What Holy Grail War? Let's Play Cards!

"I activate the Spell Card [Magus Slayer's Intelligence Gathering] to negate and destroy your [Insect Sorcery Workshop]!"

A once-per-turn special summon is still too powerful in the current meta. With Matou Zouken having exhausted his hand and leaving his field wide open, Jiang You decisively chose to eliminate this Field Spell, which could generate resources.

"So it's both negation and destruction, huh? You're quite lucky—you just bought yourself another turn," Matou Zouken remarked with some regret.

[Insect Sorcery Workshop] had the same effect as [Castle of Snow], summoning a monster from the deck when destroyed by an opponent's effect.

Jiang You shot a strange glance at Matou Zouken. Is this old man crazy? The effect is written right there on the card. Who would bother destroying it if it couldn't be negated?

Without wasting words, Jiang You entered the Battle Phase.

"[Illyasviel von Einzbern], attack [Piercing Blade Bug]! Engel Lied!"

A silver falcon materialized and swooped down on the [Piercing Blade Bug]. The insect colony attempted to scatter and evade, but it was futile—they were sent straight to the Graveyard.

Matou Zouken LP 2500 → LP 1500

Zouken's body trembled as he felt his life force wane. However, he hardly cared—this decaying body was something he could discard at any time.

"Wouldn't it be better to attack [Matou Sakura] directly? She's the bigger threat," Illyasviel questioned after the attack.

Of course, it's because [Piercing Blade Bug] can attack directly.

Jiang You suddenly realized something—characters in this world couldn't see each other's card effects. Up until now, the only people he had dueled were the clueless security officer forcibly dragged into the game and the Einzbern family, all of whom knew the cards' effects perfectly well.

So the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime rules apply here—players don't know their opponent's card effects unless they've seen them before. He hadn't expected even this world to follow that rule.

"Oh wait, didn't Kiritsugu mention this to me before? So that was just the beginner's tutorial?" Jiang You wasn't sure whether to praise or curse this game's design.

"I left her on the field to prove that I have the power to save her," Jiang You explained, spinning an excuse on the spot. "I want her to witness me defeating this old worm and taking her outside to bask in the sun—oh, and give her irresponsible old man a well-deserved beating while we're at it."

"No way… do you have a thing for daughters beating up their fathers?" Illya quipped.

[Matou Sakura Favorability Reward: Matou Sakura 1 has been sent via mail. Please claim it promptly.]

Seeing the sudden system notification, Jiang You's eyes gleamed with the same fervor that Matou Zouken had shown earlier.

Feeling his gaze, Matou Sakura averted her eyes. Her hollow pupils betrayed no hint of joy or hatred.

"Well, tell me—does Emiya Kiritsugu deserve to get beaten up or not?" Jiang You turned his attention back to Illya.

"You're absolutely right—he deserves it!" Illya agreed without hesitation.

"Wait, Caster! At least explain the situation to her! Tell her the effect of the next card!" The soon-to-be-punished Kiritsugu desperately tried to plead his case.

Jiang You ignored him, setting two cards face-down before ending his turn.

"My turn—draw!" Matou Zouken sneered. "It seems luck is on my side. I activate the Spell Card [Founders of the Three Families]! This can only be activated if I control a face-up [Tohsaka · Matou · Einzbern]! The selected card gains 1000 ATK, and I reveal the top seven cards of my deck. From them, I choose one Servant card to Special Summon, and the remaining six are banished face-down!"

[Matou Zouken ATK 1800 → 2800]

Seven cards fanned out before Zouken. "This one will do—I Special Summon [Engraved Worm]!"

[Engraved Worm] ★★ ATK 500

A grotesque magical creature manifested on the field. Illya, repulsed, covered her mouth and took a step back, while Matou Sakura remained unfazed—she had clearly long since become numb to such horrors.

"Now, I switch myself to Attack Position and enter the Battle Phase! First, [Engraved Worm] attacks [Illyasviel von Einzbern]!"

"Are you insane?" Illya gasped at Matou Zouken's apparent suicide attempt. The damage would bring his LP to zero.

Jiang You wasn't about to let that happen.

"I activate my set card—[Confusing Master]! When my opponent declares an attack, I can redirect the attack to a target of my choosing! I choose myself!"

[Jiang You LP 4000 → 3500]

"Sharp instincts," Matou Zouken admitted. "Damage caused by [Engraved Worm] is nullified, and any monster that battles it and destroys it will have its control transferred. But with my remaining LP, it does seem a bit excessive."

Zouken continued, "Now, I attack [Illyasviel von Einzbern] with [Matou Zouken]!"

A swarm of tiny black insects gathered around Matou Zouken, forming a menacing fog.

Jiang You retaliated immediately. "I activate the Trap Card [Covering Fire]! When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I target that monster and destroy it. Say goodbye, Matou Zouken!"

"It's futile! I activate my own effect, tributing [Emiya Kiritsugu] to negate the destruction!" Zouken laughed heartily, clearly pleased with his near-indestructible survival ability.

"Rest easy, Emiya Kiritsugu—I'll carry on your dream of justice."

Before vanishing, Kiritsugu caught sight of Jiang You giving him a thumbs-up. With a defeated sigh, he made one last plea:

"At least explain it to Illya!"

"[Emiya Kiritsugu]'s effect activates. When sent to the Graveyard by an effect, I add [Origin Bullet] from my deck to my hand."

Zouken's expression instantly darkened. "Wait—wasn't [False Attendant's Writings] supposed to negate Kiritsugu's effects?"

"[False Attendant's Writings] was destroyed before Kiritsugu left the field. Besides, its negation effect only applies while it's on the field," Jiang You explained with satisfaction.

Matou Zouken snorted. "Regardless, [Illyasviel von Einzbern] is still going to be destroyed in battle!"

"Don't lose, alright? I still need you to summon me again. Plus, I haven't punched Kiritsugu yet!" Illya grinned at Jiang You before being swallowed by the swarm.

[Jiang You LP 3500 → 2700]

"Sakura, attack Caster directly!"

Matou Sakura drew a bow from nowhere, taking aim and shooting Jiang You square in the chest. For a fleeting moment, a subtle trace of apology flashed through her eyes.

[Jiang You LP 2700 → 1500]

"Alright then, it's my turn now. For Sakura's sake, I'll end this duel here and now!"