The reeds by the Nile Riverbank rustled in the morning breeze.
Before him lay a sandy riverbank, overgrown with reeds, the river water shimmering in the morning light. However, this tranquil scene was shattered by the commotion at the river's edge.
No few onlookers had gathered by the river. There, a circle of Temple Guards had already surrounded the area, holding Long Spears, with solemn expressions, blocking all curious citizens outside. In the center of the riverbank, several Priests dressed in dark Magic Robes were gathered around a corpse covered with a white cloth, chanting something in low tones.
"An eerie female corpse."
Ian stood at the outer edge of the crowd, squinting to scrutinize the chaos ahead. At least twenty Temple Guards formed a human wall, Copper Spears interlocking to seal the entire riverbank. Tiny beads of sweat dotted their bronze-colored skin, glittering under the morning sun, but their grips on the spears were as steady as rocks—clearly well-trained.
"Move back! The sacred ritual shall not be desecrated!" A guard shouted sharply, spear tip pointing dangerously at the foremost fishermen. Ian noticed the runes carved on the guards' armor were different from the usual Eye of Horus—three overlapping circles, with a star-shaped pattern in the center.
Ian wanted to approach directly.
But the guards' tight blockade prevented him from doing so from the front. Ian swiftly surveyed the surroundings and found a dense patch of reeds upstream, relatively secluded where the guards' sight couldn't cover. In this hidden spot, he silently recited the Illusionary Body Spell, his figure gradually merging into the air, dissipating like the morning mist.
"The Illusionary Body Spell is truly a great invention." Ian cautiously bypassed the guards' patrol line, using the reed cover to quietly approach the core area where the corpse lay.
Getting closer, Ian held his breath and observed carefully. He saw the Priests using some kind of silver powder to outline complex Magic Runes on the corpse's white cloth. Those runes flickered with faint blue light, the lines twisted and ancient, carrying an unsettling oppressive aura—this was clearly the site of a ritual.
But the citizens outside could not see.
In the center of the riverbank, five Priests in white robes formed a pentagram array, placing the female corpse at the center. The leading Priest held an Obsidian Dagger, carving complex symbols into the exposed abdomen of the corpse. Each slash caused golden fine sand to seep from the wound, shimmering with a strange metallic luster in the sunlight.
"Is it sealing Magic Runes?"
Ian's pupils slightly constricted—he recognized part of these runes, they were "sealing Magic Runes", usually used to subdue powerful Evil Spirits or to seal dangerous Magic Items.
Yet before him was merely a mortal corpse, why go to such great lengths? Ian silently adjusted his position, trying to get a clear view of those symbols. But the angle was too poor, he could only identify a few fragmented lines—like a variant of some ancient language, or part of a star map.
More strangely, every time the Priests completed a symbol, they would collectively look up at the sky, as if confirming the positions of the stars. These Priests seemed incredibly tense.
The leading Priests furrowed their brows tightly, their eyes showing rare solemnity and... fear? They treated this corpse as if it wasn't a victim, but an extremely dangerous source.
Ian tried to get closer.
Hoping to see the full aspect of the Magic Runes or hear the Priests' murmurs. But the Priests formed a tight wall, he couldn't find any gap to squeeze beside the corpse.
"No, it's not just sealing Magic Runes."
Ian's Magic Wand slightly heated in his sleeve. These runes' structure was different from any sealing technique he knew, rather like—some kind of reverse application of a Summoning Array?
Just as he was trying to find a way to get in.
The Priests suddenly halted their actions. The most senior one took out a Small Bronze Bottle from his bosom, pouring the black liquid inside onto the woman's corpse's brow. The moment the liquid touched the skin, all engravings simultaneously illuminated with golden light, the woman's mouth unexpectedly opened on its own, a wisp of blue smoke floated out, condensing into a vague human shape in the air.
This scene was seen by the citizens outside who witnessed the situation. The crowd exploded with a burst of exclamations. The guards immediately tightened their defense, spears pointed squarely at the perimeter, forcing the crowd back a few steps. Ian took the opportunity to move behind a crooked-neck palm tree, lightly tapping his temple with the Magic Wand: "Vision enhancement."
The view suddenly cleared, he saw the face formed by that wisp of blue smoke—exactly the deceased maid, yet her expression was ferociously different from the peaceful corpse. Her mouth opened silently, like accusing something, while the Priests, facing imminent danger, raised Amulets, collectively chanting Exorcism Spell.
What shocked Ian the most was the mark on the corpse's left wrist.
With the Spell's progress, those three concentric circles gradually oozed gold liquid, the eye pattern in the center actually rotated, staring directly toward the direction of the Temple!
"Move aside! Move aside!" A crude roar exploded from the rear of the crowd. Ian turned his head, saw the Scepter Priest striding forward with four elite guards. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, a child unable to dodge was kicked aside by a guard, the mother could only hold her crying child tightly in silent anger.
When the Scepter Priest saw the female corpse, the color on his face instantly drained. His withered fingers clenched the Scepter tightly, knuckles turning white, the sun disk at the top of the Scepter buzzed faintly due to the tremor. When he saw the sealed corpse, his face turned deathly pale, pupils contracted violently, even his body trembled slightly.