When he saw the three cards Youyu took from his pocket, Tragoedia's eyes widened instantly.
Those three cards were undoubtedly the Three Phantasms for which he had struggled so hard but ultimately failed to obtain!
His body moved almost before his brain gave the order. Despite being exhausted and unable to fight any longer, the moment Tragoedia saw the three cards, he suddenly sprang back to life, like an LSP seeing something inappropriate, and aggressively lunged forward, attempting to seize them violently...
...Only to be kicked back to the ground once more by Masked Hero Divine Wind.
Tragoedia's body hit the ground heavily again, and this time it seemed he could no longer rise. Yet, he persistently lifted his head, glaring at Youyu with gritted teeth.
"The seal of the Three Phantasms, this facility... from the beginning, it's been a ruse, hasn't it? The Phantasms were never sealed here.
Duel King Youyu, did you take those three cards from the start?"
The other people present were as shocked as Tragoedia.
Until today, everyone indeed believed the Three Phantasms were sealed in the Sealing Array of Duel Academy. All the teachers and students thought so, otherwise they wouldn't have been so panicked when the seal was broken.
But who could have imagined? In truth, there was nothing in the seal, just traces of the Phantasm's aura to deceive outsiders into thinking they were still locked inside.
In fact, they had been in Youyu's pocket all along, even eight hundred years ago...
Of course, he couldn't put it that way. Youyu cleared his throat and spoke righteously, "When you sent people to probe on the island last time, I had already noticed your intent on the Phantasms.
Although the seal of the Phantasms is impenetrable, leaving it here always made people uneasy.
I anticipated long ago that you might come to the island with the intent of taking the Phantasm Cards yourself. So I took the Three Phantasms from the seal in advance to prevent a situation like today's."
His words made everyone beside him understand at once.
So that's it. As expected of Principal Youyu! He noticed the approaching threat in advance and didn't hesitate to personally ensure the safety of the Three Phantasms!
After all, where in the world could be safer than with the Duel King himself?
Principal Youyu predicted everything accurately!
Tragoedia wanted to curse aloud at that moment.
Is it even reasonable to take it yourself because you're afraid of someone stealing it?
And you call this flimsy seal impenetrable?
This darn seal of yours might as well be made of paper. Are you trying to fool ghosts with it? I could bust a * more easily than this!
He understood now that when the so-called "Phantasm Seal" was established, they never really intended to seal the Phantasms here!
This despicable Duel King had intended to keep the Three Phantasms for himself from the start!
Youyu continued forward to Tragoedia, who was pinned under Divine Wind's foot.
"Alright, it seems this is the end for you. But before you're finished, I still have a few questions."
Tragoedia glared at him angrily, his lobster-like face tense like a martyr refusing to talk to such a despicable person.
"While President Kagemaru of the Heaven and Earth Imaging Society was alive, he assembled a team," Youyu said. "The team was composed of Dark Duelists from various fields, each a master of the dark side. He called that team 'Seven Stars,' planning to have them snatch the Three Phantasms...
...Have you heard of it?"
The small lobster closed his eyes, pretending not to hear, looking very much like a crucified salted fish.
"I know you killed President Kagemaru and used him to control the Heaven and Earth Imaging Society," Youyu continued. "Thus, I can also conclude that you are maintaining the 'Seven Stars' activities as Kagemaru.
You sent those Dark Duelists to attack Duel Academy and duel with the Academy's students and staff. What I'm concerned with is why? What's the point of all this?"
The small lobster opened his eyes and frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"Playing dumb has no meaning now," Youyu said. "Whether you confess or not won't change the outcome awaiting you."
"Ridiculous," the small lobster grunted. "What Seven Stars? Never heard of it."
Youyu was somewhat surprised.
It didn't seem like the small lobster was lying — lying in such a situation wouldn't make much sense.
Maybe the Seven Stars really weren't directed by the small lobster?
Then who could it be?
Youyu set this question aside for now: "There's one more thing. The second generation Duel King Hibiki Koyo once received a mission to escort something.
But during the mission, he was attacked by you, and as a result, Hibiki Koyo became your puppet, isn't that correct?"
The small lobster mumbled ambiguously, seemingly accepting it.
Defeating a Duel King was his proud achievement, and he certainly wouldn't deny such a feat, especially given his love for boasting (in fact, he had messed up in the past by boasting too much and got sealed).
"Not long ago, the items excavated by that archaeological team disappeared from the custody of the relevant department," Youyu said. "Those items are now in your possession, aren't they?"
Tragoedia showed a surprised expression again.
"What are you saying?"
Youyu raised an eyebrow: "Are you trying to say that it wasn't you?"
Tragoedia stared at him for a long time, his devilish golden eyes unblinking. After a moment, he suddenly threw back his head and laughed crazily.
Youyu frowned.
"Human Duel King... quite the plotter," he said viciously. "You used the excuse of guarding against me to secretly keep the Three Phantasms Cards, and now you plan to frame me to cover up your crimes?"
Youyu: "?"
After a long pause, Youyu realized.
Goodness, the small lobster means... he thinks the Phantasm Tablet stolen from the D Department was taken by me?
Tragoedia evidently believed that Youyu first quietly took the Three Phantasms, then sneaked into the government to steal the tablets containing the Power of Phantasms they were holding, and now turned back to pin the blame on the small lobster...
"Do you think you're clever? Do you think everything is under your control?" Tragoedia roared almost hysterically, "But no lie is eternal; one day, you will be exposed! Everyone will know your true nature!"
He suddenly burst with power, once again leaping up, recklessly lunging at Youyu. Even when Masked Hero Divine Wind intercepted with a flying kick, he made no effort to dodge.
Divine Wind's kick, trailing green Mystical Space Typhoon effects, struck Tragoedia's body firmly. He was lifted off the ground, uncontrollably flying backward, and his dark body exploded, bursting into a large mass of shadowy mist, gradually dissipating.
Tragoedia, completely eradicated.
Youyu couldn't help but smirk.
Damn, clearly an evil creature, yet his lines make him sound like some wronged heroic figure, making it seem like he, Youyu, is the true villain.
Why don't you flat-out say "the heavenly net is vast and wide"?
It's a shame the small lobster is gone, yet some questions remain unanswered... or perhaps even more mysterious.
The Seven Stars weren't under Tragoedia's command, so who else could it be?
And those tablets containing the Power of Phantasms weren't taken by Tragoedia either... so who could it have been?