Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King [136]

Credits: Resid Kuliyev

The drastic change in Alaric's attitude left Fujimaru Ritsuka's group stunned.

It felt almost like a joke.

But Alaric himself didn't think there was anything strange about it. Instead, he confidently explained:

"Think about it. I was trained by Sir Lancelot. Not only can I not counter any moves, but now my weapon isn't even up to par. Rather than waste time, I might as well just get on with it."

"So, Sir Alaric, what exactly are you trying to say now?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka, unsure of Alaric's current mental state, cautiously probed.

"I surrender. It's that simple."

Alaric raised both hands and said it with utmost naturalness.

"Sir Alaric, you really are carefree, aren't you~"

Mash Kyrielight chimed in cheerfully.

After this somewhat absurd interlude, Alaric led Fujimaru Ritsuka's group once again to visit the grand temple where Ozymandias resided.

Ozymandias, like an eternal and unchanging king, sat high on his throne, his gaze sweeping over Fujimaru Ritsuka's group in an instant.

The pressure he exuded was immense.

"So, it looks like things went smoothly, Fujimaru Ritsuka. Sir Alaric let you in so easily, huh? Very well."

He spoke with a faint smile:

"State your purpose, foreign Master. Do you intend to offer your head in tribute to me, or are you here to beg for my forgiveness?"

From his throne, Ozymandias chuckled lightly:

"Either way, it's fine. I'll grant your wish and kill you."

Before he could finish his sentence—

Faced with Ozymandias' interrogation, Fujimaru Ritsuka took a deep breath, her words resolute and firm:

"Our purpose remains the same as before. We seek to fight alongside you and oppose the Lion King!"

Having journeyed through the Holy City and deep into the mountains, Fujimaru Ritsuka's goal had become clear at this point: to stop the Lion King before she could destroy the world.

For that, Ozymandias' power was essential.

"Oh? Hahaha! Are you serious? Hahahahaha!"

Ozymandias burst into laughter:

"Why are the jokes I've heard lately so amusing? Each one is funnier than the last. Very well!

I'll acknowledge your talents, foreign Master."

"Hey, King Ozymandias, isn't that going a bit too far? Fujimaru Ritsuka is being serious here!"

Unable to stand it any longer, Sanzang interjected decisively:

"And if you're not happy, don't fake it by laughing! Don't you think that's ridiculous?"

"Xuanzang Sanzang, the woman who crossed my territory without my permission. Fine. In light of your great deeds, I'll allow your question."

Ozymandias replied indifferently:

"But if it's a lecture, spare me. For some reason, that look in your eyes—like you're a teacher watching over a disciple—annoys me greatly."

"Well, that's because you look exactly like that idiot Wukong! And your personality is just as stubborn!"

Sanzang retorted confidently:

"You're a king who wants to protect your people, yet you chose the path of isolationism! You brought this desert into the world, and now, just because you think you can't defeat the Lion King, you've locked all your people inside this temple!"

"We've already shown you a path to let go of this obsession. Why can't you just listen and do the right thing?"

"Wukong? But isn't that a monkey?!"

Ozymandias seemed shocked by Sanzang's peculiar way of thinking, his voice rising:

"And what's the point of defeating the Lion King? With the Incineration of Humanity, the world is destined to burn to ash. Taking down the Lion King is nothing but a futile effort.

I'll use my authority to save my people. Everyone else? They have nothing to do with me!"

"You're so stubborn! You're no different from the Lion King!"

At this point, Sanzang was stomping her feet in frustration as if dealing with a foolish disciple:

"The Pharaoh Ozymandias is supposed to be the strongest in Egypt!

Then show everyone your impressive side! Don't just talk about protecting your people—talk about protecting the world, you idiot!"

Sanzang's angry words echoed throughout the temple.

The rest of the group was dumbfounded, watching the heated exchange between Sanzang and Ozymandias as if in disbelief.

Alaric, on the other hand, was enjoying the scene with great interest.

"——"

Ozymandias stared at Sanzang for a moment before laughing once more:

"Hahaha! As expected of Xuanzang Sanzang, telling me to protect the world, this shallow human realm!

What I protect are the laws of the gods. The result is that my people are protected in the process."

"It's no surprise. To you heroes, I'll always be an obstacle—a great king, but also a tyrant who deserves to be overthrown.

Thus, no matter the era or the world, I will always descend as your enemy.

The Pharaoh Ozymandias is not here to save the world, for he is a ruler who dominates and threatens!"

"Enough. These boring trials don't interest me a second time. You want to fight the Lion King, but you don't even know the truth about that Holy City. Boring fools."

Ozymandias suddenly lost interest. Compared to Fujimaru Ritsuka, it was Alaric who amused him more and piqued his curiosity.

As Ozymandias spoke indifferently, Fujimaru Ritsuka's group froze for a moment.

The Holy City?

Was there something about that pure white city that they didn't know?

Fujimaru Ritsuka instinctively turned to Alaric and asked:

"Sir Alaric, do you know the truth about the Holy City?"

Hearing this, Alaric didn't answer Fujimaru Ritsuka immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Ozymandias, who was watching them with amusement, and smiled:

"King Ozymandias, would you kindly use the Tri-Hermes once more to reveal the truth of the Holy City to Fujimaru Ritsuka and her group?"

"Such a boring request. How rude of you!"

Ozymandias, annoyed at being interrupted, casually snapped his fingers:

"Come forth, Tri-Hermes, and reveal the true face of the Holy City!"

Boom!

The Tri-Hermes, which had once displayed their power to Fujimaru Ritsuka's group, rose again. But this time, they projected a three-dimensional image.

It was the detailed silhouette of Camelot.

"This is—"

The moment the projection appeared, everyone's attention was drawn to it.

And Alaric's calm voice followed:

"The Holy City is the Holy Lance, Fujimaru Ritsuka."

These words left not only Fujimaru Ritsuka but also Mash, Da Vinci, and the others visibly shaken.

"That's impossible! That's Camelot!"

Bedivere was the first to object, outright denying Alaric's explanation of the Holy City:

"Even if the details are different, that's undoubtedly Camelot, the city of the Round Table! How could it possibly be the Holy Lance—"

"No, Sir Alaric is correct. That is not Camelot. Camelot was indeed a city built by fairies, one that could appear overnight.

But this one is different. From the very first time I saw it, I felt something terrifying. That must be the outer shell of the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad—"

Mash explained to Bedivere with a grave expression.

"That's impossible—then what about the people in the Holy City? Are they living under the King's protection in a life without freedom?"

Bedivere turned to Alaric and demanded an answer.

"Six months ago, they were relatively free. But now, not so much.

The compression caused by the Holy Lance's activation will pull everyone into its core. However, that place lacks the elements necessary for life. All humans are merely being collected as good specimens."

Alaric gazed at Bedivere and said:

"That is the truth of the Holy City—Rhongomyniad."

"Everyone will be preserved by the King's side, proving their worth."