"So it really is... Egypt from three thousand years ago."
Hoshino's suspicion was confird by Yugi, and with that, many things began to make sense. The Millennium Items gathered here had originally belonged to the Pharaoh from three thousand years ago.
No wonder Ozymandias had called Kaiba "Oldman"—this High Priest Seto looked like he had been molded from the sa template as Kaiba. He was probably a reincarnation, or sothing similar.
"Oh great Pharaoh, we mustn't keep the people waiting too long. Let us depart at once."
Once again prompted by Mahad, who had stood up and taken the lead, Hoshino and Yugi silently followed behind him. The other six priests, each guarding a Millennium Item, along with old man Simon, followed at the rear.
Hoshino quietly asked Yugi beside her, "What exactly is going on right now? What's all this about?"
Yugi paused to recall. "Although my mory is still vague, I can just barely rember. This day ca after my father passed away—it's when I first appeared before the people as Pharaoh."
"Huh? So this is like... your coronation? Isn't that a bit too formal for to be tagging along?"
Hoshino began to panic. Since Yugi was the Pharaoh, the priests protecting the Millennium Items must surely be the highest-ranking powers in the land. For a commoner like herself to be mixed in among them… it just felt wrong on many levels.
Yugi gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Hoshino. You're an important friend of the Pharaoh. In this land, anyone who disrespects you would be disrespecting ."
To disrespect the Pharaoh—in a monarchic system like ancient Egypt's—that was essentially suicide.
"Must be nice having power~"
Following Kaiba's famous line, "Must be nice to be rich," Hoshino had just received a new kind of lemon-flavored envy from Yugi.
Still, if she had to suddenly be thrown into Egypt, it was definitely better to have a powerful ally than to be alone and helpless.
Mahad stopped and pushed open the stone doors ahead. "We've arrived, my Pharaoh. Please accept the people's prayers and, with your divine might, lead this nation to even greater heights!"
Beyond the stone doors leading to the palace rooftop was a sea of Egyptian citizens that stretched as far as the eye could see. An uncountable mass of the Pharaoh's people collectively fell to their knees upon his appearance. This awe-inspiring sight of tens of thousands worshipping in unison was sothing Hoshino, as a regular civilian, had never experienced before.
Ancient Egypt—one of the four great ancient civilizations—was located in the northeastern part of Africa along the middle and lower Nile River. It had a complete writing system, political and institutional structures, and a polytheistic religious system. Through managing the annual flooding of the Nile, they had achieved great agricultural success.
As long as people were well-fed, they would be satisfied, and life would flourish. This was evident in the smiles on their faces and the sincere reverence they showed toward their ruler.
The ancient Egyptians called themselves the children of Ra, the sun god. The supre ruler, the Pharaoh, was seen as the embodint of the gods.
"It's a truly wonderful country, Yugi~ It reminds of Uruk during the reign of Goldie."
Hearing Hoshino's praise, Yugi smiled warmly. "The prosperity of this nation is all thanks to the rule of the previous Pharaoh—my father. From this mont on, as the new Pharaoh, I will never bring sha to his na."
Raising his arm high, Yugi responded to the people's anticipation. In that instant, cheers erupted. The entire nation celebrated the determination of its new ruler, and the celebration of the new king had officially begun.
Though it was called a "celebration," it was really more of a nationwide party where the people freely entertained themselves in honor of the new ruler. anwhile, the palace held a grand banquet—with sumptuous dishes, specially prepared wine, and sexy dances by dark-skinned beauties for Yugi and the priests to enjoy.
The alluring dances were pleasing to the eye and full of artistic beauty, but the food of ancient Egypt didn't quite suit Hoshino's taste.
Even though Yugi's als were more refined than those of regular nobles and used all sorts of spices—cumin and garlic included—they were still separated by a thousand years of culinary developnt.
After getting used to the refined cuisine of modern civilization, the coarse food of ancient tis was hard to swallow. This could be seen in Yugi's subtle expressions as he ate. Even as Pharaoh, after spending so much ti with modern-day Yugi, his palate had also beco more modernized.
Worried, Mahad asked, "My king, does the banquet not suit your taste, or are you feeling unwell?"
Yugi forced a smile to reassure him. "It's nothing, Mahad. I'm fine. The food is very good. I just want to take my friend for a walk and show her around the palace."
Mahad glanced at Hoshino, who was sitting at the table. Her pale complexion was clearly foreign compared to the usual Egyptian people, and to them, she likely carried an exotic charm.
"It seems our king has truly grown—becoming more thoughtful and considerate than before."
He respectfully stepped behind Yugi, no longer interfering. But just before Yugi left, he gave one last whispered warning.
"If you plan to show your friend around the palace, please be careful not to run into Mana…"
"Mana?" Yugi, still missing parts of his mory, couldn't recall who that was. "Why not?"
Hearing the conversation, old man Simon gave a knowing smile. "It seems our king has grown—but still has a long way to go when it cos to understanding a girl's heart. A jealous young lady can be a truly terrifying creature."
.
..
...
The sky had gradually darkened. After leaving the banquet room, Yugi and Hoshino made sure no one was around before finally relaxing enough to speak openly.
"Hoshino, what do you think this is? Reality—or so kind of illusion?"
Yugi asked first.
"At first, I thought we had traveled back to Egypt… but once I noticed that thing in the sky, I wasn't so sure anymore."
Saying that, Hoshino pointed to a distant part of the sky, where a massive pyramid extended from a dark void.
It looked as if the tip of the pyramid had punctured a hole in the sky, creating a black vortex—sothing that clearly didn't belong in the real world. And based on everyone's lack of reaction, it seed that only Hoshino and Yugi could actually see it.
"So it really is unusual," Yugi said, stroking his chin in thought.
Just then, the wooden barrel placed in front of them began to move. A black figure popped out from inside and, with practiced agility, wrapped her legs around Yugi and hugged him tightly.
"Found you—!"
(*****)
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