What Holy Grail War? Let's Play Cards!

"Of course it's not over. I'm playing the quick-play spell card 'Information Gathering by the Mage Killer'! When this card is played, I can destroy a spellcard or trap card that is face-up on the field!"

"But there aren't any cards on my field. What's the point of this card... wait, unless you mean—?"

"That's exactly what I mean!" Jiang You pointed at the continuous spell card 'Corrupted Holy Grail', which he had impulsively played to demonstrate the scenario. "I'm going to destroy that card!"

The black void became unstable, then dissipated completely. Without the black mud's influence, the snowstorm in the City of Snow raged even more fiercely.

Illyasviel von Einzbern's Defense Points: 300 → 1300

A shield of silver hair deflected Maiya Hisau's shot back at her.

Kiritsugu Emiya's Life Points: 3000 → 2700

"Then, should the remaining attacks continue?" At this stage, only Kiritsugu Emiya had not yet made his move. Jiang You tapped his finger on the final face-down card, inquiring.

The answer came in the form of Kiritsugu's resolute gunshot.

"You're too hasty," Jiang You countered, activating his trap card. "I play Confused Master! When an opponent declares an attack, I may redirect the target. Since Illya is my only ally on the field, my new target naturally becomes—myself!"

The fired bullet arced unnaturally before Illya, striking Jiang You behind her.

[Jiang You: LP 3000 → LP 1400]

"Ugh!" The eerily realistic pain of being shot forced a cry from Jiang You.

"This is ridiculous. The virtual reality's pain feedback is at least 50% real, isn't it? Old Kaiba cranked the settings way too high. Do Dinomorphia players end up crying from the agony?"

After completing his attack, Kiritsugu Emiya set two cards facedown and ended his turn. "My objective is achieved. You've exhausted all your backrow for a mere 1200 ATK card, Caster. That's unwise. And why didn't you activate Illya's liberation effect?"

"Obviously, it's to farm favor." With Duel Spirits, as their favor increased, more cards would unlock—this was common knowledge. Whether using cards with Duel Spirits to deal fatal blows or speaking words fitting their personality and experience, both actions could boost favor.

However, things seemed to backfire; Jiang You earned only Illya's disdainful gaze and Kiritsugu's expected expression.

"You really have some nerve saying that!" Jiang You mentally cursed at Kaiba's stupid design. Even when conversing with NPCs, one had to be cautious—this felt nothing like gaming. Venting his frustration, he turned to Kiritsugu Emiya. "I'm an outsider but still protecting your daughter! You hero-obsessed fool would shoot her without hesitation for that idiotic world peace! That damned Holy Grail should make you face ten trolley problems instead. A useless jerk who can't cherish his family while preaching about justice!"

"I'll crush you this turn! My turn, draw!"

A golden-red light coiled at his fingertips. As the card was drawn, a fierce breeze swept across the arena.

Fate's Draw activated.

"I activate the spell card 'Bitter Choice.' After sending three cards from my deck to the graveyard, I can activate this effect..."

Turn 8:

"Wait, I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card [Information Gathering by the Mage Killer] to negate your card's effect!"

"Then I activate [Dress of Heaven]'s effect. While this card exists in the graveyard, you can remove one 'Einzbern' from the game and Special Summon it from the graveyard!"

A white-based Magic Dress resembling shrine maiden attire appeared on the field in a hollow form.

"It's actually the Dress of Heaven!" Irisviel saw her family's precious Magic Dress and felt a sense of foreboding. "Kiritsugu, this dress can grant the Einzbern family's homunculi brief control over the Third Magic for a few seconds! We can't let him complete it!"

"I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card [Origin Bullet]! When this card is activated, you can choose a servant card to negate and destroy!" Kiritsugu also understood the terror of the Third Magic and decisively intervened.

"Which is why 'Bitter Choice' is a banned card. Even its namesake synergy effect is unbelievably strong—it feels like lasers are pummeling cavemen. I activate the ability of 'Avalon' from my graveyard, removing myself and the top 5 cards of my deck, thus negating the effect of 'Origin Bullet'!"

Origin Bullet dissipated into thin air, having consumed both of Kiritsugu's facedown cards on his field.

It seems like 'Support Fire,' with its explosive armor effect, also remains untainted by the laws of cause and effect.

"Now, it's time for some lines: The cradle's hope may be small, yet like a spark, it shall one day unfold its wings and soar to the heavens! Come, my lady, Illyasviel von Einzbern [Dress of Heaven]!"

The Dress of Heaven flew to Illya on the field, fully equipping her in a burst of white light. The small girl radiated an enormous amount of magical energy.

"So this is what it feels like to be a complete 'me'... It's a pity I can't fully control it myself." Feeling the surging magic within her, Illyasviel fixed her gaze maliciously on Kiritsugu Emiya.

Facing the gaze of what seemed to be his future daughter, Kiritsugu's eyes gradually shifted to the side.

"Don't be impatient. You'll be able to plant your fist in his face soon enough. Activating [Illyasviel von Einzbern - Dress of Heaven]'s first effect: upon successful summoning, I can revive a four-star or lower Servant from the graveyard. So, the one I'm bringing back is—[Kiritsugu Emiya]!"

Another Kiritsugu appeared on Jiang You's field. However, this Kiritsugu had dull eyes, looking just like a lifeless puppet.

It seems only one Spirit can be on the field at a time. That does make sense.

"Don't forget, I haven't performed a normal summon yet. Now, I activate [Castle of Snow]'s effect, adding an 'Einzbern' card from my deck to my hand. Don't you think something is missing on the field? That's right—the card I'm adding is [Irisviel von Einzbern]!"

"So this is what it feels like to be a complete 'me'... It's a pity I can't fully control it myself." Feeling the surging magic within her, Illyasviel fixed her gaze maliciously on Kiritsugu Emiya.

Facing the gaze of what seemed to be his future daughter, Kiritsugu's eyes gradually shifted to the side.

"Don't be impatient. You'll be able to plant your fist in his face soon enough. Activating [Illyasviel von Einzbern - Dress of Heaven]'s first effect: upon successful summoning, I can revive a four-star or lower Servant from the graveyard. So, the one I'm bringing back is—[Kiritsugu Emiya]!"

Another Kiritsugu appeared on Jiang You's field. However, this Kiritsugu had dull eyes, looking just like a lifeless puppet.

It seems only one Spirit can be on the field at a time. That does make sense.

"Don't forget, I haven't performed a normal summon yet. Now, I activate [Castle of Snow]'s effect, adding an 'Einzbern' card from my deck to my hand. Don't you think something is missing on the field? That's right—the card I'm adding is [Irisviel von Einzbern]!"

"Huh? Me?" Irisviel hadn't expected to be involved. Before she could finish her sentence, she was already on the battlefield.

"Now, look, a complete family—just the right attack power. Kiritsugu Emiya, it's time to end this!"

"[Kiritsugu Emiya] attacks [Kiritsugu Emiya]!" The two magus killers clashed, quickly taking each other down. Kiritsugu Emiya returned to the player's area.

"[Irisviel von Einzbern] attacks [Maiya Hisau]! By the way, this woman was Kiritsugu's lover on the side. He cheated and even went after a young girl. Absolutely disgraceful!" Although Irisviel likely wouldn't care, Jiang You took the opportunity to stir the pot.

After Jiang You declared the attack, Irisviel controlled her hair-woven longsword and pierced through Maiya Hisau's body.

Maiya gave Kiritsugu a regretful glance. "Sorry, I couldn't be of use this time."

The assistant retreated from the field.

Kiritsugu Emiya LP 2700 → LP 2500

"Now, I've fulfilled my promise. [Illyasviel von Einzbern - Dress of Heaven], direct attack! A grand strike to your father's face!"

Dressed in ceremonial attire, Illya took a punching stance, her childish voice filled with murderous intent.

"Kiritsugu Emiya! You—traitor!"

Her small fist shot forward at an incredible speed, landing squarely on Kiritsugu's face. The legendary magus killer spun through the air and embedded himself into the wall.

Kiritsugu Emiya LP 2500 → LP 0

Kiritsugu Emiya—defeated!