Nitocris's Choice [Fourth Update]

Another dark night had fallen.

The sun boat Mesektet had already begun its voyage through the "Duat," while in the royal palace of Memphis, Nitocris had abandoned her usual habit of "studying instruments" with her favored "bard" in the study after dinner.

Rather than her usual magnificent pharaoh's attire adorned with gold ornaments, she now wore a black bodysuit, carrying not a single piece of gold jewelry that might make a sound and reveal her whereabouts, as she stood in the center of the royal garden.

Before her stood her two secret helpers: Thoth, the foreign mage, and Medjed, the strange god who had always protected her.

At that moment, she gripped a glittering golden dagger tightly in her hand.

Though its appearance was exceedingly lavish, this dagger was far more than decoration. While soft gold had proven unsuitable for forging weapons, a similar yet far more precious material was quite the opposite.

Adamantine.

Adamantine was far harder than steel, even surpassing mithril, and possessed excellent magical affinity. In exchange, however, it was also far heavier than steel.

As a precious material for armor and weapons, adamantine was extremely rare. It generally existed only beyond this world or in foreign realms, beyond the reach of mortals; ordinarily, it was a material only gods could possess.

The dagger in her hand had been forged entirely from adamantine.

The dagger had come from her elder brother, Merenre II, who had given this incomparably precious weapon to his younger sister at her coming-of-age ceremony.

And now, she would wield this dagger to avenge Merenre II, the brother who had been like both father and brother to her.

Because of its material, Nitocris found the weapon in her hand somewhat heavy. She clenched it tightly, feeling a little nervous.

She could not help being