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Chapter 414: Use Your Monster to Grant You Final Defeat
"With no monsters on the field to act as a defensive wall, only one unknown card in your hand and a Ritual Monster you can't use, and your Set Card likely useless, you're finished!"
The effect of the Quick-Play Spell Card, **Trick of the Time Goddess**, is to skip the current phase to the start of the activator, Zigfried von Schroeder's, next Battle Phase. Because of this ability, he not only avoided the side effect of **Ride of the Valkyries** returning the **Valkyrie** monsters to the Deck, but also restored the attack ability of his **Valkyrie** monsters that had already attacked once.
Zigfried von Schroeder felt certain of victory, believing he had successfully cornered Yugi Muto, a troublesome opponent even for Seto Kaiba, into a complete dead end.
Although Yugi Muto currently had two cards in his hand and one Set Card, if he could have activated a Set Card like **Absorption Shield**, he would have done so already. And even if Yugi had a second **Kuriboh** in his hand, it could only block one attack and nothing more.
While Zigfried von Schroeder appeared somewhat arrogant and conceited, his confidence was built upon an absolute certainty of victory. If Yugi had shown even a hint of leeway in the previous Battle Phase, Zigfried von Schroeder would have paused his offensive to preserve the secret of his finishing move.
Defeating Yugi Muto to advance to the next round was necessary, but Zigfried von Schroeder's goal was always Seto Kaiba. To face Kaiba, who was in a different bracket, Zigfried von Schroeder needed to keep winning until the semifinals. The strategy using **Trick of the Time Goddess** was one of his ace cards and had to be preserved as much as possible before facing Seto Kaiba.
Of course, Zigfried von Schroeder hadn't anticipated that Yugi Muto would still retain normal reaction capabilities despite him activating **Trick of the Time Goddess**.
However, after witnessing Yugi's Life Points clinging to life at only 1200, Zigfried von Schroeder was absolutely certain that his victory was inevitable and would be decided without needing to wait for the next turn.
Glancing at his **Valkyrie** monsters lined up on his field, Zigfried von Schroeder confidently raised his head and arrogantly commanded, "Yugi Muto, for you with only 1200 Life Points remaining, using just this one monster is enough."
"The 1400 Attack **Valkyrie Fourth**, direct attack Yugi Muto! Offer me victory!"
Receiving Zigfried von Schroeder's command, the youngest **Valkyrie Fourth**, although unable to ride a war horse like her sisters due to her age, still adopted a charging stance with her sword and shield and attacked towards Yugi.
It was precisely because **Valkyrie Fourth**'s movement was relatively slower that Yugi had enough time to exclaim, "The **Valkyrie** Deck is truly amazing! Not only the cooperation between the monsters, but even their weaponry and equipment are quite powerful."
"So strong, truly too strong."
"Heh heh, even if you say that, do you think I would be merciful and hold back to let you survive another turn?" Zigfried von Schroeder said coldly, "Don't forget, I've already declared an attack! This isn't something you can simply withdraw!"
Yugi, however, shook his head: "No, that's not what I meant."
"Zigfried von Schroeder, although it seems to you that you cornered me into a dead end before activating that **Trick of the Time Goddess** to secure victory with one blow, in reality, this was all within my calculation!"
"Wh-What?!"
Under Zigfried von Schroeder's surprised, even somewhat fearful gaze, Yugi pressed the activate Set Card button on his Duel Disk.
"It is precisely because I knew you possessed the ability to end the Duel in an instant that I deliberately hid this card from the start, actively exposing myself to danger. And just as I expected, you considered this card useless and used your decisive **Trick of the Time Goddess**."
The card on Yugi's field flipped open, and Zigfried von Schroeder's face instantly changed color: "That card is!"
"I activate the Trap Card, **Mirror Force**!" As the card was activated, a smile involuntarily curled up on Yugi's lips, seemingly in a very good mood.
Thinking about it, pretending to be weak and enduring for so long, finally being able to raise his head in triumph – wasn't this the moment a heavy trap deck player lived for?
Just as Zigfried von Schroeder himself had said, once he declared an attack, he couldn't withdraw it. As a translucent, mirror-like arc barrier/shield expanded in front of Yugi, **Valkyrie Fourth**, completely unaware of the approaching danger, thrust forward the sharp sword in her hand.
Hanoi's sublime power descends here.
In just an instant, a devastating power swept across Zigfried von Schroeder's field. Starting with **Valkyrie Fourth**, who was closest to the center of the explosion, Zigfried von Schroeder's **Valkyrie** monsters were successively destroyed by the effect of **Mirror Force** and sent to the Graveyard with screams.
As the impact wave gradually dissipated, looking at the smoke and dust covering Zigfried von Schroeder's field, Yugi's mindset calmed down again. He calmly stated, "**Mirror Force** is a Trap Card that can be activated in chain to a monster's attack declaration. Its effect is to destroy all Attack Position monsters on the opponent's field."
"With this, Zigfried von Schroeder, all your **Valkyrie** monsters are—"
"Don't underestimate me, you guy!"
Yugi's words were interrupted by an annoyed Zigfried von Schroeder. He was certain of victory, just one step away from winning, and had already declared victory, only to have the situation reversed by a single card. What a disgrace!
Feeling such utter humiliation, the enraged Zigfried von Schroeder fiercely waved his hand, glaring viciously at Yugi: "Who told you all my monsters were destroyed!"
*Clang~*
Along with Zigfried von Schroeder's words, from within the gradually dissipating dust, **Valkyrie First**, who had put away her sword and replaced it with a golden long spear, walked out, supporting herself with the spear.
"Chaining to your **Mirror Force**, I also activated this Quick-Play Spell Card from my hand, **Forbidden Lance**." Zigfried von Schroeder inserted a card into his Duel Disk. "At the cost of decreasing its Attack by 800 points until the end of the turn, **Valkyrie First** has been granted the ability to not be affected by Spell/Trap Card effects other than **Forbidden Lance**!"
[Valkyrie First] [ATK 1600 → 800]
"Even if it's only 800 Attack, the humiliation you inflicted upon me must be repaid!"
With his cards almost depleted and only **Valkyrie First** remaining on the field, the most rational course of action for Zigfried von Schroeder at this moment would have been to end his Battle Phase, then change **Valkyrie First** to Defense Position in his Main Phase 2 to ensure defense, rather than continuing to command her to attack.
However, Zigfried von Schroeder still did it.
Call him impulsive, or say his emotions outweighed his rationality, in any case, the current Zigfried von Schroeder could only be described as "fuming." The sense of superiority he had just felt, thinking "This legendary duelist is nothing special, I'm about to win," instantly turned into "Everything was within my calculation." The resulting gap caused Zigfried von Schroeder's already poor mindset to completely explode.
"**Valkyrie First**, direct attack Yugi Muto!" Zigfried von Schroeder completely failed to notice the reluctance on his monster's face, giving the command forcefully, not caring if this choice would sacrifice his monster.
In his mind, although the **Valkyrie** Deck consisted of quite rare cards, they were ultimately just tools.
**Valkyrie First**, holding the **Forbidden Lance**, sighed helplessly. She weakly tugged the war horse's reins, urging it to charge towards Yugi. No matter how reluctant, she couldn't defy the rules of Duel Monsters. She thrust out the golden long spear, and it pierced through Yugi's body.
[Yugi: 1200 → 400 LP]
Seeing Yugi's already low Life Points decrease further, Zigfried von Schroeder laughed gleefully, his mindset somewhat twisted as he said, "Weren't you very arrogant just now, Yugi Muto? Saying things like 'Everything was within your calculation.' You're just a lowlife, what qualification do you have to feel that kind of superiority?"
"Noble and pure blood flows through my veins, I am the absolute elite of humanity. How dare a mere lowlife presume to stand above me and speak such arrogant words? You're just as detestable as Seto Kaiba, that guy who got lucky and wormed his way into the upper class!"
Zigfried von Schroeder had completely cast aside his jealousy and hatred for Kaiba for the moment, because at this instant, Yugi was the only enemy in his eyes. To put it more precisely, Zigfried von Schroeder had completely merged his dissatisfaction and hatred towards Kaiba into his rage towards Yugi.
At a banquet when Zigfried von Schroeder was very young, the Schroeder Group, controlled by his Schroeder Family, received an invitation from KaibaCorp and attended. There, he met Seto Kaiba, who had recently been adopted by Gozaburo Kaiba.
Zigfried von Schroeder, unaware of the inside story at the time, assumed Kaiba was also an elite child who had received a good education all along, because Gozaburo Kaiba had mentioned when speaking of Seto Kaiba, "Seto Kaiba is a genius, very capable in command and digital fields." He developed a desire to befriend and compete with him.
Thus, when Gozaburo Kaiba was showing off to other invited guests that the latest firewall used by KaibaCorp was programmed by Seto Kaiba, Zigfried von Schroeder secretly used his hacker skills to break through the firewall, placing a virus program within KaibaCorp's internal network to complete the invasion.
At that time, seeing Seto Kaiba, who had worn a dismissive expression and looked down on everyone since the start of the banquet, show a surprised expression, Zigfried von Schroeder felt quite satisfied.
However, shortly after the banquet ended, just after leaving the venue, the personal terminal Zigfried von Schroeder used was inversely invaded and burned out due to overload. Before it burned out, his terminal also received a recording from Kaiba—
"Ignorant and fearless rat, are you very excited about breaking through my firewall?"
"Unfortunately, you are nothing but a mediocrity. You couldn't even see through the disguise I set up and were there gloating."
"You didn't even realize that your own tool was inversely invaded by the program I set. Hmph, just wait for the KaibaCorp legal team."
It wasn't until the circuit board overloaded and burned out, nearly scalding his skin, that Zigfried von Schroeder realized that what he thought was "I am the strongest genius" was merely a one-sided delusion, and "I am Seto Kaiba's opponent" was even more out of the question. The shadow named "Seto Kaiba" began to loom over the arrogant Zigfried von Schroeder, who considered himself superior, from that moment on.
Zigfried von Schroeder, who had originally wanted to befriend Seto Kaiba, another future successor of an arms conglomerate, saw that desire for friendship twist due to this perceived gap in talent. His goal became surpassing Kaiba to prove his own talent.
But as time passed, after repeated overt and covert clashes, Zigfried von Schroeder despairingly discovered that he wasn't the genius he thought he was at all. The gap between him and Seto Kaiba not only didn't shrink but grew wider. Especially after learning from his father that Seto Kaiba wasn't Gozaburo Kaiba's biological son at all, but merely an adopted "commoner," Zigfried von Schroeder's obsession with Kaiba completely transformed into jealousy and hatred.
Later, Seto Kaiba and Zigfried von Schroeder each became the chairman of their respective groups, taking charge of their companies on a new stage, but the result remained unchanged. The Schroeder Group, which had been suppressed in the arms domain, hadn't even had time to transition when KaibaCorp suddenly transformed into an entertainment company specializing in Duel Monsters; Zigfried von Schroeder painstakingly developed a similar virtual projection system, but before he could promote it, KaibaCorp had already signed a contract with the Duel Monster Cards publisher—Industrial Illusions.
Suppressed again and again, Seto Kaiba completely became Zigfried von Schroeder's obsession. And Yugi's actions just now could be said to have recreated Kaiba's attitude of disregard and contempt towards Zigfried von Schroeder in a similar but different way.
It's no wonder Zigfried von Schroeder would project his resentment towards Kaiba onto Yugi.
As his Life Points decreased again, even though it wasn't a Dark Game, Yugi still felt a bit of fatigue, holding two cards in his hand and breathing slightly.
Zigfried von Schroeder glanced at Yugi, showing a pleased smile, as if he had hallucinated Yugi as Kaiba: "I will prove it, I am the elite, my talent is above yours, and your struggle will only bring despair."
"I Set one card from my hand, turn end."
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 4000 LP, Hand 1]
[Valkyrie First] [ATK 800 → 1600]
[Trial of the Traveler] [Set Card]
Zigfried von Schroeder was annoyed that he couldn't end the Duel in one turn as he had declared, but he was very confident in his defense setup.
Don't let the fact that he only had **Valkyrie First** in Attack Position on the field fool you; the **Trial of the Traveler** on his backrow, which could block a monster's attack, was still there. Although Yugi had guessed the correct answer twice in a row, the stubborn Zigfried von Schroeder didn't believe Yugi's good luck would continue.
Activating **Trial of the Traveler** required Zigfried von Schroeder to have a card in his hand. Therefore, he deliberately kept a Monster Card, **Chariot of Destiny**, in his hand to fulfill the activation conditions. At the same time, this was also a trap Zigfried von Schroeder had set.
The effect of **Ride of the Valkyries** that Zigfried von Schroeder activated last turn was to "Special Summon all **Valkyrie** monsters from your hand." This meant that after activating it, whether Zigfried von Schroeder wanted to or not, he had to play all **Valkyrie** monsters from his hand that could be Special Summoned. At that time, he had four **Valkyrie** monsters in his hand.
Thus, he summoned four **Valkyrie** monsters on the field, leaving only one Monster Zone open. Anyone making a judgment would conclude, "Since Zigfried von Schroeder summoned four **Valkyrie** monsters after activating **Ride of the Valkyries**, he definitely has no **Valkyrie** monsters left in his hand." Subconsciously, they would naturally assume Zigfried von Schroeder no longer had any Monster Cards in his hand.
But precisely, Zigfried von Schroeder did have a Monster Card in his hand.
Using a card's effect as misdirection, Zigfried von Schroeder felt he was truly a genius.
As for Yugi activating some other card to destroy **Trial of the Traveler**? There was even less need to worry, because the card Zigfried von Schroeder Set was **Judgment of Anubis**. It had the ability to negate and destroy cards with the effect "Destroy Spell/Trap Cards on the field," and at the same time, target one face-up monster the opponent controlled, destroy it, and inflict damage to the opponent's Life Points equal to that monster's Attack.
Furthermore, Zigfried von Schroeder's current Life Points were still a full 4000, which was 1000% of Yugi's mere 400 Life Points. There was absolutely no way he could lose!
Zigfried von Schroeder, unaware of how strong Yugi was when his Life Points were locked, thought proudly.
Yugi didn't know Zigfried von Schroeder's thoughts. After giving Dark Yugi beside him a smile to indicate he was fine, he took a deep breath, placed his fingers on his Deck, and drew a card.
"My turn, draw!"
After drawing a card from his Deck and adding it to his hand, Yugi didn't rush to activate it. Instead, he looked behind him.
Because of the effect of **Mirror Force** last turn, three of Zigfried von Schroeder's **Valkyrie** monsters were destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. As a result, three Spell Counters were added to the Field Spell Card **Chaos Field**. At this moment, the illusions of three Valkyries of different ages stood behind Yugi.
Yugi calmly declared: "I will activate the effect of the Field Spell Card, **Chaos Field**. Once per turn, I can remove three Spell Counters from it, and then I can add one Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand."
Zigfried von Schroeder was somewhat disdainful: "Using the Field Spell Card's effect to collect Ritual Monsters and Ritual Spell Cards first? Hmph, it's useless. Even if you have the altar and sacrifice target, it's useless without Tributes."
"Normal Ritual Spell Cards require you to choose Tribute monsters from the field or hand for a Ritual Summon, that's correct." Hearing Zigfried von Schroeder's words, Yugi calmly searched his Deck for the card and inserted it into his Duel Disk. "But the card I'm activating is not a normal Ritual, it's **Advanced Ritual Art**!"
"The reason it's called **Advanced Ritual Art** is that I can send Normal Monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard until their combined Star Levels equal that of the Ritual Monster for a Ritual Summon!"
As Yugi activated the **Advanced Ritual Art** card, an altar rose on his field. The Level 4 **Queen's Knight** and the third Magnet Warrior, **Magnet Warrior Gamma**, voluntarily appeared from Yugi's Deck and willingly threw themselves into the altar.
"Their combined Level is 8 Stars. One soul guides darkness, one soul guides light!" Yugi held the card in his hand high. "Use a sharp sword to cleave through this chaotic despair and open up a future of hope!"
"Ritual Summon! **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**!!"
On Yugi's field, a flash of sword light appeared. A strike without hesitation or excess, controlling even time and space, was unleashed. The completely new form of **Black Luster Soldier**—**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**—slowly walked out from the chaos behind the sword light.
[Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier] [Level 8 / EARTH]
[Warrior-Type / Ritual / Effect]
[3000 / 2500]
**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, whose combat power was equivalent to a **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**, was clearly much more flashy in its armor than **Black Luster Soldier**. It was adorned with many gem decorations filled with magic power, and the shape of its armor, shield, and war blade had also changed somewhat.
At the same time, it had transformed from a Level 8 vanilla Ritual Monster into an Effect Monster.
"**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**!?" Zigfried von Schroeder could clearly feel the pressure emanating from this monster, but he wasn't worried that Yugi would gain a chance of victory because of this one monster. "So what if you summoned a monster with Attack equivalent to **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**?"
"No matter how high its Attack is, it's meaningless if it can't hit!"
Although Zigfried von Schroeder didn't say it explicitly, Yugi could guess what he meant: the **Trial of the Traveler** on Zigfried von Schroeder's backrow. Although Yugi had the courage to guess, if possible, Yugi actually didn't want to bet everything. He was actually a pragmatist who prioritized stability.
The bad news was that the card he just drew wasn't a card that could destroy the backrow, so he couldn't do anything about **Trial of the Traveler** for now. The good news was that the card he drew this turn was much more practical than cards like **Mystical Space Typhoon**.
"I activate the Spell Card, **Pot of Greed**. I draw two cards from my Deck." Placing his fingers on his Deck, Yugi drew two cards. After seeing the cards, he couldn't help but smile. "Yosh, I drew the key cards!"
"Then, I will activate the effect of **Double Cyclone** in my hand. This card can target one Spell/Trap Card on my field and one Spell/Trap Card on my opponent's field, and destroy the two targeted cards!" Yugi inserted **Double Cyclone** into his Duel Disk without hesitation, pointing a finger at Zigfried von Schroeder's backrow.
"The ones I choose are that **Trial of the Traveler** on your field, and the Field Spell Card **Chaos Field** on my field. Destroy both of these cards!"
A red and yellow two-colored cyclone appeared on Yugi's and Zigfried von Schroeder's fields. Aside from the difference in color, the two cyclones, like reflections in a mirror, respectively struck Yugi's **Chaos Field** and Zigfried von Schroeder's **Trial of the Traveler**. Yugi expected to see a surprised expression on Zigfried von Schroeder's face, but unexpectedly, he merely curled his lips in disregard and then burst into laughter.
"Hmph hmph, heh heh, hahahahaha!!" Zigfried von Schroeder's laughter was quite unrestrained. "I didn't expect you to fall into this trap so easily, Yugi Muto! Your actions were completely within my design!"
"Destroying my card? That's exactly what I wanted! You fell for it, Yugi Muto, this is my strategy for victory!" Zigfried von Schroeder pressed the activate Set Card button without hesitation. As the Set **Judgment of Anubis** was revealed, Zigfried von Schroeder also discarded **Chariot of Destiny** from his hand and sent it to the Graveyard.
Although this card was a necessary condition for activating **Trial of the Traveler**, victory was clearly only one step away now, and he no longer needed this card.
Yugi was slightly surprised to see **Chariot of Destiny** sent to the Graveyard, because before seeing this card, he had indeed been misled by Zigfried von Schroeder's **Ride of the Valkyries**. His guess about Zigfried von Schroeder's hand only considered the possibilities of Spell Cards and Trap Cards, completely forgetting that **Ride of the Valkyries** could leave monsters other than **Valkyrie** in Zigfried von Schroeder's hand.
Fortunately, Zigfried von Schroeder discarded it, otherwise Yugi really might have fallen for the trap.
As **Chariot of Destiny** was sent to the Graveyard, the effect of **Judgment of Anubis** began to take effect. **Double Cyclone**, which was just about to destroy the two cards, suddenly disappeared from the field. In its place, a strange Anubis god statue emitting a mysterious rune appeared.
"**Judgment of Anubis** requires one card from my hand as a cost to activate. Before the God of Death from Egyptian mythology, the activation and effect of the Quick-Play Spell Card **Double Cyclone** you activated, which has the effect 'Destroy Spell/Trap Cards on the field,' are all negated and destroyed," Zigfried von Schroeder said proudly. "At the same time, you must bear the punishment of divine power!"
Dark Yugi, floating beside Yugi, subconsciously raised an eyebrow. For some reason, listening to Zigfried von Schroeder's threats, Dark Yugi felt that Anubis's punishment was nothing to worry about at all.
Zigfried von Schroeder extended his finger and pointed at **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** on Yugi's field: "After the first effect, **Judgment of Anubis** can destroy one face-up monster on the opponent's field and inflict damage to the opponent player equal to that monster's Attack!"
"Reap what you sow, Yugi Muto! Use your monster to grant you final defeat!"
A light flashed on the black Anubis god statue. A black sharp sword shot towards **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, as if to gouge out its heart and carve into its bones.
If this blow hit, not only would Yugi's last hope—**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**—be destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, but Yugi's Life Points would also be instantly depleted and he would be defeated due to the 3000 points of effect damage!
Yugi certainly wouldn't stand by and watch this happen. He immediately drew a card from his hand and activated it: "I won't let you destroy **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**!"
"Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card **Forbidden Dress**! Target **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**! Its Attack decreases by 600 points until the end of the turn, but it cannot be targeted by effects and cannot be destroyed by effect!" Yugi said with a determined gaze. "With this, **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** won't be destroyed by **Judgment of Anubis**!"
Outside **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s enchanted armor, pure light element condensed into a translucent holy garment covering him. Although it seemed thin, when the sharp sword from **Judgment of Anubis** struck the holy garment, it made a crisp "clang" sound.
Even the noble non-targeting **Judgment of Anubis** failed to penetrate the target's defense.
[Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier] [ATK 3000 → 2400]
Zigfried von Schroeder bit his lip, annoyed: "Idiot! So what if you saved your monster? The destruction effect and damage effect of **Judgment of Anubis** aren't necessarily sequential conditions, they are processed in parallel."
"Although the damage decreased to 2400 points because **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s Attack decreased, it's still enough to deplete your Life Points! Be defeated now!"
Failing to destroy **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, the black sharp sword decisively turned into an illusion, penetrating his defense and heading straight for Yugi. Although slightly dimmed due to the influence of **Forbidden Dress**, it was still a fatal blow for Yugi!
Seeing this, Yugi looked at the last card in his hand and instead smiled: "Yes, I certainly cannot withstand such an attack."
"In that case, I'll return this damage to you, Zigfried von Schroeder!"
"What?!"
Yugi played the last card in his hand: "My final card is the Quick-Play Spell Card **Spell of Pain**!"
"This card allows effect damage inflicted to me by my opponent to be transferred and borne by the opponent duelist!"
"Take this blow, Zigfried von Schroeder!"
Just as the black sharp sword was about to land on Yugi's body, a string of mysterious runes protected Yugi's body, preventing the power of **Judgment of Anubis** from invading Yugi's body at all. Instead, the sword itself was invaded and controlled, turning its direction and attacking towards Zigfried von Schroeder!
"How can this be, how can this be?!" Zigfried von Schroeder completely failed to anticipate that the last card in Yugi's hand would successfully counter his decisive blow. Watching the sharp sword, symbolizing the effect damage power of **Judgment of Anubis**, get closer and closer, Zigfried von Schroeder shouted in panic:
"Don't come near me!!!"
But unfortunately, his refusal could not change the power of the rules. The black long sword instantly pierced through Zigfried von Schroeder's body, turning into black smoke and dissipating along with the Anubis god statue. Extremely intense pain invaded Zigfried von Schroeder's body, causing him to involuntarily kneel on one knee. At the same time, his Life Points plummeted.
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 4000 → 1600 LP]
The sudden infliction of a full 2400 points of effect damage made Zigfried von Schroeder, who was always pampered and used to attacking others rather than being attacked, nearly bite his tongue in pain. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead. He looked up at Yugi on the opposite field: "You... you detestable guy, how dare you injure me?"
"Not even my father has ever hit me!"
Zigfried von Schroeder still hadn't given up the idea of revenge against Yugi, because in his opinion, the Duel wasn't over yet. **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s Attack was still 2400 points after decreasing due to the effect of **Forbidden Dress**. If it attacked the 1600 Attack **Valkyrie First** on his field, it could only inflict 800 points of damage to himself.
Yugi had no other resources either. He still had the next turn. As long as he could find a way to clear Yugi Muto's remaining 400 Life Points, victory would still belong to him, and Zigfried von Schroeder would still be the winner of the Duel!
"Enter my Battle Phase." Zigfried von Schroeder watched Yugi raise his arm and wave it. "**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, attack **Valkyrie First**!"
"Hope Severing Slash!"
Without any unnecessary movements, **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** simply slowly returned its drawn sword to its sheath, then stepped forward, drew it out, and slashed. A slash that could cleave even time and space and chaos was unleashed. **Valkyrie First** gave Yugi a smile before being destroyed by **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** and sent to the Graveyard.
"Igh!"
The sword light from the slash brought intense stinging pain to Zigfried von Schroeder. After the battle damage landed on him, who hadn't recovered from the previous effect damage, Zigfried von Schroeder's knees went weak, and he nearly knelt down again after finally standing straight.
Looking at **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, which was still walking towards him despite having finished its attack, Zigfried von Schroeder completely failed to sense the danger. Instead, he glared viciously at Yugi behind it: "What a disgrace, to make me lose face like this! You guy are unforgivable!"
"When it's my turn, I will make you—"
**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** reached out and grabbed Zigfried von Schroeder by the collar. The fierce gaze beneath its helmet made it impossible for Zigfried von Schroeder to say the rest of his words.
"Wh-What's going on?"
"You don't have a next turn, Zigfried von Schroeder." The speaker was Yugi. With his arms crossed over his chest, for some reason, Zigfried von Schroeder felt as if Yugi had become a different person at this moment, his aura completely different.
Imitating Dark Yugi's way of speaking and tone under his urging, Yugi tried hard to keep a straight face and showed a cold smile: "The result of the Duel was decided the moment **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s attack was completed."
In Zigfried von Schroeder's disbelieving gaze, a new illusion appeared beside **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**. It was **Valkyrie First**, who had just been sent to the Graveyard. Because the effect of **Double Cyclone** was negated, the effect of **Chaos Field** was still taking effect.
However, the state of **Valkyrie First** who appeared at this moment was different from the state of her three sisters. The other three were purely soul forms, appearing without their weapons, while **Valkyrie First** still held the sharp sword she had used before in her hand.
"The effect of **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** is that when it battle destroys an opponent's monster and sends it to the Graveyard, it inflicts damage to the opponent duelist equal to that monster's original Attack."
As Yugi explained, **Valkyrie First**, who had accumulated considerable emotion due to Zigfried von Schroeder constantly treating them as tools, recklessly commanding, utilizing, and sacrificing them, raised the long sword in her hand and slashed down fiercely!
Yugi recalled what Zigfried von Schroeder had said earlier and delivered the finishing statement: "Use your monster to grant you final defeat, Zigfried von Schroeder."
"This move is called, Chaos Return."
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 1600 LP → 0]
As Zigfried von Schroeder's Life Points were completely depleted, the referee promptly declared: "Player Zigfried von Schroeder's Life Points have reached 0, defeat confirmed. The winner of this duel is, Yugi Muto!"
*Author's Notes:*
Jiang Ziya's pool sank. A single pull only yielded a five-star Craft Essence and a max-limit-broken four-star Craft Essence. Not a single gold card came out. I tried fishing for the fishing enthusiast but came up empty. I even waited specifically for the 3 AM superstition.
The only thing worth celebrating is that the event's Ritual Stone is permanent, so I can wait for it to spook me later.
Also, regarding the opponent relationship between Zigfried von Schroeder and Kaiba in this chapter, I actually referenced Emu Hojo and Kuroto Dan. It's that memory segment where Kuroto Dan, who prided himself as a genius, discovered that his talent in game design was surpassed by the genius gamer M. However, Zigfried von Schroeder won't have the chance to become the world's first person afflicted with the Game Disease and provide famous scenes.
Finally, 8k the day before yesterday, 8k yesterday, and I even added a bit today, totaling over 7k. So, is it okay if I take a day off? Just a short break to save up some drafts for later use.
(End of Chapter)
"With no monsters on the field to act as a defensive wall, only one unknown card in your hand and a Ritual Monster you can't use, and your Set Card likely useless, you're finished!"
The effect of the Quick-Play Spell Card, **Trick of the Time Goddess**, is to skip the current phase to the start of the activator, Zigfried von Schroeder's, next Battle Phase. Because of this ability, he not only avoided the side effect of **Ride of the Valkyries** returning the **Valkyrie** monsters to the Deck, but also restored the attack ability of his **Valkyrie** monsters that had already attacked once.
Zigfried von Schroeder felt certain of victory, believing he had successfully cornered Yugi Muto, a troublesome opponent even for Seto Kaiba, into a complete dead end.
Although Yugi Muto currently had two cards in his hand and one Set Card, if he could have activated a Set Card like **Absorption Shield**, he would have done so already. And even if Yugi had a second **Kuriboh** in his hand, it could only block one attack and nothing more.
While Zigfried von Schroeder appeared somewhat arrogant and conceited, his confidence was built upon an absolute certainty of victory. If Yugi had shown even a hint of leeway in the previous Battle Phase, Zigfried von Schroeder would have paused his offensive to preserve the secret of his finishing move.
Defeating Yugi Muto to advance to the next round was necessary, but Zigfried von Schroeder's goal was always Seto Kaiba. To face Kaiba, who was in a different bracket, Zigfried von Schroeder needed to keep winning until the semifinals. The strategy using **Trick of the Time Goddess** was one of his ace cards and had to be preserved as much as possible before facing Seto Kaiba.
Of course, Zigfried von Schroeder hadn't anticipated that Yugi Muto would still retain normal reaction capabilities despite him activating **Trick of the Time Goddess**.
However, after witnessing Yugi's Life Points clinging to life at only 1200, Zigfried von Schroeder was absolutely certain that his victory was inevitable and would be decided without needing to wait for the next turn.
Glancing at his **Valkyrie** monsters lined up on his field, Zigfried von Schroeder confidently raised his head and arrogantly commanded, "Yugi Muto, for you with only 1200 Life Points remaining, using just this one monster is enough."
"The 1400 Attack **Valkyrie Fourth**, direct attack Yugi Muto! Offer me victory!"
Receiving Zigfried von Schroeder's command, the youngest **Valkyrie Fourth**, although unable to ride a war horse like her sisters due to her age, still adopted a charging stance with her sword and shield and attacked towards Yugi.
It was precisely because **Valkyrie Fourth**'s movement was relatively slower that Yugi had enough time to exclaim, "The **Valkyrie** Deck is truly amazing! Not only the cooperation between the monsters, but even their weaponry and equipment are quite powerful."
"So strong, truly too strong."
"Heh heh, even if you say that, do you think I would be merciful and hold back to let you survive another turn?" Zigfried von Schroeder said coldly, "Don't forget, I've already declared an attack! This isn't something you can simply withdraw!"
Yugi, however, shook his head: "No, that's not what I meant."
"Zigfried von Schroeder, although it seems to you that you cornered me into a dead end before activating that **Trick of the Time Goddess** to secure victory with one blow, in reality, this was all within my calculation!"
"Wh-What?!"
Under Zigfried von Schroeder's surprised, even somewhat fearful gaze, Yugi pressed the activate Set Card button on his Duel Disk.
"It is precisely because I knew you possessed the ability to end the Duel in an instant that I deliberately hid this card from the start, actively exposing myself to danger. And just as I expected, you considered this card useless and used your decisive **Trick of the Time Goddess**."
The card on Yugi's field flipped open, and Zigfried von Schroeder's face instantly changed color: "That card is!"
"I activate the Trap Card, **Mirror Force**!" As the card was activated, a smile involuntarily curled up on Yugi's lips, seemingly in a very good mood.
Thinking about it, pretending to be weak and enduring for so long, finally being able to raise his head in triumph – wasn't this the moment a heavy trap deck player lived for?
Just as Zigfried von Schroeder himself had said, once he declared an attack, he couldn't withdraw it. As a translucent, mirror-like arc barrier/shield expanded in front of Yugi, **Valkyrie Fourth**, completely unaware of the approaching danger, thrust forward the sharp sword in her hand.
Hanoi's sublime power descends here.
In just an instant, a devastating power swept across Zigfried von Schroeder's field. Starting with **Valkyrie Fourth**, who was closest to the center of the explosion, Zigfried von Schroeder's **Valkyrie** monsters were successively destroyed by the effect of **Mirror Force** and sent to the Graveyard with screams.
As the impact wave gradually dissipated, looking at the smoke and dust covering Zigfried von Schroeder's field, Yugi's mindset calmed down again. He calmly stated, "**Mirror Force** is a Trap Card that can be activated in chain to a monster's attack declaration. Its effect is to destroy all Attack Position monsters on the opponent's field."
"With this, Zigfried von Schroeder, all your **Valkyrie** monsters are—"
"Don't underestimate me, you guy!"
Yugi's words were interrupted by an annoyed Zigfried von Schroeder. He was certain of victory, just one step away from winning, and had already declared victory, only to have the situation reversed by a single card. What a disgrace!
Feeling such utter humiliation, the enraged Zigfried von Schroeder fiercely waved his hand, glaring viciously at Yugi: "Who told you all my monsters were destroyed!"
*Clang~*
Along with Zigfried von Schroeder's words, from within the gradually dissipating dust, **Valkyrie First**, who had put away her sword and replaced it with a golden long spear, walked out, supporting herself with the spear.
"Chaining to your **Mirror Force**, I also activated this Quick-Play Spell Card from my hand, **Forbidden Lance**." Zigfried von Schroeder inserted a card into his Duel Disk. "At the cost of decreasing its Attack by 800 points until the end of the turn, **Valkyrie First** has been granted the ability to not be affected by Spell/Trap Card effects other than **Forbidden Lance**!"
[Valkyrie First] [ATK 1600 → 800]
"Even if it's only 800 Attack, the humiliation you inflicted upon me must be repaid!"
With his cards almost depleted and only **Valkyrie First** remaining on the field, the most rational course of action for Zigfried von Schroeder at this moment would have been to end his Battle Phase, then change **Valkyrie First** to Defense Position in his Main Phase 2 to ensure defense, rather than continuing to command her to attack.
However, Zigfried von Schroeder still did it.
Call him impulsive, or say his emotions outweighed his rationality, in any case, the current Zigfried von Schroeder could only be described as "fuming." The sense of superiority he had just felt, thinking "This legendary duelist is nothing special, I'm about to win," instantly turned into "Everything was within my calculation." The resulting gap caused Zigfried von Schroeder's already poor mindset to completely explode.
"**Valkyrie First**, direct attack Yugi Muto!" Zigfried von Schroeder completely failed to notice the reluctance on his monster's face, giving the command forcefully, not caring if this choice would sacrifice his monster.
In his mind, although the **Valkyrie** Deck consisted of quite rare cards, they were ultimately just tools.
**Valkyrie First**, holding the **Forbidden Lance**, sighed helplessly. She weakly tugged the war horse's reins, urging it to charge towards Yugi. No matter how reluctant, she couldn't defy the rules of Duel Monsters. She thrust out the golden long spear, and it pierced through Yugi's body.
[Yugi: 1200 → 400 LP]
Seeing Yugi's already low Life Points decrease further, Zigfried von Schroeder laughed gleefully, his mindset somewhat twisted as he said, "Weren't you very arrogant just now, Yugi Muto? Saying things like 'Everything was within your calculation.' You're just a lowlife, what qualification do you have to feel that kind of superiority?"
"Noble and pure blood flows through my veins, I am the absolute elite of humanity. How dare a mere lowlife presume to stand above me and speak such arrogant words? You're just as detestable as Seto Kaiba, that guy who got lucky and wormed his way into the upper class!"
Zigfried von Schroeder had completely cast aside his jealousy and hatred for Kaiba for the moment, because at this instant, Yugi was the only enemy in his eyes. To put it more precisely, Zigfried von Schroeder had completely merged his dissatisfaction and hatred towards Kaiba into his rage towards Yugi.
At a banquet when Zigfried von Schroeder was very young, the Schroeder Group, controlled by his Schroeder Family, received an invitation from KaibaCorp and attended. There, he met Seto Kaiba, who had recently been adopted by Gozaburo Kaiba.
Zigfried von Schroeder, unaware of the inside story at the time, assumed Kaiba was also an elite child who had received a good education all along, because Gozaburo Kaiba had mentioned when speaking of Seto Kaiba, "Seto Kaiba is a genius, very capable in command and digital fields." He developed a desire to befriend and compete with him.
Thus, when Gozaburo Kaiba was showing off to other invited guests that the latest firewall used by KaibaCorp was programmed by Seto Kaiba, Zigfried von Schroeder secretly used his hacker skills to break through the firewall, placing a virus program within KaibaCorp's internal network to complete the invasion.
At that time, seeing Seto Kaiba, who had worn a dismissive expression and looked down on everyone since the start of the banquet, show a surprised expression, Zigfried von Schroeder felt quite satisfied.
However, shortly after the banquet ended, just after leaving the venue, the personal terminal Zigfried von Schroeder used was inversely invaded and burned out due to overload. Before it burned out, his terminal also received a recording from Kaiba—
"Ignorant and fearless rat, are you very excited about breaking through my firewall?"
"Unfortunately, you are nothing but a mediocrity. You couldn't even see through the disguise I set up and were there gloating."
"You didn't even realize that your own tool was inversely invaded by the program I set. Hmph, just wait for the KaibaCorp legal team."
It wasn't until the circuit board overloaded and burned out, nearly scalding his skin, that Zigfried von Schroeder realized that what he thought was "I am the strongest genius" was merely a one-sided delusion, and "I am Seto Kaiba's opponent" was even more out of the question. The shadow named "Seto Kaiba" began to loom over the arrogant Zigfried von Schroeder, who considered himself superior, from that moment on.
Zigfried von Schroeder, who had originally wanted to befriend Seto Kaiba, another future successor of an arms conglomerate, saw that desire for friendship twist due to this perceived gap in talent. His goal became surpassing Kaiba to prove his own talent.
But as time passed, after repeated overt and covert clashes, Zigfried von Schroeder despairingly discovered that he wasn't the genius he thought he was at all. The gap between him and Seto Kaiba not only didn't shrink but grew wider. Especially after learning from his father that Seto Kaiba wasn't Gozaburo Kaiba's biological son at all, but merely an adopted "commoner," Zigfried von Schroeder's obsession with Kaiba completely transformed into jealousy and hatred.
Later, Seto Kaiba and Zigfried von Schroeder each became the chairman of their respective groups, taking charge of their companies on a new stage, but the result remained unchanged. The Schroeder Group, which had been suppressed in the arms domain, hadn't even had time to transition when KaibaCorp suddenly transformed into an entertainment company specializing in Duel Monsters; Zigfried von Schroeder painstakingly developed a similar virtual projection system, but before he could promote it, KaibaCorp had already signed a contract with the Duel Monster Cards publisher—Industrial Illusions.
Suppressed again and again, Seto Kaiba completely became Zigfried von Schroeder's obsession. And Yugi's actions just now could be said to have recreated Kaiba's attitude of disregard and contempt towards Zigfried von Schroeder in a similar but different way.
It's no wonder Zigfried von Schroeder would project his resentment towards Kaiba onto Yugi.
As his Life Points decreased again, even though it wasn't a Dark Game, Yugi still felt a bit of fatigue, holding two cards in his hand and breathing slightly.
Zigfried von Schroeder glanced at Yugi, showing a pleased smile, as if he had hallucinated Yugi as Kaiba: "I will prove it, I am the elite, my talent is above yours, and your struggle will only bring despair."
"I Set one card from my hand, turn end."
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 4000 LP, Hand 1]
[Valkyrie First] [ATK 800 → 1600]
[Trial of the Traveler] [Set Card]
Zigfried von Schroeder was annoyed that he couldn't end the Duel in one turn as he had declared, but he was very confident in his defense setup.
Don't let the fact that he only had **Valkyrie First** in Attack Position on the field fool you; the **Trial of the Traveler** on his backrow, which could block a monster's attack, was still there. Although Yugi had guessed the correct answer twice in a row, the stubborn Zigfried von Schroeder didn't believe Yugi's good luck would continue.
Activating **Trial of the Traveler** required Zigfried von Schroeder to have a card in his hand. Therefore, he deliberately kept a Monster Card, **Chariot of Destiny**, in his hand to fulfill the activation conditions. At the same time, this was also a trap Zigfried von Schroeder had set.
The effect of **Ride of the Valkyries** that Zigfried von Schroeder activated last turn was to "Special Summon all **Valkyrie** monsters from your hand." This meant that after activating it, whether Zigfried von Schroeder wanted to or not, he had to play all **Valkyrie** monsters from his hand that could be Special Summoned. At that time, he had four **Valkyrie** monsters in his hand.
Thus, he summoned four **Valkyrie** monsters on the field, leaving only one Monster Zone open. Anyone making a judgment would conclude, "Since Zigfried von Schroeder summoned four **Valkyrie** monsters after activating **Ride of the Valkyries**, he definitely has no **Valkyrie** monsters left in his hand." Subconsciously, they would naturally assume Zigfried von Schroeder no longer had any Monster Cards in his hand.
But precisely, Zigfried von Schroeder did have a Monster Card in his hand.
Using a card's effect as misdirection, Zigfried von Schroeder felt he was truly a genius.
As for Yugi activating some other card to destroy **Trial of the Traveler**? There was even less need to worry, because the card Zigfried von Schroeder Set was **Judgment of Anubis**. It had the ability to negate and destroy cards with the effect "Destroy Spell/Trap Cards on the field," and at the same time, target one face-up monster the opponent controlled, destroy it, and inflict damage to the opponent's Life Points equal to that monster's Attack.
Furthermore, Zigfried von Schroeder's current Life Points were still a full 4000, which was 1000% of Yugi's mere 400 Life Points. There was absolutely no way he could lose!
Zigfried von Schroeder, unaware of how strong Yugi was when his Life Points were locked, thought proudly.
Yugi didn't know Zigfried von Schroeder's thoughts. After giving Dark Yugi beside him a smile to indicate he was fine, he took a deep breath, placed his fingers on his Deck, and drew a card.
"My turn, draw!"
After drawing a card from his Deck and adding it to his hand, Yugi didn't rush to activate it. Instead, he looked behind him.
Because of the effect of **Mirror Force** last turn, three of Zigfried von Schroeder's **Valkyrie** monsters were destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. As a result, three Spell Counters were added to the Field Spell Card **Chaos Field**. At this moment, the illusions of three Valkyries of different ages stood behind Yugi.
Yugi calmly declared: "I will activate the effect of the Field Spell Card, **Chaos Field**. Once per turn, I can remove three Spell Counters from it, and then I can add one Ritual Spell Card from my Deck to my hand."
Zigfried von Schroeder was somewhat disdainful: "Using the Field Spell Card's effect to collect Ritual Monsters and Ritual Spell Cards first? Hmph, it's useless. Even if you have the altar and sacrifice target, it's useless without Tributes."
"Normal Ritual Spell Cards require you to choose Tribute monsters from the field or hand for a Ritual Summon, that's correct." Hearing Zigfried von Schroeder's words, Yugi calmly searched his Deck for the card and inserted it into his Duel Disk. "But the card I'm activating is not a normal Ritual, it's **Advanced Ritual Art**!"
"The reason it's called **Advanced Ritual Art** is that I can send Normal Monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard until their combined Star Levels equal that of the Ritual Monster for a Ritual Summon!"
As Yugi activated the **Advanced Ritual Art** card, an altar rose on his field. The Level 4 **Queen's Knight** and the third Magnet Warrior, **Magnet Warrior Gamma**, voluntarily appeared from Yugi's Deck and willingly threw themselves into the altar.
"Their combined Level is 8 Stars. One soul guides darkness, one soul guides light!" Yugi held the card in his hand high. "Use a sharp sword to cleave through this chaotic despair and open up a future of hope!"
"Ritual Summon! **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**!!"
On Yugi's field, a flash of sword light appeared. A strike without hesitation or excess, controlling even time and space, was unleashed. The completely new form of **Black Luster Soldier**—**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**—slowly walked out from the chaos behind the sword light.
[Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier] [Level 8 / EARTH]
[Warrior-Type / Ritual / Effect]
[3000 / 2500]
**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, whose combat power was equivalent to a **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**, was clearly much more flashy in its armor than **Black Luster Soldier**. It was adorned with many gem decorations filled with magic power, and the shape of its armor, shield, and war blade had also changed somewhat.
At the same time, it had transformed from a Level 8 vanilla Ritual Monster into an Effect Monster.
"**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**!?" Zigfried von Schroeder could clearly feel the pressure emanating from this monster, but he wasn't worried that Yugi would gain a chance of victory because of this one monster. "So what if you summoned a monster with Attack equivalent to **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**?"
"No matter how high its Attack is, it's meaningless if it can't hit!"
Although Zigfried von Schroeder didn't say it explicitly, Yugi could guess what he meant: the **Trial of the Traveler** on Zigfried von Schroeder's backrow. Although Yugi had the courage to guess, if possible, Yugi actually didn't want to bet everything. He was actually a pragmatist who prioritized stability.
The bad news was that the card he just drew wasn't a card that could destroy the backrow, so he couldn't do anything about **Trial of the Traveler** for now. The good news was that the card he drew this turn was much more practical than cards like **Mystical Space Typhoon**.
"I activate the Spell Card, **Pot of Greed**. I draw two cards from my Deck." Placing his fingers on his Deck, Yugi drew two cards. After seeing the cards, he couldn't help but smile. "Yosh, I drew the key cards!"
"Then, I will activate the effect of **Double Cyclone** in my hand. This card can target one Spell/Trap Card on my field and one Spell/Trap Card on my opponent's field, and destroy the two targeted cards!" Yugi inserted **Double Cyclone** into his Duel Disk without hesitation, pointing a finger at Zigfried von Schroeder's backrow.
"The ones I choose are that **Trial of the Traveler** on your field, and the Field Spell Card **Chaos Field** on my field. Destroy both of these cards!"
A red and yellow two-colored cyclone appeared on Yugi's and Zigfried von Schroeder's fields. Aside from the difference in color, the two cyclones, like reflections in a mirror, respectively struck Yugi's **Chaos Field** and Zigfried von Schroeder's **Trial of the Traveler**. Yugi expected to see a surprised expression on Zigfried von Schroeder's face, but unexpectedly, he merely curled his lips in disregard and then burst into laughter.
"Hmph hmph, heh heh, hahahahaha!!" Zigfried von Schroeder's laughter was quite unrestrained. "I didn't expect you to fall into this trap so easily, Yugi Muto! Your actions were completely within my design!"
"Destroying my card? That's exactly what I wanted! You fell for it, Yugi Muto, this is my strategy for victory!" Zigfried von Schroeder pressed the activate Set Card button without hesitation. As the Set **Judgment of Anubis** was revealed, Zigfried von Schroeder also discarded **Chariot of Destiny** from his hand and sent it to the Graveyard.
Although this card was a necessary condition for activating **Trial of the Traveler**, victory was clearly only one step away now, and he no longer needed this card.
Yugi was slightly surprised to see **Chariot of Destiny** sent to the Graveyard, because before seeing this card, he had indeed been misled by Zigfried von Schroeder's **Ride of the Valkyries**. His guess about Zigfried von Schroeder's hand only considered the possibilities of Spell Cards and Trap Cards, completely forgetting that **Ride of the Valkyries** could leave monsters other than **Valkyrie** in Zigfried von Schroeder's hand.
Fortunately, Zigfried von Schroeder discarded it, otherwise Yugi really might have fallen for the trap.
As **Chariot of Destiny** was sent to the Graveyard, the effect of **Judgment of Anubis** began to take effect. **Double Cyclone**, which was just about to destroy the two cards, suddenly disappeared from the field. In its place, a strange Anubis god statue emitting a mysterious rune appeared.
"**Judgment of Anubis** requires one card from my hand as a cost to activate. Before the God of Death from Egyptian mythology, the activation and effect of the Quick-Play Spell Card **Double Cyclone** you activated, which has the effect 'Destroy Spell/Trap Cards on the field,' are all negated and destroyed," Zigfried von Schroeder said proudly. "At the same time, you must bear the punishment of divine power!"
Dark Yugi, floating beside Yugi, subconsciously raised an eyebrow. For some reason, listening to Zigfried von Schroeder's threats, Dark Yugi felt that Anubis's punishment was nothing to worry about at all.
Zigfried von Schroeder extended his finger and pointed at **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** on Yugi's field: "After the first effect, **Judgment of Anubis** can destroy one face-up monster on the opponent's field and inflict damage to the opponent player equal to that monster's Attack!"
"Reap what you sow, Yugi Muto! Use your monster to grant you final defeat!"
A light flashed on the black Anubis god statue. A black sharp sword shot towards **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, as if to gouge out its heart and carve into its bones.
If this blow hit, not only would Yugi's last hope—**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**—be destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, but Yugi's Life Points would also be instantly depleted and he would be defeated due to the 3000 points of effect damage!
Yugi certainly wouldn't stand by and watch this happen. He immediately drew a card from his hand and activated it: "I won't let you destroy **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**!"
"Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card **Forbidden Dress**! Target **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**! Its Attack decreases by 600 points until the end of the turn, but it cannot be targeted by effects and cannot be destroyed by effect!" Yugi said with a determined gaze. "With this, **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** won't be destroyed by **Judgment of Anubis**!"
Outside **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s enchanted armor, pure light element condensed into a translucent holy garment covering him. Although it seemed thin, when the sharp sword from **Judgment of Anubis** struck the holy garment, it made a crisp "clang" sound.
Even the noble non-targeting **Judgment of Anubis** failed to penetrate the target's defense.
[Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier] [ATK 3000 → 2400]
Zigfried von Schroeder bit his lip, annoyed: "Idiot! So what if you saved your monster? The destruction effect and damage effect of **Judgment of Anubis** aren't necessarily sequential conditions, they are processed in parallel."
"Although the damage decreased to 2400 points because **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s Attack decreased, it's still enough to deplete your Life Points! Be defeated now!"
Failing to destroy **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, the black sharp sword decisively turned into an illusion, penetrating his defense and heading straight for Yugi. Although slightly dimmed due to the influence of **Forbidden Dress**, it was still a fatal blow for Yugi!
Seeing this, Yugi looked at the last card in his hand and instead smiled: "Yes, I certainly cannot withstand such an attack."
"In that case, I'll return this damage to you, Zigfried von Schroeder!"
"What?!"
Yugi played the last card in his hand: "My final card is the Quick-Play Spell Card **Spell of Pain**!"
"This card allows effect damage inflicted to me by my opponent to be transferred and borne by the opponent duelist!"
"Take this blow, Zigfried von Schroeder!"
Just as the black sharp sword was about to land on Yugi's body, a string of mysterious runes protected Yugi's body, preventing the power of **Judgment of Anubis** from invading Yugi's body at all. Instead, the sword itself was invaded and controlled, turning its direction and attacking towards Zigfried von Schroeder!
"How can this be, how can this be?!" Zigfried von Schroeder completely failed to anticipate that the last card in Yugi's hand would successfully counter his decisive blow. Watching the sharp sword, symbolizing the effect damage power of **Judgment of Anubis**, get closer and closer, Zigfried von Schroeder shouted in panic:
"Don't come near me!!!"
But unfortunately, his refusal could not change the power of the rules. The black long sword instantly pierced through Zigfried von Schroeder's body, turning into black smoke and dissipating along with the Anubis god statue. Extremely intense pain invaded Zigfried von Schroeder's body, causing him to involuntarily kneel on one knee. At the same time, his Life Points plummeted.
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 4000 → 1600 LP]
The sudden infliction of a full 2400 points of effect damage made Zigfried von Schroeder, who was always pampered and used to attacking others rather than being attacked, nearly bite his tongue in pain. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead. He looked up at Yugi on the opposite field: "You... you detestable guy, how dare you injure me?"
"Not even my father has ever hit me!"
Zigfried von Schroeder still hadn't given up the idea of revenge against Yugi, because in his opinion, the Duel wasn't over yet. **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s Attack was still 2400 points after decreasing due to the effect of **Forbidden Dress**. If it attacked the 1600 Attack **Valkyrie First** on his field, it could only inflict 800 points of damage to himself.
Yugi had no other resources either. He still had the next turn. As long as he could find a way to clear Yugi Muto's remaining 400 Life Points, victory would still belong to him, and Zigfried von Schroeder would still be the winner of the Duel!
"Enter my Battle Phase." Zigfried von Schroeder watched Yugi raise his arm and wave it. "**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, attack **Valkyrie First**!"
"Hope Severing Slash!"
Without any unnecessary movements, **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** simply slowly returned its drawn sword to its sheath, then stepped forward, drew it out, and slashed. A slash that could cleave even time and space and chaos was unleashed. **Valkyrie First** gave Yugi a smile before being destroyed by **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** and sent to the Graveyard.
"Igh!"
The sword light from the slash brought intense stinging pain to Zigfried von Schroeder. After the battle damage landed on him, who hadn't recovered from the previous effect damage, Zigfried von Schroeder's knees went weak, and he nearly knelt down again after finally standing straight.
Looking at **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**, which was still walking towards him despite having finished its attack, Zigfried von Schroeder completely failed to sense the danger. Instead, he glared viciously at Yugi behind it: "What a disgrace, to make me lose face like this! You guy are unforgivable!"
"When it's my turn, I will make you—"
**Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** reached out and grabbed Zigfried von Schroeder by the collar. The fierce gaze beneath its helmet made it impossible for Zigfried von Schroeder to say the rest of his words.
"Wh-What's going on?"
"You don't have a next turn, Zigfried von Schroeder." The speaker was Yugi. With his arms crossed over his chest, for some reason, Zigfried von Schroeder felt as if Yugi had become a different person at this moment, his aura completely different.
Imitating Dark Yugi's way of speaking and tone under his urging, Yugi tried hard to keep a straight face and showed a cold smile: "The result of the Duel was decided the moment **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**'s attack was completed."
In Zigfried von Schroeder's disbelieving gaze, a new illusion appeared beside **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier**. It was **Valkyrie First**, who had just been sent to the Graveyard. Because the effect of **Double Cyclone** was negated, the effect of **Chaos Field** was still taking effect.
However, the state of **Valkyrie First** who appeared at this moment was different from the state of her three sisters. The other three were purely soul forms, appearing without their weapons, while **Valkyrie First** still held the sharp sword she had used before in her hand.
"The effect of **Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier** is that when it battle destroys an opponent's monster and sends it to the Graveyard, it inflicts damage to the opponent duelist equal to that monster's original Attack."
As Yugi explained, **Valkyrie First**, who had accumulated considerable emotion due to Zigfried von Schroeder constantly treating them as tools, recklessly commanding, utilizing, and sacrificing them, raised the long sword in her hand and slashed down fiercely!
Yugi recalled what Zigfried von Schroeder had said earlier and delivered the finishing statement: "Use your monster to grant you final defeat, Zigfried von Schroeder."
"This move is called, Chaos Return."
[Zigfried von Schroeder: 1600 LP → 0]
As Zigfried von Schroeder's Life Points were completely depleted, the referee promptly declared: "Player Zigfried von Schroeder's Life Points have reached 0, defeat confirmed. The winner of this duel is, Yugi Muto!"
*Author's Notes:*
Jiang Ziya's pool sank. A single pull only yielded a five-star Craft Essence and a max-limit-broken four-star Craft Essence. Not a single gold card came out. I tried fishing for the fishing enthusiast but came up empty. I even waited specifically for the 3 AM superstition.
The only thing worth celebrating is that the event's Ritual Stone is permanent, so I can wait for it to spook me later.
Also, regarding the opponent relationship between Zigfried von Schroeder and Kaiba in this chapter, I actually referenced Emu Hojo and Kuroto Dan. It's that memory segment where Kuroto Dan, who prided himself as a genius, discovered that his talent in game design was surpassed by the genius gamer M. However, Zigfried von Schroeder won't have the chance to become the world's first person afflicted with the Game Disease and provide famous scenes.
Finally, 8k the day before yesterday, 8k yesterday, and I even added a bit today, totaling over 7k. So, is it okay if I take a day off? Just a short break to save up some drafts for later use.
(End of Chapter)
