The Lion King's cold words echoed through the throne room.
As the center of attention, Alaric naturally felt immense pressure. Under the Lion King's gaze, the dragon blood within him stirred, as if a long-lost child had finally reunited with their mother after years of separation. It was… nostalgic.
Suppressing the strange emotions rising in his heart, Alaric unconsciously erased all traces of those feelings. At that moment, he almost seemed a match for the Lion King.
He spoke slowly, "My King, I have brought back information regarding the King of the Sun."
The Lion King did not respond immediately, instead waiting in silence for Alaric to continue.
"The true identity of the King of the Sun is Pharaoh Ozymandias of Egypt's 19th Dynasty. After being summoned by the Crusaders, he brought forth his kingdom and people from the Age of Gods, establishing a complete nation in the western desert. An entire country now resides within that desert. Endless sandstorms swirl there, and King Ozymandias has deployed the divine beasts known as Sphinxes throughout the region—"
Despite the Lion King's intense gaze, Alaric didn't linger on the topic of Ozymandias. He quickly shifted the conversation: "I also encountered remnants of the Crusaders—"
At these words, Agravain's solemn expression flickered.
It had been several days since the Lion King issued the order to eradicate the Crusader remnants. Tristan, Mordred, and others had been traveling across the land, collecting pure souls while relentlessly hunting down any remaining Crusaders. However, their efforts had been mostly in vain. According to recent reports, sightings of Crusader knights had drastically decreased. This made Agravain suspect something had happened.
Before he could investigate further, Alaric returned to Camelot and now discussed the Crusader remnants before the Lion King.
"The remnants of the Crusaders have gathered under someone calling himself the Lionheart King. They are hiding in the mountains, amassing military strength."
As he spoke, Alaric pulled Alaika II to his side.
"This is a magus from the Crusaders, a Homunculus. She will reveal the Crusaders' location."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Knights of the Round Table turned their gazes toward Alaika II. Tense, she dared not breathe, keeping her head low, eyes fixed on the ground. The presence of the Lion King and nearly every knight instilled in her the terror of death, especially after Alaric revealed her Crusader origins.
"My knight, Sir Alaric, what is your intention?" the Lion King finally spoke.
Even with everything Alaric had explained, she did not issue a command, instead leaving the choice to him, surprising everyone present. Agravain, in particular, was on the verge of speaking but held himself back.
Meeting the Lion King's pale golden eyes, Alaric slowly responded: "To completely eradicate the Crusader remnants and kill the Lionheart King."
In this singularity, the Crusaders were no longer a necessary force. The Lion King, the Sun King, and the Hassan of the Mountain formed a three-way balance, leaving no place for the Crusaders. Alaric's answer did not surprise anyone, though Agravain frowned at Alaric's boldness. To gaze directly at the King was a grave disrespect, but before the throne, Agravain refrained from reprimanding him.
"Permission granted. I shall bring down divine judgment in the name of the storm."
Under the watchful eyes of the knights, the Lion King affirmed Alaric's decision. Seeing her approval, Alaric continued: "Your Majesty, given the Crusader remnants' strength, it will require the majority of the Round Table to annihilate them."
"The one leading them calls himself Richard, the Lionheart King. I have yet to confirm his true identity, but he possesses the ability to summon Heroic Spirits. At least one Servant has already been summoned, and the Crusaders are mass-producing Homunculus with magical abilities. Many can create chimeras, continuously building their forces. Additionally, the Crusaders have mastered a form of madness that corrupts the mind and robs one of reason."
As Alaric finished, Agravain and the others exchanged glances.
Before the Lion King summoned them, Jerusalem had been destroyed by her in a single blow, reducing the Crusader forces there to ashes. What remained were merely stragglers, but Alaric's information signaled the rise of a significant threat. A great war awaited them.
"Sir Agravain, recall Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristan. We will proceed to the rebel stronghold," the Lion King said, her tone calm.
"My King, may I ask—shouldn't someone remain to guard the Holy City?" Agravain hesitated. Knowing the Lion King intended to send the entire Round Table against the Crusaders, he added, "In recent days, insurgents have appeared, resisting the Holy Selection. If no one remains to defend the city, an incident may occur."
'Insurgents? Have the Hassan of the Mountain begun to act?'
Alaric wondered. Hearing Agravain's words, he realized that a resistance against the Lion King had already begun, though still weak.
"There is no need. At this time, the Holy City does not require the presence of all the knights. Sir Gawain alone will suffice."
The Lion King slowly stepped down from her throne, the sound of her footsteps resonating in the hearts of all present.
"The stars have already foretold the future. When the rebellious star shines, and the final human Master from a distant land arrives at the Holy City, that will be when all of you shall come into play."
The Lion King's words left everyone, including Agravain, momentarily stunned. She had never before mentioned the stars or this rebellious star and the final Master of humanity.
She continued, her clear footsteps stopping in front of Alaric.
"My knight, Sir Alaric, do you have anything else to report?"
Though shorter than Alaric, the Lion King exuded an overwhelming presence as if a giant towered over him. Calmly, he responded, "There is one more thing, My King. I have obtained the Holy Grail."
The knights were shocked. Mordred, silent until now, grinned.
"Not bad!"
Gawain, too, was astonished.
"As expected of Sir Alaric, always achieving remarkable feats—"
The Lion King remained silent, her golden eyes seeming to gaze into Alaric's very soul.
"Did you acquire the Holy Grail from the Sun King?" she asked calmly, causing the other knights to focus on Alaric.
They now knew who the Sun King was, thanks to Alaric, but the fact that he had obtained the Holy Grail from him seemed suspicious.
Meeting her gaze directly, Alaric answered, "Indeed, I obtained the Holy Grail from the Sun King—the very Grail that the King of Magecraft introduced into this singularity to distort human history."
Buzz—!
As a faint light glowed, Alaric raised a hand to his chest. In his hand was a golden chalice, radiating magical power.
Alaric knew the Holy Grail's powerful magic could not escape the Lion King's divine sight. Yet, after a glance at the chalice, her gaze returned to him, as if the Grail was less significant than the man holding it.