Chapter 175: Double Battle Tip - Remember to Leave Rearguard Positions for Your Teammates.

"The condition is: 'Nero Claudius' + a 1-Star Tuner Servant! 4 + 1 = 5! I tune 'Nero' with 'Ritsuka Fujimaru' here! Spring sunlight, flowers dancing in the breeze! May's gentle winds caress our cheeks, blessings carried to the far reaches of the planet—unfold now, Golden Wedding Hall! Synchro Summon: Nero Claudius (Bride)!"

The flower petals swirling through the Golden Theater transformed into pure white roses. Responding to the atmosphere, the primordial flame in Nero's hand shifted from crimson to silvery-white.

A Servant clad in a pristine white wedding gown descended amidst the joyous peal of wedding bells.

Nero (Bride)

5-Star Saber

Attack Power: 2000 → 3000

"Ooh... this is the pinnacle of Rome! The most beautiful battle bride attire on Earth! You and I truly exude magnificence!"

Nero gazed at her wedding dress, humming contentedly. She wasn't wearing it to get married, but to showcase her "beauty."

"Mmm-hmm, the more bells of blessing, the better."

"Seriously, how can 'wedding dress' and 'battle' even go together?" Xuanzang grumbled, finding the situation utterly absurd.

"And isn't ringing bells of happiness in front of the Angel of Death just asking for trouble?"

"Just ignore her," Jiang You said, eyeing the servant named Xuanzang. Having grown up watching the classic 1986 Journey to the West adaptation, Jiang You's image of Tang Sanzang was still that of the dignified monk. While he didn't dislike this busty, demonic-monk version of Xuanzang, it was hard to reconcile. "Your very existence is outrageous enough. Can I just call you Magician 113?"

"Why 113?" Xuanzang asked, genuinely curious why this fellow servant from his homeland would use that number as a nickname. Did it have some special meaning?

"Because you're the 113th servant in the gacha pool," Jiang You replied impassively, dropping another incomprehensible bombshell. Xuanzang couldn't possibly understand.

"Nero."

"Next, I play the Spell Card, 'Csejte Castle'! Special Summon 'Elizabeth Bathory' from my Deck in Defense Position!"

Jiang You sensed there was more to this card than met the eye. The Dragon Girl alone had a multitude of forms, second only to Artoria in number—and at one point, even surpassing her.

The eerie castle temporarily replaced the Golden Theater. A young girl with draconic features slowly descended the towering stone steps, which resembled a performance stage more than stairs.

"Come on, spotlight!"

Stained-glass windows in the castle cast a crimson, blood-like glow—if you could even call that thing a spotlight.

"What kind of idol group is this?" Jiang You quipped, taking over the role of the resident skeptic as Gudako played the card. He was now seriously worried she'd draw a field-wiping card like "Two-Person Group Debut." Such cards with flamboyant names often prioritized spectacle over substance, and he had no desire to endure another ear-splitting idol performance.

I wondered if King Hassan could withstand something like this.

"Yoo-hoo!"

This Little Dragon Girl leaned heavily into the idol archetype. Even summoned into this era, she radiated the full aura of a Japanese idol.

"Little master, I'm here to help you!"

Elizabeth Bathory

Lancer, 4-Star, Defense: 1000

"Miss Elizabeth, I'm counting on you!"

Gudako effusively praised her new Servant. "Elizabeth Bathory's effect: While this card is on the field, all allied Servants gain 300 Attack Power and pierce defense!"

The Dragon Girl further boosted Gudako's field offense, though it wasn't particularly useful. Gudako had primarily summoned her to block an incoming attack. Jiang You watched the Dragon Girl happily wagging her tail and decided it was best to keep his thoughts to himself.

[ Da Vinci ]: Attack Power 2200 → 2500

Nero (Bride)

Attack Power: 3000 → 3300

"Finally, I'll set four cards face-down in my backrow and end my turn..."

Gudako suddenly realized something and looked apologetically at Jiang You. "Mr. Jiang You, how many backrow slots does your deck require?"

Jiang You rolled his eyes, but since this was Gudako's first Duel, her oversight was somewhat understandable. He was relieved he hadn't included Gilgamesh's mini-deck, and so far, he hadn't encountered any Pendulum Cards, which would have made things even more chaotic. "Next time, remember to ask about this at the beginning."

"I'm sorry! You're very generous, please forgive me."

"My turn. Draw!"

Serenity, now cloaked in a dark aura, began her turn expressionlessly, her voice no longer soft and gentle.

"First, I Normal Summon Hassan of Serenity."

Hassan of Serenity: Attack Power 1500

"Next, I activate Dagger Throw. This card can only be used once per turn while a Hassan Sabbah servant is on the field. It destroys one face-down backrow card or a servant card with a level of 1 or lower."

Serenity pointed to a face-down card in Gudako's back row, signaling her intention to destroy it.

"I wanted to save that card, so Your Majesty Nero, I'm counting on you!" Gudako activated Nero.

Jiang You was quite familiar with Serenity's cards. He had wanted to warn Gudako about the Pale Dance of Death, which could allow Serenity to repeatedly switch positions. However, Gudako's mouth moved faster than her brain, and she had already activated Nero's effect. It wasn't a major issue, though; Gudako still had four face-down cards in her back row.

"Entering the Battle Phase!" Serenity immediately launched an attack.

"Serenity attacks Da Vinci!"

"But Da Vinci has higher Attack Power..."

Mash sensed something was amiss. If a servant's abilities were based on their legends and powers, then Serenity's effect must involve physical contact.

"Serenity's effect destroys any servant she battles directly after combat. So if necessary, don't let Da Vinci get hit."

Jiang You didn't particularly care. After all, when Da Vinci was sent to the graveyard, she could summon Little Da Vinci. But Gudako clearly had other plans, perhaps wanting to conceal Little Da Vinci's existence.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Mystic Code Chaldea'! Once per turn, I can choose one of its three effects. I choose the third effect: Emergency Evasion! This negates Serenity's attack!"

"Well done!"

Serenity's 'Pale Dance of Death,' which required a Hassan to be in the Graveyard to activate and destroy its target, was now completely countered. With her attack blocked, she couldn't continue her assault. Jiang You couldn't help but cheer. As expected of Gudako, he thought, her instincts are razor-sharp.