"Next, I equip Arondight to myself as well!"
Still not satisfied, the Lion King equipped herself with another Holy Sword.
Lion King: Attack Power 5500 → 6100
"Entering the Battle Phase!"
The Lion King looked ready to obliterate Jiang You into dust.
Unaffected by card effects, indestructible by battle, and possessing targeting immunity, this creature was a terrifying force in the current Type-Moon Collaboration environment.
"I'll attack you directly, Jiang You. Can you withstand this lance strike?"
The Lion King charged forward, wielding two lances.
"Of course I can."
The noble Kris Dragon disdained such flashy tactics. Since her attack didn't target, it wouldn't trigger the Lion King's targeting immunity. "I activate the effect of [ Morning Glory ] from my Hand Card! By discarding her to the Graveyard, I force you into Defense Position!"
The brown-haired young girl knelt before Jiang You, her tear-streaked face tugging at his heartstrings. The Lion King's thunderous momentum, like a stampede of a thousand horses, ground to an abrupt halt.
Lion King: Attack Power 6100 → Defense Power 3000
"Resorting to such methods?"
Having seen Jiang You use this tactic against Gawain, the Lion King, focused on guarding against other Servants, had overlooked this seemingly insignificant opponent.
"Though your methods are despicable, they are effective. Very well, I will activate Rhongomyniad's effect once more. At the start of my next turn, all other Servants on the field will be sent to the Graveyard! Finally, I will place my last Hand Card face-down in the back row and end my turn."
"I swear, your sense of morality is completely twisted," Jiang You muttered, rolling his eyes. After all, this woman had just activated a Field Spell Card that was essentially used to drag people over and turn them into sword-forging material. "My turn, draw!"
Jiang You immediately activated Fate's Draw. Though the Lion King had banished Cursed Arm Hassan to Avalon, he still had Hassan of Serenity in his Hand. By adding Hassan of the Shining Star to his Hand, he could summon Old Man of the Mountain.
"Lion King, it ends here!"
Jiang You declared his impending victory. Even in Attack Position, the Lion King was no match for Old Man of the Mountain. After all, King Hassan possessed the formidable ability to reduce an opponent's Attack Power to its original value during battle.
"I activate the Ritual Spell Card To Sound the Funeral Bell! By banishing Serenity, Shining Star, and Hundred Faces from my hand and Graveyard, I Special Summon Old Man of the Mountain from my Deck!"
"Even after dealing with one Hassan, he still managed to summon him. It seems he truly is helping you."
The Lion King hadn't anticipated the depth of Jiang You's bond with the Hassans, completely unaware that he possessed a cheat-like Skill.
The Death Knell echoed, the greatsword cleaved through fear, and blue spectral flames spread across the ground as the servant representing death descended upon the battlefield!
[ Old Man of the Mountain ] - Attack Power: 4000.
"[ Hundred-Faced (Host)'s ] effect activates! When this card is used as Ritual Summon material, it is Special Summoned in Attack Position to your opponent's field. This effect Special Summons it, and its effects are negated!"
Hundred-Faced had never been so terrified of Jiang You's Noble Phantasm. This effect meant that nearly every time the Founder appeared, she would become the Founder's target for execution.
[ Hundred-Faced (Host) ] - Attack Power: 800.
"Now, let's enter the Battle Phase!"
By attacking Hundred Faces, the battle could be ended. And since King Hassan was immune to the opponent's Spell and Trap Card effects on his first turn, victory seemed assured.
"Old Man of the Mountain attacks Hundred-Faced (Host)!"
"I know that if this attack lands, I'll lose instantly. I have no choice but to take a gamble!"
The Lion King placed her hand on a Set Card. "I activate the Trap Card 'End of the Age of Gods'..."
"Useless! Old Man of the Mountain is immune to your Spell and Trap Card effects this turn!" Jiang You declared.
Jiang You waved his hand, urging King Hassan to deliver the final blow, only to discover that the Spirit Origin of the Crown Servant was dissipating.
"Impossible! What kind of effect is this?!"
"'End of the Age of Gods' cannot be countered by other card effects. It can only be activated during the opponent's turn by paying half of your Life Points. Both players must release all cards on their fields, then Special Summon one servant from their decks, ignoring any summoning conditions. After activation, neither player can summon servants or activate Spell or Trap Cards until the end of their next turn."
Lion King's Life Points: 4000 → 2000.
Since the effect targeted the Main Battler, King Hassan's resistance proved useless. All cards on both players' fields were destroyed and sent to the Graveyard.
It was a devastating board clear, but the cost was equally steep. Usable only during the opponent's turn, it essentially meant forfeiting your next turn unless you could secure victory immediately. It was akin to suicide—a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble.
"Are you sure you want to use this card?" Jiang You asked, glancing at the summonable cards, convinced the Lion King was aiming for a finishing blow.
"Of course. Your Deck revolves around Hassan. Forgive my bluntness, but aside from him, the other Hassans' individual strengths are rather limited."
The Lion King's confidence stemmed from her meticulous planning. "Though I'm not particularly fond of him, his abilities are undeniable. Come, Flower Magician! I Special Summon Merlin!"
A sea of flowers erupted from the horizon, a gentle breeze carrying petals like rain. Amidst the fluttering blossoms, a young man strode forward with the grace of wind sweeping across the plains.
Merlin
Caster, 9-Star, Attack Power 3000.
"Hmm... So Artoria never returned the Holy Sword in this future. While I'm pleased she can wield Rhongomyniad so skillfully, well... how should I put it? Did her entire demeanor really change so drastically after growing up?"
Merlin gazed at the Lion King who had summoned him, his expression one of genuine astonishment.
The Lion King ignored Merlin entirely. Aside from Saber Lily, none of the Artorias had much patience for this Dream Eater.
"She's glaring at me like I'm a pig... How heartbreaking."
Merlin hung his head theatrically, his words dripping with mock sorrow, yet a faint smile lingered at the corners of his lips.
"With that personality of yours, you'd be lucky to get a civil glance from anyone," Jiang You retorted.
Now it was Jiang You's turn to summon a servant. As he eyed an old friend in his deck he hadn't seen in ages, a triumphant grin spread across his face.
"Lion King, don't blame me for being underhanded. I'm summoning... the Divine Ancestor Romulus Quirinus! Rome!"
Golden radiance pierced the earth as the world's horizons echoed with his name, his nation's name.
"Rome!"
[Romulus Quirinus] - Attack Power: 4000
Merlin gazed at the golden figure of Romulus Quirinus before him, instantly recognizing his Spirit Origin.
"Am I really fighting Romulus Quirinus? Seriously?"