Vol 11: Chapter 2-2. (2/2)
Ardeth laughed. ”We know the whereabouts of the bracelet. It's hidden in the tomb. Unfortunately, we lost the key to open it, the key that opens the Book of Amun-Ra and the Book of the Dead. Otherwise, we could have first obtained the bracelet. So that even if you can't find the spear, we can hide the bracelet and keep it safe.”
Zheng took out the key from his ring. ”Well, I have the key but not the spear. I don’t think you can defeat the Scorpion King with normal firearms. So let's talk about the excavation first.”
The Medjai had been wanting to excavate Hamunaptra for quite some time but they didn't have the funds to sustain the operation.
They dreaded the curse of Imhotep before the first movie happened and didn't enter the tomb. However, after the first movie, it was already too late when Hamunaptra collapsed. The gold inside was also buried. When they learned of Zheng willing to excavate Hamunaptra, they were delighted and therefore became agreeable to searching for the Scorpion King.
Zheng sighed at this world after learning everything from Ardeth. Money was the most power item in the world. At least more useful than he imagined. Yet, he was lacking so many things but gold.
Anyway, with the help of the Medjais, he sent a telegraph to O'Connell then began hiring workers using the organization's name. The pay was the best of it's kind so everything was set within a week. Three thousand workers and a thousand camels carrying tools and some machines headed toward Hamunaptra. The expenses were through the roof since this took place in a desert. Zheng traded three more cubic meters of gold and let the curator handle the money. He went to Hamunaptra with Ardeth.
Ardeth looked at the crowd in front and said. ”You are overemphasizing. Our people are experienced in this kind of excavations. It would only take a group two hundred people half a year to clear a site. You didn't really have to hire so many people. It was too wasteful.”
Zheng laughed. ”I don't have the time. The curator probably told you already that I am not from this world. My comrades died in another mission so I can't waste any time. I have to pay a price to come back here. And because the price is so high, I only have three months. The excavation must complete within three months at any cost. I need the Book of Amun-Ra to revive my comrades. That's why I asked you for help. I am too weak by myself. I need you.”
Ardeth gritted his teeth and said. ”Understood. Men of the desert won't forget a favor! I will use my power to influence the elders' decision. Some of our men said the Spear of Osiris appeared in a small country in Africa. However, it was stolen away afterward. I will sent people to investigate. Let us finish what's in front of us first. Don't worry, you will obtain the Book of Amun-Ra within three months. If the excavation isn't going fast enough, I will let our men help.”
Zheng suddenly thought of a possibility. Even though it seemed absurd but perhaps it was a coincidence.
”Hope the heaven will bless me.”
Zheng muttered as he looked out to the sky.