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

The old priest stepped onto the battlefield.

"What an amazing Noble Phantasm! It actually managed to pull an old guy like me, who has no chance of becoming a Heroic Spirit, out of the brink of death." Kotomine Risatsu felt like he had slept for a very long time. "It's so wonderful to be able to see my son and granddaughter again. Kirei, with that outfit, did you give up your chance to become a priest and become a cook instead?"

“Father, you’ve mistaken me for someone else.” Ma Po knew that this was not Kotomine Risei from her own timeline, since Kotomine Risei on her side was alive and well and had even brought Kallen back from the church. “The one behind you is me from this timeline.”

"Is that so? Noble Phantasms are indeed unpredictable. You've grown into an excellent priest now, Kirei." Kirei Kotomine looked at her son's neat attire and nodded in satisfaction.

"Father Kirei Kotomine, it's a pity that your son has grown into a complete scumbag!" Rin Tohsaka wouldn't give Kirei Kotomine a chance for a heartwarming reunion with his father. She directly tore off Kirei Kotomine's solemn facade in front of him. "He murdered my father just for his own pleasure, and he even used the church's underground as his playground, kidnapping innocent children and draining their magic power! Look at what he's done!"

“Tohsaka Tokiomi’s daughter…” Kotomine Rissatsu recognized Tohsaka Rin’s identity, and her anger was genuine and undisguised. Kotomine Rissatsu sensed something was wrong. “Is what she said true, Kirei?”

“Father, that’s right, the one you raised is a complete demon!” Kirei Kotomine wanted to laugh, but he couldn’t utter the syllable. He should have felt extremely happy to see his father’s disappointed expression. The moment when hope was shattered should have been incredibly sweet.

This duel doesn't seem that interesting anymore.

Chapter Ninety-Five: A Card Game Turns into a Family Council

"So much has happened? It's my fault, I haven't paid enough attention to you." Kotomine Risei, who had a son late in life, had always doted on Kotomine Kirei. His usually upright back was now hunched over. "Kirei, turn back now, you shouldn't have become like this."

The death of Kotomine Risho was a major turning point for Kotomine Kirei, the last anchor he struggled to maintain his humanity. After Kotomine Risho's death, Kotomine Kirei completely surrendered to Gilgamesh's pleasure.

Now, it appeared again at this anchor point, causing confusion in Kotomine Kirei's internal thought circuits. He could only remain silent.

"[Kotomine Risei]'s effect: When Normal Summoned, add a Field Spell Card [Fuyuki Church] to your hand."

“I think I misspoke. My father’s mental age isn’t just 9 years old; he’s probably only 6. He tends to run away from problems.” Karen directly pointed out Kirei Kotomine’s tendency to avoid the harsh reality.

Kotomine Risei looked at his grown-up granddaughter, feeling first relieved and then melancholy. He saw his granddaughter's unique physique, and this personality, besides being inherited from Kirei, was probably also influenced by many of her life experiences. He could only sigh that he had left too early.

"【Fuyuki Church】Effect! All Church Servants on the field gain 500 ATK and DEF! And because this is where the Lord resides, this card is face-up while on the field, and as long as I have a Church Servant on the field, I will not take combat or effect damage!"

[Kotomine Kirei] Attack Power 1600→2100

【Karen Ordesia】Defense 2000→2500

[Kotomine Risei] Attack power 1200 → 1700

"Finally, I'll set a card face down in the back row and end my turn." Kirei Kotomine said with a dark face. Tokiomi Tohsaka was still in his deck. If he could, he would like to perform in front of Rin Tohsaka how he sent her father to the graveyard. However, he was very dissatisfied with the cards dealt, as if he were being judged.

“My turn, my turn, draw a card!” Rin Tohsaka looked at Kirei Kotomine’s family on the opposite field and had a special idea.

“Even your family doesn’t really like you, you damned priest.” Rin Tohsaka raised the card in her hand. “In that case, I’ll be merciful and let you see your wife again! I activate the Spell Card [Imitation Medicine: Useless Hades Lament] to revive a Level 4 or lower Servant card from the Graveyard, and I Special Summon [Claudia], who sent yourself to the Graveyard, to my field!”

A frail, white-haired woman, a hydrangea-like beauty, stepped onto the battlefield with a smile.

【Claudia】 1-star, Attack Power 1000

“Is that little Karen?” With a mother’s instinct, Claudia recognized her daughter at a glance. She seemed exceptionally happy. “You’ve grown so much. You’re so thin. Don’t be like your mother. You need to eat properly.”

“Mom…” Karen had only seen this woman in photos, but she couldn’t help but call out those two words. “It’s so good to meet you!”

Yanfeng Lizheng wiped the corners of his eyes. No matter what, being able to have the family reunited was something to be happy about.

But this atmosphere couldn't last long. Mapo took a few steps back, within the limits allowed by the rules. He didn't want to get involved in what was going on here. He just wanted to go back and try the food.

"Kirei, your eyes..." Because Kirei deliberately avoided eye contact with Claudia, Claudia didn't see his face clearly and therefore didn't mistake him for someone else. "You still haven't won people's hearts."

"Simply lacking humanity is hardly enough to describe him!" Rin Tohsaka was determined to tell all of Kirei Kotomine's families about his actions, regardless of whether Kirei Kotomine cared or not. "He is so wicked that he only finds pleasure in the suffering of others. For a moment of pleasure, he would kill his own master and drain children dry like batteries!"

"...How could that be?" During her time with Claudia, aside from being somewhat emotionally detached, Kirei Kotomine was an exceptionally good husband in every way. Claudia knew he couldn't find happiness like most people. That's why she attempted suicide to try and revive his emotions. "Kirei, will you really find happiness in this?"

Kotomine Kirei really wanted to tell his wife that he was that kind of person. Then his wife would definitely show a disappointed expression, and that kind of mental torture would definitely make him happy.

But there was only silence.

"Kirei, answer me, are you happy with my death?"

"Yes, I was happy, but I deeply regret not enjoying the process of your death!" Kirei Kotomine finally shouted. He didn't understand why he felt agitated when he was clearly enjoying the process.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t save you.” Claudia cried, but she didn’t blame Kirei Kotomine.

"Father, yours is trash that even the recycling center would refuse to accept." Kallen glared at Kirei Kotomine. If it weren't for the restrictions of the duel rules, Kallen would definitely have punched his annoying face.

Kotomine Risei sighed. He looked at Mapo and felt that he should let Kirei become a chef.

"You're truly hopeless!" Rin Tohsaka looked at Kirei Kotomine's twisted expression and felt that he was completely unworthy of such a gentle wife. "Father Risei Kotomine, Miss Karen, and this lady, I have a blood feud with this guy. Whatever your thoughts, I'm going to start taking action now!"

"Next, I will Normal Summon my father [Tōsaka Tokiomi]!"

An elegant middle-aged man in a red suit stepped onto the battlefield. "Rin, the battle has begun again? And this time, who is your opponent... Kirei?"

[Tokiomi Tohsaka] Attack Power 1200

"Hahahaha, Master, how did it feel to be stabbed to death by the very magic dagger you gave me ten years ago?" Kirei Kotomine finally managed a genuine laugh. "To hear the resentful echoes of the dead is truly exhilarating!"

"Kirei... what nonsense are you talking about?" Tokiomi Tohsaka had no idea what was going on; he was perfectly fine. "Did you finally make yourself stupid by making tofu?"

Kotomine Kirei felt like he had punched cotton; it was incredibly painful. This Tōsaka Tokiomi's style was exactly like his own. He looked at Mapo with disgust in his eyes, wondering if he was being too disappointing.

"Father, in this timeline, that bastard Kirei Kotomine betrayed you and killed you in the Holy Grail War!" Fortunately, Rin Tohsaka provided an explanation.

"The battle continues. Thanks to Father's effect, I'm adding a [Jewel Necklace] to my hand! With [Jewel Necklace's] effect, I Special Summon [Atalanta] from my Deck!"

[Atalanta] Attack Power 2000

"It's not Saber after all?" Kirei Kotomine looked at the green tower cat. "Looks like you pulled a special Servant."

Chapter 96 Gilgamesh: Kirei Kotomine?

"Due to the effect of [Tōsaka Tokiomi], I'll take 250 points of LP damage from you, and I'll restore the same amount myself!"

Rin Tohsaka LP4000→LP4250

Kirei Kotomine LP4000

"Trying to keep widening the blood difference to ensure your victory?" Kirei Kotomine was unharmed due to the effect of the Field Spell Card. "Unfortunately, it won't work unless you break through the other Servants on my field."

"It's okay, I can break through now! Once per turn, you can activate the effect of [Atalanta] by targeting 1 card on your opponent's field. Destroy that card. During the turn this effect is activated, this card cannot attack! Atalanta, Complaint Arrow!"

Atalanta drew her bow and shot a blazing arrow into the sky. A dense rain of arrows whistled across the entire Fuyuki Church, and the scene composed of field magic cards collapsed layer by layer. The attack power of all the cards in Kotomine Kirei's front field returned to their original values.

"You've got some skills," Kirei Kotomine praised, just as he had when teaching Rin Tohsaka magic. Back then, Rin would have felt smug about the praise, but now it sounded so grating.

"You don't need to tell me this!" Rin Tohsaka displayed the card in her hand, "[Jason] Effect: Special Summon if there is a corresponding Servant on the field!"

"Here you are, but you're about to leave the field, right, Rin?" Jason was already used to his role as a springboard. "It's time to free me up!"

"I release [Jason] and special summon [Hercules] from my hand!"

Hercules: Attack Power 3000

"The strongest demigod hero of ancient Greece? That's terrifying attack power. Are you going to use him to break through my defenses?" Kirei Kotomine reminded him, "You can only attack [Kallen]."

"To use your daughter as a shield to block Hercules, Father, you are truly wicked." Kallen's personality somewhat inherited Kirei Kotomine's eccentricities, and she directly stated the effect of her attack. "I will not be destroyed by battle, and attacking me directly will be useless if you want to break through."

"Do you really want to see your father dragged into darkness?" Kirei Kotomine never expected that after successfully diverting Rin Tohsaka's attention to the Field Spell Card, he would be betrayed by his own daughter in less than a turn.

“Look at what you’re saying. You’re already standing in the darkness. Being dragged into the darkness is just like going home,” Karen said, though sharp-tongued and sarcastic. But in essence, she had dedicated her life to the Lord. She believed she existed to serve the Lord in heaven and the people He loved. She possessed this strong conviction and faith. “Go and spend some time with your mother. With her there, you’ll at least retain some semblance of humanity.”

"You damned priest! You've been abandoned by everyone!" Rin Tohsaka entered battle mode, her anger blazing as she pointed directly at Kirei Kotomine. "Ready to die?! I activate [Shoot a Hundred Heads] Hercules, increasing my attack power by 1500 points and allowing me to attack three times!"

Hercules: Attack Power 4500

"Commit suicide? You think you can break through [Kallen]'s defense!? Kallen is right, she's my best shield." Kirei Kotomine laughed loudly. He had already secretly observed Rin Tohsaka's battle and understood most of the deck's effects. "[Hercules] has the ability to destroy additional cards after destroying others in battle, but so what? You can still only attack [Kallen]!"

"Who said I was going to use [Hercules] to break through?" Rin Tohsaka's eyes were somewhat mocking. It was clearly Kirei Kotomine's own card that could be used for the breakthrough, yet Kirei seemed completely unaware. "I'm going to launch an attack with [Claudia]!"

"This is your wife who was sent to the graveyard right at the start of the game. Didn't you even glance at her effects?" Under Rin Tohsaka's command, Claudia embraced Kallen. "Or are you simply too afraid to look?"

"[Claudia]'s effect! After this card battles, during the Damage Control Phase, send this card to the Graveyard and banish all cards that battled it until the turn phase!"

With Kallen looking very satisfied, the mother and daughter left the battlefield.

Claudia's death might have had an impact on Kotomine Kirei, but it was very limited. The emotionally twisted Kotomine Kirei still walked the world. But in a duel, this little time was enough!

"Your situation is no longer able to protect you. Prepare to die, Kotomine Kirei!"

The axe and sword slashed down on the enraged Mapo. Knowing her fate, Mapo threw the Mapo Tofu in her hand towards her present-day self before being chopped in two. The plate of Mapo Tofu slid several meters across the ground before stopping in front of Kotomine Kirei.

"Your last meal. Have a taste!" he said. Then Hercules smashed him into a pulp.

Kirei Kotomine LP4000→1100

The martial arts that Hercules used to kill the Hydra were superb. The damage reduced by 1600 points was poured into Kotomine Kirei's body. He felt as if his soul was torn apart.

"It's over. Kotomine Kirei, go down and apologize to my father!"

In the cemetery, [Claudia] has the effect of being excluded and resisting one attack, but now that she has been sealed three times, she can no longer help Kotomine Kirei.

"Then, the second strike!" Hercules raised his axe and charged at Kirei Kotomine. In just the second turn, Kirei Kotomine suffered a complete defeat. If he could have held on until the next turn, Gilgamesh in the graveyard could indeed have saved his situation, but unfortunately, there are no "ifs." Being targeted by the dealer is like this.

"Kirei, if there is an afterlife, be an ordinary person." Kotomine Ryougi knew that all was lost. He looked at his son and, if possible, would let Kirei become a cook.

In Kotomine Kirei's last moments, he picked up the Mapo Tofu on the ground. The taste was different from that in Chinese restaurants. He had been constantly improving it and it was more suitable for his own taste.

Does he regret it? Kirei Kotomine doesn't know, because the final damage has already been done.

Kirei Kotomine LP1100→LP0

Mapo tofu mixed with blood flowed out of Kotomine Kirei's mouth. A hand stretched out from the darkness and dragged Kotomine Kirei into the darkness. After a creepy tearing sound, a hand holding five golden star-shaped emblems lowered in front of Toosaka Rin.

"Is this, 'ticket'?"

Gilgamesh took the duel pass from the ticket seller; it was a golden star. "What a cheap thing. If I were to make it, it would have to be gold!"

Then Gilgamesh seemed to sense something, "Kotomine Kirei?"

He shook his head indifferently, showing little concern. He only felt that his treatment was too low. He looked at the ticket seller with dark skin and bright purple hair. "You mongrel, you can tell that I am also a Servant, can't you? Where is the treatment for a seeded player? If you cannot satisfy me, I don't mind sentencing you for disrespect right here and now!"