Chapter 355: I Should Go
"Hmph, what a foolishness. If it weren't for protecting that homunculus, maybe you could've actually defeated me."
A golden-haired man had his lips curled with a hint of amusement, his crimson eyes resembling ancient serpents, hinting at unspeakable cruelty and ruthlessness.
He was none other than the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh.
Hearing Gilgamesh's mock, Heracles lowered his head, observing his body pierced by countless Noble Phantasms. Even with this immortal body, it struggled against such intense attacks. Perhaps, as Gilgamesh said, the treasury containing endless legendary treasures was indeed his nemesis.
The resurrection chance of his 'God Hand' was all used. Now, he had no chance of resurrection. The next time would be the moment that truly decided his fate.
But even so, he couldn't retreat and must stand firm for the white-haired girl as pure as snow who remained behind him. He couldn't let this golden man get close to her no matter what.
"Your defeat was already set in stone. How about it? Since death is inevitable, why not let go of that burden? Without her, you might stand a chance against me." Gilgamesh teased as if enjoying a ridiculous drama.
Heracles silently moved forward, his actions expressing his stance.
"Hou? Is that your choice? Then you and your homunculus... shall die together!"
*Rattle—*
Golden ripples spread in the air as an array of chains darted out, resembling the most skilled hunter, heading toward Heracles with a whistle.
Combat intuition honed through countless deaths kicked in as Heracles leaped without hesitation, trying to evade the encirclement of chains. However, these chains seemed to possess a life of their own, changing direction instantly, securely binding his body in mid-air.
Surprisingly, the seemingly fragile chains carried an inexplicable power, resisting all his struggles.
"Berserker, come back!"
The white-haired girl, Illyasviel von Einzbern, gritted her teeth, crimson patterns appearing all over her body. She endured the pain to activate her command spells, yet this time, the 'miracle' failed.
"No chance, homunculus. Enkidu is a Noble Phantasm specifically designed for countering divinity. The stronger the divinity, the stronger the restraint. How could I allow this mongrel to escape?" Gilgamesh sneered, openly mocking the girl's audacity.
"How... could this... happen..." Illyasviel slumped on the ground, despair written all over her face. "Berserker..."
"Tch, so boring... If you had abandoned that homunculus from the start, maybe there would've been a chance of winning. In the end, you're just a barbaric mongrel, only knowing how to bite. I even had high expectations for you, being a demigod like myself, but I didn't expect you to be this foolish..."
Gilgamesh strolled forward as if enjoying the spectacle of a caged beast. Carelessly, he retrieved a longsword from the Gate of Babylon, similar to the Noble Phantasms that had taken Heracles's life before, a true divine weapon.
"This is the end, Greek hero..."
Gilgamesh's crimson vertical pupils revealed a cruel smile as he raised his sword high, ready to deliver the final judgment.
However, suddenly, a crimson light shimmered, and the chains that bounded Heracles instantly shattered with a crisp sound.
Rising up with a ferocious and terrifying expression, resembling a beast ready to devour its prey, Heracles swung his sandbag-size fist directly toward Gilgamesh in front of him.
In haste, Gilgamesh couldn't even open the Gate of Babylon, only managing to hastily use the sword in his hand to block in front of him. However, against the powerful punch of Heracles, a mere famous and divine sword couldn't do much.
Almost upon contact, the sword shattered, followed by a direct punch of immense force upon Gilgamesh's chest.
*BOOOM!*
Like a cannonball out of its bore, Gilgamesh flew backward at lightning speed and crashed to the ground.
Blood, mixed with fragments of internal organs, spurted out from his mouth. He struggled, but even the simple act of standing up seemed impossible as his vitality dwindled weakly like a candle in the wind.
This was the strongest blow ever delivered by the legendary Greek hero, Heracles. Even in his prime, he might not have been able to unleash such power. Yet, at this moment, this power directly became the crucial turning point of this battle.
The Saint Graph of Gilgamesh was shattered. Though a demigod, his flesh was not much stronger than that of a normal Servant. Taking this blow with his own flesh and blood, he had completely lost the ability to continue the fight.
Gilgamesh's eyes stared fixedly at Heracles. He couldn't fathom how this man had managed to break free from Enkidu.
It was simply impossible in his understanding!
However, when he saw the blood trickling down Heracles's lips, he finally understood the answer to this question.
"Battle Continuation, huh..." Gilgamesh's eyes flashed with a hint of complexity. "I see... weakening your own Saint Graph intensity by shattering your own heart, thus reducing your divinity, then breaking free from Enkidu, and finally gaining the effect of Battle Continuation, ensuring you won't die immediately... Heh, what a resolute hero, this madness and decisiveness are indeed worthy of my admiration."
"This time, you've won, Heracles...."
Gilgamesh lowered his head, his body instantly disintegrating into countless light particles, dissipating into the air in the blink of an eye.
"Awesome! Berserker, you're really the strongest!" Illyasviel approached cheerfully, her youthful face flushed with excitement and happiness.
Heracles slowly crouched down, gently stroking her head.
'I promised, this time, I'll definitely protect you...'
===
The reddish-orange sun descended in the western sky, casting its last rays of golden light upon everything, painting the distant clouds with fiery hues, reflecting on the branches of the giant trees like clusters of burning flames.
"Time flies, huh? It's almost dusk already..." Nidhogg stretched lazily, showcasing her well-developed body. "It's about time to head back."
"Ehhh..."
"B-But... We want to play a little longer..."
A little boy and a little girl grumbled one after another.
"Be good, okay. Listen, we will take you out to play more often in the future." Morgan gently stroked the two children's heads, speaking softly.
"Really?! Daddy, will you really take us out to play again?!" The little girl asked in haste.
The two children widened their eyes, gazing hopefully at Arkhan. Even the most hardened heart couldn't bear to refuse such hopeful gazes.
Arkhan looked up at the towering tree before him, silent for a moment. A faintly complex smile appeared on his face as he gently caressed the two children's heads.
"Sorry, maybe... there won't be a next time... it's getting late, so I should go too..."
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