Typemoon: Starting Out as the Lion King’s Personal Knight - [Chapter 39]: Journey to the East (Part 3)

“Hmm? Do you want to become a monk? I can help shave your head!” Sanzang tilted her head, looking at Alaric with a benevolent smile.

“For those lost in confusion, unable to prove themselves, all actions are impermanent, all phenomena are without self, Nirvana is tranquility.”

Sanzang’s sudden words left Alaric in silence. It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand her Buddhist verses—Sanzang’s profound spirituality was visible to the naked eye.

It was just that, facing Sanzang, Alaric felt as though he was being gently lectured by a parent, giving him the illusion that Sanzang could see through everything.

‘Is this what it means to be a Buddha?’

Alaric couldn’t help but smile.

“Miss Sanzang, I’ve gained some understanding of the depth of Buddhist teachings, but right now, I have one question I’d like you to help me with.”

“Should I move forward for my own sake or the greater good? The ‘small self’ is the continuation of oneself at all costs, but the road ahead has been cut off. The ‘greater self’ is the salvation of humanity, which is beyond my reach, but the road ahead still exists.”

Facing Sanzang, Alaric finally voiced the greatest question in his heart.

Indeed, after the events at the Atlas Institute, Alaric had come to understand the inevitable apocalypse. But rather than waver, he chose to keep moving forward.

Yet, there was still a lingering confusion within him.

Which path should he resolutely walk? Should he continue struggling in this quagmire, or help Chaldea without regard for the cost?

“You’re such a fool—”

With a playful tone, Sanzang gently tapped Alaric on the forehead, smiling sweetly.

“Huh?”

Sanzang’s sudden action left Alaric momentarily speechless.

At that moment, he was incredibly close to Sanzang. Her stunning face wore a smile as warm as a spring breeze, and her eyes curved like crescent moons.

A faint fragrance drifted in the air as Sanzang’s words, like flowing water, gently filled the space around them.

“Do not forget your original intention, and you will achieve your goal; follow your true heart, and you will find freedom. Do not cling to this shore, nor the far shore, and do not remain stuck in the middle—cross the river and save all sentient beings without rest.

Right now, you belong to the present moment. Don’t easily give up on the fate that is yours. If any of my foolish disciples thought like you, I would certainly knock their heads hard!”

“Listen closely: no matter what, abandoning yourself is unacceptable.”

“Come on, Miss Sanzang, aren’t you about to become a Buddha yourself?”

After Sanzang finished speaking, Alaric took a deep breath and gave a carefree smile.

“Thank you for your guidance. I’ve gained some clarity. It seems that when it comes to the salvation of humanity, I can’t keep going on my own.”

“Are you an idiot?!”

Hearing Alaric’s words, Sanzang’s voice shot up by at least three levels.

After speaking so earnestly, this was the conclusion he arrived at?!

Unable to hold back, Sanzang bopped Alaric on the forehead again.

“Your brain isn’t even as sharp as Zhu Bajie’s! Although Zhu Bajie may be a bit ugly, his brain is still quick!

How can you be a disciple like this?!”

“You’ve misunderstood. I never had any intention of giving up on myself. I just think my approach was wrong. What exactly is the salvation of humanity, and where does it lead? Don’t you think that’s a fascinating question?”

“When I broke free from my desire for survival, I finally understood this. And I owe it all to you, Miss Sanzang.”

Alaric gently removed Sanzang’s delicate hand from his forehead and spoke in a relaxed tone.

“In simple terms, I want to live together with humanity.”

After Alaric finished speaking, Sanzang withdrew her hand, nodding approvingly.

“Mhm, that’s more like a disciple.”

…

As Alaric and Sanzang continued their casual conversation, an unusual wave of energy rippled in the distance—

‘A magical surge? No, a Servant summoning?!’

As Alaric recalled when he had last encountered such familiar energy, his body had already launched into action.

There was no doubt—it was the same magical energy surge as when the Lion King summoned the Knights of the Round Table!

A wild Servant summoning was happening right in front of them!

“Huh?! Wait for me!”

Not fully understanding, Sanzang had no choice but to rush after Alaric. Aside from the manifestation of King Ozymandias and the Lion King’s Servant summoning, this was the first time Alaric had witnessed the summoning of a masterless Servant.

Unlike the complex rituals needed for a Heroic Spirit summoning, Alaric only saw a hexagonal rune slowly spreading out, with vast magical energy seeping from the void.

It flowed over the desert.

The rising gusts of wind made the sandstorm seem even more intense!

“Miss Sanzang, was it this intense when you manifested?”

Alaric raised his hand to shield himself from the wind and sand, releasing a burst of crimson magical energy from his palm, instantly evaporating the sandstorm ahead of him.

“I don’t know! I just opened my eyes, and woosh, I was suddenly here!”

Sanzang tried to describe the scene to Alaric, but her limited ability to explain left Alaric only able to see her gesturing wildly, without understanding any of the details.

“It’s appeared—”

Alaric whispered as a blurry figure emerged from the vast yellow sand.

It was faintly discernible as a male figure clad in heavy armor.

Before Alaric and Sanzang could react—

Whoosh!

A strange burst of fire suddenly ignited out of nowhere, enveloping the summoned Servant.

The rapidly spreading flames turned the desert into a sea of fire, and the scorching heat made even the sandstorm feel blistering!

“AAAAAAHHHH!!!”

A roar echoed across the desert, almost overpowering the sound of the storm.

‘A Crusader?’

Alaric’s pupils contracted. He was all too familiar with this flame. The aura in the sea of fire unmistakably carried the twisted, Berserk curse of the Crusaders!

“Not a natural manifestation?”

Upon seeing the strange fire, Alaric immediately realized he had made a mistake in judgment.

This wasn’t a Heroic Spirit summoned naturally by the leyline—it was a summoning ritual activated by someone!

Otherwise, the Berserk curse, which twisted the will of Heroic Spirits, wouldn’t be present!

The flames roared in Alaric’s vision as if they intended to consume him as well!

‘But who’s behind this summoning?’

Realizing something was wrong, Alaric quickly scanned the surroundings, trying to identify the suspicious figure.

Was it a remnant magi from the Crusaders? Or someone else?

“Miss Sanzang! Be on guard!”

“There’s no one around—”

Just as Sanzang looked around and was about to reply, a terrifying surge of magical energy swept toward them.

The air seemed instantly soaked in blood, and the thick scent of blood filled the atmosphere, though Alaric and Sanzang knew it was just an illusion!

“Is it that Servant?”

Alaric quickly turned around to see a massive source of magical energy flying toward them through the sandstorm!

The visible firestorm followed closely behind!

It was the Servant that had just been summoned!

Slash!

Now that he had determined it was a Crusader remnant performing the summoning and applying the Crusader’s Berserk curse, Alaric didn’t hold back. He clenched his fist, using his hand as a sword.

He slashed forward!

A burst of crimson light tore through the air, revealing the rapidly approaching figure to Alaric and Sanzang!

Finally, Alaric could see the Servant’s appearance.

Clad in heavy armor, the figure was tall yet incredibly fast. His silver hair whipped wildly in the wind, and his rough face was filled with bloodthirsty desire!

Splurt!

A spray of blood erupted, and the blood from the Servant’s body quickly surged toward Alaric!