Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King [212]

Credits: Deadpool2695!

"Very well. Your growth has indeed exceeded this king's expectations." Sitting back on his jade throne, Gilgamesh gazed down at Alaric, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and Mash. At this moment, perhaps only Alaric had truly captured Gilgamesh's attention.

It had only been a few days since his arrival in Uruk, and Gilgamesh had already sparred with Alaric. The difference between Alaric back then and now was like night and day.

Just ensuring an adequate supply of magical energy had brought about such tremendous changes. Even Gilgamesh thought the cost-to-benefit ratio was astonishingly high.

'Merlin wasn't wrong after all—'

Gilgamesh recalled Merlin resembling a salesman pitching his product just a few days prior. The overly grandiose introduction Merlin gave now seemed modest, perhaps even understated.

After briefly assessing Alaric, Gilgamesh turned his gaze to Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight.

The fact that Ritsuka and the Chaldea group arrived at this Singularity at this particular moment was beyond Gilgamesh's predictions. Neither the celestial signs nor the information gleaned from his future sight indicated their arrival at this point.

There was no way Chaldea could have detected the current fluctuations in the foundations of human history in Mesopotamia. The only variable—

'It's Alaric again.'

Only the existence of Alaric, something unanticipated even by Gilgamesh's future sight, could have introduced such unknown changes.

Alaric's appearance was an anomaly that even Gilgamesh's prophetic abilities failed to detect. Even Merlin only noticed Alaric due to his connection with Artoria.

"King, are these the foreigners you mentioned before?"

After the battle concluded, Siduri withdrew her gaze and looked curiously at Gilgamesh, eager for an answer.

Gilgamesh had mentioned during the establishment of the Demonic Beast Front that a group of foreigners would eventually arrive in Mesopotamia.

Just a few days ago, Siduri had assumed he was referring to Alaric, but after further interaction, something felt off.

Now, it seemed that Siduri was finally seeing the foreigners Gilgamesh had previously described.

"If Alaric brought them here, then there's no mistake—"

Gilgamesh looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight below. These two girls had embarked on numerous adventures, collecting the Holy Grails scattered across various eras.

Seeing that Gilgamesh was willing to communicate, Ritsuka Fujimaru immediately raised her hand and called out, "King Gilgamesh, please hear me out!"

"There's no need."

Gilgamesh's cold words quickly cut Ritsuka off. He continued, "This king can accomplish all things, naturally omniscient.

I am fully aware of your matters with Chaldea."

Before his words had fully settled, the familiar golden Gate of Babylon opened once more. From it emerged a golden chalice, which fell into Gilgamesh's hand as he toyed with it.

"What you seek is the Holy Grail, is it not? The result is clear—the Holy Grail is right here in this king's possession."

A smirk appeared on Gilgamesh's face. "The Three Goddess Alliance is likely also after the Holy Grail in this king's hand—"

Ritsuka Fujimaru couldn't take her eyes off the Holy Grail in Gilgamesh's hand. Her tone became more urgent. "King Gilgamesh, if that's the case, then we must quickly retrieve this last Holy Grail, or humanity's foundation will collapse!"

"Even if it's a slip of the tongue, don't spout nonsense like please hand over the Holy Grail!"

Gilgamesh toyed with the Holy Grail, his tone icy. "This king has no reason to hand over his treasures to you."

"How—"

Hearing Gilgamesh's cold refusal, Mash and Ritsuka Fujimaru held their breath.

The Holy Grail was right in front of them, and Ritsuka Fujimaru couldn't back down.

Fueled by a relentless determination, Ritsuka began pondering how to obtain the Holy Grail from Gilgamesh.

At that moment, Alaric's voice, low and conspiratorial, reached her ears. "This one is fake. Oh no, to be precise, it's Gilgamesh's own Holy Grail, not the one belonging to the Magecraft King—"

"Huh?" Ritsuka, who had just been deep in thought, was instantly snapped out of it, staring at Alaric with a bewildered expression.

She trusted Alaric's words implicitly.

But if that were the case—

"King Gilgamesh casually put the Holy Grail away!"

Mash, who had also heard Alaric's whisper, exclaimed, drawing Ritsuka Fujimaru's attention back to Gilgamesh on the throne.

"King Gilgamesh, didn't you say this was the Magecraft King's Holy Grail?"

If what Alaric said was true, then Gilgamesh had lied.

"I never said that," Gilgamesh replied matter-of-factly, his expression unchanging despite Alaric's apparent betrayal. However, Mash's next sincere remark made it difficult for Gilgamesh to keep his composure.

"So, King Gilgamesh, the Holy Grail you mentioned earlier wasn't the Magecraft King's?"

"Fools!"

Gilgamesh waved his hand dismissively, stopping Mash from continuing. "It was a royal jest. You understand nothing!

If you want the Magecraft King's Holy Grail, then speak with Alaric!"

With that, Gilgamesh unceremoniously expelled Ritsuka Fujimaru, Mash, and the culprit Alaric from the ziggurat.

Outside the tower, Alaric, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and Mash exchanged glances. Finally, Alaric chuckled. "Well, King Gilgamesh's reaction was certainly unexpected!"

"So, does this mean the Holy Grail is in your possession again, Sir Alaric?"

Despite being thrown out of the tower, Ritsuka Fujimaru didn't seem too upset. Instead, she looked at Alaric with a complicated expression.

Was it going to be the same as last time, with Alaric obtaining the Holy Grail?

And if so—

What kind of fate awaited Alaric this time?

Ritsuka Fujimaru couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that Alaric might not leave this Singularity safely. According to what he had said, just maintaining his existence with the Holy Lance had exhausted all of its power. What would happen if the Singularity disappeared again?

Would Alaric be able to leave safely?

'——'

Saving humanity remained the most important thing—

Ritsuka Fujimaru's internal conflict was known to no one else and could not be shared.

Mash, standing beside her, was also tense as she asked, "Sir Alaric, have you become a collector of Holy Grails?"

"Hmm? It seems you've misunderstood something. The Holy Grail isn't with me."

Alaric looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash with a surprised expression.

The two girls, realizing they had misinterpreted the situation, blushed and smiled awkwardly.

Ritsuka Fujimaru scratched her head, mimicking Alaric's earlier gesture, and laughed. "Uh, so, Sir Alaric, do you know where the Holy Grail is?"

Since Gilgamesh had suggested they discuss the Holy Grail with Alaric, he must have some information about its whereabouts.

"I do. As for the villain holding the Holy Grail, I'm very clear on that—"