บท 82: Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King [81]
Moving through the sandstorm without cover was asking for trouble, especially since they had just arrived and were unfamiliar with their surroundings. The woman referred to as "Da Vinci" nodded, her gaze seemingly piercing through the storm. Soon, she spotted a shadow in the distance.
"Okay, let's take shelter under that... what appears to be an animal's skull! Wow, this thing is huge. Could it be from a dragon species—?"
The three quickly dove under the skull, finally finding a moment's respite from the relentless sandstorm. Da Vinci began casting a spell to block the sandstorm from entering the skull. She spoke quickly, "Have you managed to contact Romani? Isn't Chaldea going to explain this mistake?"
To Da Vinci, this seemed like an entirely unnecessary blunder—so basic it was almost laughable. Chaldea, which had undergone numerous transfers before, had made such an error in the transfer destination. She resolved to give Romani a thorough scolding when they returned!
The lilac-haired girl holding the massive shield, Mash, remained vigilant while looking apologetic.
"Our connection with Chaldea is very unstable. I believe the doctor is already trying to resolve it. Senpai, are you feeling okay?"
Unlike Da Vinci, who was a Servant, or herself, a Demi-Servant, Mash was more concerned about their fragile Master.
"After all, this is an EX-ranked singularity—"
The orange-haired girl referred to as "Senpai" forced a smile despite the discomfort caused by the storm and the transfer.
"Mash, you seem to be holding up well. Make sure to stay alert."
"You're right, Senpai. For now, let's do what we can to assess the situation!"
Mash's serious expression softened into a gentler one when facing the orange-haired girl.
"Although we completed the Rayshift and were supposed to arrive in 13th-century Jerusalem, we've found ourselves in this sandstorm-covered desert instead. Could this be Jerusalem in the 13th century?"
Mash voiced the confusion shared by Da Vinci and the orange-haired girl. The Rayshift's destination shouldn't have been wrong, but the sandstorm remained unexplainable.
"If that's the case, then we might be in a time far earlier than expected. When we get back, I'll make sure Romani faces some special punishment, hmm?"
Da Vinci muttered to herself as if realizing something was amiss. "Could it be a discrepancy in the era? Did we get the time wrong? Wait, let me use the detector right now—"
"Fou!!"
At that moment, the pure white beast hiding behind Mash's shield let out a sharp cry, startling Mash enough to shiver. Almost simultaneously, an alarm sounded from the cross-shaped shield. "There's a magical reaction approaching—very close!"
Hearing the warning from Fou, Mash's expression shifted. The enemy was not only drawing near but had also evaded prior detection, only appearing when practically upon them.
Realizing the imminent danger, Mash spoke gravely, raising her voice above the storm.
"Master! Though visibility is poor, please prepare for combat! We must ensure everyone's safety!"
Da Vinci, who had been preparing the detector, smiled.
"Alright! Leave it to me. It's finally time to showcase my brilliance and versatility!"
"Even though this is a terrible location for a first battle, we must stay positive. After all, even a sandstorm can't diminish my unparalleled beauty! Prepare to be awed by the secret weapons of your all-purpose genius secretary Servant, Da Vinci!"
Da Vinci's confident grin was infectious, helping Mash regain her composure.
"Understood!"
The orange-haired girl slapped her cheeks, shaking off her dizziness and steeling herself. Soon, Mash and Da Vinci caught sight of the approaching enemy. It was a tall, white-haired young man clad in light armor similar to Mash's. At his waist hung a pitch-black holy sword. What surprised Mash and Da Vinci most was his face, which bore an uncanny resemblance to a Heroic Spirit they were familiar with. But that Heroic Spirit was not supposed to appear in this singularity.
"Hello there, everyone! You must be Ritsuka Fujimaru, right?"
The lightly armored young man waved and smiled warmly as if greeting old friends. Still disoriented, the orange-haired girl instinctively nodded, acknowledging her identity.
"!?"
The moment the young man addressed Ritsuka Fujimaru by her true name, Da Vinci and Mash tensed, their expressions turning serious. At the end of the world, the final Master of humanity from a distant land, alongside the Chaldea organization tasked with safeguarding human history, had arrived at the Sixth Singularity.
Staring at that face he had never seen before, humanity's last Master—Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Alaric unexpectedly felt a sense of long-lost joy. It was a feeling that no one other than Fujimaru Ritsuka could give him—a sense of belonging to an era.
Before Alaric could continue his greetings, the wary Mash Kyrielight and Da Vinci interrupted him. Mash's sharp question pierced through the sandstorm and reached Alaric's ears.
"Don't come any closer! State your intentions!"
In ordinary Singularities, Mash would usually not hesitate to show kindness to others. But Alaric's appearance was too strange, his direct mention of Fujimaru Ritsuka's name too unsettling, and above all—there was an ominous aura about him. It felt as though a dragon capable of burning the world lurked within his body—a malicious presence that even made Mash shudder. The Servant essence within Mash instinctively recoiled in danger!
Unlike Mash, Da Vinci—who initially seemed relaxed—wore a grave expression. Even in this sandstorm, cold sweat dripped from her forehead.
"I mean no harm—I'm a good person!"
Alaric raised his hands high and shouted. Honestly, encountering Fujimaru Ritsuka here was a pleasant surprise for Alaric. He hadn't expected it at all, considering the vague timing of Fujimaru's Rayshifting into Singularities. Alaric had no way to pinpoint their arrival and found it impractical to wait around indefinitely. Originally, he had planned to meet them after catching wind of their arrival into the Singularity. Who would've thought they would cross paths so effortlessly?
Beep-beep—
As Alaric moved closer, Mash's massive snowflake-shaped shield emitted another alarm. Checking it, she murmured to Da Vinci.
"Da Vinci, it seems a giant dragon is approaching!"
Despite the warning, amid this vast sandstorm, Mash and the others could only see a lone figure slowly coming toward them.
"A dragon?"
Da Vinci furrowed her brows as if realizing something. The energy Alaric radiated was unmistakably that of a Phantasmal Species. Meanwhile, Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had been gathering herself, decisively shouted after overhearing Da Vinci and Mash's whispers: "We are newcomers here! So, what exactly do you want?"
"Me?"
Hearing this, Alaric stroked his chin, scrutinizing Fujimaru Ritsuka and her companions before grinning.
"To be honest, I've heard quite a bit about you all. So, I'd like to test your strength firsthand."
Before his words even finished, a crimson light shot into the sky, only to corrupt into an ominous black radiance that streaked across the heavens like a descending dragon. This display confirmed Da Vinci's suspicions—Alaric carried the essence of a dragon!
"Mash! Prepare for battle!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't hesitate, promptly commanding Mash to engage.
"Yes! Leave it to me!"
Mash responded firmly, launching forward with her massive shield to seize the initiative.
Boom!!
A heavy thud echoed through the sandstorm.
"What?!"
Mash exclaimed in shock as her enormous cross-shaped shield was caught single-handedly by Alaric!
Alaric stood firm like a mountain, calmly scrutinizing the massive shield before him. Only up close could Alaric truly sense the weight and significance contained within this shield—a symbol of King Arthur's Round Table, wielded by the second-generation Round Table Knight, Galahad.
But before Alaric could analyze further, Mash launched her next attack. Abandoning her shield, Mash pivoted mid-air, delivering a spinning kick aimed directly at Alaric! Her long leg carried tremendous power, generating a cracking sound through the air. Not just Mash—Da Vinci, self-proclaimed as capable of everything, also attacked Alaric! Unlike the magus Alaric had encountered before, Da Vinci's combat style was unexpectedly fierce. Her beautiful, massive mechanical arm erupted with steam, hurtling toward Alaric like a cannonball!
Facing their combined assault, Alaric remained unfazed. His relaxed gaze locked with Mash's determined eyes.
Snap!
Before the attacks could land, Alaric moved like lightning, grabbing Mash's kicking leg and pulling her toward him with immense force. Then, with a single punch, he struck her midsection, shattering her light armor with overwhelming power!
"Guh!"
Mash's eyes widened in shock as she was sent flying, unable to evade in time. Meanwhile, Da Vinci's mechanical arm collided head-on with Alaric's fist. The impact generated a shockwave that momentarily cleared the surrounding sandstorm, leaving Alaric standing in a calm oasis.
"Hmm? Mash's resilience is impressive."
Ignoring the retracting mechanical arm, Alaric's attention remained on the flying Mash. She managed to plant her shield into the sand, dispersing the momentum from his punch and forced herself to charge back into the fray despite the pain. But the true spectacle was in Fujimaru Ritsuka's hands—a radiant glow burst forth. It was the unique power of Fujimaru Ritsuka's combat style: summoning Heroic Spirits through bonds forged with them.
"Summon!"
With Fujimaru's clear shout, a towering figure appeared before her. A white-haired, broad-shouldered swordsman clad in light armor stood firm. The glowing sigil on his chest emitted a dragon's aura distinct from Alaric's. One glance was enough for Alaric to identify him. Even though they had never met before, the features left no doubt—the hero celebrated in The Song of the Nibelungs, wielder of the holy sword Balmung, and slayer of the evil dragon Fafnir—Siegfried!
Boom!
As soon as Siegfried manifested, he vanished from his spot, dispersing the surrounding sandstorm with his mere presence.
"Coordinate with Mash!"
Fujimaru's voice rang out. Though Siegfried didn't respond verbally, he nodded silently, clearing Mash's path through the sandstorm with a swift strike. Grimacing in pain, Mash said nothing. She raised her shield and moved to join Siegfried in battle. But Siegfried's speed was far beyond Mash's, leaving her trailing behind in mere moments.
Facing Siegfried, Alaric knew he could no longer remain passive. He unsheathed the jet-black holy sword at his waist—the Sword of End. A man-made holy sword bestowed by the Lion King's blessing.
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