Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

The card in front of me must be the one that Kobayashi Hayato made for Isis. But the fact that he used the image of the person he was giving the card to as the card illustration is quite unexpected. Kobayashi Hayato is really something else.

Ameruda refocused his attention, his fingers resting on the deck in preparation for drawing a card.

"My turn—"

But at that moment, Isis stretched out her hand and said, "At this instant, my [Gravekeeper's Trap] on the field has activated its effect!"

"Hmm? Activate the effect at this time?"

Looking at Isis's current actions, which are exactly the same as those on the card, Amelda was puzzled as to what effect could be activated at this moment. Could it be that the opponent could seal his card draw?

"【Gravekeeper's Trap】If it is face-up on the field, I can declare a card name and activate it before my opponent's draw phase."

"After the opponent draws a card, they usually check the card they drew. If it is the card they declared their name for, they send that card to the graveyard."

After listening to Isis's explanation, Ameluda raised an eyebrow: "This effect seems to be [Mental Collapse]. Heh, what a boring effect. If it were [Mental Collapse], it could be used after the opponent searches for cards and knows their hand. But the effect of this [Gravekeeper's Trap] is too meaningless. After all, even I don't know what card I will draw next."

Ameluda's words didn't include Isis; she calmly stated, "I declare your card name is [Explosive Armor], and the next thing you'll say after confirming the card you've drawn is, 'Impossible! Is it possible to foresee the future?!'"

"Hmph, boring. My turn. Draw a card." Amelda impatiently drew a card, saying, "Well then, because of your [Gravekeeper's Trap], let me show you the card I drew. The card I drew is—"

"[Explosive Armor]?!"

"Impossible! Predicting the future—"

After flipping the card and seeing the image of the "Dark Demon King" on the card he had drawn, Amelda couldn't believe that he had actually drawn the "Explosive Armor" from Isis's Declaration. He subconsciously uttered his thoughts, only to realize later that even what he had subconsciously said was exactly the same as what Isis had declared.

Isis had no intention of considering Ameruda's feelings: "Then, because of the effect of [Gravekeeper's Trap], the [Explosive Armor] you drew will be sent to the graveyard."

"Then during your preparation phase, the effect of [Lava Demon] will be forcibly activated, dealing 1000 points of effect damage to you!"

Chapter 558 Polda's Inextricable Bond with the Steps...Ameruda

"Well!"

[Ameruda: 4000→3000LP]

During the preparation phase after Amelda's card draw, the effect of [Lava Demon] automatically activated, causing Amelda to inhale a large mouthful of lava, resulting in a drop of 1000 points in his Life Points.

Moreover, because Ameruda had activated the [Orichalcos Barrier] beforehand, the 1000 points of damage felt incredibly real, and his skin was burned red.

However, compared to that, Ameruda was more concerned about the prophecy that Isis had just displayed.

The fact that Ameruda lost the newly drawn "Explosive Armor" due to "Gravekeeper's Trap" didn't bother him much. After all, he added this card to his deck purely to bait out cards like "Whirlwind," so losing it wasn't a big deal.

The problem is that I currently have 0 cards in my hand, while Isis's [Gravekeeper's Trap] is a continuous trap card that I can use as long as it's my draw phase.

In other words, if Isis Ishtar can accurately predict or "see what cards she will draw in the future" during the upcoming duel, she will be in a state of constantly drawing and discarding cards, unable to replenish even one card in her hand, while Isis on the other side can keep drawing cards.

Amelda finally understood why Isis had used her brother Malik Ishtar's [Lava Demon]. The important thing wasn't the [Lava Demon]'s ability to release the opponent's monster summons, but rather its ability to deal effect damage every turn!

My judgment was completely wrong. This woman's tactics were not about destroying the deck around the "Reversal of the Real and the Underworld" strategy at all. Instead, she forcibly turned the duel back into the early stages of monster offense and defense, using her constantly replenished monsters as walls to block "Lava Demon," and then using the effect of "Lava Demon" to burn herself to death!

What kind of person is this? Can't we just play cards in peace? This is too creepy!

After understanding Isis's tactics, Ameluda felt a little relieved. He was relieved that Isis's opponent wasn't Baron and Raferu, but himself, the most skilled among the Doma Three Musketeers at utilizing the monsters in the graveyard.

Thanks to the effect of [Ancient Guardian - Argento] used by Isis in the previous turn, five cards were added to her graveyard, including three Level 4 Machine-Type monsters: [Mech Guardian], [Mech Soldier], and [Mech Sniper].

Hmph, there are three level 4 monsters!

Once I remove them from the graveyard, I can once again summon my invincible [Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force]!

Although there's no way to replenish your hand, your life points can only be gradually reduced.

But it doesn't matter!

If I can use the effects of monsters in the graveyard to gather enough troops on the field, and break through the opponent's defense in the three turns I can still hold on to my base score, victory will still be mine!

Thinking this, Ameluda said smugly, "It's just a temporary lead. You're using [Lava Demon] to deduct my base points now, but it won't be long before I take them back from you. Don't be so smug, woman!"

"My ace monster won't leave the field easily. Activate the effect of [Mech Force: Destroyer Force] in the Graveyard to banish three Level 4 monsters from the Graveyard: [Mech Guardian], [Mech Soldier], and [Mech Sniper], bringing their combined Levels to 12 or higher!"

"Roar, my obsession, my soul!!"

"【Mech Force - Destroy Armed Forces】!!!"

The pitch-black dump truck [Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force] roared out of the ground and slowly rose onto Ameruda's field. Upon seeing this, Ameruda laughed wildly: "Hmph, hmph, hmph! Hahahahahaha!"

"So, are you terrified by this monster that's as terrifying as a nightmare? Don't blink, this is the last monster you'll ever see!"

When Baron, who was watching, heard Ameruda's words, he inexplicably felt as if his own lines had been stolen.

"Did Amelda get humiliated by Seto Kaiba? He's usually just a bit quiet, but he's so angry today."

Rafiru glanced at Baron: "Your sixth sense is as accurate as ever."

"Ok?"

"No, it's nothing." Rafiru shook his head, having no intention of revealing Ameruda's shortcomings. Baron didn't care either, turning back to look at the arena.

"That woman named Isis is really unlucky. She actually ran into Ameruda, who was in a bad mood. It looks like she's about to have some unpleasant memories." Baron, who was more focused on the flow of the duel, didn't realize how disgusting Isis's [Gravekeeper's Trap] was. Instead, he felt that Ameruda's summoning of [Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force] again was an advantage.

"Although, the memories won't last long, since she'll be defeated and her soul sealed soon anyway."

Upon hearing Baron's assessment, Rafiru denied it, saying, "You're wrong, Baron. The one who's at a disadvantage right now isn't Isis Ishdar, but Ameruda."

"And haven't you noticed that, even though Ameruda has been calling for the [Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force] for so long, Ameruda's trump card has yet to arrive."

"In fact, the woman showed no panic whatsoever; Ameruda's actions were still within her calculations!"

Rafael wasn't the only one to realize what he meant; Ameruda also noticed that the [Mech Force - Destruction Force] he had summoned hadn't yet emerged from underground.

Having only shown its head, [Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force] remained stationary and stopped moving. At the same time, Amelda realized that she was unable to banish or summon any cards from the Duel Disk's graveyard!

"W-What's going on!?" Ameruda was puzzled by the strange situation. He tried to pull out the card from the graveyard, but his fingers still wouldn't move. The [Mech Force - Destruction Force] on the field, which he was watching closely, remained motionless. "[Destruction Force], why isn't it moving?"

"Move out! Destroy the armed forces!"

"Move! [Destruction Forces], why aren't you moving?!"

After trying but still failing to get his cards and monsters moving, Amelda glared directly at Isis: "What's going on? What did you do, Isis Ishtar!"

“What did I do? Shouldn’t you see that clearly, Ameruda?” Isis certainly knew what was going on, but perhaps because of the saying “one is influenced by one’s company,” she didn’t say the reason directly. Instead, she put on an innocent expression with a rather wicked sense of humor. “Regarding your special summon, I didn’t activate any effect, and even the face card remained unchanged.”

“Oh, I see, Ameruda. I understand why you didn’t summon a monster. You’re actually afraid of me. After losing the duel with Seto Kaiba, you’re like someone who almost died from snake venom. You’re terrified even of a rope.”

"Because of this fear, you subconsciously refused to summon monsters to fight me. As your Tamashi, the [Mech Force: Destruction Armed Force] also refrained from appearing because of this, in accordance with your wishes!"

"Stop talking nonsense! How could I possibly be afraid of someone like you!" Ameruda said, seemingly angered by Isis's words.

"Is that so? You really have no fear of me? Think back, Ameluda, in your duels with me and with others, were you in the same state?" Isis adopted an analytical tone for Ameluda, "You were afraid of the [Reversal of the World and the Underworld], afraid of the [Valley of Royal Long Sleep], and frightened by the [Lava Demon God]."

“Clearly, you’re not comfortable fighting me, Ameruda.”

Isis changed her tone and said calmly, "People live to overcome fear and anxiety. They live for peace of mind. Fame, wealth, a peaceful life, even justice and ideals—people use these things to make themselves feel at ease. You could even say that people live for peace of mind."

"Since being my enemy makes you so uneasy, why don't you take that monster back to put your mind at ease, Ameruda?"

Faced with Isis's "suggestion," Ameruda's face was filled with the humiliation of being looked down upon: "That kind of thing is absolutely impossible. How could I possibly back down because of things like 'fear' or 'unease'!"

"It must have been a loose screw on the Duel Disk that caused the connection to fail. I'll summon the [Destruction Force] right now and show you!"

"Come forth, my ace, [Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force]!"

The roar of the mechanical device rang out suddenly along with Ameruda's command, but before Ameruda could even relax his expression, he found that he still couldn't move the card in the graveyard. Moreover, under Ameruda's gaze, the [Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force] that had emerged halfway from the ground on his field actually shrank back a bit!?

"You say one thing and do another, Ameruda, huh?" Isis, who had no cards in her hand, stood on the steps with her arms crossed, looking down at the astonished Ameruda below. "Why did your monster go back again? So you're still afraid of fighting me and trying to run away, aren't you?"

Ameruda looked on incredulously: "W-what's going on?! I was clearly, clearly trying to summon a monster!"

"I did draw a card just now!"

"Hmph, still wavering, Ameruda. You're so afraid that even though you're determined to summon a monster to fight, your fingers unconsciously slip back into your hand because you're too scared?"

Ameruda's pupils contracted.

'Could it really be as Isis Ishdar said?'

'After years of hard work, I still couldn't surpass Seto Kaiba. The humiliating draw left me feeling humiliated and insecure, making me suspicious and fearful of our duel?'

'Could it be that I really—'

"Don't let yourself be affected, Ameruda!"

Seeing that Ameluda was distracted by Isis's words, Rafiru, who was standing outside the arena, immediately spoke up to remind her.

Isis's ability to foresee the future and her strange "reassurance theories" are quite captivating, showcasing her charlatan-like qualities. However, Raferus never expected that Ameruda would almost be swayed by Isis.

Among the three musketeers of Doma, Rafael knew long ago that Amelda had the most serious psychological problems. Baron's pursuit of high-level stimulation and a peaceful life was somewhat contradictory, but understandable. Rafael himself only treated the card monsters as family, which was much better than some people who treated the cards as wives.

However, Ameruda was different. He had no pursuit in life, or rather, his only pursuit was the Kaiba Corporation and Seto Kaiba. Although he could unleash great power when facing Seto Kaiba, he was extremely fragile in other aspects.

At least Rafael felt that the other duelists wouldn't be influenced by Isis so easily, or feel genuinely afraid of her, simply because of some interference. Of course, this was also partly due to Isis's constant use of "Seto Kaiba" in her conversations to influence Ameruda.

While Duel Monsters does involve a significant amount of psychological warfare, taking it to this level, it has to be said that Isis Ishtar is a truly wicked woman.

“Although I don’t know exactly what’s going on, your inability to summon monsters is definitely due to the opponent’s cards.” He glanced at the helicopter’s instrument panel. “Hurry up, Ameruda, we don’t have much time!”

“I understand!” Amelda replied to Rafael, refocusing his attention on the duel and looking directly into Isis’s eyes. “Isis Ishdar, your manipulative tactics have ended. I will no longer be influenced by you.”

"This duel is a life-or-death battle. My life will not end until I have avenged myself against the Haima Group!"

"Even if there's only one monster, I will defeat you. Switch [Lava Demon] to attack stance and enter battle phase!"

【Lava Demon God】【DEF2500→ATK3000→3500】

"Attack [Statue of the Deity - Keldor]! Amelda Flame!"

Perhaps due to the convergence of timelines, Amelda spontaneously uttered the "most orthodox" attack name of [Lava Demon], and [Lava Demon], now in attack stance, unleashed a massive magma fist, destroying the golden statue on Isis's field and sending it to the graveyard.

However, since it was in defense position, Isis did not suffer any damage, and Amelda, who had no cards left to use, was left with nothing to do after using [Lava Demon].

"My turn is over."

[Ameruda: 3000LP, 0 cards in hand]

【Lava Demon】【ATK3500】

(Field) [Orichalcos Barrier]

Looking into Ameruda's eyes, Isis realized that, as he said, her previous approach would likely be ineffective. Her eyes clearly brimmed with resentment and hatred towards someone.

Clearly, Ameruda is using his obsession with seahorses to distract himself, leaving one unsure whether to praise or criticize him.

However, if it didn't work, it didn't work. Isis hadn't really intended to trick Ameruda into surrendering; it was just a prank. In fact, her tactics were practically complete, and Ameruda's thoughts were no longer important.