"Watching his beloved Master put a wedding dress on another Servant... our Count of Monte Cristo is crying and throwing a tantrum. How pitiful," Abby teased in a thoroughly infuriating tone.
Edmond Dantès merely snorted, offering no reply.
Gudako avoided the topic as well. She had a feeling that continuing this conversation would be dangerous in more ways than one.
"The Duel continues! Now, I activate the effect of [Edmond Dantès]! Once per turn, this effect can only be activated when my Life Points are 1000 or more lower than my opponent's. I can target a number of Servants on the field up to the difference in our Life Points divided by 1000, and banish the chosen cards!"
The Count's Skill, Wisdom of Desperation, grew stronger the more disadvantaged he became.
"I banish the two Tokens on the field!"
"What a shame. My tributes have been dealt with."
Abby shrugged nonchalantly. They were just free Tokens, so it wasn't a significant loss.
"Next, I set three cards in my Backrow and end my turn!"
The Count also had an ability that could negate and destroy a targeting effect once. Combined with Nero's once-per-turn ability to negate an opponent's Spell or Trap Card effect, their defenses were decent. This was the best defensive line Gudako could establish after her Spell Cards had been wiped out.
"Is that all?"
Abby sounded disappointed. A mere two Servants were hardly a challenge for her.
"Don't underestimate them!"
Even with her back against the wall, Gudako believed in her companions. That was how she had always fought, never backing down no matter how powerful the enemy.
"I will win this Duel!"
"My turn! I draw!"
A tentacle from behind Abby plucked a card from the top of her Deck and docilely placed it in her hand. If Gudako hadn't seen those same tentacles clash with swords before, she would have naturally assumed they were fragile. But the reality was the exact opposite.
"Believing in your companions is admirable, but it won't help you now. I activate the Continuous Spell Card, [Silver Key]!"
Though Gudako didn't know the card's effect, the mention of "Key" made its connection to Abby obvious. She couldn't let Abby have her way. "Not so fast! I activate the effect of [Nero (Bride)] to negate this card's activation!"
"I'm afraid that won't work," Abby laughed. "This is a gift from Father God. It can't be countered so easily."
"First, once per turn, this card's name allows me to Special Summon one Foreigner-class Servant Card from my Deck, hand, or Banished Zone. A Servant summoned by this card cannot be targeted by my opponent's effects! I choose [Pure Maiden Abigail]!"
Because of the prefix in her name, the Abigail that appeared on the field was her normal form, holding a rag doll.
[Pure Maiden Abigail] Level 6 Foreigner / ATK 2000
"I'm sorry, Big Sister Fujimaru."
Abigail reverted to her usual personality, the more well-behaved side of her apologizing for her earlier words. "I can't control myself in that state. But Father God will descend soon. To ensure your safety, Abby must win this Duel."
"..."
Gudako felt like Abby had a split personality. Then again, quite a few Servants were like that—one Heroic Spirit even had a Noble Phantasm specifically because of it.
"I won't lose either!"
"Anyway, I activate my own effect. I add one [Light from the Abyss] to my hand."
Abby added a card to her hand.
"Next, I activate the effect of [Light from the Abyss]: Tribute one [Abigail] on the field to Special Summon one [Silver Key Abigail] from my Deck."
Abigail was trying to ascend her Spirit Origin. Gudako moved to interrupt her again.
"Since your Spell Card targets, I activate the effect of [Edmond Dantès]: Once per turn, I can negate the activation of an opponent's card effect that targets and destroy it!"
"My apologies."
Abby hid her face behind her rag doll. In her current state, she was a good girl and couldn't let such a wild, triumphant smile show.
"The effect of [Silver Key]: While this card is face-up on the field, the effects of Spell Cards I activate cannot be negated... Abby will reveal a little more information. Furthermore, when my opponent activates a Spell Card, I can choose whether its effect resolves normally. Knowledge is the domain of Father God. All who seek to pry must submit to His authority."
"How could this be..."
Gudako felt utterly powerless. The card was absurdly broken, effectively locking down almost all Spell Cards. Her only hope was to destroy that card. Gudako glanced at the card in the backrow. She still had a chance.
"Now, the Duel continues. I Special Summon [Silver Key Abigail]!"
The Abigail on the field transformed once more into the white-haired witch.
[Silver Key Abigail] Level 10 Foreigner / ATK 3500
"This form feels much more comfortable."
In this state, Abby no longer held back, speaking her mind without restraint. "My own effect: On the turn [Silver Key Abigail] is summoned, the effects of all face-up opponent Servants are negated!"
A wave of powerlessness washed over Nero and the Count. For a fleeting moment, they even forgot who they were.
"And another of my effects: Once per turn, I can banish one opponent Servant on the field and gain its original ATK. So... I choose... this Roman Emperor in the wedding dress!"
Abby whimsically chose the weaker Nero. It didn't really matter to her either way; the outcome was already sealed.
"Now, big-busted Sister, look this way and say cheese—Qliphoth Rhizome!"
Nero felt her five senses being completely stripped away. A great gate seemed to open before her eyes. All she had to do was step through...
Then, Nero found herself back in her dressing room. Jiang You's Noble Phantasm returned Servants to their original locations when they left the field. She frantically dropped everything and rushed out. With her Praetor in danger, she had no time for auditions.
[Abigail] ATK: 3500 → 5500.
"Now, it's time to say goodbye! I enter the Battle Phase!"
Abby didn't even bother developing her board, confidently proceeding straight to the Battle Phase.
"A total of 2500 battle damage. Sleep well, Big Sister Fujimaru!"
Abby flickered in front of the Count, swinging the massive key in her hand directly at his forehead. In a Duel, the method of attack didn't matter. The Count was comically sent to the Graveyard.
"It's over!"
"Not yet!"
Gudako activated a card from her Backrow. This was the moment she'd been waiting for.
"I activate the Counter Trap Card [Black Spear]!"