"—It's done! A masterful stroke! Now, we await the Hero-King… Hm! A summons! I must go!"
"Banner of Salvation"
"Chaldea's Minachin Banner"
"Master! Hero-King! I come to your side—!"
Total War: Death March Runner
"My lord Jason! I'll protect you!"
Amid the apocalyptic barrage, the white-clad Medea shielded Jason, holding the line.
"Don't state the obvious! Hector, why are you half-dead?! If you're going to die, die protecting your future king!!"
Jason barked orders at the barely-standing Hector.
"Heracles!! They're just Archers! Get in close and crush them!! You can do that much!!"
"Wait, Lord Jason! Attacking now is dangerous! They might have the real—"
"Silence, Medea!! Just keep doting on your husband! Hector, how long are you going to sleep?!"
"—Hah. Should've known better than to play the villain…"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!"
Heracles leapt from the ship, charging toward the island.
"He's the strongest… My Heracles is the strongest—there's no way we'll lose to that ragtag trash!!"
"Alright, everything's proceeding as planned."
—I lulled my consciousness, yielding control to the vessel.
This isn't a battle of brute force—it's a king's battle. My role is done. I entrust everything to the king's command.
"All hands, to your positions! Master, it's marathon time! Carry the goddess and run like hell!"
"Got it!!"
"Master, Euryale! Do your best!"
"No reckless moves, Asterios, you hear me?"
"Goddess, he's under my protection. —Master, I'm counting on you."
"—I'm the one being protected, you know."
"Ready, Mash?"
"Yes, Hero-King!"
"Leave support to me! What's your plan?!"
"I'll issue orders from Vimana! Pace yourself and summon timings are mine to dictate! Understood, Master?!"
"I trust you more than anyone, Gil!!"
"That's the spirit! Summon Jeanne, Master!"
"Yes! Jeanne d'Arc!"
Her right hand glowed, and the Saint of Orleans appeared, wielding two banners.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Master! Hero-King!"
"Your task is to bless the defensive Servants, holding the line for as long as possible! Don't dare say you can't! You nearly killed me once—fending off a great hero's charge should be child's play!"
"Understood! Take this banner!"
She handed over a flag emblazoned with "Chaldea's Minachin."
"It's imbued with blessings! It'll let you choose summoning locations to an extent!"
"An ugly flag! But it's got character. I'll take it, Jeanne! Arise, Vimana!!"
As Vimana soared, Heracles landed, closing in.
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
"Run, Master!! Keep running without hesitation until I give the signal!!"
"Got it! Stay close, Euryale!"
"Run with all you've got!"
"I'll take Mash and Jeanne!"
"Let's go, Mash!"
"Yes, Jeanne-san!!"
"Let us go, Captain, Thunderbolt!"
"Aye! Things are getting fun!"
"Ugh, nn…!"
"Don't falter, heroes—!"
Vimana soared, the Master ran, and Mash and Jeanne protected.
The all-or-nothing battle had begun!
"Olga Marie! Connect communications to them! Relay the king's words without fail!"
"Yes, Gil!"
Vimana halted above the island, my clairvoyance surveying all.
"Master! Can you hear me?!"
"I hear you!"
"Good response, but don't waste breath! Just run! Reach the edge of his sight of the goddess, then rest!"
"!?"
"It's about pacing! Stay just out of reach to lure him! Not too fast, not too slow! My orders will secure brief rests! Head through the forest to the plains!"
"—(Nod)!"
"Jeanne! Hold for two minutes! Release Heracles the moment two minutes pass! Got it? Easier than eating Mapo Tofu of Doom!"
"Yes!"
"Mash! Recall your past struggles! You saved me from peril! Heracles is nothing now!"
"Yes—! I'll do it—!"
"Roman! Guide the Master's path! No slacking—this is the decisive moment!"
"Of course! Feast your eyes on my brilliance, fueled by sweets and sleep!"
—The Hero-King issued precise orders, rallying everyone.
"Gil! Two minutes are up!"
"Good! Jeanne, Mash, well done! Release Heracles!"
"Heracles charges straight for Master and Euryale-san!"
"As expected! Master! Summon the Hound and the Flame Guardian! Coordinate with Orion to hold him!"
"Leave it to me, King! Artemis does the heavy lifting!"
"Okay! Rikka, deep breaths! You've got a moment! Hiss, hoo, hiss, hoo!"
"That's for childbirth! —He's coming!!"
"—!!!"
"Cú Chulainn! Leonidas!"
Sensing mana surge, I confirmed two summons.
"Leave stalling to us! Master, steady your breathing!"
"If it's just holding out, I've got this! Don't die! Remember the form I taught you!"
"—⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
"Suuu, haaa… Suuu, haaa… Alright!"
"Go, Rikka-chan! When it's over, I'll invite you to the Goddess Net! And give you arrows!"
"Don't make her a hunter on a whim! Go!"
"Yeah! Everyone, stay safe!"
"Run like mad! Faster, faster!"
"I'm pumped—!!"
"Show him the shallows of four branches, great hero!!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!"
"Don't end up a boomerang Lancer, Hound!!"
"What's that about?! If you can fix Heracles, remove my handicap! I could summon castles or chariots!!"
"Whining, Hound? If you get your own Singularity, I'll consider it! Fight alongside Mash and Jeanne!"
"Don't forget—!!"
"Next, the wasteland… Master! Don't trip!"
"(Nod)!"
"Damn it! Damn it! Ganging up on me, you cowards! Once Heracles tears you apart, I'll line up your heads! Damn it, my Argo…!"
"Advancing or retreating's tough. And here we have a defense maiden and a half-dead Servant. What's it gonna be, General? Heading out?"
"As if!! A king stays back and claims victory! Why should I clean up your failures?! You're the ones who lost, not me!!"
"—Figured. Just checking."
"There's no defeat for me… With Heracles, I'm invincible…! Medea! Fix the ship, you shut-in!!"
"Yes, Lord Jason."
"—Miss, could it be they have—"
"Yes, probably. But Lord Jason doesn't need to know. No need to wake him from his dream."
"…Yikes."
"Heracles!! Stop dawdling and get back here—!!"
"Hey, good work. Last checkpoint. Need water?"
"One or two sips! Too much, and you'll cramp! The crypt's close! Steady your breathing!"
"Suu, haa… Suu, haa…"
"Once you're in the crypt, there's no escape! Your speed decides everything! —Ready?!"
"(Nod)!"
"Here he comes! Man, that's scary!"
"Siegfried, Amakusa, summon them! Final gate—rise up!"
"—Understood."
"Me, huh? Fine. My miracles will—buy time!"
"You're the one buying time, fool!! Master! Run! This is your grand finale!!"
"(Nod)!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
"Go—!"
"Leave it to us…!"
—Our support ends here.
The rest is up to you, everyone—!
"Hah, hah, hah, hah…!"
Rikka gasped, running with all she had.
"You're really pushing it, for a human…"
Euryale, carried on her back, whispered.
"I'm pushing it because I'm human!"
"Why? Aren't you scared?"
"Terrified! Of course I'm terrified! Heracles is all 'roar!' and 'grr!' If he catches us, we're dead!"
"Yeah… me too."
"Right?! But—but, Euryale!"
"?"
"Fear or pain isn't a reason to stop! Whether I polish or tarnish my shine is up to me!"
"!"
"I'm not cute like you or stacked like Artemis!"
Rikka shifted Euryale to a bridal carry.
"—But in courage and stubbornness, I won't lose! I won't give up—!! Because that's—!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
The Ark of the Covenant loomed ahead, Heracles' roars closing in.
"My—Fujimaru Rikka's chosen way of life—!!"
Heracles' ferocious dash shrank the distance rapidly!
"—Rikka! Jump over it!"
"The Ark?!"
"Just do it! Trust me! Hurry!!"
"—The hymn of humanity is a hymn of courage! The greatness of humanity is—"
Reciting a cherished line once shared with a friend, the last Master of humanity—
"The greatness of courage—!!"
—leapt over the covenant of death!
"—Medusa—!"
"Yes, Elder Sister."
"Master!!"
"Alter?!"
Medusa's chains pulled Rikka and Euryale from the air, and Jeanne Alter caught them firmly.
"Wah!?"
"You okay?! Any injuries?! Anything hurt?! You good?!"
"Y-Yeah! Thanks, Alter."
"—Thank goodness…"
"Nice one, useless Medusa. I knew you'd show."
"Of course. For you and Master… Though it was the Hero-King's ploy to recall a Servant and create an opening…"
"Who cares about that. —You get it now, Heracles."
"—!!"
Heracles skidded to a halt before the Ark.
"What stands between you and us…!"
"—!!"
He froze, wary. —But…
"—A bit too late! Do it, Asterios!"
"—RAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
Asterios burst from behind, shoving Heracles into the Ark of the Covenant!
"Everyone, hold fast!! Push him in!!!"
Drake, joined by Mash and Jeanne, piled on with relentless force!!
"YAAAAHHH!!!!"
"Hallelujah—!!!"
"⬛⬛⬛!!"
"Everyone!! Gooooo!!!"
"Asterios!! Show them!! Your—thunderbolt hero's power!!!"
"Yeah!! He… won't… die—!!!"
With a mighty roar, Asterios forced Heracles back.
—And then…
"Got it! He touched it!"
David snapped his fingers.
Heracles' body vanished instantly, dissolving into mist.
"We did it—!!!"
"Hah! The bet's ours, all in!!"
"Yes! Heracles' complete elimination confirmed!"
"Yayyyy!! Mash! Euryale! Medusa! Jeanne, Alter! David! Captain!! Asterios too!! Everyone, we did it—!!"
"Hey, no hugging!"
"Hehe…"
"You did great. As a fellow woman, I respect you."
"Yes! Master,实验
System: Total War: The Triumph of Courage
"—It's complete! A masterpiece! Now, we wait for the Hero-King… Hm! A summons! I must go!"
"Banner of Salvation"
"Chaldea's Minachin Banner"
"Master! Hero-King! I come to your side—!"
Total War: Death March Runner
"My lord Jason! I'll protect you!"
Amid a cataclysmic barrage, the white-clad Medea shielded Jason, holding the line.
"Don't state the obvious! Hector, why are you half-dead?! If you're going to die, die protecting your future king!!"
Jason barked orders at the barely-standing Hector.
"Heracles!! They're just Archers! Get in close and crush them!! You can do that much!!"
"Wait, Lord Jason! Attacking now is dangerous! They might have the real—"
"Silence, Medea!! Just keep doting on your husband! Hector, how long are you going to sleep?!"
"—Hah. Should've known better than to play the villain…"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!"
Heracles leapt from the ship, charging toward the island.
"He's the strongest… My Heracles is the strongest—there's no way we'll lose to that ragtag trash!!"
"Alright, everything's proceeding as planned."
—I lulled my consciousness, yielding control to the vessel.
This isn't a battle of brute force—it's a king's battle. My role is done. I entrust everything to the king's command.
"All hands, to your positions! Master, it's marathon time! Carry the goddess and run like hell!"
"Got it!!"
"Master, Euryale! Do your best!"
"No reckless moves, Asterios, you hear me?"
"Goddess, he's under my protection. —Master, I'm counting on you."
"—I'm the one being protected, you know."
"Ready, Mash?"
"Yes, Hero-King!"
"Leave support to me! What's your plan?!"
"I'll issue orders from Vimana! Pace yourself and summon timings are mine to dictate! Understood, Master?!"
"I trust you more than anyone, Gil!!"
"That's the spirit! Summon Jeanne, Master!"
"Yes! Jeanne d'Arc!"
Her right hand glowed, and the Saint of Orleans appeared, wielding two banners.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Master! Hero-King!"
"Your task is to bless the defensive Servants, holding the line for as long as possible! Don't dare say you can't! You nearly killed me once—fending off a great hero's charge should be child's play!"
"Understood! Take this banner!"
She handed over a flag emblazoned with "Chaldea's Minachin."
"It's imbued with blessings! It'll let you choose summoning locations to an extent!"
"An ugly flag! But it's got character. I'll take it, Jeanne! Arise, Vimana!!"
As Vimana soared, Heracles landed, closing in.
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
"Run, Master!! Keep running without hesitation until I give the signal!!"
"Got it! Stay close, Euryale!"
"Run with all you've got!"
"I'll take Mash and Jeanne!"
"Let's go, Mash!"
"Yes, Jeanne-san!!"
"Let us go, Captain, Thunderbolt!"
"Aye! Things are getting fun!"
"Ugh, nn…!"
"Don't falter, heroes—!"
Vimana soared, the Master ran, and Mash and Jeanne protected.
The all-or-nothing battle had begun!
"Olga Marie! Connect communications to them! Relay the king's words without fail!"
"Yes, Gil!"
Vimana halted above the island, my clairvoyance surveying all.
"Master! Can you hear me?!"
"I hear you!"
"Good response, but don't waste breath! Just run! Reach the edge of his sight of the goddess, then rest!"
"!?"
"It's about pacing! Stay just out of reach to lure him! Not too fast, not too slow! My orders will secure brief rests! Head through the forest to the plains!"
"—(Nod)!"
"Jeanne! Hold for two minutes! Release Heracles the moment two minutes pass! Got it? Easier than eating Mapo Tofu of Doom!"
"Yes!"
"Mash! Recall your past struggles! You saved me from peril! Heracles is nothing now!"
"Yes—! I'll do it—!"
"Roman! Guide the Master's path! No slacking—this is the decisive moment!"
"Of course! Feast your eyes on my brilliance, fueled by sweets and sleep!"
—The Hero-King issued precise orders, rallying everyone.
"Gil! Two minutes are up!"
"Good! Jeanne, Mash, well done! Release Heracles!"
"Heracles charges straight for Master and Euryale-san!"
"As expected! Master! Summon the Hound and the Flame Guardian! Coordinate with Orion to hold him!"
"Leave it to me, King! Artemis does the heavy lifting!"
"Okay! Rikka, deep breaths! You've got a moment! Hiss, hoo, hiss, hoo!"
"That's for childbirth! —He's coming!!"
"—!!!"
"Cú Chulainn! Leonidas!"
Sensing mana surge, I confirmed two summons.
"Leave stalling to us! Master, steady your breathing!"
"If it's just holding out, I've got this! Don't die! Remember the form I taught you!"
"—⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
"Suuu, haaa… Suuu, haaa… Alright!"
"Go, Rikka-chan! When it's over, I'll invite you to the Goddess Net! And give you arrows!"
"Don't make her a hunter on a whim! Go!"
"Yeah! Everyone, stay safe!"
"Run like mad! Faster, faster!"
"I'm pumped—!!"
"Show him the shallows of four branches, great hero!!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!"
"Don't end up a boomerang Lancer, Hound!!"
"What's that about?! If you can fix Heracles, remove my handicap! I could summon castles or chariots!!"
"Whining, Hound? If you get your own Singularity, I'll consider it! Fight alongside Mash and Jeanne!"
"Don't forget—!!"
"Next, the wasteland… Master! Don't trip!"
"(Nod)!"
"Damn it! Damn it! Ganging up on me, you cowards! Once Heracles tears you apart, I'll line up your heads! Damn it, my Argo…!"
"Advancing or retreating's tough. And here we have a defense maiden and a half-dead Servant. What's it gonna be, General? Heading out?"
"As if!! A king stays back and claims victory! Why should I clean up your failures?! You're the ones who lost, not me!!"
"—Figured. Just checking."
"There's no defeat for me… With Heracles, I'm invincible…! Medea! Fix the ship, you shut-in!!"
"Yes, Lord Jason."
"—Miss, could it be they have—"
"Yes, probably. But Lord Jason doesn't need to know. No need to wake him from his dream."
"…Yikes."
"Heracles!! Stop dawdling and get back here—!!"
"Hey, good work. Last checkpoint. Need water?"
"One or two sips! Too much, and you'll cramp! The crypt's close! Steady your breathing!"
"Suu, haa… Suu, haa…"
"Once you're in the crypt, there's no escape! Your speed decides everything! —Ready?!"
"(Nod)!"
"Here he comes! Man, that's scary!"
"Siegfried, Amakusa, summon them! Final gate—rise up!"
"—Understood."
"Me, huh? Fine. My miracles will—buy time!"
"You're the one buying time, fool!! Master! Run! This is your grand finale!!"
"(Nod)!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
"Go—!"
"Leave it to us…!"
—Our support ends here.
The rest is up to you, everyone—!
"Hah, hah, hah, hah…!"
Rikka gasped, running with all she had.
"You're really pushing it, for a human…"
Euryale, carried on her back, whispered.
"I'm pushing it because I'm human!"
"Why? Aren't you scared?"
"Terrified! Of course I'm terrified! Heracles is all 'roar!' and 'grr!' If he catches us, we're dead!"
"Yeah… me too."
"Right?! But—but, Euryale!"
"?"
"Fear or pain isn't a reason to stop! Whether I polish or tarnish my shine is up to me!"
"!"
"I'm not cute like you or stacked like Artemis!"
Rikka shifted Euryale to a bridal carry.
"—But in courage and stubbornness, I won't lose! I won't give up—!! Because that's—!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛!!!!"
The Ark of the Covenant loomed ahead, Heracles' roars closing in.
"My—Fujimaru Rikka's chosen way of life—!!"
Heracles' ferocious dash shrank the distance rapidly!
"—Rikka! Jump over it!"
"The Ark?!"
"Just do it! Trust me! Hurry!!"
"—The hymn of humanity is a hymn of courage! The greatness of humanity is—"
Reciting a cherished line once shared with a friend, the last Master of humanity—
"The greatness of courage—!!"
—leapt over the covenant of death!
"—Medusa—!"
"Yes, Elder Sister."
"Master!!"
"Alter?!"
Medusa's chains pulled Rikka and Euryale from the air, and Jeanne Alter caught them firmly.
"Wah!?"
"You okay?! Any injuries?! Anything hurt?! You good?!"
"Y-Yeah! Thanks, Alter."
"—Thank goodness…"
"Nice one, useless Medusa. I knew you'd show."
"Of course. For you and Master… Though it was the Hero-King's ploy to recall a Servant and create an opening…"
"Who cares about that. —You get it now, Heracles."
"—!!"
Heracles skidded to a halt before the Ark.
"What stands between you and us…!"
"—!!"
He froze, wary. —But…
"—A bit too late! Do it, Asterios!"
"—RAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
Asterios burst from behind, shoving Heracles into the Ark of the Covenant!
"Everyone, hold fast!! Push him in!!!"
Drake, joined by Mash and Jeanne, piled on with relentless force!!
"YAAAAHHH!!!!"
"Hallelujah—!!!"
"⬛⬛⬛!!"
"Everyone!! Gooooo!!!"
"Asterios!! Show them!! Your—thunderbolt hero's power!!!"
"Yeah!! He… won't… die—!!!"
With a mighty roar, Asterios forced Heracles back.
—And then…
"Got it! He touched it!"
David snapped his fingers.
Heracles' body vanished instantly, dissolving into mist.
"We did it—!!!"
"Hah! The bet's ours, all in!!"
"Yes! Heracles' complete elimination confirmed!"
"Yayyyy!! Mash! Euryale! Medusa! Jeanne, Alter! David! Captain!! Asterios too!! Everyone, we did it—!!"
"Hey, no hugging!"
"Hehe…"
"You did great. As a fellow woman, I respect you."
"Yes! Master, great work!"
"You're the best little sister! I don't want to let you go!"
"Thanks, Euryale!"
"Hehe, for what? Asterios did the heavy lifting, didn't he?"
"Yeah!"
"Fufu, you were worried about Master, huh?"
"Is that bad?! Is it wrong to cherish the one Master who summoned me?!"
"Not at all! It's sweet, isn't it?"
"Shut it, airhead!"
"Now, now, no fighting…"
"Good work, Mash!"
"!"
"Thank you so much!"
"—No, thank you, Senpai!"
"Now, only that jerk Jason's left! Time to reclaim this sea!!"
"Yeah!!"
The girl's struggle bore fruit here.
"Heracles, elimination confirmed! Rikka did it!"
"Hahahahaha!! As expected of my Master! Her grit and guts are top-notch!"
"—Simply splendid. To overcome such a trial…"
"Wow! Rikka and Mash have gotten so strong!"
"—Remember this, Olga Marie. What I seek in this journey isn't efficiency or domination. It's refinement and delight. Never forget to face challenges head-on!"
"Yes!!"
"—Now, time to claim my reward for leading."
"Gil! Can you hear me?! You hear me, right?!"
"Indeed! Well done surviving!"
"Thanks to everyone! Thank you! Nii!"
"Yes! Nii!"
"—Hmph, such sloppy, joy-drunk faces."
—…The finest reward, my king.
Now—only Jason remains to be defeated!
"…Jason…"
--------------------------
Thank you so much to everyone who has followed and supported the story! 🙏
Every like and comment means a lot to me.
If you want to go further, join my Patreon to be able to read the latest chapters!
👉 Check it out here: [patreon.com/Greyhounds]