Chapter 556: Your Field Setup Has Some Issues, But I Fixed It For You
The opponent actually gave him the Card so easily?
Valon felt a bit strange, because he didn't actually think Ishizu would obediently give him the Card; he was just trying his luck.
Furthermore, there wasn't the Card rampage situation with Ra like there was when Rafael got Osiris before. Yet, the heavy feeling the Card gave off confirmed it was a genuine God Card and not fake. Could it be that the weather was too cold and **The Winged Dragon of Ra** migrated south?
Or perhaps, Osiris reacted so strongly because it had poor compatibility with the **Seal of Orichalcos**, while he received the Card normally?
Valon guessed at various possibilities in his heart, but his actions weren't slow at all. He immediately put away the **The Winged Dragon of Ra**.
Knowing or not knowing the opponent's plan had no impact on Valon, whose goal from beginning to end was simply to "complete the quests." All he needed was to get the real **The Winged Dragon of Ra**, and he wouldn't care even if Ishizu left a tracker on the Card.
After all, when Dartz gave the quests, he didn't say they had to clean up all traces.
Ishizu's decisive action of handing over the **The Winged Dragon of Ra** made Valon, who was in a slightly bad mood due to the low challenge of the quests, quite satisfied. After all, the less trouble, the better. It was naturally best to complete the quests easily without much effort, and he was happy to return sooner.
As for turning hostile after getting the Card and taking care of Ishizu, that wasn't Valon's style.
Even though he found Ishizu's attitude very strange – it was less like accepting his deal and more like being completely indifferent to the Ra Card being taken by him – Valon didn't delve too deeply and intended to leave.
Just then, a helicopter flew from a distance and hovered in front of the Exhibition Hall. Rafael's figure emerged from the cabin, shouting down, "Valon!"
Alright, hearing that shout, Valon understood why Ishizu had called out his name despite him having no intention of telling her. She must have seen this instant through the **Millennium Necklace**.
"Oh, Rafael, I've already got the Ra Card." Looking up and waving, Valon, adhering to the principle of not being the only one exposed, also directly called out his partner's name. "Did Alister get **Obelisk the Tormentor** from Kaiba Seto?"
Rafael nodded, his gaze shifting to Ishizu standing in front of the Exhibition Hall, and he frowned.
It seemed Valon, like Alister, hadn't used the **Seal of Orichalcos** to seal souls. Valon, who wasn't interested in weaklings, probably didn't even Duel and just took the God Card directly.
In this way, although the quest of "collecting God Cards" was indeed completed, neither Alister nor Valon had taken Lord Dartz's additional instruction to "seal the souls of powerful Duelists" to heart. No one's soul was sealed, which was bad.
Furthermore, the only one sealed was a member of Organization Doma, his own Subordinate, Grimo. Just thinking about it made him feel, truly losing composure.
Valon didn't have the ability to read Rafael's psychology. Seeing Rafael nod, he didn't care that Alister might have gotten the God Card earlier than him. He reached out to grab the rope ladder Rafael threw down from the helicopter.
But what neither Rafael nor Valon expected was that upon seeing Valon about to leave, Alister, sitting in the cabin, suddenly stood up and leaped out of the cabin, jumping from a height of six or seven meters onto the ground!
"Hey, Alister, what are you doing!?"
Valon looked at Alister, who had a dead person's face and seemed to be in a bad mood, and suddenly had a bad feeling.
Didn't this guy already get **Obelisk the Tormentor** from Kaiba Seto, his long-standing "concern"? Why was he still in such a bad mood? It was as if he hadn't gained an advantage in his Duel with Kaiba Seto, but instead used some unsightly means to force a draw and then took **Obelisk the Tormentor** while he had the chance.
Alister didn't look back at Valon but walked towards Ishizu on his own, saying, "As you can see, I'm completing that adult's quest to 'seal the souls of powerful Duelists,' Valon."
"You didn't Duel this woman and easily took **The Winged Dragon of Ra** from her hand, right? Hmph, although she holds the strongest God Card, she's undoubtedly just a weakling who avoids Duels."
Hearing Alister speak so directly, how could Valon not tell his plan?
"Wait a minute, Alister, I really didn't Duel that woman, but I made a deal with her. She gave us **The Winged Dragon of Ra**, and then we wouldn't harm—"
"That's the agreement *you* made, don't add 'we' arbitrarily, Valon!" The bad mood Alister directly interrupted Valon. "It's your business if you don't touch her. I'm not interested in your agreement. Her soul can serve as a substitute for letting Kaiba Seto go, to report back."
"You don't have any objections, right, Rafael!"
"Hey, Rafael, say something too!"
Seeing Alister and Valon directly dragging him into their conflict, Rafael helplessly rubbed his forehead. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Hurry up, Alister. The helicopter's fuel consumption isn't low, and we also need to leave Domino City, KaibaCorp's headquarters, early."
Clearly, Rafael, who was considered the leader among their Doma Three Swordsmen, had tacitly approved Alister's action. For him, Valon's personal promise and credibility were too insignificant compared to Organization Doma's great goal of rebuilding a beautiful world.
"Tsk, even Rafael!"
"Hmph!"
Valon and Alister had different moods. After gaining Rafael's support, Alister stood at the Stairs of the Egyptian Artifact Traveling Exhibition Hall, looking at Ishizu standing above, and said confidently, "Don't worry, dealing with an opponent like this who couldn't even make it into the Battle City Top 4, I'll end the Duel quickly."
Even if I forced a draw with that guy Kaiba Seto, do you really think I can't beat a woman who just made it into the Top 8 and was eliminated?
Alister didn't say it, but he was thinking exactly that, and he activated his Duel Disk.
As for Alister's action of ignoring Valon and challenging her to a Duel, Ishizu's face, hidden by her veil, showed no expression of accident whatsoever. Just as she had foreseen Valon coming to take **The Winged Dragon of Ra**, she had also foreseen this scene before her.
"Is that so? You have absolute confidence in defeating me? However, the premise for underestimating your opponent should be having absolute power yourself, right?"
Ishizu also raised the Duel Disk she had already been wearing. It was because she knew this scene would occur that she brought her Duel Disk, even though she knew there wouldn't be a conflict with Valon.
"Hmm, just so you know, my **Millennium Necklace** has the power to foresee the future, and the future it foresees is almost absolute."
"Hmph, in that case, did you see the future where you are defeated by me and sealed inside a Card?"
Hearing Ishizu's words, Alister, who hadn't been ambushed by Ishizu beforehand like Valon, sneered dismissively. Like Kaiba, the opponent he considered a must-defeat, he completely disbelieved things like "foreseeing the future," saying it casually.
Ishizu standing on the Stairs and Alister standing below the Stairs simultaneously drew Cards from their Duel Disks and shouted in unison:
"Duel!" X2
[Ishizu: 4000 LP]
[Alister: 4000 LP]
"Hmm? This hand of Cards..." Seeing the four Cards **Machina Cannon**, **Machina Gearframe**, **Machina Megaform**, and **Machina Ruin Force** in his hand, Alister realized these were the last Cards he used in his previous Duel with Kaiba.
It wasn't that he hadn't shuffled his Deck. After all, after that Duel, both Kaiba's and Alister's Cards were scattered on the ground, so it was impossible for the order not to be mixed up. Besides, his Duel Disk also had an automatic shuffle function. This "Perfect Hand" appearing before him could only be attributed to his luck.
Heh heh, by using **Machina Cannon's** effect to send the three **Machina** Monsters in his hand to the Graveyard in one go, he could easily Summon **Machina Cannon** with its ATK increased to 2400 points. Then, he could use **Machina Ruin Force's** effect to Banish two Monsters from the Graveyard and Special Summon it to the Field.
And the last Card in his hand was the invincible **Seal of Orichalcos**, which could provide a 500 point ATK boost to all his Monsters on the Field. This time, he wouldn't hold back like he did in the Duel with Kaiba; he would definitely activate this Card right at the start.
In the first turn, he could Summon two such powerful Monsters. With this, victory is practically in my grasp! How can I lose?
I've won, I hold victory in my hand!
Alister was quite satisfied with his hand, but this didn't mean he would arrogantly give the first turn to Ishizu.
"The first turn is mine, Draw a Card!" Alister sharply drew the top Card of his Deck, seizing the first turn.
Although information about Ishizu was scarce within Organization Doma, limited to just a few sentences like "uses a **Gravekeeper's** Deck and a Deck primarily featuring Fairy-types and **Exchange of the Spirit**" and "lost to Duel King Hayato Kobayashi in the Battle City Top 8 Advancement Event," there was no complete data.
However, just the **Necrovalley** from the **Gravekeeper's** Deck and the terrifying effect of **Exchange of the Spirit** were enough to know that the opponent absolutely could not be allowed to take the first turn.
Don't be fooled by Alister's "It's just Ishizu, bring the ship closer" form. His intellect is the strongest among the Doma Three Swordsmen. Even in his Duel with Ishizu, he was giving his full power. Perhaps only Kaiba Seto could make Alister lose his sanity and act recklessly.
"I activate the effect of **Machina Cannon** from my hand! This Card cannot be Normal Summoned. If I send any number of Machine Type Monsters from my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it! I discard three Machine Type Monsters from my hand and Special Summon **Machina Cannon**!"
Three Monster phantoms appeared on Alister's Field. The footage turned into electric current and surged into the **Machina Cannon** behind the phantoms, giving this Monster a power boost.
[Machina Cannon] [Level 8/EARTH]
[Machine Type/Special Summon/Effect]
[0/2200 → 2400/2200]
"**Machina Cannon's** ATK will increase by the value of the number of Monsters sent to the Graveyard by its own effect X 800 points. Since I sent three Machine Type Monsters to the Graveyard, **Machina Cannon** will increase its ATK by 2400 points."
After Alister finished speaking, he drew the three Cards he had just sent to the Graveyard. "That's not all, my Summon hasn't ended yet! Next, I activate the effect of **Machina Ruin Force** in the Graveyard! I Banish the Level 4 **Machina Gearframe** and the Level 8 **Machina Megaform**, two Machine Type Monsters, from the Graveyard so that their Levels total 12 or more,"
"Special Summon **Machina Ruin Force** from the Graveyard!"
A giant war fortress covered in black armor manifested on Alister's Field. In just one turn, Alister actually Summoned his ace Card, **Machina Ruin Force**, onto his Field in one go!
[Machina Ruin Force] [ATK 4600]
"Finally, I activate this Field Spell Card, **Seal of Orichalcos**! This Card increases the ATK of all Monsters on my Field by 500 points, and the loser's soul in this Duel will be sealed within this Card!"
As Alister activated the **Seal of Orichalcos**, Ishizu and he were both surrounded by a bronze-green domain. A smaller domain symbol appeared on both of Alister's Monsters on the Field, boosting their ATK, and the same mark appeared on Alister's forehead.
[Machina Ruin Force] [ATK 4600 → 5100]
[Machina Cannon] [ATK 2400 → 2900]
"Set a card, my turn ends here."
Alister, quite satisfied with his field setup, looked at Ishizu with provocation in his gaze. "With this, my perfect field is complete. Next, no matter if you use the **Gravekeeper's** Deck or **Exchange of the Spirit**, you won't be able to do anything to me."
"End Turn."
"My turn, Draw." Hearing Alister say that, Ishizu's mouth curved into a smile. Recalling Hayato and Marik's tone from her memory, she said sarcastically, "Is that so? That's amazing. However, I feel like your field setup has some issues."
"But it's okay, I'll give you a powerful Monster to fix it." Ishizu said, revealing a Card. "Tribute two Monsters on your opponent's Field, come forth, **Lava Golem**!"
End of Chapter
"Huh!?"
As Ishizu pulled out a "Big Baby", Alister watched helplessly as his invincible [Machina Force - Ruin Armed Force] and [Machina Cannon] on the Field were swallowed by the magma surging from underground, turning into Lava Golem.
[Lava Golem] [DEF 2500]
"That Card, isn't that Malik Ishtar's Card? How did it end up in your Hand?!" Alister couldn't comprehend the situation before him.
Ishizu shrugged indifferently, "Yeah, why is that? I'm looking for the reason too."
Although Ishizu said this, in reality, this Lava Golem was an extra one Marik got when buying Card Packs before. Since Marik already had three in his own Deck, he gave it to Ishizu.
Alister looked at the Lava Golem in Defense Position on his Field and helplessly returned the Cards of his two Monsters to the Graveyard.
Besides the Negate ability activated by paying half its Life Points during the Battle Phase, [Machina Force - Ruin Armed Force] had a second Effect: when it was destroyed by Battle or Effect, it could Special Summon up to three of its Banished [Machina] Monsters whose Levels totaled 12 or less to the Field.
And if these Monsters were destroyed and sent to the Graveyard again, the [Machina Force - Ruin Armed Force] in the Graveyard could Banish Machine Type Monsters from the Graveyard to Special Summon itself again, possessing extremely powerful revival ability.
However, the prerequisite for all this was that [Machina Force - Ruin Armed Force] had to be destroyed by some means. Lava Golem's Effect wasn't Destruction but direct Tribute, which happened to not trigger [Machina Force - Ruin Armed Force]'s Effect. It was truly annoying.
And Ishizu drew another Card from her Hand.
"Lava Golem's Summon uses up my one Normal Summon per Turn, but Special Summon isn't restricted. I Activate the Effect of Keldo the Sacred Protector from my Hand."
Ishizu discarded a Card to the Graveyard. "I discard one EARTH Attribute Fairy Type Monster from my Hand to Special Summon Keldo the Sacred Protector, and after that, I Add one Exchange of the Spirit or a card that mentions that card name from my Deck to my Hand."
"Is it coming, Exchange of the Spirit!" Hearing this, Alister temporarily ignored the annoyance of his Monsters being eaten by Lava Golem and watched Ishizu seriously.
As Ishizu discarded a Card, an ancient golden statue appeared on her Field. Its arms were golden winged Shields, positioned in Defense Position on Ishizu's Field, defending.
[Keldo the Sacred Protector] [Level 4/EARTH]
[Fairy Type/Effect]
[1200/1600]
Ishizu also drew a Card from her Deck and showed it to Alister: "The Card I Added to my Hand is this Exchange of the Spirit."
Alister's mind immediately recalled the Effect of Exchange of the Spirit.
Exchange of the Spirit could only be Activated by paying 1000 Life Points if there were at least 15 Cards in one's Graveyard. Both Duelists' Decks and Graveyards would swap.
In other words, if one side didn't have enough Cards in their Graveyard, they could accidentally end up with very few Cards left in their Deck after the swap, leading to being decked out and losing immediately. It was an extremely dangerous and vicious Card.
However, Alister was already mentally prepared to face this Card. Since Ishizu had drawn this Card, he would Send Exchange of the Spirit to the Graveyard before she could Activate it!
"The moment you Add Exchange of the Spirit to your Hand, I flip up my Set Card in my Spell/Trap Zone, the Trap Card Compulsory Escape Device!"
"This Card can only be Activated when your Opponent Adds a Card from their Deck to their Hand. Your Opponent discards that Card Added to their Hand." Alister pointed at Ishizu, "Send that Exchange of the Spirit of yours to the Graveyard!"
Ishizu wasn't surprised by Alister's Activated Compulsory Escape Device, and she sent Exchange of the Spirit to the Graveyard without hesitation. Because Ishizu was so calm, Alister even had the illusion that "this was also part of her Plan".
After Ishizu sent Exchange of the Spirit to the Graveyard and the Effect of Compulsory Escape Device was resolved, she continued, "When I Special Summoned Keldo the Sacred Protector, the EARTH Attribute Fairy Type Monster I sent to the Graveyard was Agido the Ancient Sentinel."
"When this Monster is sent to the Graveyard from the Hand or Deck, its Effect can be Activated. Both Duelists Send the top five Cards from their Decks to the Graveyard. And after that, if Exchange of the Spirit exists in my Graveyard, I can Send five more Cards from the top of my or my Opponent's Deck to the Graveyard."
As Ishizu finished speaking, a Phantom of a golden sphere with mechanical arms appeared before her. A pair of mechanical arms extended, grabbing five Cards from both Ishizu's and Alister's Decks respectively and sending them to the Graveyard in one go.
"Oh my, originally I could only Send five Cards from each Deck to the Graveyard, but now because of your Compulsory Escape Device, Exchange of the Spirit has entered my Graveyard. In that case, I can Send five more Cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard."
"Nani?!"
Alister didn't expect his previous guess to be true. Ishizu had actually calculated even his Set Card Compulsory Escape Device, and even turned it into Psychological Tactics. Her Goal in Searching for Exchange of the Spirit wasn't to Use it at all, but to provoke him into helping her Send the Card to the Graveyard!
This Woman's calculations were so deep, she was just like that annoying Hayato Kobayashi!
No, I understand now, it's the Power of the [Millennium Necklace]. This Woman is setting up her Plan after seeing the Future, it's like Cheating by having full map vision in an RTS game filled with Fog of War!
"Tsk, there are already 12 Cards in the Graveyard? But Exchange of the Spirit has already been sent to the Graveyard. To Recycle that Card and Use it again, it would at least be your next Turn, and before that," Alister glanced at the Cards just sent to his Graveyard, among which were several Machine Type Monsters with suitable Levels,
"Next Turn, my [Machina Force - Ruin Armed Force] can Revive from the Graveyard again. Plus the Lava Golem you put on my Field, can you survive one Turn?"
Ishizu glanced at the three Cards in her Hand and chuckled softly, "How would I know without trying? Even I occasionally can't foresee the exact Future."
"Again, I discard an EARTH Attribute Fairy Type Monster from my Hand. I Special Summon Mudora the Sword Oracle in Defense Position from my Hand."
Ishizu Activated the same Effect again. With only one Card left in her Hand, the Mudora the Sword Oracle that appeared on her Front Row held a pair of sharp fist blades, also appearing in Defense Position.
In Alister's Impression, most Fairy Type Monsters he knew were primarily LIGHT Attribute, with occasional DARK Attribute Fairy Type Monsters designed based on fallen Angels, but their number wasn't large. Besides that, Fairy Types of other Attributes were very few.
EARTH Attribute Fairy Types, in particular, gave the feeling that the combination itself was uncoordinated just by hearing it. Whether it was the Mudora the Sword Oracle that just appeared, or the previous Agido the Ancient Sentinel and Keldo the Sacred Protector, although their names had no resemblance at all, they all gave off an ancient, solemn aura, like stone statues in a tomb from a thousand years ago.
To put it bluntly, they felt incredibly rustic.
[Mudora the Sword Oracle] [Level 4/EARTH]
[Fairy Type/Effect]
[1500/1800]
When Alister heard the Summoning Method of Mudora the Sword Oracle, he felt that its Effect couldn't possibly end so simply. And sure enough, Ishizu did Activate a subsequent Effect after Summoning this Monster: "After Mudora the Sword Oracle is Special Summoned by its own Effect, I can place one Gravekeeper's Trap from my Deck Face-Up in my Spell & Trap Zone."
"Place it Face-Up!?" Alister thought for a moment. He didn't have much of an Impression of the [Gravekeeper's] Deck's Trap Cards, as the only one he paid special attention to was the [Gravekeeper's] Field Spell Card that specifically Countered his [Machina] Deck, which had high Graveyard utilization— Necrovalley.
However, the ability to directly Activate a Trap that should normally require being Set for one Turn could not be underestimated, no matter what.
From her Deck, Ishizu Searched for a Card and placed it on her Duel Disk: "I Activate the Continuous Trap Card, Gravekeeper's Trap. Then I Set my last Hand Card. End Turn."
[Ishizu: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
[Keldo the Sacred Protector] [DEF 1600]
[Mudora the Sword Oracle] [DEF 1800]
[Gravekeeper's Trap] (Face-Up)
1 Set Card
After Ishizu ended her Turn, Alister wasn't in a hurry to Draw a Card. Instead, he looked at the Gravekeeper's Trap Ishizu Activated with a strange Expression, specifically looking at the Card Art of that Card. Although the Effects below were also displayed on the Card, they were written too densely, and Alister was too lazy to read them.
On the Card Art of Gravekeeper's Trap, there was a Woman wearing white Egyptian traditional clothing, reaching out towards the Radiance. Although her face was covered by a white veil, wasn't this attire exactly like Ishizu, who was Dueling Alister right now!
Before Hayato went missing, because all the "God Cards" were concentrated in his Hand, Alister and the others had tracked Hayato for a long time to collect Information on him in order to better Defeat him and seize the "Three Egyptian Gods".
During this process, Alister and the others actually made some discoveries. That was, Hayato had Used his Identity as a Major Shareholder holding 30% of Industrial Illusions to manufacture Cards from the Card manufacturing department a few times. Originally, Alister and the others thought they could use this to learn about Hayato Kobayashi's hidden tactics to prepare for it.
But unexpectedly, after the Cards were completed, Hayato Kobayashi only gave some of the successful Cards to Marik, Ishizu, Mutou Yuugi, and Katsuya Jounouchi around him, but didn't Use a single one himself. He only collected some hard-to-understand words from the live recording, such as "As expected, Red Dad isn't that easy to get for free."
This Card before him must be the Card Hayato Kobayashi manufactured for Ishizu. However, to use the image of the person the Card was given to as the Card Art, that guy Hayato Kobayashi was unexpectedly playful.
Alister refocused his attention, his Finger resting on his Deck, ready to Draw.
"My Turn—"
But just then, Ishizu reached out and said, "At this Instant, the Effect of Gravekeeper's Trap on my Field Activates!"
"Huh? Activate an Effect at this Timing?"
Looking at Ishizu, whose actions were exactly the same as the Card Art at this moment, Alister was confused about what Effect could be Activated at this Timing. Could it be that the Opponent could even Seal his Draw?
"If Gravekeeper's Trap is Face-Up on the Field, I can Declare a Card Name before your Draw Phase draw and Activate its Effect."
"After your Opponent performs their Normal Draw, they reveal the Card they Drew. If it is the Declared Card Name, that Card is Sent to the Graveyard."
Alister raised an eyebrow after hearing Ishizu finish, "This Effect, it seems similar to Mind Crush. Heh, what a boring Effect. If it were Mind Crush, I could Use it after my Opponent Searches for a Card and I know their Hand. But the Effect of this Gravekeeper's Trap is too meaningless. After all, even I don't Know what Card I will Draw next."
Alister's words didn't bother Ishizu. She said calmly, "I Declare your Card Name to be, Sakuretsu Armor, and your next sentence after revealing the Card you Draw is, 'Impossible! Is foreseeing the Future really true?!'"
"Hmph, boring. My Turn, Draw a Card." Alister Drew a Card impatiently, saying, "Alright, because of your Gravekeeper's Trap, I'll let you confirm the Card I Drew. The Card I Drew is—"
"Sakuretsu Armor?!"
"Impossible! Is foreseeing the Future really—"
After flipping the Card and seeing the Archfiend of Gilfer on the Card Art of the Card he Drew, Alister couldn't believe that he had actually drawn the Sakuretsu Armor that Ishizu Declared. He subconsciously blurted out his thoughts, only realizing afterward that even the words he subconsciously said were exactly the same as Ishizu's declaration.
Ishizu had no Plan to spare Alister's feelings: "Then, because of the Effect of Gravekeeper's Trap, the Sakuretsu Armor you drew is Sent to the Graveyard."
"Then, during your Standby Phase, Lava Golem's Effect is Forced Activation, inflicting 1000 Effect Damage to you!"
Chapter 558: Bolvar Ameralda's Unbreakable Bond with the Stairs
"Ugh!"
[Alister: 4000 → 3000 LP]
During Alister's Standby Phase after drawing a card, the effect of **Lava Golem** automatically activated, forcing Alister to inhale a large amount of lava and reducing his Life Points by a full 1000 points.
Moreover, because Alister had previously activated **Seal of Orichalcos**, this 1000 points of damage was incredibly real, burning his skin bright red.
However, compared to that, Alister was more concerned about the prevision Ishizu had just displayed.
He didn't feel much regret about **Sakuretsu Armor**, which he had just drawn and was discarded by **Gravekeeper's Trap**. After all, he only added that card to his deck purely to bait cards like **Mystical Space Typhoon**. Losing it was no big deal.
But the problem was, his current hand size was 0, while Ishizu's **Gravekeeper's Trap** was a Continuous Trap Card that could be used every single Draw Phase.
This meant that in the upcoming duel, if Ishizu Ishtar could consistently predict, or rather, "see what cards he would draw in the future," he would constantly be in a state of drawing and then discarding, unable to replenish even a single card in his hand, while Ishizu on the opposite side could keep drawing cards.
Alister finally understood why Ishizu had taken her younger brother Malik Ishtar's **Lava Golem** to use. The important thing wasn't **Lava Golem**'s characteristic of Tributing the opponent's monster for summoning, but its ability to inflict effect damage every turn!
His judgment was completely wrong. This woman's strategy wasn't centered around the deck destruction strategy of **Exchange of the Spirit** at all. Instead, she was forcibly turning the duel back into the early days of monster attack and defense, using the monsters she could continuously replenish as a wall to block **Lava Golem**, and then using **Lava Golem**'s effect to burn him to death with a burn strategy!
What kind of person is this? Can't we just duel properly? This is way too messed up!
After understanding Ishizu's strategy, Alister felt a slight sense of relief. He was glad that Ishizu's opponent wasn't Valon or Rafael, but himself, the one among the Doma Three Swordsmen who was best at utilizing monsters in the graveyard.
Thanks to the effect of **Agido the Ancient Sentinel** that Ishizu used last turn, five cards were milled into his graveyard, including three Level 4 Machine-Type monsters: **Machina Defender**, **Machina Soldier**, and **Machina Sniper**.
Heh heh, there are three Level 4 monsters!
By banishing them from the graveyard, I can summon my invincible **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** again!
Although I can't replenish my hand and can only have my Life Points gradually reduced,
It doesn't matter!
As long as I utilize the effects of the monsters in my graveyard to gather enough forces on the field, I can break through the opponent's defense within the three turns my Life Points can last. Victory will still belong to me!
Thinking this, Alister said proudly, "It's just a temporary lead. You're using **Lava Golem** to deduct my Life Points now, but it won't be long before I deduct them back from you. Don't get too proud, woman!"
"My ace monster won't leave the field easily! I activate the effect of **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** in the graveyard! By banishing the three monsters from the graveyard—**Machina Defender**, **Machina Soldier**, and **Machina Sniper**, whose Levels are 4☆—the total Level is 12☆ or higher!"
"Roar, my obsession, my soul!!"
"**Meklord Army: Destruction Armament**!!!"
The pitch-black dump truck, **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament**, roared as it burst from the ground, slowly rising on Alister's field. Seeing this, Alister laughed wildly, "Heh, heh, heh! Hahaha!"
"How about it? Seeing my monster, terrifying like a nightmare, do you feel fear? Don't blink, this is the last monster you'll ever see!"
Valon, watching from the side, inexplicably felt like his lines had been stolen.
"Did that guy Alister suffer a setback against Kaiba Seto? He's usually just a bit gloomy, but today he's got such a temper."
Rafael glanced at Valon. "Your sixth sense is as accurate as ever."
"Huh?"
"No, nothing." Rafael shook his head, having no intention of exposing Alister's weakness. Valon didn't care either and turned back to look at the field.
"That woman named Ishizu is really unlucky. To actually encounter Alister when he's in a bad mood. Looks like she's about to have some unpleasant memories." Valon, whose dueling style was more stream of consciousness, didn't realize how annoying the **Gravekeeper's Trap** Ishizu activated was. Instead, seeing Alister summon **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** again, he thought Alister had the advantage.
"Although, the memories won't last too long. After all, she's about to be defeated and have her soul sealed."
But hearing Valon's judgment, Rafael denied it. "You're wrong, Valon. The one at a disadvantage now isn't that Ishizu Ishtar, but Alister."
"And haven't you noticed? Even though Alister declared the summoning of **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** so long ago, that ace card of Alister's has been slow to complete its descent."
"Furthermore, that woman isn't panicked in the slightest. Alister's actions are still within her calculations!"
Rafael wasn't the only one who noticed this point. Alister also realized that the **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** he had called for was slow to crawl out from underground.
Having only revealed its head, **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** remained motionless on the spot. At the same time, Alister also found that he couldn't perform the action of taking cards from the Duel Disk's graveyard to banish or summon!
"W-What's going on!?" Alister was confused by the anomaly before him. He exerted force with his finger, but still couldn't take out the cards from the graveyard. His gaze, constantly watching the **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** on the field, also saw no movement. "**Destruction Armament**, why aren't you moving?"
"Move, **Destruction Armament**!"
"Move, **Destruction Armament**, why aren't you moving!"
After attempting but still failing to make his cards and monsters move, Alister's gaze directly glared at Ishizu. "What exactly is going on? What did you do, Ishizu Ishtar!"
"What did I do? Shouldn't you be able to see that clearly, Alister?" Ishizu naturally knew what was happening before her, but perhaps due to the saying "one is influenced by one's company," she didn't directly state the reason. Instead, she put on an innocent expression with a touch of dark humor. "In response to your Special Summon, I haven't activated any effects, have I? Even my set card is untouched."
"Oh, I understand now, Alister. I understand why you haven't summoned your monster. You're actually afraid of me, aren't you? After suffering a loss in your duel against Kaiba Seto, you're like someone who almost died from snake venom, afraid of even a rope."
"Because of this fear, you subconsciously refused to summon a monster to oppose me. As your Tamashii, **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** also followed your idea and didn't appear!"
"Stop talking nonsense! How could I possibly feel fear towards someone like you!" Alister seemed enraged by Ishizu's words and said angrily.
"Is that so? Are you truly not afraid of me? Think back, Alister. Is your state the same in this duel with me as it was in your duels with others?" Ishizu adopted a tone as if analyzing for Alister. "You're apprehensive of **Exchange of the Spirit**, apprehensive of **Necrovalley**, and even scared by **Lava Golem**."
"Clearly, you're not feeling peace of mind in this duel with me, Alister."
Ishizu's tone shifted, and she said calmly, "People live to overcome fear and unease. Everyone lives for 'peace of mind.' Fame, wealth and power, a peaceful life, even 'justice' and 'ideal'—people use these things to make themselves feel 'peace of mind.' One could even say that people live solely for 'peace of mind.'"
"Since opposing me makes you so uneasy, why don't you return that monster, and let yourself feel peace of mind, Alister?"
Facing Ishizu's "suggestion," Alister's face was filled with the humiliation of being looked down upon. "That's absolutely impossible! How could I flinch because of things like 'fear' or 'unease'!"
"It must have been a loose screw on the Duel Disk that caused a malfunction just now. I'll summon **Destruction Armament** right now to show you!"
"Come forth, my ace card, **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament**!"
The roaring sound of the mechanical device operating suddenly rang out with Alister's order. But before Alister, who heard the sound, could feel any relief, he found that he still couldn't pull the cards from the graveyard. Moreover, under Alister's gaze, the **Meklord Army: Destruction Armament** that had half-emerged from underground on his field actually retracted a bit!?
"Saying one thing and doing another, Alister. Heh heh heh heh." With no cards in her hand, Ishizu crossed her empty arms over her chest, standing on the stairs and looking down at the astonishment-filled Alister below the stairs. "Why did your monster go back? As expected, you're still afraid of dueling me and want to escape, aren't you?"
Alister's face was filled with disbelief. "W-What the hell! I clearly, clearly intended to summon a monster!"
"I definitely drew a card outwards just now!"
"Heh heh, still hesitant, huh, Alister? You're afraid, so much so that even though you're thinking you must summon a monster to battle, because you're too afraid, your finger unconsciously pushed the card back?"
Alister's pupil shrunk.
'C-Could it really be as Ishizu Ishtar said?'
'Because years of effort still couldn't surpass Kaiba Seto, and I was defeated and my self-esteem was frustrated after barely getting a draw, I'm suspicious and afraid of dueling her?'
'Could I really be—'
"Don't be influenced, Alister!"
Seeing Alister's attention being distracted and his mind scattered by Ishizu's words, Rafael immediately spoke up to remind him.
Ishizu's combination of foreseeing the future and that strange "theory of peace of mind" certainly gave off the air of a charlatan and was quite effective at misleading people, but Rafael didn't expect Alister to actually be led astray by Ishizu.
Among them, the Doma Three Swordsmen, Rafael had long known that Alister was the one with the most serious psychological problem among the three. While Valon's pursuit of extremely high-level excitement and a peaceful life was somewhat contradictory, it was understandable. Rafael himself only treated card monsters as family, which was much better than some people who treated cards as their wife.
But Alister was different. His life had no pursuit, or rather, his only pursuit was KaibaCorp and Kaiba Seto. A life that existed solely for revenge could erupt with powerful strength when facing Kaiba Seto, but it was fragile in other aspects.
At least Rafael felt that other duelists would absolutely not be influenced by just a little interference from Ishizu and believe that they truly felt fear towards the opponent. Of course, this was also partly because Ishizu kept including "Kaiba Seto" in her words to influence Alister.
Although Duel Monsters indeed involves a significant degree of psychological warfare, to play psychological tactics to this extent, one has to admit that Ishizu Ishtar is a truly scheming woman.
"Although I'm not sure exactly what's going on, the fact that you can't summon a monster is definitely because of the opponent's cards." He turned his head to look at the helicopter's dashboard. "Hurry up, Alister, we don't have much time!"
"I know!" Alister replied to Rafael, refocusing his attention on the duel and looking directly into Ishizu's gaze. "Ishizu Ishtar, your psychological induction ends here. I won't be influenced by you anymore."
"This duel is a duel where our lives are at stake. Before I get my revenge on KaibaCorp, my life will absolutely not end here!"
"Even with just one monster, I will defeat you! Change **Lava Golem** to Attack Position, then enter Battle Phase!"
[Lava Golem] [DEF 2500 → ATK 3000 → 3500]
"Attack **Keldo the Sacred Protector**! Ameralda Flame!"
Perhaps it was the convergence of the worldline, Alister instinctively shouted **Lava Golem**'s "most authentic" attack name. The **Lava Golem**, now in Attack Position, swung its giant magma fist, destroying the golden statue on Ishizu's field and sending it to the graveyard.
However, since it was in Defense Position, Ishizu didn't take any damage. And Alister, having no other cards to use after using **Lava Golem**, had nothing left to do.
"My turn, end."
[Alister: 3000 LP, Hand 0]
[Lava Golem] [ATK 3500]
(Field) [Seal of Orichalcos]
Looking at Alister's gaze, Ishizu understood that, just as he said, her previous tactics likely wouldn't be effective anymore. Because from his eyes, she could clearly see the malice and hatred towards a certain person, almost overflowing.
Clearly, Alister was using his obsession with Kaiba to distract himself, making one unsure whether to praise him or rant about him.
However, if it wasn't effective, then it wasn't effective. Ishizu hadn't actually expected to trick Alister into surrendering; it was just dark humor earlier. Rather, her strategy was practically complete. Alister's thoughts were no longer important.
"This is a trial, Alister, a test of mind. Although you didn't pass the trial, you undoubtedly grew in your own way. In that case, as a gift, let me tell you the true power of **Gravekeeper's Trap**."
Ishizu pointed to the Continuous Trap Card on her field. "The third effect of **Gravekeeper's Trap** is what you saw before, negating your ability to draw cards. Its first effect is, as long as **Exchange of the Spirit** exists in my graveyard, the opponent cannot activate card effects from the graveyard, nor can they Special Summon monsters from the graveyard."
"And the second effect allows me to discard a card from my hand during either player's Main Phase, then search my deck for a 'Gravekeeper' or EARTH Fairy-Type monster and add it to my hand."
Hearing Ishizu's words, Alister suddenly realized. "I see, no wonder I couldn't use the effect of **Destruction Armament** in the graveyard to Special Summon itself, or even banish cards."
With his confusion resolved, a moment of relief couldn't help but appear on Alister's face.
And Ishizu began her turn, drawing a card. "My turn, draw a card."
After drawing the card, Ishizu didn't even look at it and immediately activated it. "I activate the effect of **Graceful Charity** that I drew! Both players draw cards until they have six cards in their hand."
"Huh?" Alister didn't expect Ishizu to use **Graceful Charity**. Didn't she just use a strategy to lock his drawing? What was going on now, letting him draw cards again? Had she changed her strategy again?
Unable to figure it out, Alister didn't hesitate either, seeing the empty-handed Ishizu draw six cards. He drew six cards into his hand.
[**Mystical Space Typhoon**] [**Limiter Removal**] [**Royal Decree**] [**Emergency Provisions**] [**Mysterious Wok**] [**Machina Gearframe**]
Woohoo, this hand of cards is simply invincible! How satisfying is this?
Next turn, I'll start by stir-frying **Lava Golem** with Mysterious Chinese Pot and eating it, let's see how it deducts my Life Points. And **Mystical Space Typhoon** will definitely destroy that annoying **Gravekeeper's Trap**. Besides its annoying effect, looking at the card art and remembering where the card came from, Alister always had the illusion of eating Hayato Kobayashi and Ishizu Ishtar's dog food.
There's also **Royal Decree** which specifically negates traps, and **Machina Gearframe** which can search for other Meklord monsters. If I can't win with such a good hand, I'll eat this **Seal of Orichalcos** under my feet.
At this moment, Alister was immersed in the joy of drawing a good hand and hadn't yet realized what he was about to face.
And Ishizu, seeing the cards in her hand, calmly took out one of them. "I activate the effect of **Zolga the Prophet** from my hand! If an EARTH Fairy-Type monster other than **Zolga the Prophet** exists on my field, I can Special Summon it directly from my hand."
"Also, I activate the effect of **Mudora the Sword Oracle** from my hand! I discard an EARTH Fairy-Type monster and Special Summon it from my hand."
Ishizu's hand, which had been replenished to six cards, instantly decreased by three. And on her field, two more monsters appeared. One was **Mudora the Sword Oracle**, which had appeared once before. Its effect to search for **Gravekeeper's Trap** from the deck didn't activate again, suggesting Ishizu only had one copy of that card in her deck.
The other monster, **Zolga the Prophet**, was also just a 4☆ monster, also in Defense Position.
However, with three monsters assembled, if Ishizu hadn't already used **The Winged Dragon of Ra** and had it taken by Valon, Alister might have been apprehensive about whether the opponent would summon a Divine-Beast.
After summoning three monsters, Ishizu declared, "With this, I have three monsters on my field. The puzzle of victory is complete. Alister, you who were filled with hope because of **Graceful Charity**, are about to face the ultimate comeback!"
"Just so you know, I have more than one copy of **Exchange of the Spirit** in my deck."
Smiling mysteriously, Ishizu pressed the activate set card button, activating the mysterious set card in her Spell/Trap Zone. "I activate the set card in my Spell/Trap Zone, **Reversal of Despair and Hope**!"
"This card can only be activated if there are three or more EARTH Fairy-Type monsters on my field! Send all monsters on the field to the graveyard!"
As Ishizu's set card activated, at the same time, blue soul fire rose from the bodies of the three EARTH Fairy-Type monsters on Ishizu's field and the **Lava Golem** on Alister's field, dispersing and turning their bodies into dust instantly.
Although **Lava Golem** was a monster on Alister's field, because Ishizu was the one who sent it to the opponent's field, it was sent to Ishizu's graveyard.
Although the number of cards in Ishizu's graveyard also increased to 20, meeting the activation condition for **Exchange of the Spirit**, Alister's graveyard currently had nine cards. He wouldn't lose immediately just because he couldn't draw cards, so Alister wasn't panicked at all at this moment.
And **Reversal of Despair and Hope** still had an effect to resolve.
"After all monsters are sent to the graveyard, both duelists can select up to the number of monsters sent to the opponent's graveyard by this effect from the opponent's graveyard and Special Summon them to their own field," Ishizu said, spreading her hands. "Unfortunately, no monsters were sent to your graveyard, Alister, so I cannot Special Summon monsters from your graveyard."
"Also, because of the effect of **Gravekeeper's Trap**, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the graveyard, not even from my graveyard."
"So now, we begin processing the last effect of **Reversal of Despair and Hope**."
Ishizu paused, then drew a card from her deck. "If **Exchange of the Spirit** exists in my graveyard, I can set one trap card from my deck to my Spell/Trap Zone. The card set by this effect can be activated this turn."
"The card I select is this second copy of **Exchange of the Spirit**!"
"Then, because I currently have 21 cards in my graveyard, I pay 1000 Life Points to activate **Exchange of the Spirit**! Both players exchange their decks and graveyards!"
[Ishizu: 4000 → 3000 LP]
Seeing Ishizu pay 1000 Life Points to activate **Exchange of the Spirit**, Alister felt no sense of crisis and mocked, "It's too late to activate that **Exchange of the Spirit** now! Don't forget I also have 9 cards in my graveyard. After exchanging decks and graveyards, I can still last nine more turns."
"You have no monsters left on your field to act as a barrier. You can't even last half a turn against my Meklord deck. After your despicable strategy became ineffective, you made a bad move, Ishizu Ishtar!"
As **Exchange of the Spirit** activated, blue soul fire rose from the graveyard zones on both Alister's and Ishizu's Duel Disks. Mocked by Alister like this, Ishizu's corner of mouth curved up, and she said, "Sore wa dou kana?"
"When did you get the illusion that you had nine cards in your graveyard, Alister?"
"Nani!?"
Hearing this, Alister looked down, only to see two monsters in soul state from Ishizu's graveyard reaching out towards his Duel Disk, each grabbing a handful of cards and retracting!
They were none other than **Mudora the Sword Oracle** and **Keldo the Sacred Protector**, sent to the graveyard by **Reversal of Despair and Hope**!
"Chaining to **Exchange of the Spirit**, I activate the effects of these two monsters in the graveyard." Ishizu took out two monster cards from the graveyard and banished them. "During your/opponent's turn, by banishing these two cards from the field or graveyard, they both have the ability to return up to five cards from your/opponent's graveyard to the deck. However, if **Exchange of the Spirit** is not in my graveyard, the quantity decreases to 3."
"Because of the effects of **Mudora the Sword Oracle** and **Keldo the Sacred Protector**, I return all nine cards from your graveyard, Alister, to the deck. Then, the effect of **Exchange of the Spirit** applies, and both players exchange their respective decks and graveyards!"
Red and blue radiance bloomed, a miraculous power that reversed the boundary of life and death, difficult to conceal even by the ominous green magic circle beneath their feet. After the light dissipated, the number of cards in Ishizu's deck became 19 after banishing two monsters, while the number of cards in Alister's deck was 0.
The scene before him was truly disbelief-inducing for Alister. "I cannot accept this!"
One minute ago, Alister was filled with hope because of a good hand. Now, he was plunged into ultimate despair because his deck was milled to nothing, truly living up to the card name of Ishizu's **Reversal of Despair and Hope**.
As if delivering a psychological blow, Ishizu revealed a card in her hand. "Checkmate, Alister, I win. The final magic card, I activate **Card Destruction**! Both players—"
"Crack!"
Wrapping the emerald chain he had been wearing around his neck around his hand like brass knuckles, Rafael, who had jumped off the helicopter sensing the situation was bad, punched the originally indestructible **Seal of Orichalcos** fiercely. The green ring suddenly shattered.
Chapter 559: As Expected of Yugi!
"Hi, Darling~"
Pushing open the doors of the Egyptian Artifact Traveling Exhibition Hall, before Yugi could even see what was inside, a graceful figure suddenly pounced and hugged him. A face as tender as a baby's rubbed slightly against Yugi's cheek, the sudden situation causing Yugi's face to turn bright red with embarrassment.
"I missed you so much, Darling~"
The girl clinging tightly to Yugi wasn't tall, about the same height as Yugi. On her youthful face, she wore a pair of red-framed glasses, and her golden long hair cascaded down to her waist. She seemed to have the air of a literary girl, yet she was also so passionate and unrestrained. Although Yugi didn't remember knowing anyone like this, no matter how he looked at her, he felt the person was so familiar.
"W-who are you!?"
Honda and Joey Wheeler, who had followed Yugi in, saw Yugi's "romantic encounter". They exchanged mischievous glances, stood beside Yugi, and whistled, teasingly saying, "Amazing, Yugi! You managed to hook up with a little beauty so quickly!"
"As expected of Yugi, he easily did something we couldn't. It's truly exciting and makes one admire him!"
Although Yugi never acknowledged Hayato's past judgment that "Yugi has a special attraction to younger girls," the scene before them was the best evidence. Yugi had "again" attracted a younger girl.
As for Yugi's "romantic encounter," Téa wasn't like Joey Wheeler and Tristan, those two bad friends. With an anxious expression, she said, "What nonsense are you two talking about? Who is this child you don't know, Yugi!"
"I don't know~"
Last night, due to Organization Doma's Grimo's night raid, Yugi engaged in a dark duel for Solomon Muto, who had "again" become a hostage. He gambled the God Card, Slifer the Sky Dragon, which Yugi had been keeping. Furthermore, during the duel, Grimo took the Divine-Beast and summoned it.
Although Yugi still ultimately achieved victory in the duel and rescued Solomon Muto, Grimo utilized the Seal of Orichalcos, which seals the soul of the defeated person, to transfer Slifer the Sky Dragon before he died.
Even disregarding the significance of "Slifer the Sky Dragon being a 'relic' left by Hayato," Dark Yugi within the Millennium Puzzle needed to reclaim the Slifer the Sky Dragon card to regain his lost memory.
However, early the next morning, before Yugi could take action regarding this, Solomon Muto, who had finally calmed down after resting for a night following last night's attack, received a phone call from his dear old friend, Professor Arthur Hawkins. He said that due to a recent geological archaeology discovery, he was now in Japan again.
In addition, Professor Hopkins specifically invited Yugi to visit the Egyptian Artifact Traveling Exhibition Hall, saying he had something very important to tell Yugi.
Therefore, considering that Professor Hopkins, who works abroad, might have channels to track down Organization Doma, to which the guy named Grimo belonged, and to reclaim Slifer the Sky Dragon, Yugi, Joey Wheeler, Tristan, and Téa came to the front of the Exhibition Hall, leading to Yugi's "romantic encounter."
Hearing Yugi's words, the girl hugging Yugi acted somewhat shyly and said in a spoiled tone, "Eek, you're so mean, Darling! It's me, it's me~"
"Huh? That 'It's me' trick is outdated, okay? Hurry up and get away from this indecent kid, Yugi." Téa said with a dark face, looking at the girl, while reaching out to pull Yugi, wanting to separate him from the girl.
The girl, having her closeness with Yugi interrupted, also looked at Téa with an annoyed expression: "You're the indecent one, you old hag, right? Darling and I already have a promise for a sweet future. Hurry up and let go of Darling!"
Taking back her gaze from Téa, the girl also looked at Yugi with hopeful eyes, "Hey, Darling, you definitely haven't forgotten me either, right?"
"A promise for the future? Even if you say that..." Yugi's face showed a troubled expression. He agreed that "if a promise is made, it must be kept," but he truly didn't remember ever making a promise for the future to this elementary school student-like girl before him, like some kind of pervert.
However, he also remembered that there was a girl who had proactively made a promise for the future to him.
The figure in his memory gradually overlapped with the figure of the girl before him.
"You are, Rebecca?"
"Rebecca?!" X3
Hearing the name Yugi said, both Téa and Joey Wheeler and Tristan wore expressions of astonishment. After all, the last time they interacted with Rebecca at the KC Cup was less than a year ago.
"Do kids nowadays grow up so fast?"
"Are American female students' growth rates like monsters?"
Although constantly suppressed by the heavy Millennium Puzzle hanging around his neck, recently, Yugi's unique height, which stood out among high school students, had surprisingly started growing again. From the past mere 1.5 meters, he had grown to a full 1.6 meters, which could be considered significant progress.
Although there was still a gap compared to Joey Wheeler and Tristan's heights of 178 and 180 cm, at least the awkward situation of having to bend down to talk to Yugi no longer occurred.
As for Rebecca, perhaps because the female growth spurt generally happens earlier than males, at her age, she had surprisingly also grown taller in a short time, subtly maintaining a "0" height difference in sync with Yugi. Furthermore, she had let down the ponytail she used to wear and grown out her long hair, and the red-framed glasses on her face added a touch of intellectualism to Rebecca's originally overly lively demeanor.
If Rebecca's impression when they first met was that of a spoiled and willful little princess, the current Rebecca had become somewhat tsundere and cute, truly a gap like from a durian to a rambutan.
"Seriously? How come I don't see that little bear doll you call 'Teddy' anymore, kid?" After recognizing Rebecca, Téa suddenly had her sense of crisis as a woman, which had been dormant for quite some time, awaken. She looked at Rebecca warily.
When Téa brought up her slightly childish behavior of treasuring her toy bear, Rebecca looked completely unconcerned: "Hmph, I don't need Teddy's protection anymore. After all, I already have a boyfriend, right, Darling?"
"Say what you will, but stop putting your hands all over Yugi, you fickle kid." Seeing Yugi being hugged by Rebecca again, Téa attacked again like a mother hen protecting her chick.
"Hahahaha, young people certainly have a lot of energy."
Yugi, caught between the struggle of the two women, heard a familiar laugh at this moment. Looking over, Yugi saw Professor Hopkins, Rebecca's grandpa, standing with Solomon Muto, who had arrived at the Exhibition Hall earlier, in the hall of the Exhibition Hall, smiling and looking at the group.
Yugi, unable to bear the torment, instantly made a decision in his heart. Even if he was seen as impolite, it didn't matter. He just wanted to quickly transfer the topic and escape from the struggle between Téa and Rebecca. He shouted towards them, "Professor Hopkins, Ji-chan!"
"Oh, hello, Yugi." Professor Hopkins smiled and nodded. As if seeing the plea in Yugi's eyes, he said, "You can play with Yugi later, Rebecca."
"Aww~"
Her grandpa had spoken. Although Rebecca was very reluctant, she obediently released her arms wrapped around Yugi, "Okay, Grandpa."
Seeing Rebecca let go, Téa couldn't help but let out a breath of relief. But before she could say anything, she saw Rebecca, who had already pulled away, suddenly bring her face close to Yugi again. Her lips lightly pecked Yugi's cheek like a dragonfly skimming the water.
"!"
Yugi, who had completely failed to predict Rebecca's sneak attack and was caught off guard, looked on with an expression of astonishment as Rebecca showed an expression identical to Light Yagami's "Plan Complete" face. She skipped ahead to her grandpa's side, looking to be in a very good mood.
Téa was also full of surprise, not expecting Rebecca to be so bold. You're a 12-year-old girl, coming to trick and sneak attack Yugi, a 17-year-old comrade? Is this good? This is not good!
Especially Téa, with her woman's intuition, could read the meaning of provocation from Rebecca's gaze towards her, as if she was saying:
"This is the expression, I've always wanted to see this expression of yours, this expression of you being jealous of me~"
Looking at Yugi, who walked up to him with a relieved expression, Professor Arthur Hawkins's face, although still smiling, gradually became serious. He said to Yugi quite seriously, "Yugi, I have something very important to tell you next. No, Nameless Pharaoh."
Hearing Professor Hopkins's words, Yugi's expression froze for an instant, but he quickly understood the seriousness of what was about to be said.
Because, for Professor Hopkins, who was clearly an archaeologist, to have something to say that involved The Other Self, no matter how you thought about it, it couldn't be a small matter.
'Aibo' Dark Yugi's voice came from within the Millennium Puzzle. Yugi immediately responded in his heart. Following this, golden light radiated from the Millennium Puzzle, causing Rebecca's gaze towards Yugi to become radiant.
However, after the golden light receded, looking at Yugi, whose appearance hadn't changed much but who gave off a completely different demeanor, Rebecca said with astonishment, "Darling?"
"No, the feeling is completely different. You're not Darling!"
"Ah, nice to meet you, Rebecca Hopkins. You can consider me The Other Self of 'Mutou Yuugi', which is the 'Nameless Pharaoh' your grandpa mentioned." Dark Yugi greeted Rebecca, the sole person present who hadn't known of his existence until now, then looked at Professor Hopkins, "So, Professor, what is it you wanted to tell me?"
Professor Arthur Hawkins knew that the boy before him had changed at this moment. After organizing his words, he spoke of his recent investigation experience at a newly discovered Underwater Ruins near the American Border, along the Atlantic Coast.
Chapter 560: Duel Monster Materialization
"In the civilization from ten thousand years ago, Duel Monsters already existed."
"And that civilization was actually gradually destroyed by Duel Monsters."
Listening to Professor Hopkins recount his discoveries in the Underwater Ruins one by one, everyone was quite shocked and filled with disbelief, feeling their worldview had been greatly impacted.
Especially since Professor Hopkins wasn't just speaking without proof; he substantiated his claims by successively producing several photos he had taken in the Underwater Ruins.
Seeing the giant eye that opened in the sky in the photos destroying the world, and the Three Egyptian Gods with different forms appearing from the opened Gate to Another World and destroying each other with the giant eye, even Tristan, who wanted to say "How could Duel Monsters possibly exist?", couldn't raise any further questions.
"Duel Monsters are real. Various forms of magical beasts can be found in countless ancient ruins and murals, and Summoning Techniques, Magic, and Sorcery are considered proof that humans summoned the power of monsters from another world and sought to utilize it."
"Although we cannot see the existence of Duel Monsters, perhaps they actually exist in another Dimension, similar to us."
"The civilization ten thousand years ago was destroyed by Duel Monsters. Ancient Egypt, which also had Duel Monsters three thousand years ago, might have encountered the same thing but wasn't destroyed. And now, you, the Nameless Pharaoh from three thousand years ago, have appeared in this era." Professor Hopkins paused, looking at Yugi with a serious gaze.
"Why you appeared in this era, I believe there must be some important significance to it."
Listening to Professor Hopkins' words, Dark Yugi turned his head and glanced at the **Kuriboh** that had appeared on his shoulder.
'Kuriboh?' The brown furball tilted its head, looking at Yugi with a confused expression.
Compared to Téa and Tristan, who were not duelists, Yugi believed that most duelists, upon hearing Professor Hopkins' statements about Duel Monsters, might initially react with disbelief, but if they recalled the countless times their deck had responded to them in past battles, they could understand Professor Hopkins' words.
Even Kaiba, that guy who believes in science, Professor Hopkins had already spoken about "parallel worlds" and "crossing Dimensions." That guy could probably reluctantly accept it, right? Probably.
And as one of the rare few duelists who could see the existence of Card Spirits, Yugi understood even more clearly that Professor Hopkins was correct. Duel Monsters themselves were cards created by Pegasus based on the Egyptian Slab Monsters, but the spirits within the cards were beings with vibrant life, capable of thought, and able to respond to a duelist's hopes.
Since Duel Monsters are real, then the murals Professor Hopkins photographed are worth paying attention to.
'A civilization where Duel Monsters appeared was destroyed by Duel Monsters? Did the fate of that civilization ten thousand years ago also occur in Ancient Egypt three thousand years ago? And what about me at that time...'
Yugi thought of many things in his heart, and just then, Professor Hopkins continued, "I'm just an ordinary old man. Although I have some research in archaeology, when it comes to Duel Monsters and such, I still have to rely on you young people."
"Also, Nameless Pharaoh, I'm not the only one who wanted to see you today. Ms. Ishizu Ishtar also has something to discuss with you."
"Huh? Ms. Ishizu?" Joey Wheeler, who had also been recalling everything he had experienced with Duel Monsters in the past and was gradually accepting the concept that "Duel Monsters are real," realized upon hearing Professor Hopkins' words, "No wonder you asked us to come to the Egyptian Artifact Exhibition Hall."
After all, to Solomon Muto, Professor Arthur Hawkins was no stranger. If others had something important to convey, showing up directly might be a bit awkward, but the relationship between these old friends didn't necessitate specifically inviting Yugi to the Egyptian Artifact Traveling Exhibition Hall.
However, if Ms. Ishizu, who works at the Egyptian Artifact Traveling Exhibition Hall, also needed to see Yugi for something besides Professor Hopkins, then it made sense.
Because Professor Hopkins had finished speaking, Dark Yugi, wanting to think things through, very cleverly performed an exchange back into the Millennium Puzzle, releasing Yugi Mutou again. Seeing his "Darling" return to his original demeanor, Rebecca immediately clung back to Yugi's side, sticking close to him, which once again angered Téa.
Not wanting to get caught in the dispute between the two girls again, Yugi quickly followed Professor Hopkins, who was leading the way, and soon found Ishizu standing in front of a tablet.
Yugi recognized that tablet. It was the precious artifact known as the "Slab of Prophecy" that Ishizu had shown Hayato, Kaiba, and Yugi himself before Battle City. It not only had the cards of the Three Egyptian Gods carved on it, but also two ancient Egyptian figures who looked almost identical to Kaiba and Yugi, and even Yugi and Kaiba's respective ace monsters, **Dark Magician** and **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**.
At that time, Ishizu had said that this tablet was inscribed with an important prophecy for the Nameless Pharaoh to regain his memories, and that by gathering the cards of the Three Egyptian Gods, Yugi could use this tablet to begin his journey to find his memories.
However, this tablet was different from what Yugi had seen back then, because the entire tablet was actually sealed in a giant square block of ice, and even the markings on it were somewhat blurred.
Moreover, despite there being no refrigeration device, the ice showed no sign of melting at all. Even when Yugi got this close, he didn't feel any cold air.
Furthermore, around this tablet, Yugi was surprised to find that Ishizu was not the only one present; several other people were gathered there.
Rishid, whom Yugi didn't know because he hadn't participated in the Top 8 of Battle City.
Marik, who was rarely not wearing his character shirt but was instead dressed properly in a leather jacket and jeans.
Mokuba Kaiba, who looked like a mature little adult dressed in a small suit.
Ishizu, who was standing with her back to Yugi, looking at the tablet, and Kaiba Seto, who was looking at Yugi with an impatient expression!
"You're too slow, Yugi. You really kept me waiting." Kaiba looked at Yugi's timid appearance before him and frowned. "Hmph, it's because of the way you are that the card of **Osiris, the Sky Dragon** was also taken by the Organization Doma."
"Kaiba, you know..."
Hearing Kaiba's words, Yugi's gaze was filled with loss and sadness. Yugi was actually very bothered by the fact that the card of **Osiris, the Sky Dragon** had been taken. Dark Yugi, unable to stand seeing his Aibo suppressed by Kaiba's aura, also appeared in time to take over from Yugi.
"Kaiba, you just said 'also,' didn't you?" Dark Yugi, who had just performed an exchange, looked at Kaiba with a serious expression. "Could it be—"
"Hmph."
Kaiba didn't answer, but gave a cold snort and turned his head away, looking at Ishizu. And Yugi, relying on his understanding of Kaiba, saw the answer Kaiba hadn't given.
He, Kaiba, was also taken the card of **Obelisk the Tormentor** by the "Doma" organization?!
And judging by the situation, it seems like both he and Kaiba had their god cards taken last night. By extension, could it be that Ms. Ishizu's **Ra, the Winged Dragon** was also—
"As you might guess, Nameless Pharaoh." As if she had foreseen Yugi's question, Ishizu gave Yugi the answer he wanted in advance. "The organization called 'Doma' launched actions in three directions simultaneously last night, taking the god cards stored in three different locations."
"Even Ms. Ishizu's **Ra, the Winged Dragon**!" Joey Wheeler, who was following behind Yugi, was very surprised, and then his face showed considerable anger. "Damn it, what exactly does that organization called 'Doma' want? Are they coveting the power of the god cards? They even took the card Hayato left behind—"
"Hey, Joey Wheeler." Tristan interrupted Joey Wheeler's words, but didn't say anything, just glanced at Ishizu. Seeing that Ishizu didn't have an overly strong reaction to Joey Wheeler's words, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Kaiba stood with his arms crossed over his chest, saying coldly, "I started investigating that Doma organization last night, but it's very strange. Even using all of KaibaCorp's satellites to intrude into the confidential files of various governments, I couldn't find the slightest clue about the Doma organization's existence. It's as if the people from yesterday were fabricated just to attract attention."
"However, just when I was about to look for clues in other directions, this woman found me and said she had information about the Doma organization. But when I was willing to spend time to come here in person to hear her, this woman insisted on waiting until you, Yugi, also arrived."
Kaiba's face showed an impatient expression: "So now you can finally speak, Ishizu Ishtar."
Under the gaze of Kaiba, Joey Wheeler, Yugi, and the others, Ishizu nodded and said, "The so-called Doma organization is actually an existence that was established long before the current social order was established. It has existed for nearly ten thousand years, and throughout these ten thousand years, this organization has been guiding human history. The Industrial Revolution in England, the Renaissance in Italy, Napoleon's unification of Europe in France, and other events all have their figures behind them."
"After countless years of development, their tentacles have penetrated into various fields throughout the World, and even government departments have their lackeys working to maintain their secrecy."
"But now, it seems like they have completed the step of accumulating power and have begun to act for a single goal. The first thing they did was take the god cards and also seal this 'Slab of Prophecy'." Ishizu said, looking at Yugi. "And their goal is to revive their 'God' and recreate the event that was prevented ten thousand years ago."
"Ten thousand years ago?" Hearing Ishizu's words, Yugi subconsciously lowered his head and glanced at the photo of Professor Hopkins still clutched in his hand, his pupil shrinking. "Masaka!"
Both are ten thousand years; the time is too coincidental. Yugi naturally connected the destruction of that civilization ten thousand years ago with the "God" that the Doma organization wanted to revive at the first moment.
And just then—
"Roar!"
Accompanied by a roar of a magical beast from an unknown source, a wall not far from Yugi and the others, where no artifacts were placed, was suddenly pierced and penetrated by a beam of flames, creating a hole that revealed the view outside.
Startled, Yugi and the others looked out through an opening Ishizu had foreseen and deliberately moved the artifacts away from, and their faces all showed terrified expressions—
The outside World at this moment seemed to have turned into a Different Dimension. Giant Duel Monsters were rampant everywhere, on buildings, in the sky, and on the streets. And from their movements, it was clear that they were not projections at all; they all had physical substance!