Entry Forbidden!
It was as if prison bars were raised on both sides of the field, isolating their monsters behind the iron bars. The pitch-black Evil Heart Demon and Two-headed Demon Dragon had to crouch under the Trap's restraint, reverting to a defensive stance.
"By changing to defense mode, the Despised Knight cannot attack, battle damage doesn't apply, and naturally, you can't reflect any damage to me," said Judai.
Yubel gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "To what extent will you reject my love, Judai?"
"You're wrong, Yubel. This isn't love at all," said Judai, his expression slightly somber, "It's my fault. I was young then. I thought sending you to the cosmos would make you better through the right influence... but no matter what, I shouldn't have abandoned you. For any reason, I shouldn't have forgotten you.
These past years, you must have suffered a lot, haven't you?"
Such an attitude caught Yubel off guard. She seemed to briefly see the past Prince's presence in the boy before her, causing her heart to flutter.
Judai said, "To want to protect but lack the strength, only to obtain strength and be despised... now I understand.
However, more painful than these, is the pain of finally gaining the strength to protect, yet losing what I wished to protect."
Yubel: "!"
Even though his words were merely calm narratives, they carried immense weight, piercing through the darkness to strike the deepest part of her heart, a tender spot she never knew still existed.
Even the darkness in her eyes briefly cleared.
But only for just a few seconds.
"No..." Yubel shook her head, her expression gradually becoming a facial art, "All the pain over these ten years, this dark journey itself, is the love you bestowed upon me, Judai. And I will share this unforgettable love back with you!"
Yubel drew a card from her hand to set in the backfield.
"First, I'll set a card in the backfield."
She raised her arm, and golden light shot from the graveyard. The light fell on the ground and transformed into green leaves, blossoming into a vibrant lotus at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"At the end of the turn, I activate one 'Sacrificial Lotus' effect from the graveyard," Yubel said, "Sacrificial Lotus, when existing in the graveyard at the end of the turn, can be Special Summoned in attack mode on my field.
Come forth, Sacrificial Lotus!"
[Sacrificial Lotus, Attack Power 0]
"And then, at the end phase, I'll activate the effect of 'Yubel the Despised Knight' as well!" Yubel said, "During the end phase of my turn, all other monsters on my field, except this card, are destroyed!"
The two dragon heads of the Hate Knight emitted mournful cries, as sonic waves burst from their mouths. Transparent ripples swept the field, blowing the small lotus flower into pieces like a storm.
"Then, based on the number of monsters destroyed on my field, your monsters are destroyed as well," Yubel sneered, "Isn't it the power of the Overlord?
Disappear as well! As long as I have you, Judai!"
The destroyed Sacrificial Lotus turned into ammunition, transforming into a golden light cannon that struck directly at the chest of the Evil Blade Death Demon. An explosive roar followed, flames erupted on the Evil Blade Death Demon's chest, turning into a fireball that engulfed the mighty figure.
However, when the flames dissipated, it was clear that the blaze and smoke were dispersing on the demon's armor. The remaining fire remnants licked the armor but failed to leave a single scar. The demon's face was undisturbed, seemingly unaffected by the attack.
Yubel's expression changed slightly: "Nani?"
The Overlord snorted: "Mere tricks, how could they possibly affect my Evil Blade Death Demon?
Evil Heart Hero: Evil Blade Demon—this card on the field cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."
Yubel: "Tch, troublesome Overlord... then my turn ends."
Judai let out a breath: "That was close, you managed to take the attack this turn too. Impressive as always, Overlord, you've got quite the skills."
Overlord: "..."
Overlord remained silent for a moment.
Looking at Judai, then at Yubel, the Overlord's eternally cold golden eyes showed a trace of wavering.
Some memories from a long time ago, so distant they seemed not his own, began flooding in.
He saw his past self.
A young general in heavy black armor, his cape flying behind him. The crimson sun shone on the lifeless battlefield, the lone soldier's only reliance was that protector who had fallen into evil, Yubel.
Judai was right, they were originally one.
Those were Judai's memories, and his as well.
Yes, there was a time when he had reliable companions, irreplaceable and absolutely trustworthy people.
When did the term "bond" become a joke and a burden to him?
"...Yuki Judai."
The Overlord suddenly spoke.
Judai: "What?"
Overlord: "I once tried to defeat you, to absorb everything of yours so I could become whole. Only then would I have the chance to unleash the true ultimate darkness and obtain the power of 'that card'."
Judai was taken aback: "'That card'?"
"Yes, 'that card,'" the Overlord said coldly, "'That card' is the supreme symbol of my Overlord's Power, representing absolute strength."
His golden eyes fixed on Yubel across the field, speaking sternly.
"Now she is indeed entangled with some powerful force. Even winning the duel might not easily separate it from Yubel."
Judai frowned: "Then what should we do?"
The Overlord pondered for two seconds.
"We can only use 'that card,'" the Overlord said, "'That card' possesses unquestionable power. With its power, it should be possible."
Judai: "But I don't have that kind of thing."
"I said before, I tried to absorb everything of yours initially, precisely for 'that card.' When we become united as one and complete again, we'll have the chance to unleash the power of 'that card.'" The Overlord said calmly.
"Do you want to save Yubel?"
"Of course," Judai answered firmly.
"At any cost."
"Without hesitation," Judai said.
"Good," the Overlord said, "then prove it to me, and prove it to her.
If you truly have that determination, then you should be able to do it. Awaken the card symbolizing our supreme power and use its power to save Yubel."
"Our supreme power..."
Judai looked at his right hand, then at his Card Deck.
The Overlord said no more, quietly watching from the side.
Judai gently placed his hand over his Card Deck and closed his eyes.
Yes, he had already decided, no matter what, he would save Yubel, at any cost.
A promise made in a past life, to walk together forever.
Suddenly opening his eyes, the golden light in Judai's eyes was even more dazzling than before, as if turning into an angry lion.
"My turn—Draw!"