Helping Ascension

Shetaka was also surprised; she couldn't understand why Aatrox, who had always opposed her becoming empress, had suddenly changed his mind.

"I unified a large territory around Naremajet before and became Celestial Warrior. You didn't support me then, but now that we're surrounded by danger, you want me to become emperor. Are you deliberately trying to make a fool of me?"

"Although we dominated a region before, many people didn't truly submit; they just chose to observe. If we had declared ourselves emperor then, those who were observing would have become our enemies. Now it doesn't matter, because they have already become our enemies. ✋♣ 🐠👣"

"So you want me to use the emperor's name to inspire my own people?"

"This is not just encouragement; your becoming emperor will benefit everyone, and the Naremajet will be reborn!"

After Aatrox finished speaking, everyone looked at Shetaka, waiting for her response.

Shetaka flashed a bright smile; she'd had this idea for a while, so how could she refuse?

"Alright, in that case, I hereby officially announce that from today onwards, I am no longer Shetaka, the administrator of Naremajet, but Shetaka, the Queen of this place!"

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered and rushed to Shetaka, surrounding her. If she were a man, she would have been lifted up and tossed into the air by now.

Aatrox didn't go over; he just smiled and watched everyone from the outside. Suddenly, he coughed a few times, and a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Everyone was busy watching the spectacle and no one was paying attention to him, so I quietly walked up to him and asked:

"Your body is failing you, isn't it?"

"I could easily live another ten or eight years!"

"Don't be stubborn. If you were still ten or eight years old, you wouldn't be asking to ascend to immortality today."

"Ascension? You mean becoming Celestial Warrior?"

"Yes, I can help you. Consider it a parting gift from me."

"I am extremely grateful!"

In the end, I decided to help Aatrox. Even though he might become the leader of the Vastaya more than two thousand years later, surely there will be someone in this world who can stop him?

After the banquet, a few of us stayed behind and discussed the matter with Shetaka in detail. Her first reaction was to refuse, because the only outcome of failing to ascend was death.

But seeing Aatrox's weakened state, she ultimately softened. Since she was going to die anyway, she might as well give it a try.

"Alright, I promise you, I'll have a high platform built immediately!"

"Don't worry, I will definitely succeed. The Sun God will not abandon me!"

"Sun God... I think you should trust Ezreal more right now."

"Haha, indeed, he's given us so many surprises."

Aatrox and Shetaka both looked at me and Ekko. I knew they were curious about our origins, but I didn't want to tell them.

If the two were just ordinary mortals, it wouldn't matter if they revealed it, but they are immortal Demigods, and the secrets of time travelers have a huge impact on future generations.

After a brief discussion Shetaka immediately ordered the construction of a high platform for flying, as there was no more manpower available due to the ongoing war, and the process would take at least a month.

Ekko and I can only stay a few more days. Good things come to those who wait. I hope the next time we travel through time, we can return to the ideal point in time.

Over the next ten days or so, the surrounding tribes gradually united and surrounded Naremajet, but they couldn't gain any advantage against Shetaka's prowess.

Of course, the Naremajet army couldn't break out either. Shetaka alone couldn't cover all directions, so he could only defend heavily, which is similar to the historical situation I know.

Ekko and I have been helping Aatrox defend the east and north sides for the past few days. That night, while we were discussing defense matters in the barracks, a scout came to report that a girl was outside requesting an audience.

Aatrox refused without hesitation, but the soldier looked troubled.

"If you don't want to see her, you'll probably have to refuse her yourself. This girl is Rebeca, who kept bothering you back in Ixtal."

"Rebeca? I think I vaguely remember her. Please bring her in."

Do I need someone to lead the way into your tent?

Before the soldiers could give any orders, Rebeca rushed in, appearing much more agitated than when we first met.

Aatrox didn't seem to mind; he seemed quite used to Rebeca being like this.

"How did you get in here, little girl? You're surrounded by enemies of Naremajet, didn't they stop you?"

"Stop me? What a joke, they can't stop me."

"So you broke in?"

"Yeah, I killed a few enemies and then successfully shook off my pursuers. Pretty impressive, right?"

"Ha, then you may never be able to go back."

"I have no intention of going back this time, unless I defeat you! Let's fight now!"

"Hmm... okay." Aatrox hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

He had been feeling very weak for the past few days, and had even had to stop his usual training, but he still chose to compete with Rebeca.

The two arrived outside the camp and began their night battle by the light of the surrounding torches.

They were all skilled swordsmen, and their duel was extremely entertaining. Even Ekko, who wasn't interested in fighting, watched intently, while the surrounding soldiers were even more enthusiastic.

Aatrox is calm and experienced, and even when he is physically weak, he still prefers to use the greatsword that he is more comfortable with. Rebeca is full of energy and her moves are extremely aggressive, making it feel suffocating even to watch her fight.

The two fought back and forth for quite a while before a winner was decided. In fact, Rebeca could have won, but she conceded defeat after noticing that Aatrox's body was not functioning properly.

"Why are you so weak? This isn't the Aatrox I know!"

"I'm fifty-seven years old. Years of fighting have taken a toll on my health."

"Then what's the point of me coming to see you? Just to see you weak? No, you have to recover. I want to defeat you fair and square!"

"Stop being stubborn. The passage of time is unstoppable. Her Your Majesty the Queen will launch a surprise attack in a few days. Take this opportunity to leave."

"No! I won't leave. Ixtal Naremajet, and now is the time for us to serve him. I'll write to them right now and send them to our aid!"

Aatrox smiled upon hearing this. He knew that no one would be willing to help in this situation; it would be good enough if they didn't kick him when he was down.

He was pleased with Rebeca's choice. "Thank you for staying, but please promise me you will find a way to survive. You will become an excellent soldier in the future."

"I don't care, I just want you to recover quickly! I just want to... defeat you."

Rebeca almost cried at the end. She was a straightforward girl who never hid her feelings, even more than two thousand years later.

It's also clear that she has deep feelings for Aatrox; it's an admiration for an idol, mixed with some affection.