Once the sacred bull had fully opened the door, it faded like smoke and vanished.

  The bull’s mist flowed back into the stone gate, returning once more as a carved relief.

  The five siblings and the treasurer slowly stepped into the vault.

  Inside, countless racks displayed ancient treasures the kingdom had collected over its long history.

  Decorated chests and ornate jars resembling works of art were neatly arranged in perfect order.

  The treasurer stayed close to the siblings, endlessly explaining the origins and value of each treasure.

  The siblings, however, paid him little attention and spread out, each searching for something that suited their own tastes.

  The first to find something was Elaton.

  He pointed to a massive war hammer.

  “This looks pretty useful.”

  The treasurer hurried over and explained,

  “Unfortunately, that item would be difficult to use. It was blessed with great care by the priests of Ninhursag, goddess of mountains and earth. It is extraordinarily durable, but so heavy that no one has ever been able to lift it—a failed creation.”

  Elaton casually gripped the handle of the war hammer and lifted it without effort.

  He swung it around a few times, and the treasurer’s mouth fell open.

  “It’s got a nice weight to it. Feels just right.”

  Meanwhile, Eshiel had also found a treasure that caught his eye—a large, fossilized egg.

  When Eshiel called him over, the treasurer rushed to explain.

  “That is an ornamental item received as tribute from Egypt. It is known as the Egg of Bennu. However, it has already fossilized and is useless beyond decoration.”

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  Eshiel examined the egg, then cupped it in his hands and summoned flame, feeding it into the shell.

  The egg absorbed the fire as though it were alive.

  “The Egg of Bennu awakens when fed flame. I’ll be taking this.”

  The treasurer stood dazed for a moment, then slowly nodded.

  Azael walked toward the deepest part of the vault.

  He had sensed an unusual presence there.

  At its source was a black chest sealed within a binding circle.

  The treasurer shouted and rushed over.

  “No! That item—! It’s cursed!”

  He grabbed Azael’s arm, trying to pull him back.

  “That was a tribute from Egypt. From the moment it arrived, people fell ill or suffered relentless nightmares. Those who tried to use it descended into madness. It nearly caused a diplomatic crisis. The priests of Enlil sealed it with great effort—it’s a dangerous relic!”

  Azael calmly read the hieroglyphs inscribed on the chest.

  “Forged by the authority of Anubis. One who is worthy shall wield the power of the underworld.”

  He took out a piece of chalk and began drawing a magic circle around the sealing sigil—

  a diagram meant to release it.

  The treasurer stamped his feet in panic, at a complete loss.

  When the circle was completed, an ominous darkness began to leak from the chest.

  Azael opened it without hesitation.

  Inside lay a pitch-black dagger.

  The moment he grasped it, the malevolent energy erupted, taking form as a violent black aura that whipped around him.

  Azael, unfazed, murmured in a low voice,

  “?w ?nk — ?r? nb.k.

  (Your master has come. Serve.)”

  As his words ended, the black aura was instantly drawn back into the dagger and vanished.

  No trace of the ominous presence remained.

  “I’ll take this.”

  The treasurer, drenched in cold sweat, could only nod silently.

  Tamar searched every corner of the vault but found nothing surpassing Ishtar’s staff.

  She shrugged.

  “Nothing here beats what I’ve already got. I’m heading out first.”

  Ella had obtained Ginsu’s staff as loot from Marbala, but she felt she needed something of her own.

  Lacking the knowledge to choose, she wandered uncertainly.

  Noticing this, the treasurer approached her tactfully.

  “If you tell me what you’re looking for, I can help select something suitable.”

  After a moment of thought, Ella spoke.

  “Is there anything that would help in close combat?”

  The treasurer pondered briefly, then seemed to recall something and led her to a corner of the vault.

  There sat a small, beautifully crafted jar decorated in gold.

  When he opened it, it was filled with tiny pills.

  “These are pills that increase strength and agility. The effect is not dramatic, but with consistent use, you will see results. There’s a year’s supply inside—take one per day.”

  Ella accepted the jar with a satisfied expression.

  With everyone having chosen their treasures, the group exited the vault.

  When the waiting high priest chanted once more, the door closed on its own with a soft motion.

  The five siblings made their way out of the temple’s labyrinth and headed toward the palace.

  They still needed to plan wartime strategy with the kings.

  That was when a familiar face caught their eyes.

  It was Shara, the agricultural god of Lagash.