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

Chapter 123 Sister, Let's Duel!

Toosaka Rin always felt that this nameless magician with a purple hood looked very familiar, especially his figure. She always felt that she had seen him somewhere.

"Rin Tohsaka, the keeper of the Fuyuki Spirit Vein and the successor of Jewel Magic, issues you a duel challenge." Rin Tohsaka announced her name. She was also very curious about the identity of this nameless magician, and as a matter of courtesy, he should also announce his name.

The nameless magician remained silent for a long time and did not respond.

"You won't talk, huh? Archer, aim at her!" Rin Tohsaka ordered Archer to prepare for an attack, intending to force him into a duel if he tried to escape.

Finally, the nameless magician took off her hood. Her long purple hair spilled out from under the hood, and there was no way Tōsaka Rin would mistake her face.

"How...how could this be, Sakura, it's you!" Rin Tohsaka's memories flashed back like lightning. From the beginning, Sakura often didn't act with the others. When Gilgamesh flew into the sky on Vimana, Rider appeared almost immediately with Caster, and there was also Sakura's initial familiarity with Illya.

"Sakura, you've been on Caster's side from the beginning... right?" Rin Tohsaka roughly guessed that Sakura Matou stayed by her side to spy on the Alliance, but now, there was no need for that anymore.

"Compared to that, why does my sister insist on being enemies with Caster?" Matou Sakura asked Tohsaka Rin with a smile on her face. "You've been kept in the dark about Tohsaka Tokiomi's matter all along by Kirei Kotomine. Caster helped you, didn't he? You should express your gratitude to him for this."

Sakura Matou doesn't know yet that the purpose of the Clock Tower has changed from dealing with Jiang You's organization to assisting Jiang You in successfully completing the duel competition.

In truth, Rin Tohsaka's attitude towards Jiang You is also quite confused: "At first, it was because he violated the principle that 'mysteries should be kept hidden,' and no magician could accept this level of exposure. As the manager of Fuyuki, I had to stop this situation, but now the Clock Tower has stated that they will not pursue this matter, and will even help him... Ah—! What on earth is going on! Have they given up on magic?!"

Rin Tohsaka clutched her head, feeling utterly lost in this world. The Clock Tower, always so strict and seemingly inhumane, had made such a choice, making her wonder if she'd been transported to some other, more ordinary world. Since she couldn't understand it, she gave up trying to figure it out. "Anyway, my goal now is to get my Saber Jason back from Caster because the Medea he summoned has taken him—by his rules, through a duel!"

"But you, Sakura, why are you helping Caster so diligently? You shouldn't have any opportunities to come into contact with Servants, right?" Before the Holy Grail War, or rather, from the very beginning, Rin Tohsaka had been paying attention to her blood-related younger sister. Her life trajectory was very clear.

“Sister, since you have Tokiomi Tohsaka in your deck and know the true nature of the Matou family's magic, then he must have told you about me, right?” Matou Sakura revealed her fair arm, the magic circuits on it radiating a soft light after being successfully repaired. “Have you ever thought about it? Since your father in your deck is from another timeline ten years ago, is it possible that we can also be summoned to other timelines as cards?”

Sakura displayed her magic circuits without reservation, radiating her pure magical power towards Tōsaka Rin, demonstrating the nature of her magic.

It's a very strange attribute, but what is certain is that it is not the water attribute that can adapt to the magic of the Matou family. Toosaka Rin knows that according to Toosaka Tokiomi, Sakura's magic circuit should have been transformed into water attribute by Matou Zouken using the cresting worm.

"Your magic circuits...have been repaired?" Rin Tohsaka was somewhat surprised. She knew that modifying the Crest Worms' magic circuits was devastating; repairing them was no less difficult than human transmutation, requiring years of nurturing. Before the Holy Grail War, Sakura Matou had no chance to repair them, because Zouken Matou would never agree. So the answer was obvious. Sakura was summoned to another timeline at some point. "Was it Caster who helped you?"

Sakura Matou nodded: "I'm so happy that you came to help me, sister. But Caster helped me even earlier. Even though I didn't say anything, he saw my fear and reached out to me."

“But Zouken Matou clearly still…” Rin Tohsaka realized the blind spot in her thinking. Considering that Caster's Noble Phantasm could affect mages, Sakura must have been summoned by a mage related to the Tohsaka or Matou families, most likely from the Holy Grail War ten years ago. “Ten years ago?”

“Sister is very smart, that’s true.” Matou Sakura smiled, a ray of light, even a dazzling one, that had brightened her otherwise bleak life after meeting Emiya Shirou. “Ten years ago, I found redemption, and now, I have overcome my fear of Matou Zouken and gained the power to take revenge myself. I am very grateful to him.”

"Who could have predicted such an overpowered Noble Phantasm!" Rin Tohsaka truly hadn't expected that Sakura Matou and Caster's connection would take this turn. "So, it's a similar situation for Illya. Just like Father said, she's a guy with an overflowing sense of compassion. But have you ever considered that, normally speaking, if she did this, she would be digging up the roots of all magicians? The Clock Tower will definitely investigate this matter, and not only us, but ordinary people who come into contact with the 'mystery' will also suffer because of it."

“I believe him. In the timeline ten years ago, Caster saved the entire Fuyuki City. After obtaining the Holy Grail, he had his Master, Kiritsugu Emiya, wish to resurrect all those who died due to the Beast's Descent. He must have his reasons for doing this.” Matou Sakura had no idea that Jiang You just thought it was fun.

"Fine, I'm really impressed by him." Rin Tohsaka raised her hand to surrender on this topic, because the Clock Tower's attitude proved that Sakura's idea was correct.

The only conflict between her and Jiang You now is over the ownership of Jason between her and Medea. Medea's attitude makes her very unhappy. Even if Medea has sufficient reasons to snatch Jason away, she still has to fight openly! "I want to take back my own Servant, and then compete with Caster head-on for the Holy Grail. So, Sakura, what do you think?"

"My thoughts?" Matou Sakura tilted her head. She didn't actually have many thoughts, but she felt that Illya was already working hard in the competition, and she had to do something too. At least she couldn't lose to her. "Probably... about the same as Illya. Well then, sister, I won't easily hand over this spot to you. Let's duel."

Chapter 124 The Battle That Was Fleeing Will Always Be Made Up For

Following Matou Sakura's invitation, the duel space slowly unfolded. Since Matou Sakura no longer needed to hide her identity, Baimao's live broadcast also began from now on.

Rin Tohsaka LP4000

Matou Sakura LP4000

"Since I am the younger sister, I should naturally give way to my older sister. Rin, you go first." Of course, Matou Sakura also had her own little thoughts. Many of the Servants in her deck could only activate their effects when the opponent had Servants, so going second was more advantageous than going first.

"Sakura, you don't know my deck yet, do you?" Rin Tohsaka's cards were only revealed on the second day of the Holy Grail War during her duel with Hassan the Hundred-Faced. Since Jiang You started the dueling tournament, they haven't been exposed to other players much. "My deck can create a life advantage without even entering the battle turn. You'll be at a significant disadvantage going second. Sakura, are you really sure about this?"

Matou Sakura nodded affirmatively, and Tōsaka Rin didn't say anything more and began her own story.

"First, I activate [Uphold Grace], banishing the top 10 cards in my deck face-down, then draw two cards!"

"Father, you've come just in time! Then, I'll Normal Summon [Tōsaka Tokiomi]!"

[Tokiomi Tohsaka] Attack Power 1200

"The effect adds a [Gem]-related magic card to your hand. I want to add this [Cursed Black Gem Magic]!"

An elegant and tired middle-aged man appeared in the battle area.

"Rin, is your opponent this time... Sakura?" Tokiomi Tohsaka looked at his youngest daughter, whom he had given away, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and relief. He could see that Sakura seemed to have emerged from the shadows and was now radiating some vitality. "You've grown up so much."

Matou Sakura smiled at her father. She understood his choice, but it was hard to say she didn't feel resentment. She simply called out "father" softly and said nothing more.

Rin Tohsaka broke the awkward silence: "Next, I activate my own effect from my hand, sending one [Jewel] Spellbook to the Graveyard and Special Summoning it from my hand!"

Rin Tohsaka: Attack Power 1200

"It's about to begin, Sakura. If it hurts too much, tell your older sister." Rin Tohsaka reminded Sakura that duels would cause actual damage, and that Rin's deck of cards would continuously deal low-level direct damage. "Your older sister will move a little slower."

I've actually gotten used to the pain a long time ago. Matou Sakura nodded, signaling Tousaka Rin to continue.

"[Cursed Black Gem Magic] Pay 2000 Life Points, select 3 [Gem] Magics from your Deck except [Black Gem Magic], add one of them to your hand, and send the other two to the Graveyard!"

Rin Tohsaka LP4000→LP2000→LP2500

Matou Sakura LP4000→LP3500

"I want to add this card, [The Jewel Necklace of Legacy]. This card's effect is to Special Summon one Archer of 5 stars or lower from the Deck. Come, ally of justice, [Emiya]!"

[Emiya] Attack Power 2000

Rin Tohsaka LP2500→LP3000

Matou Sakura LP3500→LP3000

"Rin, I feel it's necessary to tell you that the words 'partner of justice' have nothing to do with me. I'm just an executioner." Archer reiterated that he was a pragmatist, and that being a messenger of justice was irrelevant to him.

“But that’s what it says on your spell card.” Rin Tohsaka bluntly exposed Archer’s true nature. “[Emiya]’s effect: Once per turn, discard one card and equip one Equip Card from your Deck to yourself. I equip [Durandal] to [Emiya].”

[Emiya] Attack power 2000 → 2500

"This is the third time! [Gorgeous Sapphire Magic] returns three [Gem] Magics from the Graveyard to the Deck, then draws a card!"

Rin Tohsaka LP3000→LP3500

Matou Sakura LP3000→LP2500

"Finally, I set a card in the back row to end my turn." Rin Tohsaka dealt 1500 Life Points damage to Sakura Matou in her first turn. If the opponent had cards on the field, combining this with Archer's [Pseudo-Spiral Sword] release could easily deal 2000 Direct Damage. Under the 4000 LP rule, the pressure was undeniably strong.

"Well, it's my turn now. Draw!" Matou Sakura began her turn. "Rider, I'll have to trouble your sisters too. When I Normal Summon or Special Summon the card [Stheno], I can search my Deck for one [Gorgon] Servant!"

[Stheno] Attack Power 800

The eternal maiden goddess descended here.

Stheno turned to look at Matou Sakura, the one who summoned her. "Little girl, you're Medusa's Master, right? You two have very similar auras... You seem so easy to bully on the surface. Don't be shy, this is a compliment. I can treat you like a little sister too."

"Then hurry up and summon me (Eureka) too, she agrees and wants to see you as well." Stheno urged Matou Sakura to summon her sister.

"Okay, I'm adding [Eurielie]. This card can be special summoned when added to the hand without drawing a card!"

A girl who looked exactly like Stheno fell onto the battlefield.

[Eureka] Attack Power 1200

"We (Stheno) have met again. It's like a dream that we meet so often."

“Yes, as long as that Servant is still around, we have many more opportunities to thank him properly.” Seeing that Sakura had been waiting for her, Stheno thoughtfully reminded her, “Your name is Sakura, right? Don’t worry about us too much, continue your duel.”

"Eurielle's effect: When Special Summoned, add a Gorgon Spell Card from your deck to your hand. I'm going to add this Gorgon's Temple."

"Activate the Field Spell Card [Gorgon's Temple]. This card cannot be selected. While this card is on the field, our [Gorgon] servant has 500 attack power."

[Stheno] Attack power 800 → 1300

[Eureka] Attack power 1200→1700

The dark stone temple slowly rose up, and dozens of human-shaped stone sculptures with different expressions were scattered in every corner of the temple.

"Gorgon's Temple's second effect: When an enemy Servant is destroyed in battle or by an effect, it is not sent to the Graveyard. Instead, it is treated as a Continuous Spell Card and placed face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone. Of course, when this card leaves the field, all of these cards are sent to the Graveyard."

"It's more like Medusa's temple than ours. It's all stone."

Chapter 125 Red A: In short, world peace

"Placing a Continuous Spell Card in the back row?" This approach does fit the definition of Medusa's Petrify, but Red A feels the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. "Doesn't this reduce the number of cards in your back row?"

"It's obviously a deck that, like yours, can utilize backline resources." Rin Tohsaka knew that the Servant's cards couldn't be that simple.

"As expected of your older sister, you guessed the effect right away," Matou Sakura praised. "Servants in the back row can be released by [Gorgon's Temple] to apply various effects. We'll find out the specific effects later."

"Next, I activate [Mystic Eyes of Petrification]! Card Name: Once per turn. This card cannot be used against powerful Servants, so it can only be activated by selecting Servants below level 3. Sister, excuse me! The target I want to select is [Tousaka Rin] and place Sister in my backfield as a Continuous Spell Card."

The shadow of Medusa appeared before Rin Tōsaka, her square pupils casting a petrifying Mystic Eye at her. She felt herself gradually losing control of her body, and finally, she transformed into a stone statue and fell to the back of Matou Sakura's field.

Then, with a pale face, Tōsaka Rin's true form returned to the main station's area. She didn't want to experience the feeling of being petrified again.

"The effect of 【Gorgon's Temple】: Tribute one Continuous Spell Card to Special Summon one 【Gorgon】 Servant from your hand or Graveyard! Answer my summons once more, 【Medusa】!"

【Medusa】 Rider 4-star Attack Power 1600→2100

“Medusa, my sister, we meet again,” Stheno greeted Medusa.

Euryale tiptoed and stroked Medusa's soft, long hair. "My little sister has grown taller again. She used to be so tiny. Please don't grow any taller."

After responding to her sisters, Medusa looked at her Master: "Sakura, since the opponent is your sister Rin Tohsaka, she already knows, right?"

Before Matou Sakura could respond, Tohsaka Rin complained, "You didn't need to infiltrate at all, did you? You have the numbers. Now the Master and Lancer on the Clock Tower have become neutral. Only Archer and Emiya Shirou, who has almost no connection with magic, are still on my side."

Medusa and Red A exchanged glances before looking away to avoid revealing a rather awkward expression.

"Don't worry, since the Clock Tower isn't pursuing the matter here, I won't continue to be hostile to Caster in this regard. Right now, I'm just fighting as a participant in the Holy Grail War. And I also need to reclaim my Servant." Rin Tohsaka reiterated her stance. She completely didn't understand this Holy Grail War anymore. Compared to the bloody battles of the last time, this one felt more like a carnival.

"So, this is the current state of the Holy Grail War," Euryale said with a rather wicked smile. "I was actually worried about causing trouble for Medusa and kept it to myself."

"I (Eureka) shouldn't bully her too much," Stheno seemed to be admonishing Euryka, but in reality, she was also full of anticipation for what was to come.

“Rin Tohsaka, right? Well, let me tell you.” Euryale pointed at Archer, covering her mouth and giggling. “Actually, no Servant is on your side. He's already sided with that Caster. Now you're truly all alone.”

"...??" Rin Tohsaka stared at Archer in shock. Was this Caster some kind of succubus? "No, then what are you doing here helping me for?!"

Archer looked at Euryale with a headache; this second sister of Gorgon was a bit too capricious. "Caster wants to complete this ritual, so naturally we should help him. If Rin really refuses, I'll go find another Master."