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

Devouring the souls of monsters, the aura of the underworld, symbolizing death, spreads wildly from Wendy's cards.

In the pitch-black and icy aura of death, a throne that seemed to have existed for millennia stood in the sky, with a languid emperor leaning back on it, casting an indifferent glance at the world.

"Because 'Emperor's Rider' was sent to the Graveyard again, the banished 'Emperor's Deepest Grudge' is returned to the hand. Then, 'Emperor of the Underworld's' effect activates, sending two 'Emperor' Spell/Trap cards from the Deck to the Graveyard, and sending 'Super Electromagnetic Turtle' from your Graveyard back to the Deck for shuffling, [Summoning Order]!"

In response to Wendy's declaration, "Underworld Emperor" casually waved his hand toward the ground, and a surge of death energy rushed out, dragging the "Super Electromagnetic Turtle" out of Yuxi's graveyard and sending it into the cycle of reincarnation.

Chapter 248: The same trick won't work the second time. (Refresh)

The Underworld Emperor descended, commanding the six realms of reincarnation.

If we consider the flow of cards from the hand, field, graveyard to the deck as a normal cycle, then the effects held by Hades perfectly reflect its identity.

This indeed put Yuki in a rather dangerous situation—without the "Super Electromagnetic Turtle," he couldn't be sure he could completely stop Wendy's offensive.

Although there are "clean chestnut balls" kept for insurance purposes, well...

"Then activate the effect of 'PSY Skeleton King Omega' to bounce this card and 'Cleanse Kuriboh' from your Graveyard back to their respective decks."

really.

After clearing out the "Super Electromagnetic Turtle", Wendy didn't forget about the "Clean Goomba", which she easily dealt with using the graveyard resources she had prepared beforehand.

"Now there really isn't any card that can protect you, Yuki."

Wendy took a few bites and smashed the lollipop in her mouth, continuing her work while fully consuming the sugar.

"Activate 'Pantheistic Emperor,' discard 'Emperor's Deepest Grudge,' draw 2, then banish 'Pantheistic,' reveal 3 'Emperor' cards. Choose one from these to add to my hand."

"It's called a choice, but there's really not much to choose from..."

The three cards Wendy showed were "Deep Resentment", "Deep Resentment" and "True Emperor's Domain". No matter which one she chose, the result would be the same.

Yu Xi directly selected "True Emperor's Domain," and the environment of the duel arena changed drastically.

It transformed from the gladiatorial arena of ancient Rome into a temple for worshipping emperors.

"As long as 'True Emperor's Domain' is on the field, and I control a Tribute Summoned monster, my opponent cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck. Then, on the turn 'Thunder Emperor's Retainer' is used as a Tribute Summon tribute, I can perform one more Tribute Summon. Banish 1 'Emperor' Spell/Trap Card from my Graveyard, revive 'True Emperor', Tribute it, and Tribute Summon 'Moonlight Dragon Seregrel'."

As the moonlight fell, the Moon Dragon once again soared through Wendy's sky, followed closely by a demon formed from a wisp of mist.

"When I successfully Tribute Summon a monster, the effect of 'Fantasy Stealer' activates, and this card is Special Summoned from my hand. Its Level, Type, and Attribute become the same as that monster."

"Fantasy Stealer, Level 7/Dark/Demon" "ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000"

The appearance of the demon filled the last gap in Wendy's output. 2400+2400+2800 might not be enough to kill a duelist at full health, but Yuki wasn't at full health to begin with.

Even a primary school student could predict how things would develop. The host, Marie Köhsi, then rang out at the opportune moment, stirring everyone's emotions.

"No mercy whatsoever! From the very start of the duel, Wendy Dark, the Emperor's Envoy of the Stars, unleashed wave after wave of thunderous attacks on Izumi Yuuki, attacks that even the heroes who defeated the evil gods found difficult to withstand. Now, without 'Super Electromagnetic Turtle' and 'Clean Kuriboh,' can Izumi Yuuki escape this desperate situation?"

"Alright, I'm going to attack now, Yuki, let's enter battle mode!"

Despite the host's voice, Wendy's calm and leisurely declaration was not overwhelmed, but rather clearly heard by everyone.

"The 'Fantasy Stealer' directly attacks Yuuki, unleashing [Fantasy Nightmare]!"

"Luckily, I managed to draw this card."

As the misty hand reached out to grab him, Yuuki grabbed a card and slammed it down onto his Duel Disk—

"When the opponent attacks directly, the effect of 'Messenger of the Phantom Wax Mansion' activates, and this card is Special Summoned from your hand."

"The Messenger of the Illusionary Wax Pavilion, DEF: 1800"

A candle-like figure materialized, dressed in a royal blue aristocratic robe, with a ghostly blue flame burning on its head. Its empty, dark eyes and mouth formed an eerie smile.

It stood in front of Yuki, bearing the hostility of the "Illusion Stealer" in his place. But the mist left no mark on the "Messenger of the Illusion Wax Pavilion," and the flames burning above showed no sign of weakening.

This is to be expected, since the "Messenger of the Phantom Wax Mansion" is a fantasy demon monster.

"When the 'Messenger of the Phantom Wax Mansion' battles, neither side's monsters will be destroyed in the battle. Wendy, your monsters, for now, are not strong enough to overcome this challenge."

"Oh, what a pity!"

"At the end of that Battle Phase, another effect of 'Messenger of the Phantom Wax Mansion' activates! Attack Position monsters on your opponent's field cannot attack, nor can they be used as Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, or Link Summoning materials until the end of your next opponent's Battle Phase. Their effects are negated. [Azure Curse]!"

The candle-man, dressed in a formal suit just like a human, let out a strange "hoho" laugh and waved a smaller version of the same candle in his hand.

The eerie blue flames spread out instantly, clinging to Wendy's monsters like a malignant tumor.

Although it could no longer threaten its life, it was also powerless to do anything under this curse of fire.

The hand pit, which couldn't fully unleash its power last time due to "Crimson Lotus Demon Abyss", will not feel so frustrated this time.

Watching Wendy's emperors return empty-handed, blocked by a tiny candle, Mashiro Kaiba, in the VIP section reserved for the Starstriker team, couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

"It was so close, just a tiny bit more."

Wendy had already cleaned up Yuxi's grave, but then she ran right into a hand pit, and with such a disgusting monster at that. Wendy's luck is really bad.

"Isn't this perfect, Miss?"

Saki placed the prepared juice in front of the bunny-eared loli and said with a smile, "Weren't you very unhappy that Wendy beat you to a duel with Mr. Yuki? Now that Wendy has lost the duel, you should be happy, right?"

After all, only if Yuki beats Wendy will Kaiba Mashiro, who has been assigned to Group B, have a chance to compete against Yuki on the stage under the spotlight.

"What are you saying, Saki!"

Mashiro Kaiba was very dissatisfied with Saki's words.

She crossed her two slender, white arms over her chest and said angrily:

"No matter what, Wendy is my teammate. I really want to have another proper duel with Yuki and show him my brand new strongest deck. But that doesn't mean I want Wendy to lose the duel, those are two completely different things! Seriously, what kind of person do you think I am?!"

"Um... I'm so sorry, Miss. I've overstepped my bounds."

The maid bowed her head in apology to Mashiro Kaiba, while the bunny-eared loli proudly raised her head: "Hmph, you know that's good! As punishment, you'll have to prepare a super-sized serving of creamy ice cream for me later!"

"Yes, yes, but I won't be responsible if you get a headache later."

Saki gave a perfunctory reply, then asked with feigned curiosity, "By the way, since you yourself know your position, why were you so nervous when you saw Mr. Yuuki in trouble?"

"Uh, it's none of your business!"

"Although they can't be used for attacks and their effects are nullified, at least they can still be used as sacrifices, which is more than enough for me."

While Mashiro Kaiba was talking to Saki, Wendy remained unmoved by her own defeat and the restrictions imposed by the "Messenger of the Phantom Wax Mansion," and began her follow-up actions for this round.

"Set 3 cards face-down, then activate the Continuous Spell: 'Advanced Evolution Zone'. This card's effect during the End Phase is determined by the number of monsters I Tribute for a Tribute Summon in one turn: if 2 or more, draw 1 card from your Deck; if 3 or more, add 1 monster from your Graveyard to your hand."

"Has the 'Heavenly Emperor' been retrieved?"

Looking at the card Wendy was holding between her fingers, Yuki's expression turned serious, but he hadn't forgotten what he needed to do: "During the End Phase, the effects of 'Ace Knight' and 'Ace Straight' activate, sending 'Guard Knight' and 'Swordsman of the Flush' from the Graveyard back to the Deck, and these two cards return to my hand."

"Now it's my turn, draw a card!"

After glancing at the card he had drawn, Yu Xi reached for the graveyard again.

"Activate the effect of 'Rush Warrior': banish this card from your Graveyard, and you can add 1 'Synchron' monster from your Graveyard to your hand. I choose 'Junk Synchron' and Summon it. When this card is successfully Summoned, 'Magician Twin Souls' from my Graveyard is Special Summoned in Defense Position, and its effect is negated."

With the appearance of the little man in the yellow vest, the black magician and his apprentice, in their spirit form, are once again summoned back.

With a 3-star "Scrap Synchron", plus another 3-star "Messenger of the Phantom Wax Mansion" and a 1-star "Double Soul", you can Synchro Summon the "Black Rose Dragon" that Izayoi Yuki specially lent him.

Wendy did say that "True Emperor's Domain" prevents the Special Summoning of Extra Deck monsters, but that effect only applies when there are no cards in your Extra Deck.

Even if Wendy had already recycled "PSY Skeleton King Omega" into her Extra Deck, she still had cards left in her Extra Deck.

With "Moonlight Dragon" already neutralized, "Black Rose Dragon" can easily clear a path by overwhelming the field.

However, having already seen Yuki's extra Wendy, she certainly wouldn't let Yuki succeed.

"Your intentions are far too obvious, Yuuki. Now is the time to activate the Trap Card: 'Dark Tribute Summon'!"

The card was opened, revealing a card that Yu Xi was quite familiar with.

It's obvious that Wendy is planning to use the same old trick again.

"Add 'Thunder Emperor Zaborgh' from your graveyard to your hand and Summon it. If you use 'Thunder Emperor's' effect once more, Yuki, your Extra Deck is basically finished and you can't rely on it anymore."

Not only that, Wendy's extra deck was also completely wiped out as a result.

Even if she doesn't have any cards left in her Extra Deck that can trigger their effects when sent to the Graveyard, as long as the conditions for activating "True Emperor's Domain" are met, it's fine.

"No, I knew you would do that, Wendy."

But upon seeing Wendy's trap card, Yuki smiled slightly.

This made Wendy uneasy.

"Could it be that……"

"Chain with 'Dark Tribute Summon,' activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: 'Monster Resurrection,' revive 'Thunder Emperor Zaborgh' from your Graveyard! That renders your 'Dark Tribute Summon' useless!"

By chaining the opponent's Resurrection Card effects to activate the Quick Play "Monster Resurrection," you can interrupt your opponent's combo. Yuki has used this move many times, and it still works every time.

Golden lightning, illuminated by the holy light of resurrection, transformed into the figure of Thunder Emperor and descended behind Yuki, confronting his comrades.

"Did you fail? I guess I can't use the same trick on you twice."

Seeing her trump card suddenly "abandon the light and turn to the dark," Wendy regained her composure after her initial surprise.

Anyway, she didn't have high expectations for it.

and……

"You haven't forgotten what I have in my hand, have you, Yuuki? Activate the effect of 'Emperor Aether'. Banish 1 'Emperor' Spell/Trap Card from your Graveyard, and you can immediately Tribute Summon this card. Then, C2, Quick-Play Spell: 'Emperor's Whirlwind' activates!"

The second face-down card was revealed, and it was the most commonly used removal card in the "Emperor" deck.

"If I perform a Tribute Summon this turn, I may Tribute 1 monster you control to Tribute 'Scrap Synchron' and 'Illusionist' to Tribute Summon 'Ether'!"

A fierce whirlwind enveloped the avatar chosen by Wendy, and "Illusion Stealer" and the avatar transformed into light, flowing into the new card.

Another emperor, known as the "Emperor of the Underworld," then arrived.

"Emperor Aether, ATK: 2800"

"The effect of 'Emperor' activates, sending two 'Emperor' Spell/Trap Cards from the Deck to the Graveyard, and Special Summoning 'Light Emperor Kreis' from the Deck in Defense Position."