"I set a card on the field and end my turn."
Kagemaru announced the end of the turn, and a series of bubbles gurgled up in the Life Support Pod.
"Then it's my turn, draw a card."
Youyu drew a card, and at the same time, a card popped out of the graveyard.
"During the standby phase, if there are no Magic or Trap Cards on my field, 'Treeborn Frog' in the graveyard can be Special Summoned!"
A small frog landed on Youyu's field, with a halo like an angel above its head and a pair of white wings on its back.
[Treeborn Frog, Attack 100]
"Magic Card 'Graceful Charity,' draw three cards from the deck, then discard two cards from the hand.
Next, I use the 'Treeborn Frog' on the field as a tribute for a Tribute Summon! Summoning the Thunder King who judges all with lightning——
——Zaborg the Thunder Monarch, Summon!!!"
The frog vanished as if struck by lightning, and in its place stood the emperor in gleaming white armor. As his war boots hit the ground, sparks of electricity scattered, scorching the floor black. The towering emperor's palms surged with electric light, his giant form inspiring awe.
[Zaborg the Thunder Monarch, Attack 2400]
"When Zaborg the Thunder Monarch is successfully summoned, he can destroy one monster on the field. Destroy 'The Blazing Mars'!"
The emperor swung his palms, and the surging lightning burst like a flood breaking its banks! The electric light struck the body of The Blazing Mars, crackling and jumping, scorching the golden dragon head to black, even sending the knight on its head flying.
"Instantly vanquished Mars, huh." Watching the colossal creature of the Planet Series vanish, President Kagemaru remarked soberly, "The power of the Thunder King is indeed fearsome."
"It's too early to be shocked." Youyu said, "Activate the effect of 'Ronintoadin' in the graveyard. When this card is in the graveyard, by banishing a 'Frog' from the graveyard, it can be Special Summoned."
He showed a card that had popped up from the graveyard.
"I banish 'Swap Frog' from the graveyard to Special Summon 'Ronintoadin'!"
[Ronintoadin, Defense 2000]
"From the hand, I activate the Magic Card 'Advance Carnival.' This card can only be activated in a turn a Tribute Summon has been performed; it allows for an additional Tribute Summon this turn." (Anime card)
Youyu revealed another card from his hand.
"I use 'Ronintoadin' as a tribute for a Tribute Summon! Unleashing the power of ice and snow to freeze all——
——Mobius the Frost Monarch!!!"
A storm of ice and snow rose fiercely, and icicles pierced the sky. The Frost Monarch descended amidst the ice, his black cloak billowing in the thick snow.
[Mobius the Frost Monarch, Attack 2400]
"The effect of Mobius the Frost Monarch, upon Tribute Summon, destroys up to two Magic Trap Cards on the opponent's field."
The emperor's heavy fist swung through the air, the swirling storm pushing forward with a curtain of white snow!
"A dual assault on monsters and set cards in the backfield, a strategy ensuring a swift sweep and instant kill." Kagemaru said, "The Monarch Series indeed possesses comprehensive and terrifying strength.
However..."
Kagemaru's backfield set card was blown up, shredded in the icy storm. But his field wasn't emptied; instead, an ancient bizarre golden statue appeared.
"Trap Card 'Statue of the Wicked,' when destroyed, Special Summons a 'Wicked Token'."
[Wicked Token, Defense 1000]
"So you even accounted for the possibility of the backfield being cleared." Youyu said.
This added another layer of defense on Kagemaru's field, requiring Youyu to break through this barrier before reaching him. Kagemaru's Life Points were at 3300, and the Monarchs' attack power was 2400 each, even if an attack got through, it wouldn't be enough for a direct finish.
"So, Duel King?" Kagemaru's muddled voice sounded like a provocation, "Can you break through the defenses and finish me off?"
"Looks like you really underestimate me."
Youyu smiled slightly and then played another card.
"When a Tribute Summon succeeds, this can be Special Summoned directly from the hand...Illusory Snatcher!"
It was a fog-like creature with an elusive form. It barely condensed into a humanoid shape, quickly scanning the 'Mobius the Frost Monarch' beside it, then rapidly transformed, the mist gradually materializing into snow-white armor and a flowing cloak, transforming into another identical 'Mobius the Frost Monarch'."
"Illusory Snatcher can be Special Summoned when a Tribute Summon succeeds, and it takes on the same level, attribute, and type as the Tributed monster!"
[Illusory Snatcher, Attack 2400]
This brought Youyu's side to three monsters that could attack!
"Battle! First, Illusory Snatcher, attack 'Wicked Token'!"
The Wicked Token, a mere defense of 1000, was no match for the Monarch's power. Illusory Snatcher's punch shattered the statue into pieces.
"Zaborg the Thunder Monarch, direct attack!"
Lightning erupted, and electricity struck the surface of the mechanical device. That mechanical arm danced wildly under the electric surge, sparks flew from the gap in the metal body, the liquid in the Life Support Pod roiled, and the air was filled with the smell of something burnt.
[Kagemaru, LP 3300 → LP 900]
"Mobius the Frost Monarch, direct attack!"
The Frost Monarch's charge, a freezing heavy punch tearing through the air. The ground iced over as it swept forward at visible speed, the heavy punch like a freezing cannon declaring the judgment of the end...
Bam!
However, accompanying the impact of the Frost Monarch's fist wasn't the end of the duel; there wasn't the electronic sound of Life Points reaching zero, but instead the brittle crack of ice crystals shattering on the Monarch's fist.
"Banish 'Necro Gardna' from the graveyard," Kagemaru said, "negate one attack."
Youyu squinted slightly.
"What a pity, Mr. Wang of Duels. Just a bit more and the duel would have been over."
"End turn."
Youyu observed the shadow hidden in the machine, feeling a sense of incompatibility but couldn't pinpoint exactly what part.
He had never met President Kagemaru before, nor could he say knew much about him. But he felt that this old man hidden in the mechanical decor and Life Support Pod was somehow off.
"Draw a card."
The mechanical hand drew a card from the deck on behalf of its master, and an invisible dark ripple erupted from the figure in the Life Support Pod.
Youyu could feel the air grow heavier.
"Magic Card 'Card of Sanctity,' returns all cards in hand and on the field to the deck, shuffle, then draw five cards."
The deck automatically shuffled, and the metallic friction of the mechanical device echoed in the space.
"Magic Card, 'Pot of Greed,' draw two more cards from the deck," Kagemaru said, "Following that is this card...'The Creator Incarnate,' Normal Summon!"
A warrior clad in copper-red armor appeared, with a wide red cloak and a long sword sheathed, like a commanding general.
"Use 'The Creator Incarnate' as a tribute to Special Summon from my hand——
——The Creator!!!"