"The delegation—"
"Return——"
The gates of Damascus slowly opened to welcome the returning Arab diplomatic mission.
As they slowly entered the city, the streets were already crowded with citizens who had heard the news.
They rushed to see the messengers returning from distant Holy Egypt and the camel caravans that were loaded with goods.
"Look! That's the embassy to Holy Egypt!"
"I heard they brought back a lot of stuff! Food, weapons, and all kinds of weird and wonderful treasures!"
"What kind of place is Holy Egypt? Is it really as rich as the legends say?"
"Saint Egypt is so generous!"
The children stood on tiptoe, looking curiously at the objects they had never seen before, and the women held the young men and squeezed to the front, hoping to see the exotic treasures.
As for the old people, they sat on the roadside, smoking their pipes and telling stories about Egypt that they had heard when they were young.
"They say there's a pyramid in Holy Egypt! The sun hangs on top of it!"
"Wrong! The most famous thing there is a huge maze, which contains countless treasures and monsters!"
These speculations and rumors made the members of the delegation laugh.
They smiled and waved to the crowd, and this atmosphere slightly dispelled the vague uneasiness in their hearts.
Looking at the enthusiastic response of the people, they knew that the significance of their trip far exceeded their expectations.
The head of the group stood at the front of the team and addressed the crowd in a loud voice.
"I have good news for everyone! We have brought back a large amount of aid supplies from Holy Egypt!"
"This is all thanks to His Majesty Tossaladin and the generosity of the Holy Pharaoh of Egypt!"
"Everyone, remember! Saint Egypt is our best friend!"
The crowd suddenly burst into cheers.
They surrounded the delegation and followed the procession towards the palace, as if they were attending a grand festival.
However, when the delegation arrived near the Citadel of Saladin, the atmosphere had noticeably changed.
The area around the castle was unusually quiet, and the usual sounds of the guards chatting and patrolling were almost inaudible.
The servants who came in and out all lowered their heads, walked hurriedly, and there was no smile on their faces.
Several soldiers on duty leaned against the wall, their eyes red, and some even wiped their eyes with the back of their hands.
The members of the delegation looked at each other, and the smiles on their faces gradually disappeared.
The team leader subconsciously slowed down his pace, frowned, and observed everything around him.
He noticed that the guards at the castle entrance were replaced by a group of unfamiliar faces, and the old guards who were usually seen were nowhere to be seen.
"What's going on here?"
"Why does it feel wrong?"
The deputy head of the group also looked confused.
"Yeah, why is it so quiet?"
"Normally at this time, the castle should be very lively, especially after hearing the news of our return..."
Just as they were hesitating, a minister in a black robe walked out of the castle and met the captain's eyes.
The man's face was full of fatigue and sadness, and the dark circles under his eyes were clearly visible.
His lips were chapped and he walked with an unsteady step, as if he had not slept for three days and three nights.
"grown ups?"
The head of the delegation recognized the senior minister and immediately stepped forward to greet him.
"May I ask where His Majesty Saladin is now? I need to report to him immediately on the progress of this trip to Holy Egypt."
The minister looked up at the head of the delegation, then glanced at the huge delegation and supplies behind him. His lips moved, but no sound came out. He just shook his head silently.
"Sir? What do you mean?!"
The captain felt dizzy and a terrible guess came to his mind.
Before he could finish his question, another young soldier came quickly.
"Lord Fadil has instructed that the head of the delegation go alone to the reception room on the second floor of the palace, and that the others remain on standby."
The captain felt his heart beating violently, and an indescribable panic took over his heart.
He suppressed his inner uneasiness, straightened his clothes, and followed the soldiers into the castle.
But he felt like he was about to suffocate.
So, he could only talk to the soldier leading the way.
"Excuse me, has His Majesty Saladin's condition improved?"
"I heard he's been feeling unwell lately, but we brought the best medicine from Holy Egypt with us. I believe it will be very helpful to his health."
The soldier didn't respond, but simply quickened his pace, almost jogging through the long corridor.
"Hey! Hey! Why are you walking so fast!"
The team leader chased after him and pulled him over.
"Tell me! How is His Majesty Sarah now?"
"I just want to know what to say to His Majesty Saladin!"
Still no response.
The soldier's expression was as stiff as stone. He ignored the words of the head of the delegation and just walked forward mechanically, turning one corner after another.
The head of the delegation was stunned. He felt his body trembling.
Finally, they came to a wide marble staircase.
The soldier stopped, turned around and looked the captain straight in the eyes.
"Go up from here, turn right and the third door is the reception room. Master Fadhil is waiting for you inside."
The leader took a deep breath and stepped onto the stairs.
With each step he climbed, his heart beat faster. When he reached the second floor, he found his legs were weak and he had to hold on to the wall to keep his balance.
When he found the door to the living room.
The moment he pushed open the door, the scene before him was like a bolt of lightning.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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