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

Toosaka Rin thought of what Kotomine Kirei said during their final battle.

"...My own effect: discard two cards from your hand, and at the start of your next turn, Special Summon an Archer of eight or lower from your Graveyard in Attack Position."

The card Gilgamesh displayed during the duel was Archer, an eight-star card. Toosaka Rin didn't believe there was no connection.

"So why hasn't Sakura come back yet? It's almost time for dinner. Is anything wrong?"

"Don't worry, the current rules don't allow for attacks... and there's no broadcast of the duels, something must have delayed things." Rin Tohsaka switched channels a few times but didn't see Sakura Matou. Besides, she felt that the Hundred Faces' clones seemed a bit excessive, more than before. Before, they were basically just carrying cameras, but now they're all carrying lights and microphones. The Hundred Faces are active in every duel.

"Don't just let Sakura do all the cooking! She's doing all the housework for you, isn't she? You get bossed around at school, and now you're bossing Sakura around at home!" Rin Tohsaka kicked Shirou Emiya. "It's our turn today, so hurry up and get started!"

“Okay…” Emiya Shirou stood up helplessly. He also felt that he had become a bit lazy when Sakura was around. However, he felt that most of the girls around him had slightly different personalities.

In fact, he wanted to order Archer to do the work, but Red A also went out to investigate.

"Since there are two of us working together, let's make something more elaborate today!" Rin Tohsaka rolled up her sleeves. Despite her pampered young lady appearance, she was actually quite skilled at Chinese cuisine.

Jiang You looked at the purple Servant who was trying to hide himself, and felt that he was being somewhat disrespected.

“R-sister… the barrier here was created by Medea using soul crystals as a medium. Even an A+ aura concealment won’t work. Just come out.” Jiang You wasn’t sure what Matou Sakura was thinking, but Medusa didn’t seem to have any ill intentions.

“Caster, my Master wishes to see you…” Medusa stepped forward and explained her purpose. She even kindly reminded him, “Besides, your Servant Guard is too weak. If you want to hide yourself, staying here is not a wise choice.”

“We are not that incompetent.” Bai Zhao emerged from the shadows. She did not want to be labeled as incompetent by other Servants in front of her Master. “It was because Master wanted to see you that he made an exception for you. Besides, if Master wanted to leave, no one could find him.”

Baimao has long been accustomed to Jiang You's behavior of unplugging and logging off from time to time. This five-speed effect is above all rules, and Medea even calls him invincible.

"Master, my opinion is not to keep the appointment." After Hyakko gained fame in a certain area, the effect of her Noble Phantasm was slightly enhanced, and the number of her clones increased significantly, so she had enough manpower to gather intelligence. "Although Matou Sakura has some connection with you, Master, she has already joined the subjugation team led by Tohsaka Rin and Bazett. Judging from their intentions, there is a high probability that they want to bypass your activities and launch a direct attack."

“Caster doesn’t need to go to the appointment.” Medusa had already received instructions from Matou Sakura, and they had anticipated this situation. “My Master will come in person.”

"Actually, it's unnecessary." Jiang You had been receiving reports from Rin Tohsaka's intelligence network, and he had a pretty good idea of ​​Sakura Matou's attitude. However, this extra plot should probably improve her favorability. "Sakura doesn't seem to have any intention of participating, so I'll meet with her to put her mind at ease."

Jiang You was actually more worried that Ilya would just come and kill him. This game wasn't a traditional visual novel with fixed choices, and Jiang You hadn't figured out how to explain his refusal to respond to the summons. He could only pray that his affection level wouldn't drop too much; he hadn't finished collecting the rewards yet.

"In that case, I'll take my leave." Medea nodded, and after receiving Jiang You's reply, she left directly.

Medusa was very fast, and she had covered half of the mountain path in a few breaths. However, she did not leave immediately, but stopped halfway.

"You've been following me for so long, stop hiding and come out, Archer!" Medusa didn't turn her head, but instead shot the chain sword in her hand into the bushes on the left.

"As expected of a snake, its sense of smell is truly keen." Archer dodged the attack and landed in front of Medusa, blocking her path. "I thought I was the most unstable one, but I never expected that you, Rider, would be the first Servant to betray me."

"How about we have a chat?" Seeing Medusa in an attack stance, Red A also projected Gan Jiang and Mo Xie.

"No need!" She removed the self-sealing eye patch. The Petrifying Demon Eye was activated immediately.

Red A, who knew Medusa's real name, also had his own way of dealing with it. He threw out two swords, blocking Medusa's sight.

At this moment, the chains connecting the chain swords surrounded Red A from all directions. Medusa's previous running was not just to hurry on. The chains were intertwined like a spider web. Now it was time to close the net!

"I was careless, but it's alright!" Archer immediately used Jiang You's Noble Phantasm, his twin swords disintegrating, and Medusa's Petrifying Mystic Eyes activated. "I accept your duel!"

Chapter 103 Have you ever considered using card games to transmit intelligence?

"Given the current situation... is there still a recording? Medusa is on the Master's side, so it wouldn't be good to expose it, would it?" If the battle between Medusa and Archer were broadcast, regardless of the outcome, Rin Tohsaka and the others would realize something was wrong, and Sakura Matou would be in an awkward position.

“You’re right, but Master’s idea is to hold the competition fairly.” Another Hyakko picked up the camera. “Don’t you understand the concept of playback delay? At worst, we can just release it after it’s over. A duel between Heroic Spirits is much more eye-catching than the decisions of ordinary magicians. The ratings will skyrocket.”

"What does this rating have to do with us?" This Hyakko felt that he could no longer be called an Assassin in his other self.

"Stop talking nonsense, the duel is about to begin! Hold on tight!"

The duel began in the space, but since it was a remote area, there were no spectators watching this duel between heroes.

"When did you figure it out?" Medusa stared at Archer. Matou Sakura and she were both the type to rarely speak in the team, practically invisible. "Logically, your area of ​​responsibility today should be the shopping street, right? There's no reason for you to be here."

"Well, although everyone else seems to trust Matou Sakura's personality," Archer said, shaking his head with his arms crossed, "she initially shared a similar stance with Illya, so it's perfectly normal for her to betray us. It just goes to show that our Masters are still like children, frighteningly naive."

"In that case, I have no choice but to keep you here!" Medusa gripped her deck. "I'll go first!"

Medusa gazed at the card in her hand, a hint of nostalgia and apprehension flickering in her square pupils. "First, I usually summon [Stheno] as the embodiment of my longing. Sister, please respond to me!"

A petite goddess with bright purple hair appeared in golden light.

[Stheno] Assassin 3-star, Attack Power 800

“Isn’t this my sister? Long time no see, she’s grown up so much.” Stheno looked at Medusa with a teasing expression, but the curve of her lips showed that she was quite happy.

"Grown up?!" Medusa, usually so aloof and mature, revealed a surprisingly vulnerable expression. She looked down at herself, realizing that the concept of growth didn't apply to becoming a Heroic Spirit unless her Spirit Origin changed. "Sister, please stop teasing me. We still have a battle to fight..."

"Actually, I have no objection. You can continue."

"Oh my, what a polite gentleman, I like him very much." Stheno covered her mouth and chuckled at Red A. If it weren't for the duel rules, her charm would probably have already been activated. "Medusa, you actually attacked a child like that? I'm so sad."

Medusa knew her sister was a person who would flatter any man, no matter what kind of man she was dealing with. However, these words were not sincere at all.

“Sister…” Medusa was actually a very obedient person in front of her sister, and she really didn’t know how to ask Stheno to cooperate with her.

"Alright, alright, stop looking so troubled, it's really unsightly. You should call Euryale out too, we don't get many chances for the three of us to reunite." Perhaps sensing something, Stheno took the initiative to let Medusa continue her actions.

"Thank you!" Medusa was finally able to continue her turn. "Sister's effect! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can search your Deck for one [Gorgon] Servant! The Servant I want to add is [Eurelia]!"

“That’s right, that’s right! Medusa is such a good girl.” Stheno’s tone was like coaxing a child, but Medusa didn’t have any objections. On the contrary, she looked pleased.

In response, Red A showed a rather subtle expression.

"If you add this card to your hand by means other than drawing, you can activate this effect. Special Summon this card! Be born into the world as the complete 'idol' and 'ideal girl'!"

A pink arrow representing love fell on the field, and a smaller goddess who looked exactly like Stheno blossomed in the pink light.

【Eureka】 Archer 3-star, Attack Power 1200

“Stheno, it’s so exciting to see you here!” Euryale grasped Stheno’s hand, and the two pressed tightly together.

"Eurielle, you're still as lovely as ever. I love you all the time... Of course, I love you too, Medusa. Don't be jealous. Do you want to come with us? Let the sisters love you well." Stheno also hugged Eurielle, whispering softly. Like reflections in a mirror, the two could not be easily distinguished.

"Sister!" Medusa blushed; she had come for a duel. The current situation made it difficult for her to speak.

“Don’t worry about it too much, Medusa.” Euryale smiled, her light purple eyes full of laughter.

"...Anyway, when my sister [Eurielle]'s] effect is Special Summoned, add a [Gorgon] Spell Card from your deck to your hand."

"Next, my Noble Phantasm, [Rider's Reins]! Send one [Medusa] from my hand/Deck to the Graveyard, and Special Summon one [Pegasus] from my Deck!"

A galloping meteor streaked across the sky and landed on the ground. A pure white horse with wings neighed towards the sky.

【Pegasus】 Rider, 6-star, Attack Power 2000

"A Pegasus born from your blood?" Red A looked at Pegasus, tilting his head. "Then Chrysaor should have one too, right?"

"A Heroic Spirit is only a past aspect, not a complete one." Medusa's expression was somewhat grim. Her deck still contained many cards related to her death. In legends, she wasn't some celebrated hero, but a monster to be vanquished. "But it's enough to crush a high school student like you who wants to be a champion of justice!"

"No, I'm an adult, okay?" Archer shrugged, indicating that Shirou Emiya's personal behavior shouldn't be taken out of his own head. "I abandoned that dream a long time ago. I'm a pragmatist now."

"I hope what you're saying is true." Medusa placed two cards in the back row and ended her turn.

"So, it's my turn, draw a card!" Red A looked at the cards in his hand and revealed a wicked smile.

"Since you know that I and your Master are the same person, you naturally know that my cards should also include him, right?" Red A picked up a card and shook it back and forth, his smile even more uncontrollable than AK's. "If I summon him directly, even if you win against me, you won't be able to hide it anymore, right?"

"!!!"

Chapter 104 Your organization is probably a distillery

"So, what are you planning to do?" Red A held the card in his hand, his expression extremely smug.

"Assassin! Did you hear that? Go tell Sakura right now! I'll try my best to hold him off!" Medusa thought to herself that if he really was summoned, she could only try to keep Shirou Emiya on the field, so that at least the news could be slowed down and Sakura could have time to prepare.

All the Hundred Faces knew about Sakura Matou's situation. They had met each other in the timeline ten years ago. One of the Hundred Faces immediately put down the tools in his hand and ran out.

"Forget it, at Hyakko's speed, it would have been over by the time he got there." Red A continued to provoke Medusa. "Why don't you summon Matou Sakura and then send her back? That would be faster."

"You would let Sakura leave so easily?" Medusa didn't believe that Archer would be so kind.

"Who knows? Well, I'm going to start. First, I activate the Spell Card [Gallows, Crowned with the Priestly Sinner] and send a Servant of 4 stars or lower from my Deck to the Graveyard. The one I'm going to send to the Graveyard is [Emiya Kiritsugu]! Then I'll add another [Emiya] to my hand."

"Not only that, because of the effect of [Emiya Kiritsugu], a [Origin Bullet] was sent to the Graveyard by the effect and added to my hand from the deck!" Red A's hand now has 7 cards. "Although I don't know the effect of your card, [Pegasus] is the highest-level card, so it's definitely right to deal with it first!"

"[Origin Bullet] effect! Negate the effect of [Pegasus] and destroy it!"

The sound of the firing pin came from behind Pegasus, directly opening a bloody hole in the neck of the Pegasus. Amidst Pegasus's wails, it was sent to the grave.

"Then, next, it's the normal flow. Use the effect of [Justice Messenger] to Special Summon [Emiya Kiritsugu] from the Graveyard!"

【Emiya Kiritsugu】Attack Power 1600

"Although I'm somewhat used to this situation, isn't the Caster Holy Grail War over...?" Emiya Kiritsugu opened his eyes and realized that none of the people around him were familiar Servants. He subconsciously pulled out the pistol he was carrying.

"This is... Mount Enzo?" Kiritsugu Emiya was very familiar with the terrain here, after all, a battle to save the world had taken place here not long ago. It was the most glorious moment of his life, one he could never forget.

"Lord Kiritsugu." Kiritsugu was, after all, Jiang You's Master, and their relationship was fairly good, so Hyakko didn't hold back in using honorifics. He then explained, "This is the timeline ten years in the future, which is also the timeline of Miss Illya in your deck."

"I understand roughly." Kiritsugu Emiya lit a cigarette. Jiang You had asked Irisviel to supervise Kiritsugu and prevent him from smoking, citing the fact that it was bad for Ilya's health. Because of Jiang You's status in the Einzbern family, Irisviel actually complied strictly, and Kiritsugu's status in the family had somewhat diminished. "So why was it this Servant who summoned me, and not Ilya?"

"Hello, foster father, I am the Heroic Spirit Emiya." During this time, Archer had completely recalled his past as Emiya Shirou from his long memories, and he also remembered the existence of Emiya Kiritsugu.

"Foster father...Emiya...?" Emiya Kiritsugu had heard Jiang You describe the situation ten years later according to the normal course of events. "So you're the Emiya Shirou that Ilya and that guy were talking about? What exactly did you do to become a Servant?"

"That guy, his name is Jiang You, right?" Because of Ilya and Tohsaka Tokiomi, Jiang You had long since lost his class name.

"Medusa, is the owner of this special treasure called Jiang You? Although the name is not very nice, remember to say thank you to him."

"Eurielie, you can't say that. Heroes like this deserve to be rewarded."

"You're right, Stheno. I was a bit rude. Medusa, please treat me well."

Medusa looked at the card in her hand and thought, if this effect was also activated, the sisters probably wouldn't say that.

"Actually, I'm just an unnamed Servant. Having made a pact with the Counter Force, I gained the qualification to become a Heroic Spirit. However, my deeds won't allow me to leave my name." Shirou Emiya looked at his adoptive father. He had once resented him for inheriting his wish, but he had long since let it go. "I've always been curious about something: it seems that every card related to your timeline highly praises Jiang You. Why is that? Is it simply because he successfully obtained the Holy Grail?"

"Is this what you're curious about?" Kiritsugu Emiya stared at Archer. Although their appearances were different, he could still see some of his own reflection in Archer. "Is it convenient to talk about this?"

"I wanted to ask you this from the beginning, why didn't you just summon Emiya Shirou?" Seeing that the two of them had turned their gazes to her, Medusa finally voiced her question. Archer had been emphasizing that he wanted to spread the news of Medusa and Matou Sakura's betrayal, so why was he now chatting so leisurely?

"Guess." Archer's personality is quite different from Shirou Emiya's, and he can be quite annoying when he's relaxed.

“Silly sister, haven’t you figured it out yet?” Euryale’s smile narrowed her eyes into crescents. “He didn’t actually intend to report it, because he also intended to betray us.”