In Type-Moon, it all starts with adopting Sakura.

He had no intention of hiding at all.

On the battlefield, a warrior must bravely advance, and never retreat is the only correct choice. Even when faced with the demonic spear that meant certain death, that king still chose to fight with all his might. If he had retreated, Cú Chulainn would not have been able to forgive himself.

So, he chose to give it his all one last time.

Let's have a close encounter with the torrent of Lionheart.

Thinking of this, both Richard the Lionheart and Cú Chulainn smiled involuntarily.

It's obvious they all share the same idea.

There's no need to overthink it or consider the outcome; this is a battle where death is inevitable, a battle where mutual destruction is certain.

With guaranteed hits and area-of-effect attacks, their agility is rendered useless; neither can dodge the other's Noble Phantasm, nor do they have the energy to block it.

They had foreseen this outcome.

However, even though they knew they were going to die, they had few regrets.

This is probably because they have met a worthy opponent for whom they are willing to fight with everything they have.

Then there's nothing to regret.

Just thinking about their respective Masters made them feel a little guilty, since they had both made a promise to help them win the battle.

The fact that he had to leave the battlefield in the very first battle was something that heroes and kings found hard to admit.

However, that's how war is; no one can predict its course, and life is fleeting, like fireworks. As soldiers, they have accepted this fate.

I will have no regrets even if I die.

However, even if they are unlucky enough to survive this battle, there will still be only one thing they need to do, and that is...

To make the other person die a satisfying death at all costs!

This is the romance of these warriors and knights!

Fight to the death, until the very end.

The art of battle between knights and kings.

That's how things should have been, but...

Boom!!

Soon, a deafening roar suddenly erupted on the battlefield, as loud as a meteorite hitting the earth, raising a cloud of dust.

Even the asphalt, cement, and steel bars beneath their feet were shaken and flew everywhere at this moment.

"What on earth is that?!"

Above the overpass, Shirou stared wide-eyed at the scene below in disbelief.

Although the bridge in Fuyuki City had been demolished due to the hero's battle and would definitely need to be rebuilt, he, as the supervisor, was unable to utter a single word, and even his hands were trembling incessantly.

Faced with this unimaginable battle, common sense had long been shattered, and he was almost unable to utter a sound.

Shinji Matou, on the other hand, was even more exaggerated; he simply couldn't bear to watch any longer.

Upon witnessing this scene, he realized that the mystical world he had longed for was nothing more than a fairytale kingdom constructed from his barren imagination; what lay beneath was the true cruelty and horror of the mystical world.

They will be crushed without exception once they touch the edge of the vortex.

As they watched the final showdown below, the three men on the overpass were completely speechless. They held their breath, watching this war that was destined to end in death, and dared not utter a sound.

The two fighting to the death below were like warriors in an arena, risking everything for their beliefs. The scene was solemn and dignified; no sound was needed, only a silent gaze was enough—this was a sign of respect for the battle.

The three of them were fortunate enough to witness such a battle, which was a kind of...

Lucky.

That long-dormant heart also felt a surge of excitement.

Indeed, since ancient times, battle has been the most exciting thing to do.

However, just as they were silently watching, wanting to witness the final end of this hero and king.

What should have been a fight to the death was shattered by a black meteorite falling from the sky.

With a deafening roar, a dark figure stepped on light and rushed into the battlefield like a meteor, descending from the sky without warning and landing steadily in the center of the two.

The next moment, he suddenly raised his arms.

At this moment, to his left was a single-point annihilation Noble Phantasm powerful enough to pierce the heart, and to his right was a wide-area annihilation Noble Phantasm capable of completely melting the entire Fuyuki City Bridge.

"what?!"

The scene before them greatly shocked the two who were clashing.

After all, even an enemy who wants to reap the benefits wouldn't do something so foolish as to recklessly rush into the battlefield. Because if he gets stuck in the middle, there's only one fate for him: first, his heart will be pierced by the Death Thorn Spear, and then his body will be pulverized into nothingness by the Lionheart King's golden sword.

only……

Even sandwiched in the very center, the pitch-black giant, as solid as an iron tower, remained as steady as a mountain. With a bronze giant axe in his left hand and a pitch-black heavy sword in his right, he unleashed his strongest Noble Phantasm in the next instant.

"—Shoot down 100 (Nine Lives)."

In the next instant, Hercules slowly raised the giant axe in his left and right hands, as well as the greatsword, and drew conspicuous trajectories in the air at an extremely fast speed. Then, an earth-shattering aura suddenly burst out and slammed down to meet the two attacks coming from different directions.

The Starfall from the Radiant Sword had already washed over his giant axe, but he parried it steadily. Even at such close range, the bursting golden torrent continued to wash over his body, scorching every inch of his skin, but the massive figure did not retreat an inch.

On the other side, the Death Thorn Spear, which was clearly heading straight for the heart and was bound to pierce through everything, was forced to deviate from its trajectory due to the powerful interference of the greatsword. However, this still could not stop its determination to hit the target. Seeing this, Hercules did not hesitate at all and directly grabbed the shaft of the Death Thorn Spear with his other hand. Although the speed was too fast, the heat generated by the rotation was too great, and an extreme heat had begun to erupt in Hercules' palm.

Although it was invisible, Hercules' flesh must have been charred from the rapid spinning of the Death Thorn Spear and the intense heat. It's even possible that the outer layers of flesh were being peeled away layer by layer. No matter how you look at it, this was undoubtedly an unimaginable and horrific torture.

Even so, Hercules, like a giant supporting the sky, remained expressionless. His steps and his hands did not change or retreat. At this moment, he stood there, turning himself into an insurmountable barrier, using his body as a shield to withstand the light of the King's Sword, and using his palms as a cage for the Death Thorn Spear, completely ending this causal attack. He was the most invincible hero.

Cause and effect, speed, and glory will all be shattered before his invincible power. His very existence is the greatest miracle, and that is Hercules.

"Just kidding!"

Indeed, when Cú Chulainn saw Hercules's hand, which was already a bloody mess and smelled burnt, but was still tightly gripping the gun, his eyes widened in astonishment.

After all, this was the first time in his two lives that he had seen someone so resolute, actually using such a method to withstand the attack of the Death Thorn Spear and forcibly stop it.

Although the Death Thorn Spear is said to always hit the heart, a shot of cause and effect, nothing is absolute, and the Death Thorn Spear is not without the possibility of being blocked.

Although speed is not an option, there have been instances where special defensive artifacts or luck have been used to determine and dodge attacks.

but……

This was the first time he had ever seen someone use a greatsword to deflect the trajectory of the spear, then use their palm to create a cage, fearlessly forcing the Death Thorn Spear to a stop.

Undeterred by the threat of death, they used their own flesh and blood, their bodies, and their will to resist, regarding themselves as a prison, willing to pay the price to resist the demonic spear. What kind of resolve is this?

What kind of man is this?!

Cú Chulainn stared at the tall man with disbelief.

Meanwhile, Lionheart and the seven war gods behind him were also completely shocked by Hercules.

The sword of kingship and the glory of kings were all cleaved in two by this man's giant axe, and the torrent that erupted was completely blocked by his body without a single drop falling out, not even a fraction of it spreading out.

Not only was Cú Chulainn's demonic spear shattered, but his King's Sword was also completely destroyed. Even the seven phantom companions behind him were instantly shattered by Hercules' giant axe the moment they clashed with Shooting Hundred Heads. This caused the Lionheart King, who had lost the blessing of the seven war gods, to freeze in his tracks. Even the replica of the Sword of Victory in his hand was broken as expected.

In that instant, the entire battlefield fell into dead silence.

The demonic spear was forced to stop, and the king's sword was broken.

The torrent of magic also came to an end, and all the dazzling light vanished without a trace.

All the kings and heroes were stunned into immobility, while only one towering giant remained standing in the center of the battlefield.

When the smoke cleared, everyone finally saw the figure of the God of War, whose body was shrouded in white smoke and whose hands revealed white bones.

Lionheart and Cú Chulainn could hardly express the complex emotions they felt at that moment.

They intruded into their battle without permission and then single-handedly blocked their strongest attack, which they had fought with all their might and burning with fighting spirit. Logically, they should be furious. Their contest, which belonged to the path of kings and the name of heroes, was interrupted, and their fair and unregretful battle was destroyed.

but……

Looking at that tall figure, neither of them felt any such emotion.

Their eyes were filled with nothing but admiration, admiration for the strong.

Bystanders are often confused, while those involved see things clearly.

Only the two of them could understand the immense power that the two Noble Phantasms had combined. Runes, Death Thorn Spear, Sevenfold War God, King's Radiance—no one understood the terror of that attack better than them. Yet, the dark giant before them had used his raw strength, without resorting to any underhanded tactics, to meet their strongest attack squarely and squarely from the very center.

At this moment, the difference in quality becomes clear.

If any of them had dared to do what they just did, they would undoubtedly have been reduced to ashes, yet this one still stands tall.

The two had no more complaints about the strongest person in front of them.

Without a doubt, this should be the most powerful servant in this Holy Grail War, bar none.

However, even though they knew this fact, they still had some unresolved questions in their hearts.

They didn't understand what this servant was trying to do. If it was to win, he could have waited until they were both severely injured or wiped out before making his move. Why stop their fight, even at the cost of serious injury?

Yes, even the strongest hero Hercules could not withstand the strongest blows from Cú Chulainn, the Son of Light, and Richard the Lionheart without sustaining any damage.

Despite having an unparalleled physique and an indestructible lion skin, it is the same.

At this moment, Hercules was clearly in a very bad state.

Not only was his entire body scorched by the light of the King's Sword, but his hands were also peeled by the Death Thorn Spear, making them look like a gruesome, bloody mess. It was precisely because of this that Cú Chulainn and Richard I were even more unable to understand what he was trying to do? Why was he trying to stop them like this, even though he himself was severely injured?

"Stop it, everyone."

Faced with their doubts, Hercules, standing before them, didn't say much, but calmly stated his thoughts.

He then slowly released his grip, tossing the crimson magic spear back directly in front of Cú Chulainn.

clang!!

A flash of red light appeared, and Cu Chulainn glanced at the Death Thorn Spear that had been thrust back into front of him, his expression becoming even more complicated.

He frowned and asked Hercules, "Are you pitying me? Or are you looking down on me?"

As a Lancer, the gun is undoubtedly his most important weapon. Although he is not incapable of fighting without it, he will be greatly diminished. Hercules returning the gun to him is undoubtedly a form of contempt and humiliation for him.

However, when he looked at Hercules, there was no provocation or indifference in the other's eyes. He remained as firm and pure as ever, and stood there quietly without wavering.

This made Cú Chulainn realize that there was absolutely no intention to provoke him in the other party's words.

So he picked up his magic spear again, examined it briefly, and found that it was covered with cracks. Clearly, the greatsword attack and the terrifying force of Hercules's hand had damaged the spear in the process of stopping the Death Thorn Spear. The entire spear was now shattered.