Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King's Personal Knight [420] (Patreon)

The blizzard had dissipated, and the boundless blue sky was reflected in the emperor’s eyes.

A spear of light fell from the heavens, shattering the clouds across dozens of kilometers, forcing the cold front to retreat, if only for a moment, and creating a spectacle like the eye of a storm.

At the distant edge of the sky, a tide of white snow was still surging forward, advancing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This fleeting vision was like a dream. Before long, the world would again be shrouded in the cold, but this was enough.

For the emperor, awakened from a midday nap, it was a chance to see the flawless blue sky one more time before death.

He could not accept that the world would end like this, nor could he accept being defeated by such a feeble history.

Dragging his dying body, the emperor saw—standing before a tree with her companions—a young woman. Even without a report from his executioners, the emperor recognized her identity at a glance—

“Ivan the Terrible—”

Though it was their first meeting, Ritsuka Fujimaru immediately recognized the beastly emperor, flickering like a candle in the wind.

His body was no longer human. The countless sword wounds nearly claimed his life, yet his tenacious vitality had brought him this far.

That was the accumulation of 450 years—the strength that allowed his people to survive the great cold, to survive until now.

A life that knew nothing but strength.

‘That is—’

Musashi, who had not yet left, saw Ivan the Terrible and her pupils shrank. The sword wounds all over his body were undoubtedly the marks of a divine blade.

Not only did they cleave his flesh, but also tore at his soul.

The scent of death gradually spread, enveloping Ivan the Terrible.

This beast emperor who had lived for 450 years was about to die.

“You’ve arrived at just the right moment, the one who prunes human history—”

Ivan’s emotions barely shifted, his imperial dignity playing out as always.

“I, as the ruler of this world, must ask you a question.”

Ivan continued approaching, as if needing to draw close to hear the real answer: “So, I hope you will answer me sincerely.”

“…………”

Ritsuka, already aware of what was coming, remained calm, replying softly: “Please, ask.”

Ahead might lie hell, but she would not—and could not—retreat.

“Why have you come to destroy my world?”

Awakened, Ivan couldn’t help but ask: “Does your world truly hold that much value? Is it worth killing every suffering soul in this world?”

Once, he had questioned Alaric in confusion, but this time was different.

Pan-human history was not his world. The struggle to reclaim it was just empty talk.

After all, Alaric was not fighting to restore so-called correct history; that was Ritsuka’s mission.

But Ritsuka was different from Alaric—she truly needed to reclaim her own world, to fight for everyone’s future.

“…………”

Though she had already learned the true nature of this hell from someone else, Ritsuka still felt sadness and helplessness at being questioned.

All the hints she’d given herself before now seemed meaningless.

“You already knew this truth, and still chose this path—?”

Ivan was no ordinary man. From her reaction, he knew Ritsuka wasn’t ignorant, and continued: “Because pan-human history was erased, this world achieved an impossible resurrection.

I believed this was a miracle’s blessing, but now that I’m fully awake, I finally understand—soon, our history will be pruned away.

We miracle survivors will be mercilessly slaughtered—”

“What nonsense is this, you wretched beast?”

The submarine, still maintaining communication, projected Goredolf’s image as he snapped: “As soon as we correct this Lostbelt, everything will be solved! Everything we do is to restore humanity’s foundation! Calling us butchers is too much, you tyrant!”

“Silence. I am speaking with the Master. Don’t interrupt.”

Ivan ignored Gordolf’s shouting, fixing his gaze on the silent Ritsuka. “I’m questioning your resolve. To save your world, you must destroy this Lostbelt. Every Yaga living in this Russia will die by your hand.

Therefore, I must ask! Therefore, I must challenge! Do you have that right?! Are you truly commanding every Yaga on this land to die?!”

The emperor’s questions were like storms, like thunder. Even at the end of his life, he could still roar with anger.

“I don’t have that right. I just want to live—”

Ritsuka pursed her lips. She might not have the right answer, nor could she give Ivan a satisfying or resolute reply.

But what she could say—

“I want to live.”

“That’s your answer?!”

Ivan’s voice thundered as his dwindling magical energy suddenly surged.

“I will not fail! I will not yield! I will protect this world!”

Splurt, splurt.

The surge in magical energy caused Ivan’s already dying body to gush blood, his massive frame visibly trembling.

“I have not been defeated—!”

Ivan glared at Ritsuka, shouting: “These wounds are nothing! My history is not the same as the cowardly lives of pan-humanity! Witness the power of the Yaga! Witness the power of the emperor!”

Never allow it, never surrender.

Not even death could make him retreat.

In this moment, the emperor’s will was ironclad.

Perhaps it was his clearest moment in 450 years.

It wasn’t the emperor’s radiance, but the end of his road.

Even as the flickering lightning inspired awe, Ritsuka only watched silently.

Aside from Musashi, already at her side, the other Servants were all formidable fighters.

“Ritsuka, get ready to fight! We’re sending you our final reinforcements!”

The submarine, always at a safe distance from the Fantasy Tree, sent one last message, snapping Ritsuka out of her daze. “Is it… Mash?”

Before she could finish, just as Ivan unleashed lightning, a black shadow shot from the distance, stirring up a wave of snow and even sinking the ground!

“Senpai! Sorry to keep you waiting!”

Mash, panting, seemed unaccustomed to her new form, but without hesitation, she stepped between Ritsuka and Ivan.

Now, Mash held the Round Table shield, but her armor had transformed into a modern mechanical exoskeleton with rectangular goggles—a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

This was the Ortinax, the spiritron exoskeleton that Da Vinci-chan had crafted, compensating for the power lost when Galahad departed.

Mash had regained Servant-level power!

With Mash on the battlefield, everything seemed fine. It was only natural for her to defeat the beast emperor, who had reached his limit.

Charging alongside Mash was the sword saint who had reached the zenith—the wielder of the Zero Blade!

“Take this!”

Before Ivan could act, Musashi struck first, swinging her sword!

The cold blade cleaved through lightning, hacking along the sword wounds on Ivan’s body!

Splurt!

Ivan’s body, already at its limit, was riddled with wounds that to Musashi looked like exposed vital points!

‘We have to finish this quickly—’

Musashi, swinging her sword, felt a tremor within herself—a change in causality. Just as Alaric had sensed when he was about to be expelled from the world, Musashi felt it too.

She hadn’t been in this world long, but expulsion was inevitable.

But that wasn’t what Musashi wanted—she hadn’t reunited with Alaric yet—

“Haa!”

Mash swung the shield of the Round Table at Ivan, unleashing a tremendous power she hadn’t felt in ages, returning her body to full strength.

Splurt, splurt.

Normally, the battle wouldn’t have ended so quickly.

But Ivan was too weak, unable to fight multiple Servants.

In less than a few minutes, he couldn’t even lift his hands, panting heavily. “Is this… the end…?

And you… didn’t even have the resolve… yet you came here.”

Ivan allowed the law of the strong, but not such a reason.

He could see that Ritsuka hadn’t steeled her heart, and even knowing that, she couldn’t give a firm answer.

“This is the cowardice of pan-humanity—”

Ivan seemed to relax, saying: “That sadness, it’s something the Yaga no longer possess—pity, empathy for others.

Fragile, yet happy people. Yes, yes, I remember now.”

Ivan looked away, at Kadoc and—Anastasia, who had never joined the fight.

He knew.

Standing beside Kadoc, the woman in his eyes was not his consort, but another version from pan-human history.

Yet he still saw a familiar shadow.

“My true consort, Anastasia—she, too, was such a woman.”

At this moment, Ivan recalled human feelings: “Not for survival’s hardship, but able to weep for the misfortune of others.

This superfluous existence—to me, it’s more beautiful than anything… Ah, so that’s it. That means this world has lost...

Everything we loved most will cease to be…”

It wasn’t just this result—Ivan knew well.

A crueler fate awaited the world he’d tried to protect.

Ivan looked to Ritsuka. “I admit it, Ritsuka Fujimaru, you’ve won.

Even if you won’t admit it, I do. I will, as the loser, depart—”

The emperor’s elegy lasted only a moment before vanishing like smoke.

Watching Ivan depart, Ritsuka let out a deep breath, trying not to show tears, then smiled at Mash: “Mash, you were amazing!”

“Mm! Da Vinci-chan’s armor perfectly filled the gap after Galahad left. Now, I can use the power of a Heroic Spirit freely!”

Mash paused, knowing what Ritsuka had just faced. Everyone understood, but facing it still brought pressure and sadness.

Kadoc, who had also witnessed Ivan’s death, relaxed and said: “So he finally died. Now it’s our turn. Anastasia, get ready.”

“Yes. In this Lostbelt, I have already ascended as the Lostbelt King.”

Anastasia declared: “So, I can exercise the Supreme Authority to make our dream reality!”

As she spoke, the world accepted the descent of fantasy.

The great white Tree, always in sight, thundered down and took root!

“Fantasy Tree—Orochi, connection established.”

Kadoc exhaled. “Finally, we’re at the starting line.”

“What did you do?”

Ritsuka, snapping out of it, stared at Kadoc, while Mash immediately checked the quake’s source—the Tree Kadoc called Orochi!

“It’s a wedge fallen from space, meant to root itself in this world.”

Kadoc, confident of victory, said calmly: “With this, pan-human history will end, and I will expand this Lostbelt—”

He paused, unable to hold back his urge to explain: “Ivan was insane. He’d become a Yaga but still worshipped ancient gods. The Lostbelt could have revived through the Fantasy Tree, but he refused it and fell into slumber.

In Russia, the emperor is absolute—that’s the Supreme Authority Ivan was given: to control this land.

To obtain this, I had to make Anastasia the Lostbelt King.

Ivan was defeated by Sir Alaric, which wasn’t part of my plan, but it all worked out.”

“Indeed. Since you chose me in that darkness, how long has it been?”

Anastasia said softly: “Half a year? A year? It’s all blurred, like a dream.”

“Who knows. For me, it’s no different from a dream—just uncertain memories.”

Kadoc said: “But that ambiguity ends here. It’s time to move forward, Anastasia. I will keep my promise—defeat them and become worthy as your Master.”

“Yes, that’s my Master.”

Anastasia smiled at Ritsuka, saying gently: “Come, Viy, show them your true form—

I am Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova, the new Emperor of Russia! I shall strike down the enemies of my contract, cleanse Russia of her foes!”

As her declaration fell, battle erupted.

At this—

With Mash and Musashi charging forward, Ritsuka stayed calm, pressing the back of her hand, and shouted: “Summon!”

Musashi was not a Servant, but alive, so there was no magical link.

Mash took one slot, but Ritsuka’s limit was higher!

With Mash’s spirit restored and the system rebuilt, Ritsuka could now summon shadow Servants!

Buzz.

Familiar points of light gathered before her, forming the JK swordswoman, Suzuka Gozen, whom she had met in the Seraph!

——

Kadoc fought against an ordinary person like Ritsuka, who had saved the world, crossed seven singularities, corrected humanity’s foundation, and resolved the incineration of humanity.

If someone like her could do it, then he had no excuse.

“If she can do it, so can I.”

Only now did Kadoc realize he’d made a mistake.

He had misjudged.

It was not a matter of Servant quality, but the quality of a Master.

He couldn’t match the girl before him—her experience and wisdom as a Master were far superior.

“How?! We’re obviously stronger!”

Kadoc gritted his teeth, refusing to accept defeat. “I promised to make her emperor! If not in this world, I’ll build another! In another world, I’ll make her emperor! I won’t give up—I’ll never give up!”

Kadoc screamed: “What you can do, I can do, too!”

He clutched his chest as if making a final decision.

Ritsuka, watching silently, gave the command.

No matter what Kadoc tried, it was already too late.

Against Servants, he was helpless.

Musashi’s blade didn’t even need 0.001 seconds—

Splurt.

A crimson spray exploded—not Kadoc, but Anastasia, shielding him.

A terrifying wound nearly split her body and spirit core.

A fatal strike.

“Oops, slipped.”

Musashi stuck out her tongue. Seeing Kadoc immediately abandon his dangerous, unclear action, she didn’t swing again.

Kadoc, stunned by Anastasia’s act, quickly caught her as she staggered.

“Why—”

Kadoc trembled, unable to understand, “What are you doing, Anastasia?”

“If you died, I’d die too—”

Anastasia smiled faintly, as if untouched by the mortal wound. “I’m a Servant. It’s only natural.”

“No—you can just use the Grand Command Seal to reset the world—”

Kadoc, refusing reality, muttered, “You could overturn everything, win, become emperor—”

“You fool. What meaning does that victory have?”

Anastasia smiled. “I am Anastasia, heir of the Romanovs. Victory through plunder—it can’t be called victory.”

“Even so—”

Still unwilling to give up, Kadoc bit his lip, trembling.

“No martyrdom. No self-destruction.”

Sensing Kadoc’s intention, Anastasia spoke gently, “Calm down, Kadoc. No matter how many mistakes you make, I believe you’ll do what you must.

Live on with this regret, Master.

I probably can’t block another strike. I can’t believe I stood in the way—

You know? I didn’t save you because you’re exceptional, but because you believed in me—that’s why I did what a Servant should.

You should… feel proud… for that…

Truly… you’re such… a lovely… person…”

Anastasia vanished.

In Kadoc’s arms, she faded away into spiritron light.

And with Anastasia’s passing, Russia had lost all emperors, and the Supreme Authority vanished.

With no heir, the land was now free.

“Ritsuka!!! Look around you! Anywhere—just look!”

Da Vinci-chan’s urgent warning rang in Ritsuka’s ears. She, Mash, and the Servants all turned.

It was not a short-range change—not an enemy, not snow or storm.

The world itself was changing.

The Fantasy Tree, which Kadoc had rooted with such effort, was being overwhelmed by auroras—more than that—

“What is that—?”

Ritsuka murmured, unable to comprehend what she saw.

Mash was the same.

It was light.

Light was rising, not just a beam or two, but the silent, starry aurora blooming across all of Russia!