Since it's a widely used Monster Card from the outside world, Yugen was pretty sure he wouldn't mistake it. The one appearing before him was indeed "Captain Who Penetrates the Enemy Formation."
Or rather, it was that monster, but its image was slightly different.
Although he was still wearing the armor from the card illustration, he didn't have a sword in hand, and he wore a white apron over the armor, with a chef's hat on his head, giving him a comical appearance.
So it seemed that besides being busy with charging and fighting, the Captain was also a hidden chef. Yugen's expression was a bit odd, as he vaguely felt he had seen this design in some card illustration before.
"..."
"I have already arranged for someone to look for your mentioned companion."
Following the Captain, they arrived at what appeared to be a warriors' camp. He warmly invited Yugen to sit down and served him a bowl of hot soup.
"Here, try this," the Captain said with a cheerful smile, "I have a minor expertise in the culinary arts and have some confidence in my skills.
This is a new recipe I developed today, and everyone who has tried it so far has given it unanimous praise."
A passing Warrior whispered softly, "Because those who didn't like it are still lying down and can't speak..."
The Captain turned around with a stern face, and the warrior quickly ran off.
Yugen: "..."
Now he remembered, there was indeed such a card called "Well-Cooked Captain," and the illustration depicted the Captain cooking in the camp.
Theoretically, according to the outside world's time, it should still be late at night. After all this fuss, he was a bit hungry. But as for whether Elf food was compatible with humans had never been tested, so to be cautious, he politely declined.
"We have gathered all the battle-capable Elves from the nearby area to fight, but the subordinates of the Evil God are too strong, and our troops have been retreating with heavy losses.
If it weren't for the Hero's timely arrival..."
He turned solemnly, "I need to express my gratitude on behalf of the rescued comrades and everyone in this camp."
"No need, I just happened to be passing by. Moreover, I didn't intend to stay long," Yugen said truthfully, "If you're counting on us to stay and help you resist the enemy, you might be disappointed."
"It's fine, we understand. The Evil God itself is in the Duelist's world. If the main body isn't dealt with, defeating one White Bone King will just lead to another Deputy being supported."
The Captain then suddenly became serious.
"But, now what I need to say is..."
He got up and walked to a sealed box at one side of the camp, unlocking it with great solemnity.
Looking like he was ready to unveil the 'best sword in the village', but when he opened the box and took out what was sealed, putting it on his hand, it turned out to be a peculiar kind of Duel Disc.
It looked entirely like a sword embedded in a heavy sheath. When carried on the back, it might resemble a Great Sword.
Yugen couldn't help but imagine. A Swordsman wandering the martial world, seeing injustice and shouting, swiftly drawing a sword from behind... unsheathing the Duel Disc to face off in a life-or-death card game...
...Hmm, maybe this is just how the Elf's world is.
"I heard that the Hero defeated the White Bone King with ease, possessing rare and powerful strength."
The Captain knelt on one knee, looking earnest.
"Please teach me the secrets of dueling!"
"Just because I'm too weak, too incompetent, so many comrades have fallen, so many comrades have left... I don't want this to continue."
"I want to gain the power to protect everyone, to protect our home!"
Coach, I want to learn how to play cards!
Yugen: "..."
He pondered for a moment and said, "Well, I did defeat the White Bone King, but my method of dueling... might be a bit different from yours."
Outside the animated world, Duelists were already quite honest, but from his observation, it seemed Elves played their cards even more honestly.
Previously, he thought since Elves' card decks were technically an extension of themselves, wouldn't their bonds be maxed out, and their Divine Draw should be stronger than Duelists'?
But it seemed that at the pinnacle of card playing stood the Duelists. And compared to personally fighting, Elves were better able to perform as warriors under powerful Duelists.
Actually, if one's Divine Draw ability wasn't great, Yugen thought he did have some ways to quickly improve card playing. But now he was pondering if these methods would be the wrong path for the honest Elves...
The Captain seemed to misinterpret his intention.
He might have understood it as "power requires a price"—which was often true. In the Yu-Gi-Oh world, many powerful cards required a strong soul to wield, and some cards that granted Duelists extraordinary Destiny Power also had strong side effects.
The Captain's face showed a flash of determination, gritting his teeth, "No matter what happens to my body and mind, it's all irrelevant!
As long as I can gain the power to protect everyone, even if it means selling my soul to a Demon... no, even if I become a Demon myself, it's worth it!"
Yugen: "No, that's not what I meant..."
He thought for a while, then stood up.
"Forget it. We've got time to kill anyway. If you really want this, then let's have a duel, and I'll demonstrate for you."
Previously he thought Elves' card games had to be life-or-death, but later, Great Opening informed him otherwise. Elf duels could decide life-or-death or stop as needed; it didn't always have to be fatal.
Yugen thought that made sense. If every card game had to end in life-or-death, wouldn't the first lesson in learning to play cards be to kill your master...
So moments later, the two of them stood outside the camp, ready with their Duel Discs. Nearby Elves, hearing the Captain and the Otherworld's Hero were dueling, hurried to gather around and watch.
Alright then, today it's a duel with the Captain himself, the one who penetrates enemy formation.
Yugen: "Magic Card 'Strongly Summoned Soldiers,' look at the opponent's hand and select one card to return to the deck."
"..."
Yugen: "Trap Card 'Thunder Break,' discard one card from the hand and destroy your first card on the field."
"..."
Yugen: "Activate the effect of 'Puppet Plant' from the hand, discard this card from your hand, select a Warrior Race monster on the opponent's field and gain control of it. I want to gain control of the second card on your field."
"..."
Yugen: "'Captain Who Penetrates the Enemy Formation,' direct attack on 'Captain Who Penetrates the Enemy Formation'!"
The "Captain Who Penetrates the Enemy Formation" that was NTR'd to Yugen's field mercilessly leaped up, slashing a brilliant sword light, and swung the weapon down with a swoosh.
But at least, in the end, Yugen let it hold back, the sword just barely brushing past the original's shoulder, making a sound with a clang as it hit the ground, sparking brightly.
[Captain Who Penetrates the Enemy Formation, LP 0]
The Captain, almost cut down by his own sword, looked up at the sky.
He began to ponder why Elves live, and why, after being fed, they feel the need to play cards with a Hero more wicked than the Evil God...