[Chapter 16]: The Holy Grail

"Thank you very much!"

Alaric, astonished by Ozymandias's straightforwardness, was filled with excitement. Did this mean he could satisfy all three—no, conquer all three Kings?

The Lion King, the King Hassan, and even the Sun King, Ozymandias!

"Save the celebrations for later. Sir Alaric, how much do you know about this Singularity?"

Ozymandias tapped rhythmically on the armrest of his jade throne, the sound echoing through the temple.

Is he testing me?

Does he mean that the ignorant are unqualified to make comparisons?

Alaric's expression remained unchanged.

"King Ozymandias, the Singularity is a distortion created by the King of Magecraft using the Holy Grail, planted at key points in human history to sow chaos and destabilize humanity."

"King Ozymandias, forgive my boldness, but do you possess the Holy Grail?"

The massive magical resource required for the giant summoning ritual covering Jerusalem was enormous, and the Lion King's sudden assault was too abrupt to have met the conditions in such a short time. Furthermore, since the Holy Grail, which should have been discovered upon the Lion King's arrival, was missing, Alaric deduced that Ozymandias had likely taken possession of it when he appeared.

"Hmph, I am the Sun King, King of Kings. Naturally, such a thing as the Holy Grail is in my possession. Since you've witnessed my manifestation, you should already know where the Holy Grail came from."

Ozymandias raised his hand, and ripples spread through the air as if from the void. A golden chalice—the miracle itself—appeared in his hand. Its mere presence radiated such concentrated magical energy that it seemed on the verge of distorting the world around it.

That's the Holy Grail!

From the moment Alaric laid eyes on it, he was utterly captivated. This was different from the Greater Grail of Fuyuki he had envisioned. The Grail in Ozymandias's hand was essentially a highly concentrated mass of magical energy. Its wish-granting function fell short of omnipotence, but possessing the Grail would ensure a constant supply of mana for Alaric, preventing any chance of magical depletion.

At that point, he could ascend to the top ranks of this land's combatants!

Suppressing his desire for the Grail, Alairc tore his gaze away from it. "King Ozymandias, is this the Grail you confiscated from the Crusaders?"

"That's right. The magus who summoned me used the Grail as a foundation, alongside a relic, to bring me into this world. Naturally, I took the Grail—something worthy of my status."

"King Ozymandias, so the distortion of this Singularity was caused by the Grail, correct?"

"Yes—and no."

Ozymandias casually toyed with the Grail, speaking indifferently: "As you said, before your king arrived, the Grail was indeed the source of the Singularity's distortion. But after that fool of a Lion King erected the Tower at the End, human history had already collapsed. The Grail is nothing more than a useless toy now."

As I thought, the Lion King has already taken control of the Singularity, replacing the Grail as its ruler!

Alaric's suspicions were confirmed by Ozymandias's response. He might have even witnessed the collapse of human history firsthand.

"What's this? Do you desire the Grail?"

Ozymandias asked, clearly amused, as he noticed the way Alaric's gaze had been fixed on the Grail since it appeared.

"I am the Sun King, the omnipotent one. How could I possibly use such a cursed cup? I am the master of the Grail, its guardian. This insignificant thing is beneath my concern."

Ozymandias glanced disdainfully at Alaric as if scolding him for his foolishness.

I want it so badly!

Alaric screamed internally, but he didn't dare show a trace of his desire on his face. He was about to deny it, but then he remembered Ozymandias's mocking laughter. After a brief hesitation, he spoke firmly: "Indeed, King Ozymandias, I... I desire the Holy Grail."

"Bold! The Holy Grail is not something you can possess!"

Nitocris, who had been silent until now, couldn't hold back any longer.

"Hahahaha! Honest desire, and the arrogance to ask a king for the Grail! You're quite the amusing fellow!"

Ozymandias burst into laughter, once again entertained by Alaric's audacity.

"Speak! Knowing that the Grail was once the source of the Singularity's distortion and now resides in my hand, you still dare ask for it?"

"King Ozymandias! I seek the Grail for power! To obtain power that is second to none!"

"The end of this era is fast approaching. Before my king completes her great work, I must acquire sufficient strength!"

Alaric declared his voice firm with resolve.

"To take the Grail from me and gain power that could rival mine? Hahahaha—"

"Even knowing that the Grail comes from one who seeks to destroy humanity—even if I've declared it a cursed cup—you still desire it, just for the sake of power?"

"Yes!"

"Hahahaha, I grant it!"

Ozymandias casually tossed the Grail down from his throne.

"!"

Alaric held his breath, watching as the Grail fell toward him.

Clink!

The cold sensation of the Grail in his hands sent a shock through Alaric's mind, its obscure magical energy trembling his very soul.

Did… did I just get the Grail?

It was as if fortune had fallen from the sky, and Alaric couldn't help but feel as though he were in a dream.

He held in his hands the Holy Grail, once the source of the Singularity's distortion, known as the wish-granting device—how insane was this?!

"Thank you, King Ozymandias!"

Alaric, finally snapping back to reality, couldn't hide his excitement.

"Sir Alaric, rebellious knight, how long do you think you can hold onto the Grail?"

Ozymandias asked suddenly, propping his face up with one hand.

The question brought Alaric, who had been overjoyed moments ago, back to a state of calm. Slowly, he lifted his head and met Ozymandias's gaze. "In half a year, travelers from a distant land will reach this Singularity, and that will mark the end of everything."

The stars foretold the arrival of travelers from a foreign land—Chaldea, the organization safeguarding the continuation of humanity, and the last Master of humanity—Fujimaru Ritsuka.

Alaric didn't say the name out loud; he merely recited it in his heart.

"So, you know quite a lot! Is that the source of your arrogance?" Ozymandias's expression remained unchanged, showing no interest in Alaric's mention of the future.

Alaric shook his head and, looking at the Grail in his hand, spoke slowly: "King Ozymandias, this is not arrogance. It is simply my wish, similar to but different from the Lion King's—a desire to save humanity."

"Where does this comparison come from? It's nothing more than a weak will to survive, a desire to see which king can truly save mankind. Everything I do is merely to stay alive."

Alaric's sincere yet subdued words echoed quietly through the temple, drawing a chuckle from Ozymandias.

"Sir Alaric, that is your greatest arrogance, but I am quite satisfied! Go on then. When the year you spoke of arrives, show me the arrogance you claim to possess!"