Chapter 668

Activate Royal Decree!

Hmm, there is no need to say much about this card. As the powerhouse of trap-heavy decks, Rishid naturally recognizes it; it is also a super-high-risk card that ranks near the top of his personal wanted list.

All trap effects are negated—a description as simple and brutal as that. Similar to Jinzo, one card can single-handedly wipe out most of Rishid's deck.

Of course, as a card that is a natural enemy just like Jinzo, Rishid naturally had some preparations.

For example...

"Counter Trap—Royal Fall!" Rishid said. "It can only be activated when a Continuous Trap is activated; negate the activation of that Continuous Trap and destroy it!"

He paused for a moment and added.

"It is the same principle as with Jinzo just now. Although all traps are negated while Decree is on the field, the premise is that the activation must be successful first.

And although Royal Fall is also a trap, Decree has not yet taken effect, so negating its activation is entirely possible."

As he spoke, he pointed toward Fujiki You Xuan's back row.

"Negate the activation of 'Royal Decree'!"

As he spoke, the trap in Fujiki You Xuan's back row exploded with a 'pop', turning into fragments that filled the air.

"Impressive." Fujiki You Xuan smiled. "Royal Fall, let me guess, is a trap prepared specifically to deal with Decree, right?"

Rishid did not deny it, saying: "I have said that my deck is a trap-based deck. It has distinct characteristics and excels at using disruption and interference as a combat style. But having distinct characteristics also means it is bound to be easily countered."

Fujiki You Xuan said: "If it is easily countered, one will naturally design corresponding countermeasures. You are worthy of being a legendary duelist."

Rishid said: "What legend or not, you flatter me. However, facing the King as an opponent, one should naturally go all out and strive to do one's best without leaving any flaws."

As a full-trap deck, being able to break through to this point after facing the lockdowns of Jinzo and Decree in succession within a single turn is truly commendable. It seems that the 'underworld' practitioner Rishid has been immersed in the application of trap-heavy decks for many years and is indeed quite well-researched.

"Battle." Rishid said. "Embodiment of Apophis, attack Mr. Fujiki You Xuan directly!"

That human-faced snake warrior twisted its long body and swung its sword at Fujiki You Xuan without a second thought. At this moment, Fujiki You Xuan had no set cards, and his front and back rows were completely empty, appearing wide open and only able to receive the strike.

"I'll have to borrow your power this time." Fujiki You Xuan said, as if to himself.

The fair-skinned, beautiful girl in a black dress carried a black parasol and said with a smile: "Then you must thank me properly afterwards, Master."

As she spoke, she jumped onto the field, and the black parasol on her shoulder reached out, sealing off the front of Fujiki You Xuan like an unfolded shield.

Rishid was slightly surprised: "A new monster? When was it summoned?"

Fujiki You Xuan said: "Vampire Fraulein, when the opponent declares an attack, it can be Special Summoned from the hand in Defense Position."

【Vampire Fraulein, DEF 2000】

"A trigger-type hand monster effect, I see." Rishid said. "After all, it is a duel with the King; the defensive line does not only exist on the field. It is indeed secure.

Then, the ATK of Embodiment of Apophis is less than Fraulein's, so the battle is rewound, and the attack is canceled."

As he spoke, he inserted another card from his hand into his Duel Disk.

"Finally, I activate the Continuous Spell 'Nightmare's Mirage'.

During the next opponent's Standby Phase, I can draw cards from my deck until I have four cards in my hand."

"Turn end."

Fujiki You Xuan said: "Then it is my turn, draw."

Rishid: "Entering the Standby Phase. At this moment, the effect of 'Nightmare's Mirage' activates; I draw cards from my deck until I have four cards in my hand." As he spoke, he had already redrawn his hand to four cards.

Fujiki You Xuan glanced at one of his two remaining back-row cards.

Hmm, it's about time to recover some Life Points...

"Activate set card, Quick-Play Spell 'Emergency Provisions'!" Rishid said. "Send Spells and Traps on the field to the Graveyard; recover 1000 Life Points for each.

I send the Continuous Spell 'Nightmare's Mirage' to the Graveyard to recover 1000 Life Points!"

The Mirage, having already fulfilled its value, dissipated in the golden light of Emergency Provisions, flowing into Rishid's body and turning into life-sustaining nutrients.

【Rishid, LP 1600 -> LP 2600】

Royal Temple is Rishid's key card; not only is its effect powerful, but for Rishid, a Gravekeeper, it is also a magical field that symbolizes the majesty of the royal family, so it would naturally not be sacrificed casually. Besides that, Rishid had one last card in his back row, and he did not choose to sacrifice it to recover LP.

It seems that this should also be a key trap.

However, trap-heavy decks are easy to deal with.

Fujiki You Xuan said: "When there are Trap Cards in both players' Graveyards or on the field, 'Threatening Humanoid - Jinzo' in my hand can be Special Summoned without Tributing.

I Special Summon 'Threatening Humanoid - Jinzo'!"

(No errors, read it all at once!)

Although the name has changed, the monster summoned by Fujiki You Xuan looks more than 90% identical to the original Jinzo. It just changed its name; it didn't even change its disguise.

【Threatening Humanoid - Jinzo, ATK 2400】

"Then, I activate the effect of 'Threatening Humanoid - Jinzo'." Fujiki You Xuan said. "Tribute this card to Special Summon one 'Jinzo' from your hand or Graveyard.

Afterwards, destroy all Trap Cards on the opponent's field!"

Rishid's expression darkened further.

It can be Special Summoned when there are traps, it can be Tributed to Special Summon Jinzo, and it can blow up all traps on the field...

Sure enough, the deck on the opposite side has almost branded the targeting of traps into its DNA. From monster searching and summoning to action lockdown and destruction, almost every aspect is written with targeting in mind.

But he could still handle it.

"Activate set card!" Rishid said. "Quick-Play Spell 'Effect Lockdown'! Negate the activation of a monster effect and destroy it!" (Original card)

The electric light on Threatening Humanoid had only just begun to burst out when it was immediately sealed by the magical effect. The red light in the Humanoid's eyes flickered on and off, and soon it exploded with a bang, countless fragments scattering in the fireball.

"You stopped the summoning of Jinzo once again, not bad." Fujiki You Xuan smiled.

Then he changed the subject: "However, what will you do next time?"

Rishid was startled, then looked at Fraulein on the field, and seeing her waving at him with a smile, he suddenly realized something.

That's right, the previous Threatening Humanoid was Special Summoned by an effect; the opponent hadn't even performed a Normal Summon this turn.

The last time Fujiki You Xuan summoned Jinzo, it was negated by his Counter Trap 'Rebound'. But a monster negated by Rebound is not destroyed, but returned to the hand.

Which means, right now...

"Sorry, I'll borrow your body for a moment, Fraulein." Fujiki You Xuan said.

Fraulein puffed out her cheeks: "I suppose that's fine, but Master, can you not use such easily misunderstood phrasing?"

Fujiki You Xuan said: "Tribute Vampire Fraulein, Tribute Summon!

The artificial psychic king, the nemesis of traps—

—Jinzo, summon again!"

(End of chapter)