"Set three cards face-down, turn end. During the End Phase, 'Samsara Lotus' in my graveyard will be Special Summoned again."
[Samsara Lotus, DEF 0]
"Then I will sacrifice 'Samsara Lotus' for myself," Yubel said, "so that my effect won't destroy me this turn."
In order to stay on the field, Yubel must sacrifice a monster during the End Phase of each turn, or else she will self-destruct.
This innate constitution is difficult to satisfy, and even she is powerless against it.
Yubel let out a long breath.
With only 100 LP left, she's just on the brink.
Ramoar lay sprawled on the ground, motionless, only the slow rise and fall of his chest proving he still had life.
After a while, he sat up unhurriedly, gazing expressionlessly at Yubel.
"I underestimated you," he said slowly, "Perhaps you do have a warrior's soul hidden within you after all. At the very least, you still have the resolve to pay any price for the King."
"As long as I'm here, I'll never allow you to appear before him," Yubel said coldly, "Unless you step over my corpse."
"...Alright."
Ramoar composed himself, stood up lightly and dusted off his wide black robe.
"I admit, I did underestimate you. But not anymore."
Ramoar suddenly straightened, his aura transforming, as if he turned into a curved blade ready to be unsheathed.
"This duel ends here... this turn."
Yubel held her breath.
"My turn, draw," Ramoar said, "During the Standby Phase, 'The Grand Spellbook Tower' effect activates.
If there is a Spellcaster-Type monster on my field, once per turn during my Standby Phase, I can return a 'Spellbook' Magic Card from the graveyard to my deck, then draw a card from my deck."
A card popped out from the graveyard.
"I return the Quick-Play Magic 'Spellbook of Judgment' to my deck, then draw a card."
Yubel held her breath.
It's that troublesome card again...
"Next, I activate the Magic Card 'Spellbook of Secrets' from my hand," Ramoar said, "Add a 'Spellbook' card from my deck to my hand.
I add 'Spellbook of Judgment' back to my hand."
It seems Ramoar's deck may be fully stocked with other Spellbooks, but only this single overwhelmingly powerful 'Spellbook of Judgment' remains unique.
After all, possessing divine authority as it does, this single card alone is enough to form the core of an entire deck with its forbidden sorcery.
"Quick-Play Magic 'Spellbook of Judgment', activate it. Based on the number of Magic Cards activated this turn, during the End Phase, search for that amount of 'Spellbook' cards and add them to my hand."
He paused and coldly smiled.
"Of course, you might not see that moment."
Though he still had plenty of resources for searching his deck, he seemed to feel there was no need anymore. Ramoar waved his hand grandly: "Magical Exemplar Junon, effect activated!
Once per turn, remove from play a 'Spellbook' Magic Card in the hand or graveyard to destroy a card on the field."
A card popped out of his graveyard.
"I banish 'Spellbook Organization', discarded to the graveyard last turn, from the game, disappear, Yubel!"
The magical sorceress lazily flipped her ruby-like hair, holding a Spellbook in one hand, raising the other gently. A stream of Magic Power surged from her gloved palm and hit Yubel's counterpart!
As her counterpart was about to be destroyed, Yubel smiled enigmatically.
"Heh, I've been waiting for this moment," she sneered, "Do you think I forgot that troublesome sorceress sister's effect?"
"Oh?" Ramoar raised an eyebrow.
"It was well within calculations that you'd use Junon's effect to destroy me! At the moment you used this effect, you stepped into a trap that spells certain doom!
Flip Cover Card, Trap Card 'Guard Mines'!
When the opponent activates an effect to destroy a monster on my field, negate the activation and destroy it.
Moreover! It deals 500 points of damage to the opponent afterward!"
[Ramoar, LP 100]
"...I see." Ramoar understood, "Not only did you defend against Junon's effect, but you also turned this effect around to counterattack...
With LP remaining at 100, if this strike lands without question, it will be his defeat!
"It's you who will disappear!" Yubel said, "Vanish into the depths of Hell, never to return again!"
Junon's spell explosion struck the golden energy layer, triggering a cascade of blast counterattacks!
It felt like one mine in a minefield detonating, causing a chain reaction explosion, the red firelight continuously burst, seemingly forming a fiery dragon that retaliated back toward the magical sorceress!
Junon, scared, covered her face, her fiery red hair fluttered in the scorching wind. Flames quickly engulfed her, until Ramoar's form disappeared in the sea of fire.
The firelight illuminated Yubel's cheeks, she faced the flames, breathing heavily.
It's... a success.
After the successful activation of Guard Mines, it inflicted 500 points of reflection damage, this strike should definitely have landed...
...!?
As the flames dissipated, Ramoar stood calmly smiling, still in place, even Junon remained in front of him.
The red-haired magical sorceress patted her ample bosom and let out a breath, her expression appearing to carry a hint of fear.
Yubel gritted his teeth: "How could this be..."
"Don't worry, our chain isn't over yet." He smiled, "Chain your 'Guard Mines', I want to activate this card—
——Quick-Play Magic 'Spellbook of Wisdom'.
Select one Spellcaster-Type Monster on the field, you can choose one of two effects to activate.
During this turn, that Mage is not affected by Magic Card effects other than this card; or is not affected by any Trap Card effects."
He pointed to Juno on the field.
"Obviously, I let 'Magic Conductor Juno' not be affected by Trap Card effects. So your 'Guard Mines' can't negate Juno's effect, nor can it destroy her."
"However, 500 points of damage still counts!" Yubel said, "The Monster is not affected by Trap Effects, but you aren't. Disappear for me!"
"I'm afraid that won't happen either." Lamor shook his head, "Chain 'Spellbook of Wisdom', I then activate from my hand the Quick-Play Magic 'Emergency Provisions', send Magic and Trap Cards on the field to the Graveyard, and for each card, recover 1000 Life Points.
I send the currently activated 'Spellbook of Wisdom' to the Graveyard, and recover 1000 Life Points.
This way, before your 500 points of damage takes effect, my Life Points will recover to 1100."
After a pause, he pointed to Yubel on the opposite field.
"And because Juno is not affected by Trap Effects, your duplicate must still be destroyed!"
Yubel gritted her teeth: "Then chain 'Emergency Provisions', open the Set Card! Trap Card 'Curse of Illusion'! The attack power of one Monster on the field decreases by 500, and the effect is negated." (Original work card)
After a pause, she said, "Although 'Curse of Illusion' is also a Trap Card, it was activated on the same chain as 'Spellbook of Wisdom'.
'Spellbook of Wisdom' effect has not yet come into effect, Juno's effect will be sealed!"
A long chain of resolutions ensued, the result being Juno's abilities were bound—a hard-earned burst of magic power slammed into a barrier array as it ferociously reached Yubel, held back the impact while also binding Juno's power.
[Magic Conductor Juno, Attack 2500 → Attack 2000]
Immediately followed by the backlash power of the Guard Mines, a series of explosions swept across Lamor. But he successfully drew a breath using 'Emergency Provisions' before the flames hit, withstanding the bomb's bombardment.
[Lamor, LP 100 → LP 1100 → LP 600]
The final result was that the Monsters of both sides remained standing on the field, neither being able to overcome the other.
But Yubel did not let her guard down.
Even though her duplicate had the effect of not being destroyed in battle and all damage would be reflected, she knew the other still held a powerhouse card.
In the last turn end, searched by 'Spellbook of Judgment' to his hand, the third 'Spellbook of Fate'.
As expected, Lamor followed by revealing that card: "Quick-Play Magic 'Spellbook of Fate'. Banish three 'Spellbooks' from your Graveyard, banish one card on the field!"
Just as expected!
But even with this move, Yubel was already prepared!
"Don't even think about it!" she shouted, "Open the Set Card, Continuous Trap—
——'Imperial Iron Wall'!"
The Set Card flipped, with golden streams of light blossoming on the crimson Trap Card face!
"Oh?" Lamor raised an eyebrow.
"'Imperial Iron Wall', as long as it exists on the field, both players... cannot banish cards from the game!"
An absolute blockade, like an invisible wall of iron surrounding the entire dueling field, within this iron wall's blockade, no soul is allowed banishment!
Lamor was silent for a moment.
"Even anticipated the countermeasures for 'Spellbook of Fate'?"
"I said." Yubel spoke word by word, "I will not allow you to appear in front of him, go to Hell here for me!"
Indeed, this was her duty and mission, a loyal Guardian.
She had always done so. Anyone threatening Judai, who might become an obstacle, she would remove by any means necessary.
Even if she had to become a demon herself.
"...I miscalculated."
Lamor said, drawing another card from his hand.
"I Summon 'Temperance of Prophecy'."
[Temperance of Prophecy, Attack 1000]
Yubel watched the opposite side without blinking.
The new conjuring monster... what is it this time?
"To be honest, I didn't anticipate being pushed to this point beforehand." Said Lamor, "To deal with you, I have to use that form..."
Yubel held her breath.
"Effect of 'Temperance of Prophecy'." Lamor said, "On your own turn when a 'Spellbook' Magic Card was activated, during your main phase, you can offer this card as a sacrifice.
Special summon one Light Attribute or Dark Attribute Spellcaster-Type Monster with Level 5 or above from your Card Deck."
"!"
Yubel was stunned again.
Level 5 or above, Light or Dark Attribute... any Spellcaster-Type!?
Such a monstrous search ability again?
"With this, it's over!" Lamor's magic power burst forth all over, his expression shifting in an instant, "Appear, my ultimate form, born from the ritual of Judgment, Magic Sovereign—
——Level 9! World of Prophecy, Summon!!!"