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

Credits: HugoH

As soon as those words were spoken, while Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others were still somewhat confused, Hassan of the Cursed Arm and Hundred Faced reacted differently. As Hassan, they were keenly aware of what it meant to encounter the First Hassan.

The First Old Man of the Mountain, also known as the Hassan Who Slays Hassans, is the legendary assassin who only appears when the current Hassan has gone astray.

Although the Cursed Arm was aware of the location of the Azrael Sanctuary where the First resided, he had never personally met the First Hassan—not even during his lifetime.

"Are you serious?"

Unable to hold back, Hundred Faced asked, "You want to seek out the First Hassan?"

"Who is the Old Man of the Mountain?"

Mash asked curiously, not understanding, her gaze filled with curiosity, mirrored by Fujimaru Ritsuka.

After all, since it was Alaric's suggestion to seek someone capable of solving the thorny problem posed by Gawain, it was natural for Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others to regard the Old Man of the Mountain as some extraordinarily powerful Servant or individual.

"The Old Man of the Mountain is the founder of the Hassan-i-Sabbah sect to which the Cursed Arm belongs. He is a legendary assassin and the origin of the Assassin class."

Alaric briefly explained the identity of the Old Man of the Mountain to Fujimaru and the others.

["Hmm... even if it's the First Old Man of the Mountain, he's still an Assassin-class Servant, right?

While he might be specialized for targeting humans, could he handle the current Round Table Knights?"]

After hearing Alaric's suggestion, Roman seemed troubled. ["If he could fight them, wouldn't he have already appeared and assassinated the Lion King by now?"]

Hearing Roman's concern, Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded. "Maybe there's some reason for that?"

"That's not it, Lady Fujimaru. What Sir Alaric says is correct.

The Servant within the Azrael Sanctuary is a special existence. In his eyes, all Servants are equal—whether strong or weak, all are just 'a single life.'

It is said that this Servant does not kill his opponents with his strength but instead causes those who stand before him to be killed by their own 'fate.'"

Bedivere explained.

But this explanation only made Mash more confused. "Killed by their fate? What does that mean?"

"It's a power somewhat similar to Sir Alaric's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception—"

Fujimaru Ritsuka tried to make sense of it in her understanding, then looked toward Alaric to seek confirmation.

Alaric nodded. "That's roughly correct. With the Old Man of the Mountain's ability, he's more than enough to deal with the Round Table Knights. But the problem is destiny.

The Old Man of the Mountain acts strictly according to destiny. If destiny does not call for action, he will not move."

"So, it's up to you, Fujimaru Ritsuka. As the final Master of humanity, can your destiny move the Old Man of the Mountain?"

At this point, Hassan of the Cursed Arm, who had been silent for some time, finally spoke.

The Cursed Arm, as though embracing death, spoke with a carefree tone: "If you wish to meet the First Hassan, it can only be us Hassans leading the way—Except Sir Alaric."

The Cursed Arm was referring to the incident half a year ago when Alaric had successfully met the Old Man of the Mountain without the guidance of any Hassan.

If it had been six months ago, Alaric might have chalked it up to luck. But now, things were different.

Meeting the Old Man of the Mountain was a manifestation of fate.

The distant connection to the Mountain mystery, along with the depth of his own Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, was the key to meeting the Old Man of the Mountain.

The concept of fate, representing destiny, was similarly crucial.

If the Old Man of the Mountain refused to meet someone, even turning the entire mountain upside down or waiting until the end of the world would not bring him into view.

Thinking of the Old Man of the Mountain, whom he hadn't seen in several months, Alaric smiled faintly. "I have a separate connection to the Old Man of the Mountain. Naturally, that bond alone is no longer enough for me to meet him alone, let alone take you to find him.

Thus, Hassan's guidance is essential, even if it costs their life."

"Eh? Sir Alaric, what do you mean?"

Mash froze, seemingly unable to comprehend why this would cost Hassan his life.

"Because the price of meeting the Old Man of the Mountain is the decapitation of the Hassan. A Hassan only has one opportunity in their lifetime to meet the Old Man of the Mountain: at the moment of their death."

Alaric said this calmly.

However, this calmness appeared to Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka as a kind of indifference toward death—

"How can this be!! Sir Alaric, are you planning to send Hassan of the Cursed Arm to his death?"

Mash was immediately agitated, completely unable to accept or understand Alaric's actions.

Even Fujimaru Ritsuka wore a look of confusion. "Does it have to be like this? Sir Alaric, isn't there another way?"

Sacrificing the life of Hassan of the Cursed Arm to secure the Old Man of the Mountain's assistance was something Fujimaru Ritsuka could never accept.

Even Bedivere looked at Alaric with a grave expression.

"There are other ways. The strong always have multiple paths to victory. But you have to consult with the Cursed Arm himself."

Alaric didn't seem to mind, only suggesting this course of action because he believed Fujimaru Ritsuka needed to meet the Old Man of the Mountain.

During his month with the Old Man of the Mountain, Alaric not only gained assassination techniques but was also deeply influenced by the Old Man's philosophies.

Fate, simply put, was the concept of connection—an intricate link tied to one's destiny.

The only bonds Alaric possessed were with the Lion King and the distant connection to the Mountain. Beyond that, Alaric was like an anomaly within this world, unaccepted by anyone.

On the other hand, Fujimaru Ritsuka was the pinnacle of what it meant to embody fate. As the final Master of humanity, she forged bonds with past Heroic Spirits. Moving forward was a continuous process of forming new connections.

Thus, forming a bond with the Old Man of the Mountain was only natural.

"Lady Fujimaru, there is no need to mourn my death. This has long been decided. For the people who live on this land, if my life alone can bring peace, then it is the right thing to do."

Hassan of the Cursed Arm did not resist death. As Hassan, he believed without the resolve to face death, one was not yet fully matured.

Before Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash could respond, the Cursed Arm continued: "Please don't underestimate our resolve, Lady Fujimaru. We are already dead. Returning to the realm of death is simply going back where we belong."

"But how can you—"

Even with the Cursed Arm's declaration, Mash still found it hard to accept.

Fujimaru Ritsuka, while equally unwilling, chose to respect the Cursed Arm's decision.

To Fujimaru, the Cursed Arm was a companion. Since it was the decision of a companion, it was something to be respected.

"If there are no objections, then we'll have the Cursed Arm lead the way to the Azrael Sanctuary to meet the Old Man of the Mountain."

Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Alaric clapped his hands to refocus their attention. "Oh, and there's one more thing."

Before Alaric could explain the last matter, a cheerful voice interrupted.

"Ahaha!! Are you here, my foolish disciple?"