Chapter 116: Scáthach: "I Heard Someone Bullied My Brother-in-Law?"
The reason Vortigern brought King Mark with him was simple.
He was worried this guy might be a liability and end up screwing things up for him and the others.
In his eyes, King Mark was far inferior to Lot. The only ones who could compare to Lot in leading armies were himself. If King Mark gave reckless orders, he might just turn the tide of victory against them.
That said, his combat skills were decent enough, and he followed Vortigern up to the castle walls.
King Mark's martial prowess was at least passable far stronger than the average knight.
"Alright, fine."
Under Vortigern's intense stare, King Mark understood he had no choice but to join the fray.
Vortigern charged forward, leaping onto the castle walls with just a few strides.
He swung his sword
A sharp blade of energy shot forth, sending over a dozen soldiers flying in its path.
Among them were knights under Lot's command, as well as Vortigern's own men.
Not that Vortigern cared.
A one-for-one trade was acceptable.
He'd trade as many as needed.
Just as he was thinking this, a sudden gust of wind whistled toward him.
Vortigern dodged sideways, narrowly avoiding the attack.
He turned toward the source of the wind.
Lot was aiming that strange weapon of his at him again.
Seeing that his attack had failed, Lot sighed regretfully and holstered his gun.
"At least in this era, within ten paces, a man is still faster than a bullet."
The moment he saw Vortigern scaling the walls, his instinct had been to draw and fire. But clearly, the attempt had been futile.
"Attacking from behind? How dishonorable."
Vortigern raised his greatsword and charged at Lot.
This was his greatest rival.
He would defeat Lot.
He would crush his enemy with overwhelming strength, making him understand the gap between them.
No matter how many schemes you weave
Against absolute power, they mean nothing.
Just as he was about to charge
Galahad blocked his path.
"I am the one who will stop you."
Galahad's voice was firm.
His blood burned within him. Vortigern's strength far exceeded his expectations, but it only stoked Galahad's fighting spirit.
I will defeat this foe.
I will claim victory.
Even the gentlest of knights harbors a warrior's heart.
Galahad focused intently on Vortigern's blade, bracing for his assault.
Vortigern saw this boy no older than fifteen or sixteen standing defiantly in his way. Without hesitation, he swung his sword.
He had already witnessed Galahad cutting down foes on the battlefield.
But those were mere foot soldiers.
He didn't care.
Then
His smirk vanished.
Galahad blocked Vortigern's strike firmly.
Even if it was just a casual swing, it was not something an ordinary man could withstand.
Yet this boy had done it.
Vortigern couldn't believe it.
He increased the pressure.
Galahad's arms trembled.
Vortigern's strength was beyond what the still-maturing Galahad could match.
He gritted his teeth and held on.
Just as the tension peaked, Vortigern suddenly relaxed his grip.
The abrupt release
Sent Galahad stumbling forward.
This is my chance.
Vortigern seized the moment.
When a person's body loses balance, their mind also wavers. He would exploit this lapse to strike.
Vortigern delivered a more deliberate slash.
And
It was blocked again.
Vortigern saw only the unwavering determination in Galahad's eyes.
He didn't falter at all?
This boy…
Has not a single distracting thought in his mind?
Staring into Galahad's pure, resolute gaze, Vortigern's disdain faded.
"It seems I'll have to take you seriously."
Vortigern's attacks grew fiercer.
Galahad continued to endure.
Under the storm of blows, he swayed like a small boat in a tempestuous sea always on the verge of capsizing.
The only reason he held on
Was his unyielding focus and refusal to surrender.
No matter how fierce the enemy's assault
He would not fall.
This was his resolve.
"Artoria, Tristan, keep your eyes on Vortigern. Don't let him harm Galahad."
Lot, watching from the sidelines, gave the order.
"Understood."
Both nodded.
Lot did not rush into the fray.
He was Vortigern's primary target.
If he engaged and was defeated or worse, killed his forces would collapse entirely.
He couldn't afford to take reckless risks.
That said
He couldn't just stand idle either.
Lot scanned the battlefield and spotted King Mark, who had just climbed onto the walls.
"King Mark! Have at you!"
Lot shouted as he charged.
King Mark had barely steadied himself on the ramparts when he saw Lot barreling toward him, sword in hand. His face twisted in despair.
Why me?!
Why won't you fight Vortigern instead?!
Resigned, King Mark steeled himself and raised his blade.
While Lot was no match for Vortigern
Against King Mark, he had the upper hand.
Within moments, Lot had driven King Mark off the walls and back to the gates below.
Only by hiding among the panicked soldiers did King Mark escape.
Lot carved through the enemy ranks before returning to the castle walls.
...
"Your body's reaching its limit. Can you even keep standing?"
Vortigern smirked at Galahad, who was now panting heavily.
In their prolonged duel, Vortigern had held nothing back. His relentless onslaught had taken its toll on Galahad.
Even the strongest will could not compensate for a body pushed to the brink.
"I've never once believed I would lose."
Galahad's voice was steady.
"I will protect this castle and everyone's dreams."
"Delusions."
Vortigern scoffed.
He prepared to strike again
But then, his gaze flickered to the side.
Artoria and Tristan stood ready to intervene at any moment.
They, too, were formidable.
He glanced at the sky.
Night was falling.
Few in this era could wage war in the dark.
Surveying his troops
Only a handful remained on the walls.
King Mark, in particular, had retreated to the rear.
Vortigern knew the battle was lost for now.
They needed to regroup.
But he wouldn't leave without a parting shot.
Feinting toward Galahad
He forced the boy to dodge
Then slammed his sword into the castle walls.
BOOM!
A massive crack split the stone.
"Tomorrow, I will breach this wall."
Vortigern's declaration was met with silence.
Before Lot or the others could retort, he rallied his remaining soldiers.
"Retreat! Their end comes at dawn."
Vortigern turned to leave.
"You think you can just walk away?"
Lot raised his gun, aiming at the retreating forces.
"Your tricks only work once or twice. Did you really think you could keep using them? While I stand here, none of your attacks will land."
Vortigern didn't care about the soldiers.
He wanted to crush Lot's morale
To break their spirit beyond recovery.
But then
A surge of killing intent froze him in place.
"Oh? You can block all their attacks?"
A woman's voice, dripping with mockery, echoed in his ears.
"Of cour—"
Vortigern's boast died in his throat as crimson spears rained from the sky.
Each one pierced through the soldiers still on the walls some skewering multiple men like kebabs.
A figure clad in tight leather descended.
Her purple hair billowed in the wind.
Beautiful and deadly.
Scáthach landed gracefully, her crimson spear gleaming.
Any soldiers who dared approach were effortlessly flung aside.
Vortigern's face twisted in rage.
This woman
Had humiliated him at the worst possible moment.
Unforgivable.
Nothing was worse than being shown up mid-boast.
And Scáthach hadn't just slapped him down
She'd kicked him while he was at it.
But beneath the fury, he sensed something unsettling.
Her power was… abnormal.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?"
Scáthach pointed her spear at him.
"Me? Let's just say I'm their teacher. And as for King Lot here "
Her lips curled.
" he's my dear brother-in-law. Wouldn't you agree I should help him?"
Vortigern's rage exploded.
"Is that so? Then today will be your last!"
Scáthach's eyes lit up.
A smile played on her lips.
"Really? You'd better keep your word. A man who breaks his promises is worthless."
Her tone was almost playful.
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
Vortigern roared, charging blindly
Or so it seemed.
In truth, he was meticulously cautious.
This woman's aura alone marked her as the strongest opponent he'd ever faced.
He couldn't afford recklessness.
Scáthach twirled her spear and countered.
Steel clashed
Scáthach took a single step back.
Vortigern staggered several paces.
The difference in strength was clear.
"Seems you're all talk."
Scáthach sighed, disappointed.
"You're strong but not enough to kill me."
Her dismissive tone only enraged him further.
The battle resumed
Scáthach's strikes aimed unerringly for vital points.
Vortigern retaliated with increasing speed and precision.
Noting his sword's shorter reach, he pressed close, denying her spear room to maneuver.
Yet Scáthach defied the logic of "reach equals advantage."
Even at point-blank range, her spear danced like a living thing.
Every strike was parried.
Vortigern had assumed her strength surpassed his, but her technique would be lacking.
He was wrong.
The gap in skill was even wider.
His attempts to overpower her failed utterly.
"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"
Vortigern bellowed mid-combat.
"Must you shout?"
Scáthach redoubled her assault.
Between strikes, she smiled.
"But since you asked I hail from the Land of Shadows."
"The Land of Shadows…?"
Vortigern's eyes widened.
"You you're the Queen of the Land of Shadows?!"
"The one and only."
Scáthach's confirmation shattered his confidence.
The tide turned
Vortigern was now on the defensive.
Finally, seizing a slim opening, he fled
Today's battle ended in Lot's decisive victory.
But his triumph was short-lived.
"My dear sister went out of her way to help you even spreading rumors that Vortigern called her an old hag. Tell me, how would you react?"
"Uh…"
"'Uh'? That's all?" Scáthach's smile turned dangerous.
"Well then, brother-in-law care to explain yourself?"