Ronald Cohen's worry for Selina was written all over his face, and his eyes kept glancing at the television while he was talking to Qingmu. When he saw the person behind Selina, he finally showed a long-lost relaxed expression, as if he had just completed a difficult task.
"Who is he?"
Qingmu had a bad feeling. Although he couldn't delve into the vast Internet through the television, Qingmu could still sense the presence of the uninvited guest because Selina was constantly releasing her Mental Power.
This is a dangerous person, and clearly not a benevolent one.
"He is your predecessor— the Children of Gaia, a long-forgotten ancestor, a martyr from three thousand years ago."
Ronald Cohen smiled as he watched the television, speaking as if reciting sacred proverbs, "It was a great era... The Children of Gaia awakened anew, breaking the curse left by the Itza People in the Holy Land, and snapping Tutankhamun's Sacred Staff... Although Gaia did not descend in that era, we cannot forget the achievements of Itjenetjer Ay, the most outstanding Children of Gaia in all time. He buried himself deep underground, awaiting his awakening in a new era. I have heard a prophecy from the stars—when Itjenetjer awakens again, Gaia will surely descend!"
" Itjenetjer... Ay...?"
Qingmu recalled that this was the name of a pharaoh from the late Eighteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. During the reign of the famous Pharaoh Tutankhamun, Ay was the regent, and after Tutankhamun's death, he succeeded to the throne and became the new pharaoh. There has always been a legend that Ay murdered Tutankhamun, and judging from Ronald's words, this is very likely true.
Qingmu's memories had returned, and combined with what Ronald had said, as well as what Situ and Petru had discussed in Ramla, he could basically conclude that the pharaohs of the Ancient Egypt dynasties were the Guardian the Holy Land, and were very likely of the same race as the Itza People. This was a point that Mrs. Larry and Su Huilan had also speculated about.
Itjenetjer Ay Parasites lurking around the Pharaoh, until the young Tutankhamun ascended the throne, at which point he found an opportunity to destroy the Holy Land, kill Tutankhamun, and break the Soul of Fire in two.
However, Itjenetjer's reign was short-lived, lasting only about four years, before she was killed by General Horemheb. Horemheb succeeded to the throne and passed it on to Ramesses I, ushering in the Nineteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Some say that Horemheb was Ramesses I, and there are even rumors that he was immortal and that the later Ramesses II was also him.
Regardless of whether his immortality is true or not, it's certain that Horemheb was also one of the Guardian of the Holy Land, and likely had some connection to Hayreddin, the ancestor of Petru, perhaps even being Hayreddin's distant ancestor. It's just unclear how a descendant of a pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt became a pirate.
Mei Yiqiu was unaware that his old friend Dickinson had already passed away. He listened intently to Selina's speech, his fingers constantly rubbing his slightly sweaty palms, as nervous as a father watching his child perform on stage.
When Itjenetjer, wearing a cloak, pushed open the door, Mei Yiqiu jumped up abruptly, and because she did so so quickly, the chair behind her overturned with a crash.
He stared intently at the computer screen, the pipe between his teeth trembling, his hands clenched into fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands, and he muttered to himself:
" Selina... Selina... How could this happen... How could this happen..."
Selina has discovered Itjenetjer Ay.
She turned her head and saw a zombie-like face hiding in the shadows of a cloak, but she wasn't alarmed. Her expression remained calm and natural, as if she were meeting an old friend who was late for a date. She smiled and said, "You've finally shown up."
"It seems like this is the first time we've met?" Itjenetjer's voice was hoarse and deep, as if it were coming from a coffin buried underground. Unsuspecting television viewers might think they were watching a horror movie.
"Some people you don't necessarily need to meet to get to know," Selina said.
"You don't seem afraid of me?"
"Now that we've taken this step, we've prepared for it, so what's there to be afraid of?"
So, you knew I was coming?
"No one else has the ability to find me except you."
"Hiss..." Itjenetjer's panting sound was like the wind blowing from a dark cellar. "You are indeed strong, but also foolish! If you hadn't dispersed your Mental Power, you might have had a chance to escape from me. What a pity, right now you are as weak as a newborn lamb!"
But I can give you a chance. If you're willing to turn back, it's not too late. I will have Gaia grant you spiritual strength once more.
Mei Yiqiu clutched the computer monitor nervously, her voice trembling as she cried out, "Say yes! Selina... you've achieved your goal, please... please say yes... Selina..."
By the end, his voice was almost choked with sobs.
Selina seemed to hear the call, turning her head to smile slightly at the camera, her lips moving as if to say: Don't worry about me.
Then he turned to Itjenetjer and said, "I don't want to be a puppet anymore."
"Return to the source, where are the puppets!"
"No, you don't understand! Once a person has gained freedom, they will never crave a life of slavery again. I would rather starve to death in the countryside than indulge in the delicacies of a cage."
"Freedom? Freedom!... Hahahaha..." Itjenetjer laughed loudly, but his cloak did not flutter with laughter, as if it did not contain a living person. "Insects with low intelligence are not worthy of talking about freedom. What freedom can a lowly life form that cannot even break through the basic dimensions of material space have?"
Since you remain obstinate, then I'll show the whole world what the end result of your so-called freedom will be! Only faith in the Lord can give you strength. Without strength, you can't even survive, so where does freedom come from?!
As he spoke, his withered, hard hand grabbed Selina's neck, pulled her close to the camera, and gave her a close-up shot, his long nails digging into her flesh like sharp blades.
Blood could be clearly seen gushing from Selina's neck on the television screen.
Itjenetjer's originally dry palms gradually became moisturized, and her skin became almost transparent, allowing one to clearly see fresh blood flowing in the subcutaneous blood vessels.
Qingmu frowned, watching with the rest of the world as Selina was killed on television by Itjenetjer Ay. No one thought it was a TV show; everyone knew it was real.
Selina did not resist, remaining serene and calm throughout. Her face grew increasingly pale from blood loss, and in the last moment before her head drooped, she moved her lips and silently uttered her final words:
Freedom for mortals!
Mei Yiqiu screamed, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the screen. His pipe fell from his mouth and broke in two on the ground.
Two lines of tears streamed from her cloudy eyes, sliding down her wrinkled cheeks.
In that instant, the usually strong professor transformed into a true old man, even his stiff, frizzy white hair suddenly becoming soft and limp.
He was like Sun exhausted, having shone his light upon the earth in this lifetime. His final moments, with a spurt of blood, exploded like a supernova, leaving only the endless darkness awaiting death...