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# Chapter 411: Zigfried von Schroeder's Bizarre Adventure
After two or three Duels, Yugi finally managed to escape the confrontation between Téa and Rebecca. He had a valid reason, as his next Duel was up.
"Phew, I finally got away," Yugi patted his chest, letting out a big sigh of relief as he walked towards the preparation room, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted.
Compared to Joey Wheeler, who was slow-witted about feelings, Yugi was quite aware that both Téa and Rebecca had feelings for him. But honestly, they were both Yugi's friends, and Téa was his childhood friend, while Rebecca was a family friend. Yugi didn't want to hurt either of them.
Besides, Yugi truly didn't have any thoughts about dating yet. Being somewhat conservative and introverted, he could only choose to play dumb and pretend not to understand their feelings.
*'This is truly a trial like a love triangle conflict, aibo.'*
Inside the Millennium Puzzle, Dark Yugi teased.
"Seriously, stop making fun of me, Dark Yugi."
For Yugi, only Dark Yugi existed. Because they knew each other inside out, they could share anything with each other, express any feeling, and confide any thought.
Such a friend was hard to come by, and Yugi was sincerely grateful to the Millennium Puzzle for bringing him such a good friend.
Back then, after Solomon Mutou returned from archaeology in Egypt, he brought Yugi the fragments of the Millennium Puzzle as a gift and told Yugi that if someone could complete the Millennium Puzzle, they would gain the ability to fulfill a wish. Yugi spent eight years, with the thought of "wanting friends," assembling the shattered Millennium Puzzle into the Millennium Puzzle, and then came the meeting with Dark Yugi.
"It's really nice."
Recalling the past, ever since meeting Dark Yugi, he had successively met and befriended Joey Wheeler, Tristan, Hayato, and Otogi. Now, having gained more and more Bonds, the wish of "wanting friends" had long been realized. "This peaceful and happy life is really nice."
Yugi's exclamation was unintentional, but upon hearing it, the mood of Dark Yugi inside the Millennium Puzzle became somewhat complicated. He sighed and said, *'Yes, it's a truly peaceful life.'*
No matter how warm the daily life, no matter how peaceful the life, ever since learning from Ishizu Ishtar during Duel City that he was actually the Nameless Pharaoh from three thousand years ago, Dark Yugi had always understood one thing: that one day, he would have to search for his lost memories.
In other words, he and Yugi were destined to be separated.
The sensitive Yugi seemed to sense Dark Yugi's unusual mood: "What's wrong, Dark Yugi?"
*'No, nothing, aibo.'*
Dark Yugi pretended as if nothing was wrong and changed the subject: *'Your next opponent seems to be that 'Zigfried von Schroeder'?'*
Yugi, of course, also noticed that Dark Yugi was changing the subject, but he didn't mind. Since Dark Yugi didn't want to talk about that topic for now, they could talk about it later.
"Yeah, the Deck he uses is a Valkyrie Deck, but besides knowing it's a Valkyrie Deck, I know nothing else about it," Yugi recalled the information he got from Mai Valentine, a troubled expression appearing on his face. "Mai Valentine even Dueled Zigfried von Schroeder, but she couldn't even see clearly how she lost the Duel."
"It's said that after he only played two cards, Mai Valentine suddenly lost, and the situation was the same for the other Duelists who Dueled him."
Dark Yugi couldn't help but think as well: *'Even the Duelists who confronted him directly didn't know what happened before they lost? To qualify for the Top 64, Zigfried von Schroeder's opponents couldn't have been weak, and yet they still lost in an instant? It's incredible.'*
"Yeah, the Duel ended in an instant," Yugi said, raising his hands as if trying to grasp something and shouting "Za Warudo." Although he didn't know what it meant, according to Hayato, the phrase represented the power to stop time. "It's like time was stopped by 'Za Warudo.'"
Dark Yugi retorted: *'Aibo, your voice could be a bit more forceful. Hayato says that phrase with more imposingness.'*
*'But even an enemy who can stop time doesn't matter. Don't forget, our target is to become the Champion of the KC Cup.'*
"Speaking of that..." Yugi felt a bit awkward when Dark Yugi brought this up. "It's all because Grandfather insisted we participate."
Yugi himself wasn't very interested in the KC Cup, but Kaiba had set such a prize money for the Champion position, which successfully attracted Joey Wheeler, who came from a poor family background, and Yugi's Grandfather, Solomon Mutou, who was motivated by money. It was under Grandpa Solomon's instigation that Yugi reluctantly agreed to Kaiba's invitation to participate.
Dark Yugi couldn't help but smile and casually asked, *'So, aibo, do you need me to come out?'*
Yugi thought for a moment, recalling the humiliating scene of being caught between Téa and Rebecca, and quickly shook his head: "No, I'll be fine. Let me get some fresh air. If Dark Yugi were to go out, and this Duel ended too quickly, wouldn't I have to go back?"
"Besides, Zigfried von Schroeder's strategy is so strange, I think it's better for me, who is good at defense and counterattack, to handle it."
While saying this, Yugi started organizing his Deck, and Dark Yugi's figure appeared behind Yugi. Looking at Yugi sitting in his seat, adding cards like Torrential Tribute, Divine Wrath, and Magic Jammer one by one into his Deck, the corner of Dark Yugi's mouth curved up, revealing a gentle smile.
*'Unknowingly, you have grown, aibo. You are no longer the introverted self from before who couldn't stand in front.'*
*'So, for the first time in a while, instead of me fighting in your place, I will watch your fight.'*
————Sakurai speaks, Shimazaki laughs————
Before long, Yugi, who was ready, walked out of the player preparation room and stepped onto one side of the Duel platform, where the pink-haired man named "Zigfried von Schroeder" had been waiting for a long time.
"Hmph, you certainly kept me waiting, Yugi Mutou."
Yugi was sure that he had probably never faced Zigfried von Schroeder before, but looking at the opponent's arrogant expression, he seemed a bit annoyed with him. Was it because he was late? But now was the time the Duel was supposed to start, even if he got on stage early, he couldn't start the Duel early.
However, Yugi still said politely, "I'm truly sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Zigfried von Schroeder."
"Hmph, forget it. I have no interest in your apology which lacks any etiquette," Zigfried von Schroeder gave a cold, dismissive laugh, not even looking at Yugi, just raising his head and gently pushing the Deck Zone on his Duel Disk. The Deck, which was half-loaded beforehand, triggered the Duel Disk's transformation mechanism to unfold.
Although Yugi couldn't quite understand his actions, he could feel there was a special etiquette involved. If he had to say, it seemed to be the kind of etiquette European nobles performed before Duels with Duel Swords?
Yugi glanced at the referee nearby, and after receiving the signal, he also inserted his Deck into his Duel Disk. The two halves of the Duel Disk pieced together to form the Duel Zone and connected signals with Zigfried von Schroeder's Duel Disk on the opposite side. The Life Points areas simultaneously lit up with the number "4000."
"In this Duel match full of mediocre people, my first opponent in an official match is the former King of Games, hehe. Only this is barely worthy of my identity," Zigfried von Schroeder looked Yugi over with a scrutinizing gaze. "Although it feels a bit different from what I had seen before, it must be my imagination, and those are insignificant matters."
"Because the victor of this Duel will only be me. Even you, the Legendary Duelist Yugi Mutou, will be defeated before my Valkyrie Deck."
Yugi was not shaken by Zigfried von Schroeder's words and replied with a firm gaze: "I don't agree with what you said, because I believe the possibility of Duel Monsters is infinite. No one can assert victory or defeat before the Duel begins."
"And," Yugi paused, took a deep breath to muster his courage, imitating the tone of voice Dark Yugi used when speaking in his memory, "I don't think I'm weaker than you!"
"Hmph, then let's see who's better, Yugi Mutou," Zigfried von Schroeder sneered coldly, placing his finger on his Deck. Yugi's movements synchronized with his.
Both simultaneously drew five cards and declared: "Duel!" X2
[Yugi Mutou: 4000 LP]
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 4000 LP]
Yugi lowered his head and looked at his hand, wanting to confirm the cards he drew before deciding whether or not to take the first turn. But Zigfried von Schroeder, although his demeanor was as elegant as a noble's, was quite impatient when it came to Duel Monsters, and directly took the right to the first turn.
"I'll take the first turn. My turn, drawing cards!"
Seeing the cards he drew, Zigfried von Schroeder frowned. The strategy he had always used with his Valkyrie Deck was a special pseudo-OTK strategy. The core of this strategy was two cards, and as long as he could draw both of these cards, Zigfried von Schroeder could perform the "ability to end the Duel instantly" that he had always shown in previous Duels.
And in order to ensure the execution of this strategy as much as possible, Zigfried von Schroeder had always paid attention not to Summon Monsters to reveal information when he didn't have absolute certainty.
"I place two cards face-down on my field, and then I Summon a monster in face-down Defense Position." After playing three cards from his hand, Zigfried von Schroeder arrogantly said, "Your luck's not too bad, you escaped your fate of defeat, Yugi Mutou. My turn ends here."
*'Didn't draw the key card?'* Yugi thought, placing his finger on his Deck and drawing a card, "Then my turn, Draw!"
Looking at the card he drew, it was Magnet Warrior Alpha.
Although it was just a Normal Monster with only 1400 ATK, Yugi knew this monster was indispensable in his Deck and concealed a powerful strength.
Since Zigfried von Schroeder didn't immediately perform his instant-win strategy, Yugi planned to end the Duel before he could.
"I activate the Spell Card Unexpected Dai! This card's effect is that if there are no monsters on the field, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my Deck. I Special Summon Magnet Warrior Beta in Attack Position, then Normal Summon Magnet Warrior Alpha from my hand."
After playing two cards, two Rock Warriors with different appearances, whose bodies were basically composed of "U"-shaped magnets, appeared on the field for Yugi.
[Magnet Warrior Alpha] [Level 4/EARTH]
[Rock-Type/Normal Monster]
[1400/1700]
[Magnet Warrior Beta] [Level 4/EARTH]
[Rock-Type/Normal Monster]
[1700/1600]
After successively Summoning two unremarkable Normal Monsters, Yugi didn't think much and directly waved his hand to order: "Then enter my Battle Phase. I'll start by using Magnet Warrior Beta to Attack that face-down monster."
Zigfried von Schroeder had a look of disdain and pressed the activation button for his Set Card: "I originally thought the former King of Games' attack would be incredibly strong, but it turns out it's only this level. In that case, I activate my Set Card, the Continuous Trap Trial of the Traveler!"
Just as Magnet Warrior Beta was swinging its palm with magnets, about to attack the face-down monster on Zigfried von Schroeder's field, a tall Sphinx suddenly appeared before it, blocking the path.
Zigfried von Schroeder said proudly, "In Egyptian legends, the human-headed, lion-bodied Divine Beast 'Sphinx' likes riddles. If you cannot guess its riddle correctly, you cannot proceed."
"When your monster declares an attack, you need to randomly select one card from my hand and guess the card type. If you guess incorrectly, the monster that declared the attack will be returned to hand."
While saying this, Zigfried von Schroeder raised his hand, and enlarged projections of the three cards in his hand appeared before Yugi.
"So, choose, which card is it, and what kind of card is it? Spell Card, Trap Card, or Monster Card?" Zigfried von Schroeder sneered and said confidently, "I'm sure you're troubled now, hesitating about what you should—"
"I guess the middle card is a Spell Card."
Yugi's voice rang out, making Zigfried von Schroeder freeze for a moment.
The cost of guessing incorrectly with Trial of the Traveler was that the monster he finally managed to Summon would be returned to hand. How could this person not show a trace of hesitation?
But from Yugi's gaze, Zigfried von Schroeder only saw confidence, as if he wasn't guessing the card type, but reading what that card was.
The middle card selected by Yugi shattered with a boom, the Sphinx's illusion disappeared, revealing the path forward. Magnet Warrior Beta's swinging fist delivered a smash attack, destroying Zigfried von Schroeder's Set Card—Valkyrie's Chariot—and sending it to the Graveyard.
After two or three Duels, Yugi finally managed to escape the confrontation between Téa and Rebecca. He had a valid reason, as his next Duel was up.
"Phew, I finally got away," Yugi patted his chest, letting out a big sigh of relief as he walked towards the preparation room, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted.
Compared to Joey Wheeler, who was slow-witted about feelings, Yugi was quite aware that both Téa and Rebecca had feelings for him. But honestly, they were both Yugi's friends, and Téa was his childhood friend, while Rebecca was a family friend. Yugi didn't want to hurt either of them.
Besides, Yugi truly didn't have any thoughts about dating yet. Being somewhat conservative and introverted, he could only choose to play dumb and pretend not to understand their feelings.
*'This is truly a trial like a love triangle conflict, aibo.'*
Inside the Millennium Puzzle, Dark Yugi teased.
"Seriously, stop making fun of me, Dark Yugi."
For Yugi, only Dark Yugi existed. Because they knew each other inside out, they could share anything with each other, express any feeling, and confide any thought.
Such a friend was hard to come by, and Yugi was sincerely grateful to the Millennium Puzzle for bringing him such a good friend.
Back then, after Solomon Mutou returned from archaeology in Egypt, he brought Yugi the fragments of the Millennium Puzzle as a gift and told Yugi that if someone could complete the Millennium Puzzle, they would gain the ability to fulfill a wish. Yugi spent eight years, with the thought of "wanting friends," assembling the shattered Millennium Puzzle into the Millennium Puzzle, and then came the meeting with Dark Yugi.
"It's really nice."
Recalling the past, ever since meeting Dark Yugi, he had successively met and befriended Joey Wheeler, Tristan, Hayato, and Otogi. Now, having gained more and more Bonds, the wish of "wanting friends" had long been realized. "This peaceful and happy life is really nice."
Yugi's exclamation was unintentional, but upon hearing it, the mood of Dark Yugi inside the Millennium Puzzle became somewhat complicated. He sighed and said, *'Yes, it's a truly peaceful life.'*
No matter how warm the daily life, no matter how peaceful the life, ever since learning from Ishizu Ishtar during Duel City that he was actually the Nameless Pharaoh from three thousand years ago, Dark Yugi had always understood one thing: that one day, he would have to search for his lost memories.
In other words, he and Yugi were destined to be separated.
The sensitive Yugi seemed to sense Dark Yugi's unusual mood: "What's wrong, Dark Yugi?"
*'No, nothing, aibo.'*
Dark Yugi pretended as if nothing was wrong and changed the subject: *'Your next opponent seems to be that 'Zigfried von Schroeder'?'*
Yugi, of course, also noticed that Dark Yugi was changing the subject, but he didn't mind. Since Dark Yugi didn't want to talk about that topic for now, they could talk about it later.
"Yeah, the Deck he uses is a Valkyrie Deck, but besides knowing it's a Valkyrie Deck, I know nothing else about it," Yugi recalled the information he got from Mai Valentine, a troubled expression appearing on his face. "Mai Valentine even Dueled Zigfried von Schroeder, but she couldn't even see clearly how she lost the Duel."
"It's said that after he only played two cards, Mai Valentine suddenly lost, and the situation was the same for the other Duelists who Dueled him."
Dark Yugi couldn't help but think as well: *'Even the Duelists who confronted him directly didn't know what happened before they lost? To qualify for the Top 64, Zigfried von Schroeder's opponents couldn't have been weak, and yet they still lost in an instant? It's incredible.'*
"Yeah, the Duel ended in an instant," Yugi said, raising his hands as if trying to grasp something and shouting "Za Warudo." Although he didn't know what it meant, according to Hayato, the phrase represented the power to stop time. "It's like time was stopped by 'Za Warudo.'"
Dark Yugi retorted: *'Aibo, your voice could be a bit more forceful. Hayato says that phrase with more imposingness.'*
*'But even an enemy who can stop time doesn't matter. Don't forget, our target is to become the Champion of the KC Cup.'*
"Speaking of that..." Yugi felt a bit awkward when Dark Yugi brought this up. "It's all because Grandfather insisted we participate."
Yugi himself wasn't very interested in the KC Cup, but Kaiba had set such a prize money for the Champion position, which successfully attracted Joey Wheeler, who came from a poor family background, and Yugi's Grandfather, Solomon Mutou, who was motivated by money. It was under Grandpa Solomon's instigation that Yugi reluctantly agreed to Kaiba's invitation to participate.
Dark Yugi couldn't help but smile and casually asked, *'So, aibo, do you need me to come out?'*
Yugi thought for a moment, recalling the humiliating scene of being caught between Téa and Rebecca, and quickly shook his head: "No, I'll be fine. Let me get some fresh air. If Dark Yugi were to go out, and this Duel ended too quickly, wouldn't I have to go back?"
"Besides, Zigfried von Schroeder's strategy is so strange, I think it's better for me, who is good at defense and counterattack, to handle it."
While saying this, Yugi started organizing his Deck, and Dark Yugi's figure appeared behind Yugi. Looking at Yugi sitting in his seat, adding cards like Torrential Tribute, Divine Wrath, and Magic Jammer one by one into his Deck, the corner of Dark Yugi's mouth curved up, revealing a gentle smile.
*'Unknowingly, you have grown, aibo. You are no longer the introverted self from before who couldn't stand in front.'*
*'So, for the first time in a while, instead of me fighting in your place, I will watch your fight.'*
————Sakurai speaks, Shimazaki laughs————
Before long, Yugi, who was ready, walked out of the player preparation room and stepped onto one side of the Duel platform, where the pink-haired man named "Zigfried von Schroeder" had been waiting for a long time.
"Hmph, you certainly kept me waiting, Yugi Mutou."
Yugi was sure that he had probably never faced Zigfried von Schroeder before, but looking at the opponent's arrogant expression, he seemed a bit annoyed with him. Was it because he was late? But now was the time the Duel was supposed to start, even if he got on stage early, he couldn't start the Duel early.
However, Yugi still said politely, "I'm truly sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Zigfried von Schroeder."
"Hmph, forget it. I have no interest in your apology which lacks any etiquette," Zigfried von Schroeder gave a cold, dismissive laugh, not even looking at Yugi, just raising his head and gently pushing the Deck Zone on his Duel Disk. The Deck, which was half-loaded beforehand, triggered the Duel Disk's transformation mechanism to unfold.
Although Yugi couldn't quite understand his actions, he could feel there was a special etiquette involved. If he had to say, it seemed to be the kind of etiquette European nobles performed before Duels with Duel Swords?
Yugi glanced at the referee nearby, and after receiving the signal, he also inserted his Deck into his Duel Disk. The two halves of the Duel Disk pieced together to form the Duel Zone and connected signals with Zigfried von Schroeder's Duel Disk on the opposite side. The Life Points areas simultaneously lit up with the number "4000."
"In this Duel match full of mediocre people, my first opponent in an official match is the former King of Games, hehe. Only this is barely worthy of my identity," Zigfried von Schroeder looked Yugi over with a scrutinizing gaze. "Although it feels a bit different from what I had seen before, it must be my imagination, and those are insignificant matters."
"Because the victor of this Duel will only be me. Even you, the Legendary Duelist Yugi Mutou, will be defeated before my Valkyrie Deck."
Yugi was not shaken by Zigfried von Schroeder's words and replied with a firm gaze: "I don't agree with what you said, because I believe the possibility of Duel Monsters is infinite. No one can assert victory or defeat before the Duel begins."
"And," Yugi paused, took a deep breath to muster his courage, imitating the tone of voice Dark Yugi used when speaking in his memory, "I don't think I'm weaker than you!"
"Hmph, then let's see who's better, Yugi Mutou," Zigfried von Schroeder sneered coldly, placing his finger on his Deck. Yugi's movements synchronized with his.
Both simultaneously drew five cards and declared: "Duel!" X2
[Yugi Mutou: 4000 LP]
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 4000 LP]
Yugi lowered his head and looked at his hand, wanting to confirm the cards he drew before deciding whether or not to take the first turn. But Zigfried von Schroeder, although his demeanor was as elegant as a noble's, was quite impatient when it came to Duel Monsters, and directly took the right to the first turn.
"I'll take the first turn. My turn, drawing cards!"
Seeing the cards he drew, Zigfried von Schroeder frowned. The strategy he had always used with his Valkyrie Deck was a special pseudo-OTK strategy. The core of this strategy was two cards, and as long as he could draw both of these cards, Zigfried von Schroeder could perform the "ability to end the Duel instantly" that he had always shown in previous Duels.
And in order to ensure the execution of this strategy as much as possible, Zigfried von Schroeder had always paid attention not to Summon Monsters to reveal information when he didn't have absolute certainty.
"I place two cards face-down on my field, and then I Summon a monster in face-down Defense Position." After playing three cards from his hand, Zigfried von Schroeder arrogantly said, "Your luck's not too bad, you escaped your fate of defeat, Yugi Mutou. My turn ends here."
*'Didn't draw the key card?'* Yugi thought, placing his finger on his Deck and drawing a card, "Then my turn, Draw!"
Looking at the card he drew, it was Magnet Warrior Alpha.
Although it was just a Normal Monster with only 1400 ATK, Yugi knew this monster was indispensable in his Deck and concealed a powerful strength.
Since Zigfried von Schroeder didn't immediately perform his instant-win strategy, Yugi planned to end the Duel before he could.
"I activate the Spell Card Unexpected Dai! This card's effect is that if there are no monsters on the field, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my Deck. I Special Summon Magnet Warrior Beta in Attack Position, then Normal Summon Magnet Warrior Alpha from my hand."
After playing two cards, two Rock Warriors with different appearances, whose bodies were basically composed of "U"-shaped magnets, appeared on the field for Yugi.
[Magnet Warrior Alpha] [Level 4/EARTH]
[Rock-Type/Normal Monster]
[1400/1700]
[Magnet Warrior Beta] [Level 4/EARTH]
[Rock-Type/Normal Monster]
[1700/1600]
After successively Summoning two unremarkable Normal Monsters, Yugi didn't think much and directly waved his hand to order: "Then enter my Battle Phase. I'll start by using Magnet Warrior Beta to Attack that face-down monster."
Zigfried von Schroeder had a look of disdain and pressed the activation button for his Set Card: "I originally thought the former King of Games' attack would be incredibly strong, but it turns out it's only this level. In that case, I activate my Set Card, the Continuous Trap Trial of the Traveler!"
Just as Magnet Warrior Beta was swinging its palm with magnets, about to attack the face-down monster on Zigfried von Schroeder's field, a tall Sphinx suddenly appeared before it, blocking the path.
Zigfried von Schroeder said proudly, "In Egyptian legends, the human-headed, lion-bodied Divine Beast 'Sphinx' likes riddles. If you cannot guess its riddle correctly, you cannot proceed."
"When your monster declares an attack, you need to randomly select one card from my hand and guess the card type. If you guess incorrectly, the monster that declared the attack will be returned to hand."
While saying this, Zigfried von Schroeder raised his hand, and enlarged projections of the three cards in his hand appeared before Yugi.
"So, choose, which card is it, and what kind of card is it? Spell Card, Trap Card, or Monster Card?" Zigfried von Schroeder sneered and said confidently, "I'm sure you're troubled now, hesitating about what you should—"
"I guess the middle card is a Spell Card."
Yugi's voice rang out, making Zigfried von Schroeder freeze for a moment.
The cost of guessing incorrectly with Trial of the Traveler was that the monster he finally managed to Summon would be returned to hand. How could this person not show a trace of hesitation?
But from Yugi's gaze, Zigfried von Schroeder only saw confidence, as if he wasn't guessing the card type, but reading what that card was.
The middle card selected by Yugi shattered with a boom, the Sphinx's illusion disappeared, revealing the path forward. Magnet Warrior Beta's swinging fist delivered a smash attack, destroying Zigfried von Schroeder's Set Card—Valkyrie's Chariot—and sending it to the Graveyard.
