This wasn't Quetzalcoatl's Noble Phantasm, but a full-force flying kick executed with the same technique, aimed to eliminate Jiang You in a single blow.
The searing heatwave melted a gap in the crane behind Jiang You. Over a hundred tons of steel groaned under the unbearable strain before collapsing. The deafening crash of steel against the ground created a massive crater in the newly paved surface.
Even through her mask, Hundred Faces' expression of despair was visible. Fairy Tristan watched the devastation Quetzalcoatl had wrought with lingering fear. Earlier, Jiang You had jokingly suggested they try fighting a Major God-class servant together. Thank goodness she refused; otherwise, there would have been one more servant buried in the ground.
Yet amid this cataclysmic destruction, Jiang You, the primary target of the attack, remained completely unharmed. He hadn't even taken half a step back.
"Not a scratch?" Quetzalcoatl marveled. "A Noble Phantasm that negates attacks? No wonder you're so confident."
Seeing his attack prove ineffective, Quetzalcoatl withdrew his high-kicking leg.
"Now I believe you truly defeated that panther. Enkidu's already growing impatient, sending you here?"
"You misunderstand."
This was why Jiang You had decided to reveal his true purpose from the start, hoping to avoid future misunderstandings.
"I summoned Tiamat to defeat her. That is why I came to this era. Enkidu and I are not allies."
"Summoned her... to defeat her?"
Quetzalcoatl struggled to comprehend Jiang You's motives. While Heroic Spirits possessed all sorts of eccentric personalities—including those who reveled in battle—he had never encountered a servant playing such a high-stakes game.
"You could consider it my personal trial," Jiang You explained, using terms Quetzalcoatl would understand. After all, the Aztec gods engaged in such rituals daily.
"But Heroic Spirits aren't supposed to grow stronger..."
Quetzalcoatl observed Jiang You intently, hoping to discern something extraordinary. Yet, aside from the completely nullified attack earlier, Jiang You's outward appearance seemed utterly unremarkable.
"Regardless of your motives, your initial trial is to overcome me! So, give it your all and try to survive!"
"I understand. I'll convince you through a Duel! Duel!"
Jiang You countered Quetzalcoatl's attack by activating his Duel Space.
Jiang You: 4000 Life Points.
Quetzalcoatl: 4000 Life Points.
"A Noble Phantasm that can forcibly alter the rules of reality!"
For the first time, Quetzalcoatl showed genuine surprise. She hadn't expected that Jiang You's perfect attack nullification—a top-tier defensive effect—was merely a side effect of this artifact. After briefly accessing the granted knowledge, she shook her head in resignation.
"So, this is a 'Duel'? How misleading! Ah, don't misunderstand, I'm not complaining. Any form of Duel deserves respect. Though personally, Sister prefers wrestling, of course."
"With your overwhelming strength, wouldn't single-sidedly pummeling opponents in wrestling offer little satisfaction?"
The only being capable of wrestling Quetzalcoatl head-on might be a super-buff specimen like Super Bear. In any case, none of the servants in this Singularity could withstand her playful torment.
"Since this is a trial, I'll take the first move," Jiang You declared, seizing the initiative.
To be honest, having Fairy Tristan by his side was proving quite useful. "First, I activate the Spell Card 'Grudge Fusion'! I send 'Fairy Knight Tristan' and 'Cernunnos' from my Deck to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon—'Cait Cú MikoCer'!"
Fairy Tristan (Swimsuit)
Attack Power: 3000
"Next, I activate Fairy Tristan (Swimsuit)'s effect! By discarding one card, I deal 1000 Life Points of damage to my opponent!"
The reasoning remained the same as before: the Aztecs relied heavily on sacrifices, and he wanted to avoid any strange creatures suddenly appearing.
"Because the discarded card was 'Cocoa Bean', I draw one additional card."
"Then, I equip Fairy Tristan with the Equip Spell Card 'Revolving Sword of Victory'!"
This compensated for Fairy Tristan's relatively low base Attack Power, and the card's once-per-turn destruction protection further enhanced Swimsuit Tristan's resilience on the field.
Once again, Fairy Tristan wielded Gawain's Holy Sword. If the 'Sword of Promised Victory' didn't require the target to be the "King of the Knights of the Round Table," Jiang You would have slapped Excalibur on her without hesitation.
Fairy Tristan (Swimsuit)
Attack Power: 3000 → 3500
"Finally, I'll set two cards in my back row and end my turn."
Quetzalcoatl's gaze fell upon the Great Horned God Cernunnos standing beneath Fairy Tristan (Swimsuit). As a fellow Great God, Cernunnos's power was beyond question. "It seems Mesopotamia truly is a land blessed with exceptional talent—the gods are practically crowding each other. Since that's the case, I should reveal my true strength as well."
"My turn, draw!"
Quetzalcoatl began her turn. "Spell Card."
Though Jiang You hadn't yet seen Quetzalcoatl's specific effect, he instinctively knew that a Major God-class Servant's abilities couldn't possibly be weak. "I activate it!"
The circular stone tablet, inscribed with records of destruction and creation, death and birth, began to crumble, interrupting Quetzalcoatl's summoning ritual.
"Running from battle isn't a good idea, you know? I activate the effect of Sacrificial Offering: Heart in my Graveyard! By banishing this card, I can Special Summon an Aztec servant from my Deck. I choose Quetzalcoatl! Prepare for the impact!"
(Spynote: I don't know for the life of me how they got the spell card in the graveyard, but that's what's written.)
A crimson meteor tore through layers of swirling clouds, dyeing the entire sky scarlet, like a falling sun.
From within the plummeting sun, a golden-haired woman, wreathed in raging flames, strode onto the battlefield.
Quetzalcoatl 10-Star Rider ATK 3500
"Summoning through such a simple method must come with a price," Quetzalcoatl explained with a smile. "The summoned servant's effects are negated."
"Next, I Normal Summon Aztec Priest!"
Looking at this card, Quetzalcoatl seemed slightly displeased.
Aztec Priest
3-Star Caster ATK 1200
"The effect of 'Aztec Priest': When successfully summoned, add one 'Sacrificial Offering' card to my Hand. I choose to add 'Sacrificial Offering: Blood'!"
Jiang You knew from the names alone that these cards had Graveyard Effects, which Fairy Tristan might find useful. The irony was that the god who opposed sacrifice received even more worship due to her kindness.