Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King's Personal Knight

Crackle!

In the instant those skeletal warriors were about to reach Alaric, scarlet lightning arcs erupted from his body, instantly reducing the white bones to dust!

As of today, Alaric's mastery of magical power has far surpassed what it was six months ago. Walking hand in hand with his ever-improving martial skills was his deep exploration into the application of magic.

When it came to the pure use of magical power, Alaric was confident he was second to none.

Buzz—!

With a sudden, forceful step forward, the Mirror of the Underworld beneath Alaric's feet shattered!

At this moment, Alaric was merely an arm's length away from Nitocris. At such a close distance, Nitocris, as a Caster, was utterly exposed and defenseless against Alaric, who excelled in melee combat. No preparation or defense could save her!

Even though Alaric had closed the gap, Nitocris remained calm and unbothered, as if the lethal proximity didn't matter. She simply gazed silently at him.

[■]

"High-Speed Divine Words, huh!"

Alaric immediately recognized the technique Nitocris was using—compressing an incantation into a single syllable, making it impossible to discern.

This was High-Speed Divine Words, a method that allowed long magical chants to be compressed into an instant, enabling spells to be cast in a flash!

Alaric grinned, but his movements didn't pause.

No matter what magic Nitocris was preparing to use, Alaric was determined to break through it with a single punch!

In the next moment, a mysterious black mirror unfolded silently, catching Alaric off guard and swallowing him whole.

That black mirror was something Alaric knew all too well. He'd traveled through it many times before—it was Nitocris's method of traversing the Underworld.

But Alaric never expected Nitocris to use this magic during battle to transport him away.

...

When Alaric's vision returned to normal, he immediately noticed the now-distant figure of Nitocris and a startled Serenity.

"She transported me down here?"

Alaric glanced around. He now stood at the base of the long staircase leading to the temple. Nitocris had used the Mirror of the Underworld to move him far below.

"Miss Nitocris, that won't be enough!"

The arcs of electricity around Alaric grew denser, beginning to transform into dark lightning that distorted the already arid air around him.

Having experienced Nitocris's combat methods firsthand, Alaric knew he couldn't fall for her tricks a second time.

Who knew where she might send him next? If she dumped him in the desert, just finding his bearings and returning would cost him valuable time.

Crackle—!

Before his words were fully spoken, Alaric once again charged up the long staircase, a whirlwind following in his wake as he dashed past Serenity!

[Godspeed]

This was a Mana Burst application technique developed by Lancelot specifically for Alaric's abilities. Over the past six months of constant refinement, Alaric had perfected it.

Its sheer explosive power was enough for Alaric to shake even Gawain! His movements became like crimson lightning as he surged toward Nitocris.

"Not summoning, are you?"

To Alaric's surprise, Nitocris made no additional moves. Even though she had gained time by transporting him downward, she hadn't summoned a single warrior or spirit. She faced Alaric alone, relying only on herself!

Though confused, Alaric pressed forward. Once again, he reached Nitocris in an instant!

As expected, Nitocris began chanting again with High-Speed Divine Words, preparing to cast the Mirror of the Underworld once more.

Clang!

 Almost simultaneously, a flash of swordlight streaked through the air.

The moment the Mirror of the Underworld appeared, Alaric destroyed it!

"It's over, Miss Nitocris."

Although Alaric didn't understand why Nitocris hadn't summoned ancient Egyptian warriors to fight him and instead relied on such an odd approach, victory was now in his hands.

"You've won. The Pharaoh will see you one last time."

A look of melancholy crossed Nitocris's face. This trial hadn't even been a true battle—just a one-sided test of endurance and barriers.

Alaric finally seemed to understand why Nitocris had acted this way. He laughed and said, "So King Ozymandias told you, huh? As expected of the Miss Nitocris that I like. You're truly a good person."

Even though Alaric had once deceived Nitocris into bringing him into the temple and had even killed King Ozymandias, she still showed him kindness.

Nitocris must have learned from Ozymandias about the conclusion of this Singularity and Alaric's fate after its collapse.

That was why she had tried to stop him before he entered the temple.

"You... insolent scoundrel! Are you flirting with the great Pharaoh Nitocris?"

Nitocris, who had been feeling sorrowful over Alaric's fate, was immediately flustered by his blatant words of affection. Her ears perked up like antennas, and a blush spread across her cheeks.

"I thought you'd be in a somber mood, but it turns out you're just incorrigible!"

An angry Nitocris raised her staff, but Alaric, standing so close, quickly stopped her.

Alaric grabbed Nitocris's wrist with one hand and smiled. "Miss Nitocris, there's no need to worry about me. But I hope you'll witness it—witness me as I walk to the end."

His tone was full of sincerity, and his golden, slit-pupil eyes gazed at her intently.

Nitocris instinctively turned her head away.

"The Pharaoh forgives you."

"Great!"

Alaric released her wrist with a laugh and called out to the stunned Serenity to follow him.

Together with Nitocris, they entered the temple.

...

"Just you, Sir Alaric?"

On the throne, Ozymandias looked down at Alaric with a cold and bored expression. He examined him lazily before raising an eyebrow.

"What? Did you give the Holy Grail away?"

Ozymandias couldn't sense the overwhelming vortex of magical energy that had always surrounded Alaric. It was clear that the golden chalice was no longer in his possession.

This surprised Ozymandias. Alaric's current power was largely derived from the Holy Grail, which had never left him for the past six months.

Had Chaldea arrived, and Alaric immediately handed over the Grail to them?

To this, Ozymandias felt only boredom.

Extreme boredom.

"Not exactly," Alaric replied with a smile. "I gave the Holy Grail to Miss Da Vinci. She's using it to create True Aether in preparation for the final battle with the Lion King."

"King Ozymandias, Chaldea has already uncovered the truth of this Singularity. It won't be long before they return from the valley and visit your kingdom again."

Hearing this, Ozymandias broke into a grin.

"Now this is interesting, Sir Alaric. And you? Are you still speaking to me as Knight of the Round Table?"