For the word chain, I will use mainly use english as the Imanity's language. Don't expect me to construct a whole new language. lllya can use another language, Japanese and German.
=========00=========
There are more things in Nasuverse, Jibril, than what can be read of your library.
"Rejected."
That's what Saber said after hearing about Illya's latest plan of sending Caster to the unsuspecting elves.
"Illyasviel, that plan will fail. We may be able to get one or two provinces and some wealth, but that's it." Saber further explained.
"But why?" Illya said in protest. "Caster can win against any elves. I am sure of that."
"Yes, she is strong." Saber nodded to Caster. "And that's exactly the problem. If the other elves see how strong she is, there will be noone who is willing to accept her challenges after she defeated many elves. We may be able to take one province by surprise, but there is nothing after that."
"Now that I think about it, I agree." Caster said. "I suppose I became reckless when I see how weak they are."
Fii looked offended when Caster said that the elves, the seventh rank Exceed, were weaklings. But she didn't say anything, aware of how strong Caster was.
"Also, you just met these girls twice. There is no guarantee about their trustworthiness." Saber said again.
"Ooh." Illya said, deflated. Her brilliant plan was shot down and the supposed new allies were in doubt. She needed to rectify the situation!
"Alright, Fii and Kurami, we will play rock paper scissors, you will lose, and you will obey all my orders! Then everything will be alright!" Illya cheerfully said. Those two were not playing on the coronation day.
"It's not alright!" Kurami strongly retorted.
"Berserker, Caster. Make sure our guests are feeling comfortable so they don't want to leave." Illya commanded.
Caster quickly constructed a magical barrier that block every exit. Berserker physically guarded the door. The two girls were trapped inside the room.
"If you want to leave then you have to play the game. Or you can stay here forever, without food, drink, ... and toilet." Illya said. This was the same tactics the robbers used.
Kurami and Fii were horrified by the prospect of no toilet. They tried to break free for a while, but it was in vain. Finally, Kurami said, "I give up, I give up. But please at least make me a partner! Or collaborator!"
Saber then formulated the wager. The two girls became collaborators who would work with Illya. They wouldn't obey her every words, but they couldn't betray her cause. They would work hard to aid Illya's purpose.
Of course, Illya's purpose was a surprise.
"Challenging Tet the supreme god?" Kurami screamed. She strongly regretted her previous decision.
"Yes, that guy told me I need to do it. Otherwise I can't go home." Illya said. "And to do that I need to fulfill certain conditions."
There were sixteen intelligent races. And now Illya learned real chess, she noticed that there were sixteen chess pieces. And also,...
Illya opened her palm and presented it for everyone to see. "I received this on the coronation day." A crytalline transparent chess piece which emitted bright light appeared on her palm. It was a king piece.
"I felt it entered me but I didn't know what it is. It is hard to make it materialized like this, I guess it only normally appears in special occasion." Illya said.
"The race piece." Kurami said in awe, her eyes were transfixed to the object. "It only appears when the race representative bet the whole race. The right of living, the protection of ten oaths, the land, everything." She said in whisper.
The race piece returned to Illya and disappeared from sight. "I guess I need to collect sixteen race pieces to challenge him"
However, there was a problem about that. Illya would go home sooner or later. It would be irresponsible if she took all sixteen race pieces home.
Illya would use the same tactics as usual then. Ruling by proxy. As long as the other race king/ queen /ruler unconditionally obeyed her, that was the same as gaining the race piece.
"From another world?" This time it was Fii who shrieked. "Impossible. The energy to transport and maintain a person in Disboard is... even Old Deus will be hard pressed. Maybe if it was the supreme god, Tet..."
"Yes, didn't you hear me?" Illya impatiently said. "That guy is the one who brought me here."
"Now that Kurami and Fii knew our purpose." Saber said to everyone. "Here's what we will do about the elves..."
=====break=====
You have gained allies! Kurami Zell and Fiel Nirvalen have been added to the party! The NPC units will follow your instruction.
Kurami Zell has been installed as Special Staff of Prime Minister Office
Fier Nirvalen has been installed as Expert Staff of Prime Minister Office.
Stephanie Dora has been promoted to Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Office.
======break======
Illya and her Servants worked hard to improve the Imanity country and prepare for eventual conflict with other countries. Laws are being made, money was invested in new industries, methods of farming were revolutionized, and so on. Modern technology was being introduced gradually.
Correction, those were Servant's doing. Illya didn't do anything like that.
It's not like she was lazing around. She was learning how to read Imanity language and transmuting metal scraps to gold. The gold transmutation was especially important.
Stephanie Dora, the princess who hailed from the lineage of the Founder Queen herself, was promoted to Chief of Staff. She proved herself capable in handling governmental affairs, doing paperwork, and managing the nobles. In her spare time, she taught Illya and the Servants how to read.
Kurami and Fii also helped. They mainly became the springboard for ideas and plan that Saber thought. Saber who was not familiar with the situation in Disboard need someone who knew if her ideas could work. Other Servants also gave their ideas.
It was in such discussion between them that Illya barged in, shouting in excited voice. "Laputa! I saw Laputa just now!"
It turned out that Avant Heim had just passed overhead. It was a Phantasma, in a form of gigantic floating island. Also the home of Heavenly Winged [Flugel]. The discussion shifted to Flugel and their plan for the sixth ranking Exceed.
"I wish we can have them, at least as allies. The race who gathered knowledge for six thousand years will be very helpful." Archer said.
"But flying there is out of question." Rider said. "It will reveal our hands early."
The biggest secret and advantage their camp have was magic. Other countries still didn't know about that. Illya only used alchemy to transmute gold so far and it could be hidden by simple gag order to the Ministers and other related people.
Flying though, would reveal their capabilities to the world.
"Hmm. Then maybe have Fii contact them..." Saber murmured. And then someone interrupted her.
"Err. Excuse me. If you want to meet a Flugel, there is one here." Stephanie said timidly.
"""Eeehh?"""
Kurami looked like she realized something. "Ah, I remembered. There is a rumor about that, but I didn't confirm it so it slipped my mind. So it's true?"
And so Stephanie had the unpleasant duty to tell about the previous king's bet against a Flugel. The Flugel suddenly showed up five years ago and won the national library.
Saber massaged her own temple. "I have some suspicion on the scarcity of books... but I thought it was just the level of civilization and lack of printing machine... but you actually bet your own source of knowledge!?"
Stephanie wanted to deny the accusation, it was her grandfather who did that, not her. But she wisely stayed silent. She also didn't think that her grandfather's plan was bad. It was just unfortunate that he lost.
"Well then." Lancer asked Stephanie. "What's the name of this Flugel?"
"Eeeh? Err. I-I don't know. She didn't say." Stephanie said.
Caster asked her. "You said that Flugel traditionally only play one game, Materialization Word Chain. Did you witness it? Or do you know about it?"
"N-no. Only grandfather was present. And we have never play against Flugel aside from that one time." Stephanie said.
"What an idiot." Illya said. "Fighting an enemy without any information about the game." Let's ignore that she did exactly the same thing before.
"Maybe we should read the previous king's notes again." Archer said. "Maybe he wrote something about that."
And so they investigated everything about the Flugel that resided in National Library.
Her name was Jibril. At least, that's what her newspaper subscription recorded.
The previous king wrote something about the game. But the description was too vague. They needed to see it themselves.
Fii supplied more information about the Flugel. Apparently she was a famous one, the one who destroyed Elven Capital 7000 years ago. And also stealing all Elves' magical book at one time.
"Uwaaah. Scary. An anti-city Noble Phantasm?" Illya commented.
Archer was more concerned about something else. "She is stronger than us Servants. Magically and physically. We may be able to defeat her by surprise or by employing Noble Phantasm right off the bat, if we are fighting normally. But I think it's difficult to defeat her in a straight game."
"Then we have to defeat her in her own game." Rider said. "I think we have a chance to win. That game favored the one who have more knowledge and who is more durable."
"Shame that Berserker can't speak." Illya said.
"Let's gather more information first." Saber said. "We will send a scouting party. First we will make a special law..."
And so they managed to send the scouting party and force the Flugel to play the game. Lancer witness the game, and Illya also watch it through their links. She then sent the image to the other Servants.
"Aaah. The connection cut off." Lancer died when Sella summoned Primate Murder.
"Lesson for us. Don't summon Primate Murder because it can't be controlled and kill our sides first." Saber said.
"We need to make that Flugel stay on the ground. If she can always fly, our side would be killed first." Caster said.
Lancer connection with Illya came back. And then Leysritt played the game.
"Liz summon Berserker!" Illya said excitedly. But the summoned Berserker quickly dispersed into prana. It had no contract to sustain his existence.
"Summoning a Servant is not good then. Even if the Servant have contract, the Master - Servant contract means that the Servant will be treated as Master's limb. And because of the Ten Oaths, the Servant can't do anything to the Flugel." Saber said.
"Let's test that line of thought." Illya told Lancer to speak to Leysritt, instructing her to summon a contracted Servant. Leysritt summoned Assassin and yes, the Assassin couldn't do a thing to Jibril.
In the end, Leysritt summoned a dinosaur-annihilating-sized meteor. Right to the place where the players sat.
"That fake angel survived that point blank meteor? Unbelievable!" Illya said in amazement.
"Let's write down our observation about the game. There are more things I want to test tomorrow." Saber said.
The next day, they kept sending Servants and watched the game through the Master - Servant connection.
First, they made Jibril couldn't fly by eliminating Spirit Circuits. (They learned about it from Fii)
Caster summoned Rule Breaker. But it was useless because unless Jibril consented, Caster couldn't stab her with it.
Later on Caster tested Rule Breaker on willing test subjects such as Stephanie or Kurami. (She couldn't experiment with Servants because that will nullify their contracts with Illya ) The result: Rule Breaker couldn't break the wager sworn under Ten Oaths. The compulsion was too strong, it was not ordinary magecraft. It was a magic that could even alter reality and rewrite memories.
Rule Breaker couldn't nullify anything agreed under Ten Oaths. The power of the pledge covered the whole planet, it was literally a natural law of this world. Even if Rule Breaker somehow broke the wager sworn under the Oaths, a moment later the force of the world would restore it anew.
Anyway, Caster summoned her pet dragon, the one she cared for in her human life.
The Flugel slayed the dragon effortlessly.
And on and on, Caster summoned dangerous things one after another, but the Flugel didn't die. Kraken, Hydra, Nemean Lion, and others. Those legendary monsters failed to even hurt Jibril.
Finally, Caster summoned Angra Mainyu in the form of corrupted Holy Grail bearing all curses. Unfortunately Caster was swallowed first in the black mud before Jibril. Unable to continue, she lost the game.
"Damn damn damn!" Caster ranted after she went back to the palace. "I almost had her. I am sure if she got swallowed by Angra Mainyu she will be defeated for certain! "
"Lesson of the day." Rider said. "Don't use a weapon you can't control. At least now we got accurate estimation of her physical prowess."
"Ssshh. Archer is starting." Illya said.
After eliminating Spirit Circuits, Archer summoned Unlimited Blade Works. He hoped that by overwriting the world, he could bypass the Ten Oaths. It didn't work.
"Maybe because I am still here and not inside the reality marble?" Illya said. Because the Servants were treated as Illya's body parts, any compulsion to Illya would also extended to the Servants.
Still, even if Archer could attack Jibril, it was doubtful if he could win. The whole thing was just an experiment.
Archer couldn't use the swords in UBW to attack Jibril. They're now just overly lavished decoration.
"That Flugel looked like she is drooling. She displayed face like that several times before, when we showed things not exist in this world." Rider said.
"Hmm. Flugels are collectors of knowledge. Maybe we can use this." Saber said.
Archer summoned Ea, but he couldn't use it against Jibril. The Ten Oaths prevented him. Also, he couldn't comprehend the sword.
Still. He bided his time. And when another "e" came up, he said "Enuma Elish" and made the alien sword unleash its ultimate attack.
The attack indiscriminately destroy everything. But somehow, Jibril managed to prolong her life and Archer died first.
"An attack that shaved off a part of the planet surface and she survived? What the hell is she?" Illya said with disbelief.
"They said it was a weapon to kill gods. Now I see how she could be called that. Well, my turn." Saber stood up and went out of the room.
Illya watched as Saber challenged Jibril. She first said the word "Gae Bolg".
"Eeh? What is she doing? " Lancer said.
Saber was testing the spear. She confirmed that she couldn't use it as its owner. She also couldn't activate its special power. It confirmed that while one could summon a Noble Phantasm belonging to someone else, the Noble Phantasm didn't automatically obey the summoner.
Ea was activated through the game mechanism. And by making the attack indiscriminate, its nature changed to something akin to natural disaster and bypass the Ten Oaths. However, Saber couldn't use Gae Bolg in the same way. Firstly, a word that already used couldn't be used again. The activation word for Gae Bolg was the same as its name. Secondly, she couldn't attack Jibril, because that would mean acting against the Ten Oaths. The spear was only Anti-Personnel class and couldn't indiscriminately attack everything.
Now let's test something else. When an "i" came up, she said "Ionian Hetaroi."
The world changed into a vast desert. The plain of infinite sandy desert and blue sky replaced the previous place. On the horizon, an army of knights and soldiers showed themselves. At its front, a guy with large stature riding a horse galloping to the players location.
"Yo! Isn't it Saber! Fancy meeting you here. I suppose you know the strange circumstances we have here? I got summoned suddenly inside my reality marble, and I sense no Master." Alexander the King of Conqueror said to Saber.
"Nice to meet you, Rider. Indeed it is my doing. I summon you to defeat this person." Saber pointed at Jibril.
"Hmm interesting person with wings you have there." Rider appreciated Jibril. "But what made you think I will do what you want?" He grinned.
"Think of it as a favor for an old friend." Saber said. "Besides, you know what, I don't expect much from you anyway." Saber smugly smiled, challenging Iskandar. "This person is stronger than me. I doubt you can even hurt one of her feathers."
"Hooo?" Iskandar's curiosity was lit. "You talk big! Indeed I have no entertainment recently, and since I am already here with my army, I will grant your request. Hahahaha!"
Saber bowed to Iskandar. "I am grateful." And then she immediately ran to the rear of the army.
"My Army! It's time for battle! Charge!" Iskandar led his army to attack Jibril.
Jibril was surprised. She was genuinely attacked, their arrows and swords touched her body and tried to inflict harm. It was a sensation she hadn't felt for six thousand years. Before, she thought Saber was only joking with the big guy with the red hair.
Saber observed the situation. So, a Servant without Master was not restrained by Ten Oaths. And since Saber summoned the reality marble rather than Iskandar himself, the Servants Army could exist indefinitely, or at least longer than normal summoning.
But the fact that they were not obeying the Ten Oaths meant that they were not protected by it. Jibril began to slaughter the army. And she did it while continuing the word chain.
Saber also kept playing while observing. And then she said, "Gilgamesh."
A Servant dressed in golden armor appeared. This was the Gilgamesh who was reincarnated after being drowned by black mud in the end of the 4th war. Saber imagined this version because he would have capabilities to remain long without a Master.
"What? Where is... no, I know this place. Why I am here?" Gilgamesh looked around with confusion.
There was no time. Saber loathed this method, but for the sake of victory... and also this person would not remain after this. "Gilgamesh." She called him.
"Saber? That is you?"
"Yes, I am. I called you here to tell you." Saber took a deep breath and steeled her heart. "I am willing to be your bride, for one condition." She pointed at Jibril who was busy slaughtering Iskandar's Army.
"Kill that person for me. And then I am yours. "
Gilgamesh briefly considered it. He thought, why should I do it, Saber was as good as his, he just needed to decide when to take her. And his memory was fuzzy. He didn't remember how he got here or the result of the Holy Grail War. Suspicious.
Still, as a king, it's not bad to sometimes grant a favor. It was a traditional way for the male to give a wedding present to the bride. It was easy to kill that creature with wings. After that, well, he could always took Saber by force if she lied.
Gilgamesh smiled. "Well. Of course, my bride. It's just a simple matter. You can wait and prepare for the wedding while I took its head." He leisurely strolled to the direction of the battle.
Saber ran off with all her power to opposite side.
=====break=====
Jibril looked at the crater where she had just unleashed her ultimate strike. She panted hard, her clothes ripped, her body was full of injuries and blood.
The golden man was killed before he could do something with a red sword. Jibril recognized the sword. It was the same sword that Archer used in his final attack in the previous game. When the golden man took it out, she knew she had to kill him immediately.
She didn't want to receive that attack the second time. The first time she survived because of lucky fluke.
Fighting against the army and the golden man at the same time while playing the game was very difficult. She almost missed the 30 seconds limit several time.
Because she couldn't fly and increase her distance, her own attacks also did some damage to her body.
She glanced at Saber who was standing far away. How did she hear what Jibril said from that distance?
Actually Saber said "bug" and "receiver" before. The tiny microphone was placed on Jibril's body without her noticing, and Saber placed the receiver on her earhole.
Jibril could hear what Saber said relying on her superior senses. Saber said a new word. "Volcano"
Their surrounding changed into the inside of active Volcano. Jibril was falling to a lava below. Saber cleverly positioned herself at the edge.
Still, even when she was submerged in lava, Jibril was just a little inconvenienced. She continued the game while floating in the lava.
"Ocean." The place changed into middle of the sea. Saber stood on top of water while Jibril floated inside the sea.
Saber: "Necktie."
Jibril: "Eel."
Saber: "Leech."
Jibril: "Hill"
Other than the materializing aspect, a word chain game aimed to make the opponent ran out of words or vocabulary. Sometimes by using words that ended up with unusual letters. Jibril as the genius who knew a lot of knowledge had clear advantage. But Saber was linked with Illya and the other Servants. She got helps from them.
Saber: "lamp"
Jibril: "pear"
Saber: "rodent"
Jibril: "tea"
Suddenly, Illya gave a warning for Saber.
Saber immediately ran and widen the distance between her and Jibril. In her mind was an image supplied by Archer, and theory supplied by Illya. All she had to do was to say the word.
Saber : "Antimatter bomb"
Saber said it while running to safety. The bomb, as big as a car, appeared behind Jibril. And it started to activate.
Jibril's danger instinct warned her, this thing was dangerous.
Without looking back, Jibril used all her power to cross the distance between her and Saber. Within two seconds, she had caught up with Saber.
Three seconds until the bomb exploded.
Saber used her sword. "Wind Hammer!" She aimed Excalibur behind her, and released the wind barrier, using it as a booster. She gained speed and left Jibril behind
Two seconds until the bomb exploded.
Jibril pushed all her spirits remaining inside her body. Breaking the limit, she forced her body to accelerate.
One second until the bomb exploded.
Jibril managed to catch up with Saber, they were neck and neck. Aware that the bomb would explode, Jibril say her next word, "Bkulians (Number 4 distant protection)."
At the same time the bomb exploded, a dome of protection magic enveloped Jibril.
Still, the bomb itself couldn't be blocked by such magic. The amount of antimatter used for that bomb was unprecedented and unlikely to be reproduced in real world. It was on the level of annihilating a small country. One gram of antimatter reacting with one gram of matter was said to be a little weaker to a Hydrogen Bomb. Just now, Saber materialized hundreds of kilogram antimatter.
Jibril died. The protection magic and her durability gave out in front of such destruction.
Too bad that Saber died earlier by fractions of second. Unprotected by any magic, even a Servant body was evaporated by antimatter reaction.
====break====
"Bwaaaah" Kurami said after the game ended. She panted hard and clutched her chest.
Not surprising since she died earlier in the game. She always accompanied them when the Servants played with Jibril. She always died in the game though.
This time she died around the time when Gilgamesh appeared. Eh, you didn't see her? Of course, everyone forgot about her. Her existence was not important. Nevertheless, she deserved to be praised for her bravery. It was not easy to die three times in one day.
"Arrgh!" Saber said in frustration. "I almost win there."
On her opposite side, sitting on the chair, was Jibril. She looked like she had been chased by monster. Or just woke up from nightmare.
Jibril glanced at Saber in curiosity. It was a fresh sensation, being pushed to the brink like that in a game. She wondered who and what Saber was.
"Then. It's my defeat." Saber stood up from her seat. "Kurami, your turn."
"Eeh? Aahh..." Jibril wanted to question Saber, but she hesitated.
"Emm? Aah, yes. My turn." Kurami said. She took the seat and challenged Jibril. Saber watched from the side.
The game itself had nothing special to be mentioned, except for Kurami's final move.
Kurami eliminated air and made the whole world in vacuum. As a result, no sound could travel, and Jibril couldn't answer the next word with her voice. And both players plus one spectator couldn't breath.
Jibril then pulled out a special move. She wrote with magic in the air with her finger.
Kurami couldn't do the same thing because she had no magic. After thirty seconds, she lost the game.
After that, Kurami and Saber went back to the palace, leaving Jibril who was both frustrated and curious.
====break====
"So, let's summarize the game rules and what we could use." Saber said to the people in the room. She wrote on the board:
Materialization Word Chain / Jibril Analysis
1. Only noun permitted.
2. Words may not be repeated
3. The last character of the previous word said must be the first character of the next word to be said
4. Things that are present will disappear, and things that are not present will materialize
5. Players cannot cause the direct death of each other by stating vital components of the body.
6. The noun stated must be a non-imaginary word
7. Words that the other player doesn't know but not-fiction can be used.
8. Condition for losing: Using a word that has already been said; Being unable to answer within 30 seconds; Being unable to continue.
9. The word stated will materialize / dematerialize based on the intention / imagination of the player who said it. Even the amount or the size.
10. The location of materialized thing can be determined by the player who said the word.
11. Servants can be materialized, in contracted state or uncontracted state.
12. Noble Phantasm can be materialized, but its use is limited if one is not its owner or can't read how to use it by tracing.
13. Reality Marble can be materialized.
14. Noble Phantasm can be activated by saying the activation word/ true name while intending to activate it. However, it can't be used with the intention to infringe harm towards a specific person. It must be let loose, in a wild state that will indiscriminately destroy everything in range.
15. Rule Breaker is useless. Even if it can work, it also nullify the obligation for the opponent to obey the wager agreed even if we win. Breaking contract goes both ways.
16. It's futile to let a free Servant attack Jibril to force her to quit the game. She was too strong.
17. It's useless if you summon something you can't control, or something you can't survive.
18. Flugel and other Exceeds have Spirit Circuits. We have Magic Circuits. Both are different. We can erase their Spirit Circuits, and still have our Magic Circuits functioning.
19. Even without Spirit Circuits, Jibril could still move with lightning speed, jumped very high, lifted heavy burden, etc. Physical ability stronger than Servants.
20. Things Jibril survived: Meteor Strike, Lava, Ionian Hetaroi, Kraken, Hydra, Nemean Lion, Sphinx, Cerberus.
21. Things that can kill Jibril: Enuma Elish (speculation), Angra Mainyu (speculation), Antimatter Bomb (confirmed).
"I began to think that this fake angel is unkillable." Lancer said, admiring the list.
"Of course not." Caster said. "She can be killed, the latest game proved that."
"The problem is," Archer said, "the condition is too difficult to fulfill. For example, one of the reason why Enuma Elish failed to finish her off before me, is because its energy spread in radial manner. If only I can use it as normal and concentrate its blast to one direction..."
"But you can't. That's violating the Oaths." Kurami said.
"Hmm" Saber thought hard. "Someone could take Lancer along. And then use Rule Breaker on him in the middle of the game. He immediately use Gae Bolg, unavoidable strike to the heart. That would stop her for a while, at least."
"Not sure it will work," Rider said. "We don't know about her anatomy. What if she have two hearts? And even if she only have one, I am sure a wound like that won't stop her."
They stopped speaking, ran out of ideas.
Suddenly Illya exclaimed, "Stop! Yes, that's it!" She spoke to the others, "It's wrong line of thought that we use. We always tried to kill her, but she is unkillable. Then if she can't be killed, then don't kill her."
She pointed at Kurami and explained more. "Remember when Kurami played against that Flugel? That Flugel almost lost when she can't answer within 30 seconds, because there was no air. We should aim for that. Stop her for thirty seconds, stop her from speaking or moving, and we win!"
"How will you do that?" Saber asked.
Illya then explained her plan...
=====break=====
Illya alighted the carriage and stared at the building in front of her. This was the first time she saw it with her own eyes. The building didn't look like anything special from the outside. But she knew that the inside looked like a fantastical library from another world.
A very accurate description, if she could said so. The National Library of Elchea had been modified by the Flugel who resided there.
She entered the building, escorted by Rider, and forced herself to not gawk at the sight. She strode inside and called for the Flugel.
The Heavenly Winged looked like a bastardization of an angel. She had a halo-like ring on the top of her head. She had pointy ears and wings that grew from the hip. Her eyes shone with a promise of death.
Illya suppressed the fear that sparked inside her. Sella, Leysritt, and Kurami, all testified that the Flugel emitted an aura of fear that they had to resist. In contrast, the Servants just shrugged and said that it's only a background noise.
To cover her unease, she loudly and proudly confronted Jibril. She needed to win against Jibril. The earlier games were only for gathering information.
When Jibril refused to play according to the previous wager, Illya already had a countermeasure. She dangled the bait that is Akasha in front of her. Illya was banking on the Flugels' reputation as collector of knowledge.
What she got exceeded her expectation. Jibril's face was five milimeters in front of hers, and her saliva wet Illya's body.
"Hueeeh. Hueeeh... all knowledge... the root of everything... hueehehehe..." Jibril said with dreamy expression.
"So... you're interested? " Illya said while backing down from Jibril.
"Where... where is it..." Jibril stared at Illya's body with manic expression. She seemed to think that Illya hid a key to Akasha somewhere on her person.
"Please calm down..." Illya said to Jibril. "I will tell you more if you win a game with me."
Jibril finally snapped out of it and regained her reason. "Uhm... well, while I am very curious about it, but there is no proof that anything you said is true."
Illya had anticipated this. She motioned Rider to approach. "The person here came from that place." Illya described Heroic Spirits and Throne of Heroes.
Rider demonstrated her abilities. She phased in and out to Spirit Form. She materialized her weapon. She summoned Pegasus from her bloody magical circle.
Jibril also examined her body. After she finished touching Rider, Jibril declared that Rider is an unknown. "Her body was similar to us the Flugels, but there's no Spirit Circuits. The form is closely resembling Imanity... but no Imanity have such eyes... she is an unknown!"
Jibril then realized something. "The people yesterday! That Archer and Saber, they have similar feeling. Are they unknowns too!? So many unknowns... huehehehe... heeehuehhe." Her saliva overflowed again and wet Rider's arm.
After cleaning Rider's body, Illya turn the conversation back to the original purpose. "So, you believe that I have a way to access Akasha? It's a difficult thing but I know one way to access it." It's true. Illya had the theoretical knowledge of how to make a Holy Grail and conduct a Heavens Feel ritual. It could reach the Root.
Illya just omitted the fact that it would be a super hard thing to do. Or that the ritual involved a kill or to be killed battle royale.
"Of course! You will tell me all about it. Uhehehe. Huehehehe." Jibril said, lost in fantasy once again.
"Let's confirm the wager again. If you win, I will tell you one way to reach Akasha. If I win, you will give me the National Library and all the books in it." Illya said.
"Uehehe... eh? My books?!" Jibril snapped out of her fantasy.
Jibril was torn. On one hand, her books were her whole life. On another hand, a prospect of infinite knowledge which was more valuable than her entire collection. Yes, it's more than her own existence!
"I would bet my everything!" She placed her hand on her chest. "My books and me myself. It is what I think comparable to be equal value."
"Nope. I don't want you. I just need all your belongings here." Illya said. She had been warned by Saber about this possibility, and Saber made Illya promised to refuse the offer. Why, Illya didn't know. Must be some complicated strategy.
After back and forth negotiation where Jibril tried to offer herself and Illya stubbornly refused, they finally decided the wager. Illya compromised and settled for three favors she could ask to Jibril, in addition to the library and books.
The three went down to the section of the library where Jibril always conducted her game. Illya sat on the chair while Rider stood behind her.
"Well then. I look forward to see more of the unknowns. Aschente!" Jibril said.
"Aschente!" Illya followed suit.
"You can start first, Illyasviel."
"Ok." Illya thrusted her hand to touch the glowing orb in front of her.
"Avalon."
====break=====
Jibril POV
Jibril watched the new queen of Elchea said her first word for the game. But she was surprised when she saw nothing changed. "Is your word valid?"
"Yes it is. It materialized inside my body." Illyasviel said.
Jibril accepted the explanation and said, Well then, 'Needle'"
A tiny needle materialized on the table.
Illya's turn. "Excalibur." The golden sword materialized on her lap.
Jibril: "Rack."
Illyasviel: "Kangaroo "
Jibril: "Oyster"
Illyasviel : "Resort"
Jibril : "Torch."
Illyasviel: "Hot air baloon."
A hot air baloon ready to take off materialized near them. It was held by a rope.
Jibril looked at the Kangaroo and the baloon in wonder. They're something she hadn't ever seen before, just like things she saw the previous two days.
Jibril : "Notes."
Illyasviel smirked and said. "Spirit Circuits." The Spirit Circuits in Jibril's body disappeared.
Jibril frowned. "The same tactics as before. Don't you guys learn your lesson already? Storybook."
Illyasviel: "ketchup."
Jibril eyed the bottle containing mysterious liquid. "Pastry."
Illyasviel : "yoyo."
Jibril was getting distracted with the mysterious toy Illya played with one hand. Her head bobbed up and down following it. "Ox"
Illyasviel: "X-ray."
Jibril struggled to check her curiosity when a mysterious machine materialized nearby. "Yarns"
Illyasviel: "Submarine."
Another mysterious object. It was quite big. Jibril endured and said, "Egg."
Illyasviel : "Golden Armor."
Illyasviel was now wearing the golden armor that was very similar to what the man named Gilgamesh used before. It was adjusted to fit her and was skimpier than the original.
Jibril: "Rabbit."
Illyasviel: "Tendon."
Jibril suddenly felt something disappeared from her body. She couldn't move her limbs. Opposite of her, Illyasviel leaned back to the chair, her hands dangling lifelessly on her side.
This must be a preparation to kill her. If she couldn't escape or avoid danger like before, she would die. But Illya and Rider were also in the same condition. Rider had fallen to the floor and couldn't stand.
But the muscle around her mouth and tongue still intact. This must be because it was essential for the game.
Jibril thought of ending the game early, but the things Illya materialized ... she wanted to know more. It's okay, Jibril couldn't die that easily and she wouldn't be defeated in word game. She was a genius that collect many knowledge for six thousand years.
Jibril: "Newspaper."
Illyasviel: "Radio."
Jibril: "Orange."
Illyasviel: "Enkidu."
Long chains materialized around Jibril, and tied her body. The chains were anchored to the ground. She didn't have the ability to exert her muscle, otherwise she would have broken the chain with pure strength.
"I wonder, what is your plan?" Jibril said, while considering her earlier decision to not end the game. "Trying to trap me so I can't escape? Uniform"
A set of Elchea security guard uniform materialized on the table.
Illyasviel just leaned leisurely. "What indeed. Mystic Code." Rings and bracelets and armlets and anklets appeared on Illyasviel. She mechanically moved her hands with difficulty and grabbed the sword on her lap.
She found a way to move without her muscle?
Jibril: "Emerald"
Illyasviel: "Duck."
Jibril: "Key."
Illyasviel: "Yogurt."
Jibril: "Topaz"
Illyasviel: "Zelle."
A glowing bird made from silver wire materialized and flew around. It perched on Illya's shoulder. Jibril was curious, but she continued the game.
"So much unknown... huehehe.. Echo." Jibril said.
Illyasviel said. "Orbital Escalator." And then a gigantic structure that towered to heaven appeared somewhere near them.
Jibril almost missed the 30 seconds mark because she got really distracted. "Radish."
Illyasviel: "Hovercraft. "
Jibril: "Tiles."
Illyasviel: "Spacesuit."
Illyasviel was now wearing a bulky white suit which covered all of her body, on top of the golden armor she also wore. Her head was covered with helmet with full face glasses opening. Jibril was really curious about that. "What is that? Another armor? Do you want to call something really dangerous? "
"A weakling like you wouldn't understand." Illyasviel said.
"Me? A weakling?" Jibril questioned with an angry tone. How dare she claimed that she, a Flugel, was a weakling. She was much, much stronger than the weak Imanity before her.
"Don't be so conceited. After all Imanity is just [Monkey who can talk]. You powerless human, let's see how you deal with this. Tornado."
Swirl of air appeared and changed into huge tornado. Jibril decided that the time for the game was over. A twister of air current was heading to their position. Jibril was not worried in the slightest, her constitution would guarantee her survival. But for Illyasviel, the tornado would at least made her unable to continue the game. She might faint or unable to speak inside the tornado.
Illyasviel spoke, "Onjin. (恩人 / savior, benefactor)"
A tall and huge black giant with bare upper body materialized. He took Illyasviel and Rider and sprinted to the orbital elevator.
The tornado swept the table and everything around it. Jibril was still anchored to the ground by the chains, so she didn't get swept away.
In the middle of the tornado, Jibril could sense that Illyasviel had somehow entered the tower and went up. She said the next word. "Navy."
The Tornado passed. Jibril looked at the tower that bridge the earth and sky. She now understood that this building's function was to send someone upward to the sky.
But if Illyasviel ran away from this place, she wouldn't be able to answer the next word. It would be Jibril's victory.
She sharpened her senses. Somewhere in the sky... Would Illyasviel answer the next word?
She heard it. It was the white haired girl voice. "You underestimate human too much. You think just because you're the sixth rank, you can look down on me? Yak."
A four legged animal similar to a cow appeared. She couldn't believe it. How did she hear the answer that Jibril said? Then she realized the glowing bird made from steel wires was still there, observing her. Maybe it was through this thing.
Jibril: "Of course, from my perspective, an Imanity was just squishy little thing. Knife."
Illyasviel: "Just because you have magic and longevity, you think you're better than me? Ethanol."
Jibril was suddenly drowned in a sea of liquid. The liquid covered the whole land. The height of the flood was five meters from the ground.
Even inside the liquid, Jibril was still able to speak. "Of course. It is just a simple fact of life that I can do more things compared to you, a weak Imanity. Lumber."
Illyasviel: "You're wrong. So called weak is not based on that. Rainstorm."
There was rain and storm, and lightning. The lightning struck the ground, and the liquid caught fire. It literally became sea of fire on the surface of the planet.
Still, this was nothing for Jibril. She couldn't be killed by this lukewarm heat.
But then she realized Illyasviel had another goal. With the rainstorm, fire, and flammable liquid around her, there were too much background noises. She might fail to hear Illya's next word.
Jibril: "Mountain."
Instantly, Jibril's location was transformed to the peak of a tall mountain. All the liquid and fire flowed downward. The rainstorm was also a non-issue, because the peak was above the clouds. This way, Jibril would be able to hear Illyasviel clearly.
Illyasviel: "Nami (波/ wave)
A big wall of burning liquid tried to reach the peak, but the mountain was too tall.
Jibril: "What do you think a weakling is, then? Inferno."
She tried to burn the tower. Maybe if the base was destroyed, the thing would fall down?
Illyasviel: "Someone who lost because she lacked preparation, for one. Oaf."
A stupid-looking person appeared near Jibril.
Jibril: "I don't need preparation against you. I didn't see anything worth knowing about you other than that you have access to the Origin of Knowledge. Fabric."
Illyasviel : "And you must be more careful, knowing I have such access. Casseur de Logistille"
Jibril didn't know the meaning of the word, and she didn't see any changes around her. The base of the tower had been burnt, and some of its structures fell down. But the top part stubbornly remained floating in the sky. Well, it was just a matter of time until it came crashing down. But she needed to end the game fast.
Well, Jibril so far had only used Imanity language. It's time to use another language. How about the elven language and magic?
Jibril: "Ellisande."
A miniature sun appeared in the sky near the top of Orbital Elevator. It was a magic that simulated the sun, emitting heat to its surrounding. No normal human could survive it. The extreme heat and radiation would roast them alive.
Illyasviel: "Ellis-Aethan."
Jibril was surprised. What the... that was elven language magic. It was a magic shield to block sunray or sun-related magic. How did she knew that?
Jibril: "Nagaru."
A huge snake would appear near Illyasviel. With luck, she would be eaten.
Illyasviel: "Updraft."
There was an updfraft wind. And then Illyasviel got out from the top of the tower to the empty sky.
======break======
Illya's POV
Illya was inside the orbital elevator top floor, outside the atmosphere. A space station for docking or something like that. She planned to be here for the rest of the game, but it seemed that it's not possible anymore. The support structure was destroyed, so they were floating freely. And then the miniature sun magic melted the structure. Now, a huge snake took over most of the room.
Illya was fortunate that the golden armor and the spacesuit held off most of the radiation for few seconds. Berserker also shielded her with his body. Just like her original Berserker that she left behind, what a loyalty! And the rest of the damage was being healed by Avalon. She was grateful her connection with Saber still existed even when she was inside the game.
And the huge snake was being held off by Berserker. Correction, it was being killed.
But because of that snake, the small space station gained more mass. It slowly being pulled by gravity. It would fall down. Illya needed to bail out. She got out from the space station to the vacuum outside. Berserker carried her and Rider, because Illya had difficulty moving her body.
It's better to fall alone rather than falling inside a space station.
Good thing she got a spacesuit. Rider and Berserker quickly turned into spirit form, eliminating the need to breath.
She heard Jibril said something. "I must commend you. I don't know how you are still alive. But I bet you're getting desperate, swimming in nothingness like that." Jibril said. What kind of eyes did she have, she could see Illya who was floating outside the atmosphere?
Jibril said, "But sooner or later you will fall to the ground. Tiara."
Illya smiled when she heard that word. She said inside her spacesuit helmet. "Atmosphere."
This was the moment she waited. She waited until everything was ready, and then she erase her the atmosphere. The spacesuit was the preparation for that. She waited until "A" came up. The orbital elevator was just an insurance. She could also hide in the submarine or board the hot air baloon, for another scenario.
She observed as Jibril choked, unable to breath. However, the Flugel couldn't be killed with just that.
Jibril tried to speak, but no sound came out. Yes, in the vacuum no sound could travel. This was the same condition with Kurami's match yesterday.
The difference was, this time Jibril was chained and her tendons disappeared. She could only move her mouths. Illya used special mystic code and animation magic to move her body.
As a bonus, when Illya fell to the earth, she would not be burnt by air-friction. Illya was slowly pulled by gravity and descended.
Ah damn, because there was no air, there would be no slowing down. Illya would accelerate without any resistance. It will hurt a lot when she touched the ground.
Now, how would Jibril answer the game?
Jibril open her mouth and extended her tongue out. She wrote with her tongue. "Encasement."
Illya's spacesuit disappeared. She lost her oxygen tank and her air supply.
Jibril smiled, confident of victory. With no air to breath and no sound, she thought that Illya wouldn't be able to answer the next word.
Illya closed her mouth and nostrils with her left hand, and then she thrusted her right hand. With slow and agonizing slowness, she used her fingers to trace word on the air.
With magic.
"Tomb."
Jibril had a shocked expression. She must be very surprised to see Illya using magic. After all, no Imanity could use magic. Illya hid her abilities until it was unavoidable. She sent a message to Jibril.
The Zelle that she left on the ground and became her eyes and ears unraveled part of its wires. It formed words in front of Jibril. "You think I will fall?"
Illya's descent to the earth stop accelerating. She used anti-gravity magic from the Flight magic to control her fall. And then she freely flew, heading for the sky above Jibril.
Illya also used magic to circulate the little air she had inside her lungs. The carbondioxide was transmuted into carbon and oxygen molecules. She couldn't keep this up forever but it was enough for several minutes. Hopefully she would win within that time.
Jibril regained her calm. She wrote the next word. "Barag. (Self-restoration)" It was a magic to regrow lost body parts. She must be aiming for the lost tendon. And she specify it for herself.
Yes, with her restored tendon, she gained her physical strength and tried to break free from Enkidu. She failed to break the chain itself, but the ground was different matter. Jibril pulled out the chain end that rooted to the ground, breaking the earth and cracking the land.
But Illya already got the winning letter. "G."
This time, she used Zelle to write the word. It was easier than writing with her tendonless hand.
"Gorgon."
The monster from the Greek legend. The one slain by Perseus. The one whose eyes could petrify any person. This was another form of Medusa, her final form when she became a monster.
Illya viewed Rider's memory about this form, just for this moment.
A huge monster with lower body of a snake and upper body a woman with multiple wings appeared. The woman's purple hair changed into live snake.
When asked about how to stop someone, one of the best answer was to use Cybelle: Mystic Eyes of Petrification. If the opponent's magic resistance was low, the opponent would be petrified instantly. A decent mage would be petrified slowly and gradually. One with high magic resistance such as Saber, would be frozen on the spot and had difficulty to move.
Illya and her Servants didn't know about the rank of Jibril's magic resistance. But it couldn't be higher than Saber. And making her frozen was good enough.
There was no need to kill an enemy that couldn't be killed. They just need to stop her from answering for thirty seconds.
Why not using Rider's eyes directly? Well, that's the problem. Rider's eyes were unable to activate to harm anyone in this word. It could still work against animal and other non-Exceed beings. So it seemed that the Ten Oaths prevent them to be used directly.
So Illya summoned Gorgon, the uncontracted monster, and with even stronger Cybelle than Servant Rider.
To prevent Jibril from killing Gorgon, she was restrained with Enkidu, the strongest chain that even gods couldn't break. It was pity that she restored her tendons, but it seemed that the plan would work just fine. She couldn't answer with her voice because of vacuum.
She must answer with her fingers or her tongue, writing the answer with magic. But her lower body and hands already turned to stone. Oh, so her magic resistance was not so high. Or maybe it was because the Spirit Circuits was erased?
The monster wreaked havoc, shooting petrifying beam to all directions. Jibril looked at the floating Illya, expecting her to be petrified too. She was astonished, again, when Illya wasn't affected.
Of course, this is why Illya didn't summon Gorgon immediately. Illya needed to prepare so that she would be protected from the petrification. The Gilgamesh's Golden Armor had passive effect of raising magic resistance and also had the attribute of Anti-Petrification. The Casseur de Logistille was a Noble Phantasm which had the attribute to passively raise magic resistance to A rank.
Using telepathy to contact Jibril, Illya said to her. "A weakling is someone who got tricked and lost because she didn't gather information. You mistook me as Imanity, while I am not. I came from another world, and I can use magic. Take that, you big breasted fake angel!"
Illya gloated 5 km above Jibril. Fifteen more seconds and she would win the game. Eh? What was that fake angel doing?
===break===
Pure spirits came out from Jibril's mouth and formed word on the air. It was a very short word, one with script that she didn't recognize. It was a last ditch effort, because Jibril's body was half petrified by now.
She sent telepathy to Saber. "Saber, quick, find the meaning of this word and how it's spelled."
And then Illya was suddenly transported to above ground, right in front of Gorgon.
"Ooops?" Illya said in her heart.
The Gorgon stared at her. Seeing that Illya didn't get petrified, it opened its mouth, attempting to eat her.
Illya frantically tried to run away, she used her flight magic to increase the distance. The Gorgon was still pursuing.
Where was the victory that she almost have?
Saber replied to her. "Fii said it is 'Njva', the meaning is 'distance'. Are you alright?"
"No, I am not. Send me the Avalon barrier activation method, now!" Illya screamed through her connection.
"Illyasviel, I told you that it is still impossible for you,.."
"Just do it! Kyaaaah." Berserker and Rider tried to block the monster, but they were attacked by the hair-snakes and got caught. Soon, Illya was also caught by the hair-snake. Her lowered body was inside the snake's mouth.
"Kyaaa kyaaah, don't eat me." Illya screamed, wasting the precious air she had in her lungs. She flailed Excalibur and it stabbed the snake, causing it to drop Illya to the ground.
"Khok.." Illya choked, unable to breath. She hastily wrote on the ground. "Arondight."
Dual wielding Excalibur and Arondight, Illya sat on the ground. Her lower body was mangled, and her wound was critical. She swung Arondight around, and Gorgon halted its advance, fearing the sword's dragonslayer aura.
Jibril was looking at the spectacle with hope. The petrification had reached her lower neck. She had no more spirits to use to write, the last one used too much energy. It was now just a race between them, who would not reach the [unable to continue] state before the other. Jibril who was being petrified, or Illya who got injured, mauled, and poisoned? And even more, without any air to breath?
A human couldn't survive without air for a minute. That person would lose consciousness after one minute or two.
But before Jibril's own eyes, Illya's wounds were being healed. Even the lost body parts regenerated. No, the lost body parts inside the snake's mouth dissolved into motes of light and reformed on Illya's body.
Illya's special body plus Avalon was doing well. Illya used flight magic to evade the Gorgon for a while. She just needed to endure just a little more. She could force her body to not require oxygen for a short while.
Illya sent telepathy to Jibril. "I forget to tell you. I am also immortal. So, if you think you're better than me because you have longevity, think again."
Jibril looked at Illya in wonder.
The previous games were played to obtain information about the mechanism and rules of Materializing Word Chain. The capabilities of a Flugel were observed and tested. After that, Illya came prepared with a set of words she wanted to say. And in the end, a trump card to win the game was pulled out.
'A different world person... no, human species... what a mystery.', Jibril thought.
Jibril thought back to the Queen's speech on the coronation day. 'What do you mean that you are weak? Why did you say that you can't use magic? It's all a deception.'
And then the thirty seconds mark ran out at the same time that Jibril's whole body completed its petrification.
====break====
The game ended and they were back in the center of the library, sitting in their original position.
"Bwaaaaah. Fuuuu. Haaaa. Fuuuu." Illya sucked the wonderful air to her lungs.
Rider only panted a little. She was not used to fight inside a vacuum.
The fake-Berserker disappeared along with the game.
"I completely lost." Jibril said while bowing with respect to Illya. "In my six thousand and two hundred years life after the Great War, the number of loss I experienced is very little. And I never expected to lose agains someone who represented Imanity, the lowest ranking race."
Illya was relieved that she managed to win the game. "I told you, I am not exactly an Imanity. I am a [human] from another world." Or she was mostly human, and part Homunculus.
"I am sorry for treating you like lowly Imanity" Jibril said to Illya. "Now I know that you are from another world, I will not be disrespectful as before."
"Can you answer my question?" Jibril asked. "If you didn't got a letter 'G', how did you plan to win?"
"Aaah, there were three or four different contingency plans. Like, I could materialized Rule Breaker and freed Rider here, and have her use her Mystic Eyes." Illya said.
Jibril got excited. "Mystic Eyes? What are those? Are those the same as the eyes that monster have before? Oooh so many unknown... huehehe... huehehe..."
"uhh... yeah. Or I could activate Avalon barrier and then materialized Antimatter bomb." Illya said the plan, without mentioning that it was one of the desperate last choice. Mainly because it was doubtful if Illya could use Avalon in that way.
Jibril heard another [unknown] word and she got more excited. She understood that even if she lost today, she could still challenge her and she still have more and more knowledge to use. This situation was as the Flugel motto said, 'may the most knowledgeable win'. Jibril had [Respect] to Illya because of this.
"As per the agreement... I will... I-I will... hand over this library to hics-... hics... to y-you. Uwaaaaah!" The Flugel cried.
Illya felt bad, but it must be done. She couldn't say anything to console Jibril.
"Aah, I wished you also take my very being... at least you can make me as the books guardian." Jibril said.
"Ah ah, no can do." Illya said. "I need you to go back to your country."
"Eh? For what?"
Illya was also confused because she didn't know the purpose. She just parroted what Saber said to her. "Eeeh, let's see." Illya urgently called Saber in her mind. And then she repeated what Saber said, word per word. "The Flugel is known as a race that value knowledge. Recently, Jibril, a Flugel, has confirmed the existence of Akashic Record that contained every knowledge of the past, present future. And the keyholder of the place is the Queen of Elchea. So it is logical that.. eeeeeeeehhhhh?"
Illya was in shock for a moment before continuing. "That the entire Flugel country should come and attack Elchea. For the sake of unlimited knowledge. Please relay that to your fellow Flugels. Tell them, if they don't attack, we will call the Flugels as ignorant overgrown chicken forever. Over."
