"One step forward, and there's no turning back, plunging into the blood-sea of three thousand worlds—"
…
…
Ah…
In a sunless world, on a battlefield of endless strife.
Death and slaughter have become the anthem of this shadowed land.
Killing, killing, killing, killing…
Death, death, death, death…
Time slips through my fingers, and lives vanish beneath my hands.
Even the twin crimson spears in my grasp seem to deepen in hue, steeped in blood.
Looking back, I've taken so many lives.
Be they human, beast, undead, or… gods.
In the eternal ages, what have I done?
Fighting, fighting, fighting, fighting… endless fighting. Slaying all enemies, bathing this eternal body in their blood.
I do not age.
I do not die.
I am no longer human, but something… between god and man.
What word captures this?
Monster?
Heh, fitting. I am a monster, wandering in slaughter.
How long since I was born?
How many years since I took up arms?
Why did I fight in the beginning?
I can't remember. It's all a blur.
Looking back, the path behind is pitch black, and ahead lies an endless abyss.
Regret?
I don't know.
Remorse?
Perhaps a little.
In endless attrition, I've lost the meaning of my existence.
Now, I crave only death—to die as a human, to meet my end in battle.
That would suffice.
Anyone will do, as long as they can kill me.
But where is the one who can end me honorably?
I've wandered the Shadow Realm for countless years, seeking death and failing. Even my carefully chosen disciples, those hopeful warriors, brought only disappointment.
Loneliness, confusion…
God, I ask nothing of you. I seek no mercy.
I know gods don't aid petitioners, forgive, or extend help.
It's not prayer—it's merely a plea.
So, let me die!
Let me fight! Keep fighting!!
Fighting itself is prayer, battling until the final moment.
At the end, my wish will be fulfilled.
In those long ages, a vexing incubus once visited my realm in a peculiar way, relaying something intriguing.
"Someone can end your suffering."
End my endless life and pain—that's what I seek.
Following his guidance, I looked far beyond.
At loneliness's end, I saw a conclusion… and a figure at its heart.
Is he my chance? Can he grant me the death I desire? Will he end my life…
For this, I waited patiently, filled with anticipation.
Until one day, a sudden call echoed in my mind.
The Holy Grail War?
Such an intriguing, fierce event, with a soul wielding incomprehensible power.
Fascinating, truly fascinating…
With anticipation and excitement, I answered his call through my connection to Cú Chulainn.
"Your fate is bound to my spear. In this war, I'll do all I can to help you achieve your desires."
"In return, I hope, when all is ready, you'll grant me a true battle, ending my long life perfectly."
This is my wish, I, Scáthach, Queen of the Land of Shadows.
…
Staring at the beautiful, demonic figure emerging from the summoning circle.
"You…"
Roy froze, baffled by her presence.
"The Queen of the Land of Shadows, Shishou…"
By logic, she shouldn't be dead. Like Merlin, imprisoned by Vivian in a tower, she exists on some distant shore of this world.
The Grail War can't summon the living, so who is this…
"Your expression shows surprise, and you clearly know me."
"Servant, Caster, Scáthach, warrior and Queen of the Land of Shadows, here in place of my unworthy disciple. A pleasure, my… Master."
The queen named Scáthach smiled at him.
"Hey, Crowley, this… is your Servant?"
While Roy pondered the reasons, Aozaki Touko, witnessing it all, could barely contain her excitement.
She snuffed out her burnt cigarette, shaking Roy's shoulder in disbelief.
"Heroic Spirit summoning… the Holy Grail War. I knew what to expect, but this? Summoning her…"
Facing Scáthach, Touko rubbed her hands eagerly.
Roy had explained the Grail War's wonders—summoning past heroes to fight alongside—but hearing was one thing. Seeing it was another.
If he'd summoned an ordinary hero, fine. But this was the Queen of the Land of Shadows, slayer of gods, Cú Chulainn's mentor, the legendary Scáthach.
And she held special meaning for Touko.
Her greatest achievements were advancing puppet magecraft and reviving fragments of Nordic Runes using runestones—near-miracles in modern magecraft. But this was the Queen of the Land of Shadows.
Beyond a warrior, she was a legend in magecraft, wielding all Primordial Runes.
Touko's incomplete Runes paled in comparison. Facing Scáthach, master of Primordial Runes, Touko was like a fan meeting an idol, her excitement uncontainable.
She even imagined learning all Runes from her, then using them to teach a certain someone a lesson.
"We've won, Roy! With her, the Grail War is ours!"
Touko clenched her fists, cheering.
"…"
Seeing Touko act like Tokiomi, Roy rubbed his forehead, sighing.
We?
Who said we?
This is my Grail War.
No time to mind Touko's meddling, Roy turned to the smiling queen, speaking solemnly.
"I don't understand how or why you're here, but from now on, my fate is in your hands, Queen Scáthach."
"Naturally, my Master."
"Until your true goal is achieved, entrust your fate to my spear."
She replied, still smiling.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL