63 Chapter 62: A new step
(Titus's POV)
Cling! Cling! Clang!
The clash of blades echoed, each strike cutting through reality itself. It was a fierce battle between the greatest Celtic warrior and her devoted disciple.
"Kh!" I gritted my teeth, enhancing my agility through a spell. My movements became sharp and precise, each step calculated at 5 per second, now elevated to 15.
However...
Cling! Cling! Clang!
Scathach's strikes matched, if not surpassed, my heightened movements without relying on any magecraft. Despite my superior strength, agility, and weapon, she effortlessly parried my attacks. Her strikes seemed almost effortless, applying only minimal strength. Not a drop of sweat adorned her forehead, as if she was calculating my every move in milliseconds in advance.
"What's wrong? Are you getting distracted?!" Scathach smirked.
Undeterred, I attempted a rapid series of lightning-speed thrusts, but Scathach effortlessly parried them all with her twin spears. Not even the bifrost energy from my Gungnir had any effect.
"Let's end this!" Scathach announced, and amid the ferocious clashes of blades, she delivered a swift kick to my chest. I blocked it with my blade, dispersing the force throughout my body. Despite my efforts, the impact propelled me hundreds of meters away. To arrest my movement, I thrust the spear into the ground, finally coming to a stop on foot.
Huff! Huff! Exhausted beyond recovery, I dismissed my weapon and collapsed on the ground, my eyes fixed on the dusty wasteland. A mere five minutes of battle felt like I had just run a marathon.
Scathach approached and sat on my belly, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Are you really my shishou?" I asked between panting breaths.
"Let me slap your butt, and you'll remember your master," she replied with her usual stoic face. Yes, she was my teacher; it was just that she seemed so different.
I sat up and instinctively encircled my arms around her waist. Scathach mirrored the gesture, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist.
Interlocked, our heated bodies communicated more than words ever could. The unspoken understanding led to our lips sealing in a passionate kiss.
"Hmm~!" Scathach moaned, savoring my taste with her lips. It was the first time I had witnessed her express such pleasure. The rosy hue on her cheeks and ears signaled the warmth and passion she poured into the kiss.
'She tastes and feels different,' I thought, realizing she had genuine body heat. Her lips carried a distinct flavor, not one I could easily compare to Nero or Tamamo. It was the essence of a woman in love.
I closed my eyes, and we continued to relish our reunion. Our kiss remained simple yet fervent. While I entertained the idea of exploring her body, I kept my movements minimal, not wanting to disrupt Scathach. If she had regained all her human senses, it meant she could also feel pleasure.
After what felt like minutes, we reluctantly parted, silver strings lingering between our lips. Though we yearned for more, my attention was diverted by unexpected system notifications.
[New skills are being issued directly to the host. Would you like to receive them?]
Confused, I looked at Scathach, who nodded in affirmation.
[(Celtic Warrior A) has been transformed into (Emperor of War EX)]
[You have received an Active Skill (Skill Transferor C)]
[You have received an Active Skill (Key to The Land of Shadows -)]
Confusion still lingered, but gradually, silhouettes of a woman practicing various martial arts emerged in my vision. Spearmanship, swordsmanship, and an array of weapons spanning through time—I witnessed the woman pouring her blood and soul into mastering every martial art and weapon known to mankind for hundreds of years.
Though it felt like hours, the entire spectacle occurred in milliseconds. When I opened my eyes, I discovered that the essence of that skilled woman now resided within me.
That woman was undoubtedly Scathach.
"Hehe, did you like my gift?" Scathach chuckled, offering an explanation before I could inquire further. "Before you ask, let me explain."
She went on to recount how she had honed such a formidable skill.
After my failed attempt to kill her, Scathach decided against wasting time in the Time Chamber. Instead, she chose to master every weapon and martial art in her repertoire. Enduring pain, anxiety, and failure, these experiences became stepping stones for her. With her human emotions restored, she found the motivation to utilize the time in this desolate wasteland to the fullest.
"I did spend some time in the Time Chamber, but the majority of it was dedicated to practicing outside. It was a lonely at first, but after around 500 years, someone from Avalon contracted me. She granted me the opportunity to witness the outside world, where I could observe and learn new fighting techniques."
"Wait, you mean Merlin? So she is a woman?" I questioned, recalling Merlin's involvement in contracting Yae Miko after Tamamo's death. Considering the descriptions of the two, my assumption seemed accurate—Merlin was indeed a female.
"So that's what she goes by?" Scathach muttered. It appeared Merlin was not her real identity.
Regardless, I decided to delve into the details of the skills I had received.
[Emperor of War EX
Effect: You can, by default, master any known fighting style known to mankind.]
[Skill Transferor C
Effect: You can transfer a sub-version of any of your skills (Below Rank C) to another person or servant for a maximum of 1 skill. Cost: LPs vary from Rank to Rank.]
[Key to The Land of Shadows –
Effect: You now have free access to the Land of Shadows. You can control various effects of this reality.]
I was astonished beyond belief. While I had a general idea about the first and last skill, the Skill Transferor left me perplexed.
"It was the lady of Avalon who gave me this skill. Well, she was stubborn about it until I directly went to Avalon and stole this skill at gunpoint," Scathach replied. Poor Merlin, I could only send my condolences.
"Anyway, let's get into the main action." Scathach licked her lips and unzipped my pants.
"Wait! You can get pregnant now, right?" I halted her, realizing that now, as a mortal, she wouldn't be able to control my inner animal and would get a belly.
"Ffffffuck," Scathach clicked her tongue. "Well, you'll put a stop to it once I'm pregnant anyway. Let's make babies. I want to raise some," she continued while stroking my Stand.
I fell silent, contemplating her proposal. She was right. She was my wife and now a healthy human. I loved her and desired children, but I wasn't prepared yet.
"You don't want it?" Scathach inquired.
"I'm sorry, shishou, but I'm not ready for children," I confessed.
"It's okay, don't be sad," Scathach reassured, smiling as she gently caressed my face. "I've waited for 2000 years. I can wait a little longer. Besides, becoming human is all thanks to you."
Scathach then stood up and offered me a hand.
"So, do you like that girl?" Scathach asked, her gaze fixed on the distant castle.
"Hmm," I nodded. I truly liked Rin.
She was my first friend, and as I grew a little more mature, I realized I had feelings for her from the beginning. Yet, I couldn't comprehend her reluctance, as she consistently rejected my advances. There might be something bothering her.
"But don't worry, shishou. I'll set everything right," I assured, wrapping my arm around her.
"I believe in you," Scathach replied warmly as we strolled back to her castle. Upon entering Scathach's room, we found Shirou and Rin engrossed in some comics that Scathach had drawn over the course of two millennia.
"Oh, you're back," Shirou greeted us. "I've prepared some snacks."
"Shirou Emiya, right? I've heard a lot about you from my husband," Scathach said, taking a bite of the snacks and engaging in conversation with Shirou.
I approached Rin, finding her engrossed in the photo book containing pictures of me, Scathach, and Cu Chulainn. I had taken those photos with the camera I brought, never anticipating that Scathach would turn them into a picture book.
"Hehe, you must have enjoyed your time here," Rin chuckled, but a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes.
"Yeah, but I really missed you too," I said, giving Rin a quick peck.
"Wha-!!" Rin blushed, but the atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense. The source of the intense aura was Scathach.
Not one to back down, I smirked and playfully hugged Rin, teasing Scathach.
"Wh-what are you doing?! She will kill us!" Rin whispered with rosy cheeks.
"Don't worry. She understands me. Besides, I really wanted to hug you," I replied, continuing to hug her. We used to share hugs and kisses all the time, so I didn't think I needed her permission. From Rin's accelerated heartbeat, I could sense her excitement.
"Humph," Scathach scoffed off.
"You are crazy, Titus…" Shirou rubbed his head, apparently impressed by my ability to flirt with women.
After a moment of silence, I released Rin and addressed everyone, "Oh yeah, I brought a souvenir. Would you like to see it?" Without waiting for an answer, I retrieved a head from my inventory and placed Medb's head on the table.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the prize of my victory from the Celtic age. Meet Medb," I introduced the lifeless head to everyone.
Shirou, Rin, and even Scathach widened their eyes as if they might fall out of their sockets.
However, in the next moment, something unexpected occurred.
The head opened its eyes.
"So, you are the one who put my head in the void. How dare you treat such a beautiful queen like this?! Where is the rest of my body?" Medb's voice echoed, shocking everyone present.
"….AAAAAAAAA!" On that day, the Land of Shadows was haunted by four horrified screams.
[Medb (Head only) has been added to your Summon Servant panel in Others.]
---
On a distant hill, Scathach stood, her long purple hair fluttering in the wind. She looked stunning in her black coat and boots, finally liberated from the chambers of the wasteland and able to set foot in the natural world.
(AN: Scathach's traveling outfit CE)
As I walked beside her, I noticed tears in her eyes. She turned towards me, her smile radiant. "Titus, let's save this beautiful world together."
"Yeah," I nodded in agreement as we admired the beauty of the land, pledging to protect it at all costs as this is the land where I will be making a happy ending.
---
[[Status]]
Name: Titus Dusklock
Age: 19
Elements: Light (Special), Fire
Level: 67
...
Parameters:
STR: 134
MAG: 844
END: 121
AGI: 130
LUC: 1510
Additional SPs: 40
…
HP: 1015
MP: 3323
…
Passive Skills: (Imperial Manager A), (Saint's Golden Rule A), (Presence Concealment B), (Charmer C), (Amaterasu: 5 tails EX+), (Emperor of War EX)
Active Skills: (Force Control A), (Imperial Privilege A), (Odin's Eye EX), (Undying Hero A+++), (Mad Enhancement C), (Skill Transferor C), (Key to The Land of Shadows -)
...
Magecrafts:
[Illusionary Arts: Rank D]
[Creation Runes EX]
[Miscellaneous spells]
LCs: 1,510,200
---
[Volume 3 END]
