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

Credits: Luke Matthews

"Of course, as long as the King does not revoke my title as a Knight, I will forever be Alaric of the Round Table.

And what I have done is not betrayal but a correction born out of love. King Ozymandias, I will correct your errors and give my final answer."

Alaric answered.

This reply made Ozymandias burst into laughter. "Hahahaha!! You, of all people, dare speak of love?"

Clap. Clap!

As if Alaric's words had unlocked some restraint, Ozymandias kept slapping the armrest of his throne. "No longer a comparison, but love instead! Sir Alaric, what exactly is it that you've fallen in love with?"

"Everything, King Ozymandias. I love it all—whether it's the Round Table Knights, the people of the mountains, or your kingdom. I cherish every form of life deeply.

Life is beautiful. But death is also sweet. I—"

Alaric paused slightly, stopping himself from saying that he would willingly accept death. Facing Ozymandias, he had to speak his true thoughts.

No one can truly accept death willingly. Even Alaric had to suppress his fear of death deeply through continuous mental conditioning.

"I am afraid—afraid of the end of this world and the death I cannot resist.

So, I must make a farewell that satisfies me. Without any deeds of note, I cannot become a Heroic Spirit like you, King Ozymandias. And so, this will be my last."

Alaric's tone carried no confusion or hesitation: "The future of humanity doesn't need me, but I must at least contribute to it and prove my existence—"

"And my comparison is now at an end, King Ozymandias."

Hearing this, Ozymandias chuckled. "So, compared to the pure white kingdom your king chose and my kingdom, you favor Chaldea more?"

"That's right. My king possesses the power to sever this world from the planet, which would bring about the destruction of humanity. And you, King Ozymandias, as a god-king, are capable of feats just as grand. But such a future is far too narrow and fleeting.

Only the future that Chaldea represents can continue moving forward. Humanity must progress."

"How fascinating. I look forward to seeing what choice you'll make when you meet the Lion King again, Sir Alaric!"

Ozymandias laughed.

"Wait and see, King Ozymandias—"

"By the way, how much energy does the Tri-Hermes have left?"

Alaric suddenly remembered Hermes and asked casually.

"Hm? Enough for normal use. Why, do you intend to use it? That would be quite the insolent act, Sir Alaric," Ozymandias said with a sly smile as he glanced at Alaric's smirking face.

"Not for me, but for the Chaldea group. They will eventually face the Holy City, and they must know its true nature—"

Alaric's smile faded, his expression growing heavy at the mention of the Holy City.

"The Spear of the Anchor of the Planet—?

The Lion King truly deployed something extraordinary!"

Knowing full well what the White Holy City was, Ozymandias chuckled lightly. "Not only did she use the Holy Lance to construct the city, but she also created a monster like you, Sir Alaric. What do you think the Lion King is planning?"

Having obtained Hermes, the obelisk-like spiritron computing simulator that recorded all matters of the planet, Ozymandias naturally calculated and uncovered all the Lion King's secrets.

With the addition of Alaric's information, the god-king Ozymandias pieced together the truth.

And because of this, Ozymandias became even more eager to see how the final act of this drama would unfold—to see how much it would amuse him.

"It's love. A love similar to mine, but not the same—"

This time, Alaric did not look at Ozymandias. His gaze fell to the floor of the temple, his eyelids lowered.

The Lion King's twisted love for humanity stemmed from merging with the Holy Lance, which brought the inhuman rationality of the goddess Rhongomyniad. The intent of King Arthur, Artoria, had not disappeared but had become cold and cruel as her divine nature took precedence.

It was a heart no longer human, much like when his own dragon heart had surged. And this love was cold, a god's love that humanity could not accept.

"The Lion King's love, huh—"

Ozymandias chuckled softly, then turned his gaze toward the silent figure of Serenity not far from Alaric.

"Hassan. Tell me your name."

Only now, it seemed, had Ozymandias noticed Serenity's presence.

Not far away, Serenity, who had been unable to get a word in, froze momentarily.

From the moment they entered the temple, Serenity had been overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of Ozymandias's kingly presence. Fortunately, Ozymandias had been engrossed in his conversation with Alaric and paid her no mind, allowing Serenity to remain quietly unnoticed.

But Serenity had not expected Ozymandias to suddenly ask about her.

"This is Serenity Hassan. Currently, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others are traveling with another Hassan, Cursed Arm Hassan, to visit the first Hassan in the valley—"

"The first Hassan? That one? A very peculiar Servant indeed.

Ah, I see. Sir Alaric."

Ozymandias, who had been wearing a carefree expression, seemed to realize something. Slowly, he rose from his towering throne. "So, you, Sir Alaric, came here before under the First Hassan's orders to kill me, didn't you?"

"Yes and no. While my reason for killing you does come from the First Hassan, it is not because he commanded it. It is my own will—"

Alaric answered candidly.

"You—"

At these words, Nitocris and Serenity could no longer remain calm.

Nitocris was furious, both because of Alaric dredging up old grievances and because of his unapologetic demeanor.

Serenity was shocked to hear Alaric mention the first Hassan, as well as his intent to kill Ozymandias.

'The First Master…'

Tap. Tap!

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed through the temple.

Ozymandias slowly descended from his towering throne, smiling as he asked, "And your reason? My life is not so easily taken."

As Ozymandias descended, Alaric realized that the long-awaited battle, delayed for a month, was finally here.

But Alaric felt no fear. Instead, he returned the smile and said, "As I said before, it is fate.

The Old Man of the Mountain acts according to fate, killing his enemies by the decree of destiny. Of course, with your immortality as the god-king within this temple, you would not fear such a thing.

So, I want to test it—whether I, before the Old Man of the Mountain acts, can kill you, King Ozymandias.

Can I defy fate?"

"You succeeded. I have never met the Old Man of the Mountain. That assassination from him never came.

Over this past month, I have suffered daily from the wound left by your Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, drifting in and out of sleep—"

Ozymandias raised his hand, and the staff symbolizing the pharaoh fell into his grasp.

Clang!

The longsword taken from the Enforcement Knight was drawn. Alaric smiled as he faced Ozymandias. "For that, I must deeply apologize—"

"Will you not use the Holy Sword given to you by the Lion King? Do you think I'm not worthy of it?"