Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

“You really dare to say that, even though you don’t understand the weak at all.” Recalling the people he knew, such as Jonouchi, who came from humble backgrounds and had experienced hardship, Hayato said, “You weren’t born poor, you didn’t suffer hunger, and you never struggled, fought, or even killed for survival.”

“If you can join America, I can completely abandon all the operations currently underway against you, Hayato Kobayashi.” Valentine began to persuade Hayato. “Your background has already been thoroughly investigated by various countries.”

"Although your parents provided you with a good background, they didn't leave you anything that would truly make you strong: powerful cards, New-Type potential, and an understanding of Duel Monsters. You became stronger through your own efforts."

"You earned your status as a strong person with your own two hands, and that's the kind of strong person I recognize in this world!"

According to Hayato, Fanny Valentine's ideas are exactly the same as the "will to power" theory advocated by the German philosopher Nietzsche, which believes that the origin of the world and the essence of man is the "will to power".

It is not the will to live of its spiritual mentor Schopenhauer, but the will to pursue food, the will to pursue wealth, the will to pursue tools, and the will to pursue servants and masters. The will to power is the highest principle and moral standard of life; the survival of the fittest is morality, aggression and plunder are life, and war is the ultimate realization of the "will to power".

But in Hayato's opinion—it was utter nonsense.

“Since you advocate ‘survival of the fittest,’ very well,” Hayato sneered. “So now, as the stronger one—I will take your life.”

"Stop being so arrogant! I'm not that easy to take down!" Valentine took a card from the graveyard. "My battle phase ends, and then in my second main phase, I use the effect of [Gem Knight Fusion] in the graveyard to banish [Gem Knight Quartz] and add it to my hand."

Valentine's remaining three cards are all trap cards, which need to be set for one turn to activate. Therefore, his purpose in deliberately retrieving the "Gem Knight Fusion" from the graveyard is actually to set it along with the remaining three cards.

In that case, he would have a total of four face-down cards in his back row. Even if Hayato destroyed one or two of them with a card like "Whirlwind", there was a chance that "Gem Knight Fusion" would be fine even if it was destroyed.

While the attack power of [Gem Knight Ruby] on his field is about to decrease, it will still remain at 3500 points. Combined with [Gem Knight Rose Diamond], which has an attack power of 3700 points, it won't be easy for Hayato's monsters to defeat him.

However, just as Valentine retrieved the [Gem Knight Fusion] from the graveyard, Hayato played a card from his hand.

"The second effect of my [Four Heavenly Dragons - Transparent Wing Synchro Dragon] can only be activated when my opponent activates an effect." Showing the card in his hand, Hayato said, "Special Summon one Level 4 or lower WIND Tuner monster from my hand or Graveyard by negating its effects."

"After that, you can perform Synchro Summoning of a single WIND Synchro Monster."

"I Special Summon the Level 1☆ WIND Tuner monster Spore, and then use the Level 1☆ Tuner monster Spore, the Level 3☆ monster Venti, and the Level 6☆ monster Shaddoll Seven Sages Giant Dragon as Synchro Material!"

"Noble white lily, the revolutionary moment has arrived! Brought victory into my hands! Gallop amidst the falling splendor—"

"Summoning Synchro, Level 1☆+3☆+6☆=10☆!"

"Bloom, [Baroness of Flowers]!"

【The Flower Baroness】【10☆/Wind】

[Warrior Race/Synchronization/Effect]

[3000/2400]

Hayato's monsters concentrated their power in one place. [Shadowwing Venti] and [Shadowdome Seven Sages Giant Kunma] passed through the Synchro Ring formed by [Spore] and transformed into nine shining stars. Then, in the expanding pillar of Synchro Light, a knight riding a steed descended!

At this moment, Valentine had just added the [Gem Knight Fusion] card from the graveyard to his hand.

But it wasn't over yet. Even though it was sent to the graveyard as Synchro Material, [Shadowdome Seven Sages Giant Kun] didn't stop even after leaving the field. It raised its staff, used its threads to pull a card from Hayato's deck, and manipulated it into Hayato's hand before finally leaving the field.

"If [Shaddoll Seven Sages Giant Giant] is sent to the Graveyard, activate its third effect: add one [Shaddoll] card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. Then, discard one card from my hand."

Hayato pinched the card handed to him, flipped it over to reveal it, and said, "I add [Shaddoll Falcon] to my hand, and then discard [Shaddoll Falcon]."

"If this card is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, and the effect of [Shaddoll Falcon] is activated, Special Summon this card to my field in face-down Defense Position."

[Inner Side Guardian Monster (Shadowdow Falcon)]

"He summoned a monster again... Hmph!" Valentine glanced at the [Shadowdow Falcon] that had been resurrected from the graveyard and placed face-down on Hayato's field. "No matter how much you use the power of 'Synchro,' the only card that can break through my monsters is that [Dragon of the Four Heavens - Transparent Wing Synchro Dragon].

"I still have a full 4000 points in my base score, and then I'm going to put all four of my cards face down on the back field—even you, Hayato Kobayashi, probably can't break through such a defense in just one turn!"

"And this—my turn ends!"

Fanny Valentine: 4000LP, Hand: 3→4→0

【Gem Knight - Ruby】【ATK5050→3500】

【Gem Knight Lady - Rose Diamond】【ATK3700】

Backcourt: [Bright Fusion] [Face Card] x4

As Valentine announced the end of the turn, the effect of [Gem Knight Ruby] lasting for one turn disappeared, and its attack power lost the power it received from [Gem Knight Naferus], retaining only the 1000-point bonus given by [Gem Knight Dream Prison Core].

Even so, with two monsters with an attack power of over 3000 on the field, plus a full four face-down cards to support them, Valentine's lineup still looks quite intimidating.

'My face-down cards are [Radiant Stone Fusion], which fuses monsters on the field; [Scrap Stone Fusion], which fuses monsters from the Graveyard; and [Bottle of Greed], used to recycle cards.'

Valentine, having declared the end of his turn, looked at his field and pondered, 'Using [Scrap Stone Fusion], I can fuse a second [Gem Knight King - Diamond Dispersion], and then disintegrate it again to create a three-piece [Gem Knight] monster.'

"Then, [Radiant Stone Fusion] can send a [Gem Knight] monster on the field to the Graveyard to fuse into a second [Gem Knight King Diamond], and incidentally trigger the effects of monsters like [Gem Knight Blue] to disrupt Hayato Kobayashi."

'Even if Hayato Kobayashi uses cards like [Lightning Strike], my [Gem Knight: Rose Diamond] can prevent my [Gem Knight] monster from being destroyed by card effects once during my opponent's turn, and [Bottle of Greed] can provide me with some sustain.'

I can't believe I lost! My own backcourt is like a "wall of light" shielding me from all misfortune, pushing me toward the bliss of "victory"!

Just as Valentine was happily anticipating what would happen next, Hayato drew a card from his deck: "My turn, draw."

"So during the opponent's preparation phase, I'm going to activate my backcourt cover card!" In the last round, Hayato kept making moves during Valentine's turn, and Valentine plans to retaliate during Hayato's preparation phase and also make moves during his turn.

"First, I activate the Trap Card 'Bottle of Greed' to add five cards from my graveyard to my deck, then draw one card from my deck," Valentine said, taking five cards, including 'Lava Demon,' from his graveyard.

Next, just as Valentine had predicted, Hayato waved his hand and said, "Then because the opponent will activate the effect, my [Four Heavenly Dragons - Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon] can activate its effect again this turn."

"Special Summon one Level 4 or lower WIND Tuner Monster from my hand or Graveyard by negating its effects, and then you can Synchro Summon one WIND Synchro Monster."

Seeing Hayato activate the effect of [Four Heavenly Dragons - Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon], Valentine immediately activated another card: "Just as I expected, he used that card's effect, but my combo isn't over yet!"

"Chain effect of [Four Heavenly Dragons - Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon], activate Trap Card [Scrap Stone Fusion], banish the Fusion Materials specified on the [Gem Knight] Fusion Monster Card from my Graveyard, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck!"

"I will banish the three-body [Gem] monster and fuse to summon the invincible [Gem Knight King - Diamond Dispersion]!"

The shattered gem fragments rose in Valentine's field as a whirlwind, attempting to coalesce into the [Gem Knight King - Brilliant Diamond - Dispersion], a being with the ability to disintegrate. Once it appeared, it would undoubtedly make it more difficult for Hayato to defeat Valentine!

"Hahaha, come out, my ace, [Gem Knight King - Diamond-Color]!"

Valentine, feeling smug, was about to slap a card onto the duel disk, but just as the card was about to land, it missed!

The nearly formed Fusion Monster Card reverted to its transparent, indeterminate shape. Valentine suddenly looked up and saw that Baroness of Flowers on Hayato's field was drawing her longsword and pointing it in his direction. It seemed that the strange situation that had just occurred was her doing!?

“Graveyard Fusion? I’ll show you directly~” Hayato explained with a cold laugh, “[Baroness of Flowers] can only be activated once while she is on the field, and can only be activated when a Spell/Trap/Monster effect is activated, negating and destroying that activation!”

"The activation of the chain [Wastestone Fusion] utilizes the effect of [Flower Baroness]—you are not allowed to fuse!"

"...You bastard!" Valentine never expected that his perfect plan would be disrupted by this annoying [Flower Baroness]. After [Scrap Stone Fusion] was invalidated, without [Gem Knight King - Diamond-Dispersion], he wouldn't have enough material monsters for fusion!

He desperately wanted to conjure up a card like "No way" to negate Hayato's monster effects, but unfortunately, he couldn't—so, [Wastestone Fusion] failed to activate and was negated and destroyed by [Baroness of Flowers]!

Then came Hayato's effect for "Four Heavenly Dragons - Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon". He retrieved the card "Spore" from the Graveyard and placed it back on the Duel Disk, then said, "Next, I'm going to use my Level 1 Tuner monster 'Spore' and my Level 7 non-Tuner monster 'Four Heavenly Dragons - Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon' as Synchro Materials to send them to the Graveyard!"

"No need to restrain yourself, absorb all the crystal power you gained from destroying [Gem Knight King: Diamond]—and then evolve!"

"Holy light gathers upon my wings; with that radiant power, I will defeat my enemy!"

"Summoning Synchro, Level 1☆ + 7☆ = 8☆!"

"Shining Beyond Limits - [Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon]!"

【Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon】【8☆/Wind】

[Dragon/Synchro/Effect]

[3000/2500]

A further step beyond the "purity" of [Phantom Wings], a "transparency" that is like the embodiment of "the light of victory," a dazzling dragon adorned with white armor shines on Hayato's field!

Chapter 2105 Dragon Maid Maze - Part 8

"You used the [Four Heavenly Dragons - Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon] with an attack power of 5400 for Synchro Summoning?"

Valentine stared in astonishment at the newly appeared Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon on Hayato's field, then began to laugh loudly, "What a foolish choice, Hayato Kobayashi! If you had kept it, you could at least have defeated my One-Piece Monster!"

"So next, because of the effect of [Bottle of Greed], I will return five cards from the graveyard to the deck, shuffle them, and then draw one card."

Valentine was slightly pleased to see that the card he drew was a monster card, which meant he could continue playing. Although [Scrap Stone Fusion] was countered, he still had [Radiant Stone Fusion] in his back row, which he could use to perform a Fusion Summon from monsters in his hand or on the field.

You still have a chance to fuse and summon your ace monster, [Gem Knight King Diamond - Dispersion], and then decompose it into three [Gem Knight] fusion monsters. If used properly, you should be able to withstand Hayato's attack this turn.

Fanny Valentine: 4000LP, Hand: 0→1

【Gem Knight - Ruby】【ATK3500】

【Gem Knight Lady - Rose Diamond】【ATK3700】

Backcourt: [Bright Fusion] [Face Card] x2

Hayato, watching Valentine draw a card, wasn't in a hurry. He calmly said, "Since I've already used up the three-color card, it's a pity I didn't use up the card-destroying ability that only works once a turn. But I'm going to use the other effect of my 'Flower Baron' during this preparation phase."

"During both players' Preparation Phase, you can target a Level 9 or lower monster in my Graveyard. Return this card to the Extra Deck and Special Summon the targeted monster."

"The card I've chosen is this Level 8 [Half-Dragon Maid - Personal Dragon Girl] from my Graveyard. Although this card has a Special Summon restriction, it is only limited to cards Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. I Special Summon it to my field in Attack Position."

[Half-Dragon Maid - Personal Dragon Girl] [ATK 2000 → 2100]

With the activation of the "Hidden Effect" of [Banner of Flowers] and the resurrection of [Half-Dragon Maid - Close-Combat Dragon Girl] from Hayato's graveyard, the effect of [Half-Dragon Maid's Greeting] on Hayato's back field is restored, once again providing an ATK bonus to the monsters on his field.

But that's not all, because the effect of the Special Summoned [Half-Dragon Maid - Close-Combat Dragon Girl] will also activate.

"Not only when summoned by Fusion Summon, but also when Special Summoned as 'Half-Dragon Maid - Personal Dragon Girl' (also known as Little Gold), its first effect can be activated to Special Summon one 'Half-Dragon Maid' monster with a Level of 4 or lower from my Deck."

After a pause, Hayato looked regretful: "It's a pity that I only had one Blue in my deck, otherwise I would have pulled out Blue right now and then dumped three more cards into the graveyard."

"So I can only Special Summon this [Half-Dragon Maid - Dormitory Dragon Girl] from my deck, which is also known as Little Black."

Hayato took a card from his deck and placed it on the Duel Disk, then waved his hand: "When Kuro enters the field, I search my deck for one 'Half-Dragon Maid' Spell/Trap Card and add it to my hand. At the same time, I will activate Jin's second effect!"

【Half-Dragon Maid - Dormitory Dragon Girl】【DEF1800→2000】

"This can only be activated during the preparation phase for both players. Return any monsters that are banished from my field to the Deck as Fusion Material, and Fusion Summon the One Dragon Fusion Monster."

Upon hearing this, Valentine couldn't help but look at Hayato's [Half-Dragon Maid: Personal Dragon Girl] and [Half-Dragon Maid: Bedroom Dragon Girl] on the field: "Could it be that he's going to fuse and summon [Half-Dragon Maid: Radiant Dragon Girl] again?"

"No, my Extra Deck is quite full, so I didn't include a second [Radiant]." Hayato denied, pointing to his field. "A little-known fact is that Fusion Summoning can use face-down Defense Position monsters as Fusion Material, which is something [Marked] players love to exploit."

"Now, under the effect of [Half-Dragon Maid - Close-Combat Dragon Girl], I will send my [Half-Dragon Maid - Bedchamber Dragon Girl], which is also a DARK monster on my field, and [Shaddoll Falcon], which is in face-down Defense Position, to the Graveyard as Fusion Material!"

"The material requirements are two DARK monsters on the field! Let this ferocious form be etched upon the four heavens—"

"Despairing vines laden with the fruits of sin and blood, from the depths of hell, a new threat is born, you venomous dragon with hungry fangs!"

Fusion Summon! Level 8☆!

"Reveal yourself—[The Four Heavenly Dragons - The Ferocious, Hungry, and Poisonous Fusion Dragon]!"

[Four Heavenly Dragons - Ferocious, Hungry, and Poisonous Fusion Dragon] [8☆/Dark]

[Dragon/Fusion/Effect]