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

Credits: Korntaratana Jutimitta

But just as Alaric opened his mouth to agree, he found himself unable to say the words.

The words stopped in his throat, and Alaric's occasionally unreliable intuition kicked in once more.

Even though there was no battle, the surroundings were serene, and being in the palace made it impossible for any attack to threaten Alaric's safety.

Yet, Alaric still felt a mortal danger.

It was a strange feeling—Alaric could sense that this threat was targeting his spirit, his soul. His body, however, seemed unaffected.

The best evidence of this was the calmness of his dragon heart. In the past, when faced with a mortal threat, his dragon heart would be stimulated and instinctively awakened to its limit.

But now, there was nothing. It was as if nothing had happened, as if it were merely Alaric's imagination.

"Is it just an illusion?"

Alaric did not think so. After some thought, he made a decision.

At this moment, Merlin, seeing Alaric lost in thought, smiled even more broadly. "Hey, Brother Alaric, come on, say it to Brother Merlin—say, 'Teach me'—

Say out loud, 'I want to summon a Heroic Spirit.'

Your dear Brother Merlin has already prepared everything for you. As long as you say those words, I can make your wish to summon a Heroic Spirit come true!"

"Come on now, let Brother Merlin see how cute you can be! Then I'll fulfill your wish—"

"As long as I say those words, you'll help me summon a Heroic Spirit?"

Alaric seemed moved by Merlin's words, a look of longing appearing on his face. "You'll help me summon a Heroic Spirit, Merlin?"

"Of course, Merlin's promises always come with a guarantee. If you don't believe me, you can go ask Artoria."

Merlin's smile grew harder to contain, looking almost predatory as he leaned closer to Alaric, whispering like a shady uncle, "Just say those words. Come on—"

"But I refuse."

Alaric's face grew resolute as he looked at the grinning Merlin. "One of the things I, Alaric, enjoy most is saying 'no' to those who think they're invincible—

Merlin, if you call me 'Big Brother,' I might let you help me summon a Heroic Spirit instead."

Before Merlin could respond, Alaric raised his large hand and, under Merlin's stunned gaze—

He slapped Merlin's smug face and pushed him aside.

At that moment, Gilgamesh, seated high on his throne, finally spoke.

Even while personally supporting the cost of seven Heroic Spirits, Gilgamesh remained calm. Watching the Heroic Spirits he had summoned, he said in a measured tone, "Very well, Heroic Spirits from different eras. I trust that each of you is a renowned figure in history. I am King Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, and the one who summoned you.

This summoning is to combat the calamity about to strike Uruk, to part ways with the gods once and for all. I'll spare you unnecessary words. Next, I'll assign your duties."

Gilgamesh then demonstrated his exceptional leadership and decision-making abilities, quickly delegating tasks to the seven Heroic Spirits.

Snap.

After assigning their tasks, Gilgamesh habitually snapped his fingers. "Siduri—"

But the response he expected did not come.

Instinctively, Gilgamesh glanced to his side. Siduri was nowhere to be seen.

'...'

Just as Gilgamesh lowered his hand and was about to call out again, a familiar voice came from outside.

It was the same voice he had heard for decades, unchanging.

"My King, I am here. What do you require?"

The returning Siduri bowed slightly with a smile and said, "It seems we have some guests. Shall I arrange accommodations for them?"

"These are Heroic Spirits I summoned. I've already allocated their tasks. Siduri, take them to familiarize themselves with their duties and ensure they quickly join the front lines." Gilgamesh gave Siduri a concise explanation of Amakusa Shirou and the others, along with their tasks, and then sent her off with them.

Shortly after, a young man carrying a stack of clay tablets entered, shouting, "My King, here are today's unresolved matters."

"Hold on."

Gilgamesh nodded slightly and then turned his gaze to Alaric and Merlin.

Alaric and Merlin had not left with Siduri and the others—in fact, Merlin had tried to sneak away but was pinned down by Alaric.

"And you two. Alaric, your performance was commendable. Normally, this king would reward you with a treasure. Effort should be rewarded, after all.

Speak, what do you desire?"

Gilgamesh picked up a clay tablet beside him and began rapidly processing the day's accumulated issues.

Even though he had dealt with many matters in advance yesterday, a full day had still produced a stack of clay tablets awaiting his attention.

Immersed in his work, Gilgamesh seemed to forget about Alaric and Merlin entirely.

But Alaric was stunned by Gilgamesh's words.

Based on his understanding of Gilgamesh so far, there was no doubt he was being serious.

Did this mean he might receive a treasure?

Alaric knew that the treasures in Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon were all extraordinary items.

Even if the current collection wasn't as vast as when Gilgamesh was a Heroic Spirit, everything in it was still far beyond Alaric's reach.

With this in mind, Alaric quickly made up his mind.

Once Gilgamesh finished his work, Alaric seized the opportunity and spoke up: "King Gilgamesh, if it's possible, I'd like a flying Noble Phantasm—one that allows me to engage in aerial combat."

As soon as he said this, both Gilgamesh and Merlin turned to look at him.

"Yikes, Brother Alaric, who stirred you up?" Merlin asked curiously, leaning closer, only to have his face slapped away by Alaric once more.

Gilgamesh, however, showed an intrigued expression and said calmly, "Interesting. This king can grant you anything you desire. But just this one deed is far from enough to earn a flying Noble Phantasm.

Alaric, if you truly wish to obtain such an item, you'll need to complete another task."

Tap, tap.

Gilgamesh tapped his throne, quickly thinking.

Hearing this, Alaric nodded—it was within his expectations.

Being denied was common. If it were that easy to succeed, Alaric would have doubted the quality of the Noble Phantasm.

"Please, tell me, King Gilgamesh. What else can I do to earn it?"

Driven by his intense desire for a flying Noble Phantasm, Alaric did not reject Gilgamesh's terms and responded casually, "If it's possible now, please give the order."

At this point, Gilgamesh had finished his deliberation.

"Investigate the remaining goddess's identity. Yes, that's the task."

Gilgamesh spoke as if it were the simplest task in the world, like asking Alaric to go downstairs to buy a bottle of soy sauce.