Chapter 839

The Lion King could no longer utter a word of rebuttal; she could only keep denying it.

The goddess, who had lived alone at the ends of the earth for over a thousand years, now shakes her head like a child.

The goddess-like demeanor that usually lofty and domineering had vanished without a trace.

Whether it's the majesty befitting the King of Storms or the aloof and unsmiling expression.

She could no longer fake it; she simply didn't have the luxury of doing so.

Hearing the Lion King's repeated denials, the red-haired boy couldn't help but frown.

"It was Artoria who decided to abandon me, and now you're denying that?"

"... Shirou."

Countless images flashed through the Lion King's mind in an instant.

Those were memories she shared with Shirou when she was still human.

Although it was only a short week.

Seven days is nothing compared to the decades she spent as a king or the fifteen hundred years she spent as a goddess.

Even so, even so.

It is also the most important memory that she can never forget to this day.

I was attracted to him.

I was inspired by him.

He saved her.

As long as Shirou is there, no difficulty is too great to be afraid of.

That's why the Lion King believed that he could definitely save Britain in his place.

"I am not your tool, Artoria."

The girl was so surprised by what the boy said that she held her breath in astonishment.

"Wait... no... I didn't mistake you for... Shirou..."

The Lion King never thought that way.

But... did she really not subconsciously see Shirou as a convenient tool?

Because he was so kind to her, she took it for granted and never considered Shirou's wishes.

The Lion King is a goddess.

Over countless years, it merged with the Holy Lance and became a deity at the ends of the earth.

The original mental structure no longer exists, and human values have also been lost.

That's right, it's understandable to use Shirou as a tool; it's a reasonable judgment from the goddess.

Since that's the case...

Why do I feel such heartache?

"I just wanted to help Artoria, but it seems like all I did was indulge myself."

"Artoria, you've never cared, have you?"

Upon hearing Shirou's words, the Lion King felt a sense of disorientation.

"No... that's not it... Shirou..."

I completely don't understand anymore.

Why did I say something like "This is the end for us" before?

Did she consider Shirou's feelings when she left Shirou behind?

Obviously not.

Therefore, even if Shirou repeats his decision, he shouldn't have any complaints.

But why...?

What's going on with this feeling?

In just a few minutes, the Lion King's inner emotions shifted in a way that would have taken 1,500 years to fully comprehend.

She looked at Shirou as if confirming something.

I want to see in the boy's face the same boy who once gave me that gentle smile.

But the goddess's hopes were dashed.

Shirou's cold gaze seemed to be telling the Lion King to face reality as soon as possible.

"Ahhh..."

Until half an hour ago, the goddess firmly believed that she and Shirou were of one mind, but now it seems...

Our ideas are completely incompatible.

I am a god, and Shirou is a human.

That's for sure...

That's enough.

Shirou stood up from his seat.

The Lion King stared at him with wide eyes and asked.

"Wait a minute, Shirou... where are you going?"

"..."

Shirou didn't answer, but turned and walked towards the door.

"..."

The Fae Consort also stood up from the bedside and followed the boy out of the room.

The Lion King could do nothing but watch them leave him.

"--Bang."

The room door was closed.

When only she remained, the goddess could no longer hold on and collapsed to her knees.

As soon as Shirou stepped down the stairs, Sella came rushing towards him.

"Shirou? What have you just done? You brought a woman of unknown origin home! Explain yourself... uh?"

When the maid met the red-haired boy's icy gaze, which seemed to freeze the air, she instinctively took a half-step back.

Shirou now is completely different from his usual self.

I'm going out for a bit.

Shirou said this and then walked toward the entrance, with Morgan following behind him.

The two left the Lion King alone in the room and walked out.

"Haa...!"

As soon as he stepped onto the street, Shirou collapsed, letting out a long sigh.

He seemed utterly exhausted, his hands supporting his knees, the ruthlessness and cruelty that had lingered on his face long gone.

Shirou looked at the witch beside him with a haggard and angry expression.

"Although I said I would cooperate, but... what did you make me say?"

"Hehehe... Shirou, your acting is really good."

Morgan covered his lips with his hand, grinning mischievously, and said, "Don't even mention my naive sister, even I almost believed it."

That's right. Shirou's outburst at the Lion King in the room just now was actually a play he and Morgan staged together.

Although Shirou was dissatisfied with Lion King's behavior and thought she was a stubborn fool, he never thought of severing ties with her.

No matter what happens, he has no intention of giving up on Artoria.

So, while the boy struggled with how to win back the goddess Artoria, who had lost her humanity and become even more difficult to persuade than before—

The witch's Charm whispers echoed in my mind.

"If you just do as I say, you can win Artoria back, okay?"

Shirou: "Really, Miss Morgan?"

Morgan: "Believe me, Shirou, when have I ever lied to you?"

Shirou: "You've lied to me so many times."

Morgan: "But I've never betrayed you, have I?"

Shirou: "Hmm... then I'll trust you one more time. If you lie to me, I definitely won't let you off this time."

That's all--

Just now in the room, Shirou repeated the lines that the witch had spoken to him telepathically to Artoria verbatim.

It works very well.

It's more accurate to say it's too good.

This was the first time Shirou had ever seen the Lion King display such a rich array of expressions; it was as if she had truly transformed back into the Artoria she once was.

She is no longer a goddess, but a living, breathing girl.

But...

He had initially believed Morgan's words, thinking that this would win back the goddess's heart.

"Artoria seems a bit off, is she alright?"

Shirou asked with a worried look.

Morgan said, "Heh, as expected, Shirou, your acting is just too superb!"

"Is that so?"

"As expected of Arthur from another world, he possesses an innate sadistic temperament... Listening to this from the sidelines, my legs went weak."

"Why are my legs weak?"

Shirou glared at Morgan with annoyance.

I shouldn't have listened to the witch so easily.

I must have hurt Artoria by saying such harsh things.

Is it too late to go back and apologize...?

"No, we can't go back."

Pan-Human History 'Morgan expression turned serious.

How could you bow down to my foolish sister?

Shirou said, "If lowering my head can make her change her mind, I'd be more than willing."

That's why I said no.

Morgan said seriously, "If you back down, my foolish sister will completely disregard you."

Shirou frowned. "Really? I don't think Artoria is such a bad person..."

If we explain things clearly, we can definitely understand each other...

"Haa..."