Why bother with the Holy Grail War? Let's play cards!

"It's useless! The second effect of [Emerald Magic]. While this card is in the Graveyard, it can only be activated by banishing this card and another [Gem] Magic from the Graveyard. This effect targeting a Servant on the field is negated!"

The activation of [Proof of Existence] was interfered with by the magic power emitted by the gem, and the defense line built by Jingmi was easily broken through. An axe sword that was bigger than Jingmi herself chopped towards her, and her petite body was directly split into two by the powerful blow.

Quiet LP1800 → LP300

"[Hercules]'s other effect! When an enemy Servant is destroyed in battle, you can activate this effect and choose one card on the opponent's field to destroy! I'm going to destroy the card on the left!" The tranquil back row has been reduced again, and now only one card remains in the defense.

"Because of my effect, [Hercules] will also be destroyed and sent to the graveyard." Although the tranquil poison did not reach the level of Hydra, Hercules could not resist it. Poisonous blood splattered, splashing all over Hercules. Soon, Hercules was corroded and his flesh was destroyed in a roar, and he entered the graveyard.

"[Hercules]'s effect will allow him to be summoned to the field again next turn! But there's no need to bother him anymore. Atalanta, let's deliver the final blow to Assassin!"

As one of the few archers who actually shoots honestly, Atalanta demonstrated her superb archery skills, with three arrows simultaneously drawing arcs from three different directions, the emerald green arcs precisely locking onto the tranquil head, throat, and heart.

"...It's not over yet! The effect of the [Infiltrate Change] card that you just destroyed and sent to the graveyard: This technique, which is used to disguise and confuse others, manifests here as banishing this card from the graveyard and converting one battle damage to 0!"

Jingmi took off her mask and threw it aside. The target of the arrow also turned into the skull mask, which shattered under the impact of the arrow, taking the damage in Jingmi's place.

"Assassin is such a cute girl... Wow!" Jason couldn't help but comment on her serene appearance before he was once again struck by Atalanta's flying kick.

"I made it through, Saber's Master... Shouldn't it be time to end your turn?" Tranquility struggled to her feet, barely clinging to her remaining 300 health points. Although she had no more cards in her hand, she had heard her Master say that in a duel, as long as you have a sliver of health left, you still have a chance. The more dangerous your health is, the greater your chance of turning the tide with the next draw.

Jing Mi didn't understand, but she was willing to believe Jiang You. The next draw would be her chance to turn defeat into victory.

"There's no next turn. I activate [Gandr], a card that deals 500 damage to the enemy once per turn. Although this card can be considered a Jewel Magic card, I don't have any related Servants on my field." A black and red Gandr formed at Rin Tohsaka's fingertips, aiming at Tranquility. "So, Assassin, can your last card defend against this?"

"Saber's Master, you've won." Quietly watching the magic bullets hurtle towards her, she looked at the card she had left on the field.

This was a ritual magic that she had used merely to confuse people and that was impossible—[Ring the Death Knell]

Quiet LP300 → LP0

"Aaaaaah!" Jingmi spat out a mouthful of blood, flew backward, and collapsed to the ground, her life hanging in the balance.

"Good opportunity! Atalanta, let Assassin go!" Jason, completely lacking any sense of heroism, urged Atalanta, who possessed ranged attack capabilities, to finish him off.

The cat ears on Atalanta's head twitched, and she was indeed tempted.

Although she wasn't a Servant summoned directly by Rin, Atalanta had already decided to help Rin rescue her sister, who had suffered a tragic fate. Therefore, Rin's safety was extremely important, and she had already drawn her bowstring while thinking about it.

Asclepius pressed down Atalanta's restless fingers, his eyes fixed on the woods. "Don't be impulsive, there are other Servants."

As expected, several Hundred Faces emerged from the darkness of the bushes and protected Serenity behind them.

Then a Baimao threw a smoke bomb, and thick smoke with a pungent smell spread in the woods.

"Assassin, more than one?! And they're poisoning me?!" Jason quickly covered his nose and tried to run away. He grabbed Rin Tohsaka by the back of her collar and started to flee. His C-rank strength dragged Rin Tohsaka several meters like a suitcase, wearing off her shoes in the process.

Then Hercules grabbed Jason by the collar and lifted him and Rin Toosaka back like a gourd.

Asclepius covered his forehead, his eyes, visible only by his hood and mask, filled with helplessness: "I'll take a look at your brain when I have the chance. Has your ability to judge the situation degenerated to the level of an ape? This is just ordinary smoke. The Assassins have already withdrawn."

Looking in the direction pointed by Asclepius, Jingmi and the other Hassans had disappeared.

"By the way, the Hassan who came out later is not the same person as the one called Tranquil Hassan. I can't smell poison on them." As a doctor, Asclepius was exceptionally sensitive to the smell of poison on Tranquil. He noticed the difference between Hundred Faces and Tranquil at first glance.

"Probably the same Noble Phantasm as mine?" Jason wasn't surprised. The other three Servants here were also summoned by him, so it was quite reasonable for them to have similar Noble Phantasms. "By the way, the magical energy provided by the Command Seals will only last for about an hour. Master, if you need to do anything else, you should decide quickly. Otherwise, supplying magical energy to the four Servants from the Age of Gods will be a considerable drain on your resources."

Looking at the burning manor, Rin Tōsaka recalled her father, Tōsaka Tokiomi's words. After much deliberation, she decided to go to the Emiya residence tomorrow morning to check on Sakura. Although Sakura had been missing for a while, she had appeared yesterday in much better condition, a bit more confident. Apparently, she hadn't encountered anything dreadful recently, so she'd probably be there early in the morning to help with the chores, just like she usually does.

Now she couldn't give up halfway in tracking down the lawless Caster. Although her father had a good impression of Caster, what he had done had already crossed her bottom line. As a manager, she had to intervene!

Chapter Seventy-Six: Let's burn the winterwood to ashes!

"You guys are even involved in organ trafficking? In this day and age, it's perfectly normal for hundreds of people to go missing one after another." The black-haired young man in a medieval Victorian-style swallowtail coat flipped through the documents in his hand, occasionally exclaiming, "How did this even pass the review?"

"You're a magician, aren't you?" The bespectacled, refined-looking middle-aged man was bound to a leather sofa made of animal hide. He didn't show any panic, but instead calmly revealed a fawning smile. "I wonder what you desire, sir. I can offer you worldly things at any time, and even magic materials can be delivered to you in a short time."

But Jiang You ignored his meaning and continued to look through the information obtained by Baimao's search and interrogation.

"So many people, including members of parliament? This guy is running for prime minister while also engaging in human trafficking, human experimentation, cult sacrifices, and drug trafficking... Your business is a bit too extensive." Jiang You felt his eyes hurt as he looked at the words. The cults in this world probably really do get something from sacrifices. The shock brought by the words and pictures extinguished his desire to have fun.

The upper echelons have been tacitly approving these things, and they themselves are the beneficiaries. I wonder if there is such an underground market in Fuyuki in the timeline of 94. It seems that I need to go have some tea with Tōsaka Tokiomi.

Jiang You looked at Bai Mao who had been following him and couldn't help but recite a line.

"Let's burn Fuyuki to ashes!"

"Yes, Master. We, Bai Zhao, are already on our way to the gas company. All we need to do is detonate..." As Hassan, Bai Zhao didn't really have much empathy for ordinary people; she would precisely execute Jiang You's orders. Although she wondered why Jiang You had changed his personality, she still directly carried out the plan Jiang You had suddenly announced to burn Fuyuki. Gas stations were also among her targets.

According to her preliminary calculations, barring other factors, it would only take 5 hours to burn 30% of the Fuyuki city area.

"Wait, wait!" Jiang You didn't expect Bai Mao to be so efficient. If they continued like this, they might have to restart the game. "I was just giving an example. I just wanted to help them advance their work on cracking down on organized crime."

"Then, Master." Hyakko skillfully switched his mission targets, and several Hassans quickly marked the target's location on the city map. "Currently, there are 15 people involved with the underground black market, including government officials, business tycoons, and magicians. The leading councilor is also located in Fuyuki City. If we Hassans act simultaneously, we can eliminate them all tonight, except for the magicians! By the way, our former Master is also on the list."

"Aren't you magicians supposed to maintain 'mystery'?!" Seeing Jiang You so casually decide his own death, the middle-aged man began his own struggle. "The Church and the Magicians' Association will not allow such a large-scale massacre! You are making an enemy of the entire magic world!"

He pulled out his tiger skin, intending to make Jiang You back down. Then he began to prove his worth: "Killing me won't do you any good. I'm just a small link in this chain of interests. Even if I die, someone else will take my place. Why don't you spare my life, and I can help you mediate?"

"I'm here to play cards, not to play Paradox Interactive games with you guys." Jiang You grabbed the middle-aged man's forehead, the immense force causing the man to hear a groan of his skull about to break through bone conduction. "But you've reminded me, this kind of thing hasn't been exposed enough yet, it needs to be blown out of proportion."

Just like Kiritsugu said, Jiang You is an ordinary person who cannot restrain his sympathy. In reality, he often gets angry because of the injustice he sees and wants to do something to the unfortunate people, but due to the limitations of his own strength and financial resources, he can only express his support in his heart.

Now he is not bound by the rules in the game. He doesn't care about the magician's code - not to mention that he is not a magician at all.

“It just so happens that this Holy Grail War is too ordinary.” Jiang You and Medea had checked several major spiritual veins and were almost certain that no strange 'beasts' would be born to cause trouble this time. “Why don’t we use you as tickets and play a game in Fuyuki City as our playground?”

"I don't think those magicians would refuse to offer soul crystals as a reward. Of course, as long as you don't die, you also have a chance to receive a reward." Jiang You released his grip on the middle-aged man's hand, patted his head to soothe his almost bursting heart, and then brought him into the effective range of his Noble Phantasm.

"Bai Mao, kidnapping a councilor, and then preparing a blitzkrieg against the TV station. As the organizer, we naturally have to inform the entire Fuyuki City of this news." Jiang You became cheerful. Planning a super-large event in the game was a very novel experience.

"Medea, set up a barrier around Fuyuki City. It doesn't need to be too strong; just enough to prevent these 14 people from leaving." Jiang You gestured for Bai Mao to hand the marked map to Medea.

"You really do whatever you want." Medea complained, though she was being used as a mere tool. However, she also found some amusement in Jiang You's intentions, despite her mischievous nature. She took the map from Bai Mao. "Don't worry, this is a piece of cake."

“Next…” Suddenly, a crimson flash streaked across Jiang You’s eyes—if Jiang You hadn’t inexplicably sensed danger and dodged backward, that flash would have been enough to pierce his head.

Of course, you won't really be penetrated, but you will suddenly be pulled into a duel.

"Who?" Upon seeing the red spear nailed to the wall, both Bai Mao and Medea entered battle mode. Since they were not normally summoned Servants, they would not trigger Jiang You's Noble Phantasm effect.

"You actually dodged it? Judging from your posture, you clearly have no combat experience whatsoever." The Servant with short blue hair tied in a small braid and wearing a blue bodysuit squatted on the windowsill. The red spear seemed to respond to his call as if it were alive, flying back into his hand.

"Black Castr, rules are rules, and breaking rules is not a good habit. My Master is very unhappy, so could you please leave now!" Cú Chulainn, having assumed an attack stance, unleashed undisguised killing intent at Jiang You.

“Cú Chulainn, so even Kirei Kotomine couldn’t resist.” Jiang You recognized the man at a glance: Cú Chulainn, the “Child of Light” from Ireland.

If nothing unexpected happens, his Master is Kotomine Kirei in this timeline.

"...Who is that?" But Cú Chulainn gave an unexpected answer.

Seventy-seven: What are your ace, and what are mine?

“So being too famous really has its troubles. Hiding my identity is just too difficult for me.” Cú Chulainn scratched the back of his neck in frustration. “Well then, Caster, at least give me your name so I don’t not know which Heroic Spirit died by my gun.”

"Jiang You." Jiang You casually introduced himself. "You don't know Kirei Kotomine, or is he telling you not to speak?"

"Who is that?" Of course, Cú Chulainn couldn't find the Heroic Spirit corresponding to Jiang You's name no matter what he tried. "I really don't know your name. As for Kirei Kotomine, why should I know him?"

“That is the overseer of this Holy Grail War from the Church.” A beautiful woman in a suit with short, burgundy hair appeared before the crowd with steady steps. “She is a serious, mature, and reliable former traitor.”

"Excuse me, Caster who calls himself Jiang You, you've overstepped your bounds. As the executor, I have a duty to defeat you here!" The woman in the suit named Bazett removed her cumbersome coat, revealing a white shirt, and assumed a fighting stance. The runes on her limbs began to activate as magic was injected into them. At this moment, she still held considerable goodwill towards Kirei Kotomine, and aside from work, she was also worried that Jiang You might harm Kirei Kotomine.

“My Master, leave this to me.” As a descendant of the Red Branch Knights, Bazett was naturally favored by Cú Chulainn. Although he was certain of Bazett’s strength, he didn’t want her to get involved in battles with Servants, as that would be too dangerous. “You can deal with his Master. Caster is no match for me once he’s away from the battlefield.”

“No.” Bazett shook her head. Her years of experience had given her a keen sense of the flow of magic. “His Master is right here!”

"This room is either an Assassin or a Caster, where would a Master come from?" Cú Chulainn looked around to make sure that only this room contained any living beings.

“In the box.” Bazett gestured with her chin towards the silver-white briefcase in Jiang You’s hand. She could sense magical energy emanating from it, released very crudely, without any attempt at concealment, clearly intending to show that the energy was flowing towards Jiang You’s spirit origin. “He stuffed his Master into this box to use as a portable battery.”

"How did they manage to fit a person into such a small box?" Cú Chulainn roughly estimated the size of the box; it wouldn't even fit a four- or five-year-old child. Since Atram and Bazett both came from the Clock Tower, Cú Chulainn knew the general situation. After a moment's thought, he felt a chill run down his spine. "What a wicked fellow."

"You attacked your Master the moment you appeared, didn't you?" Cu Chulainn, meaning "the fierce dog of Culan," was nicknamed "Big Dog," and he himself was as loyal as a dog, always keeping his word. Jiang You, who had betrayed his Master, was utterly detestable to him, and he made no attempt to hide his disgust. "Someone like you, I'll kill! Master, you just need to hold off this guy who looks like Caster and Assassin. This Caster has absolutely no combat experience; I can take him down in a minute!"

"Honestly, I don't want to start a war with you right now. After all, the number of participants has decreased before the competition even begins, which will be very distressing for me." Jiang You sized up Bazett. Because he had summoned Jiang You, Atram didn't have time to go to the church to confide in Kirei Kotomine, so he didn't contact Bazett to handle his Servant's letters privately. Kirei Kotomine wouldn't have any intention of using the letters to seize control of Lancer. "Besides, Miss Bazett, you should thank me, otherwise Kirei Kotomine would have chopped off your little hand."

"Stop trying to sow discord here!" Bazett had received help from Kirei Kotomine four times since six years ago. The two had a close personal relationship and secretly assisted each other without the organization's knowledge. Bazett had long admired Kirei Kotomine's strength and had gradually developed a liking for him.

Bazette was determined to keep Jiang You here, so that he would never again cause trouble for the Church or Kotomine Kirei. He launched a swift punch at Medea, who was trying to distance herself. The speed was so fast that Medea had no time to react, and even with Baimao's strength, he was unable to stop her.

"Is this what a girl's heart is like?" Seeing Bazett suddenly gain a surge of NP+10, Jiang You immediately shouted out his hidden ace. "Berserker! Stop her!"

The heavy desk was transformed into a Noble Phantasm by the 'Knight of Immortality and Bare Hands'. Lancelot threw it with such force that it broke through the wall and smashed into Bazette.

The projectile was thrown even faster, and Bazette had no time to retract his strength, so he had to rush to defend himself and use the protection of the runes to take the blow.

"An ambush!?" Cú Chulainn looked at the black-armored knight who had suddenly barged into the battlefield, and only then did he feel a sense of pressure. In his eyes, Jiang You, Medea, and Bai Mao were no match for him. Lancelot exuded a dangerous aura of a warrior. "A strange fellow, how could he receive help from so many Servants with different styles at the same time? There are even duplicate classes."

Having roughly gauged Lancelot's strength, Cú Chulainn naturally wouldn't let Bazett stop him, so he immediately changed tactics. "Master, that Caster is yours! Don't let him die!"

Bazette nodded in agreement, and the two of them exchanged positions with a tacit step.

The red magic spear and the black magic sword collided with each other, and the waves generated by the collision knocked the tied middle-aged man unconscious.

The two Hundred Faces tried to restrain Bazette's movements, but were easily knocked down. Medea took the opportunity to fly out of the window, opened her cloak, and used this opportunity to release several streams of magic.

Bazette naturally did not dare to take the magic attacks from the God-era magician head-on. She rolled left and right, looking for gaps in the magic, and narrowly avoided all the attacks.

"You've been tricked!" Medea revealed a triumphant smile. The gap she deliberately left was to allow Bazett to move to the designated position. A binding spell was activated, and powerful magic fixed Bazett in place.

“Then, I’ll accept Lancer’s Command Seals. Although they were originally meant for that bastard.” Medea raised her Noble Phantasm, Manjushri Blessing, intending to sever the Command Seal connection between Cú Chulainn and Bazett so she could take it for herself.

Just as Medea raised the Wanfu Biying Pojie and stabbed it towards Bazette, a spherical object emerged behind Bazette and gradually transformed into the shape of a sword.

"Reverse Light Sword! Reverse cause and effect!" Activating in accordance with the enemy's "ace." Twisting cause and effect, the Noble Phantasm is activated, rewriting its own attack into an absolute first-mover advantage.

Then Jianfeng appeared beside Jiang You and stabbed him in the kidney.

Medea: "?"

Jiang You: "?"

Baze: "?"

Chapter Seventy-Eight: When my master and I join forces, we are invincible!