Knight?

So, this is the situation now.

With the Underworld Legion bearing down, everyone, including Noah Kaiba, is acting like they're facing a formidable enemy, even needing to hold a special strategy meeting for it.

After a series of seemingly high-level intelligence gathering and discussions, the conclusion reached was simply to air-drop in front of the enemy commander and duel them face-to-face.

There was no meticulous strategy, nor any discussion of the battlefield situation.

Only one thing was discussed throughout the entire strategy meeting:

Hades's deck.

What should have been a solemn meeting felt more like an analysis team giving advice to an esports player about to go on stage.

While there seemed to be a lot to complain about, on second thought, from manga to anime, such things were indeed common.

For example, there was an organization called Doma, claiming to span human history, interfering with historical processes since the Atlantis era ten thousand years ago. They boasted followers worldwide, manipulating governments and powers across various nations. Yet, they were ultimately defeated in a duel by a furious Pharaoh, after which Doma vanished without a trace.

Or for another example, there was an organization called the Overlord Army, claiming to sweep across an entire alternate world, leaving nothing but desolation in its wake. But after someone broke into the Overlord Castle and fought them to a mutual destruction, the demon army scattered like monkeys fleeing a collapsing tree.

How should one put it…

"It truly is Yu-Gi-Oh!"

"What did you say?"

Looking straight ahead, Yu Ming saw the green-haired boy in white looking at him with curiosity.

Noah Kaiba…

"I said, it truly is the world of Duelists. I just feel like once you embrace this identity, a lot of things become simpler."

Gazing at those eyes, which seemed devoid of any impurities or gloom, Yu Ming couldn't help but sigh:

"There's no need to consider intricate, detailed plans for war. As long as we can duel, everything will get better."

"Ah…"

"Is something wrong?"

Yu Ming shrugged, seeing Noah's somewhat subtle smile.

"I didn't say anything wrong, did I?"

"No, you're right."

"Exactly…"

"But you have to win, and you…"

Before Yu Ming could finish his sentence, the boy's calm voice echoed again.

For some reason, Yu Ming suddenly felt the boy's gaze was a bit intense.

"What about me?"

"Nothing."

The boy smiled.

"I just think you look very confident, as if you've never doubted your victory."

"Is that so?"

Yu Ming merely shrugged in response.

"I can only say that from a deck-building perspective, no opponent has exceeded my expectations so far."

Whether it was Keith, whom he first met, or his later match against Noah, or even those including the Big Five, it was all the same.

After all, behind him was an unimaginably vast card pool.

While he might not remember the effects of some obscure cards or overpowered cards that haven't been made into real cards yet, understanding their fields was clearly not difficult.

However, Noah clearly didn't know about this.

"What terrifying control."

He sighed, seeming to implicitly elevate Yu Ming's personal abilities by several levels.

"Come to think of it, the calmness and rationality you display in duels are also quite intimidating."

Honestly, Yu Ming felt quite uncomfortable, but he couldn't explain these things.

In the end…

"I don't think you're qualified to tell me that. In that regard, you're even more excessive than I am."

Yu Ming chose to turn the tables on Noah.

"You clearly look like a child, yet you single-handedly founded a massive city. While holding real power, you've also become a thorn in the Necromancer King's side. This kind of achievement is far more impressive than mine."

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course."

"…"

Suddenly, Noah fell silent.

For a moment, that normally steady smile seemed to falter, and Yu Ming even saw a strange, complex emotion that was hard to describe.

"At the end of the day, this kind of thing is just a clumsy imitation."

"Hmm?"

Yu Ming was taken aback.

Noah's reaction was quite baffling, but unfortunately, the boy didn't give him a chance to ask further.

"Never mind, let's not talk about that. Let's talk about you now."

The boy waved his hand, completely changing the subject.

"Me?"

"Yes, if I'm not mistaken, the deck you're currently using isn't quite complete yet, is it?"

"That's true. While it's usable, it lacks staying power and is easily countered. If I'm going into a tough fight, it definitely needs some strengthening."

For Yu Ming, there was nothing to hide about this.

"Perhaps you can offer some help?"

"Of course, that was my intention all along."

Facing such an unconcealed hint, Noah showed no annoyance, only smiling and nodding.

"If there are any cards you need, just say so. We'll do our best to provide them."

"Really? Then I won't be shy, alright?"

Hearing this, Yu Ming beamed and began rubbing his hands together like a fly.

"Then, can I get a 'Psychic Shockwave' first? I've actually been eyeing that card for a long time."

"No."

"Huh?"

"I said no."

Perhaps fearing Yu Ming hadn't heard clearly, Noah repeated it seriously.

"'Psychic Shockwave' is Ogorou Daimon's card. That ability to seal traps indiscriminately, regardless of friend or foe, is a reflection of his inner self. Unfortunately, we still haven't mastered the technology to fully control it."

"Oh... Then can I have your 'Yata-Garasu'?"

"Spirit Monsters are special. I only have that one."

"Then, if nothing else, can I get a 'Monster Reborn'? I still don't have any cards that can unconditionally interact with the graveyard."

"If we had truly mastered 'Monster Reborn,' we wouldn't be struggling here."

"...So what do you have?"

"If you're talking about mass production, we only have 'Mecha' focused on military and unmanned control, 'Gear' that provides power through assembly, and also..."

"Also what?"

Yu Ming looked at Noah curiously, only to see the boy rummaging for something in the inner pocket of his jacket.

Finally, he pulled out a small box.

"This."

The moment Yu Ming instinctively reached out, he sensed what was inside.

"Cards?"

"Mm, I originally planned to give them to you earlier, but too much has happened, so it got delayed until now."

"Indeed, I feel like I'm some kind of jinx. As soon as I arrive somewhere, all sorts of chaotic things happen one after another."

"But look on the bright side, it's not too late for things to return to their rightful owner now, is it?"

"..."

In an instant, Yu Ming's previously relaxed and composed expression vanished.

When he instinctively looked up, he found that the boy who should have been standing in front of him had disappeared.

Then, a broadcast began to echo:

"Attention all Duelists, the enemy has entered the alert zone. Battle is about to begin. All Duelists, please ensure you are in optimal condition for combat."

"If you have any needs, you can issue commands to the internal network via your Duel Disk. We will deliver the requested supplies and cards as soon as possible."

Facing the seemingly emotionless synthesized broadcast, Yu Ming gazed at the card box in his hand.

He slowly opened it, and the first card that caught his eye made him pause.

"'Dark Dragon of Combat'?"

To be honest, it wasn't a rare card, but Yu Ming couldn't help but stop.

If he had to say why, it was a dedicated support card for 'Dark Blade' and an early template for Union Monsters.

However, such matters were no longer important now. If Noah wasn't joking about this...

"Dragon Rider," "Knight of Dark Demise," "Meteor Dragon."

As Fusion Monsters, Union Monsters, and Normal Monsters appeared one after another before his eyes, Yu Ming's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

Finally, a blue light, symbolizing a ritual, appeared:

"Paladin of Dark Dragon?"

For some reason, Yu Ming felt a strange warmth around his eyes, and a peculiar sense of illusion rushed to his head.

This card…

A new Life Encounter has been detected.

"Huh?"

Encounter Story found – "Red-Eyes Knight."

Is this knight of yours a Dragon Knight?

Bad news, relatives came over this morning, and I've been busy until now. The second chapter will be a bit delayed; I'm still writing it.