Supper of the Sun King (2/2)

I see the silhouette of the temple! I don't know for certain, but this should be the last hill!

...The wind is strong! Master, be careful! Stay behind me!

I'll deploy my Noble Phantasm and go straight through! If we... If we can just get past here, we'll... Huh?

...

...

？！

It's like a floating city on a sea of sand! What a feat of engineering... You can tell just by looking at it!

So that's the palace of the Sun King Ozymandias The legendary shining temple complex, Ramesseum Tentyris!

？！

Oh, right. Roman always gives a lecture at times like this.

The Sun King Ozymandias. Or originally, Ramesses II. The greatest, most powerful pharaoh of ancient Egypt.

Yes, a true pharaoh among pharaohs who called himself the God King. He brought great prosperity to Egypt around 1300 BC.

It's not unusual for pharaohs to see themselves as gods, but even then, the Sun King was always the one closest to the sun.

He was also known as a great architect.

So great that it's even said he proclaimed, "All temples on this earth were built by me."

If that's true, he may be linked to the story of humanity's oldest dynamo, the Dendera light system.

He is also called the Construction King as well. That great temple is likely one of his Noble Phantasms.

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Let's go inside! This is my first time visiting an Egyptian building!

Foooou!

I don't see anything blocking our way. The inside seems rather cool, too.

However, Mash, there's something I want to confirm first. Any transmissions from Roman?

Oh... I'm sorry, I got carried away. Our connection to the Doctor hasn't been restored yet.

As expected. This proves my hypothesis.

Fujimaru, Mash. The Rayshift brought us to the 13th-century Middle East.

That's for certain. However, this isn't entirely 13th-century Earth. My staff can measure magical energy, and...

The quality of magical energy has changed since we came here. The magical energy here is much older.

Nitocris said that this is the territory of Egypt. She wasn't just speaking of our location.

This desert is from the BC era. I have no idea why, but

In this Sixth Singularity, the world ruled by Ozymandias has been transported over entirely.

Space-time itself is in disarray.

That's the reason why we couldn't Rayshift to Jerusalem, and why we can't contact Chaldea now.

No way... Then the Sixth Singularity isn't the Holy Land, but this desert?

Hmm... Can't say for sure yet. What I do know is that this Egyptian territory is like a foreign body in this world.

In addition, according to my measurements, there is another location in this territory where space-time is distorted.

？！

Yes, that's a good way to put it. This is just a hunch, but it might be the key to our search.

I'm curious as to exactly what it is... But in any event, we should solve the mystery right in front of us first.

Let's head to the great temple of Ozymandias! If legends are true, he should be a fussy, handsome boy!

Mmm. Sleepy. So sleepy

(Senpai, we were given VIP treatment right upon entering the temple, and brought straight to the throne room, but)

(This tanned man rubbing his eyes on the throne... Could that actually be King Ozymandias!?)

So you've finally come, mysterious travelers! You're a little late, but I don't mind!

Having overcome the Trial of the Sphinx, you have permission for an audience with the king!

Now, bow down before him!

If you do, His Majesty may awaken from his weariness, and speak to you!

Heh! An excellent sight. I feel as excited as if I had done it myself!

H-How rude!

Such insolence in the face of the pharaoh, a god upon this earth!

？！

He is the greatest pharaoh. The most courageous, most authoritative pharaoh! He is fit to be a god

He is Pharaoh Ozymandias! Subjugator and savior of the land at the end of the world! Our ideal king!

...How unusual, Nitocris.

You may be a great bird, but you were never the type to shout in such a loud voice.

It seems you've taken quite a liking to them. Haha, how joyous. Truly joyous.

I-I apologize, Pharaoh. To utter your True Name in such a loud manner...

That was something for Your Majesty to do. ...I regret it thoroughly.

Indeed, the crime for stealing my amusement is heavy. Afterwards, cut off an arm, and place it in a jar.

Yes, thank you for your kindness...

...Now then. You're the travelers from a foreign nation?

My name is Ozymandias. I am a god, I am the sun, I am the pharaoh who rules this land.

That has not changed in the past or the present. I grew somewhat tired of being called a Rider.

This small throne is simply one diversion from my boredom.

Also, above all...

I'm quite sleepy now. I feel like an old man who has just awoken from the abyss of death.

Thus I intend to keep this brief. Listen to my grand voice, and remember from the bottom of your soul...

You are envoys from Chaldea. You have repaired five Singularities thus far.

And now you appear here in the sixth wedge this Holy Land of sand. I am already aware of all of that.

If you would question my knowledge, then the answer should now be apparent: I hold the Holy Grail which you seek.

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As if I would side with the King of Mages. When I descended upon this land, I seized it

Fooou!?

I seized it from the Crusaders. It was fitting for a true king such as myself, after all.

U-Um... King Ozymandias, that's surprising, but, um...

(Silently nodding in agreement.)

？！

Unthinkable. You must be tired from the trip. While disrespectful, I will forgive you this once.

There's nothing wrong with my head. And now that I have the Holy Grail, I Whoops.

... (Silently staring at you with a "Did you see that?" look on his face)

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Nitocris!

Yes! What do you require, Pharaoh!?

I don't feel well! I'd like to move my body a bit! Call some fire sprites to wake me up!

Here I come, Master of Chaldea! I particularly enjoyed your silence just now!

Master! For reasons unknown, Pharaoh Ozymandias is gearing up for battle!

Okay, as expected! This king is a problem child who's always just lived by his own rules!

Hehthat was quite heated for mere amusement. Thanks to that, my head feels better.

Pharaoh, what exactly... No, um, do you intend to punish these people?

Naturally. Their objective is the Holy Grail. The Grail now belongs to me.

That means they will eventually try to kill me. I have no intention of letting them live.

Wha... Are you saying that I personally brought your enemies before you, Pharaoh?

Indeed I am. However

Nitocris. I hadn't told you about the Holy Grail, nor have I shared with you any knowledge relating to this Singularity.

That was my own blunder. This is not your crime. That is all because

...Hmph. I honestly thought they had perished around the Fourth Singularity. So much for my speculation.

Good grief You're far too slow! Slow, slow, slow! There's a limit to how slow one should be!

O Master of Chaldea!

Humanity in this era collapsed long before you arrived!

King Ozymandias... What exactly does that mean...

Exactly as I said it. In this era there should have been a war to claim the Holy Land.

One side defending, and one side invading. A merciless slaughter between two absolutely incompatible nations.

At the end, one side would have claimed the Holy Grail, and the Holy Land would have become a seedbed for a Demon God Pillar.

That is, if you had arrived in this land just a little earlier.

But that didn't happen... So that means the war to capture the Holy Land never occurred, correct?

After all, the Grail is in your possession, King Ozymandias. You were likely summoned by someone on the Crusaders' side.

And then you naturally opposed them, taking the Holy Land as your own.

Is this territory of Egypt something you summoned? And is that what caused the collapse of humanity in this era?

...Who are you? You seem to be quite knowledgeable...

Oh? I know that name. One of the greatest geniuses in human history.

Yes, yes indeed. It is said that there is a fine line between genius and insanity!

Da Vinci-chan? I don't know of a Heroic Spirit by that name...

However, I can tell by your beauty. With true beauty comes true knowledge, after all.

Listen, Da Vinci-chan or whatever your name is. I intend to take you as my concubine one day. Plan accordingly.

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No, no, no. My intelligence is only a tiiiiiny bit higher than yours, O great Sun King.

So? Was my theory correct? Can we assume that you're the Singularity in this era?

Heh

Heh heh, hahahahahaha! I'm sorry to say you're mistaken, foreign sage!

Did you think that I, the all-powerful Sun King, would use a poisoned chalice such as the Holy Grail!?

I am simply the holder and protector of the Holy Grail! I have no interest whatsoever in the Holy Land!

Therefore, listen carefully.

The one who turned this era into a unique Singularity, and utterly destroyed all of humanity

He sits on the throne in what was once Jerusalem, that sacred city devoid of all hope. ...Which is where you're heading.

They call him the Lion King... The infamous pure-white Lion King!

(Sigh) That sure was a storm of events, Senpai.

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Fou...

Yes, yes. To think that after doing battle, we would be treated to an extravagant meal...

Although, after all of that we were told to leave and essentially chased out.

...Yes. Thinking back to what King Ozymandias said

Guests are to be given hospitality. Obviously.

We people of the desert never refuse hospitality to travelers. We understand the hardships of long journeys.

However, don't expect us to reach an accord so easily. You have neither the determination nor the dignity necessary.

Go and experience the cruel reality of this world. I shall give you one last opportunity after you have done so.

I am the tyrant who rules this era. I'm sure you will return to take my head eventually.

At which point, you won't be treated as guests. You'll be treated as foolish beasts who dare oppose me.

Now then, I banish you from these Egyptian lands. Seek out the Holy City first. We will have words afterward.

After that, we were escorted all the way here, still completely dumbfounded...

I wanted to know more about the buildings and stuff there... The Construction King is so impatient...

Are you still discontent!? Even after the king bestowed precious water and food upon you!?

Yes, we're very thankful for that.

If you die a dog's death before leaving the territory of Egypt, I'll lose face

That's what King Ozymandias said when he handed all these supplies to us.

Exactly. He even let us have materials from the temple. He may be a tyrant, but he's certainly generous!

...Of course. The king may be ruthless, but he's generous to the courageous.

Also, it seems the king took a liking to you. Perhaps it was Fujimaru's, how can I put it, air? Or aura?

I think it's because your easygoing personality resembles that of an old friend.

However, that was just a one-off. Pharaoh Ozymandias is a frightening man.

You're fated to die the next time you meet. ...Don't ever forget that.

...Yes. Thank you for the warning. We're grateful for your hospitality, Queen Nitocris.

I simply repaid my debt. You won't receive anything from me again, either.

...

Your Majesty? ...Um, do you want to ask me something?

...Not really. It seems I lack determination as well. Mash, are you afraid of fighting?

You fight bravely, like any Servant would, but I could tell. ...Your true nature, that is.

...That's...

It's okay. I could sense it's something to be proud about. Although I'm sure Pharaoh Ozymandias would rebuke it as weakness.

However, you're different from me. Despite your fear, you stand and fight, without deceiving yourself.

Hehe. It must be nice to have a Master and to mutually support each other.

This may be an issue considering I'm a pharaoh, but I... I feel envious, just a little.

？！

It's what you'd call girls' talk! Don't worry about it!

Anyway, I'll be going now.

Once you leave this territory, you will be in the middle of the land at the end of the world... Be careful.

There she goes... Riding off on a sphinx...

Yes, I'm so very jealous. I'd like to try riding a sphinx, at least once!

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Thanks for asking! It seems that this time we'll have long periods of physical activity.

So I borrowed some wood from King Ozymandias for... Tadah!

As you can see, I tried making a vehicle for desert travel! I call it the All-Purpose Vehicular Ornithopter Sphinx!

Fou, foooouuuu! (Translation: Da Vinci-chan really is an idiot!)

This is...a buggy, no matter how you look at it! It's really out of place for the 13th century!

Well, technology that is ahead of its time is really hard to pull off successfully.

So I tried making it work using the technological level of this era.

It's all made of wood, but it runs, you know?

Yes, naturally! I'm a genius, after all!

A custom-made vehicle built entirely from wood. It has seven other functions, but we'll talk about those later.

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How great... Yes, how great... Mr. Leonardo! Do we need a driver's license for this!?

No need, no need at all. Because it doesn't have an engine! It's basically the same as a bicycle!

Well, since it uses magical energy in place of gasoline, it can only reach speeds of 60 kilometers an hour. But never mind that!

Now then, pile in everyone! No more physical activity required!

Our true destination is about 100 kilometers to the east, waiting for us beyond the desert!

Roger!

Fou!

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Yeah!!!!

...

...

...Uu?

...! Y-Yeah!!!!

I've detected an extra exclamation of joy, Master! We've been surrounded without us noticing!

I won't let anyone interfere with Senpai's inaugural drive... Eliminating them at full power!