"Negate and destroy Dhampir Vampire Sheridan's effect!"
Sheridan on Myura's field was destroyed and its effect negated, yet Myura didn't panic. Instead, she smiled. Her plan had worked—Morgan had been forced to use Sheou's lone interruption. Though losing Sheridan was costly, it opened the way for her plays, and Morgan had also lost her highest-Attack monster.
Now, Myura could use the only Spell Card left in her hand to extend.
Vampire decks might cost Life Points, generate fewer cards, and banish their low-level monsters when they left the field; despite all that, they excelled in one thing: wresting control of monsters from the Graveyard.
Gazing at the Spell in her hand, Myura grinned.
On the sidelines, Jade didn't understand. Seeing Morgan once again negate and destroy an opponent's monster effect, she cheered—until she noticed everyone else's faces were grim, not happy at all.
"What's wrong with everyone? Morgan just destroyed her monster. Isn't that good?"
Isla answered with a bitter smile:
"Morgan did destroy it—but because the opponent wanted her to."
"Wanted her to? What do you mean?"
Jade tilted her head, puzzled. How could being destroyed put the opponent at an advantage? Wasn't that against the basic rules of a duel?
"That Vampire was summoned for one reason only—to bait out Sheou's effect. Sheou's negate and destroy is Morgan's most important way to stop an opponent's combo. By using it now, she can't stop the next plays."
"And the opponent knew that, so she forced it out early. And it worked."
Hearing this, Jade finally understood why it was called 'letting Morgan destroy it.' Her expression turned serious as well.
"Then what will Morgan do now?"
Isla shook her head.
"Now the initiative is entirely in her opponent's hands."
Indeed, with Myura's scheme complete, Morgan had no way to stop her. The only uncertainty was House Dragonmaid's destruction effect; although it only triggered when a Dragon monster returned to the hand, and it wasn't Morgan's turn. Her monsters couldn't return now.
This was clearly Myura's moment to seize the advantage and try to end the duel.
Just then, Hannah's communicator buzzed. It was the only tool Shadow Duelists could use to reach the outside.
A message from Zelo flashed on the screen:
"The Duelist League's reinforcements have arrived. When will you be done there? The yacht's ready to escape, with plenty of barbecue and your favorite beer."
Zelo could be thoughtful like that; however, she didn't know how long this would take. Even the outcome wasn't certain. Myura might be ahead now, but against Morgan, nothing was guaranteed.
She replied: "Wait a bit longer. The duel isn't decided yet."
She pocketed the device, unaware Zelo had immediately sent another message:
"Oh, by the way, someone from the Haisen Club is here too. You'd better be careful."
Meanwhile, after destroying the enemy's monster, Dragonmaid Sheou shifted back into House Dragonmaid form. Now, Morgan had two Houses on the field. Even with reduced Attack, two monsters with 3000 Attack each radiated immense pressure.
The spectators were reassured yet stayed quiet this time, wary of drawing Myura's ire again.
"Didn't the last monster get destroyed right after it was summoned? Feels like déjà vu."
"That's Morgan for you, shutting her down with a single effect."
"Not so fast—I think Myura baited that effect out."
"Talk big, why don't you try it yourself?"
While the crowd debated, Myura pressed forward. With only one card left in hand, she had to replenish. With Sheou's negate gone, she could act without fear.
"I activate Vampire Sucker's effect!"
"Special Summon Parlor Dragonmaid from your Graveyard, and its Type becomes Zombie!"
A Dragonmaid with an eerie aura appeared, her Dragon type overwritten by Zombie.
"Then, when a Zombie is Special Summoned to your opponent's field, draw 1 card!"
Myura drew sharply, glanced at the card, and smiled.
Reviving Vampire Sucker wasn't only for the draw. It set up a Link-3 summon—her next goal was to complete the Link arrows.
"From my hand, I activate the Spell Foolish Burial!"
"Send 1 monster from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
"I send Mezuki!"
She pulled it from her Deck and sent it to the Graveyard without hesitation.
'Mezuki?'
Morgan seized up. Of course, she knew it—a staple in Zombie decks. By banishing it from the Graveyard, it could Special Summon another Zombie. Clearly, Myura planned to revive yet another monster.
But which? Another Xyz? A Link? Vampire decks should have a Link-3.
Seeing this, Isla's heart sank. She had been right: Sheridan was only bait.
"I Special Summon Shadow Vampire from my Graveyard!"
The dark knight vampire emerged again. Its effect only worked when Normal Summoned, but Myura didn't care. She just needed bodies on the field.
Because what she was about to perform was a Link Summon!
"I use Vampire Sucker and Shadow Vampire to set the Link markers!"
"Link Summon! Vampire Fascinator!"
...
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