In the Land of Shadows, a purple-haired, red-eyed queen trained as usual.
She had seen the unchanging scenery of the Land of Shadows too many times. She, Scáthach, Queen of the Land of Shadows, still hoped that one day an existence would appear capable of killing her.
Of course, if it were her useless disciple, that would be even better.
Suddenly, she stopped sharpening her spear skills. A hint of curiosity appeared in her crimson eyes.
Wisdom of Dún Scáith, which she had trained to reach an omniscient state, informed her that an interesting existence had appeared in the world.
She narrowed her eyes and gazed into the world. Though she was an undying Demi-God exiled beyond the world, she could still observe developments within the world, just like Merlin.
Even from an omniscient perspective, she and Merlin couldn't be said to never communicate.
But the highly unexpected part was that the Counter Force had actually reduced their rejection of the Land of Shadows, giving her the possibility to descend into the world.
A moment later, Wisdom of Dún Scáith informed her of the reason. An unknown existence that might destroy the world had appeared.
"Interesting? An existence capable of destroying the world? Could it kill me?"
Scáthach was deeply curious about this—or rather, this was exactly what she had hoped for.
Whether a beautiful death or a gruesome one, she simply wished that one day she could finally welcome her own end.
As she spoke, she shifted her gaze to the still-empty Heroic Spirit Summoning Array.
Seeing a blue figure holding a red spear appear in the Array, the corner of her mouth couldn't help but lift.
It was her most prized disciple, Cu Chulainn—the one she had long hoped would one day kill her.
Child of Light of Ireland.
Now, she wanted to test her disciple's ability and see if his progress in combat skill had grown enough to kill her.
"Gate of Skye: The Gate Leading to the Haunted Land, Brimming with Death!"
The Boundary Gate she used now as a Demi-God, of course, wouldn't be limited like a Noble Phantasm—especially now that there was no longer suppression from the Counter Force.
She could truly bring anyone from within the world to the Land of Shadows.
"Cu Chulainn, let me see your ability. Let's see if you've grown enough to kill me."
Scáthach said with great enthusiasm. To her, whether she was killed by her disciple or by that unknown existence, it was all the same.
But if she had to choose, she'd prefer to be killed by the warrior she had trained with her own hands.
"Truly Shishou?"
Cu Chulainn smiled helplessly. The moment he was summoned, he had already considered the possibility that his Shishou would come looking for him.
Yet, he hadn't expected to be pulled away even before landing.
Cu Chulainn gave up resisting and allowed the Gate of Skye to pull him into the Land of Shadows.
Seeing the tall purple figure holding a Demon Spear, Cu Chulainn didn't hesitate and immediately charged with his spear.
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After fighting for several days and nights, Scáthach finally drove her spear into Cu Chulainn's Spirit Core.
"As expected, I'm still far from being able to kill Shishou."
Cu Chulainn said with great magnanimity. Since he hadn't succeeded in descending to save the world, fighting his Shishou again had already fulfilled his wish.
"After all, for years in the Land of Shadows, I could only hone my skills."
Scáthach smiled, sheathed Gae Bolg, and looked at Cu Chulainn, who slowly vanished, with satisfaction and praise—then healed his wounds.
If not for her breakthrough during the fight, perhaps Cu Chulainn, who had obtained the Grand Spirit Origin, might have actually killed her?
(But now, Cu Chulainn, you can't handle battles at this level—leave it to Shishou!)
Although Scáthach and Cu Chulainn fought for several days and nights in the Land of Shadows, because the Land of Shadows was a realm outside the world, time flow wasn't connected to the inner world. Thus, Scáthach wasn't too late and appeared within Kayneth's Summoning Array.
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"Are you my Master this time?"
Fuyuki City, inside the church.
Kirei looked at the tall, silent figure holding a greatsword within the Array and viewed the Heroic Spirit's information.
Strong—only one word: overwhelmingly strong.
Old Man of the Mountain, Grand Assassin, possessing a Noble Phantasm that delivered death to all things, the ability to instantly kill anything.
This would be their trump card against the Demon God.
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Matou Residence.
Aslan curiously poked Merlin, who was observing the Heroic Spirit summonings with Clairvoyance.
"Hey, good Merlin, tell me what Heroic Spirits the Masters have summoned so far."
After all, Merlin only had this one use now. His role as Grand Caster had been completely taken over by Manaka.
Whether setting up Territory, crafting Items, or standing beside Aslan to assist him, Manaka could do it perfectly.
"King, can't you say that? It hurts my feelings."
Merlin held his chest and spoke with a wounded expression.
Though he admitted he had no emotions, didn't he at least have a conscience?
"Alright, just tell me what you found."
Aslan restrained his urge to punch him.
Though he was confident he wouldn't fail, gathering information was still a good habit.
If he was certain he wouldn't fail, and then actually failed, it would be very funny.
There were many Spiritual Beings in the Type-Moon World—what if he accidentally failed?
So gathering information was still very necessary.
"Except for Lancer and Assassin, the other Heroic Spirits aren't much different from those summoned in previous Holy Grail Wars."
What Merlin meant, of course, was the Holy Grail War in the Original Timeline. He didn't know if it was due to limited Counter Force interference.
They could only use this Holy Grail War as a basis to oppose him.
"Boring. I still hoped the Counter Force could bring out some Divine Spirits to oppose me."
Aslan yawned boredly, then gently stroked Manaka's head, speaking very intimately.
"Then Manaka will trouble you later."
Manaka held back her blushing face and clapped her hands. She immediately severed all Root-connected abilities in this place.
Including but not limited to Sha Naqba Imuru, Wisdom of Dún Scáith, Clairvoyance EX, etc.
Though the Sun Authority within Aslan's body already had high-level passive Anti-Divination and Anti-Observation, so he wasn't afraid of being observed by such things. But that didn't stop him from blocking others' cheats.
"It's done, my prince."
After finishing, Manaka leaned beside Aslan, her face full of hope for praise.
Aslan also pinched Manaka's cheek as praise, while greater rewards would come later.