Jiang You scanned Nero and the audience, noticing they all wore expressions of detached amusement, as if watching a show. This duel would decide their fate, yet they didn't seem the least bit concerned.
If they're not worried, Jiang You thought, then I'm not going to waste my energy worrying for them.
"To be more precise," he continued, "you're the personality that belonged to Prisma Illya's Lesser Grail."
After the Holy Grail War in her world, Prisma Illya's Lesser Grail functions were sealed, along with her memories of that time. As a result, the current Prisma Illya lost the ability to absorb Servant souls. She became a healthy child, as pure and blank as a new sheet of paper, and her current personality developed afterward.
"But the Lesser Grail didn't completely disappear. Those memories were merely sealed, not entirely erased. To be more precise, as Chloe grew, she came to resemble the Illya from the Fifth Holy Grail War. However, due to their different experiences and memories, their personalities diverged significantly."
"So... does that mean I don't really exist?"
After Jiang You's explanation, Chloe's expression turned utterly desolate. She was the part abandoned by her 'father' and 'mother.' The thought that she would return to that unconscious darkness once the Duel ended made her tremble with fear.
Prisma Illya opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Chloe shared her exact memories; if she were in Chloe's shoes, she would be just as heartbroken. As the one who had benefited, anything she said now would only deepen Chloe's sorrow.
"Alright. Since I'm the one who caused this mess, I'll take responsibility for it."
Jiang You didn't believe that simply restoring memories would cause Prisma Illya to develop a split personality. In the original storyline, a Class Card was used as a vessel to create a separate "Illya" body, allowing Kuro to manifest and act in the mortal realm.
Since Kuro shared the same memories as Prisma Illya, she naturally wanted the same treatment. It was like a clone with identical memories—who could accept being treated as anything less than the original? Jiang You's Holy Grail must have resonated with Prisma Illya's sealed memories, causing his card to record her as well.
"You're standing right here now, so of course you exist," Jiang You said. "I'll make sure you can act as an independent individual."
"Then please take responsibility, Mr. Jiang You."
Kuro nodded. Unlike in the original story, knowing her true identity meant she could no longer see herself as just another version of Prisma Illya.
"I don't want to disappear... Please, let me stay."
"You can exist on your own," Jiang You reassured her. "I'm just promising you a place to belong. You are a part of the Holy Grail, which means you have the power to grant wishes. As long as you truly want to stay, you won't disappear."
Jiang You's Noble Phantasm could indeed pull Heroic Spirits directly into the mortal realm, so he could have easily taken credit for it. But he felt there was no need.
It was a matter of "sincerity begets sincerity," after all. Besides, the girl was already on the verge of tears.
"You don't need to thank me. This is your own power."
Kuro nodded silently. Still, his honesty wasn't without its benefits—it made him seem even more sincere. Kuro's Affection for him skyrocketed, instantly surpassing both Prisma Illya's and Miyu's. Jiang You's inbox was nearly flooded in an instant.
Jiang You glanced through the notifications. Besides Cards related to himself, Cards from the original series had also been added to his collection. What was truly absurd, however, was that Kuro's Spirit Origin was still Emiya-related, according to the Card. Wasn't that Class Card still in Gudako's possession?
Thinking of Gudako, Jiang You realized he hadn't even had a chance to check on Chaldea. He wondered how things were going over there. Hopefully, their heads haven't exploded.
What a lolicon! Just how many Illyas does he plan to collect before he's satisfied? Prisma Illya sniffed softly. Jiang You was being way too gentle with Kuro. He definitely had ulterior motives.
"Did you forget again? I can hear your thoughts whenever you think of my name."
Jiang You's voice echoed in Prisma Illya's mind once more. It would be rude to continue thinking such things.
"So what?! Adults like you are the worst!"
Feeling her privacy completely violated, Prisma Illya shouted in a fit of rage and embarrassment.
"I overlay my two cards to Xyz Summon the Avatar of Blind Stupidity!"
As Prisma Illya declared her move, she and Kuro began to transform into streams of light, soaring into the swirling nebula above.
Just before disappearing, Kuro looked at Jiang You with a pleading expression. "You have to keep your promise!"
"I will," Jiang You nodded in response.
Seeing this, Prisma Illya realized Kuro couldn't escape Jiang You's clutches and clicked her tongue in extreme dissatisfaction.
With the Xyz conditions met, the Special Summoned Servant descended.
In that instant, all colors and sounds seemed to vanish, leaving the world in stark black and white and boundless silence. On the Duel Field, a humanoid silhouette tore through space and stepped into the battle zone. Only then did color and sound return to the world, rippling outward from the figure like waves on water.
"Why does it have 0 Attack Power, My Lord?"
Prisma Illya had expected that since Jiang You was so powerful now, he would manifest as a powerhouse with at least 3000 ATK.
"With you like this, I, as your miko, will be embarrassed too!"
"What do you know? 0 ATK is the most terrifying!" Jiang You disagreed. "Besides, where else would you find a boss monster with such simple summoning conditions?"
[Avatar of Blind Stupidity] ATK 0
1. While this card is face-up on the field, your opponent cannot Summon unless they discard 1 card from their hand. The effects of cards discarded by this effect cannot be activated.
2. When your opponent activates an effect: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; negate that activation, then choose and apply one of the following effects: Look at your opponent's hand, choose 1 card, and add it to your hand.
Special Summon 1 card from your opponent's Extra Deck. When a card Summoned by this effect leaves the field, banish it face-down. The negated card's type (Monster, Spell, or Trap) cannot have its effects activated until the start of the next turn.
3. Any battle damage this card would inflict is inflicted to your opponent instead.
4. If this card leaves the field by battle: Special Summon 1 "Outer God" monster from your Deck or hand.
"I feel like... this isn't my final form?"
Jiang You assessed his current state. It seemed he could still ascend one more stage, much like Tiamat. The 4th effect of his card was designed for this very purpose, suggesting he had another Outer God form waiting. Judging by Bubble's effects, this next form would only be stronger, not weaker.
Nero's expression darkened. Normally, a miko could indeed summon an Outer God directly, but it always came at a tremendous cost. Who would have thought Prisma Illya could do it while casually bickering with her own god right before the summoning? Moreover, the fact that Prisma Illya held Jiang You's card meant he was clearly on her side in this matter.
Nero understood the outcome of this Duel was already decided. Even if she could win, she couldn't. A part of her—Tru'nembra's Spirit Origin—insisted she must not defy Jiang You's will.
At the very least, I can't lose too disgracefully.
Suc'naath had also arrived, and Nero dreaded becoming the laughingstock of her colleagues. Watching Prisma Illya bicker with Jiang You, Nero solidified her resolve: she absolutely could not win. She had no desire to be kicked out of the Royal Orchestra!