Chapter 24: Battling Scathach!
Rizel took Caren and directly teleported her to the Einzbern estate deep in the forest.
Caren couldn't imagine what she was seeing.
This man actually managed to do such a thing. In an instant, he took her to another place.
Rizel held Caren's hand and leisurely walked through the quiet forest.
It seemed he sensed Caren's emotions.
"What's wrong, little Saintess? Are you afraid?"
"I call you Rizel, but you're the one destroying, the demon," Rizel said, looking at Caren and smiling lightly.
"No..." Caren said calmly.
"Huh?" Rizel looked at her, a bit eager.
"You're not a demon. My constitution is special, and if you were a demon, I..." Caren seemed to recall a situation when she encountered a demon.
Moreover, even when held by a demon, it wasn't as warm as being with you. Of course, Caren didn't voice this thought in the end.
"But I destroyed your chapel and killed one of your priests," Rizel said, feigning a fierce expression, trying to tease Caren.
Caren was intimidated by Rizel's fierce look and kept backing away. "I... you..."
Then, she seemed to think of something, and her expression changed from shock to calm.
She said without changing her face: "Truly cruel. Is teasing a young girl the only thing that excites you, Mr. Rizel?"
"Could it be that you are that kind of twisted, perverse scum?" Caren said sharply.
Well, no wonder you are the sharp-tongued Saintess. Seeing the words coming from her at such a young age, Rizel's lips quivered slightly.
"Little Saintess, you already belong to me. Forget about your god, and become my personal Saintess," Rizel said, looking at Caren, squatting down, and touching her face.
"Truly bold..." Caren was caught off guard by Rizel's directness. She looked at him with a complex expression. She could sense that Rizel didn't have ill intentions.
Since they had arrived here, she would just settle down. Whatever he said, she could only go along with this "cruel" man.
"But my constitution..." Caren then remembered her special constitution.
"No problem, in my heart, I'm more powerful than your god. This constitution of yours, I can help you resolve. I guarantee it," Rizel reassured her.
Though her constitution was somewhat special, Rizel wasn't without a solution. Using (Dragon's Blessing), he could eliminate this constitution, though it was a bit of a shame.
But as her 'Saintess,' he didn't want to retain this constitution.
Rizel thought that the author had really created an interesting kind of person. A twisted constitution, broken emotions, and forgiveness even when violated.
But now that he was here, she would no longer have that fate.
A few minutes later, Rizel took Caren to the Einzbern castle.
Caren looked at the majestic castle, lost in thought.
Rizel took Caren into the grand hall.
"Oh, Master went out for a trip and brought back a little girl." Scathach looked at Rizel with great interest.
Irisviel glanced at Caren and couldn't help but marvel at Rizel's good fortune with women. He went out for a while and returned with another girl. First Sakura, and now this young girl.
Illya and Sakura both stared at Caren, observing this girl who was about the same age as themselves.
Caren felt a little uneasy under the gaze of the two young girls.
Rizel then introduced Caren to them, and also had Caren introduce herself to them.
Upon hearing Irisviel's motherly love overflow, she directly went to Caren's side and hugged her.
"Poor child, don't be afraid. We are here, and you won't be treated as a tool."
Irisviel said with sympathy.
"Truly fitting the church's style, but this constitution really is special," Ria thought for a moment before speaking seriously.
Putting down the Holy Sword and picking up the Holy Spear, Artoria was no longer the innocent little girl. Naturally, she wouldn't idealize things anymore.
"Ha ha, Master really does like bringing back strange things," Scathach said, knowing about Sakura's situation.
Everyone showered Caren with warm inquiries, which made Caren feel uncomfortable.
Since her mother's suicide and her father's departure, she hadn't felt this kind of care.
Rizel walked over to Caren's side and smiled, "So, little Saintess, do you think I treat you better than that Jehovah Saintess?"
Caren noticed that everyone here was female, with only Rizel being male. She could conclude that this man had grand ambitions.
"Heh, it seems this is your harem," Caren said calmly.
Looking at Illya and Sakura, she added, "They are called Saintesses, but in reality, they're just daughters-in-law you've raised since they were little."
But... she didn't feel disgusted by it.
"Ah!"
Illya and Sakura were taken aback by Caren's words. Both of their faces turned red, and they nervously looked at Rizel.
In their hearts, they had always wanted to marry Rizel when they grew up, but this was something they kept to themselves. Now, being directly pointed out made them feel both embarrassed and angry.
Rizel shook his head. This Caren really had a sharp tongue.
He lightly tapped Caren on the head.
"Don't act like a little demon, get along well with Illya and Sakura."
Caren, symbolically covering her head where Rizel tapped, replied, "Okay."
Then, Rizel turned to Scathach. "Master, today's the day for our direct duel."
Upon hearing this, Scathach, whose expression had originally been neutral, instantly became excited.
"Ha ha, good, we've been waiting for this day for a long time."
"Master, you really need to try hard. After all, if you want to be my husband, it has to be based on strength," Scathach said, licking the corner of her mouth.
"Bring it on!!" Rizel didn't waste words and directly took her outside.
The group walked to a spacious area in the castle, a place specially set up by Rizel for training.
Rizel often came here to practice martial arts. After all, with his inherent skills in (Chinese martial arts), how could he waste them?
Scathach didn't waste time either and immediately summoned her prized weapon, 'Gae Bolg Alternative'. She donned a set of battle armor and stood with the imposing aura of a female warrior, like a war goddess.
Ria, sensing Scathach's battle intent and aura, quietly nodded. Truly the Queen of the Land of Shadows, the God Slayer. This aura alone marked her as a formidable opponent.
"Master, aren't you going to use weapons?" Scathach asked calmly.
"No need, come at me, master," Rizel said, assuming a stance of Baguazhang to begin. Joking, with his current strength, using a weapon would be overkill. Even Scathach's true form couldn't match him.
"Ah, let's see," Scathach's eyes immediately sharpened as she prepared to strike.
Bang—Scathach's figure swiftly rushed toward Rizel.
The bright red magic spear drew a trail of crimson in the air.
Ria, observing, narrowed her eyes. So fast!! This martial art could truly rival that of a master.
The bright red magic spear thrust directly at Rizel's chest. While the speed might seem very fast to others, to Rizel, it was too slow.
Rizel bent down and moved forward, sidestepping the spearhead. Scathach's pupils constricted as she adjusted her aim.
But Rizel extended one hand and directly seized the spear with his bare hand. With his strength, Scathach had no way to move the magic spear.
His power was immense. At this point, Scathach had no choice but to give up on her spear. This was the immediate conclusion Scathach made.
However, Rizel didn't give Scathach a chance to retreat. Using his other hand, he executed a Baguazhang move, delivering a punch directly to Scathach's abdomen.
Bang——
With Rizel's punch, Scathach was sent flying like a kite with its string cut. She finally landed on the ground.
Ria, unable to believe her eyes, looked at Rizel. With Scathach's speed, there was no way she could have done what Rizel just did. The best she could have hoped for was to block his moves.
But the result was that Rizel dodged the attack, seized the spear, and counterattacked. It all happened in one smooth sequence, almost completed in an instant.
The others around them all watched calmly. After all, they had been living with Rizel for a while and were not surprised by his strength.
Ah, and then there was Caren, who had just joined, looking at Rizel with astonishment. Although she knew Rizel was very strong, she also knew that his opponent was the famous Queen of the Land of Shadows, a powerful God Slayer. She honestly didn't believe Rizel could defeat such a formidable figure.
But now the reality was that Rizel was stronger than Scathach.
"That really hurt, Master. You really have no mercy on a young girl, this isn't very graceful," Scathach remarked.
Scathach wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and said, "If you don't let the master sense it, the master won't follow me."
Rizel spoke calmly, "That's right, if you can't defeat me, then don't think about becoming my wife."
Rizel handed the magic spear back to Scathach. "Come on, master, release your weapon."
"Aren't you sure? This is a move that could cost you your life. But you still can't be my husband," Scathach said seriously. It was rare for someone to be able to defeat her, and if she were to die at the hands of this weapon, wouldn't it waste all the years she had waited?
"I'm sure. I won't die. After all, I want to enjoy the services of my wife, the master, so how could I die?" Rizel said with a complex look at Scathach, then sighed. "Can't you wait a little bit longer? With a bit more training, you'd definitely become stronger than me."
She knew that, even without releasing a single weapon, not even a thousand releases would be enough to break through Rizel's defenses.
Then, Scathach began to channel her magical power, preparing to unleash her weapon.
The others around them sensed the magic power and nervously watched the stage. A Servant releasing their weapon was a whole different level of power. After hearing that Rizel might die, what would happen next?
Caren, Illya, and Sakura anxiously looked on, wanting to stop it.
Irisviel comforted them, "It's alright, trust Zel."
Although she spoke calmly, she wasn't at ease.
"Zel, please, don't get hurt," Irisviel thought to herself.
"Pierce through! Break through! Gae Bolg Alternative!"
Scathach recited the incantation to release her weapon.
Scathach quickly conjured several strange red threads, stabbing toward Rizel to take away his freedom.
Then she threw the second magic spear, its bright red light heading straight for Rizel.
Bang—
The entire floor shook as mist enveloped Rizel's position, obscuring the situation.
Scathach focused her mind, staring at the fog. As it gradually cleared, her expression turned one of disbelief.
Rizel stood there unharmed, not a single hair out of place. Not even a scratch, not even his skin was damaged. Only his clothes showed minor wear.
"Truly... I underestimated you..." Scathach said, a bit lonely but also relieved.
"Of course, master, even if your true form descended, you still couldn't defeat me."
Scathach understood the direct disparity between them and gave up.
"You win. From now on, I will be your wife. Teach me more," Scathach said calmly. Perhaps this kind of life wouldn't be so bad, she thought.
Rizel smiled. "What about my reward?"
"I'll give it to you tonight," Scathach shot a glance at Rizel.
"Then I'll be looking forward to it."
Afterward, Rizel approached Scathach and used healing magic to tend to her injuries.
The audience, realizing it was over, rushed forward to ask Rizel if he had been hurt.
Irisviel silently sighed in relief.