Chapter 118.1: Sphinx of Gyptis
Chapter 118.1: Sphinx of Gyptis
◆Foreign Magic Princess, Chiyuki
After we boarded the ship from Isis Kingdom, we headed south toward the upstream of Nyar River, toward Gyptis Kingdom. The ship cruised at high speed due to the magic pedals, making us arrive at our destination in a single day. If, instead of the pedals, humans were the ones steering the ship, it would've taken us five more days to arrive.
Gyptis Kingdom was located on the border of Gypseal, on top of Nyar River's upstream; we were currently downstream of Nyar River. If we go further to the south, we would arrive at Arnak, the residence of Gypseal's Gods.
But, people without authority couldn't go past Gyptis, and to prevent unauthorized people from entering, a checkpoint was set in Gyptis. We would go down from the ship in this place, then go toward Arnak.
Our ship was currently anchored in the port of Gyptis.
I looked up at the sky. The night had already enveloped Gyptis, it was truly a beautiful starry night.
The cool, refreshing wind gently caressed my cheek as if the hot wind during the day was a lie. The difference in temperature between day and night in the desert was so extreme.
I looked at Gyptis City with farsight magic. As soon as I saw the buildings made of brick, I felt like the city had an exotic air to it.
The sphinx statues that decorated the main street looked like they were watching over pedestrians. Various races were walking along the road. Cat-folk, Dog-folk. Beetle-folk, Scorpion-folk, Crocodile-folk, Hippo-folk.
I even saw the figures of Satyrs, Minotaurs, and Centaurs, who had probably decided to reside in Gypseal.
If it was in any other region, those three races wouldn't be able to walk side by side due to the bad relationship between them. This kind of spectacle could only be seen in Gypseal.
There were also humans and dwarves, who should be the kin of the Elios Gods.
A human figure caught my attention. It was obvious that they were not from Gypseal.
Seeing their attire, they seemed like someone who came from the western side of the central continent. And from the tiny, mallet amulet on them, I knew immediately that they were a merchant and follower of Kuveria, the God of commerce, and Heibos, the God of treasure.
With a permit, anyone could trade in Gypseal. So some merchants would come to Gypseal for trade.
The merchant was drinking ale in a bar.
Gypseal's agriculture was prosperous thanks to the blessing of Nyar. As the number one region that produces the best quality wheat in the world, even a poor person in this region could afford to eat the best bread and drink ale every day.
Gypseal's ale was really famous around the world. It was exported to various regions.
But, they were far more famous for their gold craftsmanship. Thanks to the abundance of gold deposits in Gypseal, Arnak, the golden capital in the desert, was rumored to be made from gold dust. The golden accessories I was wearing right now were also made by Gypseal's craftsmen.
A big lapis lazuli was inserted into a beautiful golden pedestal that must be worth a fortune.
When I wore Gypseal's attire and golden accessories, I did look like a princess from a foreign country. In fact, Goddess Ishtar's attendants called me magic princess, the shortened version of magician princess.
「Ha~h. How long do we have to wait in this ship, Ishtar?」
I heaved a sigh and asked Ishtar. In fact, we were currently standing on the ship's deck, waiting in the blockade of the road toward Arnak.
I had yet to be told about the detailed situation.
When Ishtar asked for an explanation from the Pharaoh of Gyptis, the Pharaoh promised to come in person to give an explanation. But, the Pharaoh was taking too much time to arrive.
Since it really couldn't be helped due to how busy the Pharaoh was, we had no choice but to wait while nibbling on the fish dish made from Nyar River's fish, and drinking Gypseal's special ale.
The fish they used were kawahazes (river gobies), eel, carps, and a rather peculiar catfish.
They were stewed with ingredients such as garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper which made an absolutely delicious treat.
They even prepared pancakes topped with honey, and adorable dancers from the Cat-folk to entertain us on the deck.
The maids who entertained us were working in shifts.
Can we really enjoy all of this when Shirone's life was in danger?
I felt like apologizing to Sahoko and the others who were waiting for us right now.
「U~hm. I also have no idea what's going on, Chiyuki. Normally, we can go to Arnak immediately after being checked. What shall we do, Reiji~?」
OI!! STOP USING THIS CONFUSION AS A REASON TO PRESS YOUR BADONKER TO REIJI!!
And Reiji. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SAHOKO IS CURRENTLY PREGNANT WITH YOUR CHILD!!
STOP LOOKING LIKE YOU'RE ENJOYING THIS SITUATION!!
Even though her appearance looked like a woman in her early twenties, one of the divine race's traits was perennial youth. Her true age was akin to our ancestors.
Even if she acts like a childish big sister to me.
Nevertheless, her erotic power was through the roof. She used that erotic power of hers to seduce all kinds of men and created many anecdotes. Some of them even told the story of her competing with her own daughter Muse, the Goddess of song, for the affection of Alphos, the most handsome God.
Good grief, she really was a flippant Goddess.
「Ishtar-sama. The Pharaoh, Maat-sama has arrived.」
One of the maids, who was entertaining us, informed Ishtar about the arrival of the Pharaoh.
Finally.
I heard that Gyptis' Pharaoh was a sphinx.
I couldn't help but feel curious since this would be the first time I meet someone from the sphinx tribe.
「Finally, eh? Let her through.」
After hearing Ishtar's order, the attendant then left and brought back a woman.
She was a sphinx, wasn't she?
The Sphinx was a creature with the head of a human woman, the body of a lion, and wings on their back.
Thus, I expected the Pharaoh to walk on four legs, but she was clearly walking on two legs. Her limbs were lion-like limbs though. And the part from which her wings grew was definitely that of a sphinx.
Rather than a sphinx, calling her a winged lion girl would be more appropriate.
「Long time no see, Goddess of Love, Ishtar-sama.」
The woman crossed her arms in front of her chest and bowed to Ishtar as she greeted her.
「Long time no see, Maat. The reason we called you here is to hear about the current situation.」
Ishtar called the woman Maat.
Then, this Maat must be the Pharaoh of Gyptis.
I've heard about her before.
Maat, the Ruler of the Scales.
As the Pharaoh of Gyptis, she also acted as a supervisor for the other Pharaohs in Gypseal. She was truly impartial when carrying out enforcement in accordance with the law decided by the Gods of Gypseal.
There was a saying that people whose sin was heavier than Maat's feather would suffer from eternal torment.
The reason why she was able to coexist with various races was due to her ability.
「Understood, Ishtar-sama.」
Maat then came in front of Ishtar.
Maat wore a golden circlet modeled after a falcon around her bob-cut hair and wore a graceful one-piece made from golden thread.
Her cool and dignified appearance reminded me of a career woman and Kaya.
「Well then, Maat. Do tell me why there's a blockade on Arnak's road?」
「I will do Ishtar-sama. But, aren't you supposed to introduce these honorable people over there first, Ishtar-sama? If possible I don't wish for this matter to be heard by your important guests, but...」
Maat looked at us.
It seems she had yet to know about us.
「He's Reiji, the Hero of Light. You've heard the rumor about him too right, Maat? And beside him is his comrade, Chiyuki.」
Maat couldn't hide her shock upon hearing Ishtar's introduction.
「Then, you're the one who kicked Harsesh-sama's a*s. The hero of Light, right?」
Maat asked with a complicated look on her face.
Which reminds me, Reiji did kick Harsesh's a*ss, who was one of Gypseal's Gods of Light.
Wait a minute, doesn't that mean he defeated her God? Would that make Reiji a heinous criminal here for doing that to her God?
I looked at Reiji's profile.
He seemed pretty nonchalant about it.
Rather, he didn't seem to worry about that matter in the slightest.
Seriously, what would happen if we end up failing to gather the necessary ingredients for the antidote?
「Maat, a woman shouldn't interfere with the fight between men. Moreover, what's wrong with that? He might have a solution for the current situation, right?」
Maat pondered for a while after Ishtar's reminder.
「Sure enough, the problem happening right now is beyond what I can handle. Moreover, his judgment regarding the matter with Harsesh-sama will be given either way once he arrives in Arnak. I understand, I shall borrow the Hero of Light's power to solve this problem.」
Maat nodded.
And then explained the situation to us.
「The reason why we sealed the road is that a few of Arnak's priests disappeared when they passed that road.」
「Arnak's priest? Do you mean, from the sphinx race?」
Maat nodded upon hearing Ishtar's question.
「Yes. They most likely have been killed by someone or something.」
I was really surprised upon hearing Maat's remark.
The Sphinx was a demon beast user in other regions, but here, in Gypseal, they're the God's kin and had always been regarded as a sacred existence who stood at the apex of the beastmen in Gypseal.
In short, murdering a sphinx was one of the heaviest sins toward God.
Not to mention that the sphinx's power rivaled that of an angel.
Meaning that only someone with their level of power could kill them.
「So you placed a blockade on the road since the situation is way too dangerous.」
「Yes, currently, the road to Arnak is really dangerous. God of War, Isdes-sama, is still investigating the situation.」
Isdes was a dogfolk with the head of a jackal.