Chapter 10: The Sun King's Temple
"I actually spoke harshly to the people who helped me..."
Finally understanding the sequence of events, Nitocris blushed with shame due to her earlier lapse in composure.
"Um... thank you very, very much, travelers... I am sorry, because of my short temper..."
"Well~ as long as you understand, that's all that matters." Da Vinci's smile felt as gentle as a kind neighbor.
After all, that was the smile of the Mona Lisa (foggy/mysterious?).
Gudako also looked at Nitocris.
"Um, I'm thirsty..."
Shirou also followed up: "I'd like to eat some fruit or something as well."
Da Vinci, not wanting to be outdone, added: "I'd like to take a bath too."
Mash spoke up with some hesitation.
"T-that... I... w-well, never mind..."
"Water, is it..."
Nitocris replied: "In that case, please come with me to the Great Temple!"
Speaking of this, Nitocris suddenly remembered something, and her expression became somewhat flustered.
"Oh no, if I don't make it in time to dine with the Pharaoh, the shameful state in which I was captured will be exposed...!"
In an instant, the Pharaoh's dignity, which had barely existed, shattered along with Nitocris's panicked demeanor.
"They seem to both be Pharaohs, right?" Gudako said in confusion.
"Although that is true, when facing a Pharaoh like the 'Sun King' Ozymandias, she is probably still feeling a bit insecure," Da Vinci speculated.
As the Vimana gradually descended, the refugees were guided by Nitocris into the territory.
This Egyptian architectural complex, draped in the glow of the clouds, centered around a pyramid-shaped structure, with various other buildings spreading outwards.
Overall, it looked like a maritime city floating on a sea of sand.
"This is the residence of the 'Sun King' Ozymandias, the legendary, famous Great Complex Temple of Radiance... it really is magnificent!" Mash looked at the buildings here and couldn't help but exclaim.
"It is said that Ozymandias holds titles such as Ramesses II, God-King, Sun King, and King of Kings," Da Vinci explained.
"God-King?" Shirou raised an eyebrow slightly.
This triggered a keyword for him.
Led by Nitocris, the group entered the Great Temple without any obstacles.
The interior of the temple could be described as magnificent and resplendent; the extremely luxurious decorations and exquisite architectural structure gave this building an astonishing beauty from within.
In the center of the Great Temple, atop a long staircase, sat the throne.
A handsome man with brown skin was resting his cheek on his hand, eyes slightly closed, as if still in the middle of a short nap.
"Hmm... so sleepy, I am very drowsy..." the man murmured as if sleep-talking.
Nitocris turned around below the stairs to face Shirou and the others.
"Now, strange travelers, you are permitted an audience with the King. Come, offer your bows there! Upon doing so, the King will rise from his weariness and bestow a few words upon you!"
Hearing this, Gudako and the others were already planning to bow; after all, in their eyes, there was nothing shameful about bowing to a legendary Sun King.
But Shirou had no interest in this; after all, gods who met him probably had to have weak knees.
No longer deliberately restraining himself, Shirou unleashed the radiance of a Godslayer, his pale golden eyes cast toward Ozymandias, the 'Sun King' upon the throne.
"Hmm...?"
Ozymandias's eyes snapped open, locking his gaze onto Shirou with the look of someone facing a formidable enemy.
"Who are you!?"
Faced with the crushing pressure manifested by Shirou, Ozymandias no longer maintained the arrogance of the "Sun King" and faced Shirou seriously.
"Shirou Orihara. Though in this world, not many would recognize the name even if I said it," Shirou said with a light chuckle.
"Shirou Orihara... indeed, were it not for the strength you have displayed, I suspect hearing the name would have no effect on me."
Ozymandias nodded, and after confirming that Shirou had no intention of starting trouble, his hostility subsided.
Suddenly encountering a guy who felt unbeatable, Ozymandias didn't grovel, but he no longer appeared so arrogant. He also ceased caring about etiquette.
Gudako took this opportunity to ask:
"Sun King, do you know about the Holy Grail?"
Hearing this, Ozymandias stood up from his throne, and with a wave of his hand, a glittering, golden Holy Grail appeared in his palm.
Seeing the Holy Grail, Gudako and Mash's eyes widened.
"That is...!"
Da Vinci nodded along: "There is no doubt about it; that is the real Holy Grail. The key item appeared so quickly; it wasn't this easy to find the Holy Grail in previous Singularities."
Ozymandias seemed very satisfied with Gudako and her companions' reaction, his tone turning serious.
"People of Chaldea, before you visited this place, the human order of this era had already collapsed!"
Hearing this, Mash asked nervously: "King Ozymandias... what do you mean by that...!?"
"It is exactly as it sounds."
Ozymandias sighed lightly: "This era... should have been a battle over the struggle for the Holy Grail. One side lets go, the other attacks, engaging in a mutual slaughter where the two peoples cannot coexist... Depending on the result, the Holy Grail would transfer to one side's camp, and then the Holy Land would become a breeding ground for the Demon God Pillars."
"In other words, is this Holy Grail yours?" Da Vinci asked curiously.
"No, as the Sun King, how could I possibly use this poison cup they call a Holy Grail!"
Ozymandias said in a serious tone: "I am the master of the Holy Grail, the protector of the Holy Grail! I have no interest in that so-called Holy Land! Therefore, listen carefully: the one who turned this era into a special case among Singularities and destroyed human order beyond recognition—"
Ozymandias paused, then spoke the final words:
"That person is in the ruins of Jerusalem, the Holy City that has become despair! Commonly known as the Lion King, the one praised as the pure white Lion King!"
Listening to Ozymandias, Gudako and Mash's pupils vibrated.
"So it was the Holy City...!"
However, having escaped from there, Gudako had already judged that the strength of the Round Table Knights was quite formidable; she couldn't rely on the help of Shirou (Senpai) forever.
Shirou, who did not know Gudako's thoughts, was pondering where Bedivere might be at this very moment.
"It is a pity I lack the authority to seek out people..."
If only he had known, he should have killed more gods back then to make himself more well-rounded.
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