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

Jiang You didn't immediately activate Fate's Draw, as the necessary Spell Card was already in his opening hand. While he longed to unleash King Hassan's power, his deck lacked both the summoning cards and sufficient Hassan cards in his hand. Furthermore, Sesshouin couldn't be summoned with only two servants on the opponent's field.

"First, I activate Unfulfilled Promise. I send a card from my hand to the Graveyard and add a Castle of Snow from my Deck to my hand."

It was unusual for Kiritsugu Emiya, who typically appeared alongside Unfulfilled Promise, not to show up. Jiang You figured their bond had probably weakened since they hadn't seen each other in a while. The Kiritsugu from the Fourth Holy Grail War was now wandering the world like the one from Prisma Illya, while the probability of drawing Illya had significantly increased.

The card sent to the Graveyard this time was Stealth Change, equivalent to half a Kiteroid, so it wasn't a complete loss.

"I activate the effect of Castle of Snow! I add a Leysritt from my Deck to my hand!"

Although Sella would generate more card advantage, summoning her would have used his Normal Summon, so Jiang You chose Leysritt instead.

"Leysritt's effect: By sending her from my hand to the Graveyard, I Special Summon a Dress of Heaven from my Deck!"

Just as Leysritt entered the Graveyard, Tristan flipped over a Set Card from his back row.

"I don't know what you're trying to summon, but it must be something troublesome."

Tristan's intuition proved correct. The Dress of Heaven allowed him to bypass the Einzbern's servants and repeatedly jump between the Graveyard and the field, a feat akin to a single garment spanning three generations—the wearer gone, but the robe remaining.

"I activate the Counter Trap Card, Advice to the King of Knights! This card can only be activated when an opponent's Servant activates an effect, and it negates that effect! O King, you understand nothing of human hearts!"

"Impressive, a noble Quick-Play Trap! But isn't your King supposed to be an expert at manipulating human hearts?"

Jiang You's impression of Lancer Artoria came from her third Ascension artwork and fanfiction, a playful jab at the memes. In reality, the Lancer Artoria of the Sixth Singularity was clad head-to-toe in full plate armor, leaving not a single inch exposed. The very "human heart" Jiang You sought to tease was entirely absent.

"It saddens me to say this, and the timing is inappropriate, but the current King truly deserves those words."

Tristan assumed Jiang You was referring to the Lion King's actions. He and Gawain understood their sovereign's choices, but as Knights of the Round Table sworn to her service, they would support her decisions without reservation, no matter how drastic.

"If you can understand, or even accept, My King's decision, surrender now. At least your death will be more peaceful."

"We're not even talking about the same thing," Jiang You retorted.

He had no intention of elaborating on his concept of "the human heart," lest he be labeled with some strange theory. With so many Heroic Spirits watching, he couldn't afford to lose any base Affection points. "Since you interrupted me, I'll just activate this card directly! You reverse, I reverse! I banish Leysritt from the Graveyard and activate the Spell Card, Corrupted Holy Grail!"

A pitch-black hole materialized above everyone's heads, and malicious Black Mud began to pour forth.

"While this card is in play, all attack and healing buffs are reversed! The Lion King's Blessing she bestowed upon you has now become a curse!"

This card perfectly countered the effect of Inverted Blessing. Combat damage reverted from healing to direct damage, which Tristan had no way to evade.

Tristan: Attack Power 2500 → 1500

"It's truly lamentable that a Heroic Spirit like you wields such malevolent power..."

Tristan had initially believed the card represented Jiang You's history. His narrowed eyes widened, and he observed Jiang You with heightened caution.

"As a knight, it is my duty to vanquish such an existence!"

"Are you out of your mind?!" Jiang You retorted, flipping him off with the internationally recognized friendly gesture—a masterclass in hypocrisy.

"I'm using this thing to save people, while you're here slaughtering others in the name of your 'knightly ideals.' And you have the nerve to criticize me? Just wait, I'll wipe that smug look off your face today!"

"Because the Castle of Snow is on the field, I special summon Illya from my hand!"

[ Illya ]: Attack Power 1500 → 1000

"Knights of the Round Table?"

Having just been summoned, Illya hadn't had a chance to learn about her surroundings. She only now discovered the identity of her enemy through overheard conversations.

In legend, the Knights of the Round Table were renowned heroes. Illya assumed they possessed extraordinary strength, likely ranking among the elite Heroic Spirits.

"But it doesn't matter, Caster is the strongest!"

"Spare me, please. The guy who usually says that in the normal timeline is already someone's doormat."

Jiang You never expected Illya's boasts about Hercules to be turned on him. He quickly interrupted her poison-laced praise.

"I activate Illya's effect! I Special Summon a Berserker from my Deck, but its effects are negated. Come forth, Minamoto no Raikou! Show the Knights of the Round Table your might!"

Purple thunder crashed down, and Minamoto no Raikou appeared, still wearing her apron!

Minamoto no Raikou: Attack Power 3000

Wielding a whisk like a weapon, Raikou struck a combat stance. She was in the middle of preparing Illya's lunch for tomorrow, having prepped some ingredients for freezing. At that moment, she embodied the image of a mature housewife, utterly devoid of any warlike presence.

"The concentration of magical power..."

Minamoto no Raikou keenly sensed that something was amiss with her surroundings, yet the Noble Phantasm before her was intimately familiar. As expected, when she turned, she saw the detestable Jiang You and Illya. "Jiang You, you were summoned to another place and brought Illya along, didn't you? How could you bring her to such a dangerous place? This era is teeming with Phantasmal Beasts as formidable as Oni!"

"It's Lady Minamoto no Raikou," Tawara Tōta murmured.

As servants from the mid-Heian-kyō period, Tawara Tōta was well-acquainted with Raikou's legends. "But her aura... it's terrifying in more ways than one."

He decided to avoid approaching her.

I need to find a way to get Hercules' card, Jiang You thought. Raiko is a troublesome servant if she disapproves of my actions. It's best to use her sparingly. Besides, Hercules' abilities are a better fit for Illya. Next time, I'll sneak her out for a playdate!

"You...!" Raikou seethed with anger, but there was truly nothing she could do. Jiang You could take Illya away without her consent at any time, leaving her with the helpless feeling of a single mother watching her ex-husband take their child.

Seeing the mist welling up in Minamoto no Raikou's eyes, Illya quickly reassured her, "It's alright, Raikou. If you're really worried, I can summon you here with a Command Spell."

Jiang You stroked his chin, pondering the feasibility. But wouldn't this nesting doll-like summoning be a bit excessive?