Chapter 587: [The Journey of Sun] [1] [Plan to Become An Outer God]

"BE BLESSED TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SUN GOD AMUN-RA!!"

As soon as those words left the guard’s mouth, the structure of the throne room began to change.

Pillars rose from the ground that soon twisted and turned until they became miniature versions of the throne.

Because of the abnormal changes in my power, I felt the presence of those who had yet to come.

Presences that would have made my previous self tense up, but now they were merely... presences.

’...Is this the power of a God?’

The difference and leap in strength really baffled me, and just as I expected, figures slowly descended from the sky.

There were three of them. The one leading was a middle-aged man with long wavy ash-grey hair.

He had a sharp face with a wide jaw and high cheekbones. He was tall and broad-shouldered, but it didn’t take the nobility away from him.

It was an unfamiliar instinct that made me realize who he was.

’...Osiris, the God of the Afterlife.’

Right by his side was a woman whose beauty could not be described with mere words.

Her long raven-black hair flowed behind her like a river beneath moonlight.

A white gown embroidered with countless golden hieroglyphs draped elegantly over her figure.

Around her head floated a small golden throne, the ancient symbol that marked her identity.

Her calm eyes settled on me without an ounce of fear.

’...Isis.’

The last person descended a step behind them. He appeared much younger.

His skin carried a healthy bronze complexion, and his lean body was wrapped in white linen.

A curved staff rested in one hand while the other lazily hung by his side.

His eyes were unusually bright and his face resembled both... Oliver and Aimar.

The instant I looked at him, instinct answered once again.

’...Horus.’

The three gods landed gracefully upon the stone floor.

Not a single sound echoed despite the unimaginable weight of their existence.

Every servant inside the throne room immediately lowered themselves until their foreheads touched the ground.

"Glory to the Great Ennead."

Osiris was the first to move as he placed a hand over his chest before lowering his head toward me.

"It is good to see you awake, Lord Amun-Ra."

"...Hm."

The middle-aged man straightened his back and looked at me curiously.

"Is there something wrong?" He had a dubious look on his face. "You feel a little different."

I did not let the panic take hold of me. A slight show of fear and it would be the end of me.

Thinking quickly, I made a mental outline of how Amun-Ra would behave and replied coldly.

"Do you want that head of yours rolling on the ground?"

"...Forgive my insolence."

Osiris remained bowed for another moment before finally straightening.

"I merely wished to ensure your well-being after your battle with the wicked snake Apophis."

I simply looked at him. The pressure radiating from this body did the rest.

He lowered his gaze first, then his head as a form of submission.

’...That worked.’ I resisted the urge to let out a sigh of relief.

I had only guessed how Amun-Ra would respond. Fortunately, it seemed this god had never been known for kindness.

Goddess Amunet still stood by my side without saying anything, like a statue.

On the other hand, Isis slowly walked forward and bowed softly. "I apologize on my husband’s behalf and also for requesting an early meeting."

Her words made me curious. I was still clueless about many things, but I did know whatever she had to say was important.

’...Perhaps this will help me understand my situation better.’

Placing my left cheek on my hand, which was supported by the armrest, I asked coldly, "Give a good reason for your insolent behavior."

The goddess kept her head high. She was a proud woman, that’s for sure.

"...I have almost planted all the pillars around the world just as you asked." She spoke with a gentle voice. "Seven of them are functioning, and only the last one is left."

’...Pillars?’

I was having a hard time understanding what she was getting at.

I mean, I understood that the pillars were important, but what were they for?

Fortunately, she continued with her doubtful questioning. "You told us that it’s to protect our world from the Outer Gods..."

The woman slowed down, her eyes on me like a slithering snake trying to wrap itself around me.

"...But is that really what it’s for? Are they really meant to protect us?"

’...Outer Gods?’ I frowned inwardly. ’What is she talking about?’

I didn’t have the slightest clue that the world of Amun-Ra was threatened by Outer Gods.

’No. From the way Isis is talking, it seems like the pillars were meant for something else...’

Without proper evidence, saying anything positive or negative could be detrimental and make me fall into a trap.

So, all I could do was bluff my way out.

"...Are you questioning my authority, Isis?" I spoke coldly as a stream of golden light leaked out of my body.

In the presence of the light, the servants, who were all at Eternal Rank, fell unconscious.

Only the demigod guards remained standing, though even they found it difficult to breathe.

Osiris and Horus immediately lowered one knee. "My lord."

Only Isis remained standing with her white robes fluttering beneath the divine pressure, yet the expression on her beautiful face never changed.

"...No." Her answer was immediate. "I am questioning my own understanding."

The golden aura pouring from my body did not lessen.

I stared into her eyes, searching for even the slightest hint of deception.

But I had only inherited the power of a God and not his countless years of experience.

I could not tell if she was being genuine or lying to save her head.

"I have followed your orders for thousands of years," Isis continued calmly.

"I have never once doubted your wisdom, but this command was different. It required every civilization to unknowingly build one of your pillars, countless kingdoms to wage wars, millions died, yet you never explained why."

Osiris frowned. "Isis, that’s enough."

She didn’t even glance at the man who was her husband. She kept her eyes solely on me. "If I must become a sinner for questioning you, then so be it."

’...Shit.’ I could feel sweat gathering behind my neck. ’She’s dangerous, very fucking dangerous.’

Her words didn’t hint at rebellion or accusation. She was portraying herself as a curious child who just wanted answers.

’If I shoo her away now, then it might come back to bite me.’

I did not know if this world was an illusion, reality, or just a different timeline.

There was no guarantee that I could keep my soul safe from gods with mysterious powers.

My fingers slowly tapped against the armrest, my mind scrambling to find a suitable answer.

"...Tell me, Isis." I slowly spoke after rearranging my thoughts.

"When a child sees a physician holding a knife, does the child understand he is about to be saved, or does he believe he is about to be killed?"

Isis, being as smart as she was, quickly understood what I was referring to. "The truth depends upon perspective."

I leaned forward without a single shift in my expression. "If I were to explain everything, would you understand it?"

Isis hesitated. She knew very well that the gap in knowledge between us was too great for her to claim she would.

"...No." She said after a long pause.

"Exactly." I leaned back once more. "There are truths that cannot be understood by those who have yet to reach them. The pillars are one such truth. No further explanation is necessary."

The Goddess of Magic remained motionless for several long seconds.

Finally, she bowed. "...Forgive me, my lord. I overstepped my boundaries."

I simply waved my hand dismissively. "Finish the eighth pillar."

"As you command."

She spoke before taking a step back to stand by her husband’s side.

"If you have nothing else to say, then go." I said impatiently without giving an explanation.

The three Gods bowed toward me before vanishing from their places.

’Why the fuck were the thrones brought out if they didn’t even sit on them once?’ I grumbled inwardly before looking around.

"All of you, dismiss." My voice echoed coldly. "Get out of my sight this instant!"

The servants and guards hurriedly rushed out of the throne room, and before long the place was empty.

The only two beings left behind were me and the goddess Amunet.

I quickly sat up from the throne and turned fully to look at the goddess, who stood still like a statue.

"What the fuck is going on?" I asked. "Why am I here?"

Amunet remained completely motionless. Her golden eyes stayed fixed ahead as though she hadn’t heard a single word.

"..."

"..."

A strange silence settled over the throne room.

I frowned. "Did you not hear me?"

I stepped down from the throne and stopped directly in front of her.

"Hey." Still no response. ’...What?’

I waved a hand before her face. "Back to Earth, Amunet."

Finally, the goddess acknowledged my presence. "You talk in a way that Lord Amun-Ra would never use."

"Isn’t that obvious?" I looked at her. "Because I am not--"

"You are." She cut me off. "You just don’t know yet."

’...What the hell is she blabbering about?’

Taking a deep breath, I asked calmly, "Can you tell me what’s going on with me?"

"...You don’t need to know." She replied in a surprisingly gentle tone. "It would all be over soon enough."

"That does not answer my question." I replied, emphasizing my words. "Did you bring me here? What happened to my original body?"

As if the goddess took pity, she finally gave me an answer. "Reconstruct."

Without thinking, I blabbered out, "Like in a smithing shop?"

The goddess gave me a tired look before walking past me toward the main gate.

Looking at her retreating back, I sighed and asked hopelessly, "At least tell me where I am."

To my surprise, she paused and looked over her shoulder. "...At the end times of Lord Amun-Ra’s life."

Her words left my soul stunned as I blankly watched her depart.

My body stumbled back onto the throne as I covered my face.

If I remembered correctly, at the end of his life, Amun-Ra destroyed his world in order to become an Outer God.

Everything that Isis had said suddenly clicked back into place.

I covered half my face, staring at the ceiling.

’...She was right. Those pillars are not meant to protect but to destroy this world.’