How come the Ace of Cups isn't considered the Holy Grail?

【FNo.0 Future Dragon Emperor Hope】

[Excess Material: 1 → 0]

One of the super-abundant materials beside the future Dragon Emperor was separated and entered the Emperor's Key in his chest. Immediately, the Emperor's Key shone brightly, and the barrier it formed directly bounced the bungee jumping zombie back.

Seeing this, the Pale Knight said nothing more, but once again unfolded the blue connecting circuit across the arena.

"Open, Phantom Circuit to Darkness."

"Arrow confirmed, ↙↘→! Summoning condition: 2 or more DARK monsters!"

"I set up a link arrow between L-ink2's [Cherubim the Black Angel of the Other Shore] and [Silent Boots of the Phantom Knights] on the field and link them for summoning."

The cherubim and the Silent Boots, each emanating from a dark purple beam, rushed into the corresponding arrows along the circuit. After illuminating the three arrows, the tightly closed circuit opened, and thick black mist emanated from it.

"Forgotten, abandoned, unwilling, desperate..."

"Souls unwilling to succumb to silence, rise from the peaceful death, wield your rusty axe to behead your enemies, and bring them death!"

"L-ink3! [Phantom Knights Rusty Moonblade Axe]!"

Sudden!

The tattered armor was covered with cracks and holes. Suddenly, azure flames shot out from the gaps, connecting the armor pieces like connectors. It then picked up a single-edged axe and came to 'life'.

This seemingly phoenix-like rebirth also made Tsubaki Kuganoka's eyes sparkle with excitement.

【Phantom Knights Rusty Moonblade Axe】

【L-ink3】

[Warrior/Connection/Dark]

[Attack power: 2100]

Chapter 281 The Beginning of the End

"Activate the effect of [Phantom Knights Rusty Moonblade Axe], send 1 'Phantom Knights' monster from the Deck to the Graveyard, and then set 1 'Phantom' Spell/Trap Card from the Deck on my field."

The pale knight spoke.

It's important to note that, unlike the effect of cherubim, sending them to the graveyard is no longer the cost of activating the effect, but rather the effect itself, so...

It can be invalidated!

"At this very moment, I activate the effect of the [Heat-Bound Weapon Pegasus Twin Swords] on the field!"

As Youdu's voice rang out, the blade in Lion Hope's hand gradually coalesced into a phantom of a celestial horse.

"If this card is equipped, once per turn, when the effect of a monster activated by your opponent on the field is resolved, you can negate that effect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the phantom of the Pegasus that appeared on the field flapped its wings and crashed directly into the rusted moon blade axe opposite it.

The phantom passed right through the body, and although it did not leave any more marks on the Rusty Moonblade Axe, the azure flames rising from the axe appeared to weaken slightly after it passed.

It was invalidated... the plan has been changed...

"Normal Magic [Beginning of the End]".

The Pale Knight inserted the card into the Duel Disk, and the card's image appeared beside him.

The card depicts a strange magic circle with intricate patterns, consisting of four small rings and one large ring. Just looking at it gives one the feeling that their consciousness is about to be sucked into it.

Compared to Hansa, who was acting as an agent of the church, Ayaka Sajou and Tsubaki Kugano had weaker consciousness. Their eyes were glued to the card almost instantly and they couldn't look away.

"Based on this card's effect, if I have 7 or more DARK monsters in my Graveyard, banish 5 of them and draw 3 cards from my Deck."

If we include L-ink2's "Cherubim the Dark Angel of the Other Shore" in his graveyard, there are a total of 5 "Other Shore" monsters and 2 "Phantom Knights" monsters, which exactly meets the requirement of 7 DARK monsters.

"I banish [the demon of the other shore] Grafiacane, [the demon of the other shore] Libicock, [the demon of the other shore] Carcabrina, [the demon of the other shore] Falfarello, and [the black angel of the other shore] from the graveyard!"

In an instant, the phantoms of the banished monsters appeared behind the Pale Knight, transforming into countless black mists that surged into his deck in the Duel Disk, completely enveloping the top three cards.

Only after the Pale Knight drew out the five cards did the black mist disappear without a trace, as if it had been absorbed by the cards.

"The effect of the [Silent Boots of the Phantom Knights] in the graveyard."

The Pale Knight, having replenished his hand with 3 more cards, has no intention of letting go of the remaining 2 monsters in the graveyard.

He stood behind the rusty moonblade axe, where the flames seemed to flicker weakly. His neat white armor contrasted sharply with the tattered, deep purple armor.

"Ban this card from your graveyard and add 1 'Phantom' Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand."

There was nothing that could stop the effects of cards activated in the graveyard and hand, so he could only let it be. After the effect of the Silent Boots was activated, the Dusty-Robed Pale Knight in the graveyard would naturally not be spared either.

"Then, by chaining away the 'Phantom Knights' Dusty Robe' from the Graveyard, I can add 1 'Phantom Knights' card other than 'Phantom Knights' Dusty Robe' from my Deck to my hand."

"I added the 3-star [Phantom Knights Stained Greaves] and the normal trap [Phantom Wings] to my hand."

Two cards were banished, and two cards were added to the hand from the deck. The Pale Knight, who had essentially swapped his hand, avoided the two cards he had just drawn and took one card from the three cards he had previously drawn.

"I activate the Normal Spell [Hybrid] from my hand, banishing from my hand [Phantom Knights Broken Gloves] and [Phantom Knights Pierced Scales], both Warrior-Type and DARK, but with different names."

"Add the card 【Phantom Knights Fragile Armor】 from your deck that has the same race and attribute as these two cards but a different name to your hand."

Except, except, and except again!

Two new players have joined the outer district!

The Pale Knight's purpose in sending these two cards to the outer zone was naturally not just to obtain one [Phantom Knights' Fragile Armor]. He also put the card he had obtained by exchanging [Dark Realm's Attraction] into his Duel Disk.

"Quick-attack spell [Burial from Another Dimension] activated."

"This card can target up to 3 banished monsters from your own and your opponent's decks, and return those monsters to the Graveyard!"

His target is already obvious.

"I returned the Phantom Knights' Broken Gloves, Phantom Knights' Piered Scale Armor, and Phantom Knights' Silent Boots from the Exclusion Zone to the Graveyard."

After taking three cards from the banished zone and placing them in the graveyard, before the cards inside could even warm up, the Pale Knight took out two more of them.

"The effect of 'Phantom Knights Broken Gloves' in the Graveyard is activated! Banish this card from the Graveyard, and send 1 'Phantom Knights' card or 'Phantom' Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to the Graveyard!"

"I sent the Perpetual Trap [Phantom Mist Sword] to the graveyard, and at that moment, the effect of [Phantom Knights Pierced Scales] in the graveyard also activated."

"If this card is in your Graveyard, and another 'Phantom Knights' monster or 'Phantom' Spell/Trap Card is banished from your Graveyard, this card can be Special Summoned."

Only the upper body armor was filled with ghosts. Even though some of the scale-like armor on the chest was broken into pieces, it was absorbed by the ghosts' flowing, azure soul, as if not wanting to waste a single piece.

【Phantom Knights' Torn Scale Armor】

【3 stars】

[Warrior/Dark]

[Defense: 1600]

The ripped scale armor took hold on the Pale Knight's field, and he also drew the [Phantom Mist Sword] from his deck and sent it to the graveyard.

Immediately, another card from his hand was also placed down.

"When I Special Summon a 'Phantom Knights' monster to my field, I can Special Summon 'Phantom Knights Stained Greaves' from my hand. After that, I can increase this card's Level by 1."

Before the Pale Knight could finish speaking, Yudu's voice rang out as if timed perfectly.

"At this moment, I remove 1 Xyz Material and activate the effect of [Number 69: Crest of the Shield - Wrath of the Gods], changing the name of your [Phantom Knights: Pierced Scales] card to 'Unknown'!"

The lightning struck, golden bolts landing on the tattered scale armor. Although it had no physical form and its armor appeared undamaged by the lightning, the ghostly spirit attached to it visibly weakened.

[Phantom Knights' Torn Scales] → [Unknown]

Then, a suit of armor, slightly worn but still in good condition, carrying rusty twin swords, emerged under the control of the ghost.

【Phantom Knights Stained Greaves】

[3 stars → 4 stars]

[Warrior/Dark]

[Attack power: 1200]

Chapter 282 Broken Sword

The golden lightning that struck the field did not stir the Pale Knight's emotions in the slightest. He merely glanced at the punctured scales that had been struck, and seeing that he was still standing there unharmed, he looked away.

"The effect of 'Phantom Mist Sword' in my Graveyard is activated. I banish this card from my Graveyard and Special Summon 'Silent Boots of the Phantom Knights' from my Graveyard."

The hilt is made of a ram's head with curved horns, and the blade is made of a mesmerizing mist entwined with vengeful spirits.

The mist sword, which looked nothing like a weapon, appeared on the Pale Knight's field. After being casually swung a few times, the field was filled with mist.

Fortunately, this was only temporary. After the fog dissipated, the Silent Boots that had appeared earlier reappeared on the field without a sound.

【Silent Boots of the Phantom Knights】

[Defense: 1200]

"Activate the effect of [Phantom Knights' Pierced Scales]".

"It's no use. As long as [Number 69, Crest of the Shield - Wrath of the Gods] is in the Monster Zone, the effects of any cards you activate with the name 'Unknown' will be negated!"

Looking at the two and a half suits of armor standing on the field, Yuuto calmly explained the effects of God's Wrath to him.

However, the Pale Knight seemed not to have heard what Yuuto said at all, and continued speaking to himself:

"Discard one card from your hand, and send 1 'Phantom Knights' monster (excluding 'Phantom Knights Pierced Scales') or 1 'Phantom' Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to the Graveyard."

Naturally, when the man with the broken scale armor mustered his strength to do something, the golden current left on his body suddenly spread all over his body like small snakes, instantly freezing him in place.

The Pale Knight, however, acted as if he hadn't seen the tattered scales and calmly sent one card from his hand to the graveyard.

It's obvious that he wanted to send that card to the graveyard, which is why he chose to continue activating it even after its effect was negated.

"I'll stack the 3-star [Phantom Knight Silent Boots] and [Phantom Knight Torn Scales]! I'll use 2 monsters to build a stacking network!"

A burst of ghostly laughter accompanied by two dark purple beams of light flew into the vortex of golden particles that had suddenly appeared on the Pale Knight's field.

A dazzling white beam of light shot out from it, black mist filled the air, and amidst the crackling of electricity, a figure clad in iron-black armor emerged.

"O fallen knights of the battlefield! Rise anew as the light that cleaves through the darkness! XYZ Summon!"

"Show yourself! Rank 3! [Phantom Knights Broken Sword]!"

The ghost attached to the armor was connected to the horse armor beneath him, holding a broadsword in his hand. The gaps between the parts made the horse armor beneath him look like a horse skeleton.

【Phantom Knights Broken Sword】

【Level 3】

[Excess Material: 2]

[Warrior/Xyz/Dark]

[Attack power: 2000]

The Pale Knight placed the Broken Sword card to the lower right of the Rusty Moonblade Axe, in the area indicated by his connecting arrow.

"Activate the effect of [Phantom Knights Rusty Moonblade Axe]".

"If this card is in the Monster Zone and a DARK Xyz Monster is Special Summoned to your Link Zone, you can target 1 card on the field and destroy that card."

The Pale Knight's fingers swept over the various Hopes on the parade grounds, finally settling on the lion Hope.

"I will destroy your [Heat-Heart Weapon - Wind God Cloud Dragon Sword] on the field."

Is the goal to prevent the wearer of the Wind God Cloud Dragon Sword from becoming the target of its effects?

However, he remembered that the [Phantom Knights Broken Sword] also had a destructive effect.

So is the target actually the lion Hope itself?