111. Leaders

You were probably taken aback.

But Lady Horus' decree was that you should go in alone. So unfortunately I can't go with you...

But I will pray for you. Wish you the best of luck in obtaining information that you will find helpful in the future.

Thank you for leading the way.

No problem. Lady Horus, we have arrived.

Come in.

... Sorry to intrude.

Welcome, Awakener. I've been waiting for you.

... It's been a while since we've talked like this face to face. By the way, did you notice when you saw Bastet?

She wears the pocket watch I gave her all the time, which proves that you have chosen a good gift.

That's great. It is indeed a pleasure to have someone willing to carry around your gift.

All right, I... don't have anything particular to say. Anyways, I didn't ask you to come here to catch up. We are all busy, so let's get down to business.

Awakener, I clearly remember that I commissioned you to search for the Relic. Why are you scouting around for Book of Falco now? Especially you're asking Toph about it.

No, it's just that in the process of searching for the Relic, we found the clue regarding the Book of Falco...

Silence. I'm the one talking now.

Uh...

Also, don't react that way anymore. I wasn't angry, so you don't have to try to make excuses or justify yourself. I'm not happy with your reaction.

(Ouch... I can't hold my head up in front of her at all... But it's not the same feeling as when I'm facing Niz or Raeon. How do I describe it...)

(... I know. Horus seems more ''natural''. Neither her superior attitude nor her wording makes me feel overwhelmed...)

(... Rather, this persuasive manner of hers... this is her most ''natural'' behavior...)

Okay... back to Toph. You've spoken to her already, haven't you? How did she explain the Book of Falco to you?

Eh... so she concludes that the authentic Book of Falco as Oracles that have been carried forward through word of mouth.

Moreover, its inheritors are the commanders of the Alliance, In other words, she speculates that the current inheritor is you.

... Is it? Good. She is indeed the leading historian in my kingdom.

Look at you... so Toph's hypothesis is correct!

Well, well then, If the Book of Falco did mention the Relic, why didn't you tell us in the beginning, so that we wouldn't have gone through so much trouble?

That way, we wouldn't have to make this unfortunate detour and waste so much time...

There are three points, that I have to correct you.

First, Toph's hypothesis can easily be wrong. I am only qualified to listen to the teachings of the book, the true inheritor is someone else.

Wh...!?

Second, the Book of Falco is not like what you think. It is not a convenient way to inherit the knowledge of everything in the world.

Or, to be precise, it is ''possible'' to include everything. But we cannot tell precisely.

Because the contents of the book are almost unreadable as if encrypted. We have not yet finished deciphering the whole picture.

Third, for the above reasons, I personally do not know whether there's any clue about Nebu's Relic in the Book of Falco.

In other words, it's impossible to respond if you ask me for answers.

Oh, right...

Since you don't know whether the book will mention the Relic or not... So it's a dead end...?

Don't be so frustrated. I didn't ask you here just to tell you that this is an useless clue.

Umm, so this is not...?

(I actually think it's quite possible. After all, no one knows what she's thinking...)

... Just save your comments for later. The priority is still to find the Relic.

The Book of Falco does exist. This is a top secret that even Anubis and Bastet have never known about.

Although you're is still a step away from the truth, you have already done a good job, being able to track it down here on your own.

To show my respect, I will allow you to use it to search for the Relic.

What? Didn't you just say that you don't know if the Book of Falco has mentions of the Relic or not...

I said ''I don't know''. Besides, as I said earlier, I am not the real inheritor, so I only know part of its content.

Well, let me tell you another more important message.

It is true that the book is written almost in coded language, whose meaning is so obscure and difficult to understand.

However, part of the prophecies and truth that we have obtained by interpreting those ciphers have so far all come true and without a single error whatsoever.

All of them...? Just to double check... That isn't a metaphor or exaggeration, right?

I'm telling you the facts. You also know this... the previous encounter at the Water Giving Festival. The book has made a prophecy about it.

Yeah... now I remember that you did mention it...

Hmm. Therefore, if there is information about the Relic in the book, you can definitely trust it.

In conclusion, I, in the name of Horus, will allow you to use the Book of Falco when searching for the Relic... But there is one caveat.

... Eh? I have a bad feeling about your last sentence...

Hey, what do you mean by a bad feeling? As I said before,

the Book of Falco is not only the top secret of Nebu, but also the ultimate ''weapon'' that makes us invincible in any kind of intelligence war.

I'm lending you such a valuable asset. Isn't it normal to have a few strings attached?

Yeah, okay. So, what exactly is the caveat...?

Hehe... good. I knew you were rational.

So... the precondition for your use of the Book of Falco is to destroy the Host.

Host...? What is that?

So I'll just ask the usual questions, right? Set, do you have anything to say in your defense?

...! Mmh...!

Haha... I almost forgot. You cannot talk normally, can you?

These bandages are very, very nice. They suit you so well.

But, a valuable toy needs to be more obedient.

As for this, disobeying my orders is not allowed. When did I tell you to attack Teslovik?

Acting without my knowledge is unforgivable...

If I say you can't do something, I mean it. If you can't even understand that... Unfortunately, the toy will be worthless.

But anyway, you're good right now, covered in bandages and listening to me meekly. Now you look so much cuter.

If you can't move anymore, will you listen to me? You're so cute, what a pity if you can only stay like this till the end of your punishment.

If you keep this look on for as long as possible, I can even let you stay with me forever.

Um... Ahem...!

I like you so much... but much as I liked you, I'm now angry with you.

What do you think I should do with a toy that betrayed my expectations?

Got it! How about pouring some water on that bandage on your face? Although you might have a little trouble breathing... don't be afraid.

I'll keep an eye on your struggling.

No...!

Lord Wadjet... Please have mercy.

Oh... Isn't this Nephthys? What's wrong with you? I didn't know you're capable of stopping me from having fun.

... Set shouldn't have acted alone. That's indeed unforgivable. I understand that she must be punished for her actions.

But what I cannot understand is... why you would let Teslovik make waves.

Since we know that they will sooner or later become a threat to us, we'd better seize this opportunity to stop them while they are still staying in Nebu.

I agree with Set on this point.

... I'm just puzzled as to why she would send out those two people.

Those mercenaries are different from us, she shouldn't have sent them.

...! Uh...!

See? We're just stating the facts and you're being hysterical... seems like you haven't done enough self-introspection.

Oh, have a bit more patience. You've ruined my life. Bad kids like you, who make decisions without my approval.

Listen, never say ''I think now is a good chance!'' I'm not interested in trying my luck. I'm not making a move because I know this is not the best timing...

Honestly, why my lovely minions just can't understand?

But... shouldn't we stop Teslovik from finding and recovering the Relic? Isn't it our top priority?