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## Chapter 623: Crystal of Sealing

"Activate Trap Card, 【Crystal Seal】!"

As Rafael flipped his Set Card, an enormous amount of translucent crystal suddenly surged from the Ground, rolling and clustering like waves on the Sea Surface, forming a large wave that stood before Rafael and crashed towards 【The Dark Magicians】!

Because of Yugi's order, 【Dark Magician】 and 【Dark Magician Girl】 had just finished preparing their Attack and were about to swing their Staffs, but the crystals that instantly proliferated before their eyes immediately occupied everything in their line of sight, making it impossible to find an Attack Target.

"What is that!?"

Yugi looked at the Crystal Prison constructed by the proliferating crystals in an instant, asking in confusion. Rafael answered his confusion: "Continuous Trap Card 【Crystal Seal】. A Monster targeted by this Card cannot Attack, let alone be Tributed. It cannot even activate its Effect or be targeted for Attacks."

Rafael looked at 【The Dark Magicians】, who were gradually being forced into an immovable corner by the crystals proliferating inside the Crystal Prison, and said, "Just watch as your cherished Monster is turned into a powerless Sculpture, Nameless Pharaoh."

Yugi frowned and waved his hand, ordered: "Not so fast. I Chain to 【Crystal Seal】 and activate the Effect of 【The Dark Magicians】. Once per turn, when a Spell/Trap Card's Effect is activated, I can draw a Card from my Deck, and if it's a Spell/Trap Card, I can immediately Set it in my Spell/Trap Zone."

As he spoke, 【Dark Magician】, who was about to be completely Sealed within the crystal, desperately held up a Barrier to delay the crystal's advance, while 【Dark Magician Girl】 cooperated with her Master to unfold a Magic Circle, taking out a cluster of mystical power and transferring it into Yugi's Hand.

Yugi concentrated his will, focusing intently and calling for his Deck to respond to him. As long as the Card he drew was a Quick-Play Spell Card or a Trap Card, the Card Set by this Effect could be activated in the turn it was Set.

This was the first time Yugi had seen the Card 【Crystal Seal】, but the dark power entwined around the Card immediately reminded Yugi of the aura he felt when he first saw the three Legendary Dragon Statues in the Spirit World.

At that time, the three Legendary Dragons were all slumbering within crystal Statues. Their appearance was exactly the same as the crystal that was about to Seal his 【The Dark Magicians】 before him.

Yugi didn't want to lose his important Card Spirit.

However, just as Yugi was about to draw a Card, Rafael suddenly spoke: "Let me guess, Nameless Pharaoh, you're not thinking 'If I draw a Card like 【Mystical Space Typhoon】, I can Destroy 【Crystal Seal】 and reclaim my Monster', are you?"

"Muda da, 【Crystal Seal】 will not Leave the Field due to Card Effects other than its own Effect. The only way to Destroy it is by its own Effect."

"Nani?" Yugi's brow furrowed. "What kind of cheating Effect is that? Resistance to other Card Effects besides its own is too annoying."

Because he knew about the annoying resistance of 【Crystal Seal】, even though Rafael spoke like a Riddler, only saying half of it and not revealing what the "own Effect" that could Destroy 【Crystal Seal】 actually was, Yugi at least knew that Cards like 【Mystical Space Typhoon】 probably couldn't Destroy that Card.

Therefore, changing his previous inner thoughts of wishing to his Deck "Can I get a 【Mystical Space Typhoon】, please?", Yugi now instead began to pray that he wouldn't draw a 【Mystical Space Typhoon】 that was temporarily useless.

That's Yugi for you; his Deck was quite obedient to him and didn't mind his lightning-fast change of mind. Because of 【The Dark Magicians】' Effect, the Card Yugi drew was a divine artifact for Card Draw — Normal Spell Card 【Graceful Charity】.

The Spell/Trap Card drawn by 【The Dark Magicians】' Effect wasn't required to be Set in the Spell/Trap Zone, but rather "can be Set on your Field". Yugi didn't Set the 【Graceful Charity】 he drew, but kept it in his Hand.

Following that, the chain of Effects that occurred earlier continued to resolve in order. Yugi could only watch as 【The Dark Magicians】 were completely trapped by the crystal, unable to move. The eyes of the Master and Disciple lost their luster, and the last expression that remained was a gaze filled with concern directed towards Yugi.

And it wasn't until this moment that Yugi suddenly discovered an unexpected situation —

He had thought that even if 【Crystal Seal】 was some kind of trouble Card, it was merely similar to Cards like 【Fiend's Chain】, only restricting his Monster, and wouldn't have any influence on the Card Spirit.

But at the instant the crystal completely solidified, a feeling of unease suddenly surged in Yugi's inner thoughts. He couldn't help but reach into his pocket, feeling for the two Cards, 【Dark Magician Girl】 and 【Dark Magician】, which had previously been banished by 【Fusion Conscription】.

The feeling was wrong!

It wasn't that the feel of the Cards had changed. The two Cards Yugi took out still had a smooth feel. For Yugi, whose Grandpa ran a Card Shop, basic maintenance of Cards to prevent wear and tear was a fundamental skill, as well-protected Cards could be sold for a high price.

The difference Yugi felt was that he couldn't feel the existence of the Spirits within the Cards the way he used to, at the instant he touched them, as easily as breathing.

The Cards were still the original Cards, but at this moment, they only gave him an empty feeling.

The Card Spirits of 【Dark Magician】 and 【Dark Magician Girl】 were truly Sealed away by Rafael's 【Crystal Seal】!

"【Dark Magician】."

"【Dark Magician Girl】."

Watching Yugi stare blankly at 【The Dark Magicians】 Sealed within the crystal, Rafael folded his arms across his chest and thought composedly: 'Nameless Pharaoh, I told you, you and I are both people toyed with by Destiny and favored by Spirits.'

'Precisely because of our similarities, I can put myself in your shoes and know how to stimulate your heart to reveal a flaw, understanding it perfectly. That is, the time when your important, cherished Spirits are taken away from you.'

'Although there's a slight gap in our ideas – I cannot even accept a Monster being sent to the Graveyard, while you, influenced by Hayato Kobayashi, believe it's acceptable for Spirits to sacrifice their power for your Victory – if an important Spirit disappears from your side, even you will reveal a fatal flaw in your heart!'

'Now, I will strike while you are vulnerable!'

Thinking this, Rafael's gaze suddenly became sharp. Staring directly at the dazed Yugi, his aura was aggressive and imposing. Someone who didn't know might think Yugi was the one with only 200 Life Points remaining.

Taking his line of sight off 【The Dark Magicians】, Yugi put away the two Cards, 【Dark Magician】 and 【Dark Magician Girl】, and glared at Rafael with cold eyes: "What exactly did you do to my Cards, Rafael!"

"Forget it, I don't need you to give me an answer. From the moment you took away my important Cards, I have made up my mind, Rafael. That is, I must defeat you in this Duel!"

"End my Battle Phase, then activate this Card, 【Graceful Charity】!"

"Both Players replenish their Hands until they have six Cards. Since my Hand is 0, I draw six Cards from my Deck!" Inserting 【Graceful Charity】 into his Duel Disk, Yugi drew six Cards in one go. Then, his eye fell upon a 5☆ Monster — 【Catapult Turtle】, which could reduce the Opponent's Life Points by Tributing a Monster.

Because it was a Level 5 Monster, even though Yugi hadn't performed a Normal Summon this turn, with his only 【The Dark Magicians】 Sealed by 【Crystal Seal】, Yugi couldn't Summon 【Catapult Turtle】 to the Field anytime soon, which could bypass Rafael's Monsters on the Field and reduce his flickering candle-like Life Points.

"It is indeed time to replenish my hand. Since my Hand is also 0, I can also draw six Cards." Rafael watched Yugi draw cards calmly, not worried at all whether Yugi would draw Cards that could inflict damage outside of the Battle Phase from this Draw.

Seeing that Rafael still had a calm and collected attitude, Yugi annoyedly searched for a way to defeat Rafael in his Hand. But unfortunately, although as a True Duelist, Yugi could often get a response from his Deck, this time his Deck's response was slightly weaker, and he didn't draw many powerful Cards for board clear.

"I haven't performed a Normal Summon this turn yet. From my Hand, I Normal Summon 【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】 in Attack Position, and equip it with the Equip Spell Card 【Hilt Strike】."

Summoning the "cannon fodder swordsman" in Attack Position to the Field, Yugi equipped an Equip Spell Card onto him. 【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】, who was originally holding the sword hilt and crouching defensively, made a strange gesture. Instead of continuing to hold the hilt, he gripped the sword tip with the hilt pointing forward.

【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】【Level 4/EARTH】
【Warrior Type/Effect】
【1400/1200】

【Hilt Strike】 is an Equip Spell Card that can only be equipped to a Normal Summoned Monster. It can grant 【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】 immunity to the Effects activated by Special Summoned Monsters on the Opponent's Field, as well as the ability to decrease 【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】's original Attack/DEF when battling a Special Summoned Monster.

Combined with 【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】's own ability "cannot be destroyed by battle by a Monster with 1900 or more ATK", its field presence ability is quite strong. It should have no problem surviving until the next turn. By then, Yugi can also Tribute it to Summon 【Catapult Turtle】 and shoot Rafael fiercely in the face (literally) to get revenge.

"Then, I activate Spell Card 【Burial from a Different Dimension】. Select up to three banished Monsters from both Players and return them to the Graveyard."

Playing another Card, Yugi took out three Cards from his pocket. "The ones I select are my banished 【Dark Magician】, 【Dark Magician Girl】, and 【Dark Cavalry】. I return them to my Graveyard."

Seeing Yugi send the banished Monsters to the Graveyard, Rafael raised an eyebrow: "Returning the banished 【Dark Cavalry】 to the Graveyard to avoid the Effect of 【Memory of a Good Opponent】? But you've sent your own Monsters to the Graveyard again, Nameless Pharaoh."

"It is precisely because you repeatedly sacrifice your own Monsters that your Card Spirits will leave you."

"HA☆NA☆SE!"

Yugi's anger in his heart hadn't subsided, and being stimulated by Rafael like this made him even more annoyed. He glanced at a Card in his Hand and wanted to play it to counterattack Rafael.

'Wait, The Other Me!'

Yugi Mutou inside the 【Millennium Puzzle】 could empathize with the wrath that Dark Yugi felt at this moment because the Card Spirits had left his side. He looked at the angry Dark Yugi, guessing his plan at this moment. 'Calm down, The Other Me, stay composed!'

'Now is not the time to activate that Card!'

'Aibo'

Although he usually has a good personality, Dark Yugi has never been an easy person to persuade. His personal will is actually very firm and difficult to shake. Once he makes a certain decision to do something, basically no one can change his will.

Even if the person trying to dissuade the angry Dark Yugi at this moment were his everyday friends like Joey Wheeler, Tristan, and Téa, they would probably only get a ruthless "HA☆NA☆SE" from him.

However, only Yugi Mutou is the person outside of "basically". Having a unique status in Dark Yugi's heart, he is the only person who can persuade Dark Yugi. This isn't some low-level lovey-dovey relationship; Yugi Mutou and Dark Yugi can be said to be the most important soul companions in each other's lives.

Although Rafael's actions regarding the Card Spirits of 【Dark Magician】 and 【Dark Magician Girl】 made Dark Yugi unable to bear the anger at this moment, Yugi Mutou's words successfully made him regain some composure.

'I understand, Aibo, thanks to you for helping me calm down.'

'Now is indeed not the time to activate this Card.' Glancing at that crystal Statue on his Field, Yugi took a deep breath and calmed his mood. 'Wait a little bit, 【Dark Magician】, 【Dark Magician Girl】. It won't be too long. Wait and hope.'

Putting the Card he was holding in his right Hand, which he almost inserted into the Duel Disk, back into his left Hand, Yugi took a deep breath and declared: "I Set one Card in my Spell/Trap Zone. My Turn, End."

【Yugi: 2800LP, Hand 2】

【The Dark Magicians】 (Crystal Seal)【ATK 2800】

【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】 (Hilt Strike)【ATK 1400】

【Set Card】

"My Turn," Rafael said, looking at the 【Spirit Swordsman of Tippani】 Summoned onto Yugi's Field. He drew a Card. "Draw!"

Seeing the Field Spell Card he drew, Rafael's eyes slightly narrowed.

He had completed all the preparatory work for the plan he intended to implement from the start of the Duel. So, Nameless Pharaoh, can you resist the darkness in your heart and not sink into it?

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