FATE: Target of Grand Master

"Master, are you really sure you still want to try?"

Li looked at Xia Yan, who was already planning to leave.

"Yes. We are now in a life-or-death situation with the Lion King's side. If even the Sun King attacks us, our situation will be extremely dangerous."

After a brief night's rest, Xia Yan decided to head to the Great Temple of Osmandis to try again to reach an alliance or a non-aggression pact with the Sun King. Of course, depending on the situation, killing him outright was also an option.

"But why can't we come together?" Morley asked.

"It's not that we don't want you to come together, it's just that we don't want you to get close to the Great Temple. You just need to provide support at the location where the desert meets the mountains on the north side."

"But that's still quite a distance from the Great Temple. What if... uh, I mean, what if something happens to you, Master, and we can't provide immediate support?"

Richard and Morley's intention was to accompany Xia Yan directly to the Great Temple, partly to support Xia Yan's negotiations and partly to provide mutual support.

Xia Yan, however, did not think so.

Richard and Morley had already failed once, and Osmandis wouldn't be kind to people he looked down on. Taking them along would only have the opposite effect. If he weren't worried that they would be ambushed by the Lion King's forces when he left, he would have even hoped that the two of them could take the remaining forces and find a secluded place to hide.

Of course, Xia Yan wouldn't say such hurtful things, so a compromise was reached: they would meet up at the edge of the desert.

"What if? With me here, there's no chance of anything happening."

Morgan's voice silenced Richard and Morley, as the earlier clash with the Lion King's Holy Lance had left a deep impression on them.

"Alright, let's not delay, let's get going."

Xia Yan concluded the conversation and then led the three followers toward the Great Temple.

That evening, in the Great Temple

"Speak your mind; my time is precious."

Osmandis sat on his magnificent golden throne, looking down at the man bowing to him below and the three attendants behind him.

Since the negotiations with the false crusaders yesterday ended in discord, Osmandis was not in the mood to meet with anyone else, so he had Nitocris take him to a guest room for the night.

After his mood improved slightly today, Osmandis finally met with the man who called himself Sal Dius.

Sal Dius removed his hat, bowed, and then said, "Great Sun King, Pharaoh, Your Majesty Ramses II, it is my honor to be received by you. I have come here with a request: I hope that the Great King will grant me the favor to eliminate the remnants of the False Crusaders."

"Oh? You're from the Lion King's side?"

Sal paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"Reporting to the Sun King, I am not one of the Lion King's men."

"Hahaha. I haven't seen you before, so you must have just appeared recently. The fact that you didn't ask me who the Lion King is, but instead answered no directly, means that you at least know something about the Lion King. The fact that you know the Lion King's identity in such a short time makes it hard for me not to suspect that you are a spy sent by the Lion King to my side."

Sal broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained, "Great King, false lies are like bubbles that burst before you. I dare not conceal anything. I am indeed not one of the Lion King's men, but I am not a permanent resident of this world either. As someone from another world, I have some understanding of the situation here."

"Hehe, hehe, hahaha. If we're talking about a lie, your story is so bad it almost sounds real."

Just as Sal was about to smile, Osmandis continued, "Even if you're not one of the Lion King's men, why should I help you?"

Thrall was prepared for this question, but just as he was about to speak, Nitocris led four people into the Great Temple.

"My lord, as you commanded, I have brought here an envoy who claims to be the Lion King."

Sal and Zhang Hao exchanged a glance, both taken aback. But what frustrated Sal even more was that Osmandis's words were simply a mockery of him.

What kind of spy is he, the Lion King? A legitimate envoy has come, and you still doubt him!

However, one has no choice but to bow one's head when under someone's roof. Since he still needed the help of this arrogant pharaoh, he had no choice but to swallow his anger for now.

Zhang Hao hadn't expected to meet other people here. Judging from their modern clothing and the extraordinary aura of the three people behind them, they were clearly Masters.

After bowing, Zhang Hao recited the opening remarks that Giorgios had taught him.

"Your Majesty, Sun King, thank you for your audience. My name is Zhang Hao, and I am the Master who assists the Lion King. I have come to convey the Lion King's will, hoping to establish a non-aggression pact with the great Sun King."

"Oh?"

Osmandis raised one eyebrow and said, "First, prove your identity to me."

Zhang Hao took out an exquisite box and said, "The contents of this box can prove it."

Nito immediately took the box from Zhang Hao, walked to Osmandis's side, and opened the box.

Neither of them cared whether there were any hidden weapons in the box, because no one in this great temple could kill Osmandis.

As Nitocris opened it, Zhang Hao said, "This is the mane of the Lion King's mount, containing the Lion King's magic."

Osmandis was able to confirm at a glance that it was genuine; the man named Zhang Hao had not lied.

After waving for Nito to return the box, Osmandis did not engage in further communication with Zhang Hao, but instead turned his attention to Sal.

"You haven't answered my question yet. Why should I help you?"

Sal glanced at Zhang Hao beside him, carefully considered his words, and said, "Because I can also assist the Sun King in defeating the Lion King."

"Hahaha, you mean, without your help, I couldn't defeat the Lion King?"

Thrall was in a terrible predicament. He clearly didn't mean it that way, but this arrogant Pharaoh insisted on twisting his meaning. What's worse, it was a question that would be disadvantageous to him no matter how he answered it.

The answer is that it's belittling the Sun King. How could offending the Pharaoh bring any good consequences?

If the answer is no, then there is no point in my existence, and this arrogant guy will definitely say that I am not worth his time.

Not answering is to be disrespectful to the Sun King, which is no different from answering.

It seems that cooperating with Ottomandis is indeed too difficult.

Just as Sal was racking his brains for a reply, Zhang Hao spoke up.

"Your Majesty, the Lion King also asked me to convey a message to you. New allies have appeared among the false Crusaders, one of whom appears to be Morgan's follower and possesses formidable strength. If Your Majesty is interested in sparring with him, we promise not to intervene. If Your Majesty is not interested, as long as you promise not to intervene, we are willing to eliminate this threat. What do you say?"

As soon as Zhang Hao finished speaking, Osmandis and Nitocris both turned their gazes into the distance.

"Hehehehehe, my Great Temple is really lively today. Nitocris, please go and pick up another guest."