Chapter 79: Even Hundred-Faces Can Dance

"I'll set one card in the back row and end my turn."

Bazett's set card was almost certainly the trap card [Fragarach].

Jiang You glanced at the field—Cú Chulainn, who had resistance to effect destruction once per turn due to Protection from Arrows, and Fergus, who could declare three attacks per turn thanks to the legend of "Cutting Three Hills." He decided to deal with the set card first.

"My turn, draw!"

With Serenity added to his Hassan deck, Jiang You had expanded his card pool significantly—though his attack power was still lacking. Due to plot restrictions, he couldn't use Illyasviel and Matou Sakura's cards, leaving his Hassan Servant lineup barely breaking 2000 ATK unless he stacked Fanatic.

If things got too rough, he figured he could just tribute summon Romulus to flip the table and give these Servants a taste of Grand-class power.

"First, I Normal Summon [Hundred-Faces]! Hundred-Faces' effect—"

Jiang You played his turn in a standard fashion.

"You want to summon a swarm of Assassins? Not happening!"

Having seen Hundred-Faces in action before, Bazett quickly understood its general effect.

"I activate my Counter Trap [Fragarach]! This card can be activated when an opponent declares an attack or activates an effect—it negates and destroys that card!"

Hundred-Faces had barely begun to manifest before a blade severed its head.

"[Fragarach]'s effect: after activation, it isn't sent to the Graveyard but is reset face-down!"

As a Noble Phantasm that still existed in the modern era, Bazett wielded Fragarach with absolute mastery, able to recharge it with mana and use it continuously.

"That's exactly what I was counting on. Hundred-Faces' duplicates are endless—I activate the Spell Card [Delusional Illusion]! Summoning Hundred-Faces again!

[Hundred-Faces] ATK 800 ×3[Morning Glory] ATK 0

"Now, I overlay three [Hundred-Faces] to Xyz Summon—[Fanatic]!"

A familiar girl appeared on the battlefield once more, swiftly donning a hood and veil.

[Fanatic] ATK 1000 → 2500

Fanatic shot Jiang You a resentful glance—she could already tell she'd be getting summoned to work overtime a lot.

"And now begins an unending Delusional Heartbeat!"

"First strike! Targeting [Fergus]!"

A twisted arm emerged from Fanatic's back, lunging straight for Fergus.

"Didn't expect such a cute girl to be so ruthless—people really aren't what they seem!"

Fergus chuckled bitterly as his heart was torn from his chest.

"A warrior's fate is to die before fulfilling his ambitions. The rest is up to you…"

"You're still the same—completely helpless against women."

Cú Chulainn hefted his spear and shook his head. He knew Fergus all too well—even in battle, Fergus could never muster true killing intent against women. Dying at a woman's hand was inevitable for him.

"But don't think you'll take me down so easily!"

"Funny you say that—you die to this exact skill in a certain timeline, don't you? Second strike, Delusional Heartbeat!"

In the HF timeline, Cú Chulainn had also fallen to Cursed Arm Hassan's Noble Phantasm. Fanatic's Delusional Heartbeat was slightly different, but close enough.

Another twisted hand reached for Cú Chulainn's heart, but he skillfully evaded the strike with a sharp twist of his body.

"[Cú Chulainn]'s effect—once per turn, he cannot be destroyed by card effects!"

Bazett explained, unaware that Jiang You could read his card effects.

"I'm better at stealing hearts than losing my own."

Cú Chulainn pointed his crimson spear at Fanatic. A battle of legendary skills—he didn't mind that.

"But it's not over yet. Third strike!"

Jiang You detached Fanatic's last material—this time, Cú Chulainn had no effect resistance left. He couldn't protect himself from this attack.

[Fanatic] ATK 2500 → 1000

"Master, it's up to you now!"

Cú Chulainn entrusted his life to Bazett.

"I won't let you down, Lancer!"

Bazett raised her arm—her Command Seal glowing red.

"When a Red Branch Knights-related Servant would be destroyed, I can sacrifice myself instead!"

Fanatic's Delusional Heartbeat struck Bazett instead—her heart was mercilessly torn out, and she was destroyed.

The pain in her chest was all too real. Back in the main station, Bazett clutched her chest, breathing heavily.

"How cruel—to make a young girl take the hit for you."

Jiang You felt phantom pain himself, but that didn't stop him from teasing.

"I do feel a little guilty, but you're one to talk!"

Cú Chulainn jabbed his spear toward Jiang You in exasperation. "You're the one doing all this! If we don't win, my Master will keep getting hurt! This little girl can't use her effect again, right? Come on, try breaking through my defenses!"

"As you wish! I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Pale Dance of Death]—once per turn, I can Special Summon a [Hundred-Faces] from the Graveyard and destroy [Cú Chulainn]!"

"What!?"

Serenity's phantom appeared behind Cú Chulainn, her delicate fingers tracing his neck.

A violet toxin spread across his body.

"You brat… Just wait, I'll be back next turn!"

Cú Chulainn struggled in vain before the poison dissolved him, sending him to the Graveyard.

His effect would allow him to return to the field next turn, but unlike Heracles, he would be banished upon leaving the field again.

"I know—Battle Continuation, right? See you next turn."

Jiang You waved as Cú Chulainn reappeared next to Lancelot, earning an annoyed tsk.

The other Servants had paused their battles, watching the duel unfold instead. With no real reason to fight, they were constantly being summoned into the combat area, unable to determine a winner.

"This might be overkill, but [Hundred-Faces]'s effect isn't once per turn. So—I can flood my field!"

A swarm of Hassans filled the battlefield.

[Hundred-Faces] ATK 800 ×3

"With five [Hundred-Faces] on the field, I activate [Mastery of All Knowledge]—all their effects apply! All Hassans gain 500 ATK, your [Fragarach] is destroyed, and I draw one card!"

[Hundred-Faces] ATK 800 → 1300 ×3[Morning Glory] ATK 0 → 500

"A total of 4400 damage! Time to say goodbye, Miss Bazett!"