Pharaoh Nitocris

Hmm? What's that...?

Hmm...

This is some cheap wine. Its vulgar body, perhaps fearful at the honor of passing through my throat, pales and fades into nothingness.

I will at least acknowledge its grace, if nothing else.

Hah hah hah, perhaps you're trying to say cold wine goes down well? You sure say things in a roundabout way!

Is this a...party?

Look, Nitocris over there seems to be sober. She might be the most reasonable one here.

Let's try to talk to her, Senpai.

Oh, Master, Mash. What's going on?

We just happened to be passing through. Um...what are you doing here?

We're drinking, as you can see. What of it?

I was invited by the two pharaohs over there... Well, more like I volunteered myself to join them in their banquet.

But why here in the Command Room?

If you're asking about the location, Pharaoh Iskandar said this place is fitting for a king's banquet.

If you are inquiring about the purpose of this banquet...

Nitocris! What are you doing over there!? Drink. Empty your cup and drink some more.

This is a gathering of pharaohs. That includes you.

I called Cleopatra too, but she was so overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude and unworthiness that she passed out.

So basically, you're the only person that can act as a representative for female pharaohs in Chaldea!

...With all due respect, that's how it is.

Now that you mention it, everyone here really does have the title of pharaoh.

？！

Oh? Master, Mash, I didn't realize you were there! Did the fragrance of the wine draw you here?

It doesn't matter! As our mutual friends, you have permission to join us! Drink up!

Are you trying to cheapen this gathering of pharaohs? Besides, I recall they're at an age where they should avoid alcohol.

...Oh, very well. You're hardly even a pharaoh to begin with, and I do not intend to lambaste them for their age. I shall permit it. Drink up!

Haha, you're quite strict. But I do have a proper regnal name: Setepenre Meryamun!

Is that so?

I too am known by the name Setepenre. I'm sure it is a common name for pharaohs.

The King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Usermaatre Setepenre... Son of Ra... Ramesses the Great... Amun's beloved...

That is who I, the Sun Ozymandias, am! I shall allow it. Sear that name into your Spirit Core and Spirit Origin! Remember it!

By the gods! Then I suppose we're like brothers!

No, we're not brothers. We're not, but...

I do believe the great king here is a pharaoh! ...I think that is what Cleopatra would say.

Interesting. You dare go against my will?

N-No, great pharaoh, I would not! I just thought of what Cleopatra would say and I could not help it...

Well, it is true she might say something like that. When did you get that close with each other?

Please...forgive my indiscretion. My only lord is the Sun King, and my only alliance is with Fujimaru!

Cleopatra is like... a troublesome little sister.

Hah hah hah. Don't tease her so much, Sun King. Cleopatra would indeed say something like that.

She was the last pharaoh on Earth. If so, she is like a granddaughter to us.

True enough. Even if she's not related to us by blood, she was the last to inherit the title of pharaoh and its divinity.

Yes. But if that's the case

Nitocris. You. Yes, you.

Y-Yes?

You're the oldest pharaoh among us. Wouldn't you be more of a mother figure, then?

Truly an incarnation of the ancient Horus.

I-I-I am a mother!? To Lord Ozymandias!?

Does that mean I can do whatever I want? A mother does all sorts of things for her son...

She cooks for him, lets him sleep on her lap... Even tells old folktales and scary stories!

W-Would you be okay with that? I've never had a child...

N-Nitocris?

N-N-No, I am not worthy!

Yes, that is too much. And Iskandaryou are a pharaoh who has accomplished more than I have.

You are the King of Conquerors. You traveled far and wide, seizing many lands. I pale in comparison.

What's so great about a king who focused so much on expansion and left nothing but destruction in his wake? I am a god. I am the sun. I am the true pharaoh.

Pharaoh Ozymandias! That is so obvious I need not say it!

You are the king of kings: the god-king.

You are so revered that I dare not even try to compare you with others. It would be far too presumptuous of me.

...The same goes for Pharaoh Cleopatra. I didn't try as earnestly to protect the country as she did.

？！

If you speak of destruction, the decline of Upper and Lower Egypt became inevitable as soon as I, the true pharaoh, was gone.

Any reign other than my own would thereafter be imperfect, no matter who the pharaoh was.

Just as the Nile flows, the final destination was inevitable. I never had my hopes up.

Hah hah hah. I feel I've said this before, but no country escapes downfall. Not even my Macedonia.

Yes. If countries are destined to fall, then all things considered, I believe she played her part of pharaoh well.

But I...

...

？！

Yes, Senpai. I agree. She seems depressed.

For some reason she doesn't look like she's touched her wine.

...I guess you can tell.

I'm... an inexperienced pharaoh.

When I see all these great pharaohs here... When I subject myself to their gaze...

I feel depressed... N-No, more like ashamed.

But Iskandar said that you're the oldest pharaoh in Chaldea, right?

In other words, you were alive in the Age of Gods. You're a pharaoh from the ancient times...

You think in terms of your magecraft. The older and greater Mystics possess more power.

But to me, time means nothing.

It's about how a pharaohthe child of a god, a godlike king, a god incarnateshould be.

...I don't know why I'm a Heroic Spirit.

Do you know why I was not taken to the eternal afterlife?

Ozymandias never chose it to begin with, but me...

Me... I'm sure I just never made it there.

Fujimaru, my ally... maybe I should talk to you about this.

I...

I am a foolish pharaoh. I closed off my own path to the afterlife.

I took my own life without preparing for what lay beyond. But I have no regrets.

I turned into a weapon for the sake of my brothers...

...Those treacherous retainers who used pharaohs like puppets... Those fools who mocked the position of pharaoh...

I sent them all to the bottom of the Nile... Without mercy, without hesitation, and without regret.

？！

Yes, I slaughtered them with my own hands.

Perish, you foul creatures!

No one will hear your screams, your groans, or your cries for help!

I will kill you all! You should be happy to be embraced by the waters of the Nile as you die!

You used my brothers as puppets... You murdered them all...

I will never forgive you. You shall never be forgiven! Never! Never! I've been waiting for this day...!

Why, Nitocris? We were the ones who helped you become pharaoh!

It was for this day. Everything. Everything I've done was to kill you all.

That has been my only reason for living. Just so that you would choose me as your next puppet...

I made you think you could control my dignity, my being, my body, my will.

And you fell right into my trap. When you heard I had a gift for you, what did you think it was?

A lavish banquet? A treasure of gold? Or maybeOh, you thought you could even have me?

But this is the end. I will end it all for you. The hubris of trying to control a pharaoh... It stops here!

Stop it! No! We don't want to die! Save us...!

Make your pleas to my dear brothers! To the ones you killed without any mercy!

You will not travel to the eternal afterlife. Ha, ha, but rest assured. I am the same. I will follow you soon.

I will find you in death and torment you for eternity!

I killed them... and then myself.

...After putting up with so much, I'd finally taken my revenge.

Come to think of it, maybe I'm so short-tempered as a Heroic Spirit because of my deeds in life.

I am a puppet of a pharaoh. At best, all I ever accomplished was revenge.

That's why I've tried to be as proper as possible.

I punished them for their impiety in attempting to control the position of pharaoh. I tried to restore honor to the pharaoh name.

The pride I have as pharaoh does exist within my heart, but even still...

If I compare myself to the other pharaohs, I shiver just thinking how small I am...

I'm so pathetic... I can't even bring myself to face them...!

...

Hey, small one.

Let's see. How's this? (Beep, beep.) There.

Difficulty setting? Oooh... "Sparta Mode." That's got a nice ring to it. Must mean it's as strong as them. That settles it, then...

Iskandar? What are you doing in front of that console...?

Huh? Hey! Helloooo?

The training program just activated. Are you guys doing something?

Of course we are! The wine has warmed our bodies. How about we swing our swords for a little entertainment!

By the way, I'll be assisting the enemy.

...!?

I am tired of all the cheap wine. It might be fun to play along with you!

Rejoice, pretenders! Rather than eradicating you, I will shine from on high.

Even those who are not truly alive weep tears of joy. Sear the light of the pharaoh into you!

I see. That puts Master with Mash and Nitocris. A good team.

When did we say we were all joining in!?

I don't really get what's going on there, but am I right in assuming there's going to be a fight in the simulator?

Well, just don't get hurt, okay?

I... I have to fight a proper pharaoh? That would just be too disrespectful...

I won't forgive desertion. If you run, you will face the consequences.

What do you think, Sun King?

Escape and defeat are not fit for the divinity of the pharaohs! Thus...

That's right. If you run, you must renounce the title of pharaoh.

...!?

Never address yourself that way. Never use the name. And...let's see... Say you're sorry for being a pharaoh up until now.

I-I can't...do that...

I am a pharaoh, no matter how short my reign was! I just can't renounce that fact!

Then you must fight. I don't have to say this, but you'll face the same consequences if you lose. It'd also be boring if you threw the game.

On the contrary, if you win... we'll give you some sort of reward.

You speak too much, King of Conquerors.

Nitocris, even after receiving my endless splendor, will your mirror still reflect darkness, or won't it?

If you're a pharaoh, then withstand it! If you can't, you will fade away. That's all there is to it!

Looks like...we have no choice but to fight!

Fujimaru! My ally!

I'm an inexperienced pharaoh. But the fact that I am still a pharaoh is my pride.

If I'm going to lose that, then I can't afford to run or lose!

I must win this fight no matter what! Lend me your power! No, PLEASE lend me your power!

(Panting)

That was intense!

Y-You guys won. You won against three pharaohs that symbolize an era!

Heh, heh... Ha, ha, ha! We lost! We lost!

I had no intention of holding back. Perhaps that cheap wine and my arrogance came back to bite me.

...

Why are you all...

(Cleopatra's here too. When did she join the battle!?)

That's not the face a winner should make.

I did not hold back. Your determination was just greater than ours.

Listen up. You fought and defeated multiple pharaohsmyself included.

O Queen of the Mirror who lived in the ancient world... You're a perfect pharaoh in your own right.

I tell you this on my honor. You should be thankful for this reward.

...!?

That's right, Queen Nitocris. I witnessed it myself. It's just as you said.

I saw your pride as a pharaoh...

Cleopatra...

(Huh...? How long have you been here?)

That's something I lack, to say the least.

In that respect, I think you're a better pharaoh than I am. There's nothing to be ashamed of.

A better pharaoh!? Such a useless distinction! Just being a pharaoh is enough!

It's pure arrogance to wish for any more than that.

After all, it's established fact that I am the best and most venerable pharaoh. Anything more is fighting for scraps!

You could be known only for your dark, vengeful acts... or for your numerous conquests... You could be the last of your kind...

You could even be a young pharaoh who only reigned for a few days...

No matter what kind of pharaoh you are, to me, there is very little difference!

But that is why I understand your admiration towards me. It may be arrogant, but I do understand.

Humans still extend their arms to the sun, even knowing they can't reach it. They attempt to touch the gods.

There is nothing as meaningless as hanging your head in despair because you cannot reach me. That would be true arrogance.

Hey, you. You just counted me as a pharaoh, didn't you? It feels like I finally got my certificate of authenticity or something.

...Hah hah! This is some cheap wine! I'm not thinking properly, but my mouth keeps going!

Let's go somewhere else and keep drinking, Rider. This time get me some wine that will at least let me talk properly!

You're a Rider too, you know? We can keep drinking, but there's not much in the way of wine around here...

Oh, but I do know a king with a big attitude whose wine happens to be very good.

All he'd need to do is fetch some more from the storeroom... I wonder where he is?

He left...

...Were the pharaohs... trying to...

...tell me that...all along?

...Fujimaru.

I was a fool who, unable to make it to the eternal afterlife, eventually became a Heroic Spirit.

I thought it was a punishment by the gods, but...

But then I met Ozymandias and the other pharaohs. And not just them I met you too. The best ally I could ever have.

This isn't a punishment. It's...

...No, never mind.

I was just blurting out nonsense. It was just my imagination. Let's just forget it. Forget it!

I know I'm not really good at taking hints, but let me say this.

Since you guys fought at full force, the simulator's all messed up! It's...pretty tough to clean it up, you know...?

？！

Yes, Senpai. That's true.

We'll take care of it, Nitocris, so go on ahead. Wherever you'd like.

...Are you sure?

Of course.

...(Bowing)

...Pharaohs... Rulers of Egypt... I'm sure there is some kind of special bond between them...

Especially since it was such a long-lasting tradition.

...Now then, Master. Let's do our best to clean up.

However, no matter how you look at it, this isn't a two-person job. I recommend calling for some help.

Doctor, you are listening, right?

...I see. So when you said you two would do it, you were talking about me as well...

Hah... The pharaohs sure do everything on a grand scale... including affecting the simulator system... (Sigh)