The temperature in the dean's office seemed to plummet by dozens of degrees, turning sharp and frigid.
The Queen of the Land of Shadows was freely unleashing the blood-soaked might she had forged in the depths of hell.
Scáthach had come to Fuyuki City with only three goals in mind.
Find Cú Chulainn!
Clean up her own mess!
And find Nameless.
In the previous Temple of Time: Solomon video, the Fifth Singularity—The Great North American Myth War—could practically be called the Celtic Myth War.
The Child of Light, Cú Chulainn, had become the main antagonist, recklessly threatening human history.
As his teacher, Scáthach had descended to assist Nameless in reprimanding her wayward disciple.
Yet that damned brat had the audacity to mock her, even calling her an old hag!
She, the illustrious Queen of the Land of Shadows, was a seventeen-year-old beauty with countless admirers!
How could she possibly be an old woman?
Even Nameless had praised her youthful beauty, clearly recognizing her charm.
He was truly her most important confidant.
Scáthach had once been cursed by the gods she slew, forcing her to live for over 2,200 years without rest.
Now, this Nameless Heroic Spirit—who had even slain the omnipotent Zeus—might very well be capable of granting her death.
After dealing with her wayward disciple, she would seek out Nameless and ask him to deliver her end.
To live as a human, and to die as one.
That was Scáthach's ultimate desire.
"Of course. With my Clairvoyance that sees through the Present, no one can escape my search," Merlin replied smoothly, unfazed. "A mere Nameless isn't even worth my attention—just a plaything to toy with."
That was a lie!
She had searched for Nameless countless times but could never find a trace of him.
Clearly, this was the protection of Alaya, shielding him from all detection magecraft.
"Oh? So you were the one toying with Nameless?"
Scáthach looked at her with amusement.
Her battle instincts, honed in the depths of the underworld, saw right through the beautiful Flower Mage's disguise.
The true form beneath was none other than Magical☆Merlin!
The same virtual idol who had tormented Dr. Roman in the videos.
"Ahem. As a Child of Nightmares, my form isn't fixed," Merlin replied, slightly embarrassed.
Trying to boast, only to have her illusions seen through in an instant—
That was a bit awkward.
Scáthach said coolly, "I don't care about your schemes. Just lead me to Nameless and Cú Chulainn."
After watching so many videos released by Alaya, she was well aware of this one's true nature.
A creature who delighted in others' suffering.
But as an immortal, she feared nothing.
If anything, she'd be grateful if someone could finally grant her death.
"I'm just a humble magician, I wouldn't dare scheme against the Queen of the Land of Shadows," Merlin smiled.
The show was about to begin.
With Scáthach drawing Nameless's attention as a shield, she could finally set her plan in motion.
The miserable torment of being force-fed the Waters of Lethe by Nameless—she would repay every bit of it!
First, she'd start with that Solomon who had turned into an ordinary man...
...
Meanwhile.
After Souma finished buying fish and left.
Cú Chulainn asked, "Berserker, want to go to his place for dinner? The kid's a pretty good cook. Just remember to bring a gift."
"Uh, not this time. I've got bricks to move," Heracles shook his head.
He still had work to do later.
How else could he raise Illya if he didn't work?
As for eating at Souma's place, he could drop by anytime—no need for formalities.
"Alright, go move your bricks then."
Cú Chulainn didn't press further.
With Hercules' monstrous appetite, he could easily polish off an entire table's worth of food by himself.
Better that he didn't come.
Cú Chulainn dialed a number: "Souma, make extra tonight. I'm coming over."
"Fine, come if you want," came the reply.
"OK, I'll head over soon."
After a pause, Cú Chulainn hesitantly asked, "Hey Souma... what do you think Scáthach would do if she found Cú Chulainn?"
"Uh, what else? Probably just stab him to death."
Souma answered casually.
Given how recklessly he'd taunted that purple-haired old hag during the Singularity, how could he possibly survive?
How brutal.
Lancer's gonna die again—so heartless!
Rest in peace.
We'll prepare lavish offerings for you every festival—you won't go hungry!
"...Then how can Cú Chulainn survive?"
Cú Chulainn felt despair creeping in.
He just wanted to live peacefully as an ordinary fishmonger—he really didn't want to die.
"Wanna know? Beg me!" Souma replied cheerfully.
The guy had been his teammate against Gilgamesh, so helping him out a bit wasn't a big deal.
"I..."
Cú Chulainn nearly stormed over to punch the brat.
A mere high school student daring to play games with him—did he want to be tied up and beaten?
But survival came first.
Without hesitation, he pleaded: "Bro, I really wanna know how Cú Chulainn can survive. Just tell me~"
"..."
Souma barely recognized him anymore.
When had he become so shameless?
Had merging with the King of Berserkers completely changed him?
Sighing, Souma said, "Fine. It's simple—just kneel and beg for mercy. The more shameless you are, the better it works!"
"...Uh, you sure that'll work?"
Cú Chulainn frowned.
"Don't believe me? Fine." Souma hung up.
"..."
After a stunned moment, Cú Chulainn decided to try it—what did he have to lose except his life?
He quickly packed up his stall.
He'd barely opened shop this afternoon, having taken time off to watch the new video.
Ever since the video played, he'd been on edge.
Afraid that the terrifying old woman might come looking for him.
Better head to Souma's place first for a drink to calm his nerves.
"Today is a good day, everything I wish for comes true..."
Cú Chulainn hummed a tune casually as he walked out of the market gate.
Then.
A tall woman with purple hair and crimson eyes silently blocked his path.
"Well, well, Setanta, you seem to be in high spirits?"
She looked at him with a knowing smirk, deliberately using his childhood name.
It was Scáthach!
Cú Chulainn nearly jumped out of his skin, his heart turning ice-cold.
Why did this terrifying old woman suddenly show up?
Who the hell ratted him out?
Putting on a brave face, Cú Chulainn said, "Teacher, long time no see. How have you been?"
"Hmm? Didn't you always call me 'old woman' before?" Scáthach asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
Cú Chulainn feigned shock: "Did I? I don't remember that at all!"
"Tch, stop pretending. Did you really think you could fool me so easily?" Scáthach sneered.
You mangy mutt, I've raised you since you were a pup. Did you really think you could deceive me...
This beautiful maiden?
Cú Chulainn dropped the act and glared at her fiercely: "Don't think being the Queen of the Land of Shadows means I'll respect you!"
"Oh? Then let's see how much you've improved lately," Scáthach replied with interest.
"I am the Child of Light from Celtic mythology! Even if I were to be run over by a chariot or skewered by your spear, I would never—"
Cú Chulainn declared righteously, then promptly dropped to his knees, "A teacher for a day is a mother for life! You're like my own mother! How could I not respect you?"
If I got killed over something like this, what kind of hero would that make me?
So, I absolutely cannot lose!
"...Get up. I prefer seeing your arrogant side."
Scathach fell into silence.
Had this guy really lost his mind?
She looked at him with utter disdain. "I haven't even drawn my spear yet, and you've already collapsed. Aren't you ashamed?"
Such a spineless, shameless creature—just the thought of striking him felt like sullying her demonic spear.
"Doesn't this just prove how precise your spear technique is, Master? Please, I'd rather be your dog—feel free to command me!"
Seeing the killing intent in her eyes fade, Cú Chulainn seized the opportunity without hesitation.
Being a dog?
Not shameful at all.
Others would kill for the chance to be the Hound of the Shadow Queen and still wouldn't get it!
Most importantly—
The name "Cú Chulainn" itself meant "Hound of Culann."
Back when he was a child, he had accidentally killed Culann's guard dog and vowed to personally take its place until he could train a hound just as fierce.
"..."
Scathach was utterly speechless, completely defeated by his lack of shame.
No wonder Nameless had once referred to him as "Big Dog."
The nickname suited him perfectly!
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, get up. Kneeling like this is embarrassing."
To avoid being recognized, Scathach had deliberately dressed in a sailor uniform—the very image of a seventeen-year-old beauty.
Having a grown man kneel before her like this was mortifying.
"Master, I was just about to head to a friend's place for dinner. Would you like to join?" Cú Chulainn fawned shamelessly. "That friend's cooking is amazing—on par with the Grand Housekeeper Nameless."
"Oh? Then I suppose I'll take a look."
Scathach had initially been indifferent.
But hearing Nameless mentioned changed her mind.
With that, she casually waved her hand.
Hum—
The Primordial Rune activated, severing the peeping eyes of that wretched nightmare.
A faint scream could be heard in the distance.
Just a small punishment.
Try spying again, and I'll gouge your eyes out—believe it?
As Cú Chulainn reached for his phone to call ahead, he reconsidered and decided to give his friend a little surprise.
After all, the guy was just an ordinary high schooler—no way he'd see through the old hag's disguise.
He eagerly led the way. "Master, please follow me."
"Very well. Lead on—just treat me as your sister."
Scathach followed gracefully, carrying herself like a refined young lady out for a stroll.
Cú Chulainn barely suppressed the urge to scoff—
Old hag, why the act?
You're over two thousand two hundred years old, yet you're still pretending to be a seventeen-year-old beauty.
Heh… tui!
When it comes to shamelessness, even I, the Big Dog, bow in defeat!
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang.
Souma walked over to answer it. "Since you're here, you might as well bring… a person?"
He instinctively reached out to take something, only to find the visitor empty-handed—with a generously endowed girl in a sailor uniform standing beside him.
"Ahem, this is… my sister," Cú Chulainn forced out the words with great difficulty.
He had thought he was shameless, but compared to his master, he paled in comparison.
An ageless, undying old hag, yet she insisted on posing as his sister.
Unbelievable!
Souma's eyes locked onto the tall girl before him, and alarm bells blared in his mind.
Damn it, I just gave you advice, and you sold me out in the blink of an eye!
So you're the one who brought the Queen here?!
Fortunately, Illya and Miyu had already gone home earlier, otherwise the truth would have been exposed instantly.
Souma pretended to greet them sincerely: "Welcome, welcome. Your sister looks truly gentle and lovely."
"...Y-yes!"
Cú Chulainn felt as uncomfortable as if ants were crawling all over his body.
For him, the mighty Child of Light, to keep telling such blatant lies was truly torturous.
This old woman was just too gentle.
So gentle she almost stabbed him to death with her spear!
Scáthach didn't say much, calmly walking into the living room.
It was a warm and ordinary household.
Apart from the host, there was also a clever and adorable little girl.
This made her feel slightly disappointed.
She decided to sit for a while casually, then find an excuse to leave.
As Souma went to the kitchen to serve the dishes,
Cú Chulainn suddenly approached and whispered, "So, what do you think of my... this sister?"
"Uh, very gentle and lovely," Souma replied.
"Since you think so, why not consider her?"
Cú Chulainn generously patted his shoulder. "My sister has countless suitors! You're getting lucky here, kid!"
If the old woman wanted to pretend to be an ordinary beauty, he might as well mess with her a little.
As for Souma's safety?
No need to worry at all.
After all, he, the mighty Child of Light, was here to protect him. At worst, he could just—
kneel and beg his teacher for mercy!
"...Ahem, I'm busy with studies right now, not considering romance," Souma coughed lightly.
This damn dog was really trying to screw him over.
He could swear that the only reason Cú Chulainn was still alive was because of his earlier advice.
And now, this ungrateful mutt was repaying kindness with betrayal.
Who would dare marry a two-thousand-year-old monster who crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood?
Thanks a fucking lot!
Next time, I'll just watch you die!
"Alright then, don't say I never offered," Cú Chulainn clicked his tongue, genuinely disappointed.
He really wanted to see if that purple-haired old woman could keep her composure if this ordinary high schooler confessed to her.
Then again...
maybe she was into that?
During dinner.
Scáthach, who initially didn't care at all, took one bite and immediately brightened up—
Delicious!
This young man's cooking skills actually surpassed those of many professional chefs.
It gave her a miraculous feeling of skill approaching the realm of the divine.
As if he could manifest a Saint Graph through cooking alone and become a Caster-class Servant!
Interesting, he really was unusual!
But she didn't comment much, quietly enjoying the meal while occasionally offering some praise.
The dinner concluded with both host and guests satisfied.
Souma's tense heart could finally relax a little.
With the exposure of the "Temple of Time: Solomon," his days of normalcy were clearly numbered.
If the Queen of the Land of Shadows got involved too, then it was truly game over.
After dinner,
Cú Chulainn had already bolted without hesitation,
as if being chased by a tiger.
Souma pretended to be calm: "That guy was acting strange today."
Damn treacherous mutt, someday I'll turn you into hotpot!
"That dog was indeed acting strange today."
Scáthach turned to look at him with a smile, "Would you like me to help you catch that 'Heartless' for you?"
PS: This game is truly difficult, dying dozens of times just for one boss... Each death means another chapter, guess the cat will never want to play Souls-like games in this lifetime!