"Your mouth is as venomous as ever… but thanks for the assist."
Yuui slowly turned around, looking toward the woman emerging from the shadows.
She wore a crying demon mask, and beneath it, her exposed gray eyes carried a killing intent as cold as ice. The black Duel Disk on her left arm was already deployed, Deck loaded in place.
"So it really comes down to a Duel in the end…" Yuui muttered, his own Duel Disk unfolding.
Just as he prepared to insert his Deck, Alice stepped forward. Her Duel Disk was already deployed, Deck inserted.
Yuui glanced at her. Alice responded flatly:
"I told you… I'm not letting the Prince's Faction have their way. And don't think I'm helping you.
"Also, bring Alicia out. I hate dueling at your side."
Yuui: "…Is this woman… a tsundere? No way, right?"|
Alicia: "Yuui-san, what's a 'tsundere'?
Yuui: "A very awkward personality! Never mind that! There's no time. If she wants to duel with you, then go. My magic hasn't recovered yet. It's better if you take over. I'll support you both from the side."
"Understood, Yuui-san!"
When Alicia opened her eyes again, her red pupils had returned to their pearly white. She pressed her lips together, looking at Alice beside her.
Noticing the shift, Alice knew Alicia had regained control of her body. Then she turned her cold gaze toward the woman before them.
"Don't die too easily. This opponent won't be simple."
"Mm." Alicia nodded, inserting her Deck into her Duel Disk.
The next moment, all three shouted:
"Duel!!"
[Female Assassin, LP: 4000]
[Alicia, LP: 4000]
[Alice, LP: 4000]
Because no one set rules beforehand, the Duel Disks automatically registered this match as a three-way free-for-all. Each duelist had 4000 LP, and none could attack on the first turn.
The screens of the three Duel Disks flickered. Alice's lit up first, then the assassin's, and finally Alicia's.
"My turn—draw!!"
Alice checked her opening hand, then looked at the woman across from her—whose murderous aura was sharp enough to cut. After a moment's thought, she declared:
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Dramatic Snake-Eye Chase! I place 1 Diabellstar monster from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard into my Spell/Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell.
I choose to place Diabellstar the Black Witch from my Deck into my Spell/Trap Zone."
A spectral silhouette of Diabellstar appeared behind Alice.
"Next, I Normal Summon Snake-Eye Ash."
[Snake-Eye Ash, DEF 1000]
"Snake-Eye Ash's effect—when this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I add 1 FIRE Level 1 monster from my Deck to my hand. I choose Snake-Eyes Poplar.
Then, Poplar's effect—if this card is added to the hand by a method other than drawing, I can Special Summon it."
[Snake-Eyes Poplar, DEF 200]
"Poplar's effect—when this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I add 1 Snake-Eye Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand. I choose the Trap Startling Stare of the Snake-Eyes."
Alice drew out the card.
"Next, I activate Snake-Eye Ash's other effect. By sending this card and one other face-up card I control to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon another Snake-Eye monster from my hand or Deck.
I send Ash and Poplar to the Graveyard to Special Summon Snake-Eyes Flamberge Dragon from my Deck!!"
The two small Snake-Eye spirits were swallowed by blazing blue fire—fusing into a burning, winged serpent.
"Roooar!!!"
[Snake-Eyes Flamberge Dragon, ATK 3000]
"Now, Poplar's second effect activates—when it's sent to the Graveyard, I target 1 FIRE Level 1 monster in my Graveyard and place it in my Spell/Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell.
"I choose Snake-Eye Ash."
Ash's silhouette appeared behind Alice.
"Next, I activate the Spell Sinful Spoils of the Snake-Eye. I send 1 face-up card I control other than this card to the Graveyard, then Special Summon 1 FIRE Level 1 monster from my hand or Deck.
"I send Ash to the Graveyard and Special Summon Snake-Eye Oak!!"
[Snake-Eye Oak, DEF 200]
"Oak's effect—when this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I target 1 FIRE Level 1 monster in my Graveyard or banished zone and add it to my hand or Special Summon it.
"I target Snake-Eyes Poplar and Special Summon it."
[Snake-Eyes Poplar, DEF 200]
"Then I activate Oak's second effect. By sending this card and one other face-up card I control to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Snake-Eye monster from my hand or Deck other than Oak."
"I choose to send Snake-Eye Oak and Snake-Eyes Poplar to the Graveyard, then Special Summon Snake-Eyes Diabellstar from my Deck!!"
Once again, the blue flames erupted—engulfing both monsters. From within the fire emerged a pink-bodied serpent, crowned with a snake-eye jewel.
[Snake-Eyes Diabellstar, ATK 2800]
"Finally, the effect of Diabellze the Original Sinkeeper from my hand!" Alice revealed her other ace—the other Witch among the Black and White Witches. "If there is a Sinful Spoils card in either Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card from my hand.
"Descend! The beginning of all stories, the Witch of Original Sin, Diabellze!!"
Golden magic whirled across the field as the golden-haired witch in white robes emerged between the two Snake-Eye monsters, her wickedly enchanting smile gleaming beneath the moonlight. A space beside her remained conspicuously empty.
[Diabellze the Original Sinkeeper, ATK 2500]
"Tch… is this woman insane? Summoning Diabellze now of all times!?" Yuui frowned.
"Yuui-san, is something wrong with Alice's play?"
"Hard to say. But this monster does impose a restriction on us too!"
"A restriction?"
"Yeah. As long as Diabellze the Original Sinkeeper remains on the field, either opponent can must Set Spells or Traps before activating them.
"Meaning in this free-for-all, we are counted as her opponent too!"
"Eh…!!!??" Alicia yelped, turning to Alice. "Alice! Your monster is going to—"
"I don't need you to remind me!" Alice snapped without turning back. "Just shut up and watch!"
"But-but—"
"I Set two cards. Turn end!!"
Before Alicia could finish, Alice had already slammed two cards into her Duel Disk.
"And in this moment—I activate the second effect of Dramatic Snake-Eye Chase in my Graveyard! During my End Phase, I banish this card, then target 1 monster card I control that is being treated as a Continuous Spell; Special Summon it.
"I choose to Special Summon Diabellstar the Black Witch!!"
[Diabellstar the Black Witch, ATK 2500]
"Then Diabellstar the Black Witch's effect activates! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Set 1 Sinful Spoils Spell/Trap directly from my Deck.
"I choose to Set the Quick-Play Spell Sinful Spoils of Doom - Rciela!!"
Alice Set the card.
Alicia's voice trembled with awe.
"So… so strong…"
Four monsters with over 2500 ATK, plus three backrow cards—one of which could drop every monster under 2500 ATK to zero and destroy those without protection.
Facing this setup herself… Alicia realized she would almost certainly be OTK'd.
And this was only Alice's first turn.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]