The man stood over 2.5 meters tall, a towering figure with rippling muscles.
His physique transcended human limits, resembling a statue crafted by the gods themselves, his muscles and blood brimming with pure magical energy akin to divine aura.
His mere presence dominated the atmosphere, and his actions, even in mere seconds, exuded an awe-inspiring majesty.
Upon seeing this man, both Scathach and Lancer Artoria instinctively heightened their guard.
This man was terrifyingly powerful.
His legends were far too numerous to count.
Among the demigod heroes of Greek mythology, he was undoubtedly the undisputed number one.
He could even be called a legendary hero of mythic proportions.
Moreover, he was the only hero in Greek mythology to cross the boundary between man and god, ascending from demigod to deity.
The mighty Heracles.
And the Heracles standing before Morpheus wasn't a mindless Berserker but one who retained his full rationality, making him an even more formidable opponent.
"Good evening."
Perhaps bolstered by Heracles as her protector, Illya faced Morpheus and his group of uninvited guests without a hint of fear, gracefully lifting the hem of her skirt in a polite curtsy.
Though petite and adorable, she carried herself with utmost elegance.
"May I ask what brings you to our Einzbern castle in the dead of night?"
Morpheus replied, "To end this Holy Grail War."
Illya's eyes lit up with understanding, pressing a finger to her chin. "Oh, I see. So, you wants to kill us?"
Morpheus shook his head. "I only kill Servants, not girls—especially not someone like you."
Illya let out a soft giggle. "So, you has a kind heart. Unfortunately, Illya's different. Illya wants to take down anyone who stands in my way."
If one hadn't witnessed it, it would be hard to imagine such a sweet-smiling girl uttering such ruthless words.
The Einzbern family—you really are something else.
Morpheus sighed and snapped his fingers once more.
Domain Expansion: Mythic Arena!
Similar to the Radiant Arena, the Mythic Arena Morpheus conjured was much the same in essence.
The only difference was the addition of towering mythic statues, lending the arena an even greater sense of sanctity and grandeur.
Heracles's heart stirred, and he stepped forward, shielding Illya and the others behind him.
Lancer Artoria strode forward to face him, standing in opposition to Heracles.
Morpheus was curious about this Holy Grail War.
He had summoned a Lancer, Kirei Kotomine's Servant Cú Chulainn was a Caster.
Sakura Matou's summoned Servant was a Berserker.
Ishtar, possessing Rin Tohsaka, was likely an Archer.
So, what class had Heracles been summoned as?
Saber or Rider—surely not Assassin.
No matter how you looked at it, Heracles didn't seem suited to the Assassin class.
…Or perhaps it wasn't entirely impossible.
According to Fate/Grand Order, while Heracles had gone mad multiple times in myth, he was originally an exceptional warrior proficient in all weapons. He possessed the qualifications for all six classes except Caster.
In other words, it wasn't impossible for this Heracles to have been summoned as an Assassin.
And with Heracles's physique and combat style, he could perfectly fulfill the role of an Assassin.
Eliminating all targets and witnesses—wouldn't that be the perfect assassination?
Hassan of the Cursed Arm would approve.
After all, he operated in much the same way, yet it didn't stop him from being a Grand Assassin.
Heracles didn't underestimate Artoria just because she was a woman. He could sense the powerful aura emanating from her.
It was the aura of a seasoned warrior, forged through countless battles and blood-soaked battlefields.
Without a doubt, she was a formidable opponent.
Looking at the spear-wielding woman before him, Heracles couldn't help but recall the golden apples from his Twelve Labors.
Long ago, when Zeus married Hera, all the gods presented them with gifts.
The earth goddess Gaia was no exception, bringing a lush tree from the western coast, laden with golden apples.
The four daughters of the Night Goddess, known as the Hesperides, were tasked with guarding the sacred garden where this tree was planted.
Aiding them in their watch was Ladon.
Born of Typhon, the father of monsters, and Echidna, the daughter of the earth, Ladon was a hundred-headed dragon that never slept.
Its movements were accompanied by deafening roars.
Its hundred mouths produced a hundred different sounds.
Per Eurystheus's command, Heracles was tasked with retrieving the golden apples of the Hesperides from this dragon.
Heracles had once seen the hundred-headed dragon Ladon from afar.
Realizing he couldn't defeat the beast, he followed Prometheus's advice, agreeing to bear the world in Atlas's stead while Atlas retrieved the apples.
Atlas passed the burden of the sky to Heracles and headed to the sacred garden.
Even Atlas, however, was unwilling to face the hundred-headed dragon head-on and devised a plan.
He plucked several vibrant stars from the sky and tossed them into the air, where they collided, producing enchanting music. The dragon's hundred heads grew weary, one by one closing their eyes in slumber.
Seizing the moment, Atlas slew the sleeping dragon with a single strike.
He then tricked the nymphs, secured the golden apples, and returned triumphantly to Heracles.
But by then, Atlas had grown tired of bearing the world and sought to pass the task to Heracles permanently.
Heracles, however, had a plan of his own. He claimed he needed a cushion for his head, as the weight was splitting his skull.
Atlas agreed and resumed bearing the world.
Seizing the opportunity, Heracles fled with the golden apples.
But that wasn't the point.
The point was that when Heracles saw Lancer Artoria, he couldn't help but think of the hundred-headed dragon Ladon.
The girl might not possess Ladon's terrifying presence.
But there was no doubt she carried the blood of a dragon.
Thus, even Heracles dared not underestimate her, treating her as an unprecedentedly powerful foe.
He decisively summoned his weapon, closing the distance to Artoria in an instant, as if shrinking the ground itself. Brandishing his axe-sword, he swung it down toward her head.
Artoria, wielding her sacred spear, precisely struck Heracles's axe-sword.
A grand battle commenced.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
If you want to read up to 50 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (removespace)