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

Credits: Korasakof

"Lady Tomoe, this is Sir Alaric, the follower of the magician Merlin. We were just thinking of heading to the training grounds for a little sparring."

Leonidas I pounded his chest, his robust muscles gleaming under the sunlight, radiating unmatched power.

"Sir Alaric, is it?"

Tomoe smiled as she glanced at Alaric, a faint trace of surprise flickering in her eyes.

Merely locking eyes with Alaric caused the oni bloodline within her to tremble and shrink back, as though the person before her possessed a higher-tier, supreme bloodline power.

This momentarily surprised Tomoe, though it was nothing more than that.

"Since the war has yet to begin, please allow me to observe the match from the sidelines."

Seeing Leonidas I, along with Alaric and Merlin, preparing to head to the training grounds, Tomoe smiled and said, "I'd love to witness Sir Alaric's strength as well."

Just like Leonidas, Tomoe was curious about Alaric, whom she had only met once. Especially since her oni bloodline was stirred during their brief interaction, her curiosity about his power only deepened.

"What a lively group—"

Holding his staff and looking like a detached bystander, Merlin followed Alaric leisurely, moving at an unhurried pace toward the training grounds.

For Merlin, this was also an excellent opportunity to see how Alaric's strength had developed at this point. Ever since arriving in the Age of Gods, Alaric's aura had been changing at a staggering pace, leaving Merlin both amazed and unnerved.

Even as a mere Embryo, Alaric had demonstrated extraordinary power.

Merlin speculated that if Alaric entered the early stages of the Metamorphosis, even King Gilgamesh would struggle to deal with him. It would require multiple top-tier Heroic Spirits of humanity, those capable of receiving the title of "Grand," to fight on par with him.

Alaric's inherent potential, combined with the red dragon blood forcibly bestowed upon him by Artoria, had grown to a level that even Merlin found deeply unsettling.

Before long, the group arrived at the training grounds.

At the moment, dozens of soldiers were training there. When they noticed Leonidas I's presence, they stopped what they were doing, intending to inquire about his purpose. However, Leonidas I spoke first: "Pay no mind to us. Sir Alaric and I are merely here for a sparring match!"

Among the tasks assigned to Leonidas I by Gilgamesh was the responsibility of training soldiers. Over the past day, Leonidas I had already become well-acquainted with the soldiers stationed at the northern wall.

As such, once Leonidas spoke, the soldiers refrained from asking further questions and simply watched the two men curiously.

"Mr. Leonidas, how shall we spar?"

After entering the training grounds, Alaric glanced around at the spacious grounds, which seemed perfect for a duel.

Maintaining a certain distance from Alaric, Leonidas I replied, "Naturally, we'll begin with a contest of weapons, followed by a test of strength!"

With that, Leonidas I removed his cloak, revealing his sculpted, statue-like physique, which instantly tensed!

The moment he gripped his spear, Leonidas I's aura shifted dramatically.

As the King of Sparta, his imposing presence and unyielding will—honed through his legendary stand at Thermopylae, where he and 300 Spartans held off tens of thousands of Persian soldiers—were palpable.

Locking eyes with Leonidas I, Alaric could feel the spirit of a warrior tempered through countless battles residing within his well-honed body.

Indeed, Leonidas was the epitome of the super heavyweight warrior.

Muscles forged through relentless training were justice itself.

"I was a Saber not long ago, but I suppose I can now count myself as a Lancer. I guess that makes us quite similar."

Seeing that Leonidas I was ready for battle, Alaric prepared himself as well.

The moment the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad appeared in his hand, Merlin, observing from the sidelines, subtly nodded. This was the second time he had witnessed Alaric wielding Rhongomyniad, but the lance had changed since the first time. After being adjusted by Artoria, the Holy Lance had now fully integrated with Alaric and even its external shell had been gradually altered under his influence.

"Has it already become part of the Embryo…?"

With Merlin's vast knowledge, he could easily discern the changes in the Holy Lance, though this left him somewhat helpless. After all, Alaric was someone Artoria had personally brought along.

When Leonidas I saw Alaric summon Rhongomyniad, he burst into hearty laughter. "Excellent! Since we're both Lancers, let's have a proper showdown!"

"That's exactly what I had in mind," Alaric replied, lowering his stance slightly and gripping his lance firmly.

A duel with Leonidas I, a fellow Lancer, was undoubtedly an opportunity for Alaric to greatly improve his spear techniques.

During six months of training with Lancelot, Alaric had gained proficiency with most weapons, becoming a well-rounded hexagonal warrior without any glaring weaknesses.

However, being versatile meant lacking specialization. Basic proficiency in martial arts was insufficient to compete against Heroic Spirits who had spent decades mastering a single discipline.

Thus, Alaric needed to learn—through combat with countless Heroic Spirits—to absorb all their techniques for his use.

As the two combatants assumed their stances, the atmosphere in the training grounds instantly grew tense.

Without any magical energy being released, the sheer clash of their wills was enough to fill the air with a sense of impending violence!

"This is truly…"

Not only Tomoe but also the other soldiers who had gathered out of curiosity couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment.

Leonidas I's strength had already been proven in several battles. Yet, this unfamiliar man, Alaric, seemed capable of holding his own against him.

Boom!

Almost simultaneously, Leonidas I and Alaric charged forward, striding swiftly toward each other.

Swish!

The sound of their spears was like lightning, striking with a speed that surpassed the limits of human perception!

The cold glint of their spearheads intertwined, and the air seemed to rip apart from the clash of their weapons. The resulting gusts of wind kicked up sand and dust, creating waves like a stormy sea.

Strength and skill intertwined, past and present clashed, and the battle unfolded with breathtaking intensity.

Though it was a sparring match, the fight quickly escalated as Alaric disarmed Leonidas I with a precise strike. Then, Alaric put away Rhongomyniad.

He followed up with a single punch to Leonidas I's chest!

Boom!

The heavy thud was like the impact of a massive weight crashing to the ground. Just one punch caused the very ground beneath Leonidas I to tremble!

A swirling shockwave swept across the faces of everyone present.

Under the watchful eyes of Merlin, Tomoe, and the others, Leonidas I staggered backward several steps after taking the blow!

In terms of sheer strength, Alaric had the upper hand!

Even before entering the Age of Gods, Alaric had been able to hold his own against Gawain at noon, his strength capable of shaking mountains. Now, having been nourished by the divine ether of the Age of Gods, Alaric had grown exponentially in just a few days, far surpassing his strength during the Camelot era!

Even without exerting his full power, Leonidas I was no match for him!

For the first time, Leonidas I truly witnessed the monstrous strength Alaric possessed—strength akin to that of a humanoid dragon.