"Heracles is our pinnacle!"
"Indeed, indeed… things are about to get interesting, aren't they?"
True Archer
"Gil! Oh… Gil!"
The moment I descended from Vimana to rejoin my Masters, I was greeted with tears and jubilant cheers.
"You're safe…! Thank the stars you're safe…!"
"Hmph. Did I cause you worry? I told you, didn't I? I never break my oaths."
"GIL—!!!"
"Gah!"
"Welcome back! Welcome back…! I'm so glad! Truly, so glad!"
"—Tch. Such an exaggerated lot. My triumphant return is as inevitable as truth itself."
"It was a near-death ordeal, you know. Their reaction's hardly surprising, Hero-King."
"Fou! (You did great too. That guy's true power must've been a hassle, huh? Don't worry, I've got footage from the team.)"
—Thank you, Fou.
"What's up, darling?"
"Nothing… just that the idea of a monster capable of taking down Greece's greatest hero in single combat shakes the very foundations of common sense."
"Orion, the Hero-King isn't some monster."
"Yeah! Gil's our pride and joy!"
"Our king! Bow, you lesser spirits! Prostrate yourselves! What are Greek heroes to me? Fuhahaha!"
"That's the spirit, Governor! You're the absolute best!"
—That the vessel is showered with praise fills me with pride.
All admiration and awe belong to the Hero-King. For me, merely standing by his side is an honor beyond measure.
"It's been since France, hasn't it? No… I was there too, wasn't I?"
"Hey there, I'm David, the key figure of this Singularity."
"Hm… ah, so you're strays too?"
"'Too'? What's that mean, Gil? Did you run into another stray Servant?"
"…That's a tale for another time. Have we settled on a plan?"
"Yeah. Rikka and Mash are the key to our strategy."
"Oh? Then—"
"Wait. Gil's mana is severely depleted. The sun's setting, so let's save the talk for tomorrow."
"I'm fine. We can proceed now—"
"Please, don't push yourself—"
"Yeah, Gil, you'll work yourself to death!"
"Fine! I'll rest!"
"What's that? The king's afraid of overwork?"
"Fool! Who in their right mind would embrace the darkness of modern society's grind?"
"Oh, the king's work is the worst, isn't it? Hate it, hate it!"
"Freedom's not allowed, huh… Alright, I'm sending beds and hammocks. We move tomorrow! Everyone, rest up!"
"Fou! (Looks like the climax is near. Time to compile the Chaldea Great Adventure Diary. Heh, this one's gonna be a big haul!)"
"Fou's in high spirits, isn't it?"
"…Mash-chan, that's a beast."
"Kyuu? (Huh?)"
"It's nothing!"
"Rikka! Let's hit the bath together!"
"Really?! Yes!"
"Bathing with a goddess? What an honor, Rikka."
"Mash, Mash, you too!"
"W-Wait, me too?"
"Me! Me too!"
"Kyao! (Me too, me too!)"
"Do as you please. I have matters to attend to. Master, I'll need your time later."
"Yes, my king—!!!"
"Asterios, gahhh!"
"I'm so glad! So glad you're safe, truly safe!"
"Guh, I'm dying! You're strangling me! Wait, stop, no bone-crushing, stop—!"
—Incredible! Not since King Arthur has anyone dealt such damage to a king! Amazing work, Asterios!
"Asterios, he was so worried about you. 'My king, my king,' non-stop. My ears are still ringing."
"Haha! Quite the popular guy, huh, you charmer? You're surrounded by treasures!"
"My king—!!!"
"I get it! I get it! Your relief's clear, so let go! Your A++ Strength is killing me! Let go, Asterios—!!"
"—Quite a contrast to that other ship, isn't it?"
"Yeah, might as well have fun, right?"
"Alright, boys! Drink up, sing loud, and make merry! Tomorrow's our all-or-nothing battle!"
"""""Aye, aye, Captain!"""""
"My king—!!!"
"Gahhh! Why am I facing death outside the battlefield—?!"
—This… this is the Counter Force!
The joyous banter with beloved comrades stretched on endlessly…
In a clearing within the night-shrouded forest, I called out, "Master, are you there?"
"What's up, Gil?"
"Nothing much. I've just had an amusing idea."
—I understood instantly.
The enemy's about to face a truly pitiful fate. This is overkill in its purest form.
"Heracles is being summoned, isn't he?"
"Y-Yeah."
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛…"
"Are you really doing this? I mean, it's the right move, no question, but…"
"Of course. It'll likely be the most entertaining spectacle yet."
The vessel grinned wickedly.
"What're we talking about?"
"Simple, really."
—Indeed. The most exhilarating kind of foul play.
"From this moment, we'll alter Heracles' class, reawakening Greece's greatest hero! In short, we'll restore his reason and intellect!"
"W-What?! Is that even possible?!"
"With Medea's aid, yes. Isn't that right?"
"Well, sure… changing a class isn't exactly magic. But it'll require a ton of materials."
—If I recall, a Command Spell, a massive amount of divine ether crystals, a magecraft formula, and a Holy Grail.
"I'll provide it all!"
"You have all that?! Why go this far? With you here, our forces are more than enough!"
Absolutely true. But for this king, raw power means nothing.
"The fool prancing about with a mindless Heracles thought he was clever. So, we'll present a superior Heracles. Won't his reaction be a sight? I look forward to his utter humiliation!"
—If it amuses me, no expense is too great. That's the Hero-King's way.
"You're really twisted…"
"Oh, and that fool had you by his side, didn't he?"
"No way!"
"A younger you, at least."
"My dark history—!! I've got to erase it before Marie sees!!"
"Heading to the frontlines? Ask that counterfeiter for tips on handling such things. —So, how about it?"
—Preparations are complete. Now…
"Do you have the will, Heracles? And you, Master?"
"Me?"
"As you know, he's a mana glutton. Even as a Berserker. Which is worse? No matter. Employing his true self might well cost your life."
—According to Medea, Heracles could monopolize ten percent of Chaldea's power.
"You might collapse without warning. Are you ready to stake your life on awakening a great hero?"
—In the end, the Master decides. As a Servant, I leave the choice to her.
"…Heracles."
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛"
"—Alright! Let's change Heracles' class!"
The Master's decision was a resounding yes.
"Not for strength, but because I want to talk to Heracles! I want to hear about his great adventures! They've got to be amazing, because it's Heracles!"
"…This disciple of mine…"
"So, Heracles, are you in?"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛…"
"—A friend's madness."
"!"
"Who else but you can set him right, Heracles?"
—Yes.
He's lost, swayed, and led astray. Please, you're the only one who can stop him.
"—⬛⬛⬛⬛"
"Heracles…?"
"…"
"No need to worry with a Master like her. She bears the fate of the world. Your burden won't faze her."
"—You're worried about me, aren't you? Thank you, Heracles."
"…"
"Let's go together! Not as a Berserker, but as a true great hero!"
"—⬛⬛⬛⬛ (Thumbs up)"
The decision was made.
"Alright, let's begin! Master, strip!"
"Uh, okay… Wait, what?!"
"We'll engrave a custom Command Spell on you! The transformation begins now!"
"Oh, I get it! Alright!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛"
"Ah… gentleman…"
"Now, as I instructed, tell Heracles. Use all three Command Spells."
"Got it!"
"Why must I draw the magic circle…?"
The vessel scratched out the array with a stick. If only I could move…
"Alright, here we go. Relax."
"Yeah. Let's do this, Heracles."
"⬛⬛⬛"
"It's done! Take it!"
I handed Heracles a convenient Holy Grail.
"—Deep breath."
The Command Spells on her body began to glow.
"By the power of my Command Spell, I order you—"
The seals blazed.
"Heracles, 'open your eyes'!"
The first Command Spell shattered the law of madness.
"By my second Command Spell, I order you—"
The seals glowed brighter.
"'Recall the people you've protected and saved'!"
The second Command Spell summoned memories of his heroic deeds and triumphs.
"And with my final Command Spell, I order you—"
Her last wish entrusted to Heracles.
"'Accept the blessing of the heavenly gods'!"
The prepared ether crystals and Holy Grail shone, and Heracles embraced his true mission and majesty—
Light flooded the surroundings—
"That wish, I have truly accepted."
His skin took on a human hue, the protrusions vanished.
"Oh… we've done it. Jason's completely finished…"
"—Hero-King, my deepest gratitude for this reprieve."
A commanding presence, unshakable authority, and a demeanor radiating courtesy and reason.
"Good. Fulfill your mission, Heracles!"
"—Understood."
There stood the unparalleled, mightiest hero of all time.
"Servant, Archer. True Name: Heracles. To my lord who restored my reason and intellect, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and respect."
He knelt, taking her hand.
"Let us go together, my Master, filled with compassion and resolve. From now on, I am with you."
"Y-Yes…! Pleased to meet you!"
"Haha! So formal! The stage is set! To battle!"
"Thank you, Medea."
"N-No problem… It was the Hero-King's idea…"
"…Am I really that scary?"
—Wait, gentleman?
With renewed comrades, they charged toward the final battle…!
"—One small request, Master. Please cover your ears."
"? Okay."
"—Damn you, Goddess Hera!!! Why, even as a sublimated hero, am I still tied to you?!"
"!!?"
"One more! One more! Let me start over! I want to relive my adventures with wisdom and courage intact!"
"—~~!!"
"Shut it! It's the middle of the night!"
"No worries. I adjusted my voice to echo only here. …Sorry, Master. So… huh?"
"(Fainted)"
"M-Master—!!"
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