"You're choosing to defend?" Ereshkigal remarked, noting Fanatic's paltry 1000 Defense Power—not even enough to withstand her own tokens. There must be some defensive effect at play, she surmised.
"Next, I'll set two cards in my Backrow and end my turn."
Because Ereshkigal's card, Underworld's Blessing, granted her Ghost Tokens immunity to card effects, Jiang You couldn't use Fanatic's effect to limit their numbers. Moreover, Ereshkigal could summon another swarm of tokens next turn. He wasn't about to waste his precious Rule Breaker on a mere token.
"My turn! Draw!"
Ereshkigal glanced at the three cards in her hand. Now that Romulus was finally in her possession, she had to summon him and deliver a decisive blow to Jiang You.
"First, the effect of Underworld! Once per turn, send the top five cards of your opponent's Deck to the Graveyard!"
Jiang You's luck continued to fail him. Two more Hassan cards were sent to the Graveyard—two Serenitys.
Two more Ghost Tokens materialized on Ereshkigal's field.
[ Undead Token ]: Attack Power 500 → 1500 x 2
Ereshkigal now had three Undead Tokens on her field, the perfect Tribute for Summoning Romulus Quirinus.
"Jiang You, I'm sorry."
Understanding the true power of Romulus in this state, Ereshkigal declared, "I've won this time. Please abide by the rules and remain in the Underworld, or at least refrain from interfering now. I Tribute three Undead Tokens to Tribute Summon Romulus Quirinus!"
The golden Supreme God Quirinus descended from the heavens, his radiant light illuminating the Underworld with blinding brilliance. Countless lances of light rained down like a torrential storm.
Fanatic's eyelid twitched. This is someone on the same level as the founder! Am I really supposed to block this attack?
"Romulus Quirinus Summon successful! Destroy all Servants on the opponent's field!"
Though Romulus didn't fully grasp the situation, the rules of the Duel were absolute. He spread his arms wide and declared, "From my limbs shall burst forth the power of the gods, radiant and divine! Power that will reach beyond the stars!—"
"Our arms shall conquer all, reaching to the heavens!"
"Fanatic's effect activates! By detaching one Xyz Material as a substitute, I negate this destruction!"
Under normal circumstances, Fanatic would have no chance of blocking Romulus's attack. At this point, Fanatic had only one Xyz Material remaining.
"I shouldn't be here," Romulus said, surveying the surroundings and sensing the rules. He relaxed slightly after confirming that this wasn't a Shadow Duel.
"But engaging you in combat, Caster, is quite intriguing. Let's continue our unfinished battle. Show me if you can surpass Rome!"
"I'm looking forward to battling you as well," Jiang You replied.
Words of praise are always appropriate, Jiang You thought. He hadn't even had a chance to use the Throne of Quirinus he'd obtained from Romulus earlier—the one-sided card draw was too tempting. If he could gain some Affection and Bond points in the process, all the better.
"However, defeating you will require some trickery on my part."
"No matter. Rome embraces all things."
Romulus cared little for the method of battle.
"Then I must apologize. Right now, I activate my Set Card, Rule Breaker!"
As a versatile Trap Card, Jiang You had never removed it from his deck.
"Useless! Romulus Quirinus is immune to the effects of Trap and Spell Cards!"
Ereshkigal clenched her fist in excitement, finally proving herself stronger than that muscle-bound Goddess. "Have you forgotten your own Card's effect?"
"How could I?" Jiang You replied.
He had studied the Grand Servant's effects countless times, but their Bond was insufficient to forcibly summon Romulus Quirinus from the Deck, unlike King Hassan.
"The target isn't him—it's you!"
"Still useless!"
Ereshkigal raised her head confidently, she wasn't without her own defenses. "Remember, my effect allows me to substitute an Underworld servant on the field as the target of any effect!"
Jiang You chuckled, teasing Ereshkigal, "Take another good look. Where are any Underworld servants on the field? Or perhaps you want to release Romulus Quirinus?"
"Though it pains me, I must apologize, King of Rome..." Ereshkigal gritted her teeth. Romulus was undeniably powerful, but ultimately he wasn't her card. Her deck revolved entirely around herself, so self-preservation was paramount. Yet she immediately sensed something was amiss.
"!!!!"
Romulus Quirinus couldn't be released.
"Didn't you just say that Romulus Quirinus is unaffected by Trap Card and Spell Card effects?" Jiang You reminded her. Because Underworld's Blessing couldn't activate, Romulus hadn't become an Underworld servant.
"Come here!"
Since Ereshkigal had already released all other Underworld tokens, she had no choice but to endure the effect directly.
"I'm a genuine Goddess! I won't give up so easily! Honestly, having to ask that guy for help..."
As if having made up her mind, Ereshkigal slammed a card onto the field. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Possession Shift! This card targets one card on the field, returns it to the Deck, and Special Summons a Servant from the Deck with the same body (same suffix name: Ereshkigal and Ishtar are both Rin Tohsaka) onto the field!"
For the first time, Ereshkigal showed a deeply displeased expression. "I'm summoning Ishtar onto the field!"
The Star Gate opened, and a brilliant golden star shone radiantly in the dark void. A girl with an identical appearance to Ereshkigal burst forth from the gate riding the Heavenly Boat Ma'anna, charging onto the battlefield.
Ishtar
9-Star Archer, Attack Power 3200.
"The stench of decay... isn't that Ereshkigal? You still like hiding in damp, dark places, just like always."
Ishtar immediately taunted Ereshkigal. As the two sides of life and death, they had always been at odds.
"...Ugh, it's not like I want to be here!"
Ereshkigal's Bond voice lines already made it clear that she yearned for a vibrant, colorful world, but the Underworld's environment couldn't support such things.
"Hmph, rant all you want. But here, you'll obey my commands without question!"
"I'll never—Wait, no way! It's actually happening!"
Ishtar's face paled. What kind of hell is this? Though this was hell. "Whose Noble Phantasm is this? I'll beat them to a pulp!"