act35side

Don't tell me there's some kind of dirty secret behind it?

No way! Relax, I'll tell you, but—

Before this scorcher of a sun gets too high in the sky, I want to run by Septagram Avenue to buy an idol. Even research needs the blessing of the gods, right?

You best walk quick then. That road's going to be too hot for your feet real soon.

The target is moving toward the museum in the heart of the city...

Considering she was personally welcomed by the vice-curator, it appears my information was correct. She is no ordinary woman.

What?! The jewel you found was a relic of the Shah?

Man... I shouldn't have worn open-toed sandals. I'm going to have sandal-patterned feet later.

Seriously? You're thinking about your <i>sandals</i> now? Where did you find that jewel?

I got a clue in a place once known as Szubat-Arsalan. After a few twists and turns, I finally found it in the territory of a Lord Ameer.

<i>The Lionpride's Ancient Throne...</i>

I also saw some ancient images left by the Shah himself in a cave full of crystals.

And I wrote everything down in this journal. It'll make public the true location of the great trove, and prove that the Shah's promise to the Nightzmora was more than just a legend.

Just think what might be waiting for us among all those riches?

Yet no matter how valuable that stuff may be, the true treasure is the clues that will help us reconstruct the truth of that era.

We'll find the answers to the Shah's unsolved mysteries one by one, Titi!

Why would he make such a crazy declaration of war? Or what really happened in the legendary clash with Kharanduu Khagan in the south! Or his final resting place!

These discoveries will shock the people! All Shar-Agade, the entire City of Gold, will be looking my way!

If you know where it is, just take a team there to excavate it. It's just—

No, there's one last trail to follow. I need to borrow an artifact from the museum.

You're the daughter of a Padishah. The museum storehouses are open to you, anything you want that isn't on public display.

Thaaaaat's the issue.

Wait. Don't tell me you want...

Pepe looks at the facade of the museum, a banner slowly unfolding across it.

The banner depicts a slender mummy draped in golden armor, its face hidden by a death mask.

And at the end of that banner is written in great, big script:

Landmark Exhibit Commemorating Varjavandabad Museum's Anniversary—The Nameless General of the Shah's Very Court!

The General? No, he is the guardian of the trove.

No matter who it actually is, it's Anat's most prized exhibit. I don't think you're going to borrow it that easily.

Well, a jewel with clues won't prove anything by itself. I can only show my worth to my father and the Shahanshah by finding the Shah's trove.

If I do that, I can go to the City of Gold, become the Shahanshah's Historian of Shar-Agade, and write an account of all Sargonian history.

Being a Padishah's heir not good enough for you, Pepe?

The wealth and authority is just superficial prosperity. The true honor that runs through our family is the role of court historian, passed down from generation to generation.

But... Hasn't your father always wanted your brother to be the court historian?

Well, we both have the same basic qualities. But I'm not losing to him on ability either.

Pepe, the City of Gold's envoy is taking your brother there in two months.

I'll make it in time, Titi! I just need you to help me! Anat's only willing to lend me that mummy to study come autumn.

But this summer is my <i>last</i> opportunity. I can't wait that long.

You and your brother... You were always fighting as kids, and now you're at loggerheads over the same court appointment.

...Here. My pass. Take it.

You can sneak into the exhibition hall at night and study it, quietly.

Titi...

I'm just sick of seeing you two bicker and quarrel these past few years.

This is the last time I'll help you. If in the end, you come up empty-handed, then please don't keep stubbornly trudging on.

I won't. I won't come up empty-handed.

Ignoring Pepe's murmuring, Medjehtiqedti stands up to look at the grand edifice, witness to centuries of history.

The sun shines upon all the gardens and buildings, and under the boundless blue sky, the great trapezoid looms over them.

The leaves of tall palm trees besides them rustle in the wind.

I might see it every day, but I'm still stunned by its grandeur.

For so long has it quietly guarded the city, fending off time itself in silence.

Yep. A human lifespan is nothing compared to it, no matter how long it may be.

Over in the blink of an eye.

If only we could stop time for a moment.

Yeah. That would be great.

See you at the exhibition tomorrow. If you get caught, just say you stole the pass.

The exhibition... tomorrow...

Good. The guest's itinerary has been confirmed. I'll welcome her properly.

A descendant of a glorious clan of historians, the one who spreads ballads of kings and heroes, explorer of all Sargon, purveyor of knowledge, a respected Padishah's daughter—

Djerwnapekhaper Saciut Hatshepsut.

Any other would worry they would forget all these appellations, but the one who stands here is Narantuya, and her only regret is that these titles are all held by one person.

Fine. I guess the ransom ought to settle my debts even if it's just one girl.

The money left in this purse should be enough to buy a ticket for tomorrow...

Never mind.

The line would be too long, and the sun too hot.

And in this city, gold coins are too common to be worth anything.

Do you swear by your golden sun, your splendid gems and the great museum behind you?

That you will answer prudently on account of your respect for history and civilization alike?

Look within, at your own conscience, and tell me once more. How much is a ticket to the museum?

I already told you, hanim. The hall for non-Sargonian artifacts is free of charge. Only the Sargonian exhibition hall needs tickets.

If you don't understand, we have the prices for our tour services here on the window. You can hire one of our translators too, if needed.

So the Minoan exhibition hall is free to enter?!

I'll say it once more, hanim. There is <i>no</i> 'Minoan exhibition hall'.

But at times there will be a few Minoan artifacts on display in the Northeastern Tributary exhibit.

...'Northeastern Tributary'?

The foreign traveler takes a deep breath, the muscles of her bare arm bulging as she clenches her fist.

A part of the ticketer's mind is telling her to pull the booth's shutter closed, but the traveler's other hand is firmly holding it open.

History is a grand river beside which all who live upon this great land trek. The Originium workshops of the Ancient Town of Tal'sas were unearthed by Gaulish explorers. The scrolls detailing the legends of old Agamem were restored by Minoan artisans.

But Minos's own history has gone against the current, and has found itself scattered across the golden sands. I have traced its path just to catch a glimpse of its fragments.

Whether or not you agree, a historian's mission is to find the past that people have forgotten.

For the sake of this duty, should we not prevent arrogant discrimination by history's tyrannical plunderers?

In other words, if you believe that Sargonian history is worth a hundred dinars to see, then should Minoan history not stand equal?

Do you want a ticket or not, hanim?

—Even more importantly, Sargonians, as it so happens, are the plunderers, in this case.

With all that said, are you willing to hold fast to your conscience and confront the true value of Minos's artifacts?

Next!

Wait.

My name is Aspasia ho Herias. Please, use the Minoan spelling, not a Sargonian transliteration.

A ticket, if you would so please.

It seems that Zubayr broke the window... and left on his own?

I'll go find him and bring him back.

Leave it to the museum, Pepe. You haven't had a proper rest for several days now.

The envoy from the City of Gold is about to reach my father's territory, Anat. I need every second I can get.

Pepe...

You and Titi have gone through a lot tidying up the damage to the museum. I suspect there are a few spots Zubayr might be. I'll go check them out right away.

Do you know why I didn't want to lend you Zubayr at first, Pepe? After I got your letter saying you were coming back, I wanted to tell you...

Two months ago, I was on a business trip in your father's domain. There, I saw that the envoy from the City of Gold had already arrived.

Your brother's already gone to the City.

You knew, but you never told me.

You were so happy in your letter telling me what you found. You even used twenty exclamation marks in a row at one point.

I... I didn't have the heart to tell you.