The God King Ozymandias (3/3)

I sent a messenger to King Ozymandias. Let's wait for his reply first.

...Da Vinci, just to be safe, what was the message exactly?

Of course it was...

"We're gonna ask you to join our cause, so be ready when we come get you!"

Sure is. He's not the type of man to lend his strength to someone acting all modest.

In that case, we have to make him feel like we're on equal grounds.

Of course. King Ozymandias is the personification of human confidence, arrogance, and narcissism.

With someone like that, modesty will have the opposite effect!

We need to display our own strength, stand firm and say "Hey, we can be worthy opponents!"

？！

...There's movement! A group of guardian beasts is storming out the temple as the gates open!

All hands, prepare for battle! Just as planned, we will meet Ozymandias' forces head-on!

The time has come! Let us show them a single knight can rival the strength of a hundred soldiers!

Okay, we'll count on Sir Lancelot to deal with their armies. Are you ready, Fujimaru!?

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Right! Let's break through the guardian beasts and make King Ozymandias grant us an audience!

Heh... I did tell them to return. I also did tell them when that happens, I will be their enemy.

Yet, these insolent fools would be this ignorant... I cannot even be angry at these clowns anymore.

Isn't that right, Nitocris? Wouldn't you say your repeated assistance to them has proven amusing?

That was not my intention... My sincerest apologies, Pharaoh Ozymandias.

I will no longer allow my foolish actions to sully your shining glory...

No need for that. This is rather amusing, it shall not be counted as your failure.

...However, to think my guardian star would dwindle on the eve of our confrontation with the Lion King.

It seems my judgment was clouded as I took the Holy Grail so rashly.

Until now, everyone has been fighting over this Holy Grail. Even after they were made aware of the fact that their world and future would be incinerated.

Nay, perhaps that only deepened their desire. Even after they become Heroic Spirits, a hero is capable of great sins.

Fearing it would lead to further ruin, I kept it in my possession... it seems now I am suffering for it.

My intention was to seal the Grail, but doing so also sealed away my freedom.

"If I have the Grail, even the Lion King can't easily make his move" I said... What a joke.

No. Your judgment was correct, O Pharaoh.

Heroic Spirits are greedy beings, but you, and only you, are different from the others.

A pharaoh who was more prosperous than anyone on this earth. You alone have not sought after the Grail.

...Hm. Prosperity alone cannot erase the greed in my heart.

Also, are you not a pharaoh as well? You, the incarnation of the sky god, Horus.

If you want, I can give you the Grail. Well, how about it? It's not too late.

You are already a Heroic Spirit. Using the Grail to turn into the real Horus might not be so bad.

...I am far too immature to be a pharaoh. Hence, I shall not refer to myself as one in front of you.

The Holy Grail belongs to you. I am content to be but a guardian of the mirror to the underworld.

I admire your loyalty. Perhaps a queen like you does not need power, but a friend.

Very well. Talking with you has relieved some of my boredom.

Go, Pharaoh Nitocris. Sever that weakness residing in your heart.

As you wish.

...A pharaoh is a god. As such, my decision is absolute.

However, I wonder what the gods would say if the world is erased.

The outcome will not change no matter what the Lion King chooses to do. That's how perfect a plan the King of Mages devised.

To wait for your extinction or to flee... The Lion King chose the latter. Truly a wise decision.

...And me? What would I, the Sun King, do when faced with such decisions?

We have infiltrated the temple! I still remember how to get to the throne room, so I'll lead the way!

...

Hm? What's the matter Sanzang? You've got a gloomy look on your face. I thought you would be shouting something like "This'll be a breeze!"

...I'm overflowing with that sentiment, but... I got a bad feeling the moment we entered the temple.

...Fujimaru, I don't want to dampen the mood, but...

I've been to the Holy City, so I am going to say this.

This grand temple feels just like the Lion King's Holy City. I know this place will be a shelter, too.

...King Ozymandias has the same means as the Lion King.

With this grand temple he can probably do the same thing as the Holy City.

So King Ozymandias doesn't have to fight the Lion King... Actually he's going to avoid the confrontation?

How disrespecful, Mash. Pharaoh Ozymandias will not run.

The likes of the Lion King are of no concern to us. Light of Judgment? What a joke!

A stream of light like that is powerless against my mirror!

No matter how many times the Lion King throws his sacred lance at us, I will be the very shield that protects this temple!

Queen Nitocris...

...Yes, it has been a while since I last saw you, Mash, Fujimaru.

How admirable that you've returned to this grand temple. I should praise you for keeping that promise.

However, that also means you must be prepared for a trial. It is time to display your strength.

I cannot allow voices of the weak to reach the ears of King Ozymandias.

It's time to send our thoughts and ideals down the raging Nile. If you want to move past this point, it will only be over my corpse!

I know nothing of that! Nothing! If anything happened, it was because I was still half asleep!

...That's it. That's how a courageous hero should act.

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O mirror of underworld, O warriors from the forgotten and ruined world! Nitocris orders you! Return this once to the present world!

Now then, let your trial begin! If you desire an audience with the king, defeat these monsters that have answered my summons!

My name is Pharaoh Nitocris! Upon your victory, I will show you the road to glory!

...Truly the skill of a seasoned warrior. Certainly worthy of an audience with the king...

...Please forgive me, O Sun King. ...It seems I'm not strong enough to call myself a pharaoh...

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Yes. She'll probably get upset and say she fought her best later, but...

We've been saved by her so many times.

So I think that just this time, she'll accept it.

Ah, this is certainly "retribution." She saved us, so she can't complain when we save her.

Okay, let's head to the throne, further into the inner citadel, for the confrontation with King Ozymandias!

So you bested Nitocris. Good. I congratulate you.

State your business, foreign Master. Are you here to leave me your head, or to beg for mercy?

I will allow either of those. I will kill you however you want.

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Huh? The message from earlier? It said you wanted me to fight alongside you, but...

Unbelievable! You were serious?! Hahahahahahahahahaha!

To think that I cannot see through the truth and lies! If I must burn you alive to stop my laughter then that is what I shall do, but...

I forgive you. Yes, I shall forgive you! How long has it been since I've laughed this much!?

I'll admit it, foreign master! You have a gift!

A gift for seeing dreams so far removed from reality! A gift that I, not knowing imagination, don't possess, fuhahahahahaha!

...Hey, please refrain yourself, King Ozymandias.

Turn the mocking down a notch. Me aside, Fujimaru is serious.

And, let's stop laughing at what isn't fun. You don't think it's all that funny either, do you?

No, he's not. He's accepted our proposal. That's why he didn't stop us from getting here.

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...Xuanzang Sanzang. The woman who crossed my Egypt without permission.

It seems you have something to say to me. Fine. In return for that great feat, I will allow your question.

Thank you very much. ...He's just like everyone said, isn't he.

What?

I didn't enter the grand temple, but I have been a guest at many other oases and temples.

There, I've listened to stories told by many people from this nation: stories of a cold-blooded and narcissistic king, and yet a king that rationally protects his people.

You're different from the Lion King. You prioritize the lives of your people.

Because you know that is the best way for a country to prosper. Because you think that is the duty of a king.

Except...

Except, you are going to abandon that duty. You say you don't know imagination, right?

You realized that if you were to fight the Lion King, you would both fall. That's why you wouldn't fight.

So, you chose the path of closing your country by summoning that desert into the world!

You can't beat the Lion King, so you are trying to lock your country's people in this temple!

You were shown a path where you could leave this paradox, no, resignation... Why can't you just be honest to yourself and say "Yes!"?

Fool, what would come of joining in this nonsense with no hope of victory! What would happen when we defeat the Lion King?

Through the Incineration of Humanity, the world will be burned away. If that's the case, it's pointless to defeat only the Lion King.

I will use my power to save my people! What happens to other people is none of my concern!

OH I DARE YOU TO SAY THAT AGAIN! Now I am angry! No, I am furious!

Enough is enough! For both you and the Lion King! You're just as selfish as Wukong!

Wukong... From Journey to the West!? Isn't he a monkey!?

Yes, a monkey. Now that you mention it, you two look like each other.

You done interrupting me? You see, the end of the world is knocking on your door!

Even if you're fine with it, your people don't want to lose this desert! Why can't you understand that!?

You've been saying "I'll protect my people, I'll protect my people," but isn't that just the same as the Lion King!?

Pharaoh Ozymandias is the strongest in all of Egypt, right!? Then show me how great you are.

Instead of "I'll protect my people," try saying "I'll protect this world!" You're the real fool!

...

Even the great king is speechless. Well, I know she gets angry but I've never seen her this furious before!

However, he will not get mad. Her reason is but a child's. He would lose his pride as a king if he took a child's tantrum seriously.

...Ha.

Haha. Hahaha. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Kuh hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

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To protect the world!? You are asking me to protect the world!? The shameful world of humans!?

What I protect is the law of the gods! In the end, you claim I am merely protecting my own subjects!?

But, yes. That possibility was outside of my calculations.

...Just as I expected. I am always an obstacle to you brave heroes.

This prominent king is once again a tyrant that needs to be defeated.

As such, were I in any era, any world, I would have reigned as your enemy.

Pharaoh Ozymandias cannot save the world. The reason being I am the king on the side that rules and intimidates.

...King Ozymandias. You just happened to end up in that role, didn't you?

Just this one time, I'm sure doing something good is not a bad deal for you.

Hmm... Is that so? At the very least, I want to kill you more than anything right now!

Xuanzang Sanzang, that was quite the question! However, there is one fatal flaw in what you said!

This is a reward for making me laugh from the bottom of my heart. From the hand of King Ozymandias, I will compensate you!

Huh...What do you mean something lacking? Did I mess up again?

Do I really have to say it?

You haven't proved... whether you have what it takes or not to save the world.

For that reason, I am saying I will give you that opportunity.

That's the Holy Grail! King Ozymandias has the Holy Grail in his hand!

Hrgh!

King Ozymandias cut himself and is pouring the blood into the Grail...

Oh, and he just drank it down in one gulp!

Shadow of the Demon God that resides in this Grail! O False God, Amon. Now I grant your True Name!

I am one of the seventy-two. I am the Demon God Amon... Nay, you shall call me by my True Name.

The proper god enshrined and worshipped in this temple! The name is the Great God Amun-Ra!

Whew, now that's a big one! In ancient Egypt, Amun-Ra was one of the gods with the highest level of divinity!

It's impossible to manifest something with that level of divinity to this world! However, it's a different story if you grant that name to a Demon God Pillar!

Although it's temporary, that's a true Divine Spirit... A monster that far exceeds that of a Demon God Pillar!

...Even still, if we don't defeat him, we can't move on! The Sun King took that form for that very reason!

As proof that we can defeat the Lion King...we will take down the Demon God Pillar Amun-Ra!

Meryamun... Usermaatre!

The enemy Demon God Pillar won't disappear! The damaged parts regenerate immediately!

The great temple complex must be supplying an infinite amount of magical energy to Amun-Ra.

Perhaps this is what King Ozymandias is saving for his final battle with the Lion King.

As long as he's in this temple he's invincible! Truly a combat form specialized in protecting his people.

Admiration is nice, but we can't win at this rate! That thing over there won't go down easily!

...Sorry. I must apologize to you, King Ozymandias. That was bad of me just now...

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...And that's why I'm going to get serious now. If you'd go so far as becoming an ugly monster, then I must answer your resolve.

This skill... I sealed it away after the Buddha got angry in Tianzhu.

He told me to stop, told me I was abusing its use. But now...

This is, because that is. This comes to be, because that comes to be.

This is not, because that is not. This ceases to be, because that ceases to be.

Pratityasamutpada! These merits, skills, and the teachings of the Buddha are honed by the Five Elements Mountain!

The time has come to unleash the Buddha Palm! Now, I will save this entire world!

AA...AAaaAAAAAA!

The Demon God Pillar has been terminated! But, isn't this...

Oops, did I got too far!? Whoa whoa whoa, um... King Ozymandias!?

Hm, you called?

In hindsight, it wasn't very pleasant turning into a Demon God Pillar!

Fooou!

？！

Of course! I am the King of the Sun, the king of all gods!

That aside, well fought! Your strength is befitting of taking on the Lion King, who fancies himself a god.

Pharaoh! Are you alright? I thought I saw something strange...

Nitocris, is that you? I'm glad you're here! You should accompany me, too!

Accompany...? I mean, yes, of course, if that is your wish! But, in what should I accompany you!?

Hah, that's obvious. They have shown they are qualified to face the Lion King.

Then, only one more qualification remains! Are they brave enough to fight side by side with me!?

Are they worthy for me to entrust the entirety of my nation, my soldiers to them!

？！

Don't praise me too much, I am used to it! However, don't regret making me want to fight you!

You, not giving up even when faced with the fires of destruction. You, the ones who shall bring true salvation to this world!

Hear ye! My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings! Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair!

The Demon God Pillar was but an opening act! Witness the pharaoh's fighting methods, passed down from his forefathers!

In other words, this is the final decisive battle! I, Nitocris, shall make you shine with all I've got!

...Now then, what were we talking about?

Hey you, enough with your remarks! You must think of it as the pharaoh's unique way of showing consideration!

I know that. I thought it'd be awkward to discuss it after the fight, so I was doing you a favor. Let it slide, alligator-brains.

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You've demonstrated your strength. As such, I mustn't treat you lightly, either.

I'm no different from the Lion King if I only protect my own people, huh? Xuanzang Sanzang, it's as you say.

I was so fixated on planning for the future that I chose the safest route. I was determined, but at the same time, narrow-minded.

Hmph... Perhaps because I acquired this Grail without much thought, I was obsessed with things I normally would not care about.

Um... King Ozymandias, this is...

Your reward. Take it. It was a satisfying fight worthy of it.

But, this era is different from other Singularities. Humanity will not be restored just by obtaining the Holy Grail.

We're aware of it. Unless we can stop the Lion King's sacred lance, this era's disturbance will never disappear.

King Ozymandias. You gave up your trump card, the Holy Grail.

Does that mean you will cooperate with our capture of the Holy City?

Don't make me say it out loud, lady of beauty. I have already told the guardian beasts outside to stand down.

I'll lend you my Divine Beast Corps. I'd demonstrate my own strength on the battlefield as well, but...

I'll likely have to attend to something else. You go capture the Holy City on your own.

You mean the army of sphinxes outside!? That's this nation's strongest unit!

Thank you, King Ozymandias! Although it's a shame you won't be joining us!

Humph. Be grateful I'm not stealing your spotlight on the battlefield.

Yes, thank you.

We did it, Senpai! Looks like we'll have a good news for King Hassan!

What did you say? King... Hassan?

Are you referring to the swordsman that looks like the grim reaper? You came to my desert on his advice?

That's right. That skeleton told us to go to the desert. Only then would he take on Sir Gawain for us.

...I see. Seems like you've wasted your time, Fujimaru.

Nitocris wouldn't stop blathering on about it, so it stuck in my mind.

...Heh.

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...Pharaoh Ozymandias. Who is King Hassan?

The leader of the Old Men of the Mountain and the one I am cautious of as much as the Lion King.

The reason I didn't wage all-out war on the Lion King wasn't merely to guard this grand temple.

I expanded this desert and fought against the mountain people. It was just after that.

I was sitting alone on this throne, plotting my next military strategy, when lightning shot up my spine.

It was such a chill that I turned around, and standing there was that man... the first Old Man of the Mountain.

He was long done with his mission, too. In a brilliant display of swordsmanship, he'd already decapitated me.

I swung back with all my strength, of course, but by that time he'd melted back into the darkness.

Already decapitated... Oh! Senpai, it's that thing, remember!?

？！

I realize he's my enemy, but I can't help but to admire his god-like assassination.

If the battle hadn't taken place in my temple, my head would be long gone.

Since then, I could not even move on my own until the wound healed.

When you came to my temple, the wound was about to heal.

Hmph... If I'd known he was cooperating with you, I would've agreed to help from the start.

That's what I meant. If you'd told me first, you wouldn't have had to fight me.

That's true. But, aren't you glad we fought?

Like I said, don't make me say it out loud. That you never know until you try...

How much embarrassment do you think the king of all gods can take?