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

If Alaric was indeed connected to Chaldea, then the source of his information would make sense. Moreover, Alaric's earlier inquiry demonstrated a profound understanding of spiritron transfer—far beyond mere superficial knowledge.

Holmes, holding his pipe, had a glint in his deep-set eyes. While investigating the Holy Grail War, he also conducted a supplementary search, targeting Alaric. Yet, no matter what he tried, Alaric's information remained blank. Even the Trismegistus Hermes system couldn't retrieve a shred of data about him, which was strange.

Alaric, unaware of Holmes's thoughts, could only guess that he was pondering the mystery surrounding him.

"Mr. Holmes, since Hermes is no longer functional, why don't we return to the surface? I still have some matters to attend to."

Alaric glanced at the now-dull Trismegistus Hermes before looking toward Nitocris.

"Miss Nitocris, I'm sorry for making this trip in vain. Afterward, I'll accompany you to meet with King Ozymandias and explain everything that happened here."

Alaric had no intention of fleeing with the Holy Grail. After coming to terms with his fate, his perspective on the situation had shifted. Moreover, after meeting with King Ozymandias, the remnants of the Crusaders would still need to be dealt with. Alaric wasn't sure if there was still a leader among the Crusader remnants after the Magus's defeat, but this was an issue that had to be resolved.

"Sir Alaric, are you planning to return to the Holy City in the desert with Nitocris?"

Holmes glanced between Alaric and Nitocris. He was somewhat surprised upon hearing that Alaric intended to meet with King Ozymandias. If his deductions were correct, Alaric and Ozymandias should be on opposing sides at the moment. The situation seemed different from what he had anticipated.

"That's right. After all, I've obtained this—"

Alaric held up the Holy Grail in front of Holmes.

"King Ozymandias entrusted me with the Grail, and its existence obligates me to see this journey through to the end."

The Holy Grail—Holmes' sharp gaze briefly lingered on the golden cup before moving on. Alaric had never hidden the Grail's existence, and Holmes had taken an interest in Alaric's group initially because of it. Although Alaric hadn't used the Grail during their travels, Holmes had refrained from bringing up the subject, knowing that once the topic began, it would be hard to stop.

Now, Holmes finally had the explanation he had been waiting for regarding the Grail's presence.

"So, the Holy Grail was in King Ozymandias's possession…"

Holmes couldn't understand why Ozymandias would give the Grail to Alaric. According to Alaric, the Lion King was already an enemy of humanity. Yet, despite being a Servant summoned into this world, Ozymandias had handed the Grail over to a Knight of the Round Table under the Lion King's command. It didn't make sense.

"I won't go into the reasons. As to why I've been lugging the Grail around without using it, it's simply because I haven't learned how to use it yet—" Alaric instinctively turned his head, avoiding eye contact with Nitocris.

Seeing that Alaric didn't want to delve further into the topic of the Grail, Holmes turned his attention back to the Trismegistus Hermes.

"Hermes should have an energy self-recharging system, but at the current rate, it will take at least six months before it can perform another search—"

"Six months is plenty of time. We'll come back later."

As Alaric and the others began to leave the central chamber, alarms blared instantly, and red lights flashed from all directions.

"I get that the way back is guarded by automatic defense systems, but why so soon?"

Alaric muttered.

"Of course! And this time, the opponents we face aren't comparable to those you've encountered before. The Atlas Institute doesn't show mercy to those trying to leave—Did I not mention that?"

"When did you say that?!"

Alaric shot Holmes a look, hearing his detached tone. Holmes, unfazed, smiled and said, "This is the final battle in the underground world, Sir Alaric! Please, go all out!"

"Miss Nitocris, I'm going to need your Noble Phantasm's assistance again."

"No problem. The great Pharaoh Nitocris will fight."

Nitocris proudly lifted her Scepter.

As she spoke, intense waves of magical energy stirred up a violent wind, pressing Alaric's clothes against his body. Facing the deadly array of weaponry, Alaric's aura did not waver. He unleashed his full power!

Boom!!

The Red Dragon rose, and the surge of magical energy swept through the underground world like a tidal wave! Unlike the reflexive power he had summoned before, Alaric, now reborn, had a new understanding of his strength. He lowered his stance, and the magic surrounding him erupted.

Zzzzt—!

Crimson lightning flashed again, darting past Holmes and Nitocris, spreading in all directions like a writhing dragon! The red lightning raced through the dark tunnels as if illuminating the entire Atlas Institute! In that instant, Alaric detected all the incoming automatic defense systems, as well as a massive figure looming behind them!

Alaric's warlike stance prompted the defense systems to prepare for bombardment. From all directions, terrifying amounts of magical energy began gathering, clearly aiming to obliterate Alaric and his companions in one blast.

"Don't even think about it!"

Sensing the magical surge, Alaric's eyes sharpened, and he decisively activated his final switch. Almost simultaneously, Nitocris began chanting her Noble Phantasm.

"Mirror of Corpses, Mirror of Darkness.—"

"Thunderflash!"

The lightning-strike attack tore through the tunnels like a crimson bolt. Where it passed, shockwaves slammed into the stone walls! The unleashed violence met no resistance. The moment the forces collided, a deafening explosion erupted, echoing through the underground world!

"Become a doorway and bring terror here—Anpu Neb Ta Djeser!!"

With her chant complete, Nitocris's Mirror of the Underworld opened, releasing a horde of spirits into the tunnels like a roaring tide. At the same time, beams of light shot from the tunnels, colliding with the ghostly horde!

Boom!!

The spirits melted under the intense light but successfully held back the advancing beams. As Nitocris held off the defense systems, crimson lightning once again streaked past her. From afar, faint words could be heard.

"Second strike!"

Boom boom boom!!

The rapid, thunderous explosions sounded like a storm, and Nitocris suddenly felt the pressure ease.

"Third strike!"

As Alaric swiftly dismantled the defense systems and charged into a vast, open space, the final shadow he had glimpsed earlier bared its fangs. Heavy breathing echoed, and as massive wings unfurled, they stirred up a fierce wind. Alaric looked up, and what met his gaze was a pair of cold, vertical pupils.

It was a dragon.