What Holy Grail War? Let's Play Cards!

"Now it's my turn to strike back! I activate the effect of [Magus Slayer's Intelligence Gathering] to destroy [Gate of Babylon]!"

The golden ripples behind Gilgamesh collapsed one by one, disappearing into nothingness. Losing his most convenient treasures filled him with anger.

"Since I'm using a Pure Einzbern Deck, I'll Normal Summon [Illya]!"

[Illya] ATK 1500

"With my dearest friend on the field, what use is your Master?" Gilgamesh sneered at Illya, glancing at her with disdain. With Enkidu present, anyone with a lower Spirit Origin Rank (Star Level) was beneath his notice.

"Don't be so hasty. I activate Illya's effect, releasing herself…"

"??" Gilgamesh was ready to strike down his opponent immediately, but—cheating?!

"I acknowledge Enkidu's strength, but his ability only negates effects; it doesn't prevent activation. Illya's release is a cost, so..."

He hadn't obtained Heracles from Illya yet. Even though Matou Sakura had already handed over Medusa, Illya's affection level was really hard to raise. Jiang You sighed at the grind but felt relieved that at least he had Berserker Lancelot.

"Since she enters the graveyard upon release, she bypasses your dearest friend's lock, allowing her effect to resolve."

Gilgamesh's face darkened—he had just been outplayed by a little girl. If this were a real battle, he would have gouged out her eyes and torn out her heart in fury.

(TL Note: Hmmm...sounds familiar...)

"Fine. As a reward for your cunning—she dies!"

[Prototype: Slayer of the Undying] was released, and a weapon pierced straight through Illya's eye socket.

[Gilgamesh (A)] ATK 4000 → 3500Jiang You LP 3500 → 3000

Only one Equip Card remained on the field.

"Now, I activate Field Spell: [Castle of Snow], adding one [Illya] from my deck to my hand!"

"You think you can pull the same trick again, mongrel?" Gilgamesh was prepared to activate his weapon-release effect once more.

"Something like that." Jiang You revealed [Lizelotte] from his hand. "I send [Lizelotte] to the graveyard to Special Summon [Dress of Heaven] in Defense Position from my deck!"

[Dress of Heaven] DEF 1200

"This Dress of Heaven is a Tuner Servant. Now, I'm going to Synchro Summon." Jiang You kindly reminded Gilgamesh, "So, Hero King, do you still have enough treasures left?"

Gilgamesh pointed at Dress of Heaven, his arrogance unmistakable. "A mongrel will never comprehend the splendor of my treasury. Words are unnecessary—my treasures are endless!"

[Prototype: Durandal] was released, and Dress of Heaven was reduced to mere fragments.

[Gilgamesh (A)] ATK 3500 → 3000

At last, Gilgamesh's treasury was depleted.

With no further interference, Jiang You proceeded with his main play. "I Special Summon [Illya] again, then activate [Dress of Heaven]'s graveyard effect—banishing [Lizelotte] to Special Summon it back! 2 + 4 = 6! Synchro Summon—[Illya (Dress of Heaven)]!"

A battle-ready Illya in a celestial dress descended onto the field once more.

[Illya (Dress of Heaven)] ATK 2500 → 3000

"I see." Gilgamesh gave a rare nod of approval at the now equally powerful Illya. "But it is useless. Her Star Level is still only 6—she cannot bypass my dearest friend's lock. Her effects still won't activate!"

"You're right—but that doesn't matter! Battle Phase! Illya, attack [Enkidu]!"

Gilgamesh LP 4000 → 3500

Silver threads infused with magic energy pierced Enkidu's heart. Even a top-tier Servant could not resist.

"Gil, I'll step down for now. Do your best."

A dense green flora sprouted from the hollow in Enkidu's chest. Soon, verdant vines engulfed his entire body, and within moments, he returned to the earth.

"Enkidu!"

Gilgamesh reached out to grasp his fading friend, only to clutch at empty air. His eyes burned with rage as he glared at Illya and Jiang You.

"You dare... You DARE?! Very well."

Jiang You flinched at Gilgamesh's expression—oh god, was this how people looked at me after I stole their instant noodles?

"Bro, it's just Yu-Gi-Oh! No need to take it that seriously!"

"Yu-Gi-Oh?"

Hearing the unfamiliar term, Iskandar furrowed his brows in thought, trying to match it with historical figures.

Obviously, he couldn't find a match. Left with no choice, he leaned down and whispered to Waver.

"Boy, do you know of an 'Yu-Gi-Oh' Heroic Spirit?"

Waver had thoroughly studied history to prepare for the Holy Grail War—he was certain no such figure existed.

Shaking his head, he replied, "If it's a title, then it doesn't exist. Most likely, it's a self-proclaimed one, which makes it less relevant."

"Still, I respect his self-proclaimed title." Iskandar nodded approvingly. "To express history and legends in this form—he must be truly dedicated, just like I am to my name, King of Conquerors."

"Shut up!"

Gilgamesh was already furious, clutching the [Chains of Heaven] he had searched out with Enkidu's graveyard effect.

"I haven't even started banishing your cards, and you're already panicking. Imagine how Runick players must feel!" Jiang You muttered, suddenly worried for his fellow players—what if they got so frustrated that they rage-quit in real life?

"Anyway, I set two cards and end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!"

Gilgamesh scowled at his hand, full of cards that weren't his own.

"To think my deck was contaminated with another's filth—**how repulsive."

"However, it is somewhat useful. I will begrudgingly acknowledge you, Tokiomi Tohsaka."

"I activate [Maintain Elegance]—banishing the top ten cards of my deck to draw two cards!"

"Hahahaha!"

Clearly, he had drawn something powerful. Gilgamesh burst into laughter, his emotions on full display.

Jiang You envied his unrestrained nature—at least he didn't have to bottle up his emotions.

"I activate [Elixir of Immortality]—reviving one Servant from my graveyard! Return to me, Enkidu!"

The green-haired beauty once again emerged onto the battlefield.

"No matter what scheme you have, it will not work before my dearest friend!"

Well.There goes [Illya (Dress of Heaven)]'s battle protection.