Want to play cards? I'll use my King's Deck!

Seeing the "Demon Dragon" receive the light of the "Book of the Moon," awakening from its slumber, Yu Xi couldn't help but frown.

I never imagined that Ranpo Jounouchi could regroup to this extent so quickly.

No, I should say it's only natural.

After all, without this level of skill, Feng Huo Duel Academy wouldn't be able to compete with Xing Feng, even though they're always second best.

But not everyone can hold onto the position of second place forever.

"Hey! Yu Xi, are you thinking about something rude?"

Ranpo Jonouchi suddenly looked at Yuuki suspiciously, who shook his head sincerely and said, "No, no. I was just thinking that Jonouchi-kun is really amazing."

"Of course, my full strength is no joke."

When praised by an opponent he respected, Ranpo Jounouchi couldn't help but show a hint of pride.

After laughing, he solemnly reminded him, "Take this, Yuuki! Let's see if you can withstand this! First up is 'Dark Demon Dragon,' a card whose effects cannot be activated by your opponent until damage calculation is complete during battle. Attack 'Dark Magician of Fantasy,' with 'Dragon's Fireball!'"

The one who started the war was indeed the black dragon that had obtained the power of the demon.

Crimson lightning, crackling with flames, crashed down like a meteor falling from the sky, shattering the "Dark Magician of Illusion" into pieces with sheer violence.

In order to launch an attack, "Fantasy Black Mage" was also specially summoned with an attack stat, and the difference in attack power between the two was immediately deducted from Yuki's LP.

[Yu Xi's LP: 2250 → 1550]

"Then comes the attack of 'Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon,' which attacks 'Chaos Dark Magician.' At the moment of attack, 'Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon' can equip 1 Warrior-Type monster from its Graveyard as an Equip Card and gain 200 ATK."

Without pausing, after defeating the "Dark Magician of Illusion," Ranpo Jonouchi launched his next trump card attack.

But this is the moment that You Xi has been waiting for!

Chapter 171 Come on, Mahad!

"Because it was 'Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon' that launched the attack, 'Dark Demon Dragon' can no longer seal my card effects."

Facing the fiery projectiles roaring and spewing forth from "Blackblade Dragon," Yuki pressed her finger on the button on the Duel Disk.

"Then, at the instant your monster attacks, activate your face-down card to trigger the Counter Trap: 'Attack Nullification'!"

[Attack Nullification (Counter Trap): This effect can be activated when an opponent's monster declares an attack, targeting that attacking monster. The attack is negated. The Battle Phase then ends.]

It has a very simple and unpretentious effect, but it is just right for this occasion.

"Nullify the Blackblade Dragon's attacks, then end the battle phase!"

"What? It's a trap card!?"

Ranpo's eyes widened in disbelief.

He had wondered what Youxi's card would be, but he never expected it to be this.

However, it was already too late.

The fireball emitted by "Blackblade Dragon" was absorbed by the Trap Card, and then the Duel Disks of both duelists flashed, and the duel progressed from the Battle Phase to Main Phase 2.

This prevented Ranpo's last monster, "Meteor Dragon Meteor Black Dragon," from attacking, and also blocked his true trump card.

“When the battle between ‘Dark Dragon’ and an opponent’s monster ends, ‘Red-Eyes’ Normal Monsters can be sent back to the Deck from the Graveyard to inflict damage to the opponent equal to that monster’s original ATK. However, until the end of the Battle Phase, everything is within the ‘Attack Nullification’ effect resolving process, and ‘Dark Dragon’ cannot insert its effect,” Yuki asserted.

"Damn it! I dodged it again!"

Ranpo Jounouchi was somewhat annoyed. If he had known that Yuki's card was this, he should have stopped after attacking with "Dark Demon Dragon".

In that case, Yuki would have no way to stop the "Dark Demon Dragon" from burning blood.

His graveyard still contains the last "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" and "Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon," whose 2400 damage is enough to wipe out Yuki's health in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately it failed.

He missed the best opportunity to defeat Yuki.

But that's alright, he has more than one trump card.

"Open the circuit of possibilities! The summoning condition is 2 Dragon-type monsters. Set a link marker using 'Black Blade Dragon' and 'Meteor Dragon Meteor Black Dragon', then link again to summon 'Celestial Mark of the Holy Sphere'."

The reappearance of "Celestial Sphere" gave Ranpo Jonouchi another opportunity for interference outside of his turn, but that was not his purpose.

"When a monster is sent from the field to the Graveyard, the effect of 'Meteor Dragon Meteor Black Dragon' activates! Revive 1 Normal Monster from your Graveyard. Come back, the final 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon'!"

A pillar of fire erupted, and a black dragon flew out from it, its crimson eyes seemingly filled with rage as it spread its wings and roared.

As a primordial entity, the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" is not outstanding in any aspect. Even as a mortal, it has no advantage over the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Generally, it appears as a stepping stone in Ranpo's duels within the castle.

But things are different now.

"I place two cards face down. During my End Phase, 'Golden Cat' returns to my hand. End of turn."

Ranpo Jonouchi announced the rotation, and Yuuki also raised his hand to his deck at the opportune moment: "It's my turn, draw a card!"

"At the very moment Yuki draws a card, activate the Trap Card: 'Red-Eyes Soul'!"

Seizing the opportunity, Ranpo Jonouchi, not intending to give Yuki any chance to resist, impatiently pressed the card-covering button.

"Based on this card's effect, I Special Summon 'Crimson Soul' from my Graveyard in Defense Position."

A flash of holy light of resurrection appeared, and the black dragon, whose appearance was almost identical to that of the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon," solidified from its ethereal form. Unlike its mortal sibling, however, it possessed the power to decide the outcome of this duel.

"The effect of 'Red-Eyes Soul' is activated! Once during a Duel, target 1 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' on your field and inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK."

Without a doubt, Ranpo Jonouchi chose the mortal-boned "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". The "Dark Demon Dragon's" ultimate attack that burned blood was indeed blocked, but this attack was equally deadly.

Moreover, with the "Celestial Holy Seal" present, even if Yuki draws a card like the "Forbidden Holy Grail," it won't prevent this effect!

Ranpo Jounouchi was thinking this when he heard Yuki's voice.

"Chain effect of 'Crimson Soul', Quick-Play Spell activated: 'Extraordinary Food'! Sends the 'Toy Box' in the back row to the Graveyard, restoring 1000 Life Points."

It is not the "forbidden Holy Grail" that Jonouchi Ranpo thought of, but it is more suitable for the current situation.

The cards in the "Toy Box" shattered and transformed into highly nutritious food to replenish Yuki's life force.

The next moment, a crimson-black fireball flew over and hit Yu Xi's body, causing the baby-faced boy to let out a painful groan.

[Yu Xi LP: 1550→2550→150]

"How come they can't die even after all that?"

This time, Jonouchi Ranpo was truly convinced.

So far, he has had countless opportunities to defeat Yuki, yet Yuki has defended against them all with perfect timing. When it comes to surviving, I, Jonouchi Ranpo, would call you the strongest.

"But! Even if you manage to hold on, you'll only have a tiny bit of LP left, Yu Xi! Just one more round of blood-burning will make me the winner!"

"Indeed it is."

Yuki didn't deny what Ranpo Jounouchi said; his current situation was indeed not ideal. Moreover, given the characteristics of the "Red-Eyes" deck, they could probably come up with any method to burn through his opponent's health. For example, if he could just summon the "Red-Eyes Steel Flame Dragon" that he had previously recycled with "Pot of Greed," Yuki would basically be at their mercy.

"Let's settle this in this round. Jonouchi-kun, you told me to take this seriously, right?"

"of course!"

Ranpo Jounouchi responded without hesitation.

“I’m not so weak that I need a victory handed to me by others. Bring it on, Yuki! If you can really beat me.”

"Then, I'll use the 1-star 'Winged Cotton' to adjust the star rating of the 1-star 'Kuriboh' and the 8-star 'Chaos Dark Magician'."

Yuki responded to the rebellion of the city with concrete actions.

"Winged Cotton," a hand trap that can prevent damage, also possesses the "Tuning" attribute. Under his voice, it transformed into a bright green Synchro Ring, immediately enveloping the other two monsters within it.

The nine white stars were instantly pierced by the light.

1★ + 1★ + 8★ = 10★!

"The time for revolution has come! Raise the banner of freedom and forge a new future! Called by the same voice, advance, 'Baroness of Flowers'!!"

"Ballad of Flowers, Level 10/Wind/Warrior" "ATK: 3000/DEF: 2400"

Rose petals fluttered in the air, and the most versatile white 10 materialized into reality.

Upon seeing "Ballady of Flowers," even the battle-hardened Jonouchi Ranpo showed no change in expression, simply waving his hand and saying, "So you'll Synchro Summon 'Flowers,' huh? Then, at the moment 'Ballady of Flowers' is successfully Synchro Summoned, activate the effect of 'Celestial Mark of the Holy Sphere'! Tribute the 'Celestial Sphere' itself, and bounce 'Ballady of Flowers' back to your hand, Yuuki."

"Chain activation of 'Baroness of Flowers' effect. Once per day while on the field, negate and destroy the effects of Spell/Trap/Monsters."

The declarations of the two boys rang out one after the other. At the same time, the Holy Dragon Sphere, which was suspended high in the sky like the solar system, crashed down, and the Knight of Flowers raised his hand and brandished his sword.

The sword struck the dragon ball, but it did not explode. Instead, the dragon ball was instantly transformed into a cluster of rose petals that scattered in all directions.

This scene was naturally within the expectations of Ranpo within the city.

"However, this effect can only be used once, and cannot be used to negate other effects afterward. If it is Tributed, the second effect of 'Celestial Mark' activates! Set 'Magical Fang Dragon' in your Deck to 0 ATK and DEF, then Special Summon it in Defense Position!"

「巨牙龙，等级8/地/龙」「ATK：1400→0/DEF：2400→0」

The first card effect of "Celestial Sphere" is just a bait to force Yuki to use "Flowers" to counter it; the real killing move is what follows.

The remaining sphere in the sky shattered, and within it, a slumbering dragon roared and whipped up storms, tearing the atmosphere apart. Amidst its roar, a violent tornado enveloped Yuki's area in front of him.

"The effect of 'Giant Fang Dragon' has activated!"

If this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can target up to 2 other cards on the field. Destroy those cards, and this card gains 600 ATK for each card destroyed.

The Synchro Monster that had just appeared was torn apart by the tornado and sent off the field in less than ten seconds, along with the "Magician Twin Souls" that could assist Yuki in drawing.

Ranpo Jounouchi didn't move "Radiant Emperor". He knew that this general-purpose R4 had a "Last Word" effect when destroyed, and now that the materials were used up, it was just a sitting duck, so there was no need to care about it.

But that also fulfills the activation condition for one card in Yuki's graveyard.

"Except for 'Shuffle Resurrection' in the Graveyard, return 'Radiant Emperor' to the Deck and draw 1 card. Then activate the recovered 'Pot of Greed' and draw 2 cards from the Deck."

With his fingers resting on the deck, Yu Xi drew three cards in quick succession. As his gaze swept over them, a glint flashed in his eyes.

"Here it comes! Let's achieve a breakthrough with this card! Activate the effect of 'Guardian Priest Mahad' in your hand: If this card is drawn, you can Special Summon it from your hand. Come, Mahad!"

Chapter 172 This is also a Dragon Mage!

"—Come on, Mahad!!"

A golden light flashed in his hand, and accompanied by You Xi's shout, a sacred figure slowly emerged in the arena.

It has the same appearance as the "Black Magician," except that it has black eyeshadow at the corners of its eyes, its purple robes have been replaced with golden armor, and its magic wand has been replaced with a scepter of the same material.