Jiang You LP: 4000
Barghest LP: 4000
"You can go first," Jiang You said.
This time, Jiang You was using Tiamat's Deck. While its synergy was lacking, the individual cards were overwhelmingly powerful. Without specific counters, victory was virtually impossible. Though Tiamat herself had been rejected by this Lostbelt, Card Duels were not.
"Even in this manner, we're still fighting to the death," Barghest warned. "You're at a disadvantage by acting this way. So I won't hold back either. Let's begin!"
"I'll take the first turn! I activate the Field Spell Card 'Manchester'! This is my territory, and naturally, my home field!"
Barghest immediately replaced the Duel Space's terrain.
"While this card is face-up on the field, all Fang Clan Fairies gain 500 Attack Power. Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Fang Clan Fairy from my hand!"
"The one I'm summoning, of course, is Fairy Knight Gawain!"
It seems every Servant has the ability to summon themselves directly on the first turn.
The towering female servant brushed aside the black flames with her hand.
[ Fairy Knight Gawain ]
[ 6-Star Saber ]
[ Attack Power: 2800 → 3300 ]
"Now for my own effect! Once per turn, by paying 1000 Life Points, I can add a Fairy Sword Caventine from my Deck to my hand!"
Unlike the Gawain of Pan-Human History, this Demon Sword was actually one of Barghest's horns. As a part of her body as the Calamity Beast, this Demon Sword possessed performance nearly equivalent to a Holy Sword. Fairy Gawain snapped off one of her hardened horns with her hand.
"Aaaah..."
Amid Barghest's pained whimpers, the blazing horn transformed in her hand into a massive Great Sword wreathed in black flames.
Barghest's Life Points: 4000 → 3000.
Fairy Knight Gawain's Attack Power: 3300 → 4300.
"This Demon Sword grants its wielder 1000 Attack Power. When the equipped servant is targeted by an effect, you can negate that effect by releasing this card. Furthermore, during the Battle Phase, the equipped servant becomes immune to all other card effects until the end of the Damage Step!"
"Finally, I'll set two facedown cards in my Backrow and end my turn!"
Like the other Knights of the Round Table, Fairy Gawain's effects are more suited for solo combat. However, her primary form possesses an effect that allows her to Special Summon one Red Calamity from the Deck by paying half her Life Points when she's destroyed by an effect, providing a slight continuation strategy.
Having just battled Tiamat, Jiang You found her field remarkably simplistic, lacking any apparent lockdown mechanisms.
"Just updated my Deck. Feels like I'm beating up cavemen... though I guess we're all cavemen in a way."
Jiang You couldn't help but scoff, "Anyway, it's my turn. Draw!"
"Hmm, it seems my bond with Tiamat is strong. I'll activate the Field Spell Card, Primordial Sea!"
As Jiang You slammed the card down, a black sea engulfed the entire Duel Space. Barghest stared at the Primordial Sea beneath her feet, her primal instincts screaming at her to flee.
"What is this?"
The sheer incomprehensibility of it filled Barghest with dread.
"You'll find out soon enough. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, Primordial Regression. This can only be activated while Primordial Sea is on the field. I Special Summon Tiamat (Self-Sealed) in Attack Position from my Deck!"
This time, it was Jiang You's turn to cheat.
[ Tiamat (Self-Sealed) ]
Attack Power: 0
"Attack Power 0? No, wait—this Level!?"
Not everyone was the "Arrogant Goldie" type. If a card of this caliber had only 0 Attack Power, it was the enemy who should be wary.
"Isn't a Deck supposed to be generated from one's past and future? And this aura... it's far stronger than anyone I've ever encountered... Who... who is she?"
Tiamat had just discovered she had been summoned by Jiang You through a Card. At that moment, she was still at his residence, watching news to understand humanity's survival. She sized up Barghest and slowly replied, "She is Mother."
"She's your mother?"
Indeed, it was perfectly normal for close relatives to appear in one's Deck. Barghest's throat felt dry. She had always sought a partner with exceptional qualities, and if Jiang You's mother was this formidable being, he must have inherited remarkably potent genes. There could be no more perfect partner.
"In a way, yes," Jiang You replied, unsure how best to explain. For now, he decided to agree with Tiamat.
"She can also be your Mother."
Tiamat had long since resolved this. All beings were her children, whether Fairy or Beast.
"Is... is that so? But it feels a bit premature..."
Barghest assumed that Tiamat had also agreed to the outcome.
"Such matters should be discussed after we've deepened our understanding of each other. But I believe I'll soon be addressing you as 'Mother' with the utmost respect..."
"?"
Tiamat looked puzzled but nodded nonetheless.
"Are you shy? Don't worry, Mommy's willing to wait."
"If we're going to chat, let's do it face-to-face later. Now, let's continue the battle."
Jiang You glanced at his hand. If there were no surprises in the opponent's backrow, he could secure a one-turn kill.
"Such a good child," Tiamat remarked, then cautioned Jiang You, "Don't bully her too harshly."
"She wanted to see my full strength, and Tiamat, you're my strongest deck. Let me rely on you just this once."
Although Jiang You had defeated Tiamat using King Hassan's deck, nearly all of Hassan's cards were counter cards, and without Jiang You's battle-decisive card, the outcome would have been far less certain. So while Jiang You was flattering Tiamat to make her happy, there was also a genuine element of truth in his words.
"Is that so?"
Tiamat nodded. "If that's the case, then there's no problem. Then let me, your Mother, show her my true power!"
"No problem! Next, I'll activate Genesis of the Eleven Beasts! I'll Special Summon four Eleven Beasts-related Magical Beast Servants from my Deck!"
Tiamat raised her hands high, matching Jiang You's words, and began to sing a clear, resonant song. The Primordial Sea churned violently as four mighty Magical Beasts emerged from its depths:
Basmu the Venom Dragon - Attack Power: 3000
Girtablilu the Scorpion Man - Attack Power: 3000
Ugallu the Storm Lion - Attack Power: 3000
Basmu the Venom Dragon - Attack Power: 3000
"Are you ready?" Jiang You asked, his voice ringing out.
Seeing Barghest's gaping mouth, Jiang You issued the battle command:
"Enter the Battle Phase!"