Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King [149]

Credits: Waterwave

Sizzle!

A pitch-black aurora flashed by, but this time, there wasn't any deafening boom or shockwave—just the sensation of a light streaking across the scene.

"Are you serious, Merlin—?"

A sinister voice drifted out from behind Merlin. It was Alaric, his hands lightly resting on Merlin's shoulders as he pushed him back toward the city gates.

Merlin could only offer a dry laugh as he greeted the gate guard. "Yo! Hello there!"

Before Merlin could even utter the prepared excuse he had in mind, the sound of crisp, rhythmic footsteps echoed from behind the guard, near the city gates.

Everyone instinctively turned their heads toward the source of the sound.

A group of women dressed in form-fitting green outfits approached them. The moment the guard recognized their leader, he quickly jogged over to greet her.

"Lady Siduri! Is there something you wish to instruct us with?"

From the guard's perspective, the high priestess Siduri—an attendant to King Gilgamesh and a person of high importance—would only appear at the gates for a matter of great significance.

"Please, no need to stand on ceremony," Siduri replied graciously. "I've come because a distinguished guest has arrived. By the King's command, I'm here to welcome them personally."

Siduri soon stood before Merlin and Alaric.

"Greetings, both of you. I am Siduri, high priestess of Uruk and advisor to King Gilgamesh."

With her face concealed behind a veil, Siduri smiled warmly as she continued, "King Gilgamesh has already foreseen the arrival of the wise ones. If you wish to enter the city, please follow me, and I will guide you into Uruk.

If you also wish to meet with King Gilgamesh, let me know, and I will arrange a time for your audience with him."

Siduri's elegance and attentiveness were on full display, embodying the image of a perfect woman.

"Lady Siduri, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alaric, and this here is the flower magus Merlin. Thank you so much for your assistance.

If I may ask… How long has it been since King Gilgamesh established this demonic beast front line?"

Before stepping into the city, Alaric had something important to clarify. He wanted to know how long the front line had been in place—or, more specifically, how long the conflict with the goddess of demonic beasts, Gorgon, had been ongoing.

Merlin, as unreliable as he was, couldn't be trusted to provide accurate information.

Alaric hadn't had a chance to ask the guards for specific details either, so now that Siduri was standing right in front of him, he decided to seize the opportunity to ask.

As Alaric studied Siduri, she blinked in surprise at his question.

It seems the King's guest is quite an interesting character, she thought to herself before giving a gentle smile, her eyes curving slightly. "Sir Alaric, may I call you that?

It has been one week since King Gilgamesh began establishing the demonic beast front line and relocating the capital to Uruk."

One week?

So Gorgon hasn't appeared yet?

After hearing Siduri's answer, Alaric glanced at Merlin again.

How much of this guy's information was reliable?

Noticing Alaric's meaningful gaze, Merlin remained unfazed, even turning his eyes away as he began to whistle nonchalantly.

"Then, Lady Siduri, please lead us into the city," Alaric said, decisively giving up on Merlin and turning back to Siduri with a smile.

'It's much more pleasant to interact with a beautiful lady like Siduri.'

"Please, follow me," Siduri said with a slight smile before turning and leading Alaric and Merlin toward the city.

Seeing Siduri escort the two into Uruk, the gate guards stepped aside without further objections, bowing slightly as they spoke. "Please be safe, Lady Siduri."

Once they officially entered Uruk, Alaric began to take in the sights of the city.

It was a bustling metropolis, vastly different from Camelot.

This was the era of separation between gods and men, initiated by Gilgamesh himself. It brimmed with an unprecedented vitality.

"You're really a summoned Servant?" Alaric nudged Merlin, whispering, "Why doesn't anyone recognize you? And why don't you even have a permit to enter the city?"

It was one thing if the gate guards didn't recognize Merlin. But for Siduri, King Gilgamesh's trusted aide, to also have no idea who Merlin was—what was going on? Was this guy a Servant summoned by Gilgamesh?

Alaric couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"Ahahaha! Why would I lie about that?" Merlin said with a look of indignation. "You need to trust me more!"

?

"Lady Siduri," Alaric pivoted away from Merlin and naturally turned to Siduri, smiling as he asked, "Would it be possible to meet with King Gilgamesh now? Since I'm new here, I feel it's necessary to pay my respects."

Siduri tilted her head slightly, pressing her finger to her cheek in thought before nodding. "Yes, it is possible to meet with King Gilgamesh now. Please, follow me."

With that, Siduri adjusted her course, leading Alaric and Merlin straight toward the central ziggurat of Uruk.

!

As they approached the towering structure, Alaric abruptly felt a gaze upon him. Almost instinctively, he raised his head, looking toward the source of the sensation.

The grand ziggurat, a bridge between gods and men, stood before him. At its peak, a figure gazed down at them from afar.

Alaric quickly discerned the figure under the night sky.

The son of the gods, the Wedge of Heaven, the most ancient Hero King—Gilgamesh.

When Siduri brought Alaric and Merlin to the top of the ziggurat and introduced them by name and title:

"Hmm? The Sage, Merlin?" The golden-haired King seated on the throne spoke plainly. "So you're the magus wandering the forests. I thought you were searching for someone… Turns out it was this guy."

Time seemed to have left no mark on him. Though he bore the appearance of a young man, his visage radiated the wisdom of an elder. His kingly aura was distinct from that of Ozymandias, yet equally overwhelming.

Alaric understood immediately: this was Gilgamesh after his return from seeking the elixir of immortality. Unlike his tyrannical youth, this was the true King who now bore the weight of the entire world.

When Gilgamesh showed no sign of recognizing Merlin, Alaric immediately felt something was off. He glanced at Merlin, whose eyes were already darting around evasively, before asking, "Pardon my boldness, King Gilgamesh, but isn't Merlin a Servant you summoned?"

"Ridiculous! Do you think I've grown so weak as to require the assistance of a summoned Servant? At least, not at present!" Gilgamesh scoffed, holding a stone tablet in his hand as he cast a sidelong glance at Alaric and the shifty-eyed Merlin. "Besides, I've never summoned this utterly unreliable magus."

"Ah! I forgot—I haven't been summoned yet! Haha, what a blunder~" Merlin said sheepishly, tapping his head as he winked and stuck out his tongue at Alaric, as though trying to playfully brush off the revelation.

Do you think you're some magical girl?

 Why is this old man acting so coy?

 Alaric's mouth twitched. Spending just half a day with Merlin had been an eye-opening experience.

How did this guy manage to survive among the Knights of the Round Table?

"And as for you—what exactly are you?" Gilgamesh's golden eyes fixed on Alaric.

"These days, it seems even a monster can wear human skin."