Nero actually knew Jiang You's effect. After all, as the "Piper," she also had Jiang You's Xyz Card, "Avatar of Blind Stupidity," in her Extra Deck (Summoning condition: two or more Foreigner-class Servants, regardless of level). However, summoning this card wasn't as easy for her as it was for Illya, nor was it as synergistic with Jiang You's Xyz effect.
More importantly, she didn't have the subsequent card with the "Out God" Class that Jiang You possessed. She had once seen that Class in Bubble's possession, and its power was terrifying. She absolutely could not let Prisma Illya activate that effect. Now that Prisma Illya had activated the effect preventing the Main Battler from activating any Servant Cards, Nero could confidently destroy this card in battle.
"Is that so?"
Prisma Illya glanced at her Backrow. The three Set cards could handle many situations, and she was determined to protect Jiang You's card. Because Jiang You's first and third effects were Aura Effects, and his lockdown prevented activation rather than negating effects, Jiang You could still maintain a degree of control.
Nero wanted to seize this opportunity, combining it with her Field Spell Card's effect that prevented her from taking battle damage, to eliminate this nuisance.
"Your Backrow can counter my attack, can't it?"
Prisma Illya's expression betrayed her. Seeing her feigned confidence, Nero directly voiced her thoughts.
"Then I shall shatter your Backrow as well! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, Outer God's Privilege!"
This card was an upgraded version of Imperial Privilege, allowing the user to choose one of several effects to activate.
"I choose this effect: Banish all cards in your backrow! For each card banished, inflict 1000 damage to your Life Points!"
Of course, if Prisma Illya couldn't counter this effect, losing three cards would mean an instant loss. But Nero wasn't worried. If Prisma Illya could be defeated so easily, she would be far too underwhelming. After all, this was a Deck themed around the Blind Idiot God.
As expected, Prisma Illya flipped over a Set card in her backrow.
"That was close! I almost lost the Duel. I told you I'd stop you! I activate the Counter Trap Card Seal of Azathoth! I negate your Spell Card, and you cannot use cards of the same type for the rest of this turn!"
Prisma Illya effortlessly dodged the decisive blow, just as Nero had anticipated. Yet Nero couldn't feel happy. Not only was the Trap Card incredibly powerful, but she also knew what it represented: Jiang You had placed far too much trust in this miko. Considering Jiang You's relationship with that Illya, it seemed logical... except this Illya wasn't the original. For the first time, Nero understood the concept of a "substitute"—isn't this just NTR?!
Nero dragged her thoughts back to the Duel. Her colleague and bandmate, Suc'naath, was also here, which only strengthened her resolve not to lose so disgracefully.
Her Servant Card's effects and her Spell Cards were now completely locked down. The only cards she had left were Traps, but those required a delay to activate. This left Nero with only one usable card: the one representing herself already summoned to the field. She had no other options. Discarding her own card for its Noble Phantasm and activating Imperial Privilege had already cost her four cards, leaving her with only two in hand. To ensure she could make a comeback later, she had to get the Avatar of Blind Stupidity off the field now!
"I enter the Battle Phase!"
Nero had no choice. "Forgive me, My Lord! I must be rude! I attack the Avatar of Blind Stupidity with myself!"
Nero charged at Jiang You. Her once vibrant greatsword, Primordial Flame, now glowed a blood-red, its searing heat mixed with something else entirely. With her staggering 3800 Attack Power, Nero easily cleaved Jiang You in two.
"The continuous effect of Avatar of Blind Stupidity!"
Prisma Illya was about to explain. Under normal circumstances, the attack would have dealt 3800 battle damage, allowing Nero to win the Duel instantly. Since Aura effects don't need to be activated, the damage reflection effect would still apply.
But Nero waved her hand, stopping Prisma Illya before she could start. She already knew Jiang You's effect.
"No need to explain. I fully understand My Lord's abilities. This attack was solely to get her off the field. It may be disrespectful, but if I am to have any chance of winning, I must defeat My Lord. This is my only opportunity."
Nero looked up at Jiang You, her eyes filled with a sense of grievance. It was clear she was only in this Duel to provide emotional support for Prisma Illya.
"I set one card in my Backrow and end my turn."
Nero had no other moves. All she could do was set a card and wait. Once this turn ended, her Spell and Servant Cards would function normally again.
"Then, due to the effect of 'United Performance'! You take 1500 damage at the End Phase!"
The card text didn't specify that it needed to be activated, so it wasn't affected by effects that prevent activation.
"Hmph, hmph, your pathetic state is truly unsightly. But I won't show any mercy! Hand over the lead singer position!"
Though Prisma Illya didn't fully grasp the specific meaning of this battle, competing with a rival of the same archetype was an idol's instinct. Dragon Girl sang in chorus with Nero, and a wave of pink soundwaves swept out from Nero's body.
"This voice... Is everyone in your pantheon tone-deaf?!"
Standing extremely close, Prisma Illya bore the brunt of the impact. Even with the protection of the Duel rules, the piercing pitch still dealt a significant blow to her young heart.
Nero's LP: 3000 → 1500
"Ugh... Even if I lose, you haven't won!" Nero retorted, pointing out that the Dual Servant Card on the field was a combination of herself and Dragon Girl.
"Hmph! I'll prove you wrong sooner or later!"
Dragon Girl realized Nero had a point but refused to back down.
"Now, my turn! I draw!"
Prisma Illya began her turn.
She looked at the field. Theoretically, she could win the battle immediately just by ending her turn and relying on the effect of "United Performance."
But could it really be that easy?
Prisma Illya stared at Nero's Backrow. She currently had no effects in her hand that could deal with that face-down card. However, given its position, it had to be a Spell or Trap Card, so she didn't need to worry about it affecting "United Performance."
In that case, the best move is to enter the Battle Phase directly. Prisma Illya nodded to herself. Let's do it.
"You won't be able to attack effectively this turn," Jiang You warned her through their Mental Link. "The 'Outer God's Privilege' in the Graveyard also has an upgraded version of 'Imperial Privilege.' Originally, you'd banish it to negate one attack. Now, if this card is in the Graveyard, you can activate it at the start of the Battle Phase. Banish this card to skip the Battle Phase."