In the end, without a way to lift the curse, any treatnt would only serve to temporarily prolong Rama's existence as a Servant. Neither Sh
In the end, without a way to lift the curse, any treatnt would only serve to temporarily prolong Rama's existence as a Servant.
Neither Shiomi nor Scáthach could dispel the curse, which had been strengthened by the power of the Holy Grail under the King of Magecraft.
That left only two options.
"One is to defeat the one who cast the curse—the Mad King Cú Chulainn," Shiomi said, sitting on his bed inside his small tent as he discussed the situation with Chaldea's Morgan. "The other is to improve the precision of the treatnt."
It wasn't that their healing thods were flawed. The issue was that Rama was no longer among the living—he was a Servant.
The most effective approach was to find another Servant who had known Rama in life.
If they could access the "schematic" of who Rama was while alive, Shiomi would be able to fully restore his damaged heart.
"Rama ntioned that he did know soone. That's apparently why he fought the Mad King," Shiomi explained. "But who exactly is that person?"
"What a pointless question. Obviously, it's his wife," Morgan replied with a faint smile.
"You an Sita, the one from the epic?" Shiomi nodded. "I guess that makes sense... but still..."
"But still what?"
"I kind of want to rant about that story, but no matter how I put it, it just feels inappropriate," Shiomi said with a half-laugh, half-sigh.
"There are complexities only the people involved truly understand. My husband will co to understand that one day too," Morgan said softly.
Shiomi let out a thoughtful sound. "One day, huh... wonder when that'll be."
"In any case, it's already late. You should get so rest. I'm not on control room duty tonight—soone else will handle any ergencies and contact you if needed," Morgan said.
Since Chaldea's support for the Singularity needed to remain synchronized, once Spiritron Transfer was completed and repair work began, both tilines would be fully aligned.
Besides, the director and the others were still at the Third Singularity, and things weren't looking good there. Shiomi hoped Chaldea would prioritize the situation in Okeanos.
As for Morgan's "rest," it actually ant heading to her private workshop to prepare supplies and remain ready to respond to any unusual developnts in the Singularity.
"Get so sleep, alright? Just because I'm not around doesn't an you can slack off," Shiomi said with a smile, then cut the communication.
He was just about to lie down when the curtain to his tent was pulled aside.
"No wonder you vanished after dinner. Caren said you'd already co back to your tent," Scáthach said, stepping in.
"Yeah, figured I should turn in early. This Singularity's scope is way too big—everything's way more complicated than I thought," Shiomi replied with a shrug.
Scáthach sat down beside him. "That's not what I ant. Caren said... you're sulking."
"...Why does she have to tell everyone everything..." Shiomi muttered, covering his face.
"She's a good kid. Just a little conversation and she opens right up." Scáthach turned her gaze toward him. "Her personality's a little odd, but I can see your influence in how she talks and acts."
"Yeah." Shiomi nodded. "She's my daughter, after all. I'm proud of her—"
As he spoke, Scáthach gently placed her hand on his face. "About earlier... I'm not entirely comfortable."
"What? The strategy plan? We haven't even—"
"I ant your mistaken belief that you're sohow special to ," Scáthach said, her voice drawing closer.
"Then why did you say that if it were , you wouldn't get involved?" Shiomi asked.
"Because there'd be no winning." Scáthach let out a soft sigh. "If you ever stood on the Mad King's side, the incineration of humanity would beco irreversible."
"That's giving
too much credit, isn't it?" Shiomi thought he knew all too well who truly held a special place in her heart.
Still, he couldn't help but brood over small, aningless things—just because he wasn't her only disciple.
Even though she'd never once blad him for the fact that, in his heart, she wasn't the only one either.
"Is that what you think?" Scáthach smiled effortlessly. "After so long, my fool of a student still doesn't understand? Then let
remind you just how special you really are."
She leaned in and kissed him on the lips.
Shiomi's hand moved to her thigh, gliding over the tight fabric, up her slender but toned waist, past her flat stomach, across her chest, and into her violet-red hair, cradling her face.
This ti, he leaned in and kissed her again—longer, deeper.
"Speaking of which, that ti I sent you to slay that undead monster..." Scáthach said, smiling under the dim flicker of the oil lamp.
"You got bored alone in the castle and followed ," Shiomi recalled.
"No, I ant the ti you kissed
while I was asleep." Scáthach gave him a sly look, as if to say she had known all along.
Shiomi froze. "You knew? Why didn't you say anything before I left?"
"It wasn't sothing that needed to be said. When I realized you admired ... truth is, I felt more thrilled than I expected." She rested her forehead against his.
Since becoming immortal, that endless "boredom" had dulled many things. Feelings beca faint—like relics from lifetis ago.
"So that's why you didn't push
away back then?" Shiomi sounded surprised, and a little pleased.
He had confessed to his master with the resolve to die, breaking all lines between disciple and teacher—and received everything from her in return.
Looking back, it had all gone so smoothly it felt unnatural.
Now he understood—she'd already opened her heart before any of that happened.
"But if I had to say... the mont I brought you back to the castle, then watched you grow into a warrior and Magus who could surpass even ... the pride I felt stopped being simple long ago." Scáthach tilted her neck as Shiomi kissed her skin.
He really had gotten better at making won feel cherished. That thought brought a trace of loneliness to her heart.
As she lowered her head, their clothes were already gone. The only thing left between them was the warmth of skin against skin.
"...I really can't let this go on anymore," Scáthach murmured to herself, making a silent decision.
"Eh?" Shiomi thought she ant she was leaving.
"Not that," Scáthach said, lying in his arms on the small, slightly unsteady bed. "I've already sealed off the sound with Magecraft. So relax."
"Master..."
Shiomi kissed her again, this ti with more intensity. He'd been holding back out of concern for others, but her words poured fuel on a fire he had been carefully restraining—now fully ignited.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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