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

After realizing that the Holy Lance significantly aided his magic recovery, Alaric gave up the idea of putting the Lance away. Holding it firmly, he turned his gaze toward Leonidas I, Merlin, and the others in the distance.

Due to the massive mana fluctuation caused by Alaric's activation of the Holy Judgment, Leonidas I and Merlin had retreated to a safe distance.

"How is it?"

Unbothered by the commotion, Alaric waved his hand and smiled brightly. "The commotion was a bit much, but the results were good."

As for the terrain destruction caused by the Holy Judgment, Alaric didn't see it as anything out of the ordinary.

It wasn't worth worrying about.

"Amazing!"

Just like earlier, when Alaric coordinated with Merlin, Merlin clapped his hands enthusiastically, going along with the mood as he praised Alaric.

Alaric, clearly enjoying the compliment, nodded with satisfaction. After all, no one dislikes being praised.

"As expected of Sir Alaric, the power of your Noble Phantasm is truly astonishing," Leonidas I remarked sincerely. "If Sir Alaric were to join us, our battle against the demonic beasts would become much easier."

This was not only praise but also a heartfelt plea. Leonidas I genuinely hoped Alaric would join the fight on the demonic beast frontlines and stand alongside them against their enemies.

However, upon hearing this, Alaric shook his head. "King Leonidas, your invitation is tempting, but my mission doesn't lie here. Perhaps in the future, I'll have the chance to fight alongside you.

For now, I'm just passing through the Northern Wall."

Seeing Alaric refuse, Leonidas I didn't press the issue. However, the implications of Alaric's words piqued Leonidas's curiosity.

"Sir Alaric, passing through the Northern Wall… are you heading to Nippur in the Northern Wastelands, or perhaps into that cedar forest?"

Beyond the Northern Wall, the Northern Wastelands held little but the city of Nippur, the abandoned ancient city of Babylon, and the cedar forest—the habitat of demonic beasts.

But in that cedar forest, aside from numerous demonic beasts, there was nothing else. What could Alaric's mission be?

Leonidas I couldn't help but wonder. However, before he could inquire further, Merlin, stroking his chin, spoke up first.

"Gorgon, huh? Do you plan to meet that goddess?"

Merlin, knowing full well what Alaric's mission entailed, was aware that the goddess of demonic beasts who resided in the cedar forest was a challenging opponent.

The very fact that Gilgamesh had established the demonic beast frontlines to counter her showcased the difficulty of dealing with her.

"We'll see. I'll probably meet her eventually," Alaric replied nonchalantly, resting the Holy Lance against the back of his neck, his hands draped over it. Smiling, he added, "She's the only one left. I can't just give up now."

After learning that Tiamat, as the Beast of Humanity, was the greatest threat in this Singularity, Alaric believed it would be unwise to simply eliminate the goddess of demonic beasts.

He needed to turn her into an ally if possible.

When facing the Creator Goddess, every bit of possible combat power needed to be utilized.

Merlin's words made Leonidas I and Tomoe Gozen realize the nature of Alaric's mission.

He was investigating a goddess!

The demonic beast hordes born from Gorgon alone had forced them into a defensive war. Yet, Alaric was planning to face the goddess herself directly.

"Sir Alaric, you truly are surprising!" Leonidas I exclaimed in awe. From the moment they met, Alaric had been a constant source of surprises.

"Thank you for the compliment. Well, it's getting late. Let's part ways here," Alaric said with a smile. "I hope we can truly fight side by side someday, King Leonidas."

After eliminating the horde of demonic beasts, Alaric had no reason to stay at the Northern Wall. He was ready to press on and venture deeper into the Northern Wastelands.

Seeing this, Leonidas I smiled and said, "Then we shall await your triumphant return, Sir Alaric. When the time comes, we'll throw a grand celebration—no one shall leave sober!"

Leonidas I made no attempt to follow Alaric into the cedar forest, as he understood that everyone had their duties.

As Alaric ventured into the Northern Wastelands, Leonidas I's responsibility was to defend the Northern Wall.

When Amakusa Shirou and the others returned, he would be sure to tell them about Alaric.

"Then it's settled!"

Considering how unfriendly the goddess of demonic beasts was, Alaric decided against using the Heavenly Vessel to pass through the area. Instead, he prepared to leap down from the city wall and travel on foot to the cedar forest.

Before he could leave, Merlin called out, "Hey, hey, wait! Take me with you, Brother Alaric!"

"Hm? Merlin, you want to go sightseeing outside the walls?"

Surprised by Merlin's desire to accompany him into the Northern Wastelands, Alaric stopped and stared at him in bemusement. "Or is there someone you're looking for this time?"

Although Alaric was puzzled by Merlin's sudden decision, he was certain Merlin wouldn't act without reason.

There had to be something—or someone—in the cedar forest that attracted Merlin enough to make him take the risk.

If Alaric hadn't been heading there, would Merlin have ventured into the Northern Wastelands alone?

Alaric believed he would have. Otherwise, Merlin wouldn't have bothered to arrive at the Northern Wall early in the morning with the supply convoy.

What could compel Merlin to take such a risk? Alaric was curious.

"Haha, it's a secret! Big Brother Merlin doesn't have all the answers either!" Merlin responded cheerfully, dodging the question with a carefree grin.

Alaric didn't press him further. He figured he'd find out eventually.

He didn't mind Merlin tagging along. After all, with Merlin's escape tactics, he could take care of himself.

After this brief interlude, Alaric grabbed Merlin and leaped down from the city wall. Slowly but steadily, they headed toward the horizon.

"You're not using the Heavenly Vessel?"

Having hoped to hitch a ride, Merlin slumped his shoulders dejectedly. "Are we walking to Nippur?"

"Hm? Nippur? Oh, the city near the Northern Wall, right? Are there still people living there?"

Hearing this, Alaric remembered Leonidas I mentioning the city of Nippur with genuine concern.

He hadn't expected that, even after the demonic beast frontlines were established, the city would still have active residents.

"There are people, yes. And two Servants have been stationed to guard Nippur—it's a city that couldn't be evacuated," Merlin explained casually.

"If it's guarded, then we don't need to go to Nippur. We should head straight for the cedar forest. Or is Nippur your destination, Merlin?"

At this point, Alaric still hadn't put the Holy Lance away. He continued using it to enhance his mana recovery and experiment with new ideas.

Upon discovering the Lance's new functions, Alaric developed several creative notions he wanted to test using Rhongomyniad.

With this in mind, Alaric suddenly turned to Merlin. "Speaking of which, Merlin, what do you think of my Low Budget Holy Judgment?"

As a holder of the Grand Caster qualification, Merlin's expertise in magecraft was undoubtedly top-tier in any era.