Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

Unlike usual, the man did not respond to the captain's outstretched hand this time.

"Where exactly did I go wrong?"

Despite many minor setbacks, Jason felt he had reacted appropriately at that moment.

Contrary to his expectations, he recalled the avenger's seemingly unmoved attitude and couldn't help but feel annoyed.

However, the captain's eyes were drawn to the Avenger whose face was covered, staring into the darkness, captivated by this side of the hero he knew nothing about.

He suddenly became curious: what was different about Hercules, the one he relied on and trusted the most, before he arrived at the Argo?

Is there any fundamental difference between the world he sees and the one he remembers?

"Hercules, when I first heard this news, I just couldn't understand it no matter what I did..."

Filled with bewilderment, Jason removed the 'cloth' from the Avenger's face, gazing at the familiar-looking features, and murmured to himself...

"But seeing you like this now, I realize that you have really been working very hard."

At that moment, for the two of them, this place was the distant end of the sea.

The nostalgic feel of the ship, the gentle breeze brushing past my ears, the playful leaps of many friends.

Now it's all gone. The distant memories of the past are not taken away, but rather experienced.

"I want to tell you, who, though forced to accept this hatred, is still willing to seek revenge—"

Jason smiled.

"Haven't they persevered until now? They've been working little by little, but they've truly been striving for themselves. That's definitely Hercules!"

"...Perhaps."

The Avenger shook his head and replied with utmost seriousness, "Goodbye, my friend."

He turned around and walked towards the Heavenly Queen at the top of the mountain.

He didn't turn around, he just kept walking, his steps unsteady but his back straight.

"You did nothing wrong."

"So please don't hate the world."

"Please don't hate your own bloodline."

"You're very strong, so you can definitely do it."

"—But I can't do it."

He just kept walking forward, moving forward with mechanical steps, his mind constantly repeating the words of his beloved when she chose to die.

The Avenger looked at his hands.

A body filled with hatred, fear, and slander, and consumed by a thirst for revenge.

"Megara, I love you."

Each time he cried out, blood would fall into his mouth, and even his breath tasted fishy, ​​a taste of pain shattered by the instigator.

The man's mind was filled with memories of the past—

Long ago, so long ago that this body can no longer recall, it was a distant past, a time of warm and loving days spent with my loved ones and children.

But everything was manipulated by that steel remnant, leading to the destruction of their family and the death of their loved ones.

"...As expected, you were the last one to stop me."

Before the final gate, a radiant figure suddenly appeared before Alcides.

Yes, me.

It was a body completely different from the Avengers', its form surpassing the limits of human appearance, its appearance resembling a statue sculpted by God.

He was over two and a half meters tall, with hair almost touching the ceiling. Although he was a burly man with prominent muscles, every muscle fiber and every drop of blood flowing in his veins was filled with pure internal magic that could be called divine.

Before the Avenger Alcides was forcibly twisted, his true form upon being born belonged to the noble and great hero of the Archer class, Hercules.

"You are an avenger. Because you are an avenger, you are completely certain of yourself, constantly killing, and you have no doubts about yourself as you move forward with your long-cherished wish. You identify with yourself and accept yourself."

But I am different. I cannot believe, like you, that it is right to target children. I cannot, like you as an avenger, focus solely on revenge. Even if someone is saved because of my battle and stands before me ecstatic, I cannot help but look at the corpses of the victims who have fallen around me.

But that's all I can do; I've chosen this path and will move forward.

Even so, I absolutely do not approve of the path you have taken; I do not believe it is the right one.

“You saved me when I was fighting the King of Heroes, and I have repaid you by not killing that child.”

"Ok, I know."

As soon as the words were spoken, the two immediately engaged in battle.

Even when entangled by hundreds or thousands of 'mud hands', even when everything except the Avengers is tainted with black and red magic.

However, to Hercules, he was like a human form of radiance that still existed in this world.

The 'muddy hands' that come at you can be torn apart with just your bare hands.

A quiet rage filled the space, and the vengeful hero reached out to the glorious hero.

The dark red mud transformed into hundreds of sharp thorns, poised to pierce through Hercules with menacing force.

Scrutiny, tearing, tearing—an overwhelming torrent of magic is stirring within—

Nevertheless, it did not cause any significant harm to the noble hero.

Then, the moment the Avengers soared into the sky, a mighty voice echoed across the heavens and resounded throughout the world.

"I am Hera."

The world seemed to stand still, and Olympus returned to its original state of peace and glory.

In an instant, the fury of revenge swept away all obstacles.

This caused the Avenger's eyes to turn crimson instantly, and pure power was unleashed with a swing of his hands.

"My flesh and blood, my soul, are but the shadow of a fool who has fallen to the status of a god! You gods who wish to deny, trample, and slander, you steel remains, I hereby return to this wretched life—"

With that declaration of hatred, the Avenger drew his bow and aimed it at the solemn domain where the gods resided.

"Today, I will exact my revenge!"

This is an unstoppable determination, a burning light of the soul that even the gods cannot stop.

At that moment, Alcádez revealed a genuine smile.

Hercules reached out and gripped the blow above his head tightly, but how could he so easily grasp a strike that combined all the power of the Avengers' revenge?

"Even now, they're still making a futile struggle..."

The Avengers couldn't help but want to laugh, but felt a little confused.

That's why Hera didn't take any defensive measures.

Then, brilliant flashes of lightning fell from the dissipating clouds, followed by a final roar of thunder.

But at the same time, Alcides' smile froze as he watched the woman fall from the sky.

"...How could you do this? You two don't have to go this far. After all, the children of Europe are my descendants, born on the land of Europe. Good children, everyone is clearly a good child."

"Europa!!!" Alcides demanded angrily, "Where is Hera?!"

The blonde woman was not Hera, the goddess of the gods, as the Avengers perceived her, but rather the Mother of Europe.

"Because I am Lady Hera now. Before I came here, I secretly took Lady Hera's core and installed it on myself. To you, everyone is steel, not a god or a human. So, as long as this core is destroyed, anyone can do it, right?"

The blonde woman who fell from the sky reached out with difficulty, trying to touch the avenger's face, and gently told him:

"Ah, but I actually know that Lady Hera kept saying the other day, 'Go apologize, go apologize to that person,' and she was referring to you, Alcides. Therefore, I can't let my lovely little Alcides have an irreparable battle with my lovely Lady Hera."

Think about it, the children born on the land named after me, I, as their 'mother', failed to take good care of them. I also bear a considerable responsibility for that.

"Then, I will take Hera's place. Even if the gods and the world will never respond to your relentless pursuit of revenge, I will. I'm so sorry for making you endure so many painful memories..."

Europa's arm had already been burned to ashes by the blow of his vengeful fury.

An uncontrollable breakdown spread from her innermost part. After exhausting all her efforts, she finally came to the 'child', but she could no longer even make the most basic touch.

But unexpectedly, the Avenger took her hand and pulled off the 'cloth' covering his face.

He was just a little confused, unsure of what to do next.

"You've always been a good child, haven't you? Come here, good child, good child. Good children deserve a pat on the head, don't they? My child..."

She closed her eyes.

"—You've already completed your revenge, haven't you?"

In that instant, Europa vanished without a trace.

The Avenger stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the last rays of light in his hand. His thin, pale face held a mixture of mockery and sorrow, as if he couldn't believe it.

In a daze, Alcides seemed to see Novia again, whom he had only met once before.

From the surging illusory light, the man reappeared.

“Then, Avenger, as the one who once obtained your power, I have a duty to help you.”

He left behind a voice full of love, and many stars streaked across his back.

Suddenly, a shooting star flashed by, dazzling the Avenger. In that instant, he knew that it was indeed the 'shooting star' Hercules had once been.

“You are guilty, but not incomprehensibly guilty. There is no egg that refuses to hatch, nor a flower that does not want to bloom. This is not a matter of will.”

It's as if to say that whether in endless curses or in a sacred world, 'Hercules' is still 'Hercules'.

The Avenger's mind was filled with endless thoughts, a sense of despondency that seemed to vanish like scattered grains of sand.

Everything —

It all felt ethereal and unreal.

"So, Rome, Hercules, you now belong to good, not evil; you have no desire to fall. Therefore, go forth."

After a few seconds, Alcides stood up and said to Hercules:

"...This is the last one."

The remaining blood fell onto Alcides' face, illuminating his dim eyes.

"It's clearly the same person, yet at this moment, he has split into two concepts: Greek and Roman... This is truly a peculiar feeling."

Hercules then solemnly declared:

"But then come on, Rome, your enemy is Greece."

The collision between the two, who were essentially one inside the other, happened in an instant, without any loud noise, only a faint sound like a bubble bursting.

The forces and countless concepts of both sides are in a state of equal confrontation, almost like fighting against one's own shadow, which naturally leads to a stalemate.

And in the end, after who knows how much time has passed, what is finally etched on this reappearing sacred mountain are the exterior and the interior that have vanished together.

190: The Holy Spirit in *City of God* (4k)

Two full days have passed since the news broke that Novia had appeared in the Holy Grail War.

Its mere existence sent shockwaves through the entire church.

Its mere appearance was enough to make everyone who knew magic feel its majestic power.

The one who achieves unparalleled feats on earth after the end of the Age of Gods.

At this time, the area outside Snowfield City was filled with people from the Holy Church.

Given the church's tough stance, the Clock Tower and the United States could not easily intervene, and could only send in some spies at most.

However, just as the American side, which was originally planning the Holy Grail War in the snowfield, had detected, the city that was now in front of the visitors was deserted.

In this situation, the voice of a blond boy muttering to himself echoed in the makeshift room of the church.

"...That's truly a terrifying ability, but it's understandable, considering it's Lord Novia."

Mario Jallo Bestino, acting priest of the Church, is officially the grandson and adopted son of Cardinal Lord Laurentis.

As he confirmed the contents of the report submitted by his subordinates, "Although no one can be seen, there is a manifestation of magic and normal technological communication is possible," he frowned and muttered to himself.