[Cao Cao's Perspective]
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"
Hercules's roar tore through the blood-red sky. His massive arms, encased in thick silver gauntlets, swung with primal fury, swatting down swarms of mass-produced Evil Dragons.
Though his body was being bolstered by Georg's magical support, the weight of his blows was leagues beyond anything the old Hercules could have mustered. Even his combat style had evolved; he moved with light, calculated footwork, slipping through the dragons' reaches to deliver devastating counters. He was no longer overconfident in his raw power—he was fighting with the cold efficiency of a man who refused to let his enemy live.
One of the dragons broke formation, banking toward the "Gate" opened by the otherworldly god. It was the portal leading directly to the Underworld.
The moment he saw it, Hercules screamed.
"I WON'T LET YOU PASS!"
He kicked off the air, surging upward in a burst of speed. He looped over the dragon's head and brought his massive fist down like a falling hammer, shattering the creature's skull instantly.
"Hah… hah… hah… If you want to go any further… you'll have to go through me!"
He glared at the surrounding swarm, though his shoulders were heaving.
It was inevitable. He was fighting with a total disregard for stamina, pouring so much raw power into every strike that his muscles were already screaming in protest. Moreover, this was his first time using this new Balance Breaker in live combat. He hadn't yet learned how to pace himself.
Jeanne, soaring past on her dragon of holy swords, called out as she cleaved through a group of enemies. "You talked a big game, and yet you're already winded? You're going to give the name of 'Hercules' a bad reputation."
Perseus, having just petrified another dragon, laughed alongside her. "Heh! Pathetic, Hercules! Is babysitting toddlers all day making you soft?"
"Shut up!" Hercules snapped. "Quit yapping and do your damn jobs, P-Man!"
"Stop calling me P-Man!"
Despite the banter, Hercules plunged back into the thick of the swarm.
There was no trickery here, no arrogance. He was simply a man giving everything he had to mow down the enemies in front of him. It wasn't a graceful display. It was a gritty, mud-caked struggle.
And yet, I couldn't look away. For some reason, the sight of Hercules now overlapped perfectly with him—with Issei Hyoudou, the man who had once lectured me on what it meant to be a Hero. His words drifted back to me now.
"To me, a Hero isn't something you call yourself. Even better—a Hero isn't something you become just because you want to. People call me a Hero, sure, but I've never once thought of myself as one."
"You think a Hero is someone who challenges transcendent beings? No, that's just the result. Those Heroes fought to protect someone; they fought to overcome a powerful enemy. I don't think they ever swung their swords for their own sake. The moment you want to be a Hero, you've already failed—even if you are a descendant of one."
I see…
Hercules, you've finally become a Hero in the truest sense. That fierce desire to protect the children at that kindergarten is what's driving your body and soul now.
You've truly changed. I wonder—could you stand toe-to-toe with Sairaorg Bael now? I think you could. I think he would finally recognize you as a worthy opponent for his Regulus-clad fists.
"Heh…"
I didn't even realize I was smiling.
"What is it, wielder of the Holy Spear?" Apophis asked. "Did you find something amusing?"
"Nothing much. I just felt a pang of frustration. I didn't expect Hercules to leave me in the dust like this."
That was all. It was such a simple realization, yet I found it incredibly funny.
Issei Hyoudou, Vali, Sairaorg Bael, and the other powerhouses… the people who piqued my curiosity and fueled my fighting spirit weren't just physically strong; their very souls were noble. I never expected to feel that same admiration for Hercules.
I suppose you never know what will happen in this world. 'Infinite possibilities,' indeed.
I parried a blast of darkness from Apophis and whispered, "Hercules. I've seen your resolve. Now, let me show you mine."
I spun the Holy Spear, concentrating a mass of sacred aura into its tip.
There were several things that needed to be done to end this war.
First: Defeat the otherworldly god who constructed this world.
Second: Defeat Trihexa, the beast that even the gods can't handle.
Third: Defeat Apophis and Azi Dahaka, the masterminds using Trihexa as a tool.
And finally: Stop the production of mass-produced dragons by reclaiming the Holy Grail.
Since Issei was handling the god, and Trihexa was a beast beyond simple defeat, the high-ranking officials likely had their own plan for the monster.
Defeating Azi Dahaka and Apophis was a monumental task, but not impossible. From what I'd seen, these two had attained power exceeding even the gods. Whether through the Grail or through sheer self-refinement like Crom Cruach, they were monsters.
However, the most logical first step with the lowest difficulty… was reclaiming the Grail. Fortunately, the people who knew how to stop it were close by.
So, the first thing I had to do was—
"O Spear! True Spear that pierces even the heavens! Absorb the ideals of the Hegemon dwelling within me, and carve a path through the space between blessing and destruction! Speak thy legacy and manifest as radiance!"
As I chanted the words of power, the halo of the Seven Treasures behind me flared with blinding light. The sacred aura enveloping the spear reached a terminal intensity. The Devils nearby hissed as the sheer sanctity of the spear scorched their skin, and they scrambled to put distance between us.
Taking aim, I unleashed it!
"Truth Idea!"
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