As mentioned before, Egypt had a unique wizarding world where religious and political authority were one.
From wizards to Muggles, fervent religious beliefs remained widespread, with many gods worshipped.
Some believed in the sun god Ra, others in Amun, the chief god of Thebes, and still others in Anubis, the god of death.
People and groups with faith were always powerful and fearless in battle.
Egypt also possessed the largest surviving collection of ancient ruins, with pyramids scattered across the land.
Those pyramids were constantly being explored.
As a result, Egypt's alchemical system differed from Europe's mainstream practices. Its spellcasting methods were equally distinctive, and curses were widespread and deeply mysterious.
Egyptian wizards were not closed-minded, either. They welcomed tourism and alchemical exchanges-and trade-and even worked with Gringotts to excavate the pyramids.
Their coffers had therefore always been full.
With neither strength nor money in short supply, the Egyptian Ministry of Magic had always ranked among the world's strongest overall.
It was many times stronger than a wizarding world like France's, which looked impressive but lacked substance.
When the Egyptian Minister openly withdrew from the second agenda item, it was as though he had given the previous speakers a shot of confidence.
After a few seconds of silence, they began thinking up "reasonable" ways to phrase their excuses.
The Italian Minister, for instance, wanted to say that the Muggles were electing a new pope, bringing an influx of Muggles that required large numbers of Aurors to maintain order.
The Minister for the Philippines and India was concocting a malaria outbreak: every wizard in the Philippines and India had diarrhea, and even the Aurors were weak in the knees!
With excuses like these ready, they began itching to stand up and speak.
Shawn was also surprised by Egypt's sudden decision.
He