"Given the current situation… do we still have footage? Medusa is on her Master's side, after all—broadcasting it might not be the best idea."
If Medusa's fight with Archer gets aired, no matter the outcome, Rin Tohsaka and the others will notice something's off. That would put Sakura Matou in a very awkward position.
"You're not wrong, but Master wants the tournament to be fair."
Another of the Hundred-Faces still picked up the camera. "Ever heard of delayed broadcast? Worst case, we just air it after the match ends. A duel between Heroic Spirits is way more exciting than a bunch of normal magi sparring—ratings are gonna skyrocket!"
"And what do those ratings have to do with us, exactly?"
This particular Hundred-Faces couldn't help but feel that the others weren't really acting like Assassins anymore.
"Shut it, the duel's about to start! Hold the camera steady!"
The duel zone activated. Since it was in a remote area, there were no spectators for this Heroic Spirit showdown.
"When did you figure it out?"
Medusa fixed her eyes on Archer. Both she and Sakura Matou were the quiet types in their team—practically invisible presences.
"Technically, your assigned area today was the shopping district, right? No reason for you to be out here."
"Well, you know… even if the others trust that little girl Sakura Matou."
Archer folded his arms and shook his head. "She's had the same stance as Illyasviel from the very beginning. It's almost too expected for her to betray us. Guess all our Masters are still just kids… terrifyingly naïve."
"In that case, I'll just have to take you down!"
Medusa grabbed her deck. "I'll go first!"
Looking at the cards in her hand, a flicker of nostalgia and hesitation passed through Medusa's rectangular pupils.
"First, I normal summon [Stheno]—the embodiment of my admiration. Dearest sister, answer my call!"
A petite goddess with bright violet hair emerged in a golden light.
[Stheno]Assassin, 3-Star, ATK 800
"Isn't this my little sister? It's been a while—you've grown up, haven't you?"
Stheno looked at Medusa with a teasing grin, but the curve of her smile revealed genuine joy.
"G-Grown up?!"
Usually cool and composed, Medusa now wore a surprisingly delicate expression. She glanced down at herself and suddenly remembered that Heroic Spirits don't grow—unless their Saint Graph changes.
"Sister, don't tease me… We're still in a fight..."
"I'm fine with waiting, you know. Go on."
"Oh my, what a polite gentleman—I like him."
Stheno chuckled behind her hand at Archer. If not for the rules of the duel, her Charm skill might've already kicked in.
"Medusa, I can't believe you're targeting such a sweet child. I'm so hurt."
Medusa knew her sister's personality well—she complimented every man regardless of who they were. None of those sweet nothings came from the heart.
"Sister…"
In front of her sisters, Medusa was always well-behaved. She honestly didn't know how to ask Stheno to play along.
"Alright, alright. Don't make such a gloomy face—it doesn't suit you. You should summon Euryale too, you know. It's not often we all get to reunite like this."
Maybe Stheno had picked up on something—she spoke up on her own, allowing Medusa to proceed with her turn.
"Thank you!"
Finally able to continue, Medusa said, "Sister's effect! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one [Gorgon] Servant from my deck to my hand! I'll add—[Euryale]!"
"Yes, yes, that's the way! Medusa's such a good girl."
Stheno's tone was like coaxing a child, but Medusa didn't mind—in fact, she looked genuinely pleased.
Archer's expression was… complicated.
"[Euryale]'s effect activates when she's added to hand by a method other than drawing—she gets Special Summoned! Born as a completed idol and ideal girl, descend unto this world—[Euryale]!"
A pink arrow of love landed on the field. A petite goddess nearly identical to Stheno appeared in a swirl of pink light.
[Euryale]Archer, 3-Star, ATK 1200
"Stheno, you're here too? Oh, how exciting!"
Euryale clasped Stheno's hand, and the two pressed tightly against each other.
"Euryale, you're still as adorable as ever. I've always loved you, no matter the time… Of course, I love you too, Medusa—don't be jealous. Want to join in? Let your sisters pamper you properly."
Stheno wrapped her arms around Euryale, their cheeks close. They looked like mirrored reflections, nearly indistinguishable.
"Sister!!"
Medusa's face flushed. She was here to duel, not… this. The scene unfolding was hard to even talk about.
"You don't have to worry so much, Medusa."
Euryale smiled, her pale violet eyes full of amusement.
"...Anyway! Sister [Euryale]'s effect: When Special Summoned, I can add one [Gorgon] Spell Card from my deck to my hand!"
"Next up, Noble Phantasm—Bridle of Chivalry! I send one [Medusa] from my hand or deck to the graveyard to Special Summon a [Pegasus] from the deck!"
A shooting star streaked across the sky and landed on the field. A pure white winged horse neighed proudly.
[Pegasus]Rider, 6-Star, ATK 2000
"A pegasus born from your blood, huh?"
Archer eyed the Pegasus, tilting his head.
"Then you must have Chrysaor too, right?"
"A Heroic Spirit is but a fragment of one's former self—never complete."
Medusa's face darkened. Her deck had several cards tied to her death. In legend, she wasn't a praised hero—she was the monster to be slain.
"But defeating you—this justice-obsessed high schooler—should be easy enough!"
"I'm an adult, thank you."
Archer shrugged, clearly distancing himself from Emiya Shirou's ideals. "I've long since abandoned that dream. I'm a pragmatist now."
"I hope that's true."
Medusa set two cards face-down in her backrow and ended her turn.
"Alright then, my turn. Draw!"
Archer looked at his hand and smirked wickedly.
"Since you know I'm the same person as my Master, you must also know that he is in my deck, right?"
He flipped a card between his fingers, grinning like a maniac. "If I summon him now—even if you beat me, you won't be able to keep your secret anymore, will you?"
"!!!"