What Holy Grail War? Let's Play Cards! (Fate/Yugioh)

King Hassan showed no reaction. After all, Fanatic hadn't inherited the title of "Hassan Sabbah," so he had no particular expectations of her. Instead, his gaze shifted to the other Hassans, whose martial skills had largely been replicated by the cultists—some even surpassing the originals. [ They should be ashamed! ]

"Fanatic's effect: Detach one Xyz Material to destroy one servant on the field!"

Serenity's [ Proof of Existence ] only granted resistance to battle destruction, and she couldn't withstand this attack.

Fanatic quickly regained her composure. This time, the force of her [ Delusional Heartbeat ] assault exceeded all previous attempts. Her claw nearly tore Serenity's body apart. It seemed she was desperate to impress King Hassan, though he likely couldn't care less about such displays.

Now, only one face-down card remained on the silent field.

"I don't know what that face-down card is, but destroying it can't hurt. I activate the Continuous Spell Card [ Tomes of the Hundred ]. Once per turn, by tributing a [ Hassan Sabbah ] monster on my field, I can either destroy a card on the field or draw one card. I tribute [ Fanatic ] to destroy that face-down card."

The card failed to activate; [ Fanatic ] struck the face-down card and sent it straight to the Graveyard.

Jiang You glanced at the card that had been sent to the Graveyard: [ Stealth Change ]. When in the Graveyard, it had an effect similar to [ Kite Machine ], allowing it to negate one attack. Currently, Jiang You had three cards on the field with a total Attack Power of 4000, including the 500 Attack Power [ Morning Glory ]. He just needed to summon two more servants with 2000 Attack Power or higher.

2000 Attack Power was a bit tricky for Hassan, but Jiang You wasn't limited to a Hassan-only deck.

"I activate the Field Spell Card [ Castle of Snow ]! Its effect adds [ Leysritt ] from my deck to my hand!"

A snow-covered castle rose behind the Golden Theater, and the biting wind made Gudako shiver.

Da Vinci glanced at the Field Spell Card's effect, noting its striking similarity to a Reality Marble. Both forcibly carved out a miniature world governed by one's own rules, except this one was explicitly codified in text. This Caster's card had achieved something truly remarkable.

"The effect of [Illya] in my hand activates! When [Castle of Snow] is on the field, she can be Special Summoned!"

[Illya] Attack Power: 1500 → 2000

"...!"

Illya, still groggy from sleep, suddenly jolted awake. Her eyes first fell upon Serenity and Cursed Arm, the two Heroic Spirits she recognized from Jiang You's deck.

"Assassin's turned enemy? Jiang You?"

Since she was within Jiang You's Noble Phantasm, her own Servant must be nearby. Illya quickly turned around and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a familiar face.

"Who summoned you this time? Our contract hasn't been broken."

Illya sensed her contract with Jiang You; the connection remained intact.

In truth, Jiang You's contract with Kiritsugu hadn't been severed either, a fact he discovered upon returning "home for a visit." He was now in a self-regulating contract state, where the Master of whichever Script he was in would supply him with magic. Since Jiang You wasn't bound by Command Spells anyway, it made no difference to him.

"But..." Mash had clearly heard Jiang You say he was going to form a contract with Senpai.

"I was summoned to this world," Jiang You replied, deftly weaving a half-truth to cover his tracks. He hurried to explain before Mash could voice her doubts: "There's a calamity here that threatens to destroy all of human history. All Heroic Spirits have been forcibly conscripted."

"Don't use the word 'conscripted'!" Tawara Tōta protested. "It sounds so demeaning. We're heroes, after all! Eradicating disasters is our duty. We responded willingly to the summons."

"Whatever. That's the gist of it. Illya, just like before, I need you."

"Is that so..."

Illya couldn't shake the feeling that Jiang You was hiding something from her, but he had lost to her in the Shadow Game, leaving him no room to lie.

"If that's the case, remember to summon me. You promised you wouldn't leave my side."

"I will," Jiang You replied.

He hadn't intended to avoid Illya. With only two viable Decks, she would inevitably learn about the situation. Besides, being summoned as a Duel Spirit wouldn't put her in any real danger.

When the time came, Jiang You planned to use his need for a Master's Magic Supply as justification for signing a contract with Gudako. All he'd have to say was:

"Illya, you wouldn't want me to disappear from lack of magical power, would you?"

That should settle things.

"Alright, let's continue the Duel! I activate Leysritt from my hand, send her to the Graveyard, and Special Summon Dress of Heaven from my Deck!"

[ Dress of Heaven ]: Attack Power 1500.

"2 + 4 = 6! I Synchro Summon Illya and Dress of Heaven, Special Summoning Ilya (Dress of Heaven)!"

Ilya (Dress of Heaven)

Attack Power: 2500 → 3000

"The effect of Ilya's Dress of Heaven form allows me to Special Summon a Four-Star or lower Servant from the Graveyard to my field! I choose Hassan of the Shining Star!"

This time, the meteor representing the Shining Star fell onto Jiang You's field.

Hassan of the Shining Star

Attack Power: 1600

"Hundred-Faced Hassan is here too?"

The Shining Star glanced at Hundred-Faced Hassan beside him, thinking, "As expected of the founder's ritual—so many Hassans have gathered here." However, when he saw the opposing Master, self-doubt crept in. "This looks like an internal Hassan conflict..."

The Shining Star stole a furtive glance at King Hassan. Seeing no reaction from the founder, he swallowed his question.

"Miss Ritsuka Fujimaru, prepare yourself. This will sting a bit. Entering Battle Phase!" Jiang You warned Gudako, reminding her that activating the Shining Star's effect would cost a substantial amount of Life Points.

"Don't worry about me!" Gudako nodded firmly. She was no delicate flower. "Just do it!"

"Shining Star's direct attack! I activate his effect, paying 2000 Life Points to increase his Attack Power by 2000!"

Jiang You & Ritsuka Fujimaru's Life Points: 7200 → 5200

Shining Star's Attack Power: 1600 → 3600

"Proof of Existence in the Graveyard negates all battle damage!"

The massive 3600-point attack was blocked. Shining Star's attack failed once again, and he was sent back to the Graveyard, exhausted from his reckless exertion.

"No more tricks up your sleeve, huh? Then it's Morning Glory, Hundred Faces, Da Vinci, and Ilya (Dress of Heaven)'s attacks! A total of 7000 battle damage—this ritual is ours!"

The four Servants' attacks landed simultaneously on Hassan of Serenity and Cursed Arm Hassan, instantly draining their remaining Life Points.

Hassan of Serenity & Cursed Arm Hassan's Life Points: 6000 → 0!