Chapter 811: I, Aknadin, would rather starve to death, die outside...
"Oh? What an unexpected visitor."
Hearing the commotion from outside the door, Aknadin raised his head and looked over. Before seeing the person, he saw their hairstyle; upon seeing that colorful Starfish Head, he immediately identified that Dark Yugi had arrived, and said with a cold laugh, "So, having come here specifically, how do you intend to deal with me, Pharaoh?"
"Aknadin."
Led by an Attendant, they arrived at the room where Aknadin was temporarily held. The first one to walk in was indeed Dark Yugi. Looking at Aknadin, Dark Yugi was deep in thought, unsure what to say to him.
In principle, Bakura had also previously admitted that his influence was behind Aknadin's transformation from a highly prestigious Priest into that "Great Dark Priest". Aknadin himself had made many contributions to the Kingdom and had already made many sacrifices for the sake of the country.
But on the other hand, it was an undeniable fact that Aknadin had killed Karim. Furthermore, the dark truth of the Millennium Items revealed by Bakura was also solely caused by Aknadin. In this aspect, no one else drove him; it entirely stemmed from Aknadin's own idea. This sin cannot be erased either.
Not all matters can be glossed over with "balancing merits and demerits". Therefore, even if Dark Yugi had taken the initiative to bring Aknadin out from the Thief Village before, he still doesn't know how best to deal with him now. Especially since Aknadin's mind hasn't returned to normal after being defeated and freed from Bakura's control; he still maintains his stance as Dark Yugi's enemy.
After thinking for a moment, Dark Yugi could only say: "Although you make an effort to express your evil when you speak, being tied up like this just makes you look pathetic and quite funny."
"Shut up! Wasn't it your Subordinate who tied me up?!" Mentioning this point, Aknadin couldn't maintain his cold demeanor and said angrily, his gaze pointing directly at Malik who had walked in behind Dark Yugi, "Marik Ishtar, is this the kind of vulgar stuff you usually spend your time researching every day in Necrovalley?!"
Malik raised an eyebrow: "Hmph, someone like you can even betray the Pharaoh, and you still care about this? But this wasn't something I researched. That guy Hayato Kobayashi taught it to me. It's called 'Kikkō-bind', or something like that. Isn't it a very solid binding? How is it vulgar? You're the one with the dirty mind."
"Besides, this is nothing. If the Pharaoh hadn't said you were useful to keep, I would have gotten serious long ago and brought out the torment techniques I researched in my free time."
Aknadin gritted his teeth in anger, but alas, he was firmly tied by the rope, binding his limbs and torso, making him completely unable to move. Otherwise, he would have definitely shown Malik what he was capable of. Now, he could only glare fiercely at Malik with his single remaining eye. And Malik also hadn't forgotten the grudge from Aknadin killing Karim before, glaring back without showing any weakness.
"Aknadin, our goal in coming here is not to kill you, but to make a deal with you and give you an opportunity to atone for your sins." Isis didn't waste time and stated their purpose directly. "We need to know from you what is sealed beneath the Millennium Stone Tablet, and what way there is to obtain the power to defeat Him."
"Heh, do you know what you're saying, Isis?" He shifted his gaze from Malik to Isis, and Aknadin had a contemptuous expression on his face. "I do know what you want, but why would you think I would tell you?"
Dark Yugi chimed in: "So Isis said, this is a deal. Although it cannot exempt you from the death penalty, if you cooperate, we will preserve your reputation and let you die as a Priest of the Kingdom, preserving the integrity you maintained throughout your life."
Hearing Dark Yugi's words, the expression on Aknadin's face didn't change at all: "Truly naive. Aknamkanon became Pharaoh just because he cried loudly, and his son is just an idiot as well. As Pharaoh, you can't even make accurate judgments about what your Subordinates are thinking. The Kingdom is likely to be destroyed in your hand."
"Do you think I'm the kind of person who cares about boring reputation? From beginning to end, I loved this country. The Kingdom is my lover. For this country, I can give up everything, whether it's the status of the Royal Family or my family. Even if I commit unforgivable sins and gain infamy for it, it doesn't matter. If I truly cared about reputation, I wouldn't have created the Millennium Items from the start."
"Besides the country, my obsession is only Seto. But he actually didn't come."
Looking around at the people who walked in, he didn't find Seto, and Aknadin said with some regret. Before, in the Thief Village, he thought he was going to die. At that time, he was somewhat indifferent. He didn't expect to still be alive. In that case, now, he instead wanted to see Seto again.
Hearing Aknadin's words, he seemed unaware of the matters that had happened to Seto. Joey Wheeler , feeling he could use this as an opening, also chimed in: "That Seto was influenced by Bakura — that Evil Will that controlled you before. He took the Millennium Necklace and betrayed them."
"Heh, is there anything bad about that? Rather, I'm quite satisfied. You've truly made something of yourself, Seto. It seems Bakura's control wasn't entirely bad. At least it made Seto face his deepest desires, didn't it?"
Hearing Joey Wheeler 's words, Aknadin still maintained an unyielding demeanor. "Do you think I'll compromise and cooperate with you just because I heard Seto was controlled? Forget about it. Even if I, Aknadin, am killed by you today, die outside, and am judged by God Osiris after death, I won't tell you any information that I know."
"Tch, this old man is too stubborn, isn't he? He's completely determined to go down the dark path; there's no talking sense into him." Joey Wheeler scratched his hair and said irritably, turning his head to glance at Yugi, "Yugi, didn't you just now say you had a way to persuade him? Will it really work?"
"Don't worry, Joey Wheeler . Now, I have even more confidence." Yugi smiled and said, "I am a Duelist who is skilled in understanding human nature. Three sentences, and I will absolutely make Aknadin cooperate with us."
"Hmph, a kid with the same hairstyle as the Pharaoh. Although I don't know who you are, where do you get that kind of confidence?" Aknadin said with a cold laugh, watching Yugi extend a finger.
"Bakura changed Seto's thinking."
"Your Companion just now said that."
Raising a second finger, Yugi continued: "Now, all he thinks about is pursuing power, and he feels he can give up everything."
"That sounds even better. People who do great things should be like that. Before, when I wanted to help him obtain power, he was still hesitant."
Yugi extended a third finger, and said the last sentence: "He told us that he wants to become the World's Strongest Man, and women are troublesome."
Aknadin's contemptuous smile froze for an instant. Before he could utter his taunt, his expression changed.
## Chapter 812: Zorc Necrophades
Before, Aknadin wanted Seto to become Pharaoh and wished to help him obtain sufficient strength, for which he intended to sacrifice Kisara. However, Seto's refusal to give up Kisara at that time greatly displeased Aknadin, and he ultimately had to abandon the idea.
But his displeasure at that time was merely a slight disappointment in Seto for valuing romantic feelings too much. Valuing feelings too much is one thing, but completely abandoning feelings is another. According to this Starfish-headed Kid who looks just like the Pharaoh, could it be that Seto now has nothing but "power" on his mind and doesn't think about women at all?!
He shouldn't do that! At least leave a descendant! If things continue like this, won't that Kid end up without an heir? Just what aspect of Seto's thought process did Bakura modify?!
If Seto becomes Pharaoh, will he not even marry a Royal Consort and just adopt some Kid as his Successor?! How could a Kid like that possibly do a good job as Pharaoh? The Kingdom would definitely fall into the hands of such a person. Wouldn't that situation be even worse than being ruined by Aknamkanon's son?!
Aknadin's face suddenly changed color, and he declared righteously, "I've thought about it carefully. Things like an innocent reputation are actually quite important.
"Alright, Pharaoh, I am willing to cooperate with you. Feel free to ask whatever you want. I will absolutely tell you everything I know without holding anything back. Furthermore, as long as you can correct Seto's thoughts, it doesn't matter even if you don't leave me with an innocent reputation."
Yugi turned his head and gave everyone an "OK" gesture.
"You're really something, Yugi," Joey Wheeler said, giving a thumbs-up in praise. Looking at Aknadin, he asked, "We've never even been to that Thief Village called K-something, let alone seen the tablet that's supposedly sealing Bakura's true form. First, tell us exactly what he is."
After reaching an agreement, Aknadin was much more cooperative than before. He immediately answered, "I guess you've already learned the truth behind the creation of the Millennium Items from various sources, right? Regarding that Evil Will under the tablet, we have to start from before I created the Millennium Items."
"A long time ago, so long ago that I hadn't even been born yet, a book that no one could decipher was passed down within the Kingdom. It was called the Millennium Spellbook. It is said to have flowed in from a Different Dimension and contains magical knowledge. Even when it couldn't be deciphered, it could still give rise to powerful strength, which is the magic cultivated by the Court Magicians."
"However, this situation continued until my appearance. I'm not boasting, but in deciphering the Millennium Spellbook, I completely surpassed everyone in the past, even leading the future by 500 years."
Mana was also a little surprised upon hearing this. "Huh? I was wondering why it's called the Millennium Spellbook. Is the origin of magic actually that book?"
"Mana-chan, when you were training magic, weren't you curious about who invented magic?" Téa asked, feeling a little strange.
Mana put her hands on her waist and said proudly, "Not at all. Do you remember how many slices of bread you ate?"
"Thirteen slices. I'm a Japanese food person."
"Oh, oh, Mana doesn't really like eating bread either. I prefer cake more."
Mana subconsciously started communication with Téa , but Dark Yugi still remembered the main point. "We can talk about sweets later. The key point is that book. Aknadin, continue."
"I see you completely don't understand the human heart, Pharaoh." Glancing at Téa and Mana, Aknadin showed an enigmatic smile and said contemptuously, "In short, I achieved a breakthrough from 0. For the first time, I deciphered a technique called 'Dark Alchemy' from the Millennium Spellbook."
"At that time, war was raging, and the Kingdom was in crisis. In order to obtain the power to protect the Kingdom, I chose to abandon my Royal Family identity to create the Millennium Items. However, creating the Millennium Items not only required me to create massacres and obtain resentful souls, but also required a powerful existence to provide power for the Millennium Items."
"That was the Wicked God from a Different Dimension that I communicated with through Alchemy. Its name is Zorc Necrophades. It is said that its power comes from the darkness that exists in the World. As long as darkness exists, the Wicked God's power will continuously generate, symbolizing infinite darkness. Therefore, it was most suitable as the source of power for the Millennium Items."
Malik heard this and impatiently interrupted Aknadin. "Yes, we now indeed know what that Evil Will is, but stop the boasting here. We don't have any plan to surrender to the opponent, so there's no need to know how amazing they are. Can't you just get straight to the point and tell us if there's any way to eliminate the opponent?"
Aknadin, however, shook his head. "A way to eliminate the opponent? Such a thing doesn't exist. It's precisely because I know this that even though that guy has been inciting me ever since I created the Millennium Items, I have never placed the Millennium Items on the tablet that seals it, as he wished."
"Even before, when I stood on its side as the Great Dark Priest, I was always resisting its control and did not remove the Millennium Eye." He paused, then looked at Dark Yugi again with a mocking expression. "The result is that because you few idiots walked right into his trap, that guy has now collected six Millennium Items on hand."
"Oh right, Seto also stole the Millennium Necklace, didn't he? Heh, Zorc has already collected seven Millennium Items. Well, it's over. It has already reached its end. You cannot win."
If he wasn't still tied up, Aknadin would have wanted to throw his hands up and just give up.
"You guy, do you only say discouraging words? Pharaoh, I suggest dragging this old thing out and beheading him immediately." Malik took the opportunity to instigate Dark Yugi.
Dark Yugi shook his head and did not listen to Malik's words. Instead, he looked at Aknadin, who had an indifferent expression, and said, "Whether we cannot win or not, I don't know. I only know that you absolutely must not give up until the very last moment."
Yugi also said from the side, "Although you want to show an indifferent appearance, Aknadin, you don't want Seto's future as Pharaoh to be destroyed, do you? I guess you definitely know some way that can bring us power."
Aknadin frowned, glanced at Yugi, and pursed his lips. "Tsk, what's with you, Kid? I always feel like you understand the human heart a bit too much. Just one look shows you're good material for engaging in schemes and persecuting people."
"Alright, I do indeed know a way that might be effective against the opponent, if you can accept it." He paused, then lowered his head to look down. "But before I take you somewhere, can't you untie me first?"
(End of Chapter)
## Chapter 813: Sons and Grandsons Will Multiply Endlessly
In the end, Dark Yugi and the others untied Aknadin. On one hand, it was indeed as he said; if he was to lead the way, being tied up would be inconvenient. On the other hand, while seeing a muscular old man tied up in a Kikkō-bind might seem a bit comical at first glance, looking at it for too long was simply too much to bear.
However, they didn't completely release Aknadin. Besides Mana using Aknadin as a teaching aid under **Dark Magician**'s guidance and applying a magic-sealing talisman to him, restraints on his movement were also essential. After all, no one would feel comfortable letting Aknadin, who had a history of hostility, move around freely.
"Having something is better than nothing. At least now I can scratch myself," Aknadin said, taking it in stride, still looking indifferent despite his hands being cuffed. "But speaking of which, how long has it been since Seto took the **Millennium Necklace** and left?"
"About an hour, maybe?" Although he didn't know why Aknadin was asking, Tristan looked up at the position of the sun in the sky, estimated the time, and replied. This was a little trick for judging time in the Wilderness that he had learned in Hawaii.
"In that case, there's probably about another hour left," Aknadin said, nodding. "There might be some deviation, but because I was linked to the **Millennium Stone Tablet** before, my time estimation shouldn't be too far off. **Great Evil God Zorc** should have about an hour left before obtaining the **Millennium Necklace** and breaking the seal to revive."
"A few minutes before **Great Evil God Zorc** revives, its dark power should overflow from the **Millennium Stone Tablet** and dye the sky pitch-black. So we need to obtain that thing I left behind before the sky turns black."
"If we can find a way during this time before **Great Evil God Zorc** revives, there's still a chance of solving the problem. However, if we exceed this time and let it revive, then hope becomes slim. So without delay, let's set off quickly."
Hearing this, Malik sneered at Aknadin and said, "You've been talking for ages, and you still haven't told us what the thing we're looking for is, or what use it has, have you?"
With the help of several attendants, Aknadin sat on the Camel Malik was riding. However, even with his hands cuffed, Aknadin's performance on the Camel was better than Malik's.
"Don't be impatient, Malik Ishtar. I'll tell you on the way. For now, let's hurry," Aknadin said with a grin, looking at Malik sitting in front of him.
Since Aknadin said so, Dark Yugi also nodded to the others. Several people rode horses and left the Troops.
The place they were going to next didn't require an Army, and Isis and Hayato were in a state where they couldn't move easily, so they weren't suitable for going on an adventure following Aknadin's guidance.
After discussion, everyone finally decided that Yugi, Joey Wheeler , Téa , and Tristan , along with Dark Yugi, Mana, Malik, and Aknadin, a total of eight people, would act together and go to the location Aknadin mentioned. Isis would lead the Troops to escort her and Hayato back to the Royal City, and Kaiba would also accompany them.
Kaiba had no interest in anything mystical or ghostly, nor did he believe that Aknadin, who spoke constantly of "magic" and "alchemy," could truly lead Yugi and the others to find the power to defeat **Great Evil God Zorc**. More than that, Kaiba, who had accidentally been taken away from the Royal City by Hayato earlier, was more concerned about the woman he had glimpsed before.
After the two groups split up and moved some distance apart, Aknadin withdrew his line of sight from the direction behind them, which was already blocked by the Desert. He turned his head and looked at Tristan , who was more skilled at riding a Camel than the embarrassing Egyptian, Malik. "What was that child's name again?"
"Huh? You mean Kaiba?" Tristan was startled, not knowing why Aknadin suddenly asked about Kaiba. Seeing Aknadin nod, Tristan , who felt there was nothing that couldn't be said, replied, "His full name is Kaiba Seto. He's sort of our companion, I guess. Although he always acts like he doesn't fit in, basically everyone knows he's just a Tsundere and usually expresses his emotions in the opposite way."
"Oh right, his disdain for Joey Wheeler isn't fake. He really doesn't get along with Joey Wheeler . Almost every time they meet, he'll say something like, 'You're a second-rate Duelist with a third-rate Deck,' 'normal monster,' 'Commoner,' 'novice,' and so on."
"There's no need for the final imitation part, Tristan !"
Joey Wheeler said angrily, "Calling me a novice and stuff, how amazing is Kaiba anyway? At least my academic qualification in the Future will be better than his. That guy has been skipping class for a long time."
Yugi scratched his head and said somewhat awkwardly, "Um, Joey Wheeler , you might not know this, but Kaiba actually stopped coming to school a long time ago because he graduated early. He even received an acceptance letter from Todai, but he refused because he had to take over KaibaCorp."
"Yeah, he's not some stubborn idiot who still has to worry about exam grades," Téa hinted at Joey Wheeler .
Hearing their words, the corner of the mouth of Aknadin slightly curved up. "Kaiba Seto, Seto... Although I don't quite understand graduation, that child must be quite intelligent, right?"
"On that point, yes. I remember Hayato saying that even though he talks about science all the time, Kaiba's brains are capable of achieving magic through human power. It wouldn't be surprising if he built a time machine or an item for crossing between the human world and the spirit world one day."
Aknadin nodded again and asked, "However, is that child's surname Kaiba? Why would it be that surname? Shouldn't he be an Egyptian?"
"Egyptian? I don't know. Kaiba was adopted, you see, along with his Younger Brother Keipei, by a man named Gozaburo Kaiba. That's why his surname is Kaiba. But it's said that Seto was his original name, not one he took later."
Seeing Aknadin nodding to himself, Tristan felt a bit strange. "Why are you suddenly so interested in Kaiba? You couldn't possibly have known him before."
"Heh heh, of course I didn't know him. But just hearing of his existence, I feel that our action this time has a high probability of success. We will definitely be able to correct Seto's distorted thought," Aknadin chuckled, not continuing further.
In his opinion, the answer was already obvious. Leaving aside the coincidence of the names having the exact same pronunciation, just looking at the appearance and completely identical personality of Seto and Kaiba Seto, no matter how you look at it, as a person from the Future who is with these starfish-headed kids, Kaiba Seto is definitely a descendant left behind by Seto.
Since Seto's descendant was left behind in the Future, it means his wish was fulfilled. Although he didn't know what kind of difficulties the process would involve, in the end, he would definitely be able to correct Seto's current distorted thinking and make him leave behind descendants.
As for why Seto's descendant's name doesn't sound Egyptian at all? Didn't these kids say it? That Kaiba Seto was adopted. Maybe during his childhood, because of war, he was separated from his parents, and maybe Kaiba Seto was originally an Egyptian.
Just like this starfish-headed kid, his appearance is fundamentally carved from the same mold as Aknamkanon's son, whose hairstyle mutated. Don't look at how intimately they call each other "Aibo" and "The Other Me"; maybe they are also in an ancestor and descendant relationship.
But speaking of which, when that old man Simon was young and his hair wasn't white, it seemed quite colorful, didn't it? Could it be that Aknamkanon, that crybaby, was... No, it should just be a coincidence.
Grumbling internally about his deceased Brother, Aknadin opened his mouth to change the subject. "Back then, when I deciphered the mystery on the **Millennium Spellbook**, because I knew that the creation of the **Millennium Items** required communicating with the will of a Different Dimension, for safety measure, I actually left behind more than one contingency plan."
"To prevent others from deciphering the manufacturing method of the **Millennium Items** after me and communicating with **Great Evil God Zorc** again, I disassembled the **Millennium Spellbook** into several parts. Each part simply recorded some deciphered information, and I handed them over separately to trustworthy manpower in various places for preservation. The part about the truth of the **Millennium Items**, I gave to the Ishtar Family."
"Huh? That book actually recorded such explosive content!?" Malik was startled and turned his head. "Why didn't I think of flipping through it before? Damn it, I missed out on a great time."
"Unfortunately, the things I recorded on it were also encrypted. Without even basic knowledge of alchemy initiation, it's fundamentally impossible to understand what was written on it," Aknadin looked at Malik with disdain and said contemptuously, "To put it bluntly, that thing requires brains. You wouldn't understand it even if you read it, otherwise why would I feel comfortable handing it over to others?"
"Damn it!"
Speaking beautiful Egyptian, Malik wished he could turn and give Aknadin a punch. How dare he look down on him, Malik, like that.
Unfortunately, just sitting steadily on the Camel was his limit. To think that he, Malik, was the Clan Head of the Ishtar Family! No! When he goes back, he must properly study that book! Even if he can't understand it himself, after he dies there are sons, and after his sons die there are grandsons, sons and grandsons will multiply endlessly!
Thinking of this, Malik the Foolish Ishtar chuckled foolishly, like a three-year-old.
"Oh, no wonder I, Mana, have been to almost every place in the Royal Palace over the years, not even sparing under the Prince's bed or the rooftop, and never saw that Spellbook. So it was hidden away," Mana said casually, seemingly revealing something incredible unintentionally. Téa , behind her, cast a death line of sight at Mana sitting in front.
Meanwhile, Yugi remembered the incomplete Spellbook they had seen in the Real World shortly after arriving in Egypt, led by the former Clan Head Geb among the Tomb Keepers. It contained part of the truth about the creation of the **Millennium Items**, but it wasn't complete.
Aknadin didn't pay attention and continued, "Secondly, when communicating with the Different Dimension and bringing **Great Evil God Zorc** to This World, normally, to prevent **Great Evil God Zorc**, which provides power output for the **Millennium Items**, from leaving, the Passage it came through would be completely blocked."
"However, because I felt that the World **Great Evil God Zorc** was in seemed to be a Higher-Dimensional World, I deliberately didn't close the Passage completely, only narrowed it to a degree where Zorc couldn't return but humans could pass through. If This World were to be ruined by humans someday, I thought I could use that Passage to ascend to a Higher Dimension to escape. Similarly, this method was recorded on a portion of the **Millennium Spellbook** and entrusted to the Sin Clan for safekeeping."
"The other branch of the Tomb Keepers, the Sin Clan, where Priest Shada is?" Dark Yugi recalled and said. And if he remembered correctly, Shadi, who had appeared before them more than once in the modern era, seemed to have introduced himself with the full name Shadi Sin. Just like Ishizu and Malik, Shadi should be the successor of the Sin Clan.
However, Dark Yugi didn't find either of the two methods Aknadin had mentioned very reliable. Firstly, he couldn't create the **Millennium Items** again just to defeat Bakura's true form - **Great Evil God Zorc Necrophades**. Leaving aside whether the strategy of using one enemy to defeat another was good or bad, the mere act of creating a massacre made this plan outside Dark Yugi's consideration.
And the option of dimension ascension to a Higher Dimension, which was giving up, was also discarded. Although this ultimate dark game seemed more like an RTS (Real-time Strategy) game like StarCraft, released a few years ago, rather than a tabletop RPG, Dark Yugi had also played that game. However, unlike Hayato, he didn't particularly like the base trade tactic used by a player named F91.
In Dark Yugi's view, the option of ascending to a Higher Dimension was base trade. Giving up because he couldn't defeat Zorc wasn't his style. What True Duelist would change their offensive strategy and sneak attack from behind just because they saw the situation was bad? Oh, except for Hayato.
Although Aknadin no longer had the **Millennium Eye** that could see through the thoughts in people's human heart, the thoughts revealed on Dark Yugi's face were quite easy to understand. He also knew a bit about reading the room, and continued, "I know, Pharaoh, that you're not interested in these two plans, which is why I chose to bring you here."
Following Aknadin's guidance, everyone arrived near an unremarkable area of Hills. Aknadin, sitting on the Camel, continued, "After my thought was immersed in dark power, I felt my brain instantly broaden significantly. Things I once valued greatly now seem insignificant to me as long as they can help me achieve my goal, even if I discard them."
"Among these, was my former Disciple."
To better pass down their respective **Millennium Items**, each Priest essentially had their own Disciple to inherit their mantle. Just like Simon, who had already passed down the **Millennium Key** to Shada, Mahad also once had the plan of passing his position to Mana, and Aknadin was naturally no exception.
Looking into the distance, Aknadin said, "He is now buried ahead, along with the third method I left behind. While alive, his name no longer held meaning, but I gave him a name after death..."
Paused, the name Aknadin spoke made the people from the modern era subconsciously widen their eyes, remembering the Pyramid of Light Incident that almost killed Hayato.
"...Anubis."
# Chapter 814: Anubis is Discontinued!
"I am a cautious person. Although I have great confidence in Seto, I have also considered what kind of remedial measures and backup plans should be left behind in case the plan to assist Seto in becoming Pharaoh fails," Aknadin said to himself, not noticing the strange expressions on Yugi and the others' faces. "For this purpose, I, who am proficient in alchemy and the Creator of the Millennium Items, prepared the eighth Millennium Item."
Just like how the Four Heavenly Kings have five members, and the Pharaoh's Six High Priests have seven, no one was surprised when Aknadin mentioned there was an eighth Millennium Item among the seven great Millennium Items.
"Compared to the other seven Millennium Items, which are directly powered by Great Evil God Zorc Necrophades and possess numerous strange abilities, the ability of this eighth Millennium Item is relatively unremarkable. However, it possesses power that absolutely surpasses the other Millennium Items and can forcefully negate their respective powers."
Malik frowned upon hearing this. "That ability sounds somewhat like the Millennium Ring. Is it developed from the principle of the Millennium Ring?"
Aknadin nodded and continued, "The Millennium Eye and Millennium Key will be unable to reach the user's inner thoughts. The Millennium Necklace and Millennium Ring will also be unable to observe the user's existence. The Millennium Scale and Millennium Rod likewise cannot measure or dominate the user. Furthermore, I specifically made it in a shape opposite to the Millennium Puzzle."
"However, unlike the Millennium Items obtained in exchange for the souls of an entire Thief Village, I did not choose resentful souls as the material when creating this Millennium Item. Therefore, it did not form a materialized gold material but a crystal clear transparent substance. I call it the 'Pyramid of Light'."
Mana pouted. "Even if you give it a name that sounds righteous, isn't it still a dark item made from human lives? You're fundamentally just deceiving yourself."
"What do you know? The 'Pyramid of Light' is not a Millennium Item. It is something I created to ensure that in case Seto is defeated, someone can inherit my will and assist him after his reincarnation," Aknadin said contemptuously, glancing sideways at Mana.
As the person present, or perhaps in this entire era, with the deepest understanding of alchemy, he truly had the qualification to be arrogant.
"Only sufficient purity can reach the expected strength and fully unleash the power that suppresses the other Millennium Items, while also ensuring that the wearer is not affected by its use. For this purpose, it can be said that I used all of my treasured possessions. In addition to rare special materials, I specifically sealed my disciple's soul inside the 'Pyramid of Light' as well."
Mana, who indeed didn't know much about alchemy, puffed out her cheeks but truly couldn't refute him on this point. She simply changed her approach. "You said you want your disciple to inherit your will and assist the reincarnated Seto. You killed him, and you still expect him to willingly work for you?"
"Heh, of course he wouldn't be willing, but I won't ask for his consent," Aknadin gave a cold laugh. "The seals within the 'Pyramid of Light' are numerous. They force him to help the reincarnated Seto defeat the Pharaoh's reincarnation, and until then, he can only provide help to Seto and cannot interfere with Seto in the slightest."
Turning his head to look at Yugi and the others on the other side, Aknadin continued speaking, "Although I don't know how far in the future you are from, when the reincarnated Seto obtains the 'Pyramid of Light', the world will inevitably usher in his rule."
Malik gave a cold laugh. "That's a good plan, but how are you so certain that Seto's reincarnation will be able to obtain the 'Pyramid of Light' you mentioned?"
Aknadin sighed upon hearing this and said calmly, "Do you believe in attraction? Do you believe that attraction exists between people?"
"People will meet each other under the effect of attraction. Even after reincarnation, Seto and the Pharaoh will likely still meet and become each other's opponents. And the 'Pyramid of Light' that I created will inevitably, under the effect of attraction, come to their side as they struggle. In other words, this is destiny."
After listening to Aknadin talk to himself until now, Joey Wheeler finally couldn't help but say, "You make it sound so good, but you fundamentally have no idea how much trouble that 'Pyramid of Light' you created caused us."
Yugi also sighed, looking at Aknadin and said, "Aknadin, I want to confirm something first. Was your disciple, or rather, Anubis, when he was alive, a muscular strong man with golden hair?"
"His hair was also a bit like it was permed, and he had a rather large nose?"
Aknadin was stunned. "Could it be that you've already met Anubis in the future?"
"Heh heh, in that case, you should have also experienced the power of the 'Pyramid of Light', right? Surely Seto's reincarnation must have already, with Anubis's assistance, defeated the Pharaoh's reincarnation and become the Pharaoh who rules the world, heh heh ha ha ha ha."
"Perhaps you could say it was with Anubis's assistance," Joey Wheeler recalled the situation back then. Kaiba indeed used the Pyramid of Light card to trick Yugi, temporarily gaining the upper hand in the duel. "But the problem is, after Kaiba gained the advantage, Anubis immediately jumped out and almost killed Kaiba."
They briefly explained the situation back then, which stunned Aknadin.
And Malik didn't miss such a good opportunity. He seized the opportunity to taunt, "'King of Light', 'King of Darkness'. It's true that the 'King of Light' gained the advantage, but he was sneak attacked by the soul inside the 'Pyramid of Light' and almost died. You didn't help at all, did you, Aknadin?"
"Tsk, shut up!" Aknadin frowned and said somewhat angrily, "That bastard Anubis, he actually dared to disobey me, his creator! I've decided, when I go to retrieve the 'Pyramid of Light' this trip, I'll erase his soul along the way! Let's see how he can betray me in the future!"
"Anubis, discontinued!"
"If there's no one to assist him, then so be it. Seto's reincarnation can also conquer the world by his own power!"
Téa heard Aknadin's words and felt they were somewhat familiar. She recalled the things that happened midway through Battle City back then, on Gozaburo Kaiba's Seafront Fortress before the airship arrived at Duelist Island. "Kaiba and Seto, their destinies are a bit too similar, aren't they? How come they both have a father who wants them to conquer the world?"
"Speaking of which, Gozaburo also said Kaiba would conquer the world. But no matter how you look at it, Kaiba only thinks about dueling, right?" Joey Wheeler ranted.
They smiled, but they never considered that if Duel Monsters gradually became popular worldwide, little by little occupying important positions in various industries, and even playing a crucial role in certain core areas, then KaibaCorp, as one of the important enterprises for the existence and continuation of Duel Monsters cards, and Kaiba controlling it, could also be considered conquering the world from another perspective?
---- Heaven's Creation Accelerating ----
Meanwhile, on the other side, Isis, Kaiba, and Hayato, who was still in a coma, were traveling together, advancing in the direction of the Royal City under the escort of the army.
However, the journey was long, coupled with the long journey they had already undertaken before, the speed of the troops' advance was not very fast. A day passed, and they still hadn't arrived at the Royal City. Seeing that the day was almost over and they still hadn't arrived at the Royal City, Isis, the highest commander of the team, ordered them to set up camp where they were, rest for a night and continue the journey.
However, not long after setting up camp, Isis learned from the soldiers assigned to patrol that they had discovered a suspected deserter coming from the direction of the Royal City.
"Deserter?" Kaiba, who was in front of the soldier but couldn't be seen by him, frowned slightly in confusion, looked at Isis and said, "Is your kingdom currently at war with other countries? How come I didn't see any related activity before?"
"It's normal that you didn't find any activity. We aren't at war with other countries. As early as over ten years ago, at the time of the Previous Pharaoh, the surrounding countries had already been pacified," Isis was also a bit strange. "But if there's no war, how could someone suddenly become a deserter?"
"We'll probably know once we go see that 'deserter'," Kaiba crossed his arms over his chest and snorted. "But it's probably nothing major. It couldn't possibly be that something major happened in the Royal City, right?"
Led by the soldier, Kaiba and Isis met the deserter who was temporarily held by the patrol team.
Seeing Isis's arrival, the soldier couldn't help but show a very nervous expression. Isis didn't feel anything unusual, after all, no matter the era, perhaps the treatment of the army might differ, but the plan for dealing with deserters generally only has one result: execution. If it wasn't strict enough, wouldn't everyone become a deserter?
Although Isis was still very popular among the people because of her personality, after all, she was also a Priest, a member of the ruling class, and had the authority to execute deserters. It was only natural for this deserter to be afraid of death.
However, what surprised Kaiba was that the "deserter" was actually different from ordinary people and could see his existence.
And Kaiba also noticed that although this soldier seemed to be afraid of Isis executing him, when he saw Isis walking ahead, he merely appeared slightly more nervous than before. His current fearful appearance seems like it only appeared after seeing him?
Without waiting for Isis to ask, the "deserter" already spoke up on his own initiative. Held by the patrol team, he couldn't kowtow and beg for mercy, could only hang his head low, and pleaded in a sorrowful voice, "P-please spare me, Priestess Isis, Lord Seto, I beg you, I don't want to die, I don't want to be killed alive by monsters."
Isis frowned, finding the soldier's account a bit strange. The fact that a deserter would beg for mercy wasn't surprising, but what he said about "being killed alive by monsters" seemed strange. Compared to that, the fact that he could see Kaiba Seto and mistook him for Priest Seto, who had already committed betrayal, was relatively much less significant.
Although relying on the Duel Arena and the stone tablets for sealing monsters, using monsters to battle is indeed a characteristic of the Priests, but as far as Isis knew, none of the Six High Priests should have ever used monsters to punish criminals. Even death row inmates were mostly just judged according to normal law and then sentenced.
"No, calm down first, soldier," Isis decided that no matter how she would deal with this "deserter" in the end, for now, she still needed to comfort him first and get him to calm down, so he would tell her what she wanted to know. "Nobody said they would execute you right now. You won't die for now."
The soldier whose whole body was trembling from fear, begging for mercy with his head lowered, his body stiffened. He slowly raised his head, the fearful expression on his face didn't fade, and he looked at Isis, who was comforting him, and said, "R-really, Priest Isis, I won't die for now?"
"Yes, so calm down first."
Although the deserter was indeed speaking to Isis, Kaiba saw that his gaze was always staring straight at him. Even though Isis promised again that she wouldn't kill him right now, this "deserter" was still looking towards his side.
Frowning, equally filled with curiosity about what exactly happened, Kaiba said with dissatisfaction, "Hmph, since I said I wouldn't kill you now, of course I won't go back on my word. But if you don't cooperate, that might change."
"Y-yes, Lord Seto!" The deserter quickly nodded his head, took several deep breaths to quickly calm himself down. The patrol team controlling him also released their grip and let him go at Isis's signal.
"Looking at your clothes, you should have originally been a soldier in the City Defense Force stationed in the Royal City, right?" Isis spoke, glanced at the stripes on the "deserter's" clothes marking him. "Why did you become a deserter? And what happened in the Royal City?"
Isis was naturally good at observing and analyzing and could pretty much tell that the soldier before her was more afraid of Kaiba behind her than of herself, or rather, it was because he mistook Kaiba for Seto and was filled with fear. But hadn't they not returned to the Royal City yet to inform others of the news of Seto's betrayal?
Hearing Isis's question, the deserter took a deep breath, answered, "I'm not a deserter, Priestess Isis, I am, I am..."
He said "I am" two or three times, the "deserter" himself couldn't say what he was, and said somewhat despairingly, "I am a deserter who escaped because I disobeyed command."
He glanced at Kaiba again. This soldier, gambling on a chance, stood up, reached out and pointed at Seto, and said to Isis, "Priest Isis, Priest Seto has launched a rebellion in the Royal City, intending to usurp the Pharaoh's position!"
"He not only imprisoned Priest Shimon and Priest Shada, but also sent us soldiers who were supposed to protect the people to capture commoners to be used for experiments cultivating monsters! Please kill him immediately!"
**Chapter 815: I Am Doing Something Insatiable**
Just as Isis and Kaiba were astonished by the Deserter who came from the Royal City suddenly accusing Seto of a crime, at the same time, within the Royal City.
"No, don't come near me!"
Amidst the wails of a Prisoner wearing shackles on his hands and feet, a beast-like monster in front of him stepped over the corpse of another monster on the ground and approached him. The monster on the ground seemed like it was summoned by him before.
Across from the Prisoner, there was another man dressed as a Soldier. After hearing the Prisoner's wails, a hesitant expression involuntarily appeared on his face, and the beast monster's movement also slowed down slightly.
As a Soldier, he was quite clear that the man standing across from him was not a "Prisoner" at all, but merely an ordinary person who had been captured under a fabricated crime. If you were to ask why he knew this, the reason was that he himself had put the opponent in the prison cell at that time.
Protecting the people should have been his duty as a Soldier, so why had things become like this? The Soldier's gaze involuntarily looked towards the figure sitting on the Throne nearby.
Priest Seto...
Seto on the Throne also noticed the Soldier's line of sight. Because the opponent's movement was too slow, Seto felt a bit impatient and furrowed his brow. Behind the Soldier, another Soldier noticed that Seto seemed dissatisfied with the Soldier controlling the monster, and quickly nudged the Soldier in front subtly.
"What are you Kid still dawdling for? Take action quickly!"
"But, he is..."
"Then do you want to be captured yourself?!"
Seeing the opponent was still hesitant, the Soldier reminded him, "Think about your family first!"
Hearing this sentence, the Soldier controlling the monster froze, clenched his teeth, looked at the Prisoner who had fallen to the ground in fear, and swung his hand.
"Crack"
A crisp yet chilling sound of bone breaking rang out. The Prisoner was killed by the monster without any resistance, and Seto consequently shifted his line of sight. After that, the Soldier commanding the monster dejectedly put down his arm, as if his essence, qi, spirit had been completely drained.
Seeing Seto on the Throne shift his line of sight and look elsewhere, the person who had reminded the Soldier controlling the monster couldn't help but let out a breath: "Phew, I saved your life again. Remember to treat me to a meal."
"Captain, what we are doing is wrong." Turning his head to look at the Captain who had reminded him before, the Soldier's eyes were lifeless. "Our duty is to protect the country and the people, we shouldn't..."
"Are you mistaken about something, Kid?" The Captain looked at the Soldier who was clearly in a state of confusion and sighed. "Our duty has always been just to follow the Important Figure's order and do anything. Are you feeling guilt for taking action against insignificant people?"
"I shouldn't need to say more about the consequences of disobeying Lord Seto."
As the Captain spoke, he pursed his lips to the side.
Along with the Captain's gaze, the Soldier saw dozens of "living people" who had been hung up and exposed to the sun. They were called "living people," but actually, they were no different from corpses. The wounds all over their bodies, inflicted by swords, had stopped bleeding after a day of sun exposure, but the life force taken was real. At the same time, the dry bloodstains had attracted countless mosquitoes and insects.
Just this morning, Priest Seto, who had left the Royal City with the Pharaoh before, returned to the Royal City alone. As soon as he returned, without waiting for Priest Simon, who was concerned about the Pharaoh's safety, to ask him about the Pharaoh's situation, he suddenly launched a preemptive sneak attack on Priest Simon and imprisoned him.
And Priest Shada, who had also remained in the Royal City, was similarly caught off guard by Priest Seto's sneak attack, being subdued immediately and imprisoned together with Priest Simon.
Facing the restless Soldiers in the Royal Palace, Priest Seto declared that he, like the Current Pharaoh, possessed the same royal blood and the same qualification to become Pharaoh. Because the Current Pharaoh's performance was too disappointing and his power was too weak, he decided that from today onwards, he would be the Pharaoh.
To be honest, it didn't really matter to the Soldiers whether Seto could provide a reason or not. Although the education they received from a young age was filled with loyalty to the Pharaoh, faith couldn't feed them. As long as Seto could provide the same treatment as before, being a Soldier was still being a Soldier, no matter who they served?
Although there were still some Soldiers who couldn't accept that Seto, a guy with a Commoner background, would suddenly usurp the Throne with fabricated reasons, and under the instigation of some Noble Factions within the Royal City, attempted to kill Seto for his disrespect towards the Pharaoh, when they stood across from Seto, they remembered something.
Monsters like Demon Gods descended at Seto's order, taking only a few minutes to quell the rebellion that the Nobles had plotted for several dozen minutes. Moreover, unlike the previous two Pharaohs the Nobles had experienced, Seto carried out his actions with the decisive and ruthless style he had as the Army Commander. No one survived that rebellion.
Under such a method of making an example, Seto took only a few hours to become Pharaoh. At least this Royal City was completely under his control.
However, after the New Pharaoh took office, Seto's first order was for the Soldiers to capture the people within the City to replenish the quantity of Prisoners in the prison cell, and there wasn't even a reason given. He simply randomly marked out a few zones and had the Soldiers indiscriminately capture people on a large scale.
While having people replenish the quantity of Prisoners, Seto also used a magical means/method to have the Soldiers he had arranged awaken the monsters within their hearts one by one, and had the Soldiers slaughter with the 'Prisoners' who had also awakened monsters.
Seto's actions could be described as gradually pushing his boundaries. After he had the Soldiers massacre the Prisoners who were originally innocent Commoners, he met with a second wave of backlash.
However, because of the precedent set by the Noble rebellion before, this time they chose assassination as their means/method. They would take action to kill him when he was careless, and end this nightmare-like rule.
The first half of the assassination plan was a success. With the help of several Court Magicians, the Assassin carrying out the assassination plan immediately destroyed the Duel Disk in Seto's hand, which had the ability to summon stone tablet monsters. This prevented Seto from summoning his great power monsters immediately.
Then, several Assassins swarmed forward.
Then, [White Dragon] appeared beside Seto and killed all the Assassins. And seemingly feeling that his means/method of murder before, although great power, was not cruel enough, Seto hung up everyone who had provided help to the Assassins, to make an example of them.
Which were the 'corpses' the Soldier saw at this moment.
"Second group's training is complete, switch."
An Officer called out. Hearing this, the Captain quickly pushed the Soldier to have him return to the team. Their group's quests were temporarily complete, and it was time for the next group to go up. As the Captain of the small team, he naturally had to quickly arrange for the Soldiers' rotation, so as not to influence the quests issued by Seto.
However, 'training'? The Captain glanced at Seto on the Throne, a trace of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, but he didn't know how much bitterness and contempt was in this smile.
During his time as the Army Commander, Lord Seto was strict, but he always gave clear rewards and punishments. Because of his Commoner background, he never had the flaws of those Noble lords. Although his reputation among the people was not considered good due to his own temperament, he was quite popular within the Army.
What exactly made you become like this, Lord Seto...
And Seto naturally wouldn't know what one of the many Soldiers before him was thinking in his heart. However, even if he did know, the current Seto wouldn't take it to heart.
"Aknadin's approach is to make power flow towards the direction of the strong player and the winner through the slaughter between people, gathering countless power into one person, attempting to arrive at the domain of God." Sitting on the Throne, Seto looked at the slaughter in front of him with an expressionless face. "And my naive idea before was to let people awaken the power of spirits as much as possible, to increase the overall power skill level."
"However, both of these ideas were too immature. With the former, once the power obtained in the end experiences a slight incident, it means all the effort before was wasted, unable to withstand accidents; while with the latter, because each person's talent is different, the strength of the spirits that can be awakened varies, making it difficult to form a stable military force."
"However, as long as these two powers are combined, you can obtain more than one great power. Everyone can increase the power of spirits through 'training', and eventually everyone can have great power like a giant dragon, everyone like a dragon!"
"This is what I want, the power that can protect this country!"
"Hehehe, hehe, hahaha!"
Beside the Throne, looking at Seto who was letting out a standard three-stage laugh like an antagonist, Kisara, who was seated beside him due to the opponent's arrangement, felt a moment of unfamiliarity towards Seto.
"Seto, but if you do that, you will sacrifice many people who shouldn't die..."
In Kisara's impression, Seto was someone who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, a bit tsundere and unapproachable, but actually quite friendly, and wanted to become an Ally of Justice. That's the talent he was supposed to be. But now, what did she see? She saw that Seto was actually commanding Soldiers to kill the very people they were supposed to protect.
Having only not seen him for a single day, what exactly happened on his body? Was he still the Seto she knew?
After hearing Kisara's words, Seto turned his head and looked at the conflicted expression on Kisara's face, as if he saw the distress in the opponent's heart. Subsequently, breaking all precedent, Seto made a movement that the before him would have absolutely never made.
He suddenly grabbed Kisara's soft hand, lifted up the opponent's hand and placed it against his own face, feeling Kisara's delicate, fair, and smooth skin. Seto smiled gently: "You are truly beautiful, Kisara."
"Se-Seto!?"
Suddenly having her hand grabbed by Seto, and hearing Seto say such direct words, a flush of crimson climbed up Kisara's fair face. For a moment, she was at a loss, and even what she had just now thought in her heart was instantly forgotten.
Seto, what is he doing suddenly saying this to me?!
"Your hand, your joints and skin are very soft, and your fingers are fair and very cute. Rubbing them on my face makes me feel quite calm in my mood." Seto looked at the blushing Kisara and continued, "Kisara, I am very clear about the irreversible matters I am doing in order to obtain power."
"But I am also very clear about the consequences that will come if there is no power. This is the 'necessary evil' that must exist to protect this country. As long as this country can be protected, let me bear this sin. My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, and everything I do is justice!"
Seto, with a face full of justice, said this, and then looked at Kisara even more affectionately, continuing: "This is even more so to protect you."
"Seto!"
Kisara felt like she was about to be overwhelmed. To actually say he wants to protect me, what Seto said is too, too... But, he said he wants to protect me, wow, that feels so touching.
Looking at Kisara, who had been more or less won over, Seto smiled again and continued: "However, I am a bit insatiable. Can you lend me your power again, Kisara?"
Kisara, who completely could not cope with Seto, could barely think much. She nodded, stood up, and walked two steps forward. Under the watching gaze of the Soldiers below the platform, Kisara spread her arms, emitting a holy white color radiance all over her body, transforming into the **Blue-Eyes White Dragon** filled with sacred aura.
And Seto looked at the white spirit dragon before him, revealing a dazed smile, bathed in the sacred power transmitted over from the White Dragon.
Although the usurpation initiated by Seto looked like it was somewhat impromptu, his logic when implementing it was quite clear. The first step after returning to the Royal City was to control Priest Simon and Priest Shada, who had not yet regarded him as an enemy, by leveraging the discrepancy in their understanding of each other.
Priests who could summon stone tablet monsters were top-tier battle power with huge influence. Although Seto was confident that even if the two of them teamed up, they would not be his opponent, having obtained power from the Demon God, it was best to have less trouble.
And without the Priests, merely being able to summon stone tablet monsters gave him absolute force within the Royal City. However, this was still not enough. He needed great power that he could exert even if he didn't have a Duel Arena, which was Kisara, whom he had targeted long ago.
However, Seto did not select to kill Kisara to take the power of Blue-Eyes White Dragon within her body. Instead, he selected to keep the opponent by his side, using words to make the opponent willingly hand over her power for him to use.
Because Kisara was far from crowds and inexperienced in the world, she was not too difficult for the current Seto to handle. Before, too, Kisara had stored a portion of the power of Blue-Eyes White Dragon within Seto's body, which successfully served its use during that time's assassination. And it was the same now.
The **Blue-Eyes White Dragon** changed back into Kisara's appearance, falling back in front of Seto with a weak expression and being supported by him. And feeling the power that was filled up again within his body, Seto's corner of the mouth kept rising.
Stone tablet monsters, Demon God, and the power of **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**! I, Seto, am already invincible in the world! Who can kill me?!