Chapter 552

[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]

“Since you’re here, Master, does that mean you successfully defeated Beast II, the goddess Tiamat?”

At Justeaze’s question, Shirou’s expression grew complicated.

Defeated Tiamat…

Well, they had certainly defeated the Evil of Humanity in a physical sense and quelled Mother’s wrath.

But from another perspective…

One could just as easily say that he had lost completely to her motherly love.

“Shirou… what exactly happened?”

Irisviel raised an elegant eyebrow.

Her intuition told her there was something behind his ambiguous expression.

Shirou said, “Sending Tiamat back to a world with nothing in it… wouldn’t that be too cruel?”

Irisviel snorted. “Cruel? She’s a Beast of Calamity who wanted to wipe out all humanity!”

“Even so, Mother really does love humanity.

“She loved every living thing on Earth equally, only to be betrayed by her children, killed as a nuisance, and cast aside. It’s only natural that she would feel some resentment… isn’t it?”

“Shirou? Whose side are you on?”

“…”

Irisviel sighed. “So how did it end?”

Shirou had never intended to hide it from her.

“In the end, I married Tiamat.”

“?”

Irisviel stared blankly at him.

“Is my Japanese not good enough? Did I mishear you, Shirou?”

“No, you heard me right… The goddess Tiamat is my wife now.”

“—”

An overwhelming silence descended on the living room beneath its warm fluorescent lights.

“I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you beforehand.”

Irisviel shook her head calmly. “Whatever woman Shirou chooses—even if she’s a goddess—I have no right to interfere.”

“That’s not what I mean, Iri…”

“Let me take this opportunity to make something clear, Shirou.”

Irisviel looked at him with such seriousness that he unconsciously straightened his back.

“Come to think of it,