With the Dark World knight down, the Supreme King's ranks visibly sagged.
The death of a commander is a deathblow to morale. And everyone knows—here, Dueling is largely about momentum. When your spirit breaks, your Deck goes limp.
Especially in this meta where everyone runs piles stuffed with baffling jank: if your opening hand bricks at that moment, you're not even playing.
With Zure fallen, his subordinates scattered, hearts shattered. The blood clan surged, flooding forward to rout the enemy.
Jaden grabbed two quick Duels after that, but they were simple—Flame Wingman just A-pressed to victory.
Kira took down two more captains as well, though they were far below Zure, perhaps rattled by the morale collapse.
One Supreme King captain who'd been winning against a vampire commander even faltered when he saw the battle swing, his mindset wobbling. He made mistakes, the vampire pounced, and flipped the script.
About half an hour later, the dust settled. The Supreme King's army was dead or fled; their Duel captains annihilated, most grunts dead or captured, the few survivors scattering.
With the battle over, Kira and Jaden entered the city with the victorious vampires and were led into the castle.
The Vampire's Curse they knew on the road seemed to rank high—many bowed as he passed. He led them straight to the castle's heart.
Soon, they stood before the pale girl in black.
"Ooh, impressive—like a queen," Jaden said, wide-eyed at the opulent hall.
His first time in a place like this. The palace was like a dream long dormant, cradled in blood-moon light. The soaring dome bore intricate carvings—bats poised to fly, twined with vines and thorns. A massive ruby set at the center, like the clan's eye.
Kira looked to the pale girl at the far end.
"Ah. Fraulein."
"Huh?" Jaden tilted his head.
"Vampire Fraulein—a rare spirit," Kira explained.
"That girl?"
At the word "spirit," Jaden perked up, peering at her. She was bloodless, fragile as if just recovered from illness—if not for knowing she was a vampire, he'd think a breeze could tip her over.
"Is she strong?" he whispered.
She didn't look like much of a fighter.
"Of course," Kira smiled.
Vampire Fraulein—Level 5, 600 ATK/2000 DEF.
When an opponent declares an attack, you can Special Summon her from your hand in Defense Position. When your Zombie battles an opponent's monster, you can pay LP in multiples of 100; your monster gains ATK/DEF equal to the amount paid, for that battle only.
And when this card destroys a monster by battle, at the end of the Battle Phase you can Special Summon the monster it destroyed to your field.
A hand-trap-like defense on attack declaration, a way to convert LP into ATK, plus a battle-based NTR. In today's environment, solid Zombie support.
"Traveling Duelists, thank you for your aid."
Fraulein spoke softly.
"Without you, the battle would have been far bloodier."
She glanced curiously at the Vampire's Curse who had returned with them.
"Your friend?"
Though she asked, she found it strange she'd never heard of such a powerful ally.
The vampire looked embarrassed. "No, uh... we just met on the road."
And fought. Well—more precisely, I got beaten up.
He'd spared some attention for their side while in his own Duel and watched Kira flatten the Dark World knight.
Which is why he was more awed than the others.
He knew the Deck used on him earlier wasn't even the same as the one used here.
In the real world, a Duelist running multiple Decks isn't rare; in the spirit realm, it's remarkable. Even if spirits can Duel, most only have one Deck.
And now, it seemed the man who toyed with him earlier wasn't even using his main...
No—likely even the one against the Supreme King's army wasn't his main either.
To command so many Decks skillfully and hit this hard no matter what he picked—in this world, that's terrifying.
Thinking of how he had brazenly charged such a figure earlier, the vampire broke into a cold sweat. The big shot had been magnanimous—overlooked his rudeness and even helped. Admirable...
No—more likely, he simply hadn't been worth noticing.
Who cares if an ant bites?
"These two lords say they're looking for the Supreme King's citadel," the Vampire's Curse reported.
At the name alone, faces in the hall paled.
The Supreme King's citadel!
Like the taboo of its master's name, the place itself was a forbidden topic. Just speaking it made mouths shut, let alone approaching it.
Fraulein's eyes flickered, but she smoothed over quickly.
"Oh? What do you intend to do there?"
"What else?" Jaden put his hands on his hips with a grin.
"Kick the Supreme King's butt, of course."
At that, more faces blanched. The timid hunched and glanced about, as if afraid that merely uttering such insolence would summon the invincible monarch to obliterate them on the spot.
If before the vampires' looks held only respect, now there was a touch of incredulity—like they were watching madmen sprinting to their deaths.
Only Fraulein kept her composure. "Do you believe you can defeat the Supreme King?"
"Of course," Jaden said with confidence. He thought for a moment, glanced at Kira, and added with a smile:
"Even if I can't, Kira definitely can."
"I see."
She nodded, pondered a beat, then lifted her gaze. Her face was as pale and blank as ever—but her words made the hall gasp as one.
"In that case, honored heroes... it is presumptuous, but—will you take me with you?"
PS: Another Waifu spirit.
PS2: Bonus chapter at 300 PS