Chapter 842

"..."

Seeing her old friend in such pain, Irisviel fell silent.

I don't understand what happened.

However, Shirou is definitely not such a heartless child... There must be some misunderstanding.

From my perspective, should I find out exactly what happened before helping them clear up the misunderstanding?

Judging from Artoria's current state, doing this seems quite difficult... I guess I should try to calm her down first...

No.

Can I really calm Artoria down?

Artoria was her first friend in this world, but Irisviel didn't think her words could comfort her.

She can't do it on her own; only Shirou can save her.

As a friend, what I can do is...

Irisviel was silent for a moment before speaking.

"Oh, so you were dumped by Shirou, Artoria."

"..."

The goddess's expression twisted slightly.

Even though it's a fact that's been confirmed countless times, hearing it from someone else's mouth is still a heavy blow.

Irisviel asked with a serious expression.

So... are you going to give up?

Although it wasn't appropriate to say such things at this time, Irisviel felt that... if the woman in front of her was indeed the Artoria she knew, she should pull herself together with her own strength.

The goddess's body stiffened involuntarily at Irisviel's slightly provocative question.

Seeing her reaction, Irisviel asked again.

"Should we give up...? Give up on Shirou?"

"... It's over, that's what Shirou said."

"Wrong."

Irisviel shook her head firmly.

She conveyed the words she firmly believed in.

"Shirou will never abandon you, Artoria... He still can't let you go."

The goddess froze at those words.

"That kind of thing... is impossible--"

"It's not impossible, it's true."

"Irisviel, you simply don't understand..."

"No, I understand better than anyone else!"

Irisviel gripped the Lion King's shoulders tightly and spoke loudly with an angry expression.

"Because I'm a woman who loves Shirou, just like you!"

"... Irisviel."

The Lion King opened his mouth wide.

Irisviel took a deep breath and said what she had been holding back for a long time.

"Artoria, I've always been jealous of you."

Jealous of... me?

"Yes, Shirou... fell in love with you at first sight a long, long time ago."

From the very first moment we met, his eyes were always following you.

I'm the closest person to you, so I definitely can't be mistaken... Trust me, Artoria.

"..."

The goddess remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"But... that was in the past."

I hurt him time and time again, I betrayed him time and time again...

Shirou is already fed up with me and doesn't want anything to do with me anymore.

"That won't happen," Irisviel asserted.

Why are you so sure!?

Artoria retorted angrily.

When she saw Irisviel's expression, she was instantly speechless.

The look in the eyes of the Silver-haired homunculus is --

"I'm still jealous of you, Artoria— "

Shirou loves you that much; you are so special and irreplaceable to him.

"..."

Unbeknownst to her, the goddess, whose tears had already stopped, asked anxiously as if grasping at a lifeline.

"Shirou... is he really... like that?"

"Yes, although I don't know what the child said to you, I think there must have been some misunderstanding."

"Artoria, I heard from Sella that you and Shirou weren't the only ones here just now... Who was the other one?"

"My sister... Morgan."

"?"

The name that suddenly appeared left Irisviel completely bewildered.

Why would Britain witch come to my house?

Don't bring any weirdos back, you idiot Shirou!

But... wait.

"I see!"

Irisviel suddenly stood up.

W-what?

The Lion King looked at her in confusion, and she suddenly grabbed her hands.

"This is a witch's wicked scheme!"

"The witch's wicked scheme..."

Irisviel said, "That's right! It must have been the witch who used Suggestion Magic to bewitch Shirou and force him to say those hurtful things to you!"

"How could this be... With Shirou's 'Magic Resistance,' he couldn't possibly fall for such a low-level attack."

"How could he not! Although I don't know the exact Principle, Shirou definitely fell for it, there's no doubt about it!"

The Silver-haired homunculus stated his baseless speculation with absolute certainty.

But she guessed right; that was indeed the case... except that Shirou willingly acted according to the witch's wishes.

Seeing Irisviel's resolute expression, the Lion King gradually came to believe it as well.

"So... Sister Wang's behavior back then did seem suspicious..."

The Lion King paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered something.

"Then, isn't Shirou, who's currently traveling with Sister Wang, in a very dangerous situation?"

"Huh? Ah... yeah, that's true." The android chimed in.

Why did they leave Artoria here?

The goddess suddenly stood up, her fierce aura nearly knocking over the android.

"I have to protect Shirou... Only I can protect him."

She spoke while looking out the window.

"Huh? Wait... Artoria, are you alright?"

"What do you mean by 'nothing'?"

"Uh, you looked like you were about to die just now..."

Irisviel stared at the Lion King in disbelief.

The goddess, who just moments ago wore an expression as if it were the end of the world, has now regained her usual radiant and majestic appearance.

They're like completely different people.

"Ah... it seems everything's alright now."

The Lion King calmly placed his hand on his ample bosom.

His chest, which had felt as if it had been torn apart, was now beating steadily.

"It's incredible... Just knowing that Shirou still loves me fills me with magic."

Is this the power of love...? If only I had realized it sooner... No, it's not too late now.

The Lion King muttered to himself, turning to Irisviel.

"I must convey my true thoughts to Shirou."

"What are your real thoughts?"

The goddess nodded and said, "Saving Britain... that's all that matters now..."

What I really want to do is live with Shirou!

That's why I've lived alone for 1500 years!

For this reason, I am willing to sacrifice the human spirit!

"Why..."

Irisviel's lips twitched: Suddenly, I feel so superficial...

Is it really okay for the goddess to look like this?

Irisviel.

"Ah! Here! I absolutely didn't mean to belittle you Artoria! Haha..."

"Thank you."

The Lion King spoke with a meticulous expression.

"Really, thank you so much... You are an irreplaceable friend to me."

"..."

Irisviel paused for a moment, then smiled with relief.

"Go quickly, Shirou is waiting for you."

"Um."

The Lion King opened the second-floor window and then disappeared into the night.

When the Lion King arrived at the scene, he saw his beloved boy being cornered by the witch.

Just as Irisviel had said! This is the witch's wicked scheme!