"Mr. Yugen!"
Mizuchi couldn't help but look at Yugen with concern.
Her brother was no longer her brother, but the persona of the Light of Destruction, and even she didn't know how strong he truly was now. However, she hadn't expected him to start with summoning lockdown.
Moreover, to her knowledge, the current Saio indeed had some degree of destiny manipulation ability — or more accurately, he could manipulate the upright or reversed positions of all cards related to Secret Ceremony Power.
Secret Ceremony Power wasn't exclusively Saio's card deck; even before the Light of Destruction came, Saio originally used Secret Ceremony Power. This is a deck that circulates on the market and isn't particularly rare.
However, the Secret Ceremony Power Saio uses now is different. It's imbued with his special energy, and it has spawned some exclusive cards that the outside world doesn't have for now, just like how each era of Yu-Gi-Oh! protagonist gets cards printed.
For example, the final trump card of the Light of Destruction persona, "Master of Light" in Secret Ceremony Power, is clearly his exclusive Secret Ceremony Power, a manifestation of the Light of Destruction's power, and is currently printed.
So manipulating the upright or reversed positions of Secret Ceremony Power isn't just about strong Destiny Power; it's about his special ability. As long as he's using this deck imbued with his power, he can manipulate upright or reversed positions even against opponents with far stronger Destiny Power than himself.
"Starting off with summoning lockdown, he really does make things difficult." Yugen shrugged.
Though "Death God's Tour" resets each turn, and theoretically, if a reversed position appears, Saio wouldn't be able to summon in any form that turn.
So this card seems overpowered at first glance, but it's quite balanced. Because it's a double-edged sword, whether it stabs the opponent or oneself is completely random.
But with Saio's Superpower-enhanced destiny manipulation, it's quite perverse. He can consistently have this card in an upright position each turn, meaning Yugen can never summon a monster.
"However, this card only states no monster summoning of any form is allowed; it doesn't say anything about face-down covering."
Yugen said, drawing a card from his hand.
"Then I'll cover one monster in face-down Defense Position on the field."
He then drew another card and inserted it into the slot behind his Duel Disc.
"And I'll add one Covering Card to the back, and end my turn."
Saio chuckled softly.
"Ha, as expected of the Duel King. Even facing such a card, you're not flustered at all and immediately spotted the only flaw in the Death God's Tour... though this barely counts as a flaw.
All you can do is cover a monster to solidify your defense, just like how most people in the world know that the end of destiny is death, yet can only helplessly watch as that unstoppable fate approaches step by step.
My turn, draw!"
Saio's arm swung dramatically as he drew a card.
"Next, I'll summon 'Secret Ceremony Power 4-Emperor'!"
Another black Secret Ceremony Power appeared, resembling a mechanical creation, brandishing golden tentacles with imperial majesty.
[Secret Ceremony Power 4-Emperor, Attack Power 1400]
"Similarly, when the Emperor is summoned, the upright or reversed position is randomly rotated."
Saio paused, then laughed heartily.
"Of course, what's called random is only random to those who can't see the path of destiny. To me, destiny is only inevitable!
STOP!"
The Emperor's rotation stopped, remaining in the upright position.
"The effect of the upright position increases the Attack Power of all face-up 'Secret Ceremony Power' monsters on my field by 500 points!"
[Secret Ceremony Power 4-Emperor, Attack Power 1400 → Attack Power 1900]
[Secret Ceremony Power 7-Chariot, Attack Power 1700 → Attack Power 2200]
"And now let me show you the hidden effect of the Chariot's upright position!"
Saio swung his hand grandly.
"The attack of Secret Ceremony Power 7-Chariot! Crush the ignorant fool who mistakes arms for wheels with the wheels of destiny!"
The Chariot's tentacles rose, and both cannons fired simultaneously. The bombardment blasted forth, exploding the monster Yugen had covered on the field.
The monster flipped over, revealing an extravagantly dressed monster in golden attire, its golden cape like wings, crouched defensively with crossed arms in front of Yugen.
"The Chariot's effect is that when this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can Special Summon that monster to your own field!"
Saio laughed heartily once more.
"Your monster will come to me!"
In just two turns of unfolding, Mizuchi's heart had already turned cold.
All forms of summoning were completely locked; all Yugen could do was cover a monster face-down. Now, even the monster he covered would be stolen by the opponent...
Indeed, now that her brother had gained the Power of Cosmic Destruction, he was just too strong.
She didn't even know Saio had grown this powerful... No, it's not just about strength; he actually has traits similar to the Duel King.
Self-enclosed.
Starting with complete lockdown + NTR, you'd believe this was Yugen's tactic.
Facing such a scenario, even as a King, can he really find a way to break through...
Saio continued with his smugness: "I told you, in the face of the colossal entity known as destiny, so-called kings are but slightly larger ants. There's still time to surrender now; if you give up, you can receive the baptism of light..."
"Don't rush, the duel has just begun. More importantly..."
Yugen smiled.
"Aren't you curious about the treasure you just snatched control of from me?"
Saio: "?"
He had been too busy being smug and mocking to notice the monster that had been stolen onto his field.
[Sun God's Apostle, Attack Power 1100]
Saio: "!"
Sun God? Could it be that legendary one...?!
He immediately recalled the legend of the Duel King summoning the Winged Divine Dragon in Duel City. Looking at this Apostle, he indeed felt that this monster's attire had a bit of a cosplay feel of the Winged Divine Dragon.
A card connected with the Phantom God?
This suddenly made Saio's incredibly confident heart start to waver.
But he quickly calmed down: "An Apostle of God, huh? No matter what abilities it has, it belongs to me now..."
"Indeed, indeed, it's yours now." Yugen said with a smile, "So for the monster you snatched, aren't you going to take a quick look at its effect?"
Without Yugen saying so, Saio naturally intended to do just that. However, Yugen's reaction made him feel uneasy.
So Saio picked up the monster card that had been stolen onto his Duel Disc and quickly read it silently.
Let me see what the effect is.
Upon being summoned, Special Summoned, or Flip Summoned, you can Special Summon up to two "Sun God's Apostle" from your hand or card deck... It makes sense. Since summoning a god requires three tributes, summoning three monsters at once is indeed a powerful effect.
He continued reading the next sentence.
As long as this card is on the field, you cannot Special Summon monsters...
Saio: "?"