Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

However, for the regular version of [E·hero Bubble Man] that Ed has in his hand, Special Summoning [E·hero Bubble Man] with cards in hand is completely useless, and it is far less useful than [E·hero Sky Man] which can accurately search for a specific [Hero] monster.

Caesar also noticed that the foreshadowing had been laid all along. The effect of [E·hero Sky Knight] always said to search for [Hero] monsters rather than searching for the [E·hero] to which they belong. If he hadn't known about the existence of [D·hero] in the information he had received in advance, he probably wouldn't have made the connection to [D·hero], which also belongs to the [Hero] category.

However, although he didn't know whether Edward wanted to retrieve [D·hero] or [E·hero] from the deck, Kaiser knew one thing: in a duel, as long as he didn't let his opponent have his way, he would basically not make a mistake. Not all cards have a second effect that takes effect after being negated, like his [Electronic Emergency Call].

Knowing full well the effect of [E·Hero Skywalker], Caesar saw that it was about to act and immediately played a card from his hand, saying: "Chain effect of [E·Hero Skywalker] activated, I will activate this trap card directly from my hand!"

"Huh?! A trap card activated directly from the hand!?" Ed was somewhat surprised to see Caesar insert the card into the Spell & Trap Zone and to see the Duel Disk successfully recognize and permit the card's activation.

"Although most trap cards need to be set for a turn before activation, just like the famous 'Red Reboot' held by the Duel King can be activated directly from the hand by paying half of his Life Points, my card can also be activated directly from the hand if the conditions are met."

Caesar glanced at the card he had activated. "The condition for this card is that I have no cards on my field, so the condition for its activation is certainly met right now."

"The Normal Trap Card [Infinite Bubble] is the end of 'eternity' that 'Cyber ​​Stream' leads to, the instant that 'infinity' shatters into 'bubble'. Its effect is: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; negate that monster's effects at the end of the turn!"

A phantom of an electronic dragon, unlike any Caesar had ever seen, appeared behind him. A nuclear reactor with maximum power was located in the center of its body. Unlike ordinary electronic dragons, it had been equipped with mechanical wings on its back that could only be controlled by a terminal of the Trinity level, the Electronic Terminator Dragon. Its long tail was even coiled into the shape of "∞", representing infinity.

However, even though it was just an illusion, Caesar could tell that it was not in good condition. It seemed that because it had pushed its performance to the limit, it was suffering from the backlash of its own powerful strength. Its armor was in tatters, its dragon wings were broken, and even uncontrolled energy was constantly overflowing and turning into a storm of electric currents that was destroying the surroundings.

Under the influence of the thunderstorm, before E·hero Skyman could even lift his feet off the ground, the pair of metal wings behind him drew a significant portion of the electric current to him, striking him squarely. Although he wasn't destroyed, the wings were damaged and could no longer activate their effects.

Seeing his [E·hero Skywalker]'s effect nullified, Edward was somewhat annoyed that his 2000 base points had been wasted, but he still seized the opportunity to use trash talk tactics on Caesar, targeting the scene when [Infinite Bubble] was activated.

"Is that also a [Cyber ​​Dragon] card? All your hard work and progress have only resulted in nothing, it looks so tragic... just like your 'fate' was defeated by me."

(Not only are parts falling off, but the parts are also disintegrating. Cyber ​​Dragon Infinite True literally means it has vanished into nothingness and died a complete death.)

However, Edward's trash talk had no effect on Caesar. Watching the unfamiliar "electronic dragon" that appeared in the "Infinite Bubble" completely disintegrate and dissipate into countless parts, which then turned into cyan light spots and drifted away, Caesar instead revealed a satisfied smile.

"Ha, is that so? A fool with a head full of 'fate' can only see things that mirror his own dejected and cowardly mindset." With a cold laugh, Caesar sent the used [Infinite Bubble] to the graveyard. "What you saw was a 'bubble,' but I confirmed the existence of 'infinity'!"

Even if it's just for a moment, but...

Caesar didn't continue, and Edward wasn't interested in "infinity" or "eternity" either. He frowned and played another card, saying, "In that case, I'll activate the Normal Spell Card [Reinforcement]. This card can add one Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster from my Deck to my hand."

"The card I chose is this one, a level 4☆ [D·hero Drillman]."

Although he couldn't complete the search with [E·Hero Skywalker], Edward had a backup plan after it was negated: he added a card from his deck to his hand and immediately played it, saying, "Next, I'll use my Normal Summon this turn—"

"I will Normal Summon this [D·Hero Drillman] card, which I just added to my hand, in Attack Position!"

In addition to the bionic muscles that enhance strength, there is a close-fitting armor made of tough keratin material. Unlike Jaden's [E·hero] cards that fully showcase their corresponding natural elements, the cards that Edward plays, named [D·hero], have a somewhat dark feel to them.

Not only is his right arm completely replaced by a drill starting from the wrist, but all five fingers on [D·hero Drill Man]'s left hand are also sharp drills, and even his body is covered with drills of varying sizes. Rather than a hero upholding justice, he feels more like a weapon of war born for revenge.

"This is... [D·hero]...?" Caesar looked at the data panel displayed next to [D·hero Drillman].

【D·hero Drill Man】【4☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[1600/1200]

“That’s right. Unlike monsters like E-hero Sky Warrior who represent ‘elements,’ D-hero, also a ‘Hero,’ is a hero burdened with a heavy destiny.” Edward’s expression was serious and earnest. “Compared to those light and unreal E-heroes, D-hero, because of the weight of that destiny, is naturally far stronger than E-hero.”

"【D·hero】is the strongest 【Hero】! In terms of both power and effect, it is 1000% of 【E·hero】!"

"Before you say that, you should remove [E·hero Skywalker] from your deck." Hearing Edward's declaration, Caesar remained unmoved and even had the leisure to tease Edward about [E·hero Skywalker] on the field.

"Hmph, don't believe me? Then keep watching! This is the power of [D·hero]!" With a wave of his hand, Edward said, "Only when [D·hero Drillman] is successfully Normal or Special Summoned can its first effect be activated—Special Summon one [D·hero] monster from my hand with an ATK equal to or less than that of [D·hero Drillman]!"

"【D·hero Drillman】 has an ATK of 1600. The monster I will Special Summon from my hand is this one, 【D·hero Gunner】 with an ATK of 1600!"

Beside [D·hero Drill Man], a purple-haired man in a suit and top hat walked out slowly with his head down, hands in the pockets of his white trousers, a dark purple scarf hanging low behind his back, and a red tie in front of his chest. If he hadn't appeared at Edward's event, many people would probably believe he was an office worker who would be called back to work halfway through a cosplay event.

【D·hero Gunner】【4☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[1600/800]

"If [D·hero Gunner] is Special Summoned by the effect of a [Hero] monster, activate its first effect: each player draws one card from their Deck during the Duel."

Along with Caesar, Edward drew a card from the deck. After glancing at his own card, Edward couldn't help but laugh: "Heh, it seems 'fate' is indeed on my side, Caesar. My ace monster is now in my hand!"

"I release my three monsters on the field—[D·hero Gunner], [D·hero Drillman], and [E·hero Skyman]—as sacrifices to the graveyard. The blood of these sacrifices will become the altar at the end of fate, awakening the ultimate [D·hero]!"

"Special Summon, Level 8☆! Descend, my ace, my ultimate 'D'!"

As if summoning a god, he offered three sacrifices, and a pool of blood began to spread beneath Edward's feet, engulfing all the monsters on his field. Within that pool of blood, a humanoid monster clad in crimson dragon bone armor gradually rose, an ominous aura sweeping across the field. However, to onlookers, the blood-soaked monster appeared gruesome and terrifying, but Edward only felt a peculiar warmth emanating from it. It was a sense of reassurance, akin to that of a father.

【D·hero Blood Demon-D】【8☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[1900/600]

Chapter 1423 Struggle at Full Health

It should be noted that although Hayato was the first person in the world to create "Hero", the "E·hero" deck released by Kokusai Miku was not based on Hayato's "E·hero" deck, but was the work of a card designer named Rickard Phoenix - who is Ed Phoenix's father.

Meanwhile, he didn't only design monsters for "E·hero." His son, Edward, had always been interested in all sorts of heroes and loved seeing new ones appear. Rickard, who doted on his son, naturally designed various heroes as well. It's said that his earliest work was "Dark Hero - Corpse Demon," which spawned a spin-off manga. In Hayato's high school years, an introverted classmate named Hanasaki Yu was a huge fan of "Dark Hero - Corpse Demon."

After completing the basic design of the [E·hero] monster, he began designing a completely new series of monsters called [D·hero].

However, he was truly unlucky. In the comic book timeline, he was killed by Professor Mackenzie, and in the anime timeline, although he diligently designed all the cards for [D·hero], he still couldn't escape his fate of death. His final work, [D·hero Blood Demon-D], was stolen, and his soul was also taken to reside in it.

After Hayato killed DD, who had stolen [D·hero Blood Demon-D], he returned [D·hero Blood Demon-D], which still housed Rickard Phoenix's soul, to Edward. Over the years, Rickard's own soul had long since dissipated in the joy of watching Edward grow up healthy, but his will still profoundly influenced [D·hero Blood Demon-D], and even caused the spirit of [D·hero Blood Demon-D], which had awakened at some unknown time, to have special feelings for Edward.

As for his father's last work, [D·hero Blood Demon-D], Edward also regards it as a special existence.

【D·hero Blood Demon-D】【8☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[1900/600]

"【D·hero Blood Demon-D】Cannot be Normal Summoned, but can be Special Summoned by Tributing three monsters on my field. Once per turn, he can Equip 1 opponent's monster to this card without targeting it. This monster gains ATK equal to half the equipped monster's ATK and gains the same effect."

Upon hearing Edward's explanation, Caesar sneered: "It's not bad when attacking second, but when attacking first, it can't even withstand a single hit from my [Cyber ​​Dragon], can it? After all, it doesn't have any monster equipment to boost its attack power right now."

"Is that what you think? As a student of Duel Academy, you only know how to judge the strength of monsters by their attack power?" Edward raised an eyebrow and said disdainfully, "Your fate is becoming clearer and clearer, that 'fate' of defeating me."

Looking at the three cards remaining in his hand, Ed drew one and said, "Magic card [Angel's Charity], draw three cards from my deck and discard two cards from my hand."

"The cards I discarded are [D·hero Defender] and [D·hero Demon].

Drawing two cards from the deck, Edward flipped one of them over and showed it to Caesar, saying, "Next is this [D·hero Dark Angel]. If I have three or more [D·hero] monsters in my Graveyard, I can discard this card from my hand and target one [D·hero] monster in my Graveyard to activate this effect!"

"My chosen target is, [D·Hero Defender]!"

With bird-like wings and claw-like limbs, and a hairstyle extremely similar to a peacock's, the eagle-like "man" flew out of Edward's hand, grabbed a card from Edward's graveyard, and brought it to Caesar's field to play.

On Caesar's field, a massive rock giant crouched.

【D·hero Defender】【4☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[100/2700]

"Although its attack power is low, [D·hero Defender] has a defense of 2700, which is not an ordinary monster. Under the effect of [D·hero Dark Angel], [D·hero Defender], which I selected as the target of the effect, will be Special Summoned to the opponent's field in Defense Position. Don't be too grateful to me."

As Edward spoke, he placed the two remaining cards in his hand face-down on the back row, saying, "I set the two remaining cards in my hand face-down, and then I activate the effect of [D·hero Demon] in my graveyard."

"Ban [D·hero Demon] from my Graveyard, Special Summon a second [D·hero Demon] from my Deck!"

A demon warrior covered in fur, looking like he was wearing fur pants, appeared on Edward's field. Although his level was as high as 6☆, his stats were surprisingly low, with both his attack and defense points being less than 800.

【D·hero Demonic Person】【6☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[800/800]

Place the card of [D·hero Demon] horizontally on the Duel Disk, and Edward looks up at Caesar and says, "My turn is over, Caesar. Caesar, continue on your way to the end of your destiny—if you can do it."

Ed Phoenix: 2000LP, 0 cards in hand

【D·hero's Demonic Aura】【DEF800】

【D·hero Blood Demon-D】【ATK1900】

[GaiK] X2

Ed's setup looked conventional, lacking powerful suppression cards, high-resistance, high-attack terminals, or a large number of wall monsters. He also only had two face-down cards, which wasn't a large number. Furthermore, he had used up all the cards in his hand, and even his Life Points had been reduced by half.

The overall feeling was not oppressive at all; on the contrary, it made Caesar feel like he was dueling with average opponents from school—but Caesar knew it was not that simple.

Let's ignore that furry pants for now... [D·hero Demon], and first look at [D·hero Defender] which Edward put on his field. Caesar doesn't think anyone in the world would be so kind as to send a powerful monster to someone else's field. Although it's only a level 4, it has such high defense. Caesar swears on Fubuki's lifelong womanly connection that it must have some flaw. And because it's now on his field, the person who bears this flaw has changed from Edward to his side.

While he did obtain some information about [D·hero], it was mostly concentrated on a few cards called "Divinity", "Sprint" and "Blood Demon-D". He did have information about [D·hero Demon Man], and thus knew that the monster only had one effect and did not need to be too wary. However, he did not have detailed records of cards like [D·hero Defender Man].

Could it be that it was ignored because its effects were so poor?

However, even if it has no flaws, the very existence of it on Kaiser's field is a problem, because the effect of [Cyber ​​Dragon] is that it can be Special Summoned directly from the hand when there are only monsters on the opponent's field, but now the existence of [D. Hero Defender] has sealed this effect.

Kaiser could certainly release [D·hero Defender] as a tribute for summoning a Level 5 [Cyber ​​Dragon], but that would be too wasteful; it would be better to normally summon a card like [Cyber ​​Dragon Core].

Anyway, let's draw cards first. Although I played [Infinite Imperfection] before, Caesar still has five cards in his hand thanks to the replenishment from [D·Hero Gunner]. Maybe the cards I draw this turn will solve some of my current problems.

With that thought in mind, Caesar placed his finger on the duel disk and drew a card: "My turn, draw!"

At that very moment, just as Caesar drew his card and entered his preparation phase, Edward suddenly declared, "At this very moment, the second effect of [D. Hero Gunner] in my graveyard activates!"

"If this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can activate this effect during the next Standby Phase to Special Summon it from the Graveyard. If [D. Hero Gunner] Special Summoned by this effect leaves the field, it is banished."

As soon as he finished speaking, Edward didn't stop. Instead, he pressed the button to activate the face-down card: "Then, in conjunction with the effect of [D. Hero Gunner], I will activate this face-down card I placed in my back row during your Standby Phase!"

"Normal Trap Card [Break Fate]!"

The revealed card image shows [D·hero Blood Demon-D], its body shattering into a rain of blood. At the same time, Edward's voice begins to explain the card's specific effect: "This is the manifestation of the absolute power of fate. Fall into despair under this absolute suppression, Caesar!"

"I can only activate this effect by targeting one of my [Dragon Knight D-END] or Level 8 or higher [D·hero] monsters. My target is my [D·hero Blood Demon-D] monster." Edward waved his hand. "Under the effect of [Break Fate], the targeted monster is destroyed, and your opponent skips their next Main Phase 1!"

Caesar frowned: "Skip my main phase one!? So that's why you specially summoned the high-level [D·hero Blood Demon-D]?"

"The Cyber ​​Dragon of the 'Cyber ​​Flow' is undoubtedly a powerful offensive deck, just like the legendary Blue-Eyes, right? For decks that excel at setting up pressure, skipping the first main phase might not be a big deal, but for Cyber ​​Dragon, it seals away the most threatening battle phase as well."

"A monster sacrificed itself for such a reason?"

Upon hearing Caesar's words, Edward replied matter-of-factly, "This is a necessary sacrifice!"

With a loud "boom", [Break Fate] was released onto [D·hero Blood Demon-D] on Edward's field. At the same time, [D·hero Gunner], which had appeared once before, was also Special Summoned from Edward's graveyard.

【D·hero Gunner】【ATK1600】