Does a Doll Deserve to Live a Happy Life? (Patreon)

Chapter 31: The Witch of Dun Scáith

There was silence after my request that lasted for several long seconds that felt like hours, until eventually, Scáthach’s lips twitched in amusement and she let out a small chuckle.

“Stronger, huh?” she asked rhetorically, before stepping forward and walking around me, sizing me up like a predator sizes up its prey.

“Those are some amusing words coming from a dragon of all things,” she commented lightly, her nose twitching a bit and a small smirk growing on her lips. “And not just that, but you have both the smell and aura of a genuine god-slayer.”

‘Impressive. While I deliberately lowered my defenses to let her see past my Information and Trace Defense, she immediately picked up on my race and nature,’ I thought inwardly, impressed.

Scáthach seemed to finish inspecting me and walked in front of me again, leveling me with an amused yet curious look. “Tell me, why would someone like you seek even more strength? Money? Fame? The joy of battle? Or perhaps—” her smirk deepened slightly, “—is it the same reason as many men before you? Women?”

“My reason?” I muttered softly as I thought about what awaited us ahead.

The Demon God Pillars and the chaos of the Grand Order. Not to mention whatever monstrosities would come after, if we managed to successfully help Chaldea. My future was already guaranteed to be full of strife, being a Contractor for the Company, a Campione, a dragon, and someone who refused to lose those precious to him.

Finally, focusing on the red eyes still staring at me, eyes somewhat similar to my own, my expression hardened, determination replacing hesitation. Her lips twitched in response.

“I have no need for money. Fame is worthless to me. While I enjoy the thrill of battle more than most, that’s not it either.” I paused briefly, then sighed. “And as for women… that’s not entirely false, I must admit, but it’s not the whole truth, either.”

“Then?” Scáthach asked calmly, as though already knowing the answer.

“The road ahead of me is full of danger, and I have many people who are precious to me,” I said, then paused and gave Scáthach a small grin. “Including a woman who has stolen part of my heart, and another whom I desperately want to reunite with. I want to grow stronger so I can keep walking forward, without worrying about someone or something taking that happiness away from me. For that, I’d be willing to do anything.”

Then, humbly bowing my head to the woman before me, I asked in a sincere tone, “So please, teach me how to properly harness and use my power. If anyone can do it, it’s you, Scáthach, Queen of the Land of Shadows.”

“…”

There was silence again after my heartfelt plea, one that stretched long enough for doubt to creep in. For a moment, I feared she would reject me outright.

Thankfully, she finally spoke, or rather, she laughed.

“Huhuhu… amusing. How truly amusing.” Scáthach let out a low, rich laugh, sounding genuinely entertained, but thankfully not angry. “A dragon afraid of losing what he’s gained, and a god-slayer ready to face the world for his ideals. What a strange man you are.”

Rising from my bow, I looked up at her, unsure what to say, just relieved that she seemed amused rather than insulted.

“So… does that mean—?” I ventured carefully.

“Before I decide that, there’s one more thing I want to see.” Scáthach’s aura flared like wildfire, her lips curving into an eager grin as she leapt back, landing several paces away. In the blink of an eye, her signature crimson spear shimmered into existence, the air humming around it as she leveled its point at me.

“Show me your resolve, young god-slayer! I want to see exactly what you’re made of!” she declared, her voice thrumming with battle-lust and excitement.

Her response didn’t surprise me; I’d half expected it, which was why I’d told everyone else to stay home.

“Very well,” I said simply, unsheathing my sword without hesitation and dropping into my stance.

“Good,” she replied, approval glinting in her red eyes. “I like decisive men.”

Then her grin sharpened, and her tone turned dangerous. “Now, brace yourself!”

And with that, our spar began in earnest.

The instant Scáthach vanished from sight, the air itself screamed.

Her first strike was faster than my eyes could follow, a red flash and a howl of steel. I barely managed to raise my sword, blocking the thrust aimed straight for my chest. The impact sent a shockwave rolling through the sand beneath my feet.

“Good!” she called, already twisting away with predatory grace. “But good is not enough.”

Before I could recover, her spear came again, this time from below. It sang upward, grazing my ribs in a kiss of pain that left a thin line of blood across my side.

Tsk. Fast. Too fast.

I stepped back, reinforcing my body with magic, but she didn’t relent. Each blow was precise, a lesson delivered through pain. One thrust skimmed my shoulder, another nicked my cheek. Small cuts, shallow but sharp enough to sting pride more than flesh.

Yet even as I parried, my blood sang, my pulse roaring with the thrill of facing a stronger opponent.

“That’s a nice expression on your face,” she said between strikes, her tone almost teasing. “However, your form still has too many openings.”

Her spear blurred again, and I felt the sting of metal slice across my forearm before I could deflect it. Blood welled, but already my body knit the wound shut, dragon blood and Campione constitution working in tandem.

“Hoh?” She leapt back, eyes bright with interest. “You recover quickly. Even for a dragon, that’s impressive.”

I wiped the blood from my jaw and smirked faintly. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

Her grin widened. “Oh, I intend to.”

She darted forward again, her movements a deadly dance, elegant, merciless, beautiful. Each step was a test; each strike, a question she demanded I answer with my body, not my words.

When her spear came for my neck, I ducked under it and countered with a heavy swing of my sword. She blocked it easily, the impact echoing like thunder. The sheer force of the blow drove both of us back, me sliding through the sand, her laughing softly in delight.

“Finally showing your fangs. Good.”

We clashed again and again, sparks raining from every impact. My lungs burned, my arms screamed, and sweat mixed with blood down my cheek. She was relentless, a storm without pause. And yet… I refused to fall.

A particularly sharp strike sent me tumbling backward, her spear cutting a clean line across my chest. I landed hard on one knee, the copper taste of blood filling my mouth.

But I rose.

Again.

And again.

Each time faster. Stronger.

Scáthach was so much stronger and more skilled than me that my Martial Talent perk was working overtime, absorbing knowledge from her like a sponge. Naturally, she noticed how quickly I was learning and pushed me even harder.

Her eyes gleamed with genuine respect now, her amusement replaced by something older, fiercer. “You really don’t stay down, do you?”

“I told you…” I panted, grinning as I raised my sword again. “I have too much to lose to stay weak.”

Her laughter echoed across the shore, proud and wild. “Good! Then come at me with everything you have and stop holding back already!”

I surged forward, magic flaring around me like a violet storm. The next clash sent shockwaves through the air, shaking the ocean itself.

And when at last we broke apart, I was covered in shallow cuts and bruises, blood streaking my arms and chest, but still standing.

Scáthach’s spear vanished in a shimmer of crimson light, and for the first time since she arrived, she smiled, not mockingly, but approvingly.

“That will do, little dragon,” she said, voice low and satisfied. “You’ve satisfied my curiosity.”

Her gaze softened slightly, though her aura remained sharp as ever. “Very well, Sieg. I will teach you. You have more talent than anyone I’ve ever trained, and I want to see just how strong you can become.”

I gave a small, tired grin, lowering my sword. “I’ll try not to disappoint.”

“That’s the spirit,” she said, smirking as she stepped closer. “Work hard, and you might just become my greatest pupil.”

Her last comment caught my interest, since as far as I and history were concerned, Scáthach’s greatest pupil should have been Cu Chulainn. Then again, since this version of Scáthach had been brought here through the Company’s mission reward system, anything was possible.

“Umm… Scáthach? Teacher? Actually, what should I address you as now that you’ve agreed to teach me?” I asked curiously.

“Teacher will do. Now ask your question,” she replied, immediately noticing I had something on my mind.

“I was just curious about your wording earlier. I thought your greatest pupil was Cu Chulainn?” I asked, tilting my head.

She raised an eyebrow, but I saw no recognition in her eyes.

“I have no idea who that is. While the name sounds strangely familiar, I’ve never met such a person before,” she answered calmly, a fleeting haze passing through her gaze, as if she wasn’t wholly present for a heartbeat, before it vanished.

‘I see,’ I thought in realization. ‘So, I was right. This version of Scáthach must be from before she went on to teach Cu and Ferdiad.’

“Enough pondering.” Her voice cut through my thoughts, pulling my focus back to her as she inspected the surroundings. “As much as I’d love to begin your training immediately, mind explaining exactly where we are? While I still feel my connection to the Land of Shadows, this place feels similar to it, disconnected from the human world.”

“Sure, no problem. I’ve got quite the story to tell you,” I said with a small nod.

“I bet you do,” she replied knowingly, before glancing toward the path leading home. “I’d also like to be introduced to our little eavesdroppers, if you don’t mind.”

Turning in that direction, I already knew what she meant. Moments after she called them out, the forms of Tamamo, Kiara, Artoria, and even Eri appeared from their hiding spots, all wearing sheepish looks. I could also feel Lancelot’s presence a bit farther back, still keeping watch, but wisely keeping his distance.

Tamamo and Artoria were tense, their bodies twitching, ready to jump in at any moment.

I had felt them approach when the spar began, but at the time I’d been too busy trying not to be skewered by Scáthach’s spear to pay them much attention.

“It’s okay, everyone,” I called out with a relaxed smile. “Our spar is over.”

No sooner had I spoken than a familiar pink-haired missile collided with me, followed by a smaller, white-haired one.

“Sieg-kun! I was so worried! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to spar? I was this close to jumping in when I saw you start bleeding!” Tamamo rambled rapidly, letting go only long enough to inspect every cut and bruise, her frown deepening by the second.

“Are you okay, Sieg-san?” Eri asked in a small, worried voice, gripping my hand tightly while casting a wary glance at Scáthach, who tilted her head in quiet amusement.

Kiara and Artoria joined last. The former immediately summoned an orange barrier that wrapped around me, healing every injury in moments, a sight that earned an impressed raise of the eyebrow from Scáthach.

“You really must stop worrying us like this, Sieg,” Kiara said softly, recalling her barrier and joining the hug.

“It seems you’ve been slacking in your training, Sieg,” Artoria added sternly, hands on her hips, though the relief in her eyes betrayed her words.

“I’m fine, everyone, really. They were only minor wounds,” I assured them, a little overwhelmed by all the attention.

Then I noticed Scáthach watching me expectantly, still wearing that amused little smirk.

“R-right,” I coughed into my hand, stepping back to stand beside her. She didn’t drop that knowing expression for even a second.

“Everyone, allow me to introduce you to Scáthach, Queen of the Land of Shadows, Mistress of Dun Scáith, Lord of Spirits, and most importantly, my new teacher; she has agreed to take me on as a student.”

Her introduction drew a few gasps from those who knew exactly who she was, Artoria and Tamamo, and awed looks from Eri at meeting a real queen.

“Greetings,” Scáthach said calmly, eyeing everyone with a composed smile. “I’m sure we’ll be getting to know each other well. As my student said, I have agreed to teach him the art of combat. Pleased to be here.”

Tamamo immediately stepped up beside me and grabbed my arm possessively as she introduced herself. “Greetings, Witch of Dun Scáith. I’m Tamamo-no-Mae, Fox Priestess of Peerless Beauty and, most importantly, Sieg-kun’s girlfriend and future wife~ Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She smiled brightly while clearly marking her territory; Scáthach’s lips twitched in amusement.

“So, this is one of the girls to whom you’ve given your heart,” Scáthach said, turning to me with a teasing smile. “You do like dangerous women, my student.” She gave Kiara a cursory glance as she said it, which I caught.

I could only nod and scratch my head, keeping a steady hand on Tamamo in case she decided to get territorial. “I can’t deny that.”

“There’s nothing to worry about This fox is only dangerous to those who wish my beloved any harm” Tamamo said, producing a fan from nowhere and fanning herself, the grin barely hidden behind it.

Seeing the slight tension, Artoria stepped in with her own introduction. “Greetings, Queen of the Land of Shadows. I am Artoria Pendragon, once King of Britain and now a simple knight in service to my master, Sieg.” She spoke humbly.

“Well met, King of Knights,” Scáthach replied with a small nod.

“I’m Kiara Sessyoin, just the healer and therapist of the group,” Kiara said with a nervous wave.

“Simple healer, huh?” Scáthach said with a hint of amusement before nodding at her as well.

“And finally,” I jumped in, pulling Eri into my arms and turning to face Scáthach with a smile mirrored by the child. “This is Eri-chan, princess of all things sweet and sugary. Say hello, Eri.”

“Hello, Miss~” Eri greeted with a toothy grin that would melt even the coldest hearts, managing to soften Scáthach’s expression. “You’re really pretty~”

“Why thank you, child,” Scáthach managed, returning a small smile.

“We have another companion, but he likes to keep to himself most times. I’m sure you’ll meet him during meal times,” I added, referring to Lancelot, who had wandered off somewhere now that things were calm.

“I see,” she murmured.

“How about we take this inside for our discussion?” I suggested. “I’ll make us something to snack on; it’ll be a long one.”

“Ooh, Sieg-san, can I help?” Eri chimed in eagerly.

“Hmhm, of course, Eri,” I caved instantly at that smile.

“I’ll help too~” Tamamo volunteered, rejoining my side.

“Huhuhu, you sure do keep interesting company, student,” Scáthach muttered in my ear; she must have done something, because a few paces away she looked more amused than ever.

“They’re all I have,” I replied softly, aware she could hear me.

“What a strange student I have picked up,” she said, amusement lacing her voice before she cut the connection off.

As we headed inside with our new companion, I knew only that my coming days would be full of sweat, pain, blood, and bruises if today was any indication.

‘I wonder if she can teach me how to fight with a spear?’