C292

This place was like a realm of shadows, devoid of sunlight. Darkness loomed everywhere, with shadows that could corrupt one's very soul if exposed for too long.

But the Queen of this kingdom, Scathach, vowed to banish the word "corruption" from her vocabulary forever. She even hated her former self for entertaining thoughts of suicide. That decision plunged her into an entire year of unending torment, both physical and mental, where she faced death over ten thousand times.

Now, she lay on the ground, motionless like a limp fish, showing no signs of getting up.

The foolish king, who had arrogantly "killed" her twenty-eight times, now crouched next to her, playfully tickling her nose with a piece of dog tail grass.

"Achoo!" Scathach couldn't help but let out a sneeze.

"Oh, it looks like you've recovered. Now, get up and keep going," the king said as he discarded the grass, standing up and speaking in a gentle tone.

However, that seemingly gentle tone sounded like a devil's voice to Scathach.

"I don't wanna! I don't wanna get up! I don't wanna keep fighting!" Scathach adamantly refused to budge, determined not to continue. She curled her body into a ball, seeking a trace of comfort and security.

"I've never come across a knight as disobedient as you before," the king chuckled, showing no signs of anger. His voice carried a warmth akin to that of an older brother from the neighborhood.

"I'm not a knight anymore! I'm no longer your knight!" Scathach hugs her head, tears welling up in her eyes as she gazes at the king. She pleads, "Shirou, I beg you, return to your former self! Stop using the Eternal King!"

"That's not possible. I promised my shisho that I would open the path to freedom for her. Come on, get up quickly. Let me continue healing your inner wounds, purging the corruption within you. No need for thanks; it's what a devoted disciple should do."

Scathach: "..."

"I don't want to! I'm already free! I'm already free! I won't bring up 'corruption' ever again, let alone talk about 'seeking death' or 'suicide.' I said it long ago—I've already regained my sanity. Why do you keep going?" Scathach's resolve began to waver, her composure crumbling.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"What's obvious?"

He smiled and replied, "Well, it's simply a gesture of gratitude. I owe a lot to my shisho for looking after me when I was young. So, as a disciple and as your king, I genuinely express my thanks to my shisho. These are just small, insignificant acts of care from me. Please accept them with a grateful heart."

"No—!" Regretful tears streamed down Scathach's face.

If only she had seized the opportunity to stab this fool to death a few more times when she had the chance. After all, joyful moments always seemed to slip away too quickly.

The days without that fool were genuinely blissful. More importantly, why had she believed that seeking death was her inevitable fate?

And why had she even confided in that fool?

If not for those choices, she wouldn't have found herself in this wretched state.

It had been over a year.

Yes, more than a year had passed.

Throughout this past year, Scathach no longer spoke of suicide, yearned for death, or wondered where the person capable of ending her life was.

In fact, during this entire year, she had been killed over ten thousand times by the Eternal King.

Every time, she got completely destroyed. Now, whenever Shirou stepped into the Shadow Land as the Eternal King, Scathach didn't even bother rolling her eyes. She simply plopped down amidst the sea of crimson Amaryllis flowers, wearing an expression of resignation that said, "Go ahead and do whatever you want, I won't put up a fight," like a limp fish.

Honestly, given Scathach's nature, being defeated over ten thousand times meant nothing to her. The stronger the enemy, the more it fueled her thirst for battle and conquest. She wouldn't just surrender without a fight, like she's doing now.

It's just plain unlucky that her opponent, whom she couldn't retaliate against, happened to be her king—a damn impenetrable wall.

Every time they clashed, he had his invincible wall—Avalon, the global enemy search—Clairvoyance EX, and the insight into the myriad of worlds with his second Noble Phantasm. And let's not forget the global carpet bombing of Rhongomyniad, Sword of Promised Victory, and more.

If he didn't have Avalon active, she would still be itching for a fight.

But this guy always had Avalon up and running, so she might as well surrender and take it. Getting blown up a dozen times a day had become routine; she just had to tough it out and wait for it to pass.

"Alright, get up. Next, help me train in spear techniques."

Scathach replied, "Don't use the Eternal King!"

"No, having Clairvoyance active actually makes it easier to learn."

She protested, "At the very least, ditch Avalon. You can't unleash other Noble Phantasms, blast me with beam cannons, exploit Merlin's illusions or my runes, and don't treat me like some plaything! Stick to using only the spear, and don't you dare try to control me with Noble Phantasms when you can't beat me. Otherwise, I won't get up!"

Shirou: "..."

"Hey, don't forget your manners, old hag. You're way past the age where you can try to act cute with me."

Infuriated, she shot back, "The most important rule is that you're absolutely forbidden from mentioning my age! And especially not allowed to call me an old hag! You should address me as 'shisho' and show some respect!"

Shirou reached out and playfully tugged at her hair.

"Alright, I'll get up, I'll get up... Geez," she grumbled.

In the end, she reluctantly rose to her feet and assisted Shirou in his spear training.

He couldn't help but realize how addictive cheating could be, especially when it came to using the account of the Eternal King—a combination of invincibility and devastating battlefield bombardment.

With Avalon activated, along with the utilization of Clairvoyance EX and the second Noble Phantasm, enemies could be effortlessly locked onto and obliterated with overwhelming firepower. Few could withstand such a relentless assault.

In this particular situation, Scathach had no means to defend herself or escape, ultimately falling victim to the merciless barrage.

It's no wonder Gilgamesh enjoyed throwing Noble Phantasms so much.