Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King's Personal Knight [415] (Patreon)

Such confusion filled the hearts of everyone in Chaldea. As the new director, Goredolf was particularly shaken. He hurriedly declared, “This kid is definitely up to something! Fujimaru Ritsuka, seize him and his Servant, and interrogate them to uncover the plot behind this Lostbelt!”

For Goredolf, the shadow left by Anastasia, who had attacked Chaldea, loomed even larger than the threat posed by the murderous Yaga soldiers.

And then there was the hidden Kadoc—just too outrageous.

After finishing, Goredolf didn’t forget to warn, “Be careful, this kid’s Servant is extremely powerful—”

Anastasia’s fearsome might was such that even now, Goredolf couldn’t help but shiver when recalling it.

Fujimaru Ritsuka paid little heed to Gordolf’s words, instead focusing her gaze on Kadoc, whom she was meeting for the first time.

As a member of Team A, Kadoc was originally supposed to be Fujimaru’s senpai, but now he was standing in opposition to her.

Yet, this was not something she found unacceptable.

After Alaric had laid out the situation in the Russian Lostbelt, Holmes and Da Vinci-chan had already decided on a strategy for victory.

Defeat Ivan the Terrible, destroy the Fantasy Tree, and capture the Crypter.

These three objectives were the conditions for victory.

And now, Kadoc had appeared before her, surrounded by many Servants.

This made Fujimaru Ritsuka itch to take action, but she managed to restrain herself.

Rather than immediately capturing Kadoc, she was more curious about his reasons for coming here in the first place.

What could have driven Kadoc to abandon his own advantages and seek her out?

Not only that.

Still holding Mash by the hand, Fujimaru Ritsuka glanced at the silent Anastasia. It seemed nothing had changed from their first meeting in Chaldea.

Noticing Fujimaru’s gaze, Anastasia asked calmly, “What is it?”

“Who were you fighting earlier?”

Though she already knew the answer, Fujimaru couldn’t help but ask, “And why were you fighting?”

“I’ll answer that.”

Before Anastasia could reply, the pale-faced Kadoc spoke, “Since you’ve observed the battle, there’s no need for me to elaborate. Anastasia was fighting that knight from your Chaldea.”

‘As expected.’

Upon receiving Kadoc’s confirmation, both Fujimaru Ritsuka and, far away on the submarine, Da Vinci-chan and Holmes, nodded slightly.

That much was already clear, but a more crucial question remained.

Namely, the reason the battle had started.

Upon hearing Kadoc’s explanation, even Mash had to force herself to stay calm. She asked, “So it was Sir Alaric? But why did he fight you, Mr. Kadoc?”

Based on Alaric’s behavior, wasn’t he supposed to be on Kadoc’s side?

At the very least, hadn’t he formed a contract, placing him in the same camp as that priest, Kirei?

If so, why would he fight Kadoc, the Crypter?

“That’s exactly why I came to find you.”

Barely recovered from the excessive drain on his magical energy, Kadoc’s gaze swept across the group before resting on Fujimaru Ritsuka, whom he was meeting for the first time, and Mash, whom he knew. He said, “Alaric intends to awaken Ivan the Terrible.”

“What?”

The one who lost his composure at Kadoc’s words was none other than Yaga Patsy, who had been following Fujimaru Ritsuka since meeting her.

“Ivan the Terrible—that guy is going to be awakened???”

At the mention of Ivan the Terrible, Patxi’s voice trembled. “What is that guy thinking?! He actually wants to wake the Tsar!? How is that possible? Is he insane??”

Once, under the priest’s guidance out of curiosity, Patxi had glimpsed a portion of the beast’s true form.

That was not an existence anyone could hope to defeat. Not just Patxi, but even Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash, and, in the submarine, Holmes and Da Vinci-chan were taken aback. Holmes immediately raised an eyebrow and said, “I see.”

“Eh? No way, right?”

Goredolf, though he had never seen Ivan the Terrible’s true form, knew of his threat—he was called the King of the Lostbelt.

“Isn’t that extremely dangerous?”

Now feeling a sense of crisis, Goredolf quickly looked to Holmes. “Consultant! What is going on with you people in Chaldea?”

Team A was like this, and Alaric was even worse.

Was there no one who could give him peace of mind?

“Well, it’s embarrassing, truly.”

Holmes chuckled. “We can’t control Sir Alaric’s thinking. He’s a free man.”

“From the very beginning, he’s always been rather independent—”

Da Vinci-chan grinned. “His actions are a bit bad, but he’s a good man at heart!”

“What do you mean, good man? He’s about to awaken Ivan the Terrible!”

Goredolf scolded. “Isn’t that a huge crisis?”

“Hmm, if Sir Alaric truly intends to awaken Ivan the Terrible, then it really is a grave matter.”

Holmes lit his pipe and spoke unhurriedly, “So, Kadoc, what is it you’re seeking? If Sir Alaric wishes to awaken Ivan the Terrible, does that mean you are fighting him because you wish to prevent the Tsar’s awakening?”

Holmes’s mild inquiry naturally reached Kadoc’s ears, causing Kadoc’s gaze to sharpen.

The great detective Holmes—his intellect was unparalleled and needed no further words.

That was a wisdom Kadoc could never hope to match.

Without hesitation, Kadoc quickly stated his purpose under the curious gaze of Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash: “That’s right. To us, Ivan the Terrible is an obstacle, so we share a common goal.”

“In other words—”

Fujimaru Ritsuka, instantly understanding what Kadoc had come for, nodded slightly, then noticed Anastasia’s lips parting as if to speak.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—for Chaldea and its Servants, for Kadoc and myself, and for Sir Alaric.”

Anastasia declared, “I want to cooperate with you to defeat Ivan the Terrible.”

“They’re going to defeat Ivan the Terrible—”

Still unable to hide his shock, Patxi muttered, “Are they trying to topple a mountain?”

Is it possible?

Even after witnessing the power of the so-called Heroic Spirits, Patxi found it hard to believe the Tsar could be defeated, let alone destroyed.

“Leave it to me.”

At that moment, the female swordsman who had been a bystander laughed softly. “Let that Tsar taste the might of my Niten Ichi-ryu. Oh, right, you said Alaric is the one trying to awaken the Tsar, correct?”

Fujimaru Ritsuka turned toward the voice. Standing in the endless snowstorm.

Miyamoto Musashi, the wandering swordswoman who had met Alaric from remnant singularity.

Her sword had already reached the heights of the void.