"I activate the Field Spell Card Abyss of the Hidden Valley! While this card is face-up on the field, once per turn, I can Special Summon one 'Hassan' from my Graveyard. However, she will be destroyed at the end of the turn. Additionally, my opponent cannot activate card effects in their Graveyard, and any of their Servant Cards that leave the field are banished instead!"
It was a card with a Graveyard-locking effect, much like King Hassan himself. In fact, Servants associated with the Underworld often had similar abilities.
"From my Graveyard, I resurrect—Hundred Faces!"
The Hassan Deck's false ace: Old Man of the Mountain. The Hassan Deck's true ace: Hundred Faces.
Hundred Faces' DEF: 800 → 0
"Now, Hundred Faces' effect! Summon as many cards with the same name as possible from the Deck. Of course, the only one left in my Deck is Hundred-Faced (Host)."
Jiang You had specifically returned this card to his Deck earlier to gain an extra card.
"I activate Host's effect! I declare a card type."
That feeling returned—it was as if his entire Deck was working in his favor.
"I declare... Spell Card!"
The card he revealed was Delusional Illusion, a Spell that could directly summon three Hundred Faces with their effects negated.
"Well then, it's time for the ultimate showdown."
Only King Hassan could handle Tiamat's effects—a conclusion Jiang You had reached back in Chapter 137. In fact, the Old Man of the Mountain card was designed specifically to counter Tiamat.
"I activate the Spell Card Toll the Funeral Bell! Using a total of six Hassans from my Graveyard as Ritual Materials, I Ritual Summon Old Man of the Mountain!"
Though he had witnessed King Hassan's arrival many times, the deep, resonant toll of the bell still made Jiang You's heart skip a beat.
Burning spectral flames once again tore through space, accompanied by a slash that transcended divinity. King Hassan stepped forth, radiating an overwhelming presence.
Old Man of the Mountain's ATK: 4000
"Old Man of the Mountain is unaffected by other card effects during the turn it is Properly Summoned! Therefore, its Attack Power won't change!" Jiang You explained as Tiamat's expression turned to confusion.
"Such a dense aura of death..."
Even without possessing the concept of death, Tiamat instinctively tried to retreat to a safe distance.
"But if it's unaffected by other card effects, you can't change its Attack Power either! With just that, you're still not strong enough to defeat me! It's not enough!"
"No, it's more than enough! ...King Hassan's effect: Tribute this card! Your opponent must send one 12-Star Servant they control to the Graveyard! A Servant sent to the Graveyard by this effect, along with all cards sharing its name (all of Tiamat's forms share the same card name), cannot activate effects that make them unaffected by other card effects for the rest of this duel!"
Jiang You immediately tributed the card, which had incredibly strict summoning conditions. "Since this effect targets the Main Battler, and you only have one card on the field that meets the criteria, you must send it to the Graveyard! And due to the effect of Abyss of the Hidden Valley, it will be banished instead!"
"But isn't Tiamat the Main Battler?"
Just then, Ishtar finished her battle against the Bel Lahmu. With nothing else to do, she naturally wouldn't miss out on the excitement. Hearing the effect's description, she couldn't help but quip.
"Even though they're the same person, the card and the Main Battler are still separate entities."
It was like in Shadowverse when a Main Battler's follower on the field gets destroyed—what does that have to do with the Main Battler themselves? It's not like Hearthstone, where transforming into Lord Jaraxxus gets you instantly killed by Sacrificial Pact.
"...I choose Tiamat."
This was a direct counter. Tiamat had no choice but to send her own card to the Graveyard, where it was then banished by the Field Spell's effect.
Returning to the Main Battle Zone, Tiamat's expression reverted to (???), and her gaze toward King Hassan, who stood imposing in the corner, grew several shades colder. She knew that if King Hassan's card possessed such an effect, the Servant himself could surely do the same. This was damage to her very Spirit Origin—just thinking about it was painful.
"But my effect activates as well! This form is a bit unsightly for humans, and I didn't want to reveal it before you. However, Mommy also said she wouldn't hold back! From my Deck, Graveyard, or Hand, I Special Summon one Tiamat (Primordial Spirit Origin)!"
"Special Summon!"
Tiamat's Spirit Origin flared once more. This time, her song seemed to transcend time and space, bringing ancient echoes into the present world.
An even larger, more monstrous Tiamat rose from between the mountains, her horns nearly scraping the heavens. Like a Demonic Dragon, she descended upon the battlefield.
"Actually, I think this form is pretty cool."
It's a well-known fact that a certain demographic loves three things: women, mechs, and dragons. Tiamat now embodied two of them. Jiang You's Affection for her instantly doubled.
"Tch."
For most people, this form was indeed hard to stomach, and Ishtar was no exception. Whether influenced by her original vessel or not, her aesthetic sense was identical to a human's.
"You're just saying what she wants to hear."
Jiang You shot White Lancer Artoria a meaningful look. The perceptive King quickly understood his intent: since Tiamat could communicate, psychological warfare was part of the battle. Ishtar's comments would undermine Jiang You's efforts and hinder their resolution of the crisis. So, White Lancer Artoria clamped a hand over Ishtar's mouth from behind and dragged her away.
Of course, Jiang You hadn't thought that far ahead at all. He just found her too damn talkative. A true lady watches the duel in silence.
"Even if you're just flattering me, as a Mother, I don't mind."
Tiamat could usually tell if someone was lying, but she couldn't with Jiang You. Her Authority had no effect on him whatsoever, yet she could still sense through intuition that he wasn't lying.
"But I still won't go easy on you!"
[Tiamat (Primordial Spirit Origin)]12-Star Beast / Attack Power 6000
1. This card is unaffected by other card effects.
2. If this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 Spell/Trap Card that lists "Tiamat" in its text from your Deck to your hand or Set it on your field.
3. While this card is face-up on the field, the Attack and Defense of all opposing Servants become 0.
4. During your End Phase: Banish all other Servants on the field, then gain 1000 LP for each Servant banished this way.
5. If this card leaves the field: You can Special Summon 1 "Tiamat" Servant from your Graveyard or Banished Zone during your next Standby Phase.