Facing the terrifying 3750 Attack of [Gate Guardian], there was no hope of winning through ordinary combat!
"We'll just have to try it..."
Yuto's eyes sharpened—his decision came instantly.
He drew two cards from his Deck!
"I Summon—[MS-07B Gouf]!"
A deep-blue Mobile Suit equipped with a heat saber roared to life within the narrow corridor.
Yet that was only the setup. Without hesitation, Yuto raised the next card high.
"I Tribute [MS-07B Gouf] on my field! Special Summon—[ACE – Norris Packard]!"
The blue Gouf's body faded like a mirage, replaced by a lighter blue, sleeker, sharper B-3 Gouf Custom!
Its mono-eye gleamed with calm, focused intensity.
"Attack!"
Yuto gave the order without a trace of doubt, pointing straight at [Gate Guardian]!
"Hey! Yuto! Are you nuts?!"
Joey's soul nearly left his body. He grabbed Yuto's arm in panic.
"That monster you Summoned only has 1500 Attack! That's suicide!"
Regardless, [ACE – Norris Packard] faithfully followed its commander's order!
It didn't use its Gatling gun—instead, it raised its left arm, firing the custom-built heat rod mounted at its wrist like a bolt of lightning, striking and coiling tightly around [Gate Guardian]'s massive form!
BZZZZ—!
A strange surge of energy rippled through the air! The heat rod didn't inflict damage but triggered a powerful spatial distortion!
Before everyone's astonished eyes, [Gate Guardian]'s towering body—along with the B-3 Gouf bound to it—vanished as if erased by an invisible hand, banished from the field!
"Now! Go, hurry!"
Yuto tore free from Joey's grasp and shouted urgently.
"That effect isn't permanent! It could come back any second!"
He knew well that [Norris Packard]'s effect only lasted until the end of the turn—time was life!
No words were needed. The six of them bolted forward at full speed, sprinting for their lives down the only passage leading from the cavern's exit!
Yet they hadn't gone far before countless points of light appeared ahead in the corridor—accompanied by the clamor of voices and the clash of metal!
As they drew closer, they saw dozens of fully armed guards holding torches, blocking the passage completely!
The tips of their spears glinted coldly in the firelight.
"Crap! Blocked ahead…"
Joey's heart sank.
"Ah! Nanny!"
Abruptly, Princess Meyari cried out in surprise and joy, waving toward a middle-aged woman at the head of the guards—elegantly dressed, her expression tense with worry.
The woman—whom Meyari had called "Nanny"—visibly relaxed the moment she saw the princess safe and sound. Relief flooded her face.
"Princess Meyari! Thank the heavens you're unharmed! We were worried sick!"
She hurried forward, fussing over the princess anxiously.
However, when her gaze swept over the strange, dust-covered group standing behind Meyari, suspicion and caution replaced her joy.
"Princess, who are these people...?"
Meyari immediately stepped in front of Yuto and the others, speaking clearly and firmly.
"They are the brave travelers who saved me! They rescued me from that dreadful labyrinth!"
"What?!"
"These outsiders saved Her Highness?!"
The Nanny and the guards all looked utterly stunned, their eyes darting between the princess and Yuto's group, filled with disbelief and doubt.
Meyari turned back toward Yuto and his friends, gracefully lifted her skirt, and gave a deep, sincere curtsey. Her golden tiara shimmered in the torchlight.
"Honored benefactors, please allow me to repay your kindness. Come with me."
Escorted by the Nanny and her guards, the group finally emerged from the cold, damp cavern.
The blinding sunlight made them squint instinctively.
Outside the cave, two resplendent royal carriages awaited in silence.
Gilded carriages, silk curtains, and teams of pure white horses—all exuding regal luxury and status.
"Whoa..."
Joey gawked at the fairytale sight, elbowing Yuto with wide eyes and whispering incredulously.
"Hey, hey... this Meyari... she's really a princess, isn't she?"
"What do you think? Get ready for some 'royal hospitality,' everyone."
The lavish carriages wound up the mountain path and finally stopped before a grand castle gate.
Towering spires pierced the clouds, and the stone walls glowed gold in the sunset—its scale beyond anything possible in the real world.
"Tch, figures. This is a game world, after all..."
Yuto stepped down from the carriage, gazing up at the magnificent structure in awe.
"If someone tried building a castle like this on a real mountaintop, the foundation work alone would drive engineers insane."
A red carpet stretched beneath their feet, leading straight to an ornate arched doorway.
On both sides stood royal guards in gleaming armor, motionless as statues, long spears in hand.
Princess Meyari was waiting at the end of the carpet. She had changed into a more formal and elegant gown, her golden headpiece gleaming in the sunset, radiating royal grace.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Corando."
She smiled warmly, her voice clear and elegant.
"I am the princess here—Meyari. I thank you, brave travelers, for your aid. Please, follow me."
Led personally by the princess, the five were escorted through the majestic castle hall and into a splendid royal banquet hall.
Crystal chandeliers scattered dazzling light across the long table draped in white linen, large enough to seat dozens.
Princess Meyari took the main seat at the head of the table, motioning for Yuto and his friends to take the guest seats along the sides.
Then began a feast for the senses.
An endless parade of dishes was brought out by uniformed attendants—golden roasted fowl glistening with juices, delicate pastries adorned with jeweled fruits, fragrant soups that filled the air with mouthwatering aromas...
The table overflowed with delicacies.
Joey, never having seen such royal splendor, completely forgot their mission to rescue Kaiba. His eyes widened, letting out a muffled gasp of awe before diving headfirst into a "battle" with the feast—fork and knife flashing, eating to his heart's content.
Taking advantage of Joey's preoccupation, Yugi remained composed and addressed the princess directly, bowing slightly.
"Your Highness Princess Meyari, may I ask… have you heard of other travelers recently? We're searching for Mokuba's older brother, Seto Kaiba."
The princess's elegant smile slowly faded, replaced by a look of heaviness and sorrow.
Setting down her silverware, she looked over them with solemn eyes, her voice low and grave.
"Regarding other travelers... I'm afraid I bring unfortunate news."
She paused, carefully choosing her words.
"Our Kingdom of Corando and the neighboring Kingdom of Gausta to the west... share a cruel pact that has lasted a hundred years. Each year, both kingdoms must offer a sacrifice to the Five-Headed Dragon..."
"Sacrifice?"
Meyari nodded gravely.
"Yes. If we fail to offer the sacrifice on time and anger [Five-Headed Dragon]... it will unleash its breath of destruction and burn our lands to ash."
Her gaze turned to Mokuba, eyes full of pity.
"Recently, I've heard that this year, the Kingdom of Gausta offered as sacrifice... a traveler who somehow wandered into their realm."
"It's my brother…"
Before Meyari could finish, Mokuba shot to his feet with a loud scrape of his chair!
His face was pale, hands gripping the edge of the table so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"Where is he?! Where's my brother right now?!"
"I'm afraid he's…"
...
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