[Heroic Spirit – Artoria Pendragon Alter ★★★★★★★ (Level 7)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2400 → 3300/DEF 2100]
Contrasting sharply with the regal blue of her quilt-like armor, her reversed, form-fitting black dress accentuated her fair, delicate skin—almost srizing to behold.
"Okita-san's Interview, Part Two! Artoria-san, how do you feel about your Alter?"
Artoria carefully examined herself from head to toe, contemplating for a long mont before giving her verdict:
"I win."
Okita tilted her head. "Win? Win what?"
"Whether in terms of level, defensive capabilities, or the sheer thickness of my armor—I have the advantage!"
Setting aside the level difference, there was no way Artoria's thick quilt armor could outmatch the alluring elegance of her opponent's outfit.
Hols lightly drew a card from his deck. "To see you making such skillful use of your deck's resources—truly comndable. As expected from my top disciple."
"It was just a whole night of you crushing in card gas. I hardly deserve the title of 'top disciple,'" Hoshino said, waving a hand dismissively, feigning humility.
Hols ignored her modesty, smoothly drawing a card from his hand. The field lit up with a summoning glow.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell—[Heroic Spirit—Ergency Summoning]! If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Heroic Spirit' monster from my Deck in Defense Position."
He flicked the chosen card onto the field, and from the glowing projections, a familiar figure materialized.
"—I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit – Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Hols]!"
[Heroic Spirit – Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Hols ★][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK: 500 DEF: 400]
Now clad in a brand-new, more casual travel outfit, Hols appeared on the field, sporting his signature detective hat and a large backpack, exuding an air of effortless confidence.
Hoshino's eye twitched. "Hols, how many different versions of yourself did you put in your deck? If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were a narcissist. Actually, I'm starting to suspect it anyway…"
What should have been a serious duel was turning into a fashion showcase, with Hols swapping outfits as if he were challenging Artoria's record for the most alternate forms.
"A detective must be prepared for all possible disguises," Hols replied smoothly. "Now, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit – Sherlock Hols] that was previously sent to the Graveyard!"
The original Hols, sent to the Graveyard earlier by an attack from EMIYA Alter, hadn't triggered any effects at the ti, making it seem like nothing more than a disposable shield—until now.
"While [Heroic Spirit – Sherlock Hols] is in my Graveyard, once per turn, I can declare a card type—Monster, Spell, or Trap."
Hols' gaze deepened, as if he could see straight into Hoshino's mind.
"After declaring the card type, I reveal the top card of your Deck. If it matches my declaration, I can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit – Sherlock Hols] from my Graveyard."
Hoshino smirked. "Interesting. Even I don't know what's on top of my Deck. No matter how good you are at mind gas, Hols, this ti, you can only rely on luck."
With only a one-in-three chance of guessing correctly, the odds weren't in his favor. But the unreadable depth in Hols' eyes sent a shiver down Hoshino's spine.
Hols' lips curled into a confident smile.
"Then, I declare that the top card of your Deck is… the Quick-Play Spell Hero Creation!"
Hoshino's instincts flared with alarm. "Wait, you've got to be kidding!"
She quickly flipped over the top card of her Deck—
And just as she feared—
"No way! Even if you claim to be a legendary detective, it's already ridiculous enough that you can deduce the card type. But to predict the exact card itself?! That's just absurd!"
After all, even Hoshino herself had no idea what the top card of her Deck was.
"This is just my basic deduction, my friend~"
The summoning glow reappeared. Since Hols had correctly identified the card type, Sherlock Hols was Special Summoned from the Graveyard.
[Heroic Spirit – Sherlock Hols★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1800]
Hoshino was far from convinced. "Don't try to brush this off with a casual remark! If you don't give a proper explanation, I'm going to assu you're cheating!"
Hols simply winked. "Such a lack of humor, Miss Hoshino~ This was just a little warm-up joke. In truth, before my declaration, I had already activated the effect of Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Hols."
He tapped the Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Hols card on the field with a smirk.
[When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Look at the top 3 cards of your opponent's Deck, then return them to the top of the Deck in any order.]
Okita nodded seriously. "I see now! I was just about to bring down the hamr of justice on you for dueling misconduct, but it turns out your victory at the last tournant wasn't just luck after all."
Emiya calmly interjected, "Okita, your deck only has one monster—yourself. Forget luck, even Darius could beat you."
"One monster is enough for ! After all, I am the ace!" Okita declared with unfounded confidence.
Compared to Okita's unwavering self-belief, Hoshino's expression was far more complicated.
"So, you manipulated the top three cards of my Deck beforehand. That ans, besides Hero Creation, you also got a sneak peek at two other cards. You know, Hols, peeking at a lady's deck without permission is hardly gentlemanly behavior!"
"Hardly gentlemanly, you say…"
Despite his lighthearted response, the sharp glint in Hols' eyes never faded.
"It's not just that, is it, Miss Hoshino? There's a card in your Deck you didn't want to see, isn't there? Let guess—could it be related to the origin of this whole incident?"
Hoshino's expression turned serious. "Is that another one of your deductions, or have you already seen it?"
"Hmm, who knows?—this part, I'm afraid, is classified. I must refuse to answer."
Earlier, even Hoshino hadn't known what her top card was. But now, Hols had knowledge that even she lacked. No matter how minor, this kind of information asymtry still counted as an advantage in a duel.
"What are they even talking about? I'm completely lost..."
Okita's head was practically steaming from overexertion, as if she were listening to so celestial being speak in riddles.
"Then, I continue by activating the effect of [Heroic Spirit – Sherlock Hols]. Since I guessed correctly and successfully Special Summoned him, I can discard one card from my hand to Set the declared card onto my field."
Casually tossing Moriarty's card into the Graveyard, Hols smirked as he deftly stole the top card of Hoshino's Deck.
"I discard the now 'useless' Moriarty from my hand and set a card on my field."
The old man, now lying in the Graveyard, sounded rather disgruntled.
"Master, hurry up and fetch a tomato! I'm going to chuck it at him!"
Hoshino frowned. "How could he be useless? If we're talking about Moriarty's effect, wouldn't it be incredibly useful in this situation?"
Hols raised an eyebrow.
"As expected of you, Miss Hoshino. Even though I put on a façade of absolute distaste toward Moriarty, you weren't fooled by such a shallow trick. Now then, I activate the Equip Spell I searched for last turn—[The Vaunted One]!"
More commonly known as "Strad." It was Hols' pride and joy—a rare treasure crafted by Antonio Stradivari, the greatest luthier in history. Hols had once managed to purchase it from a pawn shop for a re fifty-five shillings.
[The Vaunted One – Equip Spell Effect: Target 1 'Heroic Spirit' monster in your Graveyard. Special Summon that target and equip this card to it.]
"A 'Premature Burial' exclusively for Heroic Spirits, huh? You sure have so handy cards stashed away, Hols."
"With the effect of The Vaunted One, I Special Summon the Moriarty I just sent to the Graveyard in Attack Position. Then, I activate Moriarty's effect to add a second copy of Heroic Cri of the Century from my Deck to my hand."
[Heroic Spirit – Jas Moriarty ★★★★★ (Level 5)]
[DARK] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1800/DEF 1200]
"As long as Moriarty is on the field, I can activate Heroic Cri of the Century to reliably destroy one of your monsters, Miss Hoshino. Given that, wouldn't it be strange for to call him useless?"
"Miss Hoshino, did you think I called him useless simply because I dislike him? No, the reason he's useless is obvious—you've already prepared a counterasure for any effect I might activate. Your set card."
Hoshino's eyes widened slightly. In that instant, she felt as if Hols had seen straight through her.
"The card you set is the Quick-Play Spell Vessel of the Saint, isn't it? Its effect makes a monster immune to your opponent's card effects, aning that even if I activate Heroic Cri of the Century this turn, it won't affect you at all."
Hoshino sighed in resignation.
"I expected this, but it still stings to be read so completely..."
[Heroic Spirit – Sherlock Hols' effect: Once per turn: You can look at 1 Set card your opponent controls.]
"This card, Heroic Cri of the Century, is essentially my ammunition for destruction, while your strategy, Miss Hoshino, is to preserve your monsters and deplete my ammunition. Am I wrong?"
"I won't deny it. But even if you've seen through my set card, you still summoned Moriarty. That tells you don't have any other ans to break through my Alter monster's defenses."
For monsters with over 3000 ATK, breaking through with sheer force was difficult.
Hoshino shrugged.
"A battle between a genius detective and a criminal mastermind, huh? Their card effects are definitely troubleso, but as long as I prepare in advance, their lack of raw power is a fatal weakness."
"It would seem, Miss Hoshino, that you are correct. A detective and a criminal mastermind alone may not be able to overco the defenses of a powerful Alter monster. However, there is a solution..."
Moriarty scoffed, visibly annoyed.
"Hah. You just called useless a mont ago, and now you want my help?"
"But what if the detective and the criminal joined forces? With the greatest minds in human history working together, perhaps they could find—or even create—a way to break through overwhelming power!"
Hoshino looked puzzled.
"Can two people who despise each other really fight together?"
Mash turned to Hoshino, surprised.
"Even if they bicker all the ti and never back down from petty argunts… deep down, aren't Hols and Moriarty actually on good terms? Didn't you once tell that yourself, Senpai?"
Hols' sharp eyes glimred.
"You finally slipped up, Miss Hoshino!"
"Even if you have Hoshino's appearance, deck, and even mories, the way you treat the Heroic Spirits is subtly different. That kind of disconnect—of living a life that isn't truly your own—will inevitably lead to contradictions!"
Hoshino's expression turned awkward.
"What are you talking about, Hols? I just forgot for a mont, that's all... Now that I think about it, you and Moriarty do actually get along quite well, don't you?"
"No, our relationship is terrible. The only reason we put aside our differences in front of you, Miss Hoshino, is because we prioritize our Master's feelings above our own grudges."
Hols picked up two cards from the field and shuffled them back into his deck.
"I return [Heroic Spirit – Sherlock Hols] and [Heroic Spirit – Jas Moriarty] to the Deck as Fusion Materials to perform a Fusion Summon—without the need for a Fusion Spell!"
"—Special Summon [Heroic Spirit – Sherlock & Jas]!"
(*****)
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