Reading settings
Chapter 742: I, Bakura, Am Invincible Under Heaven!
"Ding-a-ling..."
A crisp metallic sound rang out outside the City Gate, attracting the attention of a Soldier standing at the Entrance of the City-State. It made him unable to resist leaning over the City Wall to peer outside to see what sound was happening below the City Wall.
However, he saw nothing.
"Maybe you're just overly nervous. Hearing Lord Seto say he won't be easy on us if something like what happened a few days ago makes him, the one responsible for the City's security, lose face again, so you're scared?"
His Companion, who was working the night shift with him as a Guard, teased him with a laugh. The Guard, already suspecting he had imagined the sound, also laughed and cursed at his Companion, thinking perhaps he really was overly nervous and had misheard. He didn't pay attention to the sound he had just heard.
From beside the two Guards, Bakura, whose body was in a completely invisible state, climbed up along the gaps between the bricks forming the City Wall. He glanced at the two Guards beside him but did not kill them. Instead, he bypassed them and walked towards the City by himself.
However, his stance while walking was limping somewhat.
"That bastard Mahad, to think he erupted with such great power at the end. He really left me with a lot of trouble." Although he had changed into a new robe, Bakura's half-exposed body beneath the robe showed unhealed burns. "It's completely different from the experience from three thousand years ago. Is it because this is the World of the Pharaoh's Memory, so that guy also became stronger because of the Pharaoh's understanding?"
"However, it's also thanks to Mahad becoming stronger. Although he caused me more trouble, it also made the reward after defeating him even richer and more appealing."
Stroking the **Millennium Ring** on his chest, which emitted a faint golden light, Bakura pulled at the corner of his mouth, revealing a fierce smile. The metallic sound the Soldier had just noticed came from his **Millennium Ring**.
The Ultimate Dark Game is, at its core, still a Dark Game, requiring adherence to the most basic principle of "fairness." This doesn't mean it will forcibly weaken the strong player or anything like that; rather, it means it will give each side a considerable advantage.
Dark Yugi's advantage was starting with the identity of his three-thousand-year-old self, the "Nameless Pharaoh," thus gaining the support of an entire country. As one of the 'participants' in this Ultimate Dark Game, Bakura—or rather, Bakura, who was controlling the game piece named "Thief Bakura" and had once again infiltrated the Royal City—gained the advantage of detailed memories from three thousand years ago.
It's probably comparable to a reborn person starting from scratch with memories versus a rich second generation starting at the peak of someone else's life?
But actually, the 'advantages' of both had their own flaws. While Dark Yugi's Pharaoh identity brought him convenience, the Priests under him each had their own ideas and were not game pieces he could completely control. Furthermore, the memories Bakura obtained had deviations different from three thousand years ago.
At least in the true history three thousand years ago, Bakura was not tricked by Mahad to the point of suffering severe injury.
It was also because of this memory deviation that Bakura controlled Bakura to return to the Royal City. Continuing to act alone was too dangerous, without any guarantee or backup plan. He needed to increase the number of game pieces he could control, so that even if he lost Bakura, he wouldn't lose this Dark Game.
Walking through the silent, deserted streets at night in a completely transparent state, completely ignoring the Guards patrolling the roadside, Bakura wore a proud expression.
"Thanks to Mahad's **Shadow Ghoul**, my **Diabound** gained the power of transparency. Is Seto the one responsible for the City's defense after Mahad's death? What a pity about his setup. No matter how strict the defense, it's useless against me."
"Although this state is dispelled if I attack, making me vulnerable to attack, this flaw is quite annoying. But my goal isn't to kill anyway."
"If I'm not mistaken, it's this direction?"
Following the guidance of the **Millennium Ring**, Bakura's direction was not the Royal Palace, but a Stone Tablet Temple outside the Royal Palace.
"The prophet's memories, which aren't absolute but can still be used as reference; the most powerful **Millennium Item** among the **Millennium Items**, the **Millennium Ring**; and the spirit beast **Diabound** that evolves infinitely! I, Bakura, am invincible!"
"So that's it, Hayato Kobayashi awakened such a powerful spirit..."
Inside the Temple, hearing Seto's description, Aknadin couldn't help but nod. Monsters that could turn their body into an untouchable state weren't unheard of before Hayato's [Psychic Ectoplasm] appeared. The deceased Mahad had a monster named **Shadow Ghoul**, which could not only turn its body transparent and invisible but also had wall-passing ability or bypass powerful monsters to directly attack the enemy.
But that monster's flaw was also very obvious. Although its transparency ability was almost invincible, it would be forcibly dispelled when it needed to initiate an attack. A quick-reacting enemy could even seize that instant as an opportunity to counter, like putting a dumpling on its head. Also, the transparent state could only be maintained for a maximum of five minutes, after which it had to be dispelled to catch its breath...
What, "Kamui"? Never heard of such a thing. And it's definitely not similar, not similar at all. Hmm.
But even so, the power of **Shadow Ghoul** was still quite powerful. Even relatively weaker Priests like Shada, Karim, and Isis couldn't even force out Mahad's [Illusion Magician]; just **Shadow Ghoul** alone was an existence they couldn't handle.
Although in terms of raw strength, it was indeed inferior to Hayato's [Drytron Meteonis Draconids], which could almost have a beam struggle with a Divine-Beast, the functionality of **Shadow Ghoul** was something even a Divine-Beast couldn't replace. Even Seto, who pursued power, was willing to accept this kind of monster with special abilities.
And Hayato's [Psychic Ectoplasm] was even more unfair. Although it lacked the power of invisibility compared to **Shadow Ghoul**, it had the ability to attack without dispelling its untouchable state. Although he didn't quite understand what Hayato meant by 'only a substitute/decoy can defeat a substitute/decoy,' that wasn't important. Knowing that Hayato's plan could indeed create powerful monsters was enough for Seto.
And Aknadin, after learning that Seto's plan, which sounded quite inhumane just by hearing it, was stopped by Hayato before it could be implemented, also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, he really didn't want to see Seto step into the Abyss, especially since he himself had already stepped into the Abyss.
Aknadin's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the past fifteen years ago.
At that time, the Kingdom was in the midst of war. As the court alchemist, after painstaking research, he finally unearthed a way to obtain great power from an ancient book. But the notification also revealed how heavy the stakes were to obtain that power.
But the young Aknadin at that time had ideas very similar to Seto's.
What was truly the crisis for the Kingdom and its People?
The most terrifying thing, of course, was the crisis of the collapse of the Royal Authority. The overthrow of the dynasty was more terrifying than war, famine, and everything else. And if no sacrifice was made, the war would continue, and it would continue to take the lives of innocent people.
And rather than letting the lives of these innocent people be sacrificed in vain in war, it would be better to utilize them in a more valuable place to obtain the power to protect the Kingdom and prevent war from coming again.
Harboring such self-righteous ideas, Aknadin hid it from everyone, taking the great cause as his stance, and ultimately did something irreversible. Although he did achieve his initial goal, allowing the Kingdom to obtain the power to end the war, protecting the Kingdom and its People from the troubles of war, and continuing the dynasty.
However, the guilt and sin of doing something unforgivable still lingered in his heart to this day, unable to be removed. Knowing the end of that stubbornness and self-righteousness, Aknadin thus didn't want to see Seto walk down his old path.
'It's truly good that Seto didn't do something so irreversible. Thanks to Hayato Kobayashi, fortunately he was there to stop Seto.' Aknadin sincerely thanked him in his inner thoughts. 'Hayato Kobayashi, you are so gentle, practically the gentlest person on the Surface World.'
Meanwhile, Seto below the Altar didn't know what Aknadin was thinking in his heart. He continued speaking to him, "Hayato Kobayashi's success proves that, as he said, it's not just the monsters born from the evil within the heart of Sinners; perhaps we Priests who have undergone training can also develop spirits with unique abilities."
"However, Priest Shada suggested to me that we could first conduct an experiment on him to avoid Hayato Kobayashi's situation being a unique case, which would increase the persuasiveness."
Pausing for a moment, Seto looked at Aknadin and said, "It's just, Lord Aknadin, as you know, although Priest Shada has been diligently training in the use of the **Millennium Key**, using it on others and using it on oneself are two different things."
"Also, the **Millennium Item** that can see through the monster in another's heart is not just the **Millennium Key**."
"So, you're thinking of asking for my help to use the power of the **Millennium Eye** on Shada to unlock the lock of the heart and awaken a spirit?" Aknadin also understood. Why Seto had come to him was because he wanted his help.
Logically speaking, the status of the Priests among themselves was generally equal; no one could order anyone else unless there was special permission from the Pharaoh. Otherwise, Aknadin had no need to help Seto. However, just as Shada was willing to help Seto use the power of the **Millennium Key** out of friendship, Aknadin was also willing to extend a helping hand and help Seto's request, and he did so willingly.
"Yes, I will help, Seto."
Aknadin nodded to Seto. "Although the physician said that I need to avoid excitement during this period and cannot use the power of the **Millennium Eye** on monsters of a certain strength as I used to, simply helping Priest Shada open the lock of the heart and awaken a spirit is not a problem."
"That's wonderful, thank you very much for your help, Lord Aknadin," Seto said somewhat happily. "I plan to report this matter to the Pharaoh tomorrow morning. At that time, I will awaken Shada's spirit in the Royal Palace in front of the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh witnessing it in person will be more convincing than any evidence."
Hearing that Seto told him before telling the Pharaoh, Aknadin was also a little happy in his heart, but also a little curious: "By the way, Seto, speaking of which, can't you also awaken the spirit in your heart? Why didn't you ask Priest Shada to help you use the power of the **Millennium Key** on you today after witnessing Hayato Kobayashi's success?"
Hearing Aknadin ask about this, the smile on Seto's face couldn't help but freeze. He hesitated, unsure whether he should tell Aknadin, who treated him like his own child and whom he had always regarded as a respected mentor, about what happened later that day.
After much hesitation, Seto ultimately did not speak of the matter. He apologized to Aknadin on the Altar, "Sorry, Lord Aknadin, there's a reason for this matter that's difficult to explain; it's not something you can understand just by being told."
Aknadin looked at the hesitation on Seto's face. Seto, who was usually firm and could even be called stubborn, actually showed such a rare expression? Although he was very curious in his heart, Aknadin also waved his hand: "No, it's nothing. I was just a little curious. Older people naturally get a little gossip. It's fine if you don't want to say anything."
Bowing to Aknadin, Seto finished the main business and no longer bothered Aknadin. He left the Stone Tablet Temple and walked slowly towards his Residence near the Royal Palace, his thoughts drifting far away. However, no matter how slowly he walked, because the distance to his destination was too close, Seto didn't take long to return to his Residence.
As a Priest under the Pharaoh, Seto's treatment was naturally commensurate with his status. Although the building he lived in was not as good as the mansions the Royal Family could live in, it wasn't far off, and the number of Attendants was also considerable.
However, for some reason, Seto had specifically dismissed the maidservants/attendants who were supposed to serve him in his Residence today, leaving the large house pitch-black without lighting. It wasn't until Seto returned to his Residence and lit the oil lamp on the wall that there was some light.
And as Seto lit the oil lamp in the Bedroom, the light illuminated the bed in a corner of the Room. A woman was actually lying peacefully asleep on the bed?!
Seto was not surprised that this woman would appear in his Room, because he himself had brought this woman home.
Walking to the bed and looking at the woman's beautiful white hair, Seto's heart was inexplicably restless. He subconsciously reached out his hand and stroked the sleeping woman's cheek with his fingertips.
"Just looking at you, why is my heart so disordered?" Feeling the soft and tender touch of the other person's skin transmitted from his fingertips, Seto muttered to himself.
End of Chapter
"Ding-a-ling..."
A crisp metallic sound rang out outside the City Gate, attracting the attention of a Soldier standing at the Entrance of the City-State. It made him unable to resist leaning over the City Wall to peer outside to see what sound was happening below the City Wall.
However, he saw nothing.
"Maybe you're just overly nervous. Hearing Lord Seto say he won't be easy on us if something like what happened a few days ago makes him, the one responsible for the City's security, lose face again, so you're scared?"
His Companion, who was working the night shift with him as a Guard, teased him with a laugh. The Guard, already suspecting he had imagined the sound, also laughed and cursed at his Companion, thinking perhaps he really was overly nervous and had misheard. He didn't pay attention to the sound he had just heard.
From beside the two Guards, Bakura, whose body was in a completely invisible state, climbed up along the gaps between the bricks forming the City Wall. He glanced at the two Guards beside him but did not kill them. Instead, he bypassed them and walked towards the City by himself.
However, his stance while walking was limping somewhat.
"That bastard Mahad, to think he erupted with such great power at the end. He really left me with a lot of trouble." Although he had changed into a new robe, Bakura's half-exposed body beneath the robe showed unhealed burns. "It's completely different from the experience from three thousand years ago. Is it because this is the World of the Pharaoh's Memory, so that guy also became stronger because of the Pharaoh's understanding?"
"However, it's also thanks to Mahad becoming stronger. Although he caused me more trouble, it also made the reward after defeating him even richer and more appealing."
Stroking the **Millennium Ring** on his chest, which emitted a faint golden light, Bakura pulled at the corner of his mouth, revealing a fierce smile. The metallic sound the Soldier had just noticed came from his **Millennium Ring**.
The Ultimate Dark Game is, at its core, still a Dark Game, requiring adherence to the most basic principle of "fairness." This doesn't mean it will forcibly weaken the strong player or anything like that; rather, it means it will give each side a considerable advantage.
Dark Yugi's advantage was starting with the identity of his three-thousand-year-old self, the "Nameless Pharaoh," thus gaining the support of an entire country. As one of the 'participants' in this Ultimate Dark Game, Bakura—or rather, Bakura, who was controlling the game piece named "Thief Bakura" and had once again infiltrated the Royal City—gained the advantage of detailed memories from three thousand years ago.
It's probably comparable to a reborn person starting from scratch with memories versus a rich second generation starting at the peak of someone else's life?
But actually, the 'advantages' of both had their own flaws. While Dark Yugi's Pharaoh identity brought him convenience, the Priests under him each had their own ideas and were not game pieces he could completely control. Furthermore, the memories Bakura obtained had deviations different from three thousand years ago.
At least in the true history three thousand years ago, Bakura was not tricked by Mahad to the point of suffering severe injury.
It was also because of this memory deviation that Bakura controlled Bakura to return to the Royal City. Continuing to act alone was too dangerous, without any guarantee or backup plan. He needed to increase the number of game pieces he could control, so that even if he lost Bakura, he wouldn't lose this Dark Game.
Walking through the silent, deserted streets at night in a completely transparent state, completely ignoring the Guards patrolling the roadside, Bakura wore a proud expression.
"Thanks to Mahad's **Shadow Ghoul**, my **Diabound** gained the power of transparency. Is Seto the one responsible for the City's defense after Mahad's death? What a pity about his setup. No matter how strict the defense, it's useless against me."
"Although this state is dispelled if I attack, making me vulnerable to attack, this flaw is quite annoying. But my goal isn't to kill anyway."
"If I'm not mistaken, it's this direction?"
Following the guidance of the **Millennium Ring**, Bakura's direction was not the Royal Palace, but a Stone Tablet Temple outside the Royal Palace.
"The prophet's memories, which aren't absolute but can still be used as reference; the most powerful **Millennium Item** among the **Millennium Items**, the **Millennium Ring**; and the spirit beast **Diabound** that evolves infinitely! I, Bakura, am invincible!"
"So that's it, Hayato Kobayashi awakened such a powerful spirit..."
Inside the Temple, hearing Seto's description, Aknadin couldn't help but nod. Monsters that could turn their body into an untouchable state weren't unheard of before Hayato's [Psychic Ectoplasm] appeared. The deceased Mahad had a monster named **Shadow Ghoul**, which could not only turn its body transparent and invisible but also had wall-passing ability or bypass powerful monsters to directly attack the enemy.
But that monster's flaw was also very obvious. Although its transparency ability was almost invincible, it would be forcibly dispelled when it needed to initiate an attack. A quick-reacting enemy could even seize that instant as an opportunity to counter, like putting a dumpling on its head. Also, the transparent state could only be maintained for a maximum of five minutes, after which it had to be dispelled to catch its breath...
What, "Kamui"? Never heard of such a thing. And it's definitely not similar, not similar at all. Hmm.
But even so, the power of **Shadow Ghoul** was still quite powerful. Even relatively weaker Priests like Shada, Karim, and Isis couldn't even force out Mahad's [Illusion Magician]; just **Shadow Ghoul** alone was an existence they couldn't handle.
Although in terms of raw strength, it was indeed inferior to Hayato's [Drytron Meteonis Draconids], which could almost have a beam struggle with a Divine-Beast, the functionality of **Shadow Ghoul** was something even a Divine-Beast couldn't replace. Even Seto, who pursued power, was willing to accept this kind of monster with special abilities.
And Hayato's [Psychic Ectoplasm] was even more unfair. Although it lacked the power of invisibility compared to **Shadow Ghoul**, it had the ability to attack without dispelling its untouchable state. Although he didn't quite understand what Hayato meant by 'only a substitute/decoy can defeat a substitute/decoy,' that wasn't important. Knowing that Hayato's plan could indeed create powerful monsters was enough for Seto.
And Aknadin, after learning that Seto's plan, which sounded quite inhumane just by hearing it, was stopped by Hayato before it could be implemented, also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, he really didn't want to see Seto step into the Abyss, especially since he himself had already stepped into the Abyss.
Aknadin's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the past fifteen years ago.
At that time, the Kingdom was in the midst of war. As the court alchemist, after painstaking research, he finally unearthed a way to obtain great power from an ancient book. But the notification also revealed how heavy the stakes were to obtain that power.
But the young Aknadin at that time had ideas very similar to Seto's.
What was truly the crisis for the Kingdom and its People?
The most terrifying thing, of course, was the crisis of the collapse of the Royal Authority. The overthrow of the dynasty was more terrifying than war, famine, and everything else. And if no sacrifice was made, the war would continue, and it would continue to take the lives of innocent people.
And rather than letting the lives of these innocent people be sacrificed in vain in war, it would be better to utilize them in a more valuable place to obtain the power to protect the Kingdom and prevent war from coming again.
Harboring such self-righteous ideas, Aknadin hid it from everyone, taking the great cause as his stance, and ultimately did something irreversible. Although he did achieve his initial goal, allowing the Kingdom to obtain the power to end the war, protecting the Kingdom and its People from the troubles of war, and continuing the dynasty.
However, the guilt and sin of doing something unforgivable still lingered in his heart to this day, unable to be removed. Knowing the end of that stubbornness and self-righteousness, Aknadin thus didn't want to see Seto walk down his old path.
'It's truly good that Seto didn't do something so irreversible. Thanks to Hayato Kobayashi, fortunately he was there to stop Seto.' Aknadin sincerely thanked him in his inner thoughts. 'Hayato Kobayashi, you are so gentle, practically the gentlest person on the Surface World.'
Meanwhile, Seto below the Altar didn't know what Aknadin was thinking in his heart. He continued speaking to him, "Hayato Kobayashi's success proves that, as he said, it's not just the monsters born from the evil within the heart of Sinners; perhaps we Priests who have undergone training can also develop spirits with unique abilities."
"However, Priest Shada suggested to me that we could first conduct an experiment on him to avoid Hayato Kobayashi's situation being a unique case, which would increase the persuasiveness."
Pausing for a moment, Seto looked at Aknadin and said, "It's just, Lord Aknadin, as you know, although Priest Shada has been diligently training in the use of the **Millennium Key**, using it on others and using it on oneself are two different things."
"Also, the **Millennium Item** that can see through the monster in another's heart is not just the **Millennium Key**."
"So, you're thinking of asking for my help to use the power of the **Millennium Eye** on Shada to unlock the lock of the heart and awaken a spirit?" Aknadin also understood. Why Seto had come to him was because he wanted his help.
Logically speaking, the status of the Priests among themselves was generally equal; no one could order anyone else unless there was special permission from the Pharaoh. Otherwise, Aknadin had no need to help Seto. However, just as Shada was willing to help Seto use the power of the **Millennium Key** out of friendship, Aknadin was also willing to extend a helping hand and help Seto's request, and he did so willingly.
"Yes, I will help, Seto."
Aknadin nodded to Seto. "Although the physician said that I need to avoid excitement during this period and cannot use the power of the **Millennium Eye** on monsters of a certain strength as I used to, simply helping Priest Shada open the lock of the heart and awaken a spirit is not a problem."
"That's wonderful, thank you very much for your help, Lord Aknadin," Seto said somewhat happily. "I plan to report this matter to the Pharaoh tomorrow morning. At that time, I will awaken Shada's spirit in the Royal Palace in front of the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh witnessing it in person will be more convincing than any evidence."
Hearing that Seto told him before telling the Pharaoh, Aknadin was also a little happy in his heart, but also a little curious: "By the way, Seto, speaking of which, can't you also awaken the spirit in your heart? Why didn't you ask Priest Shada to help you use the power of the **Millennium Key** on you today after witnessing Hayato Kobayashi's success?"
Hearing Aknadin ask about this, the smile on Seto's face couldn't help but freeze. He hesitated, unsure whether he should tell Aknadin, who treated him like his own child and whom he had always regarded as a respected mentor, about what happened later that day.
After much hesitation, Seto ultimately did not speak of the matter. He apologized to Aknadin on the Altar, "Sorry, Lord Aknadin, there's a reason for this matter that's difficult to explain; it's not something you can understand just by being told."
Aknadin looked at the hesitation on Seto's face. Seto, who was usually firm and could even be called stubborn, actually showed such a rare expression? Although he was very curious in his heart, Aknadin also waved his hand: "No, it's nothing. I was just a little curious. Older people naturally get a little gossip. It's fine if you don't want to say anything."
Bowing to Aknadin, Seto finished the main business and no longer bothered Aknadin. He left the Stone Tablet Temple and walked slowly towards his Residence near the Royal Palace, his thoughts drifting far away. However, no matter how slowly he walked, because the distance to his destination was too close, Seto didn't take long to return to his Residence.
As a Priest under the Pharaoh, Seto's treatment was naturally commensurate with his status. Although the building he lived in was not as good as the mansions the Royal Family could live in, it wasn't far off, and the number of Attendants was also considerable.
However, for some reason, Seto had specifically dismissed the maidservants/attendants who were supposed to serve him in his Residence today, leaving the large house pitch-black without lighting. It wasn't until Seto returned to his Residence and lit the oil lamp on the wall that there was some light.
And as Seto lit the oil lamp in the Bedroom, the light illuminated the bed in a corner of the Room. A woman was actually lying peacefully asleep on the bed?!
Seto was not surprised that this woman would appear in his Room, because he himself had brought this woman home.
Walking to the bed and looking at the woman's beautiful white hair, Seto's heart was inexplicably restless. He subconsciously reached out his hand and stroked the sleeping woman's cheek with his fingertips.
"Just looking at you, why is my heart so disordered?" Feeling the soft and tender touch of the other person's skin transmitted from his fingertips, Seto muttered to himself.
End of Chapter
