"Please allow me to explain first," Daniel continued. "The Holy Grail in the Pharaoh King's hand is indeed an important tool for returning human history to its proper track, but besides that, defeating the Lion King and making her give up the Holy Selection is also a prerequisite."
"Therefore, our purpose in coming this time, besides wanting to request that you allow these refugees to submit to you, is also to hope to borrow the Pharaoh King's power to crush the Lion King."
"As for the Holy Grail, we are determined to obtain it, for the sake of the continuation of human history."
"Hmph hmph hmph, hahahaha—" He was laughing wildly.
"Boy, the moment the Lion King falls will also be the time of your death!" Ozymandias stared at Daniel with sharp eyes and said, "At that time, I will personally see to your burial!"
Slowly standing up from the Jade Throne, Ozymandias made a grand gesture with his hand, his expression incredibly impassioned.
"My name is Ozymandias! King of Kings! O almighty gods, look upon my works and despair!"
"Pharaoh King! Pharaoh King!" Nitocris raised the staff in her hand and cheered for Ozymandias.
The others in the great hall followed suit and cheered along with her.
"You wish to borrow my great power? Very well! However, you must first show me your own strength!" Ozymandias said, looking at Daniel and Fujimaru Ritsuka. "Only a power equally formidable can be worthy of my might!"
"So, you mean we have to have a battle first?" Fujimaru Ritsuka finally found a chance to interject.
He hadn't expected this mission to go so smoothly under Daniel's lead.
Seeing Ozymandias's attitude earlier, he hadn't held much hope for joining forces with the Pharaoh King's army.
As it turned out, just showing some skill was enough to grant them an opportunity.
"Wrong!" Ozymandias rolled his eyes irritably. "If it's just a matter of individual strength, none of you are a match for me or that Lion King."
"What I want to see is your ability to deal with the Holy City!" Ozymandias's tone grew more intense. "I want to see how you turn zero into one!"
"Then, how about the forces on the side of the Old Man of the Mountain!" Daniel stepped forward and asked. "The Hassans under the Old Man of the Mountain, Arash who joined their camp earlier, a single strike from the First Hassan, plus the internal discord within the Knights of the Round Table."
"Oh? That hero of Persia?" Ozymandias raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Very well, if you can accomplish what you just said, what harm is there in me gambling everything!"
"Nitocris! Take them down to find a place to rest, and let them witness my great kingdom!" Ozymandias sat back down on his throne and commanded Nitocris at the bottom of the steps.
"Yes, Pharaoh King!"
The town was right next to the pharaoh's pyramid.
Moving from the center outwards, the materials and layout of the buildings gradually declined in quality.
Although the style was very different from the Holy City, it added an exotic flair.
Most importantly, unlike the silent and cold Holy City, the pharaoh's town was filled with people and had established markets, making it far more bustling than the Holy City.
"Ah—it's been a long time since I've felt such a lively atmosphere." As soon as they entered the town, Sanzang looked around excitedly. "The scent of wheat is so strong!"
"Here is the currency bestowed upon you by the Pharaoh King." Nitocris took a tray filled with shell-shaped hard objects from an adjutant and handed it to Da Vinci, explaining, "All currency has equal value, as the Pharaoh King's credit serves as the medium of exchange."
"I will give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to look around the town. After that, gather here, and I will take you to your temporary lodging."
Since the Pharaoh King himself had said to find them a place to rest, they couldn't be put in the mud huts on the outskirts; a suitable place had to be found in the innermost layer near the pyramid.
Furthermore, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Daniel's group was quite large, so they needed a building with many rooms.
Finding a place and tidying up the house, no matter how few things were inside, would take some time.
"You really almost scared me to death just now." After Nitocris left with the guard, Da Vinci patted her chest and glared at Daniel. "You really dare to say anything. I thought we wouldn't make it out of that pyramid alive."
"It depends on who you're talking to." Daniel smirked and replied. "If he were the type to take our lives in the pyramid just because I spoke the truth, then he wouldn't be Ozymandias. Besides, since I even mentioned Arash, there's no way he could stay angry."
"Of course, if it were Gilgamesh, I wouldn't say a single word even if it killed me."
"If the Sun King knew you were taking advantage of him like this, he'd kill you." Sanzang patted Daniel on the shoulder, stifling a laugh.
"What should we do next?" Bedivere asked. "We don't have any information on where the mountains containing the Old Man of the Mountain's hideout are located."
"I might have some information on the Old Man of the Mountain's hideout," Saria, who had been following the group since they left the pyramid, suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?" Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Saria.
"This gem of mine contains a map to the Mountain Village." Saria pulled a red gem pendant from her collar and showed it to everyone. "However, I don't know how to make the map appear."
"Wait until tomorrow," Daniel said, looking up at the sky. "It's near dusk now, and there isn't enough light."
"Eh? What do you mean?" Saria asked Daniel in surprise.
"Usually, if a gem hides a secret, it can be revealed using either water or light," Daniel replied with a shrug. "Given how dry the desert is, it's unlikely to be water; it's probably the light that's everywhere."
"Refraction of light through the gem's crystal, then." Da Vinci understood Daniel's meaning instantly.
"Let's ask Nitocris for some paper and a pen later. Once we unlock the secret inside the gem pendant tomorrow, we can draw it down," Daniel said, turning to Mash.
"Eh? Me?" Mash asked, pointing at herself in surprise.
"Of course it has to be you," Daniel nodded. "I noticed on the way here that Nitocris seems more friendly toward you than the others. So, it should be easiest for you to get the paper and pen."
"That's true, I noticed it too," Da Vinci nodded in agreement.
"No need for paper and pen," Saria said suddenly. "We can use this pendant to check the direction at any time."
"We?" Da Vinci looked at Saria in shock. "Are you going to the Old Man of the Mountain's village with us?"
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