Chapter 36 Chapter Thirty-Four

In mid-September, the whole palace moved to Thebes in order to participate in the spectacular Opate celebration ceremony. During this period, the pharaoh was deified as one with the hidden Amon and was responsible for introducing the latter to the world. .During the 15-day festival, all nobles will gather in this southern city. If religious ceremonies are only reserved for some insiders, ordinary people can enjoy themselves to their heart's content, and wealthy businessmen can enjoy themselves in their luxurious palaces. They entertain each other in the villa. For Amenes, the trip was a chore, as he had to take rolls of papyrus and his writing instruments with him, and he hated this type of relocation, which disrupted his work habits.In spite of his terrible mood, he worked hard to prepare for the trip to satisfy Ramesses.

Since the prince came back, his personality has become depressed, and he often avoids the crowd to meditate alone. Yamenes does not bother him, and writes a report on the day's activities for him every day.As the royal clerk and senior military officer, the prince originally had a lot of administrative and complicated things to deal with, but his confidential secretary took care of them for him. At least, on the boat bound for Thebes, Amene got rid of Iser's entanglement!During Ramses' absence, she tried to find out some news from him every day that he didn't know.He was not moved by the beauty of this young woman, and the way they looked at each other could be said to be unfavorable.When Esther asks Ramses to fire his secretary, the prince brusquely refuses, and their cold war rages on for days.The prince believed in himself: he would never betray a friend.

In the narrow cabin, Yamenes was drafting some letters on which Ramesses had to brand his official seal, and the prince sat down on a straw mat next to the clerk. "How can you stand such a vicious sun?" Amene was surprised, "I was about to pass out in less than an hour." "We know each other, it and me, I respect it, it nourishes me. Don't you want to stop what you're doing and enjoy the view?" "I don't feel comfortable loafing about. Your last trip doesn't seem to be going well?" "Is this a criticism?" "You've become withdrawn."

"I'm affected by your attitude." "Stop making fun of me, keep your own secret." "Secret... yes, you have a point." "Then you don't trust me anymore." "On the contrary, you are the only one who understands without words." "Your father asked you to participate in the mysterious sacrifice?" Yameni asked with wide eyes. "No, but he asked me to visit his ancestors... all his ancestors." Ramses uttered these last words in a very serious tone, which shocked the clerk. What the prince just experienced was undoubtedly one of the most important events in his life.Amene asked the question that had been on her mind.

"Has the pharaoh changed your destiny?" "He made me see another kind of reality. I met Seth." Amene trembled all over. "And you're still...alive!" "You can touch me." "I wouldn't believe it if the others said they'd seen Seth! But you're different." Ramesses' hand was tightly held by Yameni's, and the clerk breathed a sigh of relief. "You didn't turn into a horrible elf..." "God knows?" "I know, you're not like Esther!" "Don't be too hard on her." "Isn't she planning to ruin my future?"

"I'm going to prove her wrong." "Don't expect me to be friendly." "By the way... don't you think you're too withdrawn and a bit horny?" "Women are dangerous. I like my job better, and you should like the role you will play in the Opate festival. Your place will be in the front half of the parade, and you will be wearing a wrinkled A new linen robe with pleated sleeves, I warn you, it is fragile, you must keep your body upright and not move too roughly." "You forced me to take some boring tests." "When people are overwhelmed by the power of Seth, these are just trinkets."

Canaan and the Syria-Palestine rebellion were quelled, Lebanon was subdued, the Bedouins and Nubians were defeated, the Hittites withdrew from Ohunt, and Egypt and Thebes could celebrate with peace of mind.In the north as in the south, the mightiest nation on the face of the earth controls demons bent only on its possessions.During his eight years in power.Seti forced himself to be a great pharaoh whom future generations would respect. Seti's permanent residence in the Valley of the Kings will be the largest and most beautiful structure ever built, according to some go-getters.Several architects were at work in Karnak, the pharaoh himself supervised the construction of the great site, and the people kept admiring the temple of Gurna on the west bank, which was built in praise of Seti, whose power There will be no boundaries for all eternity.

Some die-hards now concede that His Majesty had reason not to go to war against the Hittites, but to spend the state's resources on building temples made of sacred stones.However, as Sienna explained to some of his followers, the truce was not conducive to the development of Egyptian commerce. Most of the senior officials were anxiously awaiting the entry of the Pharaoh's eldest son, who was like them.Seti's stern and tight-lipped personality made him some formidable enemies, and some felt that their advice was rarely taken, whereas with Schena one was comfortable talking, charming, genial, and well-spoken Speak from everyone's heart and win the favor of some without angering others.For Sheena, the Opate festival would be an opportunity to expand her influence by winning the friendship of the High Priest of Amon and his ranks of staff.

Of course, Ramesses' presence disturbed him, but what he dreaded did not happen after Seti's inexplicable refusal to nominate Ramses as King of Nubia.The pharaoh granted no privileges to Ramesses, and like the other royal children, the royal scribe was content with a life of luxury and idleness. In fact, Xie Na is afraid of Ramses and regards him as an enemy. It is an illusion that the latter's vitality and size are deceptive. In fact, he has no courage at all, and he does not even need to be nominated as the king of Nubia—— A job that is too much for him.Shane thought of an honorary job.Like the deputy captain of the carriage team.Ramesses would have the handsomest horses and command a small army of strong-limbed, simple-minded brutes, and Iser would gladly accept as her husband the incomparably rich Sienna.

The point is: How can Seti be persuaded to stay longer in the temple and gradually withdraw from state affairs?The king might be jealous of his privilege and interfere with his career as regent.Only Xie Na knew how to lie to the king skillfully, calmly divert his mind to meditate on Netherland, not directly conflict with him, and then strangle him step by step with a circle of influence that he had no time to react to. Xie Na should also get rid of Duolante, she is talkative, weak and curious, she is of no use to his future political career, but may be disappointed because he did not get an important position, and join forces with a few rich and powerful nobles deal with him.Siena thought of giving Dorante a large villa, a large herd of poultry and livestock, and a large number of servants, but she loved to play tricks.However, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, and his sister cannot share power with him at all.

Esther changed into a fifth robe, which she hated even more than the previous four: too long, too wide, too many folds... Angrily, she ordered the maid to change to a tailor.At the festival's closing dinner, she was to be the center of attention, to taunt Xena and seduce Ramses. Her hairdresser came running out of breath. "Quick, quick... sit down and let me comb your hair and put on your luxurious wig." "Why are you so nervous?" "A ceremony will be held at the Ghulna Temple in the West Bank." "But no one told me! The ceremony will start tomorrow." "The fact is that the whole city is in a frenzy. We need to hurry up." Esther reluctantly put on a classic robe and a dark wig. Although this dress could not highlight her youth and elegance, she could not miss this rare date! Once completed, the Ghulna Temple will hold rituals for the immortal soul of Seti.The carvers are still carving the mysterious part of the main entrance, which shows the pharaoh participating in some traditional rituals.Dignitaries and dignitaries crowded around the main entrance of the temple, and stood in the open square where the pylons would soon be added.Although it was early in the morning, the scorching sun was unbearable, and many people hid under the rectangular parasols that could be moved at any time.Ramses looked at these well-dressed figures with a mocking expression. The robes, wide-sleeved tights, and black wigs made them look prim.They thought they were important, but when Seti appeared, they all became servile. The most well-informed ministers said with certainty that after the morning prayer ceremony at Karnak, the king would hold a special sacrificial ceremony for the god Amun in the boat-shaped hall of Qurna, filling the world with his aura, His omnipotence is immortal, which is why he was late.For the elderly senior officials, this is a severe physical test.Normally, Seti lacked humanity, and Shane was determined to avoid this path and try to exploit everyone's weaknesses. A bald priest, wearing a simple and regular robe and holding a long cane, came out of the open-air temple.All the guests, who had never seen such a ceremony and were astonished, stepped out of the way. The priest stood before Ramses. "Come with me, Prince." Many women whispered in admiration for Ramesses' beauty and appearance, Iser couldn't help but praise from his heart, and Xena smiled: Even so, he is still the winner, and his brother will celebrate in Opate was appointed king of Nubia, and was immediately sent to that distant land. Bewildered, Ramses crossed the threshold of the open-air temple under the guidance of the guide, and was taken to the west wing of the temple. The cedar door closed again behind them, and the guides made the prince stand between two columns, facing three temples stretching out in the darkness.At this time, a serious voice came from the darkness, it was Seti's voice. "Who are you?" "My name is Ramesses, son of Pharaoh Seti." "In this mystical place, inaccessible to mortals, we will worship our ancestor and founding monarch, the Immortal Ramses. His form is carved on the wall and he will live forever. You will participate in the ceremony and worship in his honor him?" "yes." "Now, I am Amon, the hidden god. Come forward, son." On the two thrones sat Pharaoh Seti and Queen Duya: he, wearing the crown of Amon; she, wearing the crown of the goddess Mut.The king couple and the holy couple are united as one.Ramses turned into the son of the gods, the holy trinity will become famous in the future. Ramses was embarrassed, he did not expect that the myth that was secretly circulated in the temple would come true.Kneeling in front of them, he realized that they were his parents. "My beloved son," Seti declared, "accept my light." The pharaoh put his hands on Ramses' head, as did the great queen. In an instant, the prince felt a warm favor, and the tension and pressure disappeared, replaced by an unknown energy, which drilled into every nerve in his body.From now on, he will live for the souls of the king and his wife. When Seth appeared at the gate of the temple, the crowd stood in awe, with Ramses standing on his right.The pharaoh wears two crowns that symbolize the unity of North and South Egypt, and Ramesses wears a single crown on his head. Shane jumped up. The king of Nubia does not yet have this right... How ridiculous and crazy! "I appoint my son Ramesses king," Seti declared in his solemn and forceful voice, "so that I may live to see him perform the kingship. I appoint him regent of the country, and from now on he will participate in the All the decisions I make. He will learn to rule the country, care about the unity of the country and the well-being of the people, he will be the leader of the people, and the happiness of the people is more important than his own happiness. He will resist foreign invaders and internal enemies, and protect While the weak will not be bullied by the strong, Mayat will also be respected by the world. Because I love Ramses so much, he will also become a child of light." Shane bit his lip.Seti would change his mind, Ramesses would fall, no man at sixteen could hold such a onerous office.At the pharaoh's behest, the chief priests adorned Ramses' crown with a golden cobra tiara, whose fiery breath would destroy the regent, the visible and invisible enemy of the future pharaoh of Egypt.