章 342: 342: An Honorable King (1)
Chapter 342: An Honorable King (1)
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It was gradually cooling after midnoon in this desert city where the sky was red due to the setting sun. The city greatly imitated ancient Egypt.
The streets were bustling with activity as citizens went about their daily tasks. The marketplaces were crowded with merchants selling their wares, and the aroma of spices and cooking food filled the air. The sound of donkey carts and the chatter of people could be heard throughout the city.
Many of the citizens were taking a break from their work to rest in the shade and enjoy a meal. Some were gathered around public wells, filling their jars with cool water to quench their thirst. Children played games in the streets, while others were helping their parents with chores.
The temples and pyramids loomed majestically in the distance, and people could be seen making offerings and praying to the gods. A river imitating the Nile flowed peacefully nearby, providing irrigation for the fields and a source of fish for the people.
The Sixth Singularity. This was [The New Egypt] that existed here.
This was the real Utopian City of the sixth singularity, unlike Camelot. A flourishing small country that had structures similar to Egypt. Built on the great desert of Judah, its existence transformed the terrain into a place where people could live.
The Sun King, Ozymandias, was who had created this city. Though more precisely, he summoned this city using the Holy Grail in his possession.
"So that means there are two Egypts. Thanks to me messing with my Grail."
Neji flew over the skies of New Egypt and commented, talking to the two ladies who accompanied by the air.
The area indeed flourished with crops and all sorts of other edibles. The city was neat, and it was greatly maintained as well. Neji was a little impressed, knowing it still took a great deal of effort to keep the city in this good condition even if it was a copy and replica of Egypt summoned by the Grail.
"Thanks to my wish, this planet exists in a healthy dimension. It is a proper world. So there should be the real Egypt in here now. I wonder if Ozymandias knows whether or not his original kingdom is back."
Probably not. Otherwise, shouldn't he have left for the real Egypt?
"...Mhm. That aside, how many more grails does this world have?"
It was the blonde woman with two stripes of black hair, Quetzalcoatl, who asked the question. Sitting on top of her pet dinosaur, she put a hand near her lip and asked.
This woman didn't deserve to look that cute. So hot, with those killing curves, and so haughty with that playful personality—yet so cute. Only Neji knew how he was holding himself back.
As for the question, Quetzalcoatl already made an educated guess in her head and knew the possible answer. However, she still asked just to be sure.
"In total, there are two grails in this world currently. One is with Ozymandias, and another should be with Gorgon. I am sure you would know about the second one."
Neji answered. Both Ozymandias' and the one on Gorgon's hold were sent by the fake Solomon. The only real Grail was the one Gil used to "summon" Neji.
Neji wasn't planning to take Gorgon's Grail; that wasn't a mission. That Grail was the key to awakening Tiamat, and Neji wanted that to happen. If his plans went right, Ryukyu should be by his side by the time Tiamat emerges. Then, he could take Tiamat down with the help of Ryukyu and Rumi.
He could either kill her for massive Exp and other types of rewards, or he could tame that creature who was also called [Beast II]. In either case, it would be a pity to not allow Tiamat to be born. So Gorgon was left alone for now, so she did her play and brought Tiamat to this world.
Quetzalcoatl nodded. "Aha. This fight will be hard with the Grail on his side. He should be a strong foe on his own, but with the Grail, he would be a lot more challenging."
Ishtar seemed to share the sentiment, but she didn't say anything. Neji noted that her tsundere nature was flaring up more than usual on this mission.
"Anyhow. We are here. Let's go."
The three Gods made their way forward with the mindset of diving into a battle that may just be unwinnable. Towards the pyramid that stood in the middle of the city.
* * *
Rather than attacking outright, as that was quite idiotic, the group landed near the entrance of the pyramid.
The guards were normal humans, but even they knew flying wasn't something just anyone could do. Also, there was a dinosaur. They immediately nodded to Neji's request to see the King.
"Please wait here, uh, I will go and ask for the King's permission."
One of the four guards said before he rushed inside the pyramid. He returned three minutes later, smiling now, and said.
"Dear guests, please come this way."
The three Gods exchanged glances and followed the guard. The quetzalcoatlus dinosaur was de-summoned by its master before the group went inside.
Although this building was shaped like a pyramid, it wasn't a tomb. It was a royal castle, instead. So the indoors were decorated that way, too. There were windows and the area was well-lit. The hallway stretched for minutes, and the group even had to take an elevator-like construct up to the highest floor.
At last, they entered the throne room. The large hall looked quite similar yet different to Neji's own. At the end of the room, in the perfect middle, stood a throne where the King sat.
Mirroring how Siduri was always by his throne, this throne also had a hottie by its side.
Nitocris. Also a pharaoh of Egypt, from the sixth dynasty. She was summoned by Ozymandias, her ancestor, and therefore she was fine acting like a gourd/secretary to him. The Egyptians respected their ancestors like Gods, after all.
Neji felt a strange connection with her. Recalling his mythological lore, he guessed the reason.
Nitocris. Historians were left confused by that name, appearing in the lore of Babylon as well. Just like this Egyptian Pharaoh, the other Nitocris was a queen of Babylon. Perhaps, she was the same person, reincarnated in different eras?
How was that important? That was important because the father of Babylon's Nitocris was Nebuchadnezzar II. In Fate Lore, Nebuchadnezzar II was actually… Gilgamesh.
So, by the weird movement of fate, that Nitocris over there may be the daughter of Gilgamesh—and therefore him. The girl in question tilted her head when she saw him, too.
Neji quickly looked away.
'...Let's pretend I didn't reach that conclusion.'
What he needed was anything but more daughters.
Neji ignored the woman and looked up at the throne. Now that he had finally walked inside the hall, and stood near the throne, he could make direct eye contact with the… King.
No, more accurately, the Queen.
'I should have expected this. Kurama was a woman too. It seems my luck genderbends anyone who can be genderbent. Since Fate is a verse where gender is never static, this isn't surprising…'
He stared into the eyes of the gorgeous dark-skinned woman. With luminous dark hair that glowed golden, the same color as her eyes, she wore a very revealing dress. Not unsimilar to Neji's own outfit, but tailored for a female.
Though while Neji's was killing it with blue, white, and gold color, she favored white, black, and golden more.
She who was called Ozymandias, the Pharaoh.
[Ozymandias – Sun God – Tier 18]
There she was in all her glory. The genderbent version of the man whom Neji personally didn't really like, yet was said to be the single person whom Gilgamesh became close buddies with.
Despite the different eras they were born into, they had the luck to meet due to their status as Heroic Spirits who were summoned together. As far as Neji recalled, it was said that these two… contrary to expectation, became the best of friends.
Seeing the small smirk on the woman's lips, Neji hoped that fate would mirror this timeline too. Despite the recent control of his smaller head's urges, he had to admit that it would be a great pity if he had to kill a babe like that.
"King Gilgamesh, am I correct?"
The majestic woman spoke in a voice both arrogant yet dignified. It sounded very pleasing to the air, nearing the edge of seductiveness. She stood up as a sign of respect.
"It is an honor to meet you, my fellow Great King."
So far, Neji noted, it was a good start.
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