Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

That stone slab could be considered a valuable artifact, but Pegasus had already observed the Egyptian God Cards up close, so visiting the slab shouldn't be difficult for him. He probably designed this card based on the conflict between the Dark Magician and Blue-Eyes on the slab, as well as the so-called "fate" that Isis mentioned at the time.

Although he wasn't particularly interested in the stone slab, Kaiba was very interested in the card designed based on it. In fact, the card's powerful effect made Kaiba disregard the fact that it was designed based on an antique that he had previously completely looked down upon.

Just like many people say they hate eating tomatoes because they look too bloody, but can accept ketchup, it's really just because tomatoes are sour and unpalatable while processed ketchup tastes good.

Naturally, Kaiba included the card "Fated Rivalry" in his deck for his own use, but he knew that this card wasn't the most important. Pegasus said he designed a new card based on the myth of the "Legendary Dragon" he had collected, and "Fated Rivalry" clearly had nothing to do with the "Legendary Dragon," so the other card taken from the pot was the key.

However, what Kaiba couldn't understand was that the other card in his hand was very similar to the cards of the "Legendary Dragons". It had no card name, no attribute, no star level and no effect. What was even more outrageous was that even the "Legendary Dragons" were willing to leave an image on the card, but the card image area of ​​the card in front of him was completely blank.

If it weren't for Pegasus's video that prompted them to come to this room specifically to find the card, even if someone had triggered the recording on the Pot of Greed, they might have just thought that this blank card with a blue border was an unfinished card that Pegasus accidentally mixed in when putting in the cards for the Destiny Showdown, and discarded it carelessly.

Using the card 【Fated Conflict】, which has a certain meaning and strength, as a cover for this blank card? Pegasus is as cunning as ever.

Kaiba smiled slightly and put the blank card away. Although it was still a blank card, Kaiba knew that since Pegasus valued it so much, it must have considerable power that Pegasus could place his hopes on. There's a saying, "Things will work themselves out," so carrying this card with him might come in handy someday.

Anyway, when certain conditions are met, the card's artwork will change and reveal its true form; all you have to do is wait.

Of course, in the eyes of Kaiba, who is superstitious about science, the cards of Duel Monsters change during duels due to the growth of duelists, the awakening of Pokémon, etc. He would never think in that direction, but would understand it as "cards made with special ink change under specific conditions".

Therefore, it's not hard to understand why Kaiba still can't see the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card spirit, even though Renjou and Ryuzaki have already awakened their card spirits. Why does he insist on believing in science in a world of card enthusiasts who rely on metaphysics?

Even Newton himself was almost becoming a duelist.

Putting away the found card, the seahorse glanced at the window not far away, which was covered by curtains, and walked over. Because the room was filled with toys, Pegasus, who was childlike and loved toys, was still careful to maintain them and did not leave them lying around in places where they could be exposed to sunlight. The curtains at the window were drawn tightly.

However, the seahorse, who wasn't interested in any of the toys in the room, had no such thoughts. He casually opened the curtains, letting the bright sunlight stream into the room through the clean glass.

Compared to when they first arrived, the sunlight is now much weaker, as it's almost evening. I wonder where the game team is at this time, but I guess they haven't reached the Paradis Group yet.

As Kaiba pondered, his gaze swept past the steps in front of the castle and landed on a clearing at the foot of the mountain. There, parked, was the vehicle that Kaiba and Keipi had used to arrive on the island—a jet plane shaped like the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, which everyone who saw it except Pegasus had described as having "truly bizarre taste," yet its owner himself still quite liked it.

Although the Blue-Eyes White Dragon's appearance is quite aerodynamically inefficient, Seahorse simply has the money to invest heavily. That jet perfectly embodies the saying "powerful and powerful," managing to achieve overall performance on par with other top-tier jet aircraft despite its bizarre shape, thanks to its top-of-the-line internal components.

With its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, sound barrier-breaking speed, excellent handling, ultra-long range, and exceptional protection—ensuring the pilot remains unharmed even in a crash—the only drawback of this jet aircraft, which I personally adore, is probably the limited storage space inside the cabin.

Including the pilot, there are only two seats that aren't very large. The maximum height limit of 1.86 meters is practically tailor-made for Kaiba to travel with his younger brother, Keihei. Because of this, Hayato, who once shamelessly tried to get a free ride on the plane from Kaiba, was thwarted by his height. At the same time, the cabin behind the seats has only about five cubic meters of storage space.

It's roughly the size of an adult lying flat inside, while also having to withstand the acceleration of a jet and the turbulence caused by airflow during flight without a seat or seatbelt.

However, that position was reserved for Ameruda, the "captive," anyway. Seahorse didn't care how he would feel at the time, even if he cursed in that cabin. Seahorse didn't care, since he didn't.

Yes, Kaiba plans to stuff Ameruda into the cabin later, which is very inhumane, but very much in line with Kaiba's Special☆Rule.

However, just as the seahorse was hatching his inhumane plan, his gaze inadvertently drifted to the sky and he saw a black dot descending through the white clouds, gradually growing larger.

Squinting, the seahorse paused slightly after seeing what the black dot was.

The B-2 Stealth and Strategic Bomber, nicknamed "Spirit," is commonly known as the Northrop Grumman B-2 Stealth Strategic Bomber, but it is better known by its abbreviation, "B-2 Bomber." It is a bomber that first flew in 1989 and, to this day, may not be the most powerful in the world, but it is certainly the most famous.

When the B-2 bomber took to the skies, the Haima Group was not the "entertainment group" it is today, but a "military industrial group." At that time, the Haima Group was one of the companies that designed and manufactured the bomber for the U.S. military. Haima, who was being groomed by Gosaburo Haima as his successor, was very familiar with the bomber and could even recite its various standard parameters.

The US military only ordered twenty B-2 bombers after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Something's not right, not right at all. Why would such a strategic weapon, which is strictly controlled by the military, appear here?

The seahorse's pupils contracted, and it turned its head sharply, only to see Ameruda looking completely indifferent.

"Tsk, you found out, Seto Kaiba. I was actually looking forward to seeing your bewildered expression as you died." Slightly disappointed, Amelda looked at Kaiba's surprised face. "What's with that expression? Do you think I'll let go of my hatred just because you scold me a few times?"

"Heh, read less shonen manga. I do understand you, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm still going to kill you for revenge."

Ameruda twisted his shoulders, feeling uncomfortable with his arms tied behind his back with rope. "Why do you think there's no one on this island? The answer is, I used the power of the Doma organization to arrange for a bomber to take off when our duel began. No matter who wins the duel, this island will be bombed to ashes."

Kaiba was furious, but he didn't have time to vent his anger on Ameruda. He grabbed Keihei, who hadn't seen the sky outside the window and therefore didn't know what was happening, and then used the Duel Disk in his hand as a weapon to smash the window and jump out!

Although this place is about the third floor of the castle, Kaiba is confident that he can land safely. However, running from the castle down the mountain to catch a jet and escaping before the bombers arrive is a bit... no, even if it's difficult, he has to try. Seto Kaiba will not become a memory!

Watching Kaiba shield Keihei from harm with his body, while he himself was covered in cuts and bleeding from broken glass, yet still running wildly down the mountain, Amelda's face showed a relieved expression: "Still protecting his younger brother, huh? He's certainly a responsible older brother, Seto Kaiba."

"Although I feel bad about involving Keihei in my revenge, I simply cannot tell Milco after I die that I did nothing for his death if I don't do this. Go to hell, Seto Kaiba. Whether I live or die, this hatred will be gone from my heart."

In front of the data center beneath the castle, in Ameruda's deck left behind by Kaiba, as Ameruda watches Kaiba depart, the card art of "Mech Force: Destruction Force" in his deck gradually becomes somewhat transparent, as if it is about to shatter and dissipate at any moment.

However, before it dissipated, a hand picked up Ameruda's deck from the ground. With the influx of a completely different dark power, [Mech Force - Destruction Force] split in two, leaving behind a normal card and a blank card.

Upon seeing this, the person who picked up the Ameruda deck grinned from ear to ear: "Yosh, [Mech] deck acquired!"

On the man's chest, a golden disc gleamed.

Chapter 615 Trusting Mother!

On the Doma organization's plane, Ameruda looked at Hayato sitting directly opposite him with a conflicted expression.

About ten minutes ago, with the idea of ​​"taking Seto Hiba down with me" in mind, Ameruda thought he would be buried under the firepower of the B-2 bomber. After all, as a world-class strategic weapon, the firepower of the B-2 bomber is a hundred times that of ordinary bombers.

Even a professional military bunker can be razed to the ground by a single bombing run by a B-2 bomber, let alone the castle built by the Pegasus family hundreds of years ago.

At the same time, although he managed to acquire bombers, Ameruda actually relied on the influence of the Doma organization within the American military. However, that did not mean that Ameruda could order the bombers around at will. He merely managed to assign an attack target to the bombers, and even he could not easily withdraw the order after it was dispatched.

This means that when Ameluda and Kaiba began their duel, he had already made up his mind that even if he lost the duel, he would kill Kaiba, even if he himself would die there.

However, three things about Ameruda were unexpected—his duel with Kaiba ended too quickly, Kaiba acted too decisively to protect Keihei despite his own danger when he discovered the crisis, and Hayato also appeared on the island.

Ameruda was quite certain that he had contacted Rafael around 1 p.m. at that time. According to Rafael, he and Hayato were together and had just left after retrieving the dead Baron from the Nameless Pharaoh. Kaiba arrived on the island around 2 p.m. and the duel with him began before 3 p.m.

However, just as the B-2 bomber arrived over the island after about half an hour on its way, Hayato, who was far away in the United States with Rafael, miraculously crossed the ocean and arrived at Pegasus's castle!

Even more outrageous, he arrived on a private jet owned by the Paradis Group. However, at that speed, the journey from the Paradis Group headquarters to the Duel Kingdom island would take approximately two hours. Moreover, if Ameruda remembered correctly, even if he wanted to use that private jet, he would have to personally go to the Paradis Group headquarters to take it away.

The reason he arrived so punctually is unless Ameruda and Rafael lost contact, and Hayato parted ways with Rafael and boarded a private jet that had been arranged to pick him up in advance, then flew directly to Duel Kingdom Island.

Damn it, this guy is getting such good treatment! Even the "Three Musketeers of Dorma"—though they should actually be called the "Dorma Duo" now—don't have that much power to order around a private jet like that!

There should have been some resentment, but in any case, Hayato did indeed become Ameruda's savior and pulled him out of danger, so Ameruda wouldn't necessarily feel jealous of Hayato.

'Thinking about it carefully, Hayato might have rushed over to check on me because he was worried that I would fall into Seto Kaiba's hands since I was acting alone, or because he didn't want to lose another teammate after what happened with Baron.' Ameruda couldn't help but think as she watched Hayato wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Just before the bombers began dropping their bombs, a massive shield appeared over the island, enveloping Pegasus Castle and a small area around it. It was the power of the [Absorption Shield] that Hayato had created with his own strength, successfully blocking the bombing for a short period of time.

While most people, even if they could awaken a Card Spirit, would only be a Monster Card, a type of card that is relatively easy to resonate with, Kobayashi Hayato was able to awaken a Trap Card as a Card Spirit. This made Amelda think that he might be the first person in history to do so. However, it is also said that his earliest Card Spirit, the [Disruption] Monster, was awakened not from a Monster Card but from a Trap Card.

However, although Hayato did manage to activate the power of the trap card to protect the area around Pegasus Castle, this power was a considerable burden on him and could not be sustained for long. He seemed to only have time to bring Ameruda out before he had to remove the barrier, leaving him no time to pursue the Seto Kaiba brothers, who were also protected by the barrier.

'Even though I never trusted him after he decided to join Doma, he treated me so sincerely as a comrade. Thinking back, I realize I was really wrong. After that, I treated him a little better—'

Thinking this, Ameruda saw Hayato casually open a cabinet in the cabin, and as if a host were taking something out of his own cabinet to entertain a guest, he skillfully took out a bottle of red wine and a glass, and poured himself a glass first.

"Would you like some red wine? I have some top-quality Chianti here, paired with soda crackers dipped in scamoza cheese and caviar, it's delicious." As he spoke, Hayato also found some small snacks that looked expensive just by looking at the packaging.

"No way! We've just been through so much, how come you're in the mood to enjoy red wine?" Ameruda covered her forehead in exasperation. "And why are you so skilled at this? This private jet is usually Lord Dartz's personal vehicle. Didn't anyone tell you not to touch anything?"

"Huh? Someone mentioned that to me before, but that was just talk. Humans, you know, they say one thing and do another." Hayato waved his hand dismissively, then gulped down the full glass of red wine like a cow chewing on a peony, grabbing a handful of snacks and stuffing them into his mouth. "Even if I don't eat them, the staff on the regular passenger planes will definitely line their own pockets."

"But Dartz really knows how to enjoy himself. This plane is even more comfortable than the one from the Seamaster. The only downside is that you can't go to the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's frescoes."

This self-absorbed personality is why, even though Hayato saved her, Ameruda could never feel grateful to him.

Seeing that Ameruda ignored him, Hayato seemed to have finished drinking. He casually put down his glass, took out a deck of cards from behind him, and handed it to Ameruda: "Thank me, Ameruda, not only because I arrived in time to save your life, but also because I 'accidentally' picked up your deck."

“However, there’s something I need to explain beforehand.” Hayato placed the deck in Ameruda’s hand and casually pulled out the top card, revealing a few cards that had all the data a monster card should have, such as card name, race, effect, and attribute, but were missing a card illustration. “When I found your deck, these cards were already in this state.”

"I didn't tamper with the five cards in your deck: 【Strange Device - No Permit Factor】, 【Unclassified Mech Reserve Soldier】, 【Mech Destruction Reserve Soldier】, 【Mech Warehouse Demonized Soldier】, and the ace card in your deck, 【Mech Force - Destruction Armed Force】. Anyway, it was already in this state when I helped you recycle your deck."

With that, Hayato put the card back in Ameruda's hand and spread his hands in an innocent gesture.

Ameruda, of course, believed Hayato, because he discovered that these cards were coincidentally the monsters he had created using the power of the [Orichalcos Barrier], the so-called "Darkness in the Heart," which were different from the regular EARTH [Mech] decks.

When Amelda joined the Doma organization at Dartz's invitation, she chose the [Mech] deck because it resembled the robot her younger brother Milco loved most. If the [Mech] deck represented Amelda's "love" for her brother Milco, then the "Dark" [Mechs] represented the "hatred" that Amelda felt after Milco's death.

'Has my hatred vanished because of Seto Kaiba?' Amelda smiled bitterly. Although she hadn't actually achieved her revenge, Amelda had gradually become less attached to hatred by the end of her duel with Kaiba.

Just as Kaiba had told him before, Ameruda's current use of the [Mech] deck to commit evil deeds is no different from Gosaburo's back then; it's wrong, and Ameruda himself is well aware of this. However, the sense of powerlessness he felt when his younger brother died has always haunted Ameruda, preventing him from facing his true feelings.

As the duel ended and the bombers arrived, Amelda watched from the window as the bloodied Kaiba led Keipai away. The darkness in her heart was silently released. Presumably, it was for this reason that the "Dark" [Mechs], which were the embodiment of the "hatred" in her heart, disappeared from the deck.

Ameruda carefully put away her deck, glanced at Hayato, and said, "It's alright, I believe you didn't do it, Hayato."

But upon hearing Ameruda's words, Hayato gave him a strange look: "You're acting really strange, aren't you? You seem to have changed too much."

"But it doesn't matter. Do you know what's most important when choosing a person, Ameruda?"

Hayato held out his fingers and counted, "Is it 'what can be done'? Or higher 'intelligence' and superior 'talent'?"

Hayato withdrew his three outstretched fingers and clenched them into a fist. He looked at Ameruda with a serious expression and said, "No, I think there are other factors that are more important."

“That’s ‘trust,’ Ameruda. When choosing a person, the most important thing is ‘trust.’ It’s a more important standard than ‘ability.’ You agree, Ameruda, don’t you?”

Although it seemed like he was asking Ameruda, Hayato didn't wait for his answer and continued on his own, "Because 'trust' Doma could give me great power to pick up the 'first napkin,' I followed Dartz and joined Doma, and Doma certainly did not disappoint my 'trust,' giving me a very satisfying amount of great power."

"In contrast, I will naturally repay Rafiru, Baron—oh, Baron seems to be dead, so it's none of his business—and you, Ameruda, for the 'trust' you three have placed in me in the same way."

While talking nonsense to Ameruda that even Hayato himself couldn't convince, Hayato heard a man's voice in his ear saying, "Although I am probably dead, what you're saying is really too strange, Hayato Kobayashi."

From Ameluda's unseen perspective, a phantom figure of a man appeared on the card that should have been housed by Rainbow Kuriboh in Hayato's deck, floating behind Hayato out of thin air.

Look at that armor style that is the same as when he was alive, isn't that Baron who died in the duel with the castle?

Hayato glanced at the grumbling Baron but ignored him. Baron, however, made a lively and exaggerated expression: "Wow, your gaze is as cold as if you're looking at a pig in a pig farm. It's so cruel, as if you're saying to me, 'How pitiful, you'll be a piece of pork in the butcher shop tomorrow morning.'"

"It's as if I wasn't locked in the card because of you."

It wasn't Hayato who paid attention to Baron, but rather [Summoner Aleister] who had come to the real world with Hayato from the Spirit World. Peeking out of the card, Aleister pressed Baron's shoulder, trying to shove him back into the card, saying dismissively, "Okay, okay, you know Master dislikes you, so don't run out on your own. Be good, go back now."

However, what's a bit strange is that [Summoner - Aleister] didn't appear from Hayato's deck, but from the deck that Amelda had just acquired.

Before being stuffed back into the card, Baron looked at his former teammate Ameruda with pity.

Baron wasn't sure exactly when, but it seemed that taking advantage of the fact that they were acting as a pair, Hayato seized the opportunity to slip the card called [Summoner - Aleister] into his deck. And because of insufficient bond, Baron didn't discover the card's existence during his duel with Jonouchi, even after drawing only a few cards from his deck.

At the moment he lost the duel, the card "given" by Hayato took effect before the [Orichalcos Barrier] reaps his soul.

"The moment humanity admits defeat, its soul energy approaches zero, making it the perfect time to tamper with things," Baron, who had awakened to find himself not devoured by the [Orichalcos Barrier] but sealed within Hayato's card, heard Hayato say this.

After stuffing Baron back into the card, Alai also returned to his own card to lie low and wait for the right moment. Looking at his "new master" Ameruda, Alai revealed a cunning smile: "The existence called 'Orichalcos God' is ultimately just a planet's assessment mechanism for civilization. Although it knows how to devour souls to replenish its energy for revival, it doesn't know what it should eat and what it shouldn't eat."

"What I thought was a great tonic was replaced with a parasite that was all show and no substance and drained my power. As expected of Master, you easily came up with a cunning scheme that no normal person could think of. I am truly impressed!"

Chapter 616 I've eaten fish for three whole years

Without checking if there were any extra cards in his deck, Amelda was tricked into accepting the deck by Hayato's "trust". Watching Hayato enjoy his red wine alone, Amelda thought, "Why not take advantage of this opportunity?" and took out a bottle of brandy from the cabin cabinet, which she then enjoyed with some cheap candy.

While the two were leisurely enjoying themselves, their private jet was flying through the clouds over the Pacific Ocean toward the higher stratosphere.

Dartz originally ordered Amelda, Baron, and Rafael to intercept and kill three duelists who possessed three "Legendary Dragon" cards—Kaiba, Jonouchi, and Yugi. Baron and Amelda have both put in the effort to carry out their mission, but have only failed. However, even so, they must continue to carry out their current orders until Dartz issues a new mission.

However, taking a short rest is advisable, since even Amelda doesn't know where Kaiba, who also escaped death on Duel Kingdom Island, is now in his jet. As for Baron, he's already risked his life for Dartz's mission, and even his soul was intercepted by Hayato from "Orichalcos" and sealed in a card.