Chapter 28: A Song of Ice and Fire
[Judgement] has a B in both Power and Speed.
In the original story, [Judgement] showed high performance by suppressing [Silver Chariot]. However, that was because while [Silver Chariot] possessed Rank A Speed, its Power was a mere Rank C.
Furthermore, there was Cameo, a master of psychological warfare. Before the battle even began, he used a verbal trap, pretending to be an Aladdin-style genie capable of granting wishes. This caused Polnareff to lose his composure for a moment. After all, Polnareff truly had two wishes he desperately wanted realized: the hope that his sister and Avdol might be resurrected.
Even knowing that Cameo's words were likely lies and that he was probably an enemy Stand user sent by DIO, Polnareff struggled to find resolve.
'Could this be real? Have I truly encountered a genie?'
His heart was shackled by these questions.
A Stand is the manifestation of a user's spiritual energy. Given Polnareff's mental state at the time, it was understandable that he was suppressed by [Judgement]. In other words, despite Polnareff suffering from so many debuffs, [Judgement] still couldn't take down [Silver Chariot] in pure melee combat and had to rely on psychological games to further weaken his spirit. Its raw close-quarters combat ability was, frankly, nothing to write home about.
This was exactly why Cameo had previously tried his best to avoid letting the situation devolve into a melee.
However...
—"What do you think is the reason I'm engaging you in melee combat despite knowing it's disadvantageous for me?"
—"Joestar! You didn't think I actually came unprepared, did you?"
—"I intentionally exposed my clay puppets and had them swarm you all at once just to create the illusion of overwhelming numbers!"
Cameo, observing from the shadows, laughed triumphantly in his heart.
—"While these numbers shouldn't matter to you—given that any one of you could destroy these puppets alone with your Stand power—you are comrades!"
—"Unlike me and my partner, who only work together for profit, you are true companions. Could you bear to watch a comrade fall into danger?"
Even if that "danger" wasn't actually dangerous, Shirou and the others couldn't remain indifferent. Because they were the protagonists—the "good guys." And how could a good person not help their friend?
Undoubtedly, much like the classic trope of using hostages to threaten a hero, this was a strategy that specifically targeted the weaknesses of a "good person." Cameo was simply exploiting their desire to rescue and help others.
What benefit did forcing Shirou and the others to step onto the field and act bring to Cameo? The benefit was enormous. Without the heat from [Magician's Red], the second trap he had laid for them would have been difficult to spring.
—"My [Judgement] can project the wishes of others into soil, molding it into whatever they desire."
—"For the type of soil, I can choose earth containing radioactive materials to make the fabricated food highly toxic."
—"Naturally, I can also take soil mixed with gunpowder and mold it into suicide bombers for my use!"
—"I only needed to maintain this swarming formation while you were oblivious. Then, once the flames of [Magician's Red] raised the temperature, I just had to release the Stand power holding the clay together..."
—"These puppets would then turn into a series of super bombs!"
This was the difference between an ability-type Stand and a melee-specialized Stand.
Indeed, [Judgement] didn't possess the overwhelming power of [Star Platinum]. In terms of pure destructive force, the flames of [Magician's Red] and the Emerald Splash of [Hierophant Green] could quickly clear out these clay puppets. But as long as Cameo utilized [Judgement]'s ability flexibly—by swapping different types of soil—his Stand could exhibit various effects, even possessing the power to defeat [Star Platinum]!
The explosion occurring inside the restaurant was the gift Cameo had specifically prepared for Shirou and the others. It was the ultimate display of his cunning and Stand power!
Of course, even though Cameo felt that Shirou's group likely wouldn't survive such a point-blank explosion, he still didn't shout his thoughts out loud. He refused to give away [Judgement]'s position. "Causality is a fickle mistress," and Cameo, a master of psychological tactics, practiced this mindset to the extreme.
Not only was the user hiding, but even the Stand had yet to show itself before Shirou and the others. This was to prevent them from "brute-forcing" the encounter by defeating the user or the Stand directly.
However...
"—[Magician's Red: White Album]!!"
The flames? The waiter puppets? The chef puppets rushing to provide support and "ammo"? Even the entire building?
In a single shout, everything was completely frozen!
"The idea of mixing gunpowder into the clay was indeed unexpected, not to mention the strategy of using [Magician's Red]'s own flames to ignite it...
For someone who enjoys using the legend of the genie to attack the cracks in people's hearts, this tactic was truly impressive. However!"
Shirou Emiya's voice drifted slowly from within the glacier: "To try and use fire to defeat [Magician's Red], which was born to control fire and heat—aren't you being a bit too naive?
Just as damp gunpowder is difficult to ignite, [Magician's Red] only needs to lower the surrounding temperature to stop the combustion reaction of gunpowder that was supposed to explode from heat.
In other words, the 'fire and explosion' you just saw was actually just controllable flames released by [Magician's Red]. The gunpowder you prepared was never actually detonated.
In fact, thanks to the cover provided by that 'explosion,' we were able to smoothly complete the freezing of this entire building."
As if echoing Shirou's words, the unscathed group walked out.
"Your plan has failed, [Judgement].
Though, you probably can't hear these words anymore."