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C1637

"The Roman!! They are Here!!" The urgent cry echoed through the narrow streets of Alexandria, ricocheting off the ancient stone walls and sending shockwaves through the Egyptian soldiers and citizens.

The sight of hundreds of Roman warships, their imposing figures lining the coast, brought the entire city to a standstill. Fear and tension hung heavy in the air, intertwining with the scent of saltwater and the distant cries of seagulls.

Without hesitation, dozens of Roman warships glided towards the shore, their wooden hulls cutting through the azure waves with ease. As the ships docked at the bustling bay, a flood of soldiers spilled out, their presence intimidating and fierce.

They were clad in meticulously crafted leather armor, emblazoned with the proud symbols of Rome, their red capes billowing behind them like raging flames.

Among the sea of Roman soldiers, a figure stood out—the commanding presence of Julian Kaesar. As the dictator and protector of Rome, Julian exuded an aura of authority and power.

Beside him stood Marc Anthony, his most trusted generals, announced their intention to march towards the Egyptian palace. However, before they could proceed, Julian raised his hand, halting their movement.

"We are not invading this city, Marc," Julian declared, surprising even his own general. There was an uncharacteristic calmness in his tone, a subtlety that hinted at a different purpose for their visit to Alexandria.

Following Julian's command, a hundred personal guards accompanied him as he strode past the imposing gates of the Egyptian palace and into its grand courtyard. Their steps were met by a group of Egyptian Royal guards, resplendent in their golden armor, led by Pothinus, the regent of the kingdom.

"Great mighty Kaesar, welcome to Egypt," Pothinus greeted Julian with a mixture of awe and respect, acknowledging the significance of his presence.

Pothinus, a seasoned diplomat, recognized the delicate nature of their encounter. He requested that only a select few be allowed to enter the sacred Egyptian hall, a gesture to convey the reverence they held for their traditions.

Though Marc advised against such an arrangement, Julian calmly accepted, understanding the importance of cultural sensitivity. He chose ten of his young Roman bodyguards, the most skilled and disciplined, to accompany him.

As Julian stepped into the magnificent hall, he couldn't help but be captivated by its opulence. The walls were adorned with intricate hieroglyphs, depicting the glorious history of Egypt. Exotic tapestries hung from the ceilings, casting vibrant colors onto the marbled floor below. The room exuded a sense of regality, as if time itself had conspired to preserve the grandeur of this ancient civilization.

His gaze settled upon the young ruler of Egypt, Ptolemy, seated upon a majestic throne. Standing beside him was his sister, Arsinoe. Both were siblings to Julian's dear friend, Klea, and that connection fostered certain rare amity between them.

Nervously, Ptolemy welcomed Julian, his voice laced with a mixture of deference and apprehension. "Kaesar, my sister talks highly of you, unfortunately, she is not here."

With Roman spies scattered throughout the world, Julian was aware that Klea had returned to Egypt three years ago but had not been heard from since leaving for the eastern lands of Syria. This revelation did not come as a surprise to him, yet his heart carried an ache for her presence.

Today, however, he had come personally for something else entirely. Julian looked towards the young king and inquired "I am here for Pompey, where is he?"

Pompey, once a member of the Triumvirate ruling Rome alongside Julian, had become his rival, sparking disputes among the council of Rome and ultimately leading to civil wars after the death of Crassus.

In the face of Julian's question, Ptolemy's excitement grew, and he signaled his trusted regent, Pothinus, to present a prepared gift. A large, intricately carved wooden box was brought forward, adorned with golden motifs and exuding an air of mystery.

As Marc cautiously opened the lid, he was startled to find Pompey's severed head nestled inside.

Pothinus presented the gift with excitement, proclaiming it as proof of Egyptian loyalty to Julian. Surprisingly, Julian's reaction was not what anyone expected. He was irritated by the gift. Despite Pompey being his rival, he recognized the influential stature he held in Rome and saw him as a useful pawn in his grand plans.

Marc, aware of some of Julian's thoughts, asked with a mix of curiosity and concern, "Kaesar, what are your orders?"

Julian gazed at the two anxious rulers before him and calmly uttered, "Restrain them all and take over the palace." His order was devoid of any emotion, and it puzzled those present, considering there were only ten Roman soldiers in the hall. Nonetheless, the terrified regent quickly commanded hundreds of royal guards to attack the Romans.

Clashes of steel reverberated throughout the halls of the palace as the Roman soldiers expertly defended themselves against the onslaught of the royal guards. The sound of battle filled the air, mingling with the cries of pain and the clattering of armor.I think you should take a look at

The young ruler and his sister could only watch in horror as their royal guards were swiftly killed or subdued by the small group of Roman soldiers, each displaying remarkable strength and skill, capable of taking on several adversaries at once.

Julian himself, casually made his way towards the throne with an air of dominance. He locked eyes with Ptolemy, his gaze unyielding and demanding.

"Step down," he commanded, his voice resonating with unwavering authority. "I will take care of your kingdom until your sister returns."

In less than an hour, the entire palace fell under Julian's control, and Ptolemy and Arsinoe found themselves confined within their own prison cells.

Julian had claimed Alexandria as his temporary home, choosing the grandest bedroom in the palace, once occupied by the Egyptian famous queen, Klea.

Standing on the spacious balcony, overlooking the sprawling city of Alexandria, Julian's mind buzzed with countless thoughts. The city, once vibrant and filled with life, now carried the weight of his decisions.

It was at this crucial juncture that Marc entered the room, breaking the silence. His voice held a touch of hesitation as he inquired about what should be done with the captive brother and sister. He reminded Julian that the act of killing Pompey, an influential figure in Rome, was considered a high crime and would not be received well by the Roman Senate if left unpunished.

Julian's response was unexpected. His gaze remained fixed on the horizon as he spoke. "No harm should come to them," he declared, his words carrying a weight of determination.

Sensing Marc's troubled mind, Julian turned to face him directly. "Ask your question," he urged, his eyes searching for understanding.

"Respectfully, Kaesar, this is quite unusual for you to care for mere mortals," Marc ventured cautiously, his words tinged with both curiosity and admiration.

Julian's reply came forth with a mixture of melancholy and resolve. "You know why, Marc..." His voice trailed off, carrying a deep longing that he couldn't quite express in words.

Hearing such an answer, Marc bowed his head in acknowledgment, offering his respect once again, before quietly leaving the room.

The truth was that Julian was incredibly occupied with matters in Rome. His grand plan required his utmost attention, and he could have sent someone else to deal with the situation in Egypt. However, he had come personally cause he was missing an important someone.

"It's been more than three years. Where are you?" Julian wondered.

His thoughts were consumed by the absence of Klea. Feeling a deep connection to her in this place and in need of respite from his busy days in Rome, Julian had decided to spend some time in Egypt for rest and reflection.

One fateful night, a group of secret warriors known as the Medjaj, led by the high priest Imhotep, caught the Romans by surprise. Gifted with unparalleled strength and skilled in the ancient arts of combat, the Medjaj had been loyal guardians of Egypt for centuries.

They successfully broke into the prison, their stealth and agility unmatched, and liberated the two rulers, Ptolemy and Arsinoe.

The Medjaj possessed strength surpassing that of ordinary soldiers, and their leader, Imhotep, was a Sky Realm-level magician. The Medjaj possessed strength surpassing that of ordinary soldiers, and their leader, Imhotep, was a Sky Realm-level magician.

However, despite their formidable abilities, the Medjaj were no match for Julian and his well-trained army. The clash between the Romans and the Medjaj led to a fierce battle that raged through the city's narrow alleyways and grand squares. The clash of weapons echoed through the night, mingling with the shouts of warriors and the screams of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Tragically, amidst the chaos, the great Library of Alexandria, a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment, became a casualty of war. Flames engulfed the iconic building, its walls of ancient scrolls and manuscripts consumed by the destructive force.

A female figure stood before the flaming building, her heart pained by the sight.

"Julian!!!"

To be continued