A Few Hours Earlier, Chaldea – "SweetS Jeanne"
"Résumé"
"Hm? What's this, a résumé?"
"Job Application"
"…A part-time job, huh? Who's being so formal now…?"
"Greek Origin – Heracles"
"Pfft—!?"
This is what it means to be utterly overwhelmed!!
As dawn broke, Roman and Olga Marie briefed us on their deductions about Jason's motives.
They were after David's Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark of the Covenant is a divine artifact, a Pandora's box of sorts, bestowed as a testament to God's trust in humanity. It brings indiscriminate death to any who touch it—a terrifying Noble Phantasm.
And they planned to offer Euryale to it.
Even a lesser divinity like Euryale, when sacrificed to the Ark, would cause it to spiral out of control, bringing death to everything in its vicinity. That's the theory in a normal world, at least.
"I see. Offering a god to an artifact from an era when gods were absolute would drag the world down with it. A logical, if inevitable, outcome."
—In this unstable Singularity, such an act would spell the world's demise. A chilling conclusion indeed.
"So, someone's been egging Jason on, manipulating him."
Jason sought the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, and a goddess. Likely, someone convinced him that possessing these would grant invincibility, driving him to desperation.
"What a clown. So drunk on his own folly he can't even see the truth anymore. Even I don't let wine cloud my judgment! Honestly, he's almost pitiable—it's starting to feel like a waste to lose him."
—The one pulling the strings is probably…
"But enough about the clown's fate. He'll meet his pathetic end soon enough. More importantly, this."
Hearing the Master's plan to defeat Heracles left me stunned.
"Yes. Even as a Berserker, the great hero Heracles couldn't be fully stripped of his reason. To prevent the 'goddess sacrifice to destroy the world' prophecy, he's likely targeting Euryale."
"Is that true, Heracles?"
—I sought confirmation from the rational Heracles.
"Indeed. Though only fragments remain, I can confirm it. No matter the Holy Grail's power, completely robbing me of reason is no small feat. That's why my friend summoned me as a Berserker."
"I see. Frustrated by your refusal to aid in humanity's destruction, he resorted to stripping your reason. What a shortsighted, foolish man."
"…Ordinarily, his keen insight would see through such a ploy instantly. But his regrets and unfulfilled desires from life have clouded his judgment. He's always been prone to chasing short-term glory…"
"Haha, you know your friend well. So, what do you think of this plan? Do we have a chance?"
—The vessel looks more excited than ever. Probably because he's face-to-face with a hero he respects.
"There is a chance. I know exactly how he'll move and react. Considering his pride and trust in me, it's a brilliant strategy."
—The plan was as follows:
Mobilize all Archers to lure Heracles alone. The Servants would stall the advancing Heracles, leading him to the Ark of the Covenant set in an underground crypt, where contact with it would end his life.
"No worries about stalling. What hero can't buy time? The key is this."
…Yes. To lure Heracles there, a goddess must be kept in his line of sight, tantalizingly close yet fleeing.
And the one to do it…
"Are you sure you're okay with this, Master?"
—The role was volunteered for—no, devised—by the Master herself.
"Yep! Leave it to me! I'll put my life on the line! Now's the time!"
"…A full sprint carrying a goddess? Even trained by heroes, you're still human. It's a daunting task I can't fully endorse…"
"Hmph, there's no issue."
—It'll be fine.
"…May I ask the source of your confidence, Hero-King?"
"No need to ask."
He placed a hand on her head, ruffling it fondly.
"She's my Master. That's reason enough to face any challenge."
"Yeah! I've got to do my part as a human!"
"Besides, no one starts as a hero. Every hero's tale begins with reckless folly. You're no different, Heracles."
"…—"
"Thank you for worrying, Heracles. You're really kind."
"Master…"
"—It's okay. I'm not doing this alone. I've got Gil, Mash, and all of Chaldea with me."
The Master clasped Heracles' hand.
"I can keep going because everyone supports me. We share the pain and hardship, so I can give it my all. That's why I'll do everything I can."
She looked straight at the great hero standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the vessel.
"So, it's okay. …But I'm a little scared, honestly. If it's alright, could you share some of your courage, Heracles?"
"…"
"Is that… a no?"
"…No."
Heracles enveloped Rikka in a gentle embrace.
"To face fear and tackle such a trial—that courage is the essence of a hero, the brilliance of humanity. Fujimaru Rikka, I offer you my heartfelt praise and blessings."
"W-Wow… Gil, am I in the middle of something huge right now?"
"What, accept it with grace. Even a god couldn't hope to be embraced by a great hero's valor."
—Such a gentleman…
"With that resolve, I'll lend my humble strength. Your path is ours to protect. Run without looking back, my Master."
"—Yes!"
"Great heroes are such show-offs. Your 'humble strength' is worth how many lesser heroes?"
"No hero outshines the brilliance of a living soul."
"—So that's what a hero is: a being who carves a path for humanity."
—I recalled the words of the great hero Achilles.
…So that's it. Heroes… they're all such radiant, star-like people.
…Then, surely, even Jason…
"…Gilgamesh, why those words?"
"Nothing. Just… I once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with your friend."
"—Could it be…?"
"Leave it for now. …But was your teacher a sage of your school?"
"…A teacher I'm proud of. Though Jason cursed him as a stable-hand."
"Hahaha! You've had your share of struggles, Heracles!"
"Struggles are universal. Mine were just… a bit heavier."
"If Heracles calls it 'a bit,' I'd be blown away! Poof!"
"What, his burdens are worth thirteen heroes. Not much difference."
—From the vessel's world-seeing perspective, maybe. But isn't that a bit too extreme?
"Not quite. The Twelve Labors had some nullified, some unofficial ones added."
"What?!"
"Master, choose your gods wisely."
"I was thinking of worshipping Artemis…"
"…"
"What's that look?!"
"Beware her wrath, lest she send plagues or boars. Enough talk! To your positions!"
—The king's command echoed.
"From this moment, we punish the insolent thieves who dare claim primacy over me! All hands, rise! The fate of humanity rests on this battle!!"
"Yeah!!"
"Master, wear this."
Heracles handed the Master a cloak.
"Wow, what's this?!"
"A mantle made from the Nemean Lion's hide. The lion is a symbol of courage—it'll lend you strength."
He draped it gently over her shoulders.
"Hah, it suits you, Master. Lions are great. Perfect pets."
"Ehe, you think so?"
"Indeed! For this plan, I'll handle the mana cost! Just run, Master, and don't look back!"
"Got it!!"
"Senpai!"
"Let's go, everyone!!"
—The final battle of this Singularity begins!
Scene Shift: The Argonauts
"There's the island, Master."
Following the faint trail of mana Gilgamesh deliberately left, the Argo closed in.
"So, we've found them…! You filthy, ragtag scum, we've caught up at last…!"
Jason ground his teeth, his face twisted with hatred.
"Heracles!! Hector!! Get ready, you useless fools!! The Ark of the Covenant! And the goddess—we're taking them!"
"Hey, hey, no need to yell."
"Move it! Want to be dragged around the Argo like in life?! You too, Heracles! A beast without a shred of reason, losing in combat—what's your excuse?!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛"
"…He's really losing it…"
"Work, you worthless lot!! Land on the island—"
—It was unleashed.
"Huh?"
—An arrow grazed Jason's cheek with surgical precision.
"What—"
—That was the signal.
"Gah—!!"
An arrow pierced Hector's chest, dealing critical damage to his Spirit Core.
Three arrows struck the Argo's hull, causing "just enough damage to halt navigation without sinking."
"…This is—"
An arrow snapped the mast at its base.
Another sliced Jason's skin with deadly accuracy.
"What?! What is this?! Why only me—?!"
—The astonishing truth:
All these arrows were fired simultaneously—!!
"This strength and precision… no way…"
—Only one archer in the world could perform such a feat.
"…There's another one out there? Wake me from this nightmare…!"
"—Heracles—?!"
"Hahahahaha!! Look! The clown dances pathetically!"
The vessel clutched his stomach, roaring with laughter.
—I could only manage a dry chuckle. I couldn't even perceive his shooting! How many arrows did he fire…?!
"Gilgamesh, he's rattled. Now's the time to press."
"Good!! All hands, loose your pitiful arrows at the clown—!!"
"What a mouthy Hero-King! Offered to Apollo and Artemis! Phoebus Catastrophe, the Arrow of Complaint! Follow Heracles, my arrows!!"
"Artemis! Shoot! Blast that seaweed-haired scum to bits! Hahaha! Take that, wretch!! We've got two real monsters on our side! Your defective Heracles doesn't scare us!!"
"Darling, you're scary. Oh well! Watch this, Rikka! My love unleashed! Tri-Star Amore Mio, the Moon Goddess' Love Arrow~! May a wonderful person appear for Rikka-chan!"
"Rikka-chan, hope you don't die horribly… Watch out for Apollo…"
"I don't want to waste it on that guy, but fine. Eye of the Euryale, the Goddess' Gaze~!"
"Before such peak archery, I'm humbled. I'll just pick up a stone and toss it. Hamesh Avanim, Five Stones!"
"…Was calling me here just to rub it in, Hero-King?"
"A fine chance to witness true archery, Faker!"
"Indeed, standing alongside that great hero is an honor beyond me! Hrunting, Hound of the Red Plains!!"
"Master, you sure? I can't use a Noble Phantasm, so I'll pale in comparison."
"I love your archery, Arash!"
"…Alright then, I'll live up to that!"
"And the finale is mine! Behold, clown—the strongest is followed by the most ancient!."
—Selecting treasures. Loading swords and spears just barely blockable!
"Witness! Gate of Babylon, Treasury of the King—!!!"
From every era, a storm of projectiles surged toward Jason—!!
"The curtain's near! Entertain me to your dying breath, clown—!!"
—It's a naval battle. Just in case, I'll prepare that too…
Meanwhile, at "SweetS Jeanne"
"Though my life was devoted to martial arts, such skills are unnecessary for cherishing the small beings of Chaldea. At the same time, I wish to learn from and aid your delicate confectionery craft, so I've applied for this part-time job."
"Uh, yes…"
"Even as an Avenger, I'm deeply inspired by your dedication to customers and your ability to bring smiles. I hold your earnestness and positivity in the highest regard. Would you allow me to assist in the work that creates your smile?"
"Y-Yes… You're hired… And, um, thank you for joining us…"
"Jeanne Alter-dono, your face…"
"It's nothing… Let's, uh, set the schedule…"
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