After leaving the garden behind, Arthur found Bedivere and the others, who were returning one by one after completing their respective tasks. After a brief exchange of information—quick and to the point, as the situation demanded—he finally managed to withdraw to his room, where he could, at last, rest his body and mind, even if only for a short while.
As for the matter of expelling the foreign forces, that incident had completely changed the course of their decisions. It had become clear that new strategic discussions would be necessary.
After all, they still didn't know who had opened the portal to the afterlife.
And acting rashly, without understanding the true enemy or their intentions, could result in catastrophic losses—something Arthur, now in the position of king, could not afford to allow.
Lying on his bed, in the silence of his chambers, Arthur slowly felt the weight of exhaustion settle over his body.
His muscles relaxed, his breathing slowed… but, curiously, his heart carried a faint sense of anticipation.
Will I be able to see my master tomorrow…?
The thought came almost automatically.
Wait… Morgan didn't say exactly when that would happen…
But it should be in a day or two… right?
…Forget it. I'll just ask her directly tomorrow.
With that conclusion, Arthur slowly closed his eyes, allowing the darkness to envelop him.
But then, another thought surfaced—persistent.
Will I have that strange dream again tonight?
As he recalled the dream from a few days ago—and especially the vivid, disturbingly real sensation of having embraced Morgan—a sudden warmth spread through his body.
His heart began to race.
"No, no! This isn't the time to think about that!"
Arthur shook his head quickly, as if he could force those images out.
She's the Goddess of Death… she definitely has other plans… don't fall for it!
Even so, no matter how much he tried to calm himself, the unease remained.
Just remembering what happened… is enough to make me feel like this…
Caught between anticipation and unease, Arthur gradually fell asleep, his consciousness being swallowed by a deep, unstable slumber.
---
Suddenly, Arthur opened his eyes.
The world had completely changed.
Everything around him was shrouded in a dense, soft, silent mist—yet, strangely, the scene felt familiar.
More than that… comforting.
…It was the Land of Shadows.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
I never thought I'd dream about coming back here…
A bitter smile formed on his lips as he sighed inwardly.
Is this one of those things… "what you think about during the day, you dream about at night"?
Without hesitation, Arthur began to walk.
His steps were firm and natural, as if his body remembered the path perfectly, even though his mind was still confused.
He walked down a long corridor and, without even needing to think, arrived in front of his room.
…This feels like a lucid dream.
I know I'm dreaming.
As he pushed the door, he noticed it opened easily.
Inside, a figure was already there.
The figure seemed to notice him at the same instant. When she turned her face toward him, her eyes revealed a brief flicker of surprise… which quickly faded, returning to their usual calm.
Arthur muttered to himself as he slowly walked toward her:
"Another dream like this… this time I even dreamed that my master came into my room at night… I really have been having strange dreams lately…"
And yet… it was comforting.
Seeing that familiar face, a genuine emotion surfaced in his gaze.
He approached, sat on the edge of the bed… and, without hesitation, embraced her.
"I finally got to see you, Master… even if it's just a dream…"
He took a deep breath.
"This scent… it's the same… it feels so real…"
Feeling Scáthach's hand gently stroking his hair, Arthur allowed himself to relax in that moment.
Even so… something wasn't right.
Why have my dreams been so vivid lately?
First Morgan… and now Master…
…Wait.
A sudden idea crossed his mind.
Could this… also be Morgan in disguise?
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He lifted his gaze, looking at Scáthach—carefully observing her expression.
Her red eyes were gentle.
…This doesn't feel like Master.
Or rather…
This doesn't feel like something Morgan could perfectly imitate.
So… is this really…?
A slight chill ran down his spine.
They can already imitate even Master's aura…?
But… something's off.
If this were Morgan… I'd already be pinned to the bed again…
Like that paralysis…
Arthur frowned slightly.
…Did I finally get rid of that kind of dream?
With that thought, he relaxed again.
He lay down on Scáthach's lap, wrapping his arms around her waist.
The soft warmth of her body enveloped him—almost intoxicating.
He closed his eyes.
Even if it's just a dream…
I missed this…
Scáthach's body, which had initially been stiff, gradually relaxed.
She watched him silently for a while.
"You're much bolder than before," she said in a low voice.
Arthur remained there, enjoying the moment before replying:
"Because I like you, Master."
After all, it's just a dream. No one will ever know.
Silence settled between them.
Arthur continued to hold her waist, feeling the delicate touch of her skin—a contact that made his heart beat faster.
Then, a voice whispered.
"Is that all you're going to do?"
Arthur froze for a moment.
The voice… didn't come from outside.
It came from within.
From his own heart.
"This is a dream… your master doesn't know what you do… right?"
The temptation echoed.
He opened his eyes again, looking at Scáthach.
She was still there, gazing at him gently.
Nothing will happen…
It's just a dream…
His fingers twitched slightly.
But in the next instant, he clenched his fist tightly.
No.
Absolutely not.
Not even in a dream.
This line… cannot be crossed.
Ever.
Not even here.
He closed his eyes again, forcing himself to ignore that voice and cling only to the comforting warmth of that moment.
Then—
"Morgan said you have something to tell me. Why not say it now, before you continue resting? Time here is limited."
Arthur's eyes snapped open.
His body stiffened.
"…The afterlife… is that it?"
He spoke slowly, still processing.
But then his expression changed.
Wait…
This…
This doesn't make sense.
"I… am dreaming… aren't I?"
Why does she know that?
His heart pounded.
"…This isn't a dream?!"
He sat up abruptly.
Scáthach watched him calmly.
"It is a dream… but Morgan used some method to connect us within it."
She lightly tapped his head.
"You've grown quite a bit."
Arthur froze completely.
His eyes slowly widened.
"So… you really are my master…?"
Scáthach tilted her head slightly.
"If you're asking whether I am your master… then yes. There's no mistake about it."
Silence.
Arthur simply stared at her.
His mind… completely shut down.
…
Is this…
Is this real?
Or am I still dreaming?
Faced with that calm, unwavering gaze, Arthur could only think one thing—
Please… let this be real.
(End of Chapter)