"I have no connection to Kaleidoscope," Jiang You said.
Who knows if that lecherous old man is spying through the screen? Jiang You couldn't be bothered to claim any relationship with him.
During the Fifth Holy Grail War, the Clock Tower had already questioned Jiang You about this. Because of Jiang You's involvement, Kaleidoscope had even taken the rare step of contacting the Clock Tower to have Jiang You's wanted status revoked. Considering the effects of Jiang You's Noble Phantasms, it was indeed possible that they were connected. What was strange, though, was that even though Kaleidoscope was clearly monitoring Jiang You, he had never shown himself, almost as if he were deliberately avoiding Jiang You. This felt somewhat similar to King Hassan's attitude toward him, as if they were intentionally avoiding something.
"Actually, I'd like to meet him too. I need anchors to travel to other Parallel Worlds, but this guy just hops around so casually. If the opportunity arises, I'd like to ask him a few questions."
The "questions" Jiang You wanted to ask, of course, pertained to the skill of World Jump. Currently, every person Jiang You encountered was predetermined by the Script. He wanted to see how faithfully this "game" could recreate reality, or whether there truly were infinite Parallel Worlds.
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I almost forgot. Ruby, Sapphire, you should have a way to contact Kaleidoscope, right?"
"We really can't do that," Ruby explained. "The Old Man of the Jewels is always on the move, and how would we know where he's gone? We're just autonomous Mystic Codes, after all! Would you ask your umbrella where it went today?"
So you don't even know Kaleidoscope? Luviagelita thought. Trying to steal something that belongs to him without even knowing him? Are wild Maguses really this reckless these days? She kept these thoughts to herself, however. Earlier, she'd assumed the intruder was just some clueless ordinary Magus. After all, Fuyuki only had a handful of prominent Magus families, so someone unfamiliar was unlikely to get far. That's why Luviagelita had come straight out with her threats.
But after Ruby's confirmation, it was clear this black-haired young man was at least a Lord-level figure. She couldn't afford to underestimate him.
"I know him," Jiang You said. "He doesn't know me... Well, he probably does."
Jiang You knew that as the heir to Jewel Magic, Luviagelita would never willingly surrender the Sapphire. This was a matter of vital importance to her family's magical legacy. That's why he resorted to outright theft.
"But that doesn't change the fact that you should hand it over. There's no point in facing an enemy you can't defeat. Surrender early and spare yourself any pain."
"What kind of villain are you?!" Illya blurted out instinctively. Was following him really such a good idea?
"Then let's be proper and make a deal," Jiang You suggested after a moment's thought. He considered Golden Drill's preferences and realized he didn't know much about them. However, every parallel world he visited emphasized her rivalry with Rin Tohsaka over Shirou Emiya. This gave him an idea.
"If you agree, I'll teach you how to get Shirou Emiya for yourself. How about that?"
"Who's that? Wait—do you really think this refined lady is the kind of lovestruck fool who'd casually abandon precious artifacts for a man?!"
Golden Drill had only recently arrived in Fuyuki, and the romantic comedy between her, Rin Tohsaka, and Shirou Emiya hadn't even begun yet.
Jiang You recalled the girl's introductory scene and, considering her behavior in the anime, realized her description of him was spot-on: "That's exactly right."
"No, no! Shirou is my brother, and he belongs to me! Why would you use my brother as a bargaining chip?"
Illya planted herself firmly in Jiang You's path, determined to prevent him from using her beloved brother as a bargaining chip. Family meant everything to Illya (though with... other implications), and she could never forgive such an act.
"I'll stop you, you grown-up!"
Already harboring some dissatisfaction with Jiang You's actions, Illya defected on the spot, joining Luviagelita's camp.
"Perfect timing, Sapphire! Transform with me!"
Seeing their opponent's ally defect, Luviagelita immediately extended her hand toward Sapphire. With Ruby assisting Illya, their combined combat power couldn't be underestimated. Even if their opponent's true strength surpassed that of the Clock Tower's Lords, the combined might of the two Jewel Wands might still secure victory.
"..."
Sapphire fell silent, feeling the scene was becoming increasingly surreal. The mental circuits of everyone present seemed to be malfunctioning.
"...Your brother isn't your property either, is he?" Jiang You couldn't resist retorting at Illya's sudden outburst.
"Your brother deserves the freedom to choose his own romantic partner, right? And even if you harbor special feelings for him, it's legally forbidden, you know? You're siblings, after all."
At this point, Illya hadn't yet been swayed by Ruby, nor had she begun her headlong sprint down the yuri path.
"Th-th-that's not what I meant! Besides, we're not even blood-related!"
Caught off guard by Jiang You's blunt exposure of her feelings, Illya briefly panicked before regaining her composure. After all, she wasn't just making things up; she had come prepared.
"Brother Shirou's features are completely different from mine and Mommy's. Father Kiritsugu married into the family, so if Shirou were my real brother, we'd share the same surname. That's why Brother Shirou isn't my real brother!"
"Even if he's your sworn brother, the law forbids it," Jiang You added another cut, emphasizing that the forbidden always comes with a price.
"Don't believe me? Ask someone else. Like Sapphire—she's the most reliable one here."
"...It's true."
Sapphire couldn't bring herself to lie to the little girl. Challenging ethics and the law was simply not worth it.
"Ah?"
Illya felt as if the sky had collapsed, instantly turning ashen and losing all fighting spirit.
"S-such a terrifying man! He exploited Illya's weakness, striking right at her core! He brought her down with mere words!"
Ruby struggled to lift Illya, dragging her lifeless form to the nearby sofa. She could tell Illya was completely drained and would likely remain in this state for days.
"That's why girls should just stick to girls for snuggles..."
Sapphire headbutted her sister, silencing her. "This isn't the time for such nonsense!"
"After all, no one in this world understands Illya better than I do."
Jiang You mimed playing an accordion.
"Can you please stop looking so smug? It makes me want to call the police," Luviagelita retorted, her voice laced with exasperation. We came here to challenge them, yet the conversation keeps veering off track! "In any case, I absolutely will not hand over Sapphire to you! This is the legacy of Jewel Magic, and I will never entrust it to an outsider!"
"I understand," Jiang You replied. "Magus settle their differences through combat. Come on, I've been waiting for this!"
He dragged the Golden Drill into the range of his Noble Phantasm and issued a Duel challenge. Now, he no longer needed to timidly lure his opponent into attacking to trigger his defensive Mystic Code.
Now, anyone who dared refuse would face the wrath of Tiamat, who would unleash a one-sided beatdown.