Does this version of Heracles seem different from the one that appeared before?
That's exactly right.
The results of a Heroic Spirit summoning are never static.
In addition to being influenced by their class and the skill level of the Master, the summoned Servant's abilities also vary depending on the region.
In areas where they are highly renowned, their abilities are amplified. Conversely, in regions where they are less known, their abilities are weakened. Especially in their homeland, where they lived during their lifetime, strange and wondrous phenomena can occur.
The most classic example is Vlad III. In his homeland, he could stand toe-to-toe with Karna, but when he entered Semiramis' territory, where his fame dropped to zero, he was utterly powerless.
Fame in these cases is a form of belief, related to the power of the soul, which falls under the realm of the Third Magic.
Shinji had gathered not only the local faith but also the faith that had spread over time, and even the distorted beliefs from modern adaptations of legends, maximizing the power of his Servants.
The Heracles summoned now not only possessed the symbol of immortality, the Twelve Labors, but also the corresponding Twelve Glories.
Despite being summoned as a Berserker, he had not lost his sanity.
This was Heracles at his peak, an even more powerful form than when he was summoned in his homeland—a perfect, dreamlike state!
And it wasn't just Heracles. All five Servants summoned were in such a state.
Achilles was clad in the golden armor crafted by Hephaestus, which was an additional reward only available through a homeland summoning. His spear was also cursed with "wounds that never heal"—a privilege exclusive to the Lancer class, even though he was currently summoned as a Rider.
Saber Siegfried, in addition to his trademark Balmung and Armor of Fafnir, had gained the Invisibility Cloak of the Assassin class. When draped over him, even the undead, who were highly sensitive to the living, could not detect him—he had once used this cloak to trick the Queen of Iceland, Brynhildr (not Sigurd's wife, but the eldest of the Valkyrie sisters).
Lancer Karna was the most enhanced among the five. He had gained the war chariot he had once ridden across the battlefield, his indestructible bow was perfectly recreated, and, most importantly, his spear was now usable multiple times. Furthermore, his golden armor was now independent of his spear, meaning he no longer had to choose between attack and defense, and his spear no longer had the restriction of single-use.
Ironically, Archer Gilgamesh received the least enhancement.
The absurd faiths that had been added to him included the origin of human wisdom, the prototype of all Noble Phantasms, and as long as humanity continues to advance, the treasury will automatically expand (unlimited items). He also had the Omniscient and Omnipotent Star from the goddess Ninsun (a cheat sheet for strategies) and the Tablet of Destiny, a symbol of kingship (luck boost). What more could be enhanced?
At most, his stats were boosted, and he regained the legend of being Babylon's greatest wrestler and strongest warrior.
Even so, this still fell short of the unparalleled prowess these great heroes had in their prime, but it was far more than what the long-dead undead could muster.
Without Shinji needing to intervene, the dead around the city walls were cleared out within minutes, and the six-man team began advancing along the path.
As time passed, they advanced deeper and deeper, and the number of dead they had destroyed exceeded five figures. Yet, the tide of undead surrounding them only grew stronger, showing no signs of weakening.
There was no end to them. Scathach had slain many in her lifetime, and the Land of Shadows had accumulated countless souls over the millennia of the Age of Gods. Even with five top-tier Servants, wiping them all out was no easy feat.
"Tch, this is endless," Achilles muttered impatiently, frustrated by the unceasing waves of undead.
"Everyone, gather around! I'll summon my chariot, and we'll charge through in one go!"
"How boring. You expect me, the King, to endure a bumpy ride?" Gilgamesh sneered in disgust.
"And I suppose you, the golden king, have a better plan?"
Achilles shot back irritably. He couldn't stand anyone acting high and mighty in front of him.
"Don't try to measure my wisdom with your simple mind."
"What did you say?!"
Achilles was about to lose his temper, but Karna calmly placed a hand on his shoulder, signaling him to stand down.
"You're going to use the Vimana, right? That's the best tool to break through this situation."
"See? A functioning brain is a wonderful thing."
While continuing to mock, Gilgamesh opened the Gate of Babylon and summoned the golden Vimana.
"Get on board. There's no need to tangle with these mongrels. They are merely the defeated under the queen's spear."
Without hesitation, Shinji was the first to jump aboard the flying vessel. Karna, Siegfried, and Heracles followed suit. Achilles pouted but refrained from continuing the argument. His experience in the Holy Grail War had taught him to pick his battles.
Soon, the Vimana took off, soaring into the sky.
The undead pursued them relentlessly. Most of them, being spirit forms, were weightless, and flight was a basic skill.
Fortunately, Karna and Heracles were prepared. Each took up a bow and began firing arrows, one guarding each side.
Siegfried and Achilles handled the front and rear of the ship.
After only a short while of flying, Shinji, who had not yet taken action, spoke up.
"I think this spot should be about right. King of Heroes, how about setting off some grand fireworks to celebrate our arrival?"
"A clown will always be a clown. Your talent for stirring up excitement is terrifying. Very well, as you wish."
With an amused smile, Gilgamesh placed both hands on the control panel and performed an unprecedented maneuver.
The Vimana, the earliest flying vessel from ancient India and the prototype of all aircraft, was not just a vehicle—it was a weapon of aerial warfare. Not only was it equipped with various Noble Phantasm systems, but it also housed a secret weapon, infamous as an ancient nuclear warhead.
Though less powerful than his sword Ea, the destructive radius far surpassed it, making it the top treasure in the King's treasury. Gilgamesh had once boasted that he could turn an entire city to ash with it, though he had never actually used it. The claim alone was enough to demonstrate the weapon's might.
Now, this secret weapon was about to be unleashed.
Under Gilgamesh's control, a hatch opened at the bottom of the Vimana, and an unassuming sphere was quietly dropped.
None of the undead paid it any attention. By the time it hit the ground and began releasing energy, it was already too late.
First came a blinding flash that could sear the eyes, followed by a deafening roar. The terrifying magical power, a hundred times more intense than lightning striking from the heavens, surged upward, engulfing everything in its path.
Although they had distanced themselves far enough and had prepared defensive Noble Phantasms in advance, everyone aboard the Vimana still felt the violent tremors. Even Achilles had no time to argue with Gilgamesh—everyone's attention was drawn to the mushroom cloud rising below.
The ancient nuclear warhead's reputation was well-deserved!