Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Rafael's deck is the 'Guardian' deck, which binds monsters with Equip Spell Cards together." Outside the duel, only two Yugi, who had dueled Rafael, explained to everyone, "Without the matching Equip Spell Cards, monsters cannot be summoned. This is a deck that only true duelists who are deeply favored by the cards can use with ease."

Although the game makes it sound nice, everyone knows the truth: "being blessed by the cards" is just another way of saying "being a lucky draw player".

“And the card [Goddess's Holy Sword - Eagle Spirit] also corresponds to a [Guardian] monster, which is Rafael's ace in his deck.” As Rafael held a card above his head, Yugi took a deep breath and said, “In fact, I was defeated by that monster last time.”

"What?!" Everyone looked surprised and turned to Rafael, wondering what kind of monster could defeat Yugi.

"O holy sword that illuminates the soul, liberate the spirit, awaken the world! O holy wings that summon the eagle spirit! Let the soul ride the wind and roam the world!" Rafael shouted, raising the card. "Because [Holy Sword of the Goddess - Eagle Spirit] is on my field and I have no monster cards in my graveyard, I Special Summon this card from my hand!"

"Come out, Wagha Tamashi!"

"【Guardian - Aetos】!"

【Guardian - Aetos】【ATK2500】

As the angelic [Guardian - Aetos] descended, Malik's eyes narrowed: "That monster is the one that stopped me from stopping the plane yesterday!"

"Is that Rafael's card Pokémon...?" Ryuzaki said sourly, looking at other people's card Pokémon.

As for Amelda, even though he had previously been focused on taking revenge on the Kaiba Corporation, he had been Rafael's companion for over ten years, and he understood Rafael's [Guardian - Ethos] better than anyone else present.

"It increases attack power based on the power of the monsters in my graveyard, right?" Ameruda shrugged. "But Rafael, don't forget that my [Machine Radiation Soldier] is in defense position. No matter how high its attack power is, it can't do any damage to me."

Rafael nodded in agreement: "Indeed, Amelda, although you piled up so many monster cards in the graveyard to serve as a source of power for [Ethos] to increase its attack power, the lack of defense penetration ability is indeed a major drawback."

“But what if we add this card?” Rafael said, playing a card that made Amelda’s face turn sour. “I activate the spell card [Mental Manipulation]!”

Chapter 638 Hmm, self-destruction is the only option (read in a dry, monotone tone)

"Targeting your [Mech Radiation Soldier] on the field, Ameruda, I activate [Mental Manipulation] to gain control of it!"

Amelda initially thought Rafael was a pure-hearted warrior, but he never expected him to be a minotaur enthusiast, pulling out such a card. If Rafael hadn't been in the habit of casually releasing his monsters, Amelda would have almost thought Rafael was actually Hayato Kobayashi in disguise.

"Compared to [Change of Heart], the monster controlled by [Mind Control] cannot be released or declare an attack, but that's enough." As the card is activated, threads extend from the [Mind Control] card toward the [Machine Radiation Soldier] on Ameruda's field.

The metal was pierced by threads, like a marionette. The [Mech Radiation Soldier] moved on its own without Ameruda's orders and was about to move to Rafiru Field.

"Ameruda, [Mech Radiation Soldier] is the last monster on your field. When its control is transferred to me, it means you have lost your last barrier."

As Rafael spoke, his Guardians Aetos and Hill on the field both cast dangerous glances at Ameluda, “After a direct attack, your base score will be reduced to zero, and you will be defeated.”

Upon hearing Rafael's words, Ameruda glanced at the [Mech Radiation Soldier] that was under her control, and said with a smirk, "From another perspective, being a puppet doesn't feel good at all."

"I don't want to be a puppet again, Rafael, so the ending you mentioned will be changed!"

With that, Ameruda waved his hand and said, "Mind Control is a joke to [Mechs]. Activate the chain attack on my backline card, [Mech Squad's Supercritical]!"

"Target my [Mech Radiation Soldier] and activate its effect. Special Summon 1 [Mech] monster from your hand or Deck whose name is different from [Mech Radiation Soldier], and Special Summon [Mech Iron Fist Soldier] from my Deck in Defense Position!"

After most of the armor was controlled by the threads of [Mind Control], the [Mech Radiation Soldier] turned on the monitor that could only move, and used the projection device to awaken the giant mechanical soldier sleeping in the deck in front of Ameruda.

【Mech Iron Fist Soldier】【DEF0】

The mechanical soldier, covered in orange armor, appeared in its most vulnerable defensive position, protecting Ameruda behind it with its massive body. After placing the [Mech Iron Hand Soldier] card retrieved from its deck onto its Duel Disk, Ameruda then looked at [Mech Radiation Soldier].

"For victory, this is a necessary sacrifice. After Special Summoning the monster [Supercritical Mech Force], destroy the target [Mech Radiation Soldier]!"

The [Mech Radiation Soldier] exploded with a bang. [Supercritical Mech Force], which can summon almost any [Mech] monster from the deck without any limit, naturally comes at a price. The [Mech Radiation Soldier] destroyed by the effect is that price.

However, it was precisely this "cost" that caused the already initiated [mental manipulation] to fail, making it a greater loss for Rafera than for Amelda.

Moreover, the moment the [Mech] deck is destroyed is its most powerful moment, accompanied by the burst of fire from the [Mech Radiation Soldier]'s self-destruction, along with the buzzing of a chainsaw.

"If [Mech Radiation Soldier] is destroyed due to the effect of [Mech Force Supercritical], I use the effect of [Mech Force Defensive Circle] to return [Mech Radiation Soldier] from my Graveyard to my hand." Ameruda retrieved the [Mech Radiation Soldier] card and continued, "Also, if the EARTH/Machine-Type [Mech Radiation Soldier] is destroyed, I Special Summon [Mech Colonel] from my Graveyard!"

[Mecha Colonel] [DEF2500]

The fortress-like [Mech Colonel] rises from the ground and stands beside Ameruda, also in a defensive position. Ameruda then points to the [Mech Iron Hand Soldier] on her field: "The final chain is the effect of [Mech Iron Hand Soldier]. If it is successfully Normal or Special Summoned, activate this effect: Select three EARTH/Machine-Type monsters from my Deck, and your opponent selects one at random."

As he spoke, he pulled out three cards and turned them away from Rafael.

Rafael casually pointed: "I choose the one in the middle."

“Then, the chosen monster is added to my hand, and the remaining cards are returned to the deck and shuffled.” With his hand now holding eight cards, Amelda put the remaining two cards back and said, “So, you can continue your turn.”

After a series of maneuvers, Amelda summoned two monsters onto his field during his opponent's turn. This not only prevented the monsters from being attacked by Rafiru Minotaur, but also gave him two more cards in his hand. Anyone who didn't know better would think it was actually his turn.

Looking at Amelda's changing lineup on the field, Rafael frowned and said, "So, in order to defend against the power of [Guardian - Ethos], they're all in a defensive formation? How cautious, Amelda."

【Mech Iron Fist Soldier】【DEF0】

[Mecha Colonel] [DEF2500]

【Guardian - Hill】【ATK1700】

【Guardian - Aetos】【ATK2500】

【Support Guardian】(Goddess's Holy Sword - Eagle Spirit) 【DEF2200】

Rafael currently has three cards in his hand, and one card in his back row that he set face-down earlier to maximize the effect of [Heavenly Treasure Card]. With his current resources, he can't yet meet the conditions to defeat Amelda, but if he just wants to clear the field, it's more than enough.

"I can activate the effect of [Support Guardian] once per turn, and equip the Equip Spell Card equipped on it to a suitable monster on my field."

Just as Rafael was about to draw the Holy Sword of the Goddess - Eagle Spirit from the Duel Disk, which was equipped to the Support Guardian, and then equip it to the Guardian - Etos, he heard Amelda's voice.

"Wait a minute! I need to activate the effect of [Support Guardian] and also activate the effect of [Mech Colonel] on my field!"

Upon hearing Ameruda's words, Rafiru paused and looked at Ameruda, who had interrupted him, to see what he was going to do.

"The effect of [Support Guardian] is to transfer the equipped magic card, and both [Guardian-Hill] and [Guardian-Aetos] can exert a powerful effect after obtaining the [Goddess's Holy Sword - Eagle Spirit],"

Rafael was familiar with Ameruda's [Mech] deck, and Ameruda was naturally familiar with Rafael's [Guardian] deck. "It's a bit annoying that you got the equipment cards."

"In that case, self-destruction is the only option!"

"The effect of [Colonel Mech] can be activated during both players' turns by targeting one of my Machine-Type monsters. I chose [Mech Iron Hand Soldier].

Upon hearing Ameruda's suddenly excited voice, as if she had made up her mind, the [Mech Iron Fist Soldier] who had been called turned around abruptly. The green light on the monitor was flashing at a high frequency, as if she hadn't heard what Ameruda said, or as if she had heard it but couldn't believe it.

"Hmm, it's time to self-destruct. It's a tough decision." Although Ameruda said this, the smile on his face showed no sign of hesitation. "The chosen [Mech Iron Hand Soldier], and any opponent's monsters with an attack power lower than [Mech Iron Hand Soldier]'s attack power,"

"Completely destroyed!"

Before Rafiru and the [Mech Iron Hand Soldier] could react, the [Mech Colonel], who had been crouching at the guard post, suddenly moved. Several cables suddenly pierced into the [Mech Iron Hand Soldier]'s body. As a flash of electric current passed through the machine, the [Mech Colonel] retracted the cables, and the [Mech Iron Hand Soldier] was engulfed in thick smoke as if it had overloaded.

Under the bright red monitor, the [Mech Iron Fist Soldier] suddenly charged towards Rafael's field!

Currently, the attack power of [Mech Iron Palm Soldier] is 2800 points, which means that once it self-destructs, all monsters on Rafael's field with an attack power of less than 2800 points will be destroyed in an instant. Unfortunately, all the monsters on Rafael's field at this moment are indeed monsters with an attack power of less than 2800 points!

"boom!"

Upon arriving at the detonation point, the [Mech Iron Hand Soldier] exploded instantly, and flames engulfed all the monsters on Rafael's field. Seeing that three monsters on Rafael's field were successfully obtained at the cost of only one monster that was no longer of any use, it was such a profitable deal that Amelda began to acknowledge Hayato's tactics.

"Necessary sacrifices, this trick is so useful," Ameruda said smugly. "But to prevent Kobayashi Hayato from accusing me of plagiarism or something... um!"

"Attack! Engage! Destroy them!"

The seahorse next to him immediately roared in anger, "Isn't that just copying me? What's the difference?!"

“Nisama, you know you always say weird lines… Oh well, it’s better than Hayato’s weird move names.” Keihei glanced at Kaiba, then looked back at the field. “But, the smoke hasn’t cleared yet? Isn’t this the ‘no harm from smoke’ law that Hayato mentioned?”

"There must be some of the monsters that Rafael was fighting that survived!"

As the smoke cleared, Ameluda frowned and discovered that, just as Guiping had said, although [Guardian-Hill] and [Support Guardian] equipped with [Goddess's Holy Sword-Eagle Spirit] had all perished together with [Mech Iron Fist Soldier] and been destroyed and sent to the graveyard, a pile of wings untouched by dust and the unharmed [Guardian-Aetos] remained on Raferu's field.

【Guardian - Aetos】【ATK2500→1900】

Ameluda noticed that although [Guardian-Aetos] was not destroyed, her attack power had decreased by 600 points, and she was now wearing a holy white robe.

"Quick-Play Spell Card, [Forbidden Cloth], by reducing [Guardian - Etos]'s ATK by 600, granting her the ability to be neither destroyed by card effects nor targeted by card effects." Rafael removed the [Forbidden Cloth] from the back row of his Duel Disk, and with a look of resentment, sent his [Guardian - Hill] and [Support Guardian] to the Graveyard.

In his hand, he only had one card, "Forbidden Cloth," that could save a monster. However, three monsters were destroyed. With no other choice, Amelda chose to keep "Guardian - Ethos" on the field and reluctantly gave up the other two monsters.

Rafiru, who never puts monsters in the graveyard, is now forced to leave them there.

His fists clenched. 'We have to hurry, get them out of the cemetery…'

[Guardian-Aetos]'s attack power was reduced due to [Forbidden Cloth], and there was no [Goddess's Holy Sword - Eagle Spirit] required to activate its effect. Rafael reluctantly placed the two remaining cards in his hand face down on the back row: "Face down two cards, my turn ends."

[Rafiru: 2500LP, 0 cards in hand]

【Guardian - Aetos】【ATK1900→2500】

[Guardian Deity's Amulet] [Light's Protective Barrier] [Face Card] x3

"My turn,"

Compared to Raphiel, who was annoyed that a monster had entered the graveyard, Amelda seemed much more excited. "Draw a card!"

He currently has a full nine cards in his hand. Anyone would be excited to see so many cards to squander.

"Activate the effect of [Mech Radiation Soldier] in my hand, discard [Mech Guardian] from my hand, and Special Summon it in Attack Position!"

[Mech Radiation Soldier] [ATK1700]

The Mech Radiation Soldier, which served as a springboard for the Mech Colonel in the last round, reappears. However, compared to the Mech Iron Fist Soldier, the Mech Radiation Soldier's attack power is much weaker, and even its self-destruction cannot harm the Guardian-Aetos.

However, it doesn't matter, the graveyard that Ameruda summoned the [Mech Radiation Soldier] was never intended for self-destruction in the first place.

"I change [Mech Colonel] to Attack Position, and then I use the Spell Card [Inherited Power] to send the [Mech Radiation Soldier] I just summoned to the Graveyard to activate this effect!"

Ameruda pointed to his [Mech Colonel] on the field, "Increase the attack power of [Mech Radar Soldier] on [Mech Colonel]!"

Following Ameruda's command, the [Mech Colonel] raised the cannon barrel on its left arm, and the [Mech Radiation Soldier] behind it instantly disintegrated into a large number of parts that flew over and attached to the cannon barrel.

[Mecha Colonel] [DEF2500→ATK3000→ATK4700]

After absorbing the power of the [Mech Radiation Soldier], the [Mech Colonel]'s attack power finally broke through the original limit of 3000, reaching a full 4700 points, which is 200 points higher than the [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon].

At the same time, this also means that the [Mech Colonel] has finally broken through the blockade of the [Light Protection Barrier] and can launch an attack on the [Guardian - Etos] on Raferu's field.

However, [Guardian-Aetos] has an attack power of 2500 points. If the attack is successful, [Mech Colonel] can only deal 2200 combat damage to Rafael, and will leave him with 300 points of base score remaining.

So, does Ameruda have any cards that could prevent that situation from happening? The answer is yes.

Because of Raferu's [Heavenly Treasure Card], Ameluda had actually drawn a card that could increase the attack power of [Mech Colonel] in the previous round.

That is, the [Orichalcos Barrier].

Chapter 639 Pure Mech Deck

After spending three cards, [Mech Colonel] finally broke through the restriction of [Light Barrier] and was able to launch an attack. Amelda glanced at [Orichalcos Barrier] in her hand.

With the current attack of [Mech Colonel] at 4700 points, it is still not enough to defeat Rafael. After this turn, the effect of [Inherited Power] will also fade, making it impossible to launch an attack again. It can only let Rafael leave with the last 300 basic points to enter the next turn.