Chapter 540

Ereshkigal suddenly noticed someone approaching and his eyes widened. "Why are you still here! Aren't you going after Mother?"

Shirou calmly said, "I'll leave the rest to them. I'll stay here and clean up the mess..."

"But--"

"It's okay, trust everyone. Compared to this, are you alright?"

"Why?"

Ereshkigal was taken aback. "What... what are you talking about?"

I just reclaimed control of the Underworld from my mother, and I'm in excellent condition right now!!

Shirou saw through her disguise and calmly said, "Ereshkigal, you broke the laws of Underworld and relinquished its Authority to the living, didn't you?"

Even for you, this is an absolute taboo that cannot be allowed.

Just as Shirou had thought, the price Ereshkigal had paid was enormous—she probably wouldn't even last until the end of the battle; she would simply disappear on her own.

"As expected, no matter what I do, I can't hide it from you Shirou..."

Ereshkigal turned her face with a mixture of joy and sorrow. "I am the mistress of the Underworld, I simply chose the fighting method with the highest success rate..."

"Being able to disappear so coolly, I... I don't regret it at all."

"..."

Shirou was silent for a few seconds, then spoke.

There's no need to put on a brave face in front of me.

"!!"

Ereshkigal's pupils trembled.

Soon, tears streamed down her face, and she threw herself into Shirou's arms.

"I don't want to disappear... I really don't want to disappear... I finally got your promise... that we would live together in the Underworld, but..."

Shirou reached out and stroked her blonde hair.

Ereshkigal's small shoulders trembled.

But... I don't regret it...

Because if I don't properly fulfill my obligations and atone for my sins here, I'm not worthy of your goddess...

The girl raised her tear-streaked face and asked pitifully.

"Shirou, am I... now qualified to be your goddess?"

"Is that even a question? Ereshkigal, I've been completely smitten with you for ages."

As Shirou spoke, he stroked her burning cheeks and then kissed her.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Merlin covered his scratched eye. "Cathy Palug! What are you doing all of a sudden! I was just at the most crucial moment!"

"Fuu! Fuu! (I told you not to peek! You idiot!)"

On the other side, Mash and Ritsuka broke through Lahmu and continued their advance towards the head of Goddess Tiamat.

Then, Dr. Roman's urgent warning came through the communicator.

"Baal Lahmu Spirit Origin is reacting abnormally... It's a new species specializing in flight form!"

He glanced at the screen, and the numbers there made him think for a moment that the instrument was malfunctioning.

"The number of enemies is eleven, their magical power surpasses that of the Demon God Pillar... their Spirit Origin reaction is the same as that of Goddess Tiamat, a beast..."

Wait, so that's how it is! These guys are Goddess Tiamat's real children!

The Baal Lahmu swirled in the air, surrounding Mash and Ritsuka.

With an overwhelming magical response, it emitted an innocent laugh that was both childlike and chilling.

Baal Lahmu launched an attack, moving at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow.

Even with the protection of the Underworld, Mash could only float in the air and be used as a target for repeated attacks; Ritsuka's gandr was completely unable to hit the enemy.

At this critical moment, a powerful killing intent suddenly enveloped the entire Underworld.

The air seemed to freeze.

The temperature suddenly dropped, and even the frenzied Lahmu paused for a moment.

An aged voice came from the cliff above.

"The Eleven Children of Tiamat... well, he's worth killing."

If we stop after merely severing one of the beast's horns, this sword will likely rust.

"You are...!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Old Man of the Mountain completely disappeared.

In the next instant, a streak of azure sword light tore through the darkness.

The sword light was like the scythe wielded by the Death God, carrying an unparalleled killing intent. It drew a perfect arc in the air, precisely slashing at the wing of one of the Baal Lahmu.

Baal Lahmu didn't even have time to scream before his wings were cut off.

The whole process took no more than the time it takes to breathe.

"Thank you, Mr. King Hassan! Let's go, Mash!"

The founder of the Order, who had relinquished his Grand, fought alone against half of the Baal Lahmu, while the remaining six caught up with Ritsuka and Mash.

For them, protecting their mother is the most important thing.

"Less than 300 meters from the ground, Beastii is about to return to the ground...!"

Mash raised her large shield, barely managing to block Baal Lahmu's attack.

"Ugh, I was so close...!"

Just then, raging flames suddenly burst into flames in the pitch-black sky of the Underworld.

"!?"

Mash almost thought there was something wrong with her eyes.

However, after she clearly saw the truth behind the flames, she couldn't help but smile with joy.

"Tomoe Gozen! Ushiwakamaru... everyone's here!"

--Let's rewind five minutes.

"Ritsuka, Mash, go and pursue Goddess Tiamat."

"Eh... But what about you, Mr. Shirou?"

"I'll wait here."

"There's no way the two of us can stop Tiamat."

"No problem... the most reliable reinforcements will be waiting for you up there."

--Let's go back to the present.

Tomoe Gozen looked down and nocked an arrow to her bow.

"Sacred Kannon Bodhisattva —grant me strength! Grant me the radiance of the rising sun!—Mantra of Sacred Kannon Bodhisattva (om alolik svaha)!!"

A blazing arrow flew out and pierced through Baal Lahmu, who was closing in on Mash.

In an instant, scorching solar magic erupted from the monster's body, Baal Lahmu lost his bearings, crashing into a nearby cliff.

"Benkei! Jaguar Man! Let's go! We can't lose to Tomoe Gozen!"

"Yes! Ushiwakamaru- sama!"

"I'm neither your subordinate nor Japan Servant, meow! Go for it, meow!"

Ushiwakamaru, Musashibō Benkei, and the Jaguar Man leaped off the cliff.

For the agile genius Ushiwakamaru, this 90-degree right-angle cliff was practically his home turf.

She moved with effortless grace, leaping lightly across the rock face as she drew the renowned sword passed down through the Genji clan from her waist.

The essence of what was learned at Mount Kurama is precisely one of the five Shana-Oh Wandering Tales.

"My body dances like a bird on the water..." Dan-no-ura, Hassou Tobi!

Baal Lahmu, who attacked Ritsuka from behind, had both arms severed by Ushiwakamaru.

"Mash! We'll take care of these guys. We're counting on you from now on!"

"Yes! Thank you, Miss Ushiwakamaru!"

Mash accelerated her flight.

However, Goddess Tiamat's climbing speed was simply too astonishing.

The light shining from the ground was faintly visible, but it was too late.

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!!"

That was a shout that Mash and Ritsuka knew all too well—

"Mother of Origin! Goddess of Creation of Mesopotamia! We, the Sparta, will unite as one to stop your advance!"

Standing before Goddess Tiamat was a single man.

Alone?

No!

Behind the King stood three hundred men of equal stature.

Friends, raise your shields! Gather your souls (life) here!

Fire Gate, Guardian (thermopylae enomotia)! Aa...

"..."

Mash stared wide-eyed at the astonishing scene before her.

King Leonidas stood in the path of Goddess Tiamat's journey, resolutely raising his shield.

With his roar, three hundred round shields materialized, thus blocking the onslaught of the Beasts of Calamity.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

Although it had been repeatedly weakened to its limit, Goddess Tiamat was unable to advance for a time due to the resistance of a mere three hundred mortals.

King Leonidas had created a great miracle in the history of warfare during his lifetime, and his companions have now accomplished a feat that surpasses even that of his life.

The girl gripped the Round Table tightly, her eyes glistening with tears of emotion.

"Master!"

"Ah, leave the support to me! Mash, go for it!"

"Yes...!"

Mash passed over Goddess Tiamat's dragon body and landed beside King Leonidas.

"Mr. Leonidas! Please allow me to lend you a hand!"

"Mash, your shield..."

Leonidas smiled with relief.

"I never imagined that one day I would fight alongside a disciple who surpassed me..."

Go, Mash! Let Goddess Tiama see the spirit of us shield bearers!

"Yes!"

Mash unleashed her Noble Phantasm once more, "The Lord Camelot (Lord Camelot)".

The chalk wall blocked the scorching rays of light that Goddess Tiamat emitted from her star pupils.