Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King's Personal Knight [434] (Patreon)

This was Alaric's first impression of Sigurd: even just the magical energy radiating from him was astonishing, leagues beyond that of any ordinary Servant.

Even by Chaldea's standards, Sigurd was on the level of Ivan—an absolute emperor, Ivan the Terrible himself, who reigned supreme over the Russian Lostbelt.

In his current state, Alaric stood no chance against such an opponent. His hurriedly constructed Saint Graph was simply too weak, severely limiting his combat abilities and stats.

In simple terms, he'd dropped from five stars to barely two, but at least the abundant magical energy of this Lostbelt gave Alaric a fighting edge, making up for some of the deficit.

Yet, the inability to boost his parameters was a shame. The strength, endurance, agility, and magical power Alaric took pride in were all heavily suppressed.

Especially his magical energy—if he had enough, he could compensate for any gap in strength, speed, or even endurance with pure magical output.

But as a Servant, Alaric had naturally lost his dragon heart, so he couldn't generate magical energy efficiently. He had to rely on his Master or slowly accumulate mana for every action.

Worse still, Alaric wasn't a proper Heroic Spirit. He had no widely-known legends, no feats or tales, so he didn't possess skills or Noble Phantasms that could be elevated based on such exploits.

In short, he was a blank slate—and even his inherent abilities were weakened due to the scale of his existence.

For Alaric, that was a significant blow.

But it wasn't a dealbreaker!

 There's no rule that says a two-star can't beat a five-star. Even a one-star can fight like a six-star!

The battle raged on—

Sigurd deflected Alaric's attack single-handedly with his demonic sword Gram. The sheer force transmitted through the blade forced Alaric to constantly adjust his stance to redirect the impact, or he'd be sent flying.

It was a situation Alaric hadn't faced in years. Even at his weakest, he could always contest his enemies in brute strength.

Maybe the difference this time was just too vast—but it didn't matter!

If strength wasn't enough, then he'd use skill to tip the scales!

Giving up on a contest of raw power, Alaric retreated a step, spun his blade lightly, and adopted a mysterious sword stance under Sigurd's gaze, murmuring, "Secret Sword—Swallow's Return."

It was a technique honed to perfection, worthy of becoming a Noble Phantasm.

Even with a weakened Saint Graph, Alaric's pure skill couldn't be taken away.

Almost the instant the demonic sword unleashed its brilliance, Mash Kyrielight decisively let go of her Round Table, spun in midair, and lashed out with a whip-like kick, splitting the air toward Sigurd's face!

Inherited from the Heroic Spirit Galahad, even without her shield, Mash could unleash formidable power!

Boom!

 Magical energy burst forth like a rainbow, spreading outward from Sigurd and enveloping both Alaric and Mash in an instant.

Ignoring Mash's attack, Sigurd swung his demonic sword straight at Alaric, disregarding the three incoming sword strikes!

The surging magical energy churned the air, the pressure like a crushing mountain, cracking the ground beneath Alaric and melting the snow into wisps of steam from the heat of mana release.

The heat was secondary—everyone present could withstand at least that much. But the curse within Sigurd's magic posed a real problem for Alaric.

Just by making contact, his body was tainted by an unknown curse, threatening to corrupt his entire Saint Graph.

Clang!

Their swords clashed in a battle of demonic blades.

Even though Sigurd possessed exceptional skill, against Alaric's sure-hit technique, he still found himself at a disadvantage.

But only just—a direct hit from Alaric was little more than a scratch to Sigurd. A faint line of blood extended across his body, but it didn't even break the skin fully.

Alaric, on the other hand, was blasted several meters back by Sigurd's simple counterattack!

His feet dug trenches in the ground for several meters before he finally managed to stop. As for Mash—

"Huh?!"

Thud.

Almost as soon as Sigurd repelled Alaric, he caught Mash's leg and, as if she were a doll, hurled her heavily into the ground before him.

Effortlessly, he'd repelled both Alaric and Mash. Sigurd's overwhelming power was enough to inspire despair.

But no one gave up—

Alaric shouted excitedly, "As expected of a great hero!"

Bang!

 Once more, Alaric charged with twin swords. Gates of Judgement quietly opened in the air, a rarely used technique to seize the upper hand in such a lopsided fight.

As Alaric ramped up his magical output, Ritsuka Fujimaru, who had just managed to get up, felt the pressure intensify.

Despite some hiccups, Alaric was undoubtedly her contracted Servant.

The magical energy Alaric used was being supplied by Ritsuka herself, as his Master.

Normally, Ritsuka could handle three Servants at once—Mash took one slot, but Alaric alone consumed the equivalent of two.

Increasing output meant draining even more mana.

It was a tremendous burden for Ritsuka, but one she was willing to bear for the results.

The battle grew ever fiercer, but Ritsuka and Holmes could both see that Alaric and Mash were at a disadvantage.

If not for Alaric's relentless offense and Mash's ironclad defense, they wouldn't have lasted this long.

"Miss Fujimaru! Use a Command Spell!"

Still fighting, Alaric shouted over his shoulder, "Two Command Spells!"

At his words, Ritsuka immediately called out, "By my Command Spell—grant Sir Alaric victory!"

Scarlet light blossomed, transforming into a surge of magical energy that flowed from Ritsuka to Alaric, greatly empowering him!

But Alaric didn't use it immediately. He continued wielding the Sword of Kings, buying time.

By now, Sigurd had grown impatient—one swipe of his sword sent a jolt through Alaric's hand, nearly making him drop his blade.

Alaric was left unarmed!

Facing Sigurd empty-handed was incredibly risky!

But as soon as he lost his sword, Alaric rushed forward, ignoring the incoming demonic blade and deadly curse!

A crimson flash danced before Alaric's eyes. The curse had already invaded his Saint Graph, affecting his movements, but not his determination!

Rip.

Alaric didn't dodge or evade—he caught Sigurd's sword arm with his bare hand, channeling magical energy through it, bridging the gap and stopping Sigurd's assault!

Sigurd's other hand was held in place by Mash, unable to strike Alaric away!

This fleeting moment was the perfect opening!

Alaric clenched his fist, tensed every muscle in his body, and unleashed his full strength.

The Eight Extremities—enough to shake the heavens!

Bajiquan's essence lay in explosive coordination of all muscles and bones, unleashing the body's full potential in a single, devastating move. For Servants—beings who surpassed human limits—such techniques were terrifying.

Most importantly—

Alaric had learned this technique from Li Shuwen in Xianyang. Though he hadn't mastered all its secrets, this one punch was enough!

Holding his breath, Alaric focused his mind, golden dragon eyes narrowing as he entered a state of selfless concentration, his entire world fixed on a single point: the weak spot he needed to strike.

It was, at this instant, Sigurd's one and only vulnerability.

With speed surpassing all others—beyond even the limits of his own Saint Graph—Alaric's blacklight-wreathed fist crashed into Sigurd's chest.

The punch shot out like a taut bowstring, as thunderous as a lightning strike!

BOOM!!!

 Blinding black light exploded, a shockwave tearing through the air at over Mach 10, hurling Sigurd dozens of kilometers away!!

A sharp sonic boom split the air. Mash, closest to Alaric, grimaced in pain as the blast of wind sent her flying too!

Two Command Spells' worth of magical energy, combined with the power of Bajiquan and Alaric's godlike magical output, allowed him to exceed his Saint Graph's limits. Even Sigurd couldn't endure that punch!

"...…"

Having thrown the punch, Alaric shook off his dizziness, trying to focus and stay conscious.

Crack.

A faint sound spread—like a fine porcelain cracking.

Alaric's right arm, used to its limit, hung limp at his side, shot through with black cracks, his whole right side numb and unresponsive.

"Whew—"

Unbothered, Alaric exhaled, trying to circulate magical energy and restore feeling. The Saint Graph's damage from overloading was a minor concern.

"Mash, are you alright?"

Alaric called out to Mash, who'd been flung dozens of meters away: "Press 1 if you're hurt, 2 if you're fine."

"Huh? Then… 2?"

Still confused but ever honest, Mash replied, "I'm fine, Sir Alaric!"

Alaric's punch was so powerful that even the shockwave was dangerous for Servants. Thankfully, Mash had used her shield to absorb most of it.

Though thrown back, she wasn't badly hurt.

"Good, then come help me up—I am hurt."

Collapsing to the ground, Alaric called out, "I'm half-paralyzed, can't walk!"

His legs, waist, right arm, and right side were all numb from the overload, faint mana signals trying to jumpstart his recovery.

After becoming a Servant, Alaric's famed regenerative powers were far less effective—he couldn't use mana to accelerate healing.

"Huh?!"

Mash rushed over, only now seeing the extent of Alaric's injuries.

Black cracks were visible along his right arm, making him look like a porcelain vase about to shatter.

Seeing this, Mash gently helped Alaric up, asking, "Are you alright?"

"It's fine, we should run while we can."

No time to worry about his Saint Graph, Alaric said, "Let's get back to the Shadow Border. We're probably out of time."

That punch had driven Sigurd off, but the cost was high for Alaric in his current state, burning through two Command Spells' worth of magical energy from Ritsuka.

Even so, all he'd managed was to repel Sigurd.

Alaric didn't believe that one punch would seriously injure Sigurd.

There was every chance Sigurd would come back—so they needed to retreat before he returned.

"Are you alright?"

As Mash prepared to help Alaric back to the Shadow Border, Ritsuka and Holmes arrived, asking, "What's the situation?"

Holmes had witnessed the fight from start to finish and could deduce that Alaric had pushed his output beyond his Saint Graph's limits, affecting his mobility.

But at least Sigurd had been sent flying—at least ten kilometers away.

"Sigurd's been repelled, but who knows when he'll return."

Alaric thought for a moment, then said, "I'll need time to recover. We can deal with the Saint Graph damage later. The Shadow Border can move now, right?"

When Alaric had intercepted the summoning of another Servant, manifesting himself instead, he'd quickly grasped the situation.

He had no idea about the full background, but fighting came naturally to him.

"Of course!"

Da Vinci's voice came through Ritsuka's communicator, cheerful: "Ready to board? We're about to depart!"

"Alright!"

Mash put away her shield, scooped up Alaric, and carried him in her arms—just like that day in Chaldea, to Ritsuka's surprise.

"...…"

Holmes simply raised an eyebrow, as if remembering something amusing, but didn't smile.

Ritsuka just stared at Alaric's expression in surprise, then suddenly burst out laughing, "Sir Alaric, are you embarrassed?"

"Yeah, it's embarrassing."

Alaric managed to cover his face with his left hand, saying, "Mash, where'd you learn this from?"

"Of course, from you, Sir Alaric!"

Her cheeks pink, Mash replied earnestly, "Please don't move, you're in no condition!"

With Mash's help, Alaric was soon aboard the Shadow Border, Goredolf monitoring him in the medical bay where Mash usually stayed.

Once Meunière started the Shadow Border, Da Vinci checked Alaric's condition and confirmed it was just temporary paralysis from overexertion.

"So, I'm fine. The Saint Graph damage isn't a big deal."

Half-reclining in a chair, Alaric said calmly, "It's just a small issue—surely Da Vinci-chan can fix it."

Da Vinci, just back from the machine room, sat down in front of Alaric, with Mash and Ritsuka relieved nearby. Holmes wouldn't miss the chance to join in either.

Half of Chaldea squeezed into the medical room—Alaric's sudden reappearance was a major event.

No one believed Alaric had shown up without a reason—not even Goredolf.

"What about Kadoc?"

Before anything else, Alaric asked, "You really kept him locked up this whole time?"

He hadn't seen Kadoc since boarding, and it was clear he still hadn't integrated into Chaldea. According to Mash and the others, they'd only just arrived in this Lostbelt.

Likely, the time shift caused by the Shadow Border's dimensional travel meant Alaric's month in the Chinese Lostbelt only just overlapped with Chaldea's arrival.

"Kadoc…"

Da Vinci grimaced, "He won't cooperate—he's locked himself in the brig and refuses to come out."

They had tried talking to him before the voyage.

With someone like Kadoc around, they couldn't ignore the intelligence he might hold.

But Kadoc refused to collaborate or even leave the cell. It was a headache for Da Vinci.

"Seems like only someone he trusts could convince him."

Alaric wasn't too concerned. Even among the Crypters, Kadoc was a rather ordinary guy. Having met Akuta Hinako, Alaric was sure of it.

"Let's not dwell on that—"

Da Vinci quickly waved it off, then looked at Alaric with excitement and curiosity, asking, "Sir Alaric, are you in the Chinese Lostbelt now?"

When they'd parted ways in Russia, Alaric had said his next destination was the Chinese Lostbelt.

If the timing was right, he should be there now.

As Da Vinci asked, all eyes were on Alaric—this was what everyone wanted to know.

"That's right. The Chinese Lostbelt is now ruled by Emperor Qin Shi Huang—an unbroken Qin dynasty spanning over two thousand years."

Alaric explained, "In the 13th century, Qin Shi Huang unified the world—no more nations or war, just peace and prosperity for centuries.

As for military power, Qin Shi Huang built a cryogenic vault at Mount Li, where all Qin's great generals and ministers are frozen in stasis.

After two thousand years of expansion, I have no idea how many there are."

"Two thousand years? World unification?!"

Mash, amazed, then asked, "So why would such a nation be pruned? Shouldn't it have an infinite future?"

"It's probably because there's no pressure."

Holmes looked thoughtful, "With the world unified and no war, there's nothing to drive human progress. Without pressure, there's no advancement."

"In that Lostbelt, only one being can truly be called 'human.'"

Alaric said calmly, "The only real person is Emperor Qin Shi Huang himself. He considers himself the world's sole human, bearing the future of both heaven and humanity. He is the Human Order.

So when he stopped progressing, for lack of external pressure, the future vanished, and the world was naturally pruned."

"...…"

What Alaric said so lightly carried the weight of a world.

Mash and Ritsuka, born of Proper Human History, couldn't imagine such a unified world, nor understand why it would be pruned for that reason.

Even Goredolf grumbled, "World unification? Impossible! The Clock Tower is eternal!"

But Da Vinci and Holmes quickly took in the facts of the Chinese Lostbelt.

Holmes even looked intrigued—nothing fascinated a detective more than novelty.

Da Vinci continued, "And you? What role are you playing in the Chinese Lostbelt? And why did you manifest as a Servant?"

For Da Vinci, gathering information about the unfamiliar Lostbelt was crucial.

She trusted Alaric's information.

With that reassurance, her focus was on Alaric's condition.

"Me?"

Alaric crossed his arms, thinking for a moment, "Before I manifested, I was preparing to duel Qin Shi Huang. I'm not of Proper Human History, so I shouldn't even be qualified to discuss the form of humanity with him.

But in the end, I chose to participate. As for my role—let me tell you—"

Growing excited, Alaric said mysteriously, "I've been granted the title of Heavenly Strategy General by His Majesty Qin Shi Huang—a mostly ceremonial post in Great Qin, but still."

This wasn't an empty title, but recognition of Alaric's value and performance, enough to catch the emperor's eye.

"Amazing!"

Mash pressed her palms together, exclaiming, "The origin of 'Heavenly Strategy General' was Li Shimin, the King of Qin, later Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Sir Alaric, you really are incredible—even this is within your reach!"

"I haven't done anything to deserve it; it's just an empty honor."

Unimpressed by the title, Alaric continued, "It's just the reward for defeating those generals."

After defeating several of Qin Shi Huang's revived generals, Alaric had demonstrated his strength and value, winning the emperor's favor—and the title.

"As for why I manifested—"

Alaric grinned at Da Vinci, "Da Vinci-chan, didn't we discuss this scenario?"

"Just as I thought—this was my contingency plan."

Da Vinci nodded knowingly, then asked curiously, "So you manifested just because you sensed Ritsuka's danger?"

"Da Vinci, you must have suspected there was a surprise!"

Alaric gestured for everyone to come closer, glancing around at Mash, Ritsuka, Holmes, and the rest.

"Lean in and listen up."

Mash and Ritsuka didn't hesitate, though Goredolf protested and refused to get near.

"Hurry up, tell us—"

Ritsuka nudged Alaric, face full of anticipation.

Mash, perhaps influenced by heavy reading, blushed as she imagined something.

Da Vinci-chan, small as she was, simply perched on Alaric's knee, waiting eagerly.

"Alright, here's the secret—"

As everyone drew near, Alaric whispered, "In the Chinese Lostbelt, Da Vinci and I developed a way to elevate a Saint Graph to Grand status—in other words, an artificial Grand Servant."