The strategy for Sphinx would be different than the one used for Thunderbird. He wasn't as powerful or dangerous, at least not in a straight-up duel.
Alex was confident that someone like Azalea could hold her own against him several times over. But there was one key concern: stopping Sphinx from escaping. If he got away, the entire plan could fall apart. Capturing him alive would be best, there was knowledge and technology in his possession that Alex desperately wanted.
With everything set, Alex melted into the shadows again and left the tavern without a sound.
Back at the conference, Barnabas and the others didn't suspect a thing. After all, the main award ceremony had already finished, and it wasn't unusual for a young alchemy entrepreneur like Alex to be busy with other matters. Azalea's vague excuse worked well enough.
But Sebastian wasn't so easily fooled.
When he realised that Alex had missed not only the ceremony, but hadn't been seen at all since the night before, a dangerous idea crept into his mind. In his view, it could only mean one thing: Thunderbird had succeeded. Alex must've been dealt with. The odd behavior from the British Ministry representatives, he assumed they just hadn't figured it out yet.
As a seasoned member of the Silver Wand, the Sphinx was cautious enough to avoid contacting Thunderbird too soon. He knew well that reaching out to someone who had taken the Rebirth Draught without a proper reason could be easily misinterpreted as a threat. Those who drank the Elixir tended to be paranoid by nature, and even if he did try to get in touch, there was a good chance they'd ignore him altogether.
So, as long as Alex didn't reappear, the Sphinx wouldn't suspect that anything had gone wrong with Thunderbird. Confident in that assumption, he remained composed and continued attending the alchemy conference without a hint of concern.
On the second day, the Sphinx stuck to his usual schedule. He didn't head to the black market or act out of the ordinary. Instead, he calmly focused on his affairs, as if nothing had happened.
Alex didn't rush things either. He had already decided that even if the Sphinx didn't make a move during the conference, he would stay behind and keep watch until a mistake was made. He had no plans to return to Britain with Barnabas and the others, not when Sphinx was the only person who might know what really happened to Thunderbird.
Fortunately, Alex didn't have to wait long. On the night of the third day, the Sphinx quietly vanished from Cairo's city center. The tracker confirmed his location, he was heading straight toward the outskirts, in the direction of the black market.
Alex immediately sprang into action. He prepared his gear and followed, keeping his distance. But there was one problem: the Sphinx had Apparated.
That meant he could just as easily Apparate back when his business was done, making it nearly impossible to catch him on the road.
"Looks like the idea of ambushing him on the way was a little too optimistic," Alex thought. "That leaves just one option: attack him inside the black market. Still, I need to be careful. I can't risk exposing myself or causing a commotion.
But if what Thunderbird said is true, then hardly anyone, even his fellow ally, knows the Sphinx's real identity. Even his partners in the black market don't know who Sebastian really is."
That thought gave Alex some comfort. "If he shows up here as Sebastian, then the moment he steps into view, I'll strike fast. I'll just make it look like a scuffle between black market goons."
With a firm plan in mind, Alex stared at the entrance of the so-called black market. From the outside, it looked nothing like the name suggested. It resembled a half-collapsed temple from ancient Egypt. The walls were cracked, and large patches of the plaster had fallen away, revealing the dried adobe bricks underneath.
The whole place was surrounded by desert. It was far from any road, and there wasn't a Muggle in sight. From a distance, it just looked like an abandoned ruin.
By now, Alex had changed his appearance. His face bore the features of "Thunderbird," and his body was cloaked in traditional Arabian robes. A keffiyeh was wrapped neatly around his head, and he held an invitation letter in his hand as he approached the temple.
Once he got close enough, everything shifted. The illusion peeled away.
What had seemed like a decaying temple was suddenly aglow with magical lights. The massive stone gate stood wide open, and two goblin guards, dressed in Arabic garb, stood at attention on either side. From the open windows and entrance, Alex could hear the bustling noise of merchants shouting out prices and haggling over goods inside.
"So the invitation is an alchemical item too," Alex mused. "Only someone holding one can pass through the enchantments. The shielding and confusion charms here are no joke. Even the black markets in Egypt are handled with this level of security… impressive."
Just as he was taking it all in, one of the goblin guards stepped forward, speaking in a dry, flat tone. "Welcome. Please present your invitation."
While those without an invitation couldn't even locate the black market hidden here, this was still Cairo, a place teeming with eccentric characters and powerful wizards. It wasn't unheard of for a master alchemist, perhaps bored and overly curious, to stumble into places he wasn't meant to.
So when someone unfamiliar appeared for the first time, the guards still had to follow protocol and do their job properly. "Here," Alex said coolly, holding out his invitation.
The goblin guard inspected the letter with practiced eyes. Once confirmed, his expression shifted instantly into a wide, overly polite grin. "Welcome, Master Wizard. Forgive my caution, your face was unfamiliar. Is this your first time at the Bazaar al-Layl? Would you like me to arrange a guide for you?"
Alex stared at the goblin's strained smile, so fake it almost looked painful. He replied in a flat tone, "I'll wander around by myself. Don't trouble yourself." He casually flicked a small silver box into the goblin's hands.
Whatever was inside, the bribe did its job. The goblin's grin stretched even wider, somehow managing to look worse. "Understood, sir. Should you need anything while browsing the market, just look for one of the staff wearing a green armband. They're here to serve you."
Alex brushed past him with mild annoyance. Even goblins here had mastered the art of bootlicking when it came to power. It was mildly disgusting.