"First strike!"
With lifeless eyes, Fergus marched heavily toward Cú Chulainn. His spinning greatsword swung down at him.
Cú Chulainn tried to block it with his magic spear, but with nearly a 1000 attack point difference between them, no skill could bridge the gap (even one more point wouldn't have helped). The massive sword slammed into Cú Chulainn's chest.
Cú Chulainn LP 4000 → LP 3100.
"He's still on the field...?"
Shinji Matou was startled to see Cú Chulainn still standing after the attack.
"My effect allows me to negate battle destruction once per turn!"Cú Chulainn explained with a grin.
"Doesn't matter. Fergus, attack again!"
Another heavy swing came down. This time, Cú Chulainn, without the protection of his evasion rune, was sent straight to the banished zone.
Cú Chulainn LP 3100 → LP 2200.
"And now for the final blow!"
Cú Chulainn's remaining LP wasn't enough to survive another hit. Shinji proudly declared his victory.
"Not that easy! I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Shoals of the Four Branches!Effect 1: During the enemy's battle phase, if the opponent controls a Servant and I control none, I can pay 1000 LP to Special Summon one Red Branch Knights Servant in Attack Position from my deck. The summoned Servant can't activate effects this turn.Effect 2: While this card remains face-up, only one Servant per player can declare an attack during each Battle Phase!"
The Four Branches Rune prohibition of one-on-one duels from Irish legend enveloped the field in glowing symbols.
"I summon—Cú Chulainn!"
Cú Chulainn returned to the field, and since Shinji's deck ran the full playset of his card, he could bring him back immediately.
Cú Chulainn LP 2200 → LP 1200.
Cú Chulainn ATK: 2500.
"Since this is a different copy of the card, the once-per-turn destruction protection applies again. Your attack is negated!"
Cú Chulainn withstood Fergus's third attack.
"Even so, you still take battle damage!"
Shinji took the opportunity to chip away more LP. Fergus's attack shaved off another 900 points.
Cú Chulainn LP 1200 → LP 300.
"Finally, I set one card face-down and end my turn."
"You've managed to push me this far, seaweed head. Not bad,"Cú Chulainn praised, looking at his dangerously low LP.
Receiving praise from a Heroic Spirit made Shinji glow with pride. Victory here would prove he had talent even in the mysteries of magecraft. He puffed out his chest."Of course! I'm naturally gifted at everything!"
"No... You're a total disaster at magecraft."
Cú Chulainn, who had rigorously trained in rune magic under Scáthach and could even manifest as a Caster, instantly saw through Shinji's clogged magic circuits.
"Hey, don't look at me like that! Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Like you, leading people as a king would be impossible. Anyway, my turn! Draw!"
Shinji wasn't listening—being recognized for magecraft was an obsession of his.
At the moment Cú Chulainn drew, massive magical energy coiled around the card, forming wailing spirits. The aura of death froze everyone's heartbeat—it was clear this card was powerful.
"Looks like even my teacher noticed how pathetic I'm being."
Cú Chulainn rubbed his nose awkwardly. In this situation, he definitely needed Scáthach's strength to overcome the empowered Fergus.
"Then I'll trouble you, Master!I activate Land of Shadows! When this card is activated, I can banish all cards in my graveyard to Special Summon the Queen of the Land of Shadows, Scáthach, from my deck!Come, Master—show them your god-slaying martial arts!"
The black castle of craggy rocks reappeared. Twin crimson lances rained down like meteorites as Scáthach, veiled in black, descended into the Duel.
Scáthach ATK: 3250.
"Cú Chulainn, has combat in this era turned into mere entertainment?"
Scáthach frowned; she wasn't pleased with this format. Combat, even as a duel, should involve killing intent—not some spectacle for amusement.
"Master, it's all Caster's doing. Magic still needs to be kept 'mystical.' But as you can see, thanks to him being reckless, this entire city is already used to magic existing."
Cú Chulainn explained the situation.
"...Forget it. Let's deal with the present first.Being pushed this far by a mere non-magus—Cú Chulainn, you're far too lazy!"
Scáthach glared at his measly 300 LP in clear displeasure.
"I know! But with you here, I'll definitely win! Watch me!"
"Win? Scáthach's attack power is still lower than Fergus. How are you gonna break through?"
Shinji questioned his confidence.
Cú Chulainn turned to him and grinned:"Listen carefully! Scáthach cannot be destroyed by battle, cannot be targeted by effects, and once per turn she can destroy one Servant on the field!Master, execute Fergus! Gae Bolg Alternative—Pierce through Death and Soar!"
Scáthach flashed toward Fergus, ready to strike him down.
"Not so fast!I activate Quick-Play Spell: Insect Sorcery Reformation!It's an escape spell my grandfather used:Tribute one Servant you control, then Special Summon Imprint Insect and Wing Blade Insect from your deck/graveyard whose combined levels equal the tributed Servant!"
"The graveyard's locked down!"
Cú Chulainn reminded him about the Land of Shadows' banishing effect.
"No problem! I still have an Imprint Insect and two Wing Blade Insects in my deck! I'll summon one of each!"
Fergus was tributed to dodge Scáthach's destruction effect, replaced by two insects in Defense Position.
Imprint Insect DEF: 500.
Wing Blade Insect DEF: 1000.
"Such troublesome bugs! Then, I'll attack Imprint Insect!"
Since the Imprint Insect didn't target and Scáthach couldn't be targeted, Cú Chulainn was forced to attack. Plus, the Land of Shadows sealed away further tricks.
Cú Chulainn was once again manipulated into fighting for Shinji.
"Your move, seaweed head!"
Cú Chulainn ended his turn.
"My turn! Draw!"
Shinji revealed his hand triumphantly."This is my true trump card—normal summon Cursed Arm Hassan!"
Cursed Arm Hassan – Assassin 2★, ATK 1500.
Summoned this way for the first time, Cursed Arm looked around silently, wrapped tightly in cloth—nobody knew what expression hid beneath his mask.
"Cursed Arm can breach Scáthach's defense! When attacking, he's immune to trap effects until the damage step!And he can self-modify—by destroying an allied Servant, he gains half their ATK! This effect can be used continuously!"
"Like hell I'll let you!"
Cú Chulainn knew Cursed Arm could destroy two allies to reach 4000 ATK—far too much.
"I activate Fragarach to negate his effect and destroy him!"
"That's exactly what I was waiting for!"Shinji laughed ecstatically."I switch Wing Blade Insect to Attack Position and enter the Battle Phase!"
Wing Blade Insect ATK: 1000.
"You lose, Cú Chulainn! I might not be able to beat Scáthach, but I can beat you! Wing Blade Insect attacks you directly!"
"There's still a chance! I activate Warrior's Boiling Blood! I flip a coin—if it's heads—"
Before he could finish, the coin landed tails. Not only could he not block the attack, he lost half his LP.
Cú Chulainn LP 300 → LP 150.
And then Wing Blade Insect closed in—
Cú Chulainn LP 150 → LP 0.
[Winner: Shinji Matou!]
The arena erupted in cheers and applause.