[You have defeated the Sun King Ozymandias.]
[A winner of the Quasi-Myth-grade fable 'The One Who Defeated the Incarnation of Ra' has been born.]
[You have acquired 500,000 coins as an additional reward.]
Even though I had defeated the Sun King Ozymandias, seeing that the rewards were a mere Quasi-Myth-grade fable and 500,000 coins made my face crumple momentarily, but I soon found it somewhat acceptable.
'If I had completely killed Ozymandias here, the reward probably would have been greater, but since we're allies now... that's out of the question.'
I would have preferred to obtain Ramesseum Tentyris or a Sphinx as a reward, but giving up on that thought, I let out a sigh.
"Brave one, you seem to have some dissatisfaction..."
Ozymandias, who had handed over his Holy Grail to Chaldea, looked at my somewhat disappointed expression. After thinking for a moment, he let out a chuckle and spoke.
"Come to think of it, I haven't bestowed the reward for clearing the trial yet. Here, take this! This is the reward I grant you!"
As Ozymandias reached his hand toward me, characters began to gather from his outstretched hand, flying over to dwell within me.
[The Sun King Ozymandias has bestowed a Stigma.]
[You have acquired the Stigma 'Abu el-Hol Sphinx (Divine Beast of the Scorching Heat)'.]
[The Sphinxes acknowledge you as their master.]
"!? Why so suddenly.....?"
Confused by Ozymandias's sudden action of giving me a Stigma (Noble Phantasm), question marks practically popped over my head. To the bewildered me, Ozymandias said,
"Hmph, a brave one who passes the trial must be given a reward befitting the feat."
I inwardly felt satisfied with Ozymandias's words and thanked him. Just as we were about to leave Ramesseum Tentyris, Ozymandias handed something over to me. I caught and held the small Sphinx he offered.
"Rawr!"
Seeing my face, the uniquely shaped baby Sphinx let out a energetic roar.
"That fellow is of the King Species of divine beasts that leads all Sphinxes. Known as the Divine Beast King (神獸王) and the King of Sphinxes, Wehem-mesut—this is a clone, Sphinx Awlad, created by imbuing it with mana like a cub! It can grow into an adult, but keep in mind that I have no idea how many years that will take!!"
"Rawr!!!"
[The Rank 7 Divine Beast Species 'Sphinx Awlad' is communing with you.]
Sphinx Awlad began to purr, rubbing its head against my chest. I looked at Ozymandias while stroking the little creature.
"Thank you, Ozymandias.... I'll do my best to raise this little guy."
"Naturally! It is a gift and a Divine Beast bestowed by me! Raise it well!!"
Having been chosen as the master of the Divine Beast Sphinx Awlad, I continued to pet him, and Awlad purred as if he enjoyed it.
"Hey, can I touch him too?"
"No."
"Rawr!!"
"Why not!!!"
When both Awlad and I rejected the request, Fujimaru slumped down in despair.
After that, we returned to the Eastern Village for the final preparations for war. Upon our return, Hassan of the Cursed Arm welcomed us warmly.
"Everyone, welcome back. As you can see, our preparations on this side are nearly complete."
"The village atmosphere seems..."
"Full of energy, isn't it?"
At my and Fujimaru's remarks, Serenity nodded and explained that representatives from various villages had gathered.
"The 7,000 we gathered. And,"
"...After that, 3,000 residents of the Holy Land rose up from beneath the surface in support of our rebellion. We fell short of our target of 10,000... no, 20,000, but that can be filled by Lancelot's army you brought, Ozymandias's legion, and Kang Yuseong's clones."
At Hundred Personas' words, Fujimaru asked if everything had been okay here, and Serenity replied that it had been chaotic.
We then devised a strategy. First, I would deploy the Aurora Curtain near the Holy City to transport over 10,000 soldiers. After breaking through the Lion King's defenses and invading the Holy City, the Allied Forces would suppress the city and seize the Royal Castle.
"After that, I would like to leave it to Lord Ritsuka and Lord Kang Yuseong."
"....You mean the role of striking the Lion King is assigned to us?"
In response to Bedivere's question, Cursed Arm affirmed, explaining why the role of striking the Lion King was being entrusted to us. We all nodded in agreement.
Nothing much happened after that.
It was a typical night before a war, with everyone eating and drinking their fill to rest—a truly ordinary night...
Once this night passes and tomorrow comes, the war will begin. And many people will die or be injured.
Because that is what war is.
"Rawr?"
"I'm fine, don't worry."
Sphinx Awlad, who had claimed my head as his spot before I knew it, saw me lost in thought and asked if I was okay. I replied that I was fine and took out three swords from my inventory.
Caliburn, the Sword of Selection that heralded the start of King Arthur's legend.
Excalibur, the Holy Sword of the Stars that symbolized King Arthur's reign (single-use).
Clarent, the Evil Sword that signaled the end of King Arthur's legend.
Each was a sword representing King Arthur's royal authority—the beginning of the king, the king's period of rule, and the king's final moment—the swords of the start, middle, and end of the Arthurian legend.
I looked at those three swords and spoke with the Great Sage throughout the night until it ended.
Time passed, and the next day arrived.
"Is everyone ready?"
Finally, the day of the decisive battle had come.
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