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"Chapter 842: No Matter How Good-looking Anime/Manga Paper People Are, They're Still Fake
Due to the appearance of Johan and Rafael, Pegasus put away his manuscript and began to look Rafael over.
This wasn't the first time Pegasus had seen Rafael. Actually, they had interacted before. That was when Hayato joined Doma. To prevent Pegasus, the Father of Duel Monsters, from receiving aid from Spirits and creating some troublesome cards, Dartz sent the Doma Three Knights to eliminate Pegasus, and Hayato went with them.
At that time, Alister hadn't let go of the resentment towards Kaiba, and Valon had no intention of taking action against Pegasus due to Kujaku Mai's presence. So, the ones ultimately responsible for eliminating Pegasus became Rafael and Hayato. And because Rafael didn't fully trust Hayato at the time, Pegasus became Hayato's "pledge of loyalty" and had his soul sealed by Hayato. Afterward, Hayato also dueled Joey Wheeler and Yugi on the Top Floor of Industrial Illusions.
Although the duel with Hayato alone had already exhausted Pegasus, leaving him unable to focus on other matters, Rafael, who was standing nearby, left a certain impression on Pegasus. Meeting him again now reminded Pegasus that he had indeed seen this person before.
Also due to the change in status, Rafael, who now appeared before Pegasus, was no longer an enemy. This allowed Pegasus to observe and appraise Rafael more objectively. In place of Pegasus's left eye, a prosthetic eye, merely a pure gold replica similar in style to the Millennium Eye, lit up with a faint radiance.
Before coming to Egypt, Pegasus had inexplicably lost the mystical power of the Millennium Eye that remained in his body. However, after Hayato and Atem defeated Dark Bakura's soul and the Great Darkness Evil God - Zorc Necrophades in the tablet in Memory World, that lost residual power surprisingly returned to Pegasus. At this moment, he was observing Rafael using the power of the Millennium Eye.
This was also a small habit Pegasus had when he still possessed the Millennium Eye. Compared to spoken words and what the naked eye saw on the surface, he felt that a person's heart was much more reliable and trustworthy, as well as more intuitive and convenient.
Rafael's heart opened up to Pegasus. Very smoothly, Pegasus "saw through" Rafael from the inside out. However, just as Pegasus directed his gaze towards Rafael, Rafael, who was talking to Atem, also seemed to sense something. He suddenly turned his head to look at Pegasus, whose gaze gave him a strange feeling.
And **Guardian Eatos** immediately left her card and appeared beside Rafael, staring at Pegasus with an unfriendly gaze.
"What keen senses you have, Mr. Rafael, and such sharp gaze." Pegasus hadn't expected Rafael to notice his movement, which should have gone undetected, so quickly. He attempted to brush it off with a fake smile. "It's clear you possess quite excellent talent as a Duelist, and you also have quite excellent Duel Monsters."
"**Eatos** is my family," Rafael corrected him somewhat seriously. "And stop looking at me with that gaze, Pegasus J. Crawford."
"Heh heh, serves you right, Pegasus! Who told you to always use the power of your eye to look at others?" Marik, standing beside Pegasus, immediately mocked him. "My Brother-in-law warned you several times before. Looking at people with that gaze makes it very easy to get hit. See? You were discovered right away."
"The Millennium Eye has been gone from you for so long now. Although that power still remains, no one knows how long it will continue to exist. You should try to get used to losing this power, Pegasus," Atem said with a smile, looking at Pegasus's dejected expression.
At the same time, he couldn't help but recall what Shadi had said before.
Hayato and Johan's conversation also stopped. Hayato glanced at Pegasus and said, "Since you've already looked, why don't you tell the person directly what you saw?" As he spoke, Hayato also glanced at Rafael.
Seeing Johan beside Hayato also wearing an expectant expression, Rafael frowned. He thought to himself that he absolutely had to talk to Johan properly when they got back, telling him not to remember anything he heard from Hayato Kobayashi today, to forget it all and definitely not learn bad things from him. At the same time, he said to Pegasus beside him, "Analyze minds, you say? If it's someone with something to hide in their heart, they might strongly resist."
"However, it doesn't matter to me."
Rafael had always felt it didn't matter when it came to these things. When Pegasus heard Rafael say this, he spoke up, "Actually, the first glance me took at Mr. Rafael, me saw the deepest relief and ease in your heart."
"Although me doesn't know what kind of heavy burden and pressure Mr. Rafael you once carried, the present you seems to have come to terms with things and crossed that hurdle, welcoming a completely new state of mind, like a rebirth." Pegasus said, nodding his head. "In this state of mind, you should also be able to display strength exceeding your original 1000% in Duel Monsters."
"Besides that, me also saw your reflection on your past actions and the hope you place in that Boy over there. But what attracted me the most as the Father of Duel Monsters had to be Mr. Rafael, your heartfelt passion for Duel Monsters."
"Even more so than Hayato boy or Yugi-boy, rather than calling them partners, it's more accurate to say you regard them as family that you must protect with your life. What touching passion!"
Rafael didn't say anything upon hearing Pegasus's words. Noticing Atem's gaze beside him, he nodded and said, "Yes, what he said is basically correct. Before, when you, Atem, defeated Dartz and his 'Orichalcos God', I, whose soul was granted liberation from his body, met with my parents who passed away many years ago, as well as Julia and Sonia. After saying a proper farewell to them, perhaps I have overcome the mist of the past that lingered for many years."
"However, although I lost that part of my obsession that forced me forward, it doesn't mean I've become weaker. And I still believe in my family now, just like before—**Guardian Eatos** and the others." Rafael's face showed a smile. "So don't think I'm not the same person I used to be. If we dueled again, maybe I would win."
Upon hearing this, Atem returned the smile. "You sure are bold, Rafael. Although your feelings for the Guardians are admirable, Aibo and my team is invincible. We won't lose to you."
Joey Wheeler, however, noticed that Pegasus's expression was clearly hesitant, looking as if he didn't know whether he should continue speaking.
"What's wrong, Pegasus?"
"Hmm, actually, me isn't sure if me was mistaken, but there's something me thought about and decided me should tell you, Mr. Rafael." Pegasus paused, his gaze towards Rafael a little strange. "Although **Guardian Eatos** beside you is indeed a human-figure Duel Monster with quite a sacred and gorgeous appearance, she is after all a Duel Monster, you know..."
Rafael heard this, his eye twitched, and he looked at Pegasus.
"Although anime/manga paper people are cute, you should look at the 3D world more and not be lost in the illusory world. Although you say you regard them as family, Mr. Rafael, your feelings for **Guardian Eatos** seem to have degenerated somewhat in me's opinion. You two cannot—"
"Silence! I'm not like what you said at all!" Clearly, Rafael was a little flustered. When he felt the gaze of the people around him also turn a little strange, he said urgently to Pegasus, "You're definitely mistaken! How were you even looking to get such an outrageous result!"
"If you dare spout nonsense again, I will definitely correct you!"
"Haha, he's flustered." "Yeah, completely flustered, flustered indeed." Marik and Hayato, standing together, didn't mind making matters worse. They egged him on from the side, clearly anticipating Rafael and Pegasus getting into a fight.
Seeing Rafael's reaction was so intense, Pegasus quickly smiled and soothed him. "Hmm, it seems me was indeed mistaken. Looking again now, Mr. Rafael, what's in his heart for **Guardian Eatos** is indeed pure family affection."
This was a lie. Pegasus fundamentally wasn't using the residual power of the Millennium Eye again; he was merely placating Rafael verbally. And Rafael, hearing that Pegasus had said this to restore his innocent reputation (questionable), also stopped speaking and quieted down.
And in his heart, Pegasus checked off his recent judgment, confirming that it was absolutely true. Looking at the annoyed Rafael, Pegasus said again, "Although a small part of Mr. Rafael, your heart that me saw was 'mistaken', but me can generally make an affirmative judgment: Mr. Rafael, you are an excellent Duelist."
"Then me has also made a decision. The card set currently in production process, although me doesn't know when it will be completed, me plans to gift this card set to you, Mr. Rafael. Consider it an apology gift."
"Cards currently being produced? Mr. Pegasus, are you producing other cards right now?" Bakura asked, looking at Pegasus strangely upon hearing this. But saw Pegasus shake his head. Bakura, who instantly understood his meaning, covered his mouth slightly with his hand in slight surprise. "Could it be the **Crystal Beast** cards? Mr. Pegasus, are you planning to give the **Crystal Beast** cards to Mr. Rafael?"
Hearing Bakura's words, Rafael also immediately noticed his low presence and narrowed his eyes. Was he mistaken? He always felt like he had seen this person somewhere before. This young man seemed similar to the one with the bunny ear hairstyle who cooperated with him when he was still one of the Doma Three Knights, but the gap in temperament was too large. It must be an illusion, right?
"Huh? But aren't the **Crystal Beast** cards super rare cards that Pegasus poured a lot of effort into and require artifact-level gemstones to produce?" Joey Wheeler also looked at Pegasus in confusion. "I thought you would keep them for yourself to use."
"What kind of image does me have in your eyes, Joey Wheeler boy?" Pegasus sighed.
"A cunning Card Printer." "A cheater who prints powerful cards for himself." "A White-Haired One who's good at being tricky." "A peeping tom." "The one who designed the despicable Forbidden & Limited List."
Whether it was Yugi, Hayato, Téa , or Tristan , they all simultaneously stated their impressions of Pegasus.
"Me can accept the rest, but didn't you propose the Forbidden & Limited List to me and Kaiba boy, Hayato boy?" Pegasus ranted, then said seriously, "Although me cannot deny that occasionally me does print powerful cards that are unique in the entire world for myself, me is more of a Card Designer than a Duelist."
"Toon is the youthful years me experienced with Cyndia that me misses. **Relinquished** is the darkness and despair from me's inner thoughts after losing Cyndia. But that is enough. Me is not a pioneer like you, Hayato boy and Yugi-boy, stepping towards the future. Just this has already exhausted me's talent as a Duelist. More cards, even if they remained in me's hand, would only gather dust."
Spreading his hand, Pegasus continued, "Just like a craftsman who forges divine weapons, me would never be content with the divine weapons me created merely gathering dust and rusting on a weapon rack. Letting more interesting cards appear in the right people's hands and radiate their ultimate radiance—that is the future of cards me wants to see, the future of Duel Monsters."
Interesting cards, huh? Fine, Ishizu already has Earth Angel. Don't let me see you print out Tearlaments.
Grumbling internally about Pegasus's words, Hayato spoke up, "Then here's a question: why did you only get the idea to give away cards after seeing Rafael, Pegasus? Before, Joey Wheeler, Yugi, and I were all right beside you."
Pegasus gave Hayato one glance and spread his hand. "Not everyone has a versatile dueling style like you, Hayato boy. Although me hasn't confirmed the card's design direction yet, now me can feel the style the cards will apply to. It's absolutely not the type suitable for Yugi-boy or Joey Wheeler boy to use. What's needed is a User with a heart that will never give up on their monsters and regards them as objects of protection."
"Hearing you say that, doesn't that make it even more suitable for me? After all, I'm the most kind-hearted person there is. There's no Duelist with more love/compassion than me," Hayato said with confidence, patting his chest. However, not just Pegasus, but Joey Wheeler, Yugi, and even Marik and Rafael all gave Hayato a helpless gaze.
Who would believe you saying that? As for protecting monsters, it would be a miracle if they weren't Tributed by you.
However, as the recipient of the cards, Rafael didn't fundamentally consider it at all. He said straightforwardly, "No need. I don't need your cards. This isn't questioning the strength or weakness of the cards you're giving, Pegasus, the Father of Duel Monsters. It's simply because I only need the Guardians; other cards are unnecessary for me."
"However, I think Johnny is more suitable to receive that card set."
As Rafael reached out and pointed at him, seeing everyone else's gaze turn towards him, Johan couldn't help but blink his clear eyes. "Huh?"
End of Chapter"
Due to the appearance of Johan and Rafael, Pegasus put away his manuscript and began to look Rafael over.
This wasn't the first time Pegasus had seen Rafael. Actually, they had interacted before. That was when Hayato joined Doma. To prevent Pegasus, the Father of Duel Monsters, from receiving aid from Spirits and creating some troublesome cards, Dartz sent the Doma Three Knights to eliminate Pegasus, and Hayato went with them.
At that time, Alister hadn't let go of the resentment towards Kaiba, and Valon had no intention of taking action against Pegasus due to Kujaku Mai's presence. So, the ones ultimately responsible for eliminating Pegasus became Rafael and Hayato. And because Rafael didn't fully trust Hayato at the time, Pegasus became Hayato's "pledge of loyalty" and had his soul sealed by Hayato. Afterward, Hayato also dueled Joey Wheeler and Yugi on the Top Floor of Industrial Illusions.
Although the duel with Hayato alone had already exhausted Pegasus, leaving him unable to focus on other matters, Rafael, who was standing nearby, left a certain impression on Pegasus. Meeting him again now reminded Pegasus that he had indeed seen this person before.
Also due to the change in status, Rafael, who now appeared before Pegasus, was no longer an enemy. This allowed Pegasus to observe and appraise Rafael more objectively. In place of Pegasus's left eye, a prosthetic eye, merely a pure gold replica similar in style to the Millennium Eye, lit up with a faint radiance.
Before coming to Egypt, Pegasus had inexplicably lost the mystical power of the Millennium Eye that remained in his body. However, after Hayato and Atem defeated Dark Bakura's soul and the Great Darkness Evil God - Zorc Necrophades in the tablet in Memory World, that lost residual power surprisingly returned to Pegasus. At this moment, he was observing Rafael using the power of the Millennium Eye.
This was also a small habit Pegasus had when he still possessed the Millennium Eye. Compared to spoken words and what the naked eye saw on the surface, he felt that a person's heart was much more reliable and trustworthy, as well as more intuitive and convenient.
Rafael's heart opened up to Pegasus. Very smoothly, Pegasus "saw through" Rafael from the inside out. However, just as Pegasus directed his gaze towards Rafael, Rafael, who was talking to Atem, also seemed to sense something. He suddenly turned his head to look at Pegasus, whose gaze gave him a strange feeling.
And **Guardian Eatos** immediately left her card and appeared beside Rafael, staring at Pegasus with an unfriendly gaze.
"What keen senses you have, Mr. Rafael, and such sharp gaze." Pegasus hadn't expected Rafael to notice his movement, which should have gone undetected, so quickly. He attempted to brush it off with a fake smile. "It's clear you possess quite excellent talent as a Duelist, and you also have quite excellent Duel Monsters."
"**Eatos** is my family," Rafael corrected him somewhat seriously. "And stop looking at me with that gaze, Pegasus J. Crawford."
"Heh heh, serves you right, Pegasus! Who told you to always use the power of your eye to look at others?" Marik, standing beside Pegasus, immediately mocked him. "My Brother-in-law warned you several times before. Looking at people with that gaze makes it very easy to get hit. See? You were discovered right away."
"The Millennium Eye has been gone from you for so long now. Although that power still remains, no one knows how long it will continue to exist. You should try to get used to losing this power, Pegasus," Atem said with a smile, looking at Pegasus's dejected expression.
At the same time, he couldn't help but recall what Shadi had said before.
Hayato and Johan's conversation also stopped. Hayato glanced at Pegasus and said, "Since you've already looked, why don't you tell the person directly what you saw?" As he spoke, Hayato also glanced at Rafael.
Seeing Johan beside Hayato also wearing an expectant expression, Rafael frowned. He thought to himself that he absolutely had to talk to Johan properly when they got back, telling him not to remember anything he heard from Hayato Kobayashi today, to forget it all and definitely not learn bad things from him. At the same time, he said to Pegasus beside him, "Analyze minds, you say? If it's someone with something to hide in their heart, they might strongly resist."
"However, it doesn't matter to me."
Rafael had always felt it didn't matter when it came to these things. When Pegasus heard Rafael say this, he spoke up, "Actually, the first glance me took at Mr. Rafael, me saw the deepest relief and ease in your heart."
"Although me doesn't know what kind of heavy burden and pressure Mr. Rafael you once carried, the present you seems to have come to terms with things and crossed that hurdle, welcoming a completely new state of mind, like a rebirth." Pegasus said, nodding his head. "In this state of mind, you should also be able to display strength exceeding your original 1000% in Duel Monsters."
"Besides that, me also saw your reflection on your past actions and the hope you place in that Boy over there. But what attracted me the most as the Father of Duel Monsters had to be Mr. Rafael, your heartfelt passion for Duel Monsters."
"Even more so than Hayato boy or Yugi-boy, rather than calling them partners, it's more accurate to say you regard them as family that you must protect with your life. What touching passion!"
Rafael didn't say anything upon hearing Pegasus's words. Noticing Atem's gaze beside him, he nodded and said, "Yes, what he said is basically correct. Before, when you, Atem, defeated Dartz and his 'Orichalcos God', I, whose soul was granted liberation from his body, met with my parents who passed away many years ago, as well as Julia and Sonia. After saying a proper farewell to them, perhaps I have overcome the mist of the past that lingered for many years."
"However, although I lost that part of my obsession that forced me forward, it doesn't mean I've become weaker. And I still believe in my family now, just like before—**Guardian Eatos** and the others." Rafael's face showed a smile. "So don't think I'm not the same person I used to be. If we dueled again, maybe I would win."
Upon hearing this, Atem returned the smile. "You sure are bold, Rafael. Although your feelings for the Guardians are admirable, Aibo and my team is invincible. We won't lose to you."
Joey Wheeler, however, noticed that Pegasus's expression was clearly hesitant, looking as if he didn't know whether he should continue speaking.
"What's wrong, Pegasus?"
"Hmm, actually, me isn't sure if me was mistaken, but there's something me thought about and decided me should tell you, Mr. Rafael." Pegasus paused, his gaze towards Rafael a little strange. "Although **Guardian Eatos** beside you is indeed a human-figure Duel Monster with quite a sacred and gorgeous appearance, she is after all a Duel Monster, you know..."
Rafael heard this, his eye twitched, and he looked at Pegasus.
"Although anime/manga paper people are cute, you should look at the 3D world more and not be lost in the illusory world. Although you say you regard them as family, Mr. Rafael, your feelings for **Guardian Eatos** seem to have degenerated somewhat in me's opinion. You two cannot—"
"Silence! I'm not like what you said at all!" Clearly, Rafael was a little flustered. When he felt the gaze of the people around him also turn a little strange, he said urgently to Pegasus, "You're definitely mistaken! How were you even looking to get such an outrageous result!"
"If you dare spout nonsense again, I will definitely correct you!"
"Haha, he's flustered." "Yeah, completely flustered, flustered indeed." Marik and Hayato, standing together, didn't mind making matters worse. They egged him on from the side, clearly anticipating Rafael and Pegasus getting into a fight.
Seeing Rafael's reaction was so intense, Pegasus quickly smiled and soothed him. "Hmm, it seems me was indeed mistaken. Looking again now, Mr. Rafael, what's in his heart for **Guardian Eatos** is indeed pure family affection."
This was a lie. Pegasus fundamentally wasn't using the residual power of the Millennium Eye again; he was merely placating Rafael verbally. And Rafael, hearing that Pegasus had said this to restore his innocent reputation (questionable), also stopped speaking and quieted down.
And in his heart, Pegasus checked off his recent judgment, confirming that it was absolutely true. Looking at the annoyed Rafael, Pegasus said again, "Although a small part of Mr. Rafael, your heart that me saw was 'mistaken', but me can generally make an affirmative judgment: Mr. Rafael, you are an excellent Duelist."
"Then me has also made a decision. The card set currently in production process, although me doesn't know when it will be completed, me plans to gift this card set to you, Mr. Rafael. Consider it an apology gift."
"Cards currently being produced? Mr. Pegasus, are you producing other cards right now?" Bakura asked, looking at Pegasus strangely upon hearing this. But saw Pegasus shake his head. Bakura, who instantly understood his meaning, covered his mouth slightly with his hand in slight surprise. "Could it be the **Crystal Beast** cards? Mr. Pegasus, are you planning to give the **Crystal Beast** cards to Mr. Rafael?"
Hearing Bakura's words, Rafael also immediately noticed his low presence and narrowed his eyes. Was he mistaken? He always felt like he had seen this person somewhere before. This young man seemed similar to the one with the bunny ear hairstyle who cooperated with him when he was still one of the Doma Three Knights, but the gap in temperament was too large. It must be an illusion, right?
"Huh? But aren't the **Crystal Beast** cards super rare cards that Pegasus poured a lot of effort into and require artifact-level gemstones to produce?" Joey Wheeler also looked at Pegasus in confusion. "I thought you would keep them for yourself to use."
"What kind of image does me have in your eyes, Joey Wheeler boy?" Pegasus sighed.
"A cunning Card Printer." "A cheater who prints powerful cards for himself." "A White-Haired One who's good at being tricky." "A peeping tom." "The one who designed the despicable Forbidden & Limited List."
Whether it was Yugi, Hayato, Téa , or Tristan , they all simultaneously stated their impressions of Pegasus.
"Me can accept the rest, but didn't you propose the Forbidden & Limited List to me and Kaiba boy, Hayato boy?" Pegasus ranted, then said seriously, "Although me cannot deny that occasionally me does print powerful cards that are unique in the entire world for myself, me is more of a Card Designer than a Duelist."
"Toon is the youthful years me experienced with Cyndia that me misses. **Relinquished** is the darkness and despair from me's inner thoughts after losing Cyndia. But that is enough. Me is not a pioneer like you, Hayato boy and Yugi-boy, stepping towards the future. Just this has already exhausted me's talent as a Duelist. More cards, even if they remained in me's hand, would only gather dust."
Spreading his hand, Pegasus continued, "Just like a craftsman who forges divine weapons, me would never be content with the divine weapons me created merely gathering dust and rusting on a weapon rack. Letting more interesting cards appear in the right people's hands and radiate their ultimate radiance—that is the future of cards me wants to see, the future of Duel Monsters."
Interesting cards, huh? Fine, Ishizu already has Earth Angel. Don't let me see you print out Tearlaments.
Grumbling internally about Pegasus's words, Hayato spoke up, "Then here's a question: why did you only get the idea to give away cards after seeing Rafael, Pegasus? Before, Joey Wheeler, Yugi, and I were all right beside you."
Pegasus gave Hayato one glance and spread his hand. "Not everyone has a versatile dueling style like you, Hayato boy. Although me hasn't confirmed the card's design direction yet, now me can feel the style the cards will apply to. It's absolutely not the type suitable for Yugi-boy or Joey Wheeler boy to use. What's needed is a User with a heart that will never give up on their monsters and regards them as objects of protection."
"Hearing you say that, doesn't that make it even more suitable for me? After all, I'm the most kind-hearted person there is. There's no Duelist with more love/compassion than me," Hayato said with confidence, patting his chest. However, not just Pegasus, but Joey Wheeler, Yugi, and even Marik and Rafael all gave Hayato a helpless gaze.
Who would believe you saying that? As for protecting monsters, it would be a miracle if they weren't Tributed by you.
However, as the recipient of the cards, Rafael didn't fundamentally consider it at all. He said straightforwardly, "No need. I don't need your cards. This isn't questioning the strength or weakness of the cards you're giving, Pegasus, the Father of Duel Monsters. It's simply because I only need the Guardians; other cards are unnecessary for me."
"However, I think Johnny is more suitable to receive that card set."
As Rafael reached out and pointed at him, seeing everyone else's gaze turn towards him, Johan couldn't help but blink his clear eyes. "Huh?"
End of Chapter"
