"Artoria! Are you serious?"
Merlin was intimately familiar with this being. Such a Spirit Origin appearing here so casually was terrifying. How could the Throne of Heroes have authorized releasing something like this? This Noble Phantasm was utterly absurd. "How dare you use that card?!"
"Because before you appeared, the servant on the opposing field was the Old Man of the Mountain."
The Lion King glanced at Merlin, her expression unreadable. She hadn't anticipated that Jiang You's Deck contained such an equally outrageous card.
"The Old Man of the Mountain? That Old Man of the Mountain?!"
As a Grand Candidate since someone's resignation, Merlin naturally had access to some classified information. If it was that Old Man of the Mountain, Artoria's desperate gambit made perfect sense. But even if the Old Man of the Mountain was a given, how could her Deck also contain the God Ancestor? These two were completely unrelated. "Just who is your opponent, exactly?"
Merlin glanced at the black-haired youth standing behind Romulus. His magical power was chaotic, his posture utterly relaxed, making him look like a complete fourth-rate character. Judging by his appearance, he was clearly an Eastern servant, yet despite Merlin's millennia of accumulated knowledge, he couldn't place his identity.
Evidently, because he wasn't a proper Grand, Merlin's access to information remained limited. Of course, even if he were qualified, it was unlikely either of those two would reveal anything.
So Merlin directly asked Romulus, "Oh, God Ancestor of Rome, would you mind revealing the identity of the one behind you?"
Romulus didn't answer directly but instead cast Merlin a look that warned him not to pry too deeply. He then stepped aside, allowing Merlin to make direct eye contact with Jiang You. The implication was clear: Jiang You would explain himself.
This scene had become a familiar routine. Nearly everyone was curious about Jiang You's true identity, so Jiang You gave his standard reply—the only one he could offer, as he genuinely had no better answer: "Jiang You. As for which servant I am... I'm still searching for that answer myself."
This clearly perfunctory answer only fueled Merlin's curiosity, scratching at his heart like a cat's claws. But if even a Grand Servant was covering for Jiang You, there was no way he'd get a straight answer here. No matter—he could always ask the other Grand Candidates in the Chat Group.
The outcome of this battle was obvious, so Merlin plastered on a practiced smile. "Young man," he said, "is it too late to abandon the darkness and pledge my allegiance to you?"
Even Jiang You could tell this ahoge-obsessed man was just joking, but he might encounter this guy again in the next chapter, perhaps even obtain a relevant Servant Card.
"It's never too late," Jiang You replied. "We'll meet officially soon enough. When that time comes, Magical☆Merry, please remember your promise and join my side."
"Ha ha ha... Magical☆Merry? I'm afraid I don't quite understand that reference. I'm just a regular older brother under house arrest."
Merlin thought to himself, This guy knows way too much. I'm now certain he's a deeply hidden old fox, but I still can't figure out whose alias he's using. I'll get to the bottom of this, no matter what.
Romulus seemed to sense Merlin's thoughts, his brow furrowing.
"Then let's bring this battle to an end! Since 'Merlin' cannot be destroyed by card effects, 'Romulus's' Summon effect cannot destroy him either. In that case, enter the Battle Phase!"
Jiang You glanced at 'Merlin's' effect and realized it was useless against 'Romulus'. Victory was within his grasp.
"'Romulus' attacks 'Merlin'! God Ancestor, let the Knights of the Round Table witness the glory of Rome!"
"Understood."
Romulus nodded, his golden wings fully extending behind him as violent crimson magical power surged forth.
"...Hundred Head Shot, Roman Style!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Enough is enough! Enough already!"
Merlin waved his hands frantically as he watched Romulus unleash his full-force assault. Though immortal, he could still feel pain.
Romulus didn't stop. With each charge, the light seemed to be devoured.
In an instant, the entire Duel Space plunged into darkness, broken only by the crimson streaks of magical power tearing through the void like streaks of lightning. These streaks moved faster than the Lion King's eyes could follow, erupting into a dazzling floral pattern in less than a breath.
When color returned to the world, not a single unbroken bone remained in Merlin's body.
"Was that really necessary...?" Merlin coughed up a mouthful of blood. If not for the Duel's rules, he would have suspected Romulus intended to kill him. "Well, I'll take my leave now. Until we meet again, everyone..."
Before he could finish, he dissolved into Prana and returned to his original location.
Romulus's effect activates! This card deals double battle damage!
In other words, the 1000-point attack difference was precisely enough to reduce the Lion King's Life Points to 0.
"You win."
As the aftershock of magical power surged toward her, the Lion King inwardly conceded defeat.
Lion King LP 2000 → LP 0!
The Lion King was hurled backward, crashing heavily against her throne. Conceptually weakened by her Duel loss, she couldn't even rise to her feet.
"In times of crisis, I will answer your summons," Romulus declared before vanishing, handing Jiang You a card. [ Throne of Quirinus ]—a countdown-based unilateral Skill Drain card, exceptionally useful.
"Please continue to forge a future for humanity."
Jiang You repeatedly examined his sudden reward, grinning with delight. This was an unexpected boon—perhaps an Affection Reward? Recalling the God Ancestor's words, it was likely due to his role in saving the world.
Now, it was time to bring this chapter to a close: "Lion King, as agreed, you should willingly relinquish the Holy Lance and allow this era to heal, correct?"
"I am no Merlin," the Lion King retorted. "Having lost, I will honor my word."
The Lion King forced herself to stand despite her weakened body. Romulus's attack had been a martial Noble Phantasm imbued with murderous intent, resulting in a significant conceptual backlash. Though her expression remained stoic, her thighs trembled visibly.
Jiang You couldn't bear to see the Lion King in such a humiliating state and pressed her back onto her throne.
"Since they're all willing to assist you, you're indeed qualified to meet him."
The Lion King caught her breath and ceased restoring the Holy Lance. "Then I'll offer a piece of information only I possess. In this state, I've gained the same vision as the King of Magecraft..."
"Only the Seventh Holy Grail was personally sent to the past by the King of Magecraft. Locating that Grail will pinpoint the King of Magecraft's Temple... I already knew that."
"Then there's nothing more I can say."
The Lion King had wanted to argue that her mistake hadn't been entirely meaningless, but now she felt like a clown. I truly despise Magus the most.
"The world's correction has begun. I will be liberated along with this Holy City. Farewell."
The Lion King slowly closed her eyes on the throne. As a flawed existence, she would vanish along with this Singularity.
"Even if your opponent is the King of Magecraft, you who have already defeated me must not lose!"
"Of course... I..."
Jiang You had a nagging feeling he was forgetting something, as if he'd recently had a heart-to-heart with someone. Suddenly, it struck him: "Damn! Bedivere's Holy Sword still hasn't been returned!"