Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King [147] 

Credits: Talsen

Noticing Merlin's gaze, Alaric seemed to understand his meaning. The second potential disaster Merlin referred to was none other than Alaric himself.

As an anomaly rejected by human history, even though Alaric had gained stability, his essence remained unchanged.

If this was what Merlin meant by a second disaster—

 Alaric could understand and even accept it.

After fully regaining his clarity, Alaric could feel that the missing pieces of himself had been restored, and mystery and power began to sprout within him.

His body seemed to grow stronger with every passing moment, and the magical energy erupting from his dragon heart was astonishing.

At this moment, Alaric was like an ancient Mesopotamian native species, freely consuming the Age of Gods' ether to nourish himself. Even the ancient mysteries would only serve as his sustenance!

At this rate, it was highly likely that Alaric, even in his normal state, would eventually grow to stand on par with—or even surpass—Gawain!

"So this is the Age of Gods—"

A time when mysteries had not yet faded, and gods and humans coexisted.

His brief thoughts ended, and Alaric immediately turned to Merlin and asked, "So, what is the disaster you're talking about, Merlin?"

"I haven't found it yet, unfortunately," Merlin said, shrugging his shoulders in feigned regret. "If possible, would you like to join me in searching for this disaster that could affect the world?"

As he spoke, Merlin blinked repeatedly, his eyes filled with expectation.

"Sure!"

Alaric, who had no intention of refusing Merlin, smiled brightly. His radiant smile left Merlin momentarily dazed.

It was a story from a long, long time ago—a story about a certain girl destined to become a king.

"Ah, you're a good person, little brother. By the way, what's your name?" Merlin asked curiously, snapping out of his brief daze with an even wider grin as he leaned closer to Alaric.

"Just call me Alaric. Didn't you know my name, Merlin? You even knew I was a Knight of the Round Table."

Noticing Merlin's sincere attitude, which didn't seem like an act, Alaric's curiosity was piqued. "Or is it that you didn't know?"

Upon hearing this, Merlin, who had finally learned Alaric's true name, averted his gaze uneasily. If Alaric wasn't standing right in front of him, Merlin might have tried to flee on the spot.

"Ah, well, about that—"

"Ha, so this is Merlin, huh?" Alaric chuckled even more upon seeing Merlin's evasive expression.

Although he could sense that Merlin's behavior was just an act, it didn't stop him from feeling amused.

"You're a smart man, brother Alaric, so I don't need to explain too much, do I?" Merlin said as if he had found an excuse, speaking with great confidence. "In any case, I didn't know your name!"

"And the rest? Did you see it all?"

Alaric's next question sounded like a casual inquiry, his tone so light that it carried no intimidating force. It was as if he were simply asking an offhand question.

'!'

Driven by his survival instinct, Merlin's eyes widened in an instant. Then he quickly smiled and said, "Oh, I'm Merlin! I saw everything, everything! Brother Alaric, you've done very well.

I like everything you've done!"

"Did I do well?"

Alaric gazed at the treetops, his eyes stretching toward the boundless blue sky. "The king's mistakes were not corrected by me. That was a story between her and Sir Bedivere. I was merely—"

Doing nothing at all.

"Everyone has their own story, brother Alaric, and yours has just begun. The blessing that Artoria gave you—she hopes that you'll keep moving forward, isn't it?"

At this moment, Merlin's smile remained, but Alaric could glimpse an ounce of sincerity within it.

"As expected of the court magician!" Alaric raised his thumb, deeply impressed.

Seeing such high praise from Alaric, Merlin couldn't help but scratch his head. "Haha, little brother Alaric, you're straightforward! Hahaha!"

After some conversation, Alaric finally asked the question he had intended to ask from the beginning. "Merlin, where are we headed next?"

If it were Merlin, he'd surely have the answer.

"Since we're in Mesopotamia in 2600 BCE, naturally, it's time to pay a visit to the king of this era—the one who rules the only world—Gilgamesh, the King of Hero!"

Merlin declared with certainty.

This answer did not exceed Alaric's expectations, and he smiled immediately. "Delighted. Then I'll leave it to you to lead the way, Merlin."

...

In the slightly stifling afternoon heat, the last Knight of the Round Table and the Magus of Flowers, Merlin, embarked on their journey.

"Merlin, are you a Servant who manifested independently, or were you summoned?"

"I'm a Servant summoned by King Gilgamesh! But as soon as I manifested, I came to find you!"

Amid their idle chatter, Alaric and Merlin suddenly caught sight of the scenery beyond the forest.

"Roar!!"

Just as they were about to leave the forest, an earth-shaking roar echoed behind them. The forest trembled, and towering trees snapped and fell one after another!

Alaric turned slightly, gazing toward the depths of the forest.

Judging by the magical energy, a powerful magical beast was approaching. Its strength could rival the Chimera once created by the Lionheart King—one with twenty lives' worth of strength!

In the next moment, a colossal creature tore through layers of the forest and appeared before Alaric and Merlin.

Its body resembled a lion, its head like a tiger, and its ferocious tusks sharp as a wild boar's.

Its thick limbs easily snapped towering trees with the slightest touch!

The massive creature stopped abruptly, locking its gaze on Alaric. Its heavy breathing rumbled like thunder.

"Ah, it's Ugallu!" Merlin exclaimed in surprise as if genuinely shocked by the appearance of the magical beast Ugallu.

Before Alaric could ask, Merlin immediately spoke.

"Little brother, I'll leave this to you to protect me! After all, I'm just a powerless magus who can't fight at all—"

The Magus of Flowers hid behind Alaric, grinning as he said, "I'm sure you can defeat Ugallu! Good luck!"

Seeing Merlin's antics, Alaric said nothing more. Instead, he gave a faint smile and reached out toward Merlin.

Merlin, either too slow to react or deliberately allowing it, watched as Alaric's hand touched the staff he treasured.

Under Merlin's astonished gaze, Alaric drew the sacred sword hanging from the staff.

Clang!

The clear sound of the sword reverberated through the air. The golden sacred sword rested in Alaric's hand.

"Let me borrow this," Alaric said with a smile, glancing at Merlin. "Is that alright?"

"Of course... of course!"

Merlin's smile didn't falter, but he took a few steps back, laughing awkwardly as he gazed at the figure who bore a somewhat familiar air. "Little brother Alaric, do as you please!"

Zzzzzzt!

Before Merlin's words ended, a streak of pitch-black brilliance emerged.

In this ancient era where gods and humans coexisted, a being outside the domain of humanity revealed his power for the first time.