Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Not only could he not ride, but this guy also shamelessly started to slack off and insisted on riding on the back of the camel that Hayato was riding.

"You're an Egyptian, born and raised in the desert, how come you can't even ride a camel?"

Hearing Hayato say that, Malik, who was clinging to the hump of the camel in the back row, said nonchalantly, "Isn't this normal? I told you before, I've hardly ever left the Tomb Keeper Clan's territory since I was a child. Do you think I have a chance to learn to ride a camel?"

After a pause, Malik asked back, "What's strange is you, brother-in-law. Although Yugi Muto didn't learn how to ride a camel, it's understandable that he would instinctively ride a camel when the nameless pharaoh appears. But what's wrong with you, brother-in-law? You ride it more steadily than Pegasus."

Hayato was also a little puzzled by what Malik had said. He had never ridden a horse before, let alone a camel, but once he mounted the camel, his body subconsciously adapted to the mount and prepared for riding. Even the camel responded to Hayato's body's reactions and obeyed his commands. Even though Hayato wasn't holding the reins, the camel would automatically turn whenever Hayato had the slightest thought of turning.

"Who knows? Maybe I even learned to ride a camel in Hawaii?" Hayato casually replied, though he didn't know why.

"Come on, brother-in-law. I might have been fooled by what you said before, but Honda already told me that there is a training institution in Domino City called Hawaii."

"I've already said, who's your brother-in-law?!"

During their casual conversation, the group of seven, riding five camels and with the sun rising higher and higher, made their way toward the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Even from a distance on the highway, people could feel the awe-inspiring presence of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the world's largest pyramid. As they approached the pyramid from the nearby town, the sheer size of the colossal structure became even more breathtaking.

It's no wonder Pegasus travels the world to find inspiration for Duel Monsters cards.

As they got closer to the pyramid, both Yugi and Hayato felt a strange sensation that was hard to describe; they could only sense that something was calling to them.

Meanwhile, Malik, sitting behind Hayato, said with some confusion as they got closer to the Great Pyramid of Giza, "Strange, this should be my first time here, right? Why does the Great Pyramid of Giza look so familiar from this angle?"

"Huh?" Malik paused, glanced at the distant desert, then looked back at the Great Pyramid of Giza, and then back at the desert again. "Huh?!"

"Could it be...?!"

Chapter 700 How could there be a language barrier in the world of anime?

"You're saying the ancestral home of the tomb-guarding clan is nearby?"

The camel paused on the sand, casually nibbling at the weeds that might have grown from the urine of some traveler. Malik shrugged and said helplessly, "I'm not sure. I'm just saying that this area looks like the scenery I saw in my tribe's land when I was a child."

"Although I didn't leave the tribe's territory much at the time, the low-rise buildings built there to avoid attracting attention couldn't hide the tall pyramids nearby. Anyway, I remember seeing pyramids of that shape back then."

As he spoke, Malik pointed to one side of the Great Pyramid of Giza and shrugged, "However, I'm not entirely sure if it's this pyramid. After all, that was almost ten years ago. It's already quite remarkable that I can remember there was a pyramid near the territory of the Tomb Keeper Clan."

“The Tomb Keepers…” Pegasus said with interest, arms crossed. “Although I visited Egypt many years ago, even though I’ve traveled all over Egypt, I’ve never been to the mysterious Tomb Keepers’ territory. Rather than revisiting old haunts, I feel that going to the Tomb Keepers’ territory might inspire me to think of something good, better, or even the best.”

Hayato glanced at Pegasus, whose accent was incredibly strange, but didn't bother to comment on him. Instead, he looked up at the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was now much closer to him.

Over thousands of years, the massive pyramid before us has been scarred by wind and sand, losing the former glory that Hayato and his companions never witnessed. Even so, the Great Pyramid of Giza is still the largest pyramid in the world, and such a historically significant structure has considerable potential to become an outstanding tourist attraction.

Logically, the tomb-guarding clan should advocate seclusion and living far from the hustle and bustle of the world, as evidenced by the fact that Malik's mere stroll in the vicinity nearly cost Rishid his life. Theoretically, the more remote the place, the more likely it is to be the territory of the tomb-guarding clan.

The Great Pyramid of Giza was located next to the ancestral home of the tomb-keepers? Impossible, absolutely impossible. What criminal organization would set up its headquarters next to a police station?

Um, probably?

Although Malik only offered a rather unreliable suggestion, the group had plenty of time. They had camels to ride, and the town wasn't too far away. Heading towards the tomb-guarding clan, whose location they didn't even know was real, was not a problem for them at all.

For Honda and Jonouchi, it doesn't matter where they go as long as it's interesting. Pegasus is also very interested in the Gravekeepers, who might provide him with inspiration. As for Kyoko, she's fine as long as she goes with the group and doesn't care where they go. Hayato and Yugi, because of that strange attraction in their hearts, also have the idea of ​​changing their route to the Gravekeepers' territory.

Of the seven, Malik was the only one who didn't really want to go to the Tomb Keepers' territory. However, he had promised Isis that he would visit the Tomb Keepers' territory if he happened to be passing by. When he made the promise at the Domino City Airport, he thought that Egypt was so big, how could it be such a coincidence that he would be passing by? But he never expected that he would find clues about the Tomb Keepers' territory at his very first stop.

Although reluctant, Malik, sitting behind Hayato's camel, had to keep his promise. He pointed the way with a helpless expression and said, "Go in this direction. Judging from the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza, we should be able to find it after walking about a kilometer. However, if I point in the wrong direction, there's nothing I can do about it."

At this moment, Malik was still thinking that if he was lucky, he might go astray in the wrong direction. Although he had an impression of one of the faces of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the area that could be seen from that face was still a huge area with a radius of one kilometer. Even if the territory of the tomb-guarding clan was really in the vicinity, he might be able to avoid it by chance.

However, he forgot one thing: they were not ordinary travelers. Of the seven, three had been involved with the Millennium Items, and Hayato was currently carrying three of them. The Millennium Item that had been with him the longest was the Millennium Wisdom Wheel.

"Ding~"

After the group had moved forward a short distance, the five semi-cones on the golden disc on Hayato's chest, who was walking at the front, floated up automatically against gravity and pointed in a direction that was slightly different from their direction of travel.

"Hey, is this the way?" Without Hayato pulling on the camel's rope, he simply squeezed the camel's sides with his legs, and his "ship of the desert" adjusted its direction accordingly.

Although the Millennium Wisdom Ring was originally taken from Bakura by Hayato during the Duel Kingdom... I mean, kept it on Bakura's behalf, this Millennium Item, which is said to be inhabited by an evil will, has long since taken Hayato's form.

Although it is mainly used by Hayato to run Dark Games and provide power to the Card Spirits like a battery, the Millennium Wisdom Wheel's original function is still retained. In addition to its ability to interfere with other Millennium Items, which even Hayato himself cannot control, it also serves as a "guide".

"Hmm, this is really useful, Hayato's [Millennium Wisdom Wheel]." Jonouchi, who was behind Hayato, also saw the lit-up golden disc and couldn't help but exclaim, "It's not just a tool for Dark Games, but it would also be very convenient to find things if you forgot where you put them."

"I always feel like you're referring to some kind of captain's pointer. Be careful not to get targeted by the Ministry of Justice," Honda joked, who was on par with Jonouchi.

Pegasus, following behind Hayato, seemed to be comparing things and said, "But the Millennium Eye is still more useful, right? My Millennium Eye can read minds, and it can even turn videotapes into real-time video calls. It can be useful anytime."

"That second function is completely useless, and what's the point of comparing things in a place like this? Besides, Pegasus, I remember your [Millennium Eye] was already gouged out by that evil Bakura whose hair stands up like rabbit ears."

A casual remark from Jonouchi broke down the old man's fragile defenses, easily plunging him into a slump.

"Hey, Jonouchi, that's really rude of you." Kyoko, who was holding the game in front of her with a relaxed expression despite theoretically being more stable with the camel's hump, turned her head and said to Jonouchi. However, after glancing at Pegasus, she paused and said, "It's just Pegasus, oh, it's alright then."

"Your words are so hurtful, Lady. Even I get hurt when you say that."

Although that's what he said, judging from Pegasus's flippant tone, it was clear that he wasn't really depressed. Even though he almost died when he was ambushed and had his Millennium Eye removed, so much time had passed, and the experienced Pegasus had long since overcome the psychological trauma of almost dying.

In the few minutes that followed, the camels carried the group a considerable distance across the sand. They were highly adapted to the soft sand, which required considerable effort to move. Just then, Yami Yugi, who had appeared outside to better ride the camels, spotted the scenery in the distance: "That's...!"

The camel traveled to a high sand dune. As it moved forward, the sand beneath its feet turned into mud. From a distance, a cluster of ancient buildings could be seen hidden in the desert. The gamer's strong intuition told him that it was definitely the territory of the Tomb Guardians, the Ishdar clan!

Yugi, walking in the middle of the group, could already see the Tomb Keeper clan's territory in the distance. Malik, sitting behind Hayato's camel, had naturally seen it as well, and his eyes held a complex expression.

That was his home, a place filled with painful memories, but also many beautiful ones. Malik had left for years after killing his father and, under Shadi's influence, believing the nameless pharaoh had murdered him.

Although he says he has no interest in this place, only Malik himself knows whether there was ever a moment when he felt nostalgic for it while he was wandering overseas.

Seeing that Malik was gazing at the distant tomb-guarding clan's territory with a complicated expression and remained silent, the others also stopped and waited.

But just as they stopped, dozens of dark figures suddenly appeared from all directions and quickly surrounded the group!

"Malik, you traitor!"

Faced with this sudden turn of events, Hayato, Yugi, and Jonouchi immediately tried to draw their cards to release their card spirits, but before they could act, one of the shadows surrounding them suddenly roared. Although they didn't understand Egyptian very well, they immediately recognized the name "Malik," and their movements involuntarily stopped.

"What are you guys trying to do to us by suddenly showing up like this!" Jonouchi looked warily at the men in black surrounding them. Each of these men held a curved sword, and judging from the cold glint of the blades, these weapons were no mere showpieces.

Therefore, Jonouchi's hand never left the top of the deck, and the power of [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] was ready to be unleashed.

However, whether it was due to the language barrier or because the black-robed figures around them were deaf, they did not react at all, but simply pointed their long swords at the group—or more precisely, at Malik, who was still sitting on the camel.

A man completely shrouded in black robes, with his head also covered by a black cloth, revealing only his eyes, walked out of the encirclement and approached Malik while speaking. His eyes were surrounded by wrinkles, and although he did not remove the black cloth covering his face, it was still clear that he was no young man.

Moreover, the anger in his eyes as he looked at Malik was quite obvious, and his target was also quite clear, as if he had known about Malik's arrival for a long time and had been waiting there in advance.

Opening his mouth, the man in the black robe spoke in Egyptian, a language the others couldn't quite understand. Judging from his voice, it seemed that the man in front of them had just spoken, and he was probably the leader of the men in black surrounding them.

"After committing an unforgivable crime, you stole the important 'God Card' amidst the chaos and fled your clan's territory with the secret 'Millennium Scepter,' Malik, how dare you, you traitor, return here!"

"I thought it was some stray dog ​​barking, but isn't this the elder?" Although the man in black exuded a powerful aura, Malik remained unfazed. After dismounting from the camel, he looked contemptuously at the man in black glaring at him. "Those who have drunk from the Nile will always return to Egypt, no matter how far they leave. I can come back whenever I want; it's none of your business."

What Malik was referring to was an Egyptian proverb, but it's clear that the proverb isn't used here at all.

Hearing Malik's words, the man in black laughed in anger and snorted coldly, "Hmph, fine, it's good that you're back. Don't think that just because your sister is the clan leader you can do whatever you want. As the elder in charge of the clan's criminal law and punishment, I will now punish you for the crimes you committed back then!"

As he spoke, the man in black drew a long sword from his waist and slashed at Malik, completely ignoring Hayato and the others beside him, as if he thought they wouldn't dare to move if they were surrounded by his men.

"boom!"

However, in the next moment, Hayato, who had just dismounted from the camel, kicked the man who seemed to be an elder directly in the face, sending the unsuspecting man flying and crashing to the muddy ground. The black cloth covering his face came off, revealing an old face.

"Yakamashi! You've been babbling on and on in Egyptian since the beginning. Isn't it common knowledge that the whole world speaks Japanese?!" Hayato showed no remorse for kicking an old man away, and said fiercely, "Speak to me in a language everyone can understand, you bastard!"

"You, you rude scoundrel!"

The elder, who had been kicked away, was helped to his feet by two men in black robes. He glared at Hayato and said, "Since you're the one who was with that traitor Malik, then we'll just kill you as an accomplice! Anyway, that little girl Isis isn't here. So what if she has a good background? How dare she, as the clan chief, order me to accept a traitor back into the clan?"

"Bah! Don't even think about it. If I kill this traitor, what reason will she have to punish me?"

Although his tone was fierce, the elder obediently started speaking Japanese after being kicked by Hayato. As he spoke, his gaze wandered over Hayato and quickly settled on the three [Millennium Items] hanging on his body.

"The Millennium Wisdom Wheel, the Millennium Key, and the Millennium Scepter stolen by Malik!? Ha, great, you've even prepared a reason for me. Tomb raider who dared to lay a finger on the sacred Millennium Artifacts, I'll kill you! May your soul be burned to ashes in the holy flames!"

As he spoke, the elder, whose face was swollen, reached into his robes and pulled out a golden artifact that looked like a stack of bird feathers. He put it on his left hand and unfolded it, revealing a golden duel disk!

Chapter 701 Don't the Tomb Guardians have any duelists from the mortal realm?

Looking at the gold ornament on the elder's wrist, Hayato asked with some curiosity, "Is that a duel disk?"

"I guess so. Anyway, this thing has been in our clan as long as I can remember. It seems to have been passed down for thousands of years." Malik said casually, stepping forward to stand next to Hayato. "Although I know I have done many wrong things in the past, not just anyone has the right to punish me."

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to Hayato, palm outstretched, and said, "Brother-in-law, lend me your Duel Disk for a moment. I'll take down this old guy."

"This old guy has been eyeing the position of clan leader for a long time and has been targeting our family. However, I never expected that after I killed my father, my sister would take over the position of clan leader, which thwarted the old guy's ambitions. Now he probably wants to take advantage of the situation and use me as a breakthrough to usurp the throne."

"I won't do as he wishes."

"The power struggles in your clan are so complicated." Hayato sighed slightly after hearing Malik's brief explanation of the situation. He took out his Duel Disk from his backpack, but instead of handing it to Malik, he put it on his wrist.

Hayato stepped forward, blocking Malik's path: "Isis specifically instructed me to keep an eye on you. Although you've recovered enough to handle regular duels, this old guy's duel probably won't be anything ordinary, right? I'll take your place."

"But---"

"There are no 'buts' for sure. If Isis knew I couldn't even protect a three-year-old like you, how embarrassing would that be for me?" Without turning around, Hayato looked at the tomb guardian elder opposite him and said, "Also, don't call me brother-in-law."

"Hmm? You rude scoundrel, are you going to stop me from punishing Malik?" The elder glanced at Hayato and said disdainfully, "Hmph, it doesn't matter who comes first, I had no intention of letting you off the hook anyway, how dare you kick me!"

"Huh? You actually have the courage to accept my duel? Instead of running away, you choose to duel?" With a magical touch, Hayato retrieved the deck stored in the system. Since he didn't know what deck his opponent was playing, he chose the safest deck construction.

The elder grinned and said, "How can I properly torment you if we don't have a duel?"

"Hehe, let's get closer then." Hayato said, pushing his deck into the Duel Disk's slots. The Duel Disk automatically unfolded, displaying the Life Points.

"Duel!"

"duel!"

[Hayato: 4000LP]

Elder: 4000 LP

"We've secured the initiative, time to draw cards!"

Drawing a card from the Golden Duel Disk, the Gravekeeper smiled smugly and said, "Excellent! Although it's only the first round, I've already drawn the most powerful card in my deck. I'm going to win!"

"Isn't that a bit too much boasting? Are you looking down on people? What's the use of drawing a powerful card? It's meaningless if you can't use it." Jonouchi couldn't help but say, seeing the tomb guardian elder's arrogant face.

"Although you guys always say in the game that you have to take every opponent seriously and go all out, this annoying old man probably doesn't even know who Hayato is, right?" Honda, unafraid of the long swords pointing at them, cheered for Hayato, "Don't hold back, go all out, Hayato, teach that old guy a lesson!"

Hayato nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, I would have done it even if you hadn't said anything. Besides, there's no such thing as a bad hand for a true duelist. I also drew a perfect hand."

Upon hearing Hayato's words, the gravedigger revealed a sinister smile.