Chapter 264: Pharaoh's show of force? Thunder from the sky!
The next morning, the secluded valley of the Mountain People remained as tranquil as ever.
Arthur and his group walked along the mountain path, moving away from the village, while Arash, with a cheerful smile, stood in front of the crowd, waving goodbye.
At the entrance of the stone temple high up in the mountains, King Hassan's ethereal blue soul fire flickered faintly beneath his skull mask.
He turned and merged into the shadows of the stone temple, as if he had never appeared.
The sand boat cut through the rising heat waves, sailing across the boundless sand sea.
Taking advantage of this lull, Ritsuka connected with Chaldea.
The light screen unfolded, and Roman's figure appeared, holding a newly analyzed energy report from Chaldea.
"The magical energy reaction is several times higher than before, and the Spirit Origin value fluctuations have stabilized, with the scale also being several times larger than before."
"Status fixed, form fixed, re-classifying Demi-Servant Mash Kyrielight as a top-tier Servant."
Although he was reporting the data, Roman's face was filled with worry, and he was practically glued to the screen.
"Mash, are you alright?"
Mash lowered her head shyly, glancing at Arthur beside her.
"Brother helped me."
"Helped? This can't be explained by just 'helping'!"
Da Vinci, who was driving the sand boat, turned her head, her beautiful eyes sparkling with endless curiosity.
"Chaldea's detection data shows that Mash's Spirit Origin reaction has increased by more than five times, and her magical energy limit has directly broken through all previous records!"
She paused, her tone filled with disbelief.
"And because she just completed her metamorphosis, Mash isn't yet familiar with her own power; she'll only get stronger from now on!"
"What exactly did you do to her? This doesn't conform to any existing theories; it's practically creating a Miracle out of thin air!"
Arthur shrugged indifferently: "Maybe it really was because of a [Miracle]?"
"It's always been like this; you never explain anything clearly."
Da Vinci was clearly not satisfied with this answer and leaned forward, ready to argue.
"Well, well, as long as the result is good, isn't that enough?"
Ritsuka gently patted Da Vinci's back, signaling her to drive safely, while genuinely happy for Mash's transformation.
Mordred, listening to their conversation from the side, suddenly turned to Arthur and asked in a low voice.
"Master, you've been running around this Singularity. Is it like before, looking for trouble with those disgusting things?"
Arthur nodded, just about to answer, when the sky's light suddenly dimmed, and day instantly turned into a dusky yellow twilight.
The fierce wind howled, stirring up a sky full of yellow sand, forming a sky-obscuring sand wall that blocked the sand boat's path.
From within the sandstorm, heavy footsteps could be heard, and two enormous beastly figures stepped out from the swirling sand.
The giant beast on the left resembled a lion, muscular, tall, and mighty, with a golden-cast male face and a pair of earthy yellow giant wings growing from its back.
The one on the right was slightly smaller, resembling a black panther, with black feathered eagle wings on its back, and a face of an ancient Egyptian woman, adorned with luxurious golden ornaments.
These two were the divine beasts from ancient Egyptian mythology—the Sphinxes!
"Roar—!"
The two Sphinxes let out deafening roars, their voices imbued with malevolent magical energy, and the sound waves they stirred up caused the sand boat to shake violently.
Arthur looked around but found no sign of any commander nearby.
"No intention of negotiating at all, just wanting to drive us away with force?"
A cold smirk appeared on his lips.
"If that's the case, then let's first show our qualifications for stepping into this place."
Understanding the meaning in Arthur's words, Mordred, already excited, grabbed her Royal Sword and leaped off the sand boat!
Her silver armor erupted with dazzling crimson lightning, and she transformed into a scarlet meteor, charging straight towards the male Sphinx!
"Mash, you go too," Arthur said, looking at the girl poised for battle beside him, "Go get familiar with your new power."
"Yes, Brother!"
Mash stepped forward, her Cross Shield shining with a sacred glow, meeting the scorching storm spewed by the female Sphinx without flinching!
Hum—!
An invisible barrier expanded from the shield's center; no matter how the storm raged, it could not shake it in the slightest!
Mash, demonstrating an unyielding defense, pushed her shield, plowing through the sand, charging forward steadfastly, and then slammed her heavy shield hard onto the golden human face!
On the other side, Mordred's greatsword had already collided fiercely with the male Sphinx's claws!
Their exchanges were broad and sweeping, entirely a berserker's fighting style, with giant claws and sword blade constantly clashing, sending sparks flying!
The male Sphinx's strength was enough to split mountains and shatter rocks, yet in front of Mordred, it was utterly suppressed by her even more ferocious demeanor!
"Is that all the strength you have, you beast!"
Mordred roared, and crimson lightning erupted, and with a lift of her hand, she actually sent the enormous divine beast flying!
"Still not coming out?"
Arthur muttered softly, then looked up at the yellow sandy sky.
"Thousands of winds in the dome, heed the divine command, shatter the cloud skeletons, and come swiftly!"
The moment his words fell, the sandstorm barrier that separated heaven and earth was torn apart by an invisible hand, suddenly dispersing!
As the sand and wind cleared, the scene behind was revealed to everyone.
On the sand dunes, densely packed, stood a legion composed of dozens of Sphinxes!
And at the very front of the legion, a female Servant dressed in ancient Egyptian finery, holding a golden scepter, was staring at everything with a look of utter astonishment.
Nitocris had not expected that her side's proud Phantasmal Beasts would be unable to hold on for even a moment against just two people.
What shocked her even more was that man; with just a single sentence, he had broken through the sandstorm barrier that she had raised with the help of the terrain!
"Stop! This is the territory of the Sun King, Ramesses II!"
Nitocris forced herself to remain calm and shouted loudly at Arthur and the others who were rapidly approaching.
"Unruly ones, retreat quickly! Otherwise, you will atone for yourselves with your own blood!"
"Sun King?"
Arthur seemed not to hear her threat, merely speaking to himself.
"He's the one I'm looking for."
He was too lazy to waste any more words, raising his right hand, and streaks of majestic divine lightning began to leap and gather in his palm.
"Thunder that splits the sky, heed the divine command, pierce the lowly, and sweep away all!"
Streaks of azure lightning tore through the sky, like angry spears thrown by a god, accurately striking the center of the Sphinx legion!
There was no wailing, no struggle!
Under the baptism of divine authority, those Phantasmal Beasts made of magical energy, along with the sand beneath their feet, were instantly vaporized, leaving behind only smooth-edged, glassy deep pits!
The entire Sphinx legion was annihilated in this one strike!
Nitocris stood dumbfounded, her mind a blank.
That was the Pharaoh's barrier, the most powerful and loyal divine beast legion, and it was just... gone?
"Little Mo, bring her over."
Arthur's calm voice came from below the sand dune.
"Alright!"
Mordred appeared behind Nitocris like a ghost, her cold sword blade already pressed against her neck.
Nitocris stiffened all over, finally recovering from her shock, her face pale.
"W-what do you want to do! Even if you kill me, the Pharaoh will never..."
"I told you, I have business with him."
Arthur interrupted her.
"In the deepest part of your temple, isn't there an unmanageable crack, constantly seeping out evil things?"