Chapter 82: Dream

Chapter 82: Dream

Shinji had a dream.

In the dream, he saw a nation where the sky was perpetually shrouded in gloom.

No, it wasn't just gloomed; it was a deeper monotony as if the entire world had only three colors: pure white, profound black, and ambiguous shades of gray that transitioned and alternated in intensity.

This was a realm of shadows, a realm that did not belong to the living, a truly eerie place.

In this monotonous and oppressive nation, that person was the only color, the sole ruler.

She was the queen of this realm, the undeniable mistress of this world beyond. She was the guardian of the border between the mundane and the mystical.

Countless years had not left a trace on her body; they had only refined her unique aura, making her flawless and impeccable.

Her wise eyes pierced through the gray haze of the sky, the shadows on the ground, and even the towering walls, meeting the gaze that crossed time and space.

Memories, information, and much deeper things were transmitted through this intangible connection.

In an instant, Shinji saw many things—a millennium in the blink of an eye.

Numerous lives... for new novels

She had truly taken away countless lives before. Whether they were human, undead, or gods, she confronted and slaughtered them all.

Battle after battle after battle.

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

This body, soaked in the blood of enemies, became eternal.

No more aging.

No death.

Transformed into a "certain existence" that would forever endure.

Since the first time she took up a spear, how much time had passed? She couldn't remember. Wait, in this body that guarded the "Gate" and gained the wisdom of the abyss, it was possible to measure time accurately.

But she didn't want to know through such means.

It wasn't melancholy. It wasn't resignation.

Is it regret?

I don't know.

It's possible, but it's also hard to say for certain.

At least, the emotions that went unnoticed when slaughtering numerous monsters and instructing the warriors of Ulster do exist within me now.

Ah, indeed, I did teach many warriors before.

At the end of infinite time, everything will die and disappear completely.

Amidst the deliberately indifferent memories that have been maintained, only the image of one man, one man's figure, can emerge.

Crimson pupils...

When the brilliance in his eyes flashes through my mind, an inexplicable gentleness arises in my heart.

Did I cry? While I was asleep, while I was dreaming.

That dream...

So that's it. Did I see Sensei's experiences?

Was she fighting against those kinds of monsters all alone?

Was she always gazing at that dull and oppressive realm of the deceased?

Immortal and unchanging, is it really that painful?

Sensei.

Scáthach.

You...

You...

You...

With a rustling sound, the curtains in the room are pulled open, and the momentary alternation of light and darkness dilutes the sorrow in Shinji's heart.

By the window, at the tea table, wearing a high-necked sweater on top and cotton pants on the bottom, Scáthach, in her casual attire, rests her chin on her hand and quietly gazes at Shinji's face.

The sunlight that brings vitality to all things not only doesn't exclude the queen who resides in the realm of the dead but also makes her even more dazzling.

"Sensei." Shinji's voice carries unprecedented emotions. The dream revealed many things to him.

"I knocked on the door, didn't you hear?" Scáthach's expression is as calm as ever as if nothing had happened. "Get up quickly, Sakura is waiting for you to have breakfast."

"Okay."

Shinji rolls out of bed, but as soon as his feet touch the ground, he freezes. His gaze fixes on Scáthach's face, which is clean and devoid of any decoration.

"Sensei, your veil?"

"Why, do you care about it?" Scáthach clenches her left hand in the air, and a black veil conjured by magic appears in her hand.

"I do care, of course." Shinji nods repeatedly. "It would be better if you don't wear veils in the future."

"Seems like you don't want me to hide my face," Scáthach sighed. "It's not like it's anything interesting... Are you saying you're quite fond of this appearance?"

"Of course, I've wanted to tell my Sensei for a long time, I just didn't know how to bring it up. It's such a beautiful face, it's a shame to hide it."

Upon hearing Shinji's praise, Scáthach didn't react like an ordinary girl would, neither did she show happiness or dissatisfaction. She simply put away her veil and said, "Save those words for other girls. Now, get up and have breakfast."

Shinji still didn't leave his bed. He took a deep breath as if making a certain determination.

"Sensei, I want to fulfill your wish. I don't know how far I'll ultimately go, or if I'll reach the heights of those senior disciples you've taught, but I will try to become stronger and seek a way to kill you. So, can you also have a little bit of expectation for me?"

That serious expression, that solemn attitude, had only appeared when he formed a contract with Justeaze.

At this moment, Shinji forgot that Scáthach had descended into the present world to seek death through the Holy Grail. Perhaps, in his subconscious, he had already assumed that the Holy Grail couldn't kill this queen who existed outside of the world.

He, Matou Shinji, wanted her, Scáthach, to be liberated from eternal loneliness.

The perpetually downturned corners of Scáthach's mouth finally curled upwards, freezing into an incredibly stunning curve.

"Don't make me wait until the world's end."