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

"Senpai! Magical energy waves are approaching—three units!"

Mash's voice rang out loudly as the sharp alarm interrupted their conversation, instantly putting everyone on high alert.

Fujimaru Ritsuka quickly wiped the smile off her face and scanned the roaring sandstorm around her, trying to locate the approaching threat.

Alaric, however, remained relaxed as he gazed into the distance, as though he had already identified the incoming figure.

Seconds later—

A dark shadow emerged from the sandstorm, spreading its massive wings that seemed to block out the heavens. Its lion-like, majestic body stood several meters tall, towering like a small mountain before them.

Connected to that massive body was a solemn, male visage adorned with resplendent golden ornaments, which made the already dignified face even more imposing.

Its thick, sturdy limbs pounded the sand, causing a slight tremor.

Mash's shout snapped Ritsuka out of her daze.

 "Master, focus on the target—it's a Sphinx!"

Standing before them was none other than the legendary beast from Egyptian mythology: the Sphinx!

"Prepare for battle, Mash!"

 "Yes!"

The numerous Singularities they'd experienced had forged a seamless teamwork between the two young women, and Ritsuka's command was more skilled and confident than ever.

Mash positioned herself in front of Ritsuka, her giant shield held firm, determined to block any harm from reaching her Master.

The battle was on the verge of breaking out!

"Sir Alaric, are you—"

Noticing Alaric's movements, Ritsuka reflexively called out.

Alaric placed a hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist and replied indifferently, "Honestly, I'm just passing through."

Clang—!

A pitch-black holy sword fell into his palm, immediately drawing Da Vinci's attention.

The sinister, malevolent aura emanating from the blade stirred a deep sense of unease and fear, as though it were an enemy to all life itself.

Mash, still locked in a standoff with the Sphinx, didn't notice this development. Her attention was entirely fixed on the creature, ready to act at Ritsuka's command.

But then, a voice filled with amusement came from behind.

 "Miss Mash, step aside."

Shing!

"Huh?"

Mash instinctively ducked at the sudden command. Her shoulder-length pink hair brushed past her vision as she turned sharply, catching sight of an incredible scene reflected in her wide pink eyes—

A dark, yet vibrant aurora, deeper than the night sky yet mesmerizingly colorful!

The surrounding sandstorm within a radius of several dozen meters instantly evaporated, creating a brief oasis of clear air amidst the desert.

When the Sphinx, enveloped by that black aurora, reappeared before Mash, it collapsed with a thunderous crash!

Most of its massive body had been vaporized in an instant, leaving behind charred remains that crumbled into ash at the slightest touch.

"What—just happened?"

Not only Mash but even Ritsuka looked stunned at the scene.

The faint glow on her hand dissipated—she hadn't even begun a simple summoning spell, and yet Alaric had effortlessly annihilated the Sphinx, an opponent she had considered formidable.

At the center of everyone's gaze, Alaric casually sheathed his sword and, holding back a proud smile, walked to the remains of the Sphinx.

"This was one of the Sun King's patrol devices stationed in the desert. Considering we're in wartime, its vigilance is understandably heightened."

Alaric nudged the vaporized remains of the Sphinx with his foot. At his touch, they disintegrated into ash, carried away by the endless desert winds.

"Oh? Is there a power on this land capable of rivaling Pharaoh Ramesses II? Could it be the Crusaders from Jerusalem?"

Da Vinci speculated as she examined the Sphinx's remains.

"Who knows? I'm just a hired hand."

Alaric remained impassive, as if indifferent to the matter.

Mash, however, couldn't hold back her question,

 "Sir Alaric! What was that just now?"

She was referring to the dark aurora that had obliterated the Sphinx—a terrifying display of power rivaling some Noble Phantasms she'd seen. But Mash was certain that Alaric hadn't chanted any incantation to unleash a Noble Phantasm.

"It's an application of magical energy," Da Vinci explained.

"Pure magical energy focused and released in a straight line via that demonic sword. In terms of power, it's at least on par with a C-rank Noble Phantasm. For a human, that's remarkable!"

Da Vinci's keen eyes saw through the nature of Alaric's strike—it wasn't merely raw power but the result of exceptional skill and mastery of magical energy.

"Exactly. It took me quite a while to train to this level," Alaric finally allowed himself a proud smile.

"I'm not a Servant, after all; I had to rely on my effort. Thanks to my mentors for that."

"Right, Sir Alaric isn't a Servant—he's a normal human being," Mash murmured, recalling the dragon-like magical energy they had detected from him earlier. She fell silent.

Ritsuka, curious as ever, was about to steer the conversation toward further questions when an angry voice cut through the air.

"You insolent fool! How dare you step into the Sun King's domain!"

The furious cry came from the sandstorm, and before Ritsuka's party could pinpoint the source, a familiar dark figure descended in front of them.

It was another Sphinx, larger and even more majestic than the previous one. Perched atop its head was a purple-haired girl clad in light armor, holding an ornate staff. Her every movement radiated both regality and rage.

Her crimson-lined eyes blazed with fury as she shouted,

 "Are you allies of this fool? If so, you shall face the wrath of Pharaoh Nitocris!

"Sphinx, tear them all apart!"

The air crackled with an overwhelming surge of magical energy as a dark mirror expanded beneath the Sphinx. Emerging from the mirror were ancient Egyptian warriors, their battle cries shaking the earth and drowning out the desert winds.

"Pharaoh Nitocris of the Sixth Dynasty?"

Mash's memory quickly provided her with relevant information.

Da Vinci nodded.

"Servant Nitocris—manifested alongside Ramesses II, it seems."

Ritsuka remained composed, calmly giving instructions,

 "Mash, prepare for engagement. Da Vinci, I'm counting on you."

She then turned to Alaric, who stood nonchalantly, seemingly lost in thought.

"Sir Alaric, I'm relying on you to calm this Pharaoh's anger."

"Hm?"

Alaric raised an eyebrow, meeting Ritsuka's determined gaze. Da Vinci's knowing smile lingered in his periphery as well.

The tension in the air was palpable. Mash raised her shield, ready to face the onslaught of Nitocris's summoned warriors.

Alaric, however, simply unsheathed his sword and called out,

 "Lady Nitocris! I am here only to seek an audience with the Sun King. Please, do not make this harder than it has to be."