Wrong Place

Poor Irish people, the last refuge of the Celts, were still unaware of how their future would become 'glorious' due to the impromptu decision of the Son of Dragon...

Of course, not as 'Ireland', but as part of the great empire of Artorius, a county in the province of Britain.

In present-day Ireland, four 'powers' stood side by side—Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster, the four small kingdoms, constantly engaging in various alliances and intrigues, like a miniature version of the Middle Ages.

However, no matter how they maneuvered internally, they dared not offend any powerful existence, especially someone like Artorius.

Knights serving under Artorius hailed not only from Britain but also from some Irish Celts.

There was also some trade between the Germanic regions under Artorius's control and Ireland.

So, after landing, when Artorius dispatched envoys announcing his intention to visit the Land of Shadows, the rulers of Ireland's small kingdoms all submitted obediently. They eagerly sent envoys, willing to act as guides. Becoming a vassal state of Rome was not a problem either.

However, the situation changed upon hearing that Artorius's goal was the Land of Shadows.

"There's no way to enter the Land of Shadows?"

Artorius furrowed his brow as he faced a sweaty and visibly fearful Irish envoy.

The location was Dublin—ah, of course, it wasn't called Dublin yet. The city was built during the Viking era in its original history, but that didn't matter—anyway, in Dublin, the messenger who met with Artorius brought bad news.

"Yes, Great General Artorius, that's how it is..." the Irish envoy replied with a forced smile.

"In recent years, Queen Scathach hasn't recruited any disciples and hasn't appeared in Ireland. You know, the Land of Shadows is a place we ordinary people cannot enter. Normally, those who go to the Land of Shadows are invited by Queen Scathach herself, so..."

Artorius inquired further and visited some of Scathach's former students in Ireland.

The youngest of these students was already over sixty. From them, Artorius confirmed that Scathach's activities had gradually diminished over thirty years ago.

'Is it because of the demise of the Age of Gods?' Artorius wondered.

He knew Scathach managed to live through to the present, but being alive didn't mean she could freely act in the mortal realm.

"So, what should we do next, brother?" Mordred asked anxiously, observing Artorius deep in thought for several days.

"This is a problem indeed..." Artorius replied.

Before leaving, Artorius handed over the intelligence and spy organization to Agravain. As for internal affairs, he entrusted the administrative system he personally planned for the Germanic regions.

This ensured the stability of the Germanic regions for a certain period.

However, this was still an era primarily governed by individuals, an era centered around bloodlines, heroes, and strength.

If the core supporting this system, Artorius, were to remain abroad for an extended period, the situation would become uncertain.

'I definitely need to find a solution.' Artorius thought and made a decision. "If we can't obtain news of Scathach in a short period, we'll leave behind some intelligence personnel and envoys to continue the search in Ireland. Then we'll return to the Germanic regions."

The time required to sail from Ireland back to the Germanic regions wouldn't be too long. It wouldn't significantly delay their plans.

"Well, okay..." Mordred said.

Since Artorius had made up his mind, Mordred settled down. The group then began searching the lands of Ireland for traces of the Land of Shadows.

Until one night, when...

After telling Mordred a modified fairy tale, Artorius also entered the realm of dreams.

In the dream, Artorius followed his thoughts and headed toward 'Avalon'.

Upon waking up, he had to take care of Mordred, but once he fell asleep, he would go to Vivian and act spoiled. If he were just an ordinary human, he would have probably withered and died long ago.

But Artorius, being the Son of Dragon, was different.

A dragon never bows its head.

When his mother, Artoria, who was still immature at the time, was an apprentice knight, she would train diligently during the day and receive education in kingship from Merlin while asleep. The current Artorius is an enhanced version compared to the 'Artoria Lily' of the past. Naturally, he is unstoppable.

'Now, I can confront Big Sis Vivian.'

He thought as he moved forward.

The path in the dream is determined by one's state of mind. It can be long or short. However, this time, Artorius felt like he had been walking for a long time without encountering the floral sea from his memories.

'Did I take the wrong path?'

'No, can the path in a dream be wrong? Hmm...'

Pondering over this question, Artorius started to feel a bit annoyed.

Just as he was contemplating what to do next, a lush forest appeared ahead.

Birds were singing, and small animals like rabbits and squirrels were hopping around. Artorius could also hear the sound of flowing water.

'Does Avalon have a place like this? I haven't been here before.'

Thinking this, he approached the area with a curious feeling. And then he heard it.

It was the hum of a girl.

A scene that was famous in works of art.

A girl with long, pink hair and delicate skin was bathing in the waist-deep water of a spring.

She had her back turned to Artorius, so he could only see the curve of her back. It was something that could make him couldn't help but whistle. It was on par with Mordred, if not surpassing her.

If they were to be distinguished, Mordred had a more toned and smooth figure due to her training, and her skin was slightly healthier in complexion.

While the girl with her back to Artorius appeared softer and had fairer skin.

Both were beautiful in their own ways.

As Artorius thought this, he turned around to leave.

Although his inner desires befit the name of a dragon, Artorius, in general, was a gentleman. He would not engage in voyeuristic behavior.

He quietly left, not letting the other person notice his presence. That was Artorius's decision.

However, before that happened...

"Is someone there?"

A pure voice with a hint of seduction came through.

He had been discovered.

As Artorius thought this, he halted his steps and faced the girl in the spring, who was completely exposed.

As a ruler and an iron-fisted leader, he was undoubtedly a gentleman, but he was not a pushover. He wouldn't panic.

Thus, they maintained eye contact for two minutes.