"This... this is the same Attack Power as that Roman servant!"
Illya knew of only one servant with such a high base Attack Power: Romulus. Moreover, a servant's Star Rank largely reflected their inherent strength. A twelve-star servant couldn't possibly be some ordinary pushover.
"As a Grand-class servant, it naturally has an Attack Power of 4000!"
This servant, possessing the same Attack Power as Romulus—ranks among the top tiers of the Type-Moon World (with some later reaching 5000). The Old Man of the Mountain card has the following effects: "This card is unaffected by other card effects during the turn it is summoned. This card cannot be destroyed by effects! As long as this card remains on the field, it cannot be banished from the game! While this card is on the field, the effects of cards activated from your opponent's Graveyard are negated. While this card is on the field, any damage its controller takes is reduced to 0. When this card declares an attack, the targeted servant's effects are negated, and its original Attack Power is restored. Furthermore, any servant that battles this card is banished, and the opponent's Main Standby takes direct damage equal to the banished monster's Defense Power!"
"Additionally, the Old Man of the Mountain has another effect: by sacrificing itself, it forces the opponent to send one of their 12-star servants on the field to the Graveyard! Servants sent to the Graveyard by this effect lose all immunity to other card effects for the rest of the match."
This effect was clearly designed to counter a specific strategy, though it couldn't be used at the moment.
"I-Incredible... so powerful!"
The card's densely packed text made it clear that this was no ordinary Servant. With an Attack Power of 4000, it could almost only be defeated through battle destruction. Illya glared at Jiang You, annoyed that he was using a card she didn't possess, despite their agreement. "You promised you wouldn't use cards I don't have!"
"Hundred-Faced (Host)"
Effect: When this card is Ritual Summoned, it is Special Summoned to your opponent's field in Attack Position. If Special Summoned by this effect, this card's effects are negated, and it is banished when it leaves the field.
Due to its own effect, the Hassan, clad in a formal evening gown, was summoned to Illya's field.
Hundred-Faced (Host)
Attack Power: 800
Upon seeing the servant on Jiang You's field, Hundred Faces immediately fell to her knees in terror. Trembling, she prostrated herself, lowering her head to the ground and forcing a devout tone to mask her fear. "F-Founder! The nineteenth successor to the name Hassan-i Sabbah, Hundred Faces, pays homage to the Founder."
"Hassan? And isn't the scale of this Spirit Origin a bit excessive?" Rin Tohsaka wondered. Unaware of the existence of Grand servants, she couldn't fathom that the weakest class among the Seven Classes could possess such a formidable servant.
"Could any other servant truly stand against him?"
"The Founder... Hassan?"
Illya sized up the Old Man of the Mountain, his dark robes concealing a formidable suit of armor. The massive greatsword, taller than her, looked impossibly heavy.
"He's more like a Saber than an Assassin... no, Berserker would be more fitting."
"Doubt not, child. I am indeed an Assassin," the Old Man of the Mountain replied in a deep, resonant voice. As the originator of the Assassin class, he would naturally belong to no other.
"I... is that so?" Illya's voice faltered. Despite his calm tone, she felt an overwhelming pressure emanating from him, forcing her to abruptly change the subject.
King Hassan (as he would later be known) turned his gaze toward Hundred Faces, who dared not lift her head.
"In this guise, what do you intend to accumulate amidst your myriad useless wits?"
Hundred Faces wished she could bury her face in the ground, a chill running down her neck, leaving her speechless.
Jiang You intervened to defuse the situation. He feared that King Hassan's intimidation might cause Hundred Faces to abandon her Spirit Origin for this incarnation, and he couldn't afford to lose her in this form. Securing an extra card slot and the special rewards it offered was too enticing to pass up.
"I ordered her to do this," Jiang You declared.
"Is that so?"
King Hassan deeply admired Jiang You's sense of responsibility. He turned to get a good look at the Master of Hundred Faces.
But the moment he turned, he froze mid-motion. Then, as if nothing had happened, the powerful Servant slowly rotated back to his original position.
"If it is the Master's wish, then so be it. I shall temporarily allow your foolish head to remain attached to your neck."
"Th-thank you, Founder!"
Hundred Faces hadn't expected the Founder to be so reasonable. His tone relaxed slightly, but his demeanor became even more humble.
"Stand up!" King Hassan roared, clearly displeased with Hundred Faces' cowering posture. "A Duel is still a battle! Even against me, you must raise your blade!"
"Yes, Founder!"
At the command, Hundred Faces hastily scrambled to her feet and picked up her microphone. Faced with this spectacle, King Hassan barely suppressed the urge to bury his face in his hands.
"Shall we proceed to the Battle Phase then?" Jiang You asked. Though King Hassan occasionally displayed comedic tendencies, his actual presence radiated immense authority. Jiang You, deeply coveting the Founder's Servant Card, maintained a respectful attitude. "No further words, Founder?"
"As my contractor, you naturally possess the authority to command. There is no need to consult me," King Hassan stated firmly.
Jiang You couldn't shake the feeling that King Hassan was being a little too cordial. However, knowing the character's lore from Fate/Grand Order, he reminded himself that King Hassan wasn't some aloof, solitary servant. He chalked it up to the old man's surprisingly approachable nature.
"Alright, I'll enter the Battle Phase!"
King Hassan's ability allowed him to inflict damage equal to the banished servant's defense after battle. This meant that by attacking a servant with equal attack and defense, King Hassan could directly deduct 4,000 Life Points—the equivalent of King Hassan's attack power.
As luck would have it, just such a servant stood on the opponent's field.
Noticing Jiang You's gaze, the host, Hundred Faces, couldn't help but swallow hard, forcing a strained smile. "I... I'll do my best!"
"Your efforts are appreciated, Hundred Faces. Old Man of the Mountain, attack Hundred-Faced (Host)! Angel's Share!"
"This blade does not sever the threads of life and death."
King Hassan took a step forward, azure flames erupting around him as if incinerating the very space. In that single stride, he closed the distance between them, his burning figure now standing face-to-face with Hundred Faces.
"That's enough. Hand over the head!"
King Hassan finally swung his sword at Hundred Faces' neck.
"Not if I can help it!" Illya knew that taking this hit would mean the end. "I activate my Set Card, 'Origin Bullet'!"
"Useless! The Old Man of the Mountain is immune to other card effects during the turn he's summoned!"
"I know. That's why I'm targeting 'Hundred-Faced (Host)'!"
If Hundred-Faced was destroyed, the Old Man of the Mountain wouldn't be able to end the battle with a single strike.
Just as Jiang You had said, if they could just hold on, they'd find a way.
Hundred Faces visibly relaxed as the bullet hurtled toward her.