I Enslaved The Goddess Who Summoned Me-Chapter 354: Nathan arrives to Alexandria

The name Alexandria resonated deeply within Nathan's mind, stirring memories of a distant past. Even before setting foot in this world, he had learned about the legendary city on Earth—one founded by none other than Alexander the Great. A place of wisdom, culture, and power.

Now, he entered through its grand gates without hesitation, without shame, and without the burden of guilt. The noble whose life he had extinguished had been stripped of everything—wealth, dignity, and most importantly, the symbols of his status. Nathan now possessed the emblems of Alexandria's high nobility, including a badge that bore the insignia of the Pharaoh himself.

In the Empire of Amun Ra, the Pharaoh was not merely a ruler—he was an embodiment of divine will, a living god among men. To hold a badge bearing his seal was to wield an influence that few could challenge.

The Emperor, despite his young age of fourteen, was undoubtedly powerful. Perhaps not the strongest in the empire—not yet—but those who held the strings of power behind the throne? They were the true titans of this land.

As the carriage rumbled through the streets, the guards who had once sought his life now escorted him through the heart of Alexandria. He shifted slightly, peering through the narrow window, his gaze drinking in the cityscape that unfolded before him.

It was magnificent.

A city that breathed history, alive in a way no other place he had ever seen could compare. It was colossal, stretching far beyond the horizon, its ivory-colored buildings standing tall under the sun's golden embrace. Massive pillars adorned with intricate hieroglyphs lined the streets, whispering silent tales of forgotten glories.

The streets themselves were a spectacle—vibrant, chaotic, mesmerizing. Everywhere he looked, people thrived in an intricate dance of life. Musicians strummed exotic instruments, their melodies weaving seamlessly into the air. Dancers, clad in flowing silks, moved with hypnotic grace, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of an unseen tune. Orators stood upon raised platforms, their voices booming with philosophy and poetry, their words captivating those who cared to listen.

The crowd was a blend of cultures, a melting pot of identities. Some wore the traditional draped robes of Rome, while others bore the fine linens and golden adornments of Egyptian nobility. It was as if time itself had collapsed, merging past and present into a single breathtaking moment.

For a fleeting second, Nathan felt as though he had traveled back in time. But no—this was no vision of the past. This was the present, his reality.

A small sigh escaped him as he took in his own reflection in the polished bronze interior of the carriage. Despite his best efforts to alter his appearance, Aphrodite's passive skill remained ever-active, albeit in a subdued form. His features, even after modification, still possessed an unnatural allure—a beauty that drew eyes like moths to flame.

He had tried to blend in, but there was only so much he could do. His clothes, though chosen carefully, were still foreign to this land. His aura, an unshakable presence, made it difficult to go unnoticed.

But discretion was his greatest ally now.

He could not afford reckless actions—not here, not now. If the truth of his identity was revealed, if they discovered that he was the Lord Commander of Tenebria, the consequences would be catastrophic. The Empire of Ra would see it as an opportunity, a justification to wage war upon Tenebria itself.

Though the Empire of Ra had taken a hostile stance against Tenebria after their meeting with the Heroes of Light two months prior, outright war had not yet erupted. Their hostility was more of a precautionary measure, a warning rather than a declaration. It was clear they were weighing their options, contemplating a potential alliance with the Light Empire—an alliance that could one day tip the scales against Tenebria.

But for now, it remained just that—a possibility.

However, if the Lord Commander of Tenebria were to be discovered rampaging through Alexandria, there would be no more room for caution. It would be seen as nothing short of a direct provocation, an act of war that the Empire of Ra could use as justification to launch an assault on Tenebria.

Nathan had no intention of letting that happen.

He had already had his fill of war after witnessing the madness of the Trojan War. That brutal conflict had been a senseless bloodbath, a waste of time and lives—one he had barely managed to extract himself from. He would not make the same mistake here.

The only war that mattered now was the one against the Light Empire—the final war, if he had his way.

The Empire of Ra was not his enemy. Not yet. He had no reason to move against them unless they gave him one.

For now, his focus lay elsewhere.

He needed to find clues. Clues about Ameriah and Auria.

Were they still alive? Where were they being held?

And then there was Benjamin, a Hero of the second summoning.

What was his connection to the Pharaoh? Had he acted under direct orders from the throne? If so, Nathan's approach would have to change completely. If the Emperor of Ra had sanctioned this, then there would be no room for diplomacy—only fight. But Nathan doubted it. A leader would not risk such a dangerous move without reason.

He needed proof before he acted.

The ideal outcome—the best-case scenario—was simple:

Locate Ameriah and Auria. Ensure their safetyCapture the so-called 'Hero' responsible. Leave the Empire of Ra unnoticed, as if he had never been here in the first place

But that was wishful thinking. A fantasy at best.

Reality was crueler.

He had no leads. No clues. No idea where to even begin looking.

If only he could contact Khione, Aphrodite, or even Amaterasu...

But this empire was under the dominion of the Egyptian Gods—and their influence was absolute.

Nathan recalled a conversation with Khione. She had once told him that other pantheons were far more reserved than the Greek Gods, far less prone to reckless intervention.

It seemed she had been right.

The Egyptian Gods...

That was another headache waiting for him.

He had yet to encounter even one of them, and truthfully, he preferred it that way. The last thing he needed was to antagonize another pantheon—especially one as powerful as this.

Khione had specifically warned him about interfering with the Egyptian, Babylonian, and Nordic Gods. They were unpredictable, volatile, and far less forgiving than the Olympians.

And she was right about one more thing—Nathan could not yet face a god.

Not in direct combat. Not even close.

His fight with Poseidon had been an exception—a combination of luck, planning, and careful execution. But against an actual god in a fair fight?

He wouldn't stand a chance.

The strongest opponent he could reliably face right now was a demigod—nothing more.

For now, his only option was to tread carefully, to stay in the shadows, and to gather as much information as possible before making a move.

One wrong step could turn this empire into another battlefield—and that was the last thing he wanted.

The carriage came to a halt in front of what appeared to be a lively tavern, its wooden sign creaking softly as it swayed in the desert breeze. Nathan, seated comfortably inside, gave a simple command—though to the exhausted guards who had carried his transport across the searing landscape, it might as well have been a divine decree.

"Stop."

The armored men, who had spent the last several miles hoisting the carriage without reprieve, collapsed onto their knees the moment they were released from their duty. Their bodies were drenched in sweat, their breathing ragged and heavy. The desert sun had been merciless, and Nathan—whether intentionally or not—had given them no moment to rest.

Without so much as a passing glance in their direction, Nathan stepped out of the carriage. He reached for the hood of his cloak, pulling it over his head. The gesture was practical, meant to shield him from the relentless rays of the sun, but it also served another purpose—to conceal his striking appearance. Putting aside his current look with black hair and blue eyes, his appearance seemed too much stranger in this Empire. He looked different even from the light skinned ones.

Adjusting the hood so that it draped over his face, he strode forward, pushing open the door of the tavern.

The inside was a stark contrast to the harsh silence of the desert outside. It was packed with people, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of drunken laughter, murmured conversations, and the occasional outburst of raucous singing. The scent of alcohol—strong and heady—mixed with the faint aroma of roasted meat. A few men at a nearby table were engaged in an arm-wrestling match, their spectators cheering and slamming their tankards onto the wooden surface.

Nathan navigated through the crowded space with quiet ease, his footsteps barely making a sound against the tavern's worn floorboards. He made his way toward the counter and took a seat in front of the bartender, a man with a broad, friendly face and an experienced gaze that had undoubtedly seen all manner of customers.

The bartender eyed him curiously before offering a welcoming smile.

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.

"You seem new, my friend," the man said, wiping a glass with a practiced hand. "Looking for something? A drink, perhaps?"

Nathan tilted his head slightly before responding, his voice calm yet firm.

"Anything but alcohol."

For a brief moment, the bartender seemed taken aback. Then, after a beat, he let out a hearty chuckle. "Now that's a rare request in a place like this." He set the glass down and turned toward the shelves behind him. "Lemon drink, then."

A moment later, he slid a cup toward Nathan. The liquid inside was pale yellow, a simple concoction of water and freshly squeezed citrus. Nathan took a sip, his expression subtly twisting at the sharp tang before he placed the cup back down on the counter.

The bartender leaned in slightly, his expression still amicable but his eyes sharp. "So, if not a drink, then what brings you here?"

Nathan exhaled lightly before speaking. "Information."

The word hung in the air for a moment.

The bartender raised an eyebrow, but his easygoing demeanor remained unchanged. "Information, huh? Can't say I've got much of that—" he paused meaningfully, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "—at least, not for free."

Nathan could see it clearly. The man wasn't naive. He had already assessed him, likely noticing the quality of his cloak, the confidence in his posture, the way he carried himself. He wasn't mistaken—Nathan was no common traveler. In fact, he was the exact opposite.

Without hesitation, Nathan reached into his cloak and pulled out a single gold coin, placing it on the counter with a soft clink.

The response was immediate.

The bartender's eyes widened slightly, but it was the reaction from those sitting nearby that was more telling. The conversations around him slowed, some halting altogether, as a few patrons turned their heads toward the gleaming coin.

A gold coin.

The currency was different from that of the local empire, but there was no mistaking its worth. Gold held value anywhere, and here, it was a fortune.

The bartender recovered quickly, his broad grin returning as he swiftly pocketed the coin. "Now that's more like it," he said, his tone now carrying an undertone of genuine interest. "Tell me, sir. What is it you'd like to know?"

Nathan didn't answer right away. He tapped his fingers against the wooden counter, then finally spoke.

"The Heroes."

The bartender's smile remained, but his eyes flickered with something else...caution, perhaps. "The Heroes?" he echoed, as if testing the waters. "You must mean the Heroes of Ra."

Nathan didn't confirm nor deny. He simply waited.

The man exhaled through his nose before leaning slightly closer. "Well, if that's the case, I have some news for you. They're gone. All of them."

Nathan's gaze sharpened slightly.

"They left for the Light Empire," the bartender continued. "It happened about two months ago. The Light Heroes were formally welcomed by the Pharaoh, and now it's their turn. The Heroes of Amun Ra will be received by the Empire of Light soon enough or maybe they already had. It's been a week since they left after all."

Nathan absorbed the information in silence.

So the Heroes of Ra were gone.

That was the first good news he had received in a while. At the very least, he wouldn't have to deal with the so-called Heroes of the Amun Ra Empire.