"Wind, set aside your duty for now. In the name of Nitocris, let the clear sky return!"
With Nitocris's solemn proclamation, the storm of sand and dust gradually settled. Soon, the boundless desert revealed itself, along with the infinitely clear azure sky above.
"Ah, Senpai, what a beautiful sky!"
Seeing such a sight, Mash couldn't help but smile, happily teasing Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"What a lovely smile. I suppose my theatrics were worth it." Nitocris, seeing Mash's joy, seemed to relax as well. The irritation from being threatened earlier faded considerably.
And so, after realizing that Guinevere's reasoning carried more weight, Nitocris decided to be reasonable herself. She promptly led the group westward toward the grand temple, where they would meet the ruler of this land—the great Sun King, as Nitocris had called him.
Once they left, a lone traveler stood at a distance, watching their figures fade into the horizon. "I was considering stepping in to testify for them, but it seems the misunderstanding is cleared up. No need for me to interfere."
Murmuring softly, the silver-haired man nodded with satisfaction, pulled up his hood once more, and turned to leave.
"Since that's the case, I should continue searching for my destiny."
Unaware of this, the group pressed on. After some distance, Guinevere suddenly recalled something, a hint of puzzlement surfacing in his mind:
According to the original storyline, wasn't Bedivere supposed to meet Chaldea for the first time around this point? Where could he be now?
But considering the addition of himself, Artoria, and the other simulator players, it was natural that the story's path had shifted. Guinevere didn't dwell on it, and under Nitocris's urging, they continued westward.
During their journey, they learned that Nitocris's haste stemmed from her desire to return before the Sun King's evening banquet. Otherwise, he might discover that she had been kidnapped from her palace—though, given his vast power, he probably already knew.
Furthermore, Nitocris seemed completely unfamiliar with the concept of a "Master"—knowledge that should have come with being summoned by the Holy Grail. The reason? She wasn't summoned by the Grail or the Singularity, but by the Sun King himself, tasked solely with governing the desert's sandstorms. A role she seemed to enjoy greatly.
Da Vinci then questioned her about the Singularity. While Guinevere already knew most of these details, he let Nitocris answer.
From her explanation, the Chaldeans learned that three forces were present in this Singularity:
The Egyptian faction, led by the Sun King and to which Nitocris belonged.
The Holy City faction, led by the Lion King, who occupied the White Holy Capital.
The Saracen mountain tribes, who had previously attempted to abduct Nitocris.
When Chaldea mentioned "Jerusalem" as their potential destination, Nitocris immediately grew suspicious. In this Singularity, Jerusalem had long since been destroyed. The so-called Holy City was a new white citadel that had risen overnight from its ruins.
Though she didn't elaborate further, Guinevere knew well enough—it was Camelot, built by the deified King Arthur (or rather, the goddess Rhongomyniad) and her Round Table Knights.
No wonder Morgan, the elusive Fairy Queen, had joined this simulation. If her rival Arthur had constructed a new Camelot, Morgan would certainly not sit idly by.
As for Morgan being a simulator player—Guinevere found it perfectly logical. Otherwise, how could her repeated absence from previous simulations be explained?
Still, one thing puzzled him—each simulation felt like reality to their simulated selves. The deeper it went, the more autonomous they became, resisting control. Yet Morgan had somehow bypassed this limitation, watching Britain's downfall without intervening. Why? Surely not to evaluate who might inherit her throne?
And then, there was another problem.
From what Guinevere knew, the human knight from two thousand years ago—Ywain (or rather, the past version of himself)—had deeply moved Melusine, binding her love across time and reincarnation. But according to everyone else, Ywain's true lover had always been none other than Morgan.
So, what did Morgan truly think of Guinevere now? And how should he face her?
The tangled relationships—his with Barghest, Barghest's with Morgan, and Artoria's with Morgan—gave him a headache.
While Guinevere pondered this, the sky suddenly darkened again, and tensions rose between Chaldea and Nitocris.
"Who are you really? You don't even know that Jerusalem was destroyed long ago? No, something isn't right. You're definitely not wandering merchants here to present a rare artifact to the Sun King!"
With a wave of her hand, the clear sky vanished, replaced once more by swirling sands.
"I will repay your kindness, but duty is another matter! I cannot invite you to the Grand Temple! Come forth, messengers of the King, and judge these people!"
At her command, several Sphinxes appeared, surrounding the group.
"As the smallest token of thanks, I won't fight you myself. But you must pass their trial. Now—"
Before she could finish, a spear shot forth like a raging dragon, piercing a Sphinx's skull. Guinevere's blade followed in a swift arc, beheading another.
Having faced such battles repeatedly in prior simulations, Guinevere wasted no time. Within mere breaths, the Sphinxes lay slain like wheat before a scythe. Sheathing his sword, he nodded to the stunned Nitocris.
"Let's skip the formalities. I believe we've proven our strength. Now, please—"
But Nitocris cut him off with a shout:
"Yes! Well done! You have earned the Sun King's recognition! Therefore, you no longer need me to guide you! Cross the storm without fear—the King's mercy shall shine upon you! Farewell!"
With that, she vanished into the swirling sands.
"...Was that supposed to be ceremonial?" Guinevere muttered.
"Yeah... what a pain. Fighting us out of nowhere, then leaving, calling it a trial..." Mash sighed. "Servants really are such troublesome beings."
Even Guda agreed for once—only to notice Guinevere staring at her strangely. Irritated, she snapped:
"What are you staring at? I'm not a Servant. I'm still alive—and I'll live way longer than you! I'm not turning into a Heroic Spirit, ever!"
"...If you say so."
The group pressed onward. After braving the last wall of sand, the storm suddenly ceased, revealing a magnificent sight—an awe-inspiring complex of pyramids rising like a golden city above the desert.
Even Guinevere, who had seen many grand scenes, was struck speechless. Beneath the brilliant sky stood an enormous pyramid like a mountain of gold, surrounded by others arranged according to astronomical constellations.
Colossal statues of pharaohs, each more than ten meters tall, lined the path, solemnly watching the visitors approach.
This was the Grand Composite Temple—the residence of Ozymandias, the Sun King.
"To use statues of so many pharaohs as gatekeepers… quite the display. Truly, the Pharaoh of Pharaohs," Da Vinci remarked.
She then confirmed something: though the Sixth Singularity was supposed to be set in the 13th century Middle East, Ozymandias's summoning had pulled his ancient Egypt into this space-time, restoring divine-age levels of mana—hence Ritsuka's earlier collapse from mana intoxication.
"According to my scan," Da Vinci added, "there are zones of spatial distortion across this desert. We'll have to explore them later. But for now, someone's here to greet us."
Indeed, several attendants stood waiting at the temple entrance, leading them through vast halls of dazzling Egyptian design until they reached the throne room.
There, at the highest level of a grand staircase, sat a bronzed man clad in thin garments but adorned with golden ornaments, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
"...Ah, so you are the ones who passed the Sphinxes' test?"
This man was none other than the ruler of this domain—Ozymandias, the Sun King.
Adjusting his posture slightly, his gaze fixed upon Guinevere.
"Hold on a moment... You seem eager, almost brimming with fighting spirit. Could it be... you wish to challenge me?"