods, which surrounded him and pervaded between heaven and earth . He was filled with the eternal rhythm of existence, like the harmony between nature and his body and mind .
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