Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

[Sonic Bird] thought it was one of the white feathers that [Soul Birds] all had when they appeared, but when it looked up, it saw an unexpected presence that shouldn't have been there.

"Ritual Spell Card, [Solemn Prayer], This card's second effect can only be activated by banishing this card from my Graveyard if it is in my Graveyard and a face-up LIGHT Ritual Monster on my field leaves the field due to an opponent's card effect!"

Asuka took a card from her deck and showed it to [Sonic Bird], "Special Summon one of the following from my hand/Deck: [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon], [Dragon Princess God - Saphira], and [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law], ignoring their summoning conditions!"

"Return, Guardians!" Asuka placed the card on the Duel Disk and waved her hand. "I Special Summon [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law] in Attack Position!"

"Madama Madama! Because I have a Warrior/Dragon LIGHT Ritual Monster Special Summoned to my field, [Solemn Prayer - Rhyme] which was in my Graveyard is Special Summoned again from my Graveyard by its own effect!"

The two ritual monsters on the field were cleared by [Soul Bird God - Hiko Peacock], but Asuka immediately recalled the two monsters from the graveyard in the next instant. The praying girl in red robes and the fully armed guardian appeared on her field at the same time, just as she almost did in the previous turn.

[Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law and Reason] [ATK2050→4100]

[The Solemn Prayer - Reason] [DEF2050]

"Without [Bone Resurrection], who's afraid of you?" Asuka's lips curled into a smile. "So—let's continue the battle we couldn't finish before, the battle of [Solemn Voice]!"

When [Solemn Voice] is unable to continue fighting, Asuka will flexibly switch to [Cyber ​​Angel] to take charge of the battle. However, after [Cyber ​​Angel] suffers a setback, she does not grieve for the sacrifice of the [Cyber ​​Angel]s for a moment. Instead, she rushes to the scene after adjusting herself!

"Because of the presence of [Solemn Prayer - Reason], the ATK of [Solemn Guardian - Guardian of Law] increases by 2050! At the same time, if [Solemn Prayer - Reason] is successfully Normal or Special Summoned, its first effect is activated: Place one Solemn Continuous Spell/Trap Card from my Deck face-up into my Spell/Trap Zone!"

Asuka plays a card she retrieved from her deck: "The card I've chosen is this one, the Continuous Trap Card that you previously returned to your deck—[Solemn Light]!"

[Tenjouin Asuka: 5850 LP, 1 card in hand]

[Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law and Reason] [ATK4100]

[The Solemn Prayer - Reason] [DEF2050]

[The majestic aura of solemnity]

"You've opened the path between life and death; I envy you greatly." Seeing Asuka's field setup return to how it was at the start of her previous round, [Soul Bird God - Hiko Peacock], who had just felt bored, couldn't help but smile. "Let me see how far you can go!"

Chapter 1458 To die is an honor, to live is a disgrace.

“Just now, we didn’t have a single card left…” Compared to the [Soul Bird God - Yan Kongque] who had started to show interest in the battle, [Sonic Bird] only felt troubled and annoyed. “How could they suddenly produce so many cards again!?”

"But—thankfully I drew this card!" Sonic Bird proudly displayed the card depicting falling lightning, saying, "You probably never expected this, did you? I've been able to sweep your front row, more than once!"

"Spell Card [Lightning Strike] activated! Destroy all monsters on your opponent's field!"

The reappearance of [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law] on Asuka's field was certainly beyond [Sonic Bird's] expectations. Its attack power of 4100 points is even higher than that of [Cyber ​​Angel - Dagini -] from before. Unless [Prayer of Solemnity - Li] is removed from Asuka's field and graveyard, none of [Sonic Bird's] monsters can defeat it.

But—who says only battles can destroy monsters? One clear isn't enough, just do it again!

As [Lightning Strike] was activated, it was [Soul Bird God - Yan Kongque] on the field who executed [Lightning Strike], who had become interested. He drew his longsword and pointed it at the sky where dark clouds were emerging: "Majestic as mountains, with the stars in my heart, my sword locks the azure sky, and thunder roars in anger!"

Lightning was channeled into a rain of lightning swords by his sword, splashing onto Asuka's field. Asuka felt that the Soul Bird God - Hiko-Kujaku was more like the one in control of this duel than the Sonic Bird.

Although [Sonicbird] was laughing quite smugly, it had clearly forgotten that it hadn't had time to test out the third effect of [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law], that powerful force that required [Prayer of Solemnity - Reason] to be present to use.

Faced with the incoming thunder swords, the Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law immediately stood in front of the Prayer of Solemnity - Reason, flung away the clouds and mist that were wrapped around the two swords, and transformed into a flying dragon shadow to actively meet the rain of swords.

As the confident Sonic Bird was so surprised that it couldn't help but take off its goggles and widen its eyes, Asuka's voice rang out at the same time: "Good! Then I'll use the third effect of [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law]!"

"This effect can only be activated when [Solemn Prayer - Reason] is on my field and the opponent activates a Spell, Trap, or Monster effect—negate and destroy that activation!" Asuka's [Solemn Guardian - Guardian of Law] might not be very adept at dealing with other effects, but [Lightning Strike] is something she's faced since the very first time she used it. She's tried countless times to split the lightning, to the point that Asuka named its effect—

"Rachel!"

While the Cloud Dragon was blocking the attack head-on, the Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law unleashed a slash that instantly cleared the dark clouds that were powering the Lightning Strike. The strike that cleaved the lightning brought the sky back to clear, and the Soul Bird God - Yan Kongque showed a delighted expression: "Good, good, good! Your move does indeed have some of his characteristics!"

On the other hand, [Sonic Bird] looked at the unharmed [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law] and the [Lightning Strike] spell card in its back row that had been directly shattered, opened its beak but made no sound.

After a long pause, it said reluctantly, "I have to admit that you are stronger now—but I also have a mission entrusted to me by Lord Hayato, and I cannot admit defeat so easily!"

"At the very least, I will shatter your [Solemn Prayer - Reason]!"

With that, [Sonic Bird] waved its hand: "Enter my battle phase!"

Although it's known that attacking a monster in Defense Position can't deal battle damage to Asuka, at least returning [Solemn Prayer - Ry] from the field to the Graveyard can seal the powerful tricolor [Solemn Guardian - Law Guardian]. [Sonic Bird] can't very well let [Soul Bird God - Hiko Peacock] attack [Solemn Guardian - Law Guardian] itself, whose attack power is clearly higher than [Soul Bird God - Hiko Peacock], can it?

However, even with this move, Asuka still didn't let [Sonic Bird] succeed. Instead, she immediately waved her hand and ordered, "You want [Soul Bird God - Hiko Peacock] to attack my [Solemn Prayer - Ri], right? I knew you would have this idea, but my [Solemn Radiance] in the back row is not just for show!"

"While not as thorough as the protection of [Solemn Barrier], [Solemn Radiance] should not be underestimated—before entering your battle phase, I will activate the effect of [Solemn Radiance] on my back row. Both sides can choose one of its two effects to activate during the main phase!"

"I choose to use the second effect. I can target up to the number of LIGHT Ritual Monsters I control on my field, and destroy those cards along with this card!" Pointing at [Soul Bird God - Hiko Konga] on the field, Asuka commanded, "What I'm going to crush is, of course, [Soul Bird God - Hiko Konga]!"

Before the battle phase of [Sonic Bird] began, [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law] swung his sword, seeking revenge for the previous [Lightning Strike], and struck [Soul Bird God - Yan Kongque]. Although it was not apparent that it had suffered any injury, [Soul Bird God - Yan Kongque] nodded in satisfaction and then withdrew from the scene.

As a result, the monsters on the field of [Sonic Bird] are left with only two [Soul Bird Tokens] in defense position, one [Soul Bird - Wraith Crane] whose effect has been used, and only one [Soul Bird - Ninja Crow] in attack position that has not yet been used. There are no ritual monsters that can return to [Sonic Bird]'s hand at the end of the turn to trigger the effect of [Soul's Abode] on the field again.

Even if [Sonic Bird] enters the battle phase again, the [Soul Bird - Ninja Crow] that can attack is no match for either [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law] or [Prayer of Solemnity - Reason]. While it can use its effect to increase attack and defense, the cost of doing so is using up [Sonic Bird]'s last card and being unable to use its effect again in the next turn.

The sensible approach would be for [Sonic Bird] to end its turn here, saving the power of [Soul Bird God - Princess Peacock] in its hand for [Soul Bird - Ninja Crow] in the next turn, but—

"I...I'm going to enter my battle phase!" [Sonic Bird] revealed a resolute look. "Then, I'll use [Soul Bird - Greninja] to attack [Solemn Prayer - Li]!"

"Huh? They actually chose to continue attacking at this time?" Asuka looked at [Sonic Bird] with some surprise.

"There's a saying of Lord Hayato's that I really like." [Sonic Bird] flapped its wings, "To die with honor is better than to live with shame!"

"Since I've been assigned to guard this place by Lord Hayato, it doesn't really matter if someone else passes the test. But I will still fight with all my might as a guardian until the very last moment!"

[Sonic Bird] shouted, "Attack! [Soul Bird - Greninja], and I'll help you!"

"At this very moment, while battling against the opponent's monster, I used the effect of [Soul Bird - Ninja Crow] to discard the last card in my hand, [Soul Bird God - Princess Peacock]..."

"Increases the attack and defense stats of [Soul Bird God - Princess Peacock] by the respective values ​​of attack and defense!"

"Blackbird Technique - Kamikaze!"

[Sonic Bird]'s last card dissipated, transforming into a gust of wind that surged onto the field. Riding this wind, [Soul Bird - Ninja Raven] attacked [Solemn Prayer - Reason]!

[Soul Bird - Ninja Raven] [500/500→3000/3500]

"Though not human, they still possess the proud spirit of duelists... Amazing!" Asuka shouted, her spirits ignited. "Then let's attack too, [Solemn Prayer - Ry]!"

[The Solemn Prayer - Rin] turned around with a surprised look and glanced at Asuka, as if to say, "Are you serious?"

Even so, she raised her hand as if to resist, and then calmly faced the attack of the [Soul Bird - Ninja Raven] and was destroyed and sent to the graveyard.

The departure of [Solemn Prayer - Reason] from the field into the graveyard did not affect the attack power of [Solemn Guardian - Guardian of Law] in the slightest, nor did it reduce Asuka's life points by even a fraction.

"That's it, turn over." Watching the [Soul Bird - Greninja]'s attack power return to its original value after its battle phase ended, [Sonic Bird] calmly announced the end of its turn.

[Sonic Bird: 2700LP, 0 cards in hand]

【Soul Bird - Ninja Raven】【ATK500】

【Soul Bird - Witch Crane】【DEF2000】

[Soul Bird Derivative] [DEF1500]

[Soul Bird Derivative] [DEF1500]

The Abode of the Soul

Although Sonic Bird has four monsters on the field, seemingly providing a strong defense, the presence of Soul Bird - Ninja Crow alone is a fatal weakness. Asuka only needs to play a monster with 3200 or more ATK to attack and wipe out the remaining Life Points of Sonic Bird. Moreover, Asuka still has the 4100 ATK Guardian of Law on her field.

But Asuka had no intention of ending the duel just like that. Looking at [Sonic Bird], Asuka nodded and said seriously, "In return, I will end the battle with my full power. My turn, draw!"

"Then I activate the Spell Card [Seven Star Sword], banishing the Level 7 [Ancient Saint Dai - First Dragon] from my hand to activate this card, and draw two cards from my deck."

"Next is the spell card [Pot of Greed]. I'll draw two more cards from my deck."

With two consecutive draw cards, Asuka's hand size increased dramatically. She then drew a card and played it, saying, "Next, during my Main Phase, I will Normal Summon this [Announcer's Witch]."

"This effect can only be activated if [The Proclaimer's Witch] is successfully Summoned or Special Summoned. Send one Fairy-Type card from my Deck or Fusion Deck to the Graveyard, and its Level increases by the Level of the sent monster until the end of this turn." Asuka caught a card retrieved from her Duel Disk and revealed it, "I send the second [Solemn Prayer - Reason] from my Deck to the Graveyard, and [The Proclaimer's Witch]'s Level increases by 1 star!"

[The Proclaimer's Shaman] [2☆/Light→3☆/Light]

[Angel Race/Effect]

[500/300]

"Next up, this card!" Asuka exclaimed, holding up a magic card. "Although I've used up all of my 'Ritual of the Mechanical Angel' cards, I've drawn another card that can ritually summon 'Cyber ​​Angel'—this 'Absolute Ritual of the Mechanical Angel'!"

"The level can't be too high; it must be perfectly balanced to be equal. I can Tribute monsters from my hand and field as tributes for a Ritual Summon, and Ritual Summon the Ritual Monster of One-of-a-Kind [Cyber ​​Angel] from my hand!" After a pause, Asuka waved her hand again, "However, it's not just your [Soul Bird God] that can use monsters from the Graveyard for Ritual Summoning. Under [Absolute Ritual of Machine Angel], I can also return Fairy or Warrior monsters from my Graveyard to the Deck as a substitute for Tribute!"

"I will return my Level 3 [Declarator] from my field and the Warrior-Type monster in my Graveyard—the Level 7 [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law] that was previously sent to the Graveyard—to my Deck, so that the total Levels are 10, which is equivalent to this card. Ritual begins!"

Although the [Ritual of the Mechanical Angel] from the graveyard could have replaced the battle destruction of the [Solemn Prayer - Rin] on the field, and although [Solemn Prayer - Rin] alone could meet all the requirements of a ritual summon with its own effect, Asuka did not choose to take those "shortcuts" this time. Instead, she chose to take a slightly "longer detour" and execute the [Absolute Ritual of the Mechanical Angel] in the most formal way!

A mechanical altar rose, far surpassing the one erected during the previous "Mechanical Angel's Ritual." The "Annunciation Shaman" and the "Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law" on the altar field poured their power into it, and ten flames ignited around the altar. Then, a lotus flower bloomed from the flames within the altar, and golden gears rose—

"Angel of Light, whose power is boundless, now appear in this vast world and illuminate all things!" Asuka took her last card, placed it on the Duel Disk, and summoned, "Ritual Summon, Level 10!"

"Descend, [Cyber ​​Angel - Miaka]!"

Within the lotus, a four-armed goddess rose to her feet. The golden gear that had appeared earlier seemed to fall behind her like a golden wheel of merit. Even without any magical artifacts in her hands, her aura alone surpassed that of all the [Cyber ​​Angels] that Asuka had summoned earlier.

【Electronic Angel - Miakaru-】【10☆/Hikaru】

[Angel Race/Ritual/Effect]

[3000/2000]

"If 【Cyber ​​Angel - Miaka-】is successfully Ritual Summoned, activate its effect to destroy all monsters Special Summoned from the Fusion Deck on your opponent's field and inflict effect damage to your opponent equal to 1000 times the number of monsters destroyed. Also, during this turn, 【Cyber ​​Angel - Miaka-】can attack twice in the same Battle Phase."

"Alright, let's go! [Sonic Bird]! I'm entering my battle phase!" Asuka waved her hand and said, "[Cyber ​​Angel - Miakaru -]'s attack will destroy the two [Soul Bird Derivatives]!"

"Piercing through the Rakshasa's indestructibility!"

"And the attack of [Guardian of Solemnity - Guardian of Law] is aimed at [Soul Bird - Ninja Crow]. Let's end this duel!"

"Ghosts dance wildly!"

The high-speed spinning golden gears, resembling a chainsaw, destroyed the [Soul Bird Derivative], and then the interlaced phantom sword dance, like a demon-like dual-swordsman, instantly killed the [Soul Bird - Ninja Crow]. The flying slash struck through the [Sonic Bird]'s body, taking away its last life points.

Facing Asuka, the collar around Sonic Bird's neck was destroyed by the impact of the slash, and it finally let out a cry: "You, pass!"

[Sonic Bird: 2700LP→0]

Then, the collar shattered, and the figure of [Sonic Bird] disappeared under Asuka's gaze, leaving only the Duel Disk it had been wearing on the ground.

Chapter 1459 Ten Thousand Eyes and Evil Ten Thousand

The words are divided into two parts.

Just as Asuka defeated [Sonic Bird], and recalling Principal Hayato's teachings, she felt a mix of trepidation and guilt from her first attempt, along with a hint of excitement and anticipation. In order not to waste her precious Duel Monster cards, she... I mean, she put away [Sonic Bird]'s deck.

Manjoume's side is in real trouble.

"My turn, draw a card!"