Professor Nama, a West African historian, stood frozen, staring at Martin's shoulder.
The little ball of fluff was squirming mischievously, trying to burrow into Martin's collar.
"Martin… is that… is that a lion?"
"That's right. A lion cub."
Martin chuckled and scooped the tiny fellow from his shoulder, gently ruffling its fuzzy head. "Its mother died. I'm raising it until it's strong enough to return to the wild."
Perhaps it was the effect of magic, but the cub was growing at a remarkable speed. In just a few days, it had gone from a furless newborn to a lively, fluffy bundle with gleaming eyes.
Now it had become the darling of all the girls. Everyone wanted a cuddle, a kiss, a squeeze.
Unfortunately, the little cub only wanted to cling to Martin, leaving the girls pouting with envy.
"You're a good man," Nama said sincerely, standing up with a solemn look. "So then, why did you call for me?"
Martin thought for a moment, then began to describe the architectural style he had seen within the Dark Lion King's memories.
"I want to know—what kind of architecture is this? Or more precisely, from which West African civilization or era?"
Nama pondered a moment, then asked a few clarifying questions. At last, he replied:
"Martin, I believe what you saw was a structure from the lost civilization of Djenne-Bucktu."
"Djenne-Bucktu dates back as far as the 5th century AD. It was founded by the Tuareg people and served as a vital hub on the Sahara trade routes. Known for its rich history, distinctive architecture, and vibrant culture, it once stood as a shining beacon in the desert."
"It connected North Africa, the Middle East, and West Africa. At its peak, Djenne-Bucktu was not only a powerful civilization but a crucial center of commerce and cultural exchange."
"In the 9th century, it rose to prominence as a center for Islamic learning, eventually becoming the religious and intellectual heart of the region."
"Scholars and students from across Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, and even the Mediterranean came to study there. The city became a confluence of cultures—Arab, Berber, and Black African. Many prominent Muslim scholars and saints settled in the city. Some of the greatest works of philosophy and theology were written and preserved there."
"By the late 14th century, the famed University of Sankore was established here. It was one of the world's earliest institutions of higher learning—some say older than Oxford or Cambridge—with more than 20,000 students studying Qur'anic texts, medicine, law, history, literature, astronomy, and geography."
At this point, Nama's eyes lit up with admiration. "If only I could visit Djenne-Bucktu in its prime—to witness its bustling markets and flourishing culture…"
Then his tone turned somber.
"Alas, no civilization lasts forever. Djenne-Bucktu was no exception."
"Over time, it began to decline. Its golden era faded, and the city slowly lost its former glory, vanishing beneath the sunset over the Niger River."
"One of the main causes was the shift in trade routes. With the rise of European maritime exploration, new sea trade networks bypassed West Africa altogether."
"This stripped Djenne-Bucktu of its central status. Its economy collapsed. Gold, silver, and salt—the city's lifeblood—lost their value. Its wealth dried up."
"At the same time, political and social turmoil plagued the region. Invaders looted the city multiple times throughout history."
"These wars and conflicts destroyed the city's infrastructure and economy. Internal unrest and power struggles tore it further apart."
"So you're saying this civilization was ultimately destroyed by war?" Martin asked.
"No, not entirely," Nama replied, surprised. "Djenne-Bucktu still exists. It's in modern-day Mali—the northern region of Timbuktu."
"Timbuktu?" Martin was even more stunned.
But how could that be?
What he had seen in the Nightfall Lion King's memory was a ruin—abandoned, lifeless, devoid of human presence.
Nama nodded. "Yes, it still exists. While the culture and prosperity are gone, the city remains. In the 1990s, the Tuareg rebels even tried to form an independent city-state there. The Malian government only managed to restore order in 1996."
"Recently, the site has caught the attention of the international academic community. Archaeologists and historians have flocked there, hoping to uncover traces of the lost civilization."
"Lost civilization?" Martin's eyes gleamed. "What exactly are they searching for?"
"You see," Nama explained, "Djenne-Bucktu once attracted scholars from across the globe. They founded some of the earliest universities, where various schools of thought thrived. These schools meticulously recorded their knowledge on specially treated parchment and stored the manuscripts in the University of Sankore's libraries."
"But here's the mystery—when the Songhai and Mali empires went to war in 1591, Sankore was burned down."
"Yet no burnt manuscripts were ever found."
"Historical records claim that the knowledge stored there was not destroyed—just missing. Some believe the books were smuggled out or hidden by the scholars before the flames reached them. That's what modern experts are searching for—the long-lost remnants of this once-glorious civilization."
Martin hesitated, then asked, "Professor Nama, aside from Djenne-Bucktu, are there any other places with similar architecture?"
Nama frowned in thought, his weathered face deeply creased with contemplation.
"Djenne-Bucktu's architecture is a fusion of Islamic, Saharan, and indigenous African elements. It's unique. There are buildings that resemble parts of its style, but nothing that fully captures its essence like Djenne-Bucktu does."
Then he suddenly paused, as if remembering something long buried. After a moment's silence, he said:
"However… there is an old legend. One that has been passed down for hundreds of years."
Martin perked up instantly. "Oh? What kind of legend?"
"It's said that during the 14th century, a group of scholars—tired of the noise, corruption, and wars in Djenne-Bucktu—chose to leave."
"They took with them a number of master craftsmen. It's said they discovered a hidden oasis and set out to build a new city—a secret sanctuary for knowledge, far from the chaos."
As Nama spoke, a light began to glow in his eyes.