What Holy Grail War? Let's Play Cards!

"The king acknowledges the power of the Third Law, but it's still not quite enough for me! Without the King's Treasury, things are indeed inconvenient. Oh well, I'll make do for now. [Prototype: Durandal], come to me!"

Gilgamesh equipped himself with a Spell Card.

[Gilgamesh (A)]ATK 3000 → 3500

"Entering battle! The king shall pave the way to victory for his dearest friend! Look up at me and despair! I declare a direct attack on [Illya (Dress of Heaven)]!"

Gilgamesh eagerly stepped into the Battle Phase, elevating himself with magic, attacking Illya from above. "Bow your head before me! Did I permit you to gaze upon the king?!"

"You haven't even asked me—did I permit you to attack?"

Jiang You immediately activated his Set card. "I activate [Support Fire] to destroy [Gilgamesh]!"

A bullet pierced through Gilgamesh's head. With a disbelieving expression, he was sent straight to the Graveyard.

Gilgamesh, still in his crossed-arms posture, returned to the Main Phase zone. The scene fell into silence.

"...Are you ending your turn?" Jiang You asked, seeing Gilgamesh speechless for too long.

"Despicable! You wretched little insect! You disgusting vermin!" Gilgamesh erupted in fury, unable to accept how easily he had been defeated.

"Are you insane? You lack effect destruction immunity—how is this my fault?" Jiang You scoffed. "Your strength is all in your backrow! You could've just destroyed my backrow first… Oh wait, you couldn't, or your attack power wouldn't be enough. Gilgamesh, you're weak!"

"You insect! How dare you speak to me with such insolence?! Just you wait! Next turn, I will unleash [Ea] and grind you into dust!"

Gilgamesh had never suffered such humiliation. He still had an incredibly powerful card—if he could activate it successfully, everything would turn around!

Enkidu, still smiling, explained to Jiang You, "Gil is like this at this stage in time. It will be quite a few years before he becomes the legendary wise king. Just let him be a little willful for now."

Gilgamesh's hand was no longer sufficient for him to continue his turn. Grumbling, he placed one card in his backrow and ended his turn.

"Since you said that, of course, I won't give you another turn. My turn! Draw!" Jiang You nodded at Enkidu in understanding, responding to Gilgamesh's taunts while secretly activating a fated top-deck draw.

"Strange… I remember [Founding Trinity] had a different effect. Why does it feel different from that old geezer's? Well, let's test it out! I target Illya and activate [Founding Trinity]!"

[Founding Trinity] (Artwork in progress)

[Illya (Dress of Heaven)] ATK 3000 → 4000

The evolved, ultimate power of Illya rivaled even Gilgamesh's.

Illya's battle aura surged wildly, making even Gilgamesh take a step back. And it wasn't over yet—seven cards floated from Jiang You's deck, hovering before him.

"1, 2, 3, 4… plus the ones in the Graveyard, that's enough. It doesn't matter who I summon—I'll pick a new card! [Holy Maiden, Jeanne d'Arc], once more raise your victorious banner!"

In that instant, the sky cleared, white doves soared, and a holy hymn played. Amidst the descending white feathers, Jeanne d'Arc stepped onto the battlefield.

"Sir, it's a pleasure to meet you. Jeanne has long awaited this moment. I am at your command."

Unlike the other summoned Heroic Spirits, Jeanne seemed aware of her purpose. She immediately expressed her loyalty to Jiang You.

Bathed in golden sunlight, the maiden raised her holy flag and offered a slight bow. Among the falling white feathers, she radiated an air of sacred elegance.

"This is my first time summoning you… You seem to know I have your card?" Jiang You was prepared to explain—usually, the summoned ones were confused.

"Ah, no, no, of course not! Hahaha!" Jeanne's holy and elegant demeanor vanished instantly, revealing a clumsy, flustered country girl. She scratched the back of her head, eyes darting around. "I just thought it sounded cool to say that… Also, wait, is this a duel? Oh, wait, no, it's a Heroic Spirit summoning, right?"

Jiang You remained suspicious, but Jeanne's slightly silly yet cheerful smile made him drop the matter. There were more important things at hand.

"You dare ignore me? Hmph. 4000 attack power… If no external forces are involved, only beings on the level of the Chief Gods can reach that directly."

Gilgamesh studied Illya seriously. Though her effects were sealed, her buffed stats could still break through Enkidu's defenses.

"Endless little tricks… but don't think I have no countermeasures! I activate the Continuous Trap [Chains of Heaven]!"

Golden chains wrapped tightly around Illya, restricting her movements.

"This feels awful… Caster, can you break it?" Illya pleaded with Jiang You. As she looked at Gilgamesh, a strange surge of killing intent rose within her. "If possible, leave the final blow to me. I really want to punch him in the eyes!"

"…What kind of future memories do you have?" Jiang You muttered. In a certain timeline, Gilgamesh had indeed stabbed Illya's eyes before killing her, so her vengeance was understandable. "Let's see… No problem! Your ancestor approves!"

"I activate [Justeaze]'s effect, banishing seven Servant cards from the Graveyard!"

Gilgamesh noticed his own cards disappearing. "Insect! What are you doing?!"

"The effect doesn't specify whose Graveyard, why are you looking at me like that? Yours gets banished too!"

No matter how much Gilgamesh protested, his own Servant cards were exiled.

"The false Grail shall overflow with sorrow! The Holy Maiden's sacrifice brought forth absolute malice! Come forth, Eastern Saint, and embark on a journey spanning 200 years!"

[Justeaze] ATK 0

A figure bearing an uncanny resemblance to Illya and Irisviel emerged from a golden void—Justeaze entered the battlefield.

"Ancestor?" Illya gasped at the mature-looking woman who appeared older than her mother.

However, Justeaze's eyes were lifeless, like a soulless doll.

"Hmm… Seems like she's already been turned into a Holy Grail," Jiang You muttered in disappointment. "Not much fun if she can't talk… But very useful. In terms of effects, I mean."

"A 10-star Servant with 0 ATK? Insect, are you trying to amuse the king?"