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Chapter 636: Strong and Powerful, Indeed!
"I'll take the first turn," Rafael said, drawing a card. He then immediately activated the card he drew. "Activate Continuous Spell Card, **Graceful Charity**! I must discard five cards from my hand to activate this card. I draw two cards from my deck."
Bringing the cards spread out in his hand together, Rafael surprisingly sent all of them to the graveyard, then drew two cards from his deck.
"It cost six cards in total just to exchange for two cards? That card effect is too confusing!" Joey Wheeler, watching the duel between Rafael and Alister, couldn't help but rant.
Rafael glanced at Joey Wheeler and explained, "Are you asking why I didn't use the useful **Pot of Greed**, Katsuya Jounouchi? The answer is, **Graceful Charity** is a Continuous Spell Card. As long as it exists on my field, the number of cards I draw during the Draw Phase of each subsequent turn will become two."
"Although it's a very costly card in the short term, in the long term, it's equivalent to activating a **Pot of Greed** every turn. It seems you intend to stall as much as possible, Rafael." Alister knew the effect of **Graceful Charity** and said calmly, "However, I won't let you have your way."
"Is that so? But as long as I stand here, I won't let you interfere with Lord Dartz's plan. If you want to advance, try to defeat me, Alister." Rafael set both cards in his hand in his Spell/Trap Zone and said, "Then I set two cards from my hand and End Turn."
[Rafael: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
**Graceful Charity** [Set Card] X2
"He End Turn without summoning a monster?" Kaiba looked at Rafael's field and sneered, "Alister, others might not know, but I know your strength very well. Don't tell me you can't handle this level of field setup."
In the current situation, it was undoubtedly the case that Rafael's two set cards in the Spell/Trap Zone definitely included Summon Traps like **Trap Hole** or Attack Traps like **Sakuretsu Armor**, serving as a substitute for monsters as a defense method.
That kind of setup might be very troublesome for most Duelists. After all, if they finally summoned a strong and powerful ace monster with a large amount of resources, only to hit a trap and be defeated instantly, that would be a huge loss. However, Alister's **Meklord** deck was even more difficult to deal with.
Not only do the **Meklord** monsters have the characteristic of continuously summoning more **Meklords** after being destroyed, but cards like **Machina Fortress** can also destroy an opponent's card when destroyed.
Most importantly, the ace monster in Alister's deck, **Meklord Army of Skiel Attack**, has an extremely troublesome effect. During the Battle Phase, it can pay half its Life Points to negate any effect activated by the opponent, and on top of that, it can reduce the opponent's Life Points by half.
The most crucial thing is that besides this effect, **Meklord Army of Skiel Attack** also has the effect that most **Meklord** monsters have when destroyed. Its own ATK is also exactly 100 points higher than **Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon**, as if specifically targeting it.
It was truly annoying to the extreme.
Having dueled Alister several times, Kaiba deeply understood how difficult he was to deal with. However, what surprised him was that upon hearing his words, Alister didn't turn his head back, but merely said with a rather regretful tone, "It's truly a pity, Kaiba Seto. To be honest, I really don't have many good ways to deal with Rafael."
As Alister placed his hand on his deck, preparing to draw a card, Kaiba frowned. Suddenly, he realized something. "You, I remember you said that '**Meklord Army of Skiel Attack** is a card born from the Seal of Orichalcos within your inner darkness', right?"
"Could it be that you..."
Kaiba didn't finish his sentence, instead falling silent, while Alister drew a card.
"My Turn, Draw." After confirming the drawn card and adding it to his hand, Alister glanced at the two mysterious set cards in Rafael's Spell/Trap Zone. "Because of that **Graceful Charity**, dragging out the battle will indeed be very disadvantageous for me. I must strike now while your field defense is weakest, Rafael."
"I Activate Continuous Spell Card **Meklord Factory**. As long as I control a Machine-Type monster with Level 7☆ or higher, my opponent cannot target my Machine-Type monsters with Level 6☆ or lower for attack or effect targets."
"Next, I Normal Summon **Machina Soldier**, and because I control no other monsters besides **Machina Soldier**, I Special Summon **Machina Sniper** from my hand in Attack Position!"
Alister played three cards consecutively. Two lower-Level monsters from the **Meklord** deck instantly appeared on his field, and a defense barrier rose up around their feet.
**Machina Soldier** [ATK 1600]
**Machina Sniper** [ATK 1800]
But he wasn't finished. This level of board presence could be achieved by any Duelist with a bit of fame. Alister's field setup was not yet complete. He revealed a card from his hand.
"I Activate the effect of **Machina Fortress** from my hand! By discarding **Machina Megaform**, a Level 8☆ monster, from my hand to the graveyard, I Special Summon **Machina Fortress** from my hand in Attack Position!"
Discarding one card to the graveyard, Alister's field gained another massive Machine monster.
**Machina Fortress** [ATK 2500]
After a round of operation, Alister summoned a total of three monsters to the field in just one turn. Although his hand was consequently used up down to only one card remaining, what he gained in return was an offensive with a total attack of 5900 points!
If Rafael's Spell/Trap Zone wasn't prepared with defense cards, he would be defeated instantly after taking a round of direct attacks. However, from Rafael's calm expression at this moment, it could be seen that he was very confident in accepting Alister's attack.
"This guy is pretty amazing!" Rex exclaimed in surprise at Alister's field setup. As a Professional Duelist, he had noticed things beyond the appearance of Alister's three monsters on the field. "Although on the surface it just looks like a series of Summons of three monsters,"
"Because of the appearance of Level 7☆ **Machina Fortress**, **Meklord Factory** grants **Machina Soldier** and **Machina Sniper** the ability to not be selected as attack targets or effect targets. This means useful cards like **Magic Cylinder** and **Sakuretsu Armor** are ineffective against them. Furthermore, **Machina Sniper**'s attack-attracting ability also forms a combo to impede the opponent's attacks!"
"Strong and powerful, strong and powerful, indeed!"
"Huh? So there was so much hidden in that guy's field setup?" Listening to Rex's professional commentary, Joey Wheeler couldn't help but scratch the back of his head. "Rex, if you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have noticed any of this. You're both really amazing, Alister and you, Rex."
Alister didn't seem to mind Rex revealing his combo with his professional commentary. Rafael actually knew all of what he said. After all, the two of them had been acting together in Organization Doma for over ten years and knew each other's decks inside and out.
Moreover, Rex also didn't explain a part of it. For example, not only were **Machina Soldier** and **Machina Sniper** granted resistance to being effect targets by **Meklord Factory**, **Machina Fortress** itself also has the effect of checking the opponent's hand and discarding one card when it becomes the target of an opponent's monster effect, as well as the synergy with **Machina Megaform** in the graveyard when it is destroyed.
However, despite setting up so much, Alister actually still didn't have much confidence in whether he could defeat Rafael. Although reluctant, Alister had to admit that Rafael was the strongest among their Doma Trio. Even when he hadn't lost his "Dark Machina" and was fighting Rafael, it was still somewhat difficult, let alone now.
But he had to complete the duel with Rafael. This was something only he, who was also one of the Doma Three Swordsmen, who was a game piece in Lord Dartz's hands just like Rafael, and who had already broken free from the shackles of his inner darkness, could do.
"Enter my Battle Phase! And now I'm attacking, Rafael!" Declaring that he was entering the Battle Phase, Alister pointed his hand towards Rafael, who had no monsters on his field. "First, a direct attack from **Machina Soldier**, Sonic Slash!"
Receiving the attack command, **Machina Soldier** leaped high with the long knife/sword on its right arm, fiercely striking towards the empty field where Rafael stood. Seeing this, Rafael pressed the button to activate a set card.
Although the attack had not yet arrived, Rafael's Life Points were suddenly deducted by a large amount.
[Rafael: 4000 → 1000 LP]
As Rafael's Life Points plummeted, several wisps of white light rose from his body, transforming into a barrier in front of him. The slash swung by **Machina Soldier** was completely blocked by that seemingly thin barrier, without causing the slightest ripple.
"Continuous Trap Card, **Wall of Revealing Light**. You can activate it by paying Life Points in multiples of 1000. Monsters with ATK less than or equal to the paid value cannot attack." Protected by the card effect, Rafael showed no sign of having just paid 3000 Life Points, and said calmly, "I pay 3000 Life Points, causing all monsters on your field with ATK less than 3000 points to be unable to attack."
"Exchanging 3000 Life Points to block the attacks of my monsters? That's a profitable deal." Alister hadn't expected to defeat Rafael with the first turn's attack anyway, and casually set the card in his hand. "End my Battle Phase, then set one card from my hand, and End Turn."
[Alister: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
**Machina Soldier** [ATK 1600]
**Machina Sniper** [ATK 1800]
**Machina Fortress** [ATK 2500]
**Meklord Factory** [Set Card]
The effect of **Wall of Revealing Light** used by Rafael to intercept attacks is continuous as long as that card remains Face-up Position on the field and doesn't target, so even Alister's **Machina Soldier** and **Machina Sniper** couldn't avoid it. And because Rafael generously paid a high 3000 Life Points, even **Machina Fortress** was similarly unable to attack.
Although Rafael's current Life Points have been reduced to only 1000, he cannot be dealt damage again for the time being until Alister summons a monster with ATK over 3000 points.
However, both players were in a similar situation. Alister couldn't attack with monsters under 3000 ATK due to **Wall of Revealing Light**'s effect, while Rafael also couldn't attack Alister due to the combo of **Meklord Factory** and **Machina Sniper**.
But just as Alister announced the end of his turn, Rafael surprisingly pressed the button to activate a set card again. "Before your turn ends, Alister, I activate this card, Continuous Trap Card **Life Absorbing Machine**."
Beside **Wall of Revealing Light**, which protected Rafael from attack damage, another rather eerie device rose up.
Although the card had been activated, its effect seemed not to have met the activation condition. **Life Absorbing Machine** remained on Rafael's field without operating, and Rafael began his turn.
"My Turn. Because of the effect of **Graceful Charity**, I draw two cards from my deck." After his hand size increased to two, Rafael didn't rush to confirm what cards he had drawn, but instead pointed to **Life Absorbing Machine** on his field. "Then, during the Standby Phase, because of the effect of **Life Absorbing Machine**, I recover half of the Life Points I paid last Turn!"
"Nani!?" Under Alister's surprised gaze, **Life Absorbing Machine** began to operate, spitting out a green energy ball towards Rafael that merged into his body!?
"Last Turn, because of the effect of **Wall of Revealing Light**, I paid 3000 Life Points. Therefore, I now recover 1500 Life Points."
[Rafael: 1000 → 2500 LP]
After absorbing the energy, Rafael played another card. "Now that my Life Points have recovered, and I have no other cards in my deck that require paying Life Points to activate, the use of **Life Absorbing Machine** ends here."
"Activate Magic Card **Pot of the Forbidden**. I send the Face-up Position **Life Absorbing Machine** on my field to the graveyard, and draw two cards from my deck."
"Having lost its usefulness, **Life Absorbing Machine** is now no longer needed."
As he spoke, the number of cards in Rafael's hand increased to three. Looking at the cards he had drawn, Rafael raised his head and looked at Alister.
"So, are you ready, Alister? As a traitor of Doma, a betrayer attempting to obstruct Lord Dartz's plan, are you ready to accept my sanction?"
"Activate Magic Card, **Dark Hole**!"
"I'll take the first turn," Rafael said, drawing a card. He then immediately activated the card he drew. "Activate Continuous Spell Card, **Graceful Charity**! I must discard five cards from my hand to activate this card. I draw two cards from my deck."
Bringing the cards spread out in his hand together, Rafael surprisingly sent all of them to the graveyard, then drew two cards from his deck.
"It cost six cards in total just to exchange for two cards? That card effect is too confusing!" Joey Wheeler, watching the duel between Rafael and Alister, couldn't help but rant.
Rafael glanced at Joey Wheeler and explained, "Are you asking why I didn't use the useful **Pot of Greed**, Katsuya Jounouchi? The answer is, **Graceful Charity** is a Continuous Spell Card. As long as it exists on my field, the number of cards I draw during the Draw Phase of each subsequent turn will become two."
"Although it's a very costly card in the short term, in the long term, it's equivalent to activating a **Pot of Greed** every turn. It seems you intend to stall as much as possible, Rafael." Alister knew the effect of **Graceful Charity** and said calmly, "However, I won't let you have your way."
"Is that so? But as long as I stand here, I won't let you interfere with Lord Dartz's plan. If you want to advance, try to defeat me, Alister." Rafael set both cards in his hand in his Spell/Trap Zone and said, "Then I set two cards from my hand and End Turn."
[Rafael: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
**Graceful Charity** [Set Card] X2
"He End Turn without summoning a monster?" Kaiba looked at Rafael's field and sneered, "Alister, others might not know, but I know your strength very well. Don't tell me you can't handle this level of field setup."
In the current situation, it was undoubtedly the case that Rafael's two set cards in the Spell/Trap Zone definitely included Summon Traps like **Trap Hole** or Attack Traps like **Sakuretsu Armor**, serving as a substitute for monsters as a defense method.
That kind of setup might be very troublesome for most Duelists. After all, if they finally summoned a strong and powerful ace monster with a large amount of resources, only to hit a trap and be defeated instantly, that would be a huge loss. However, Alister's **Meklord** deck was even more difficult to deal with.
Not only do the **Meklord** monsters have the characteristic of continuously summoning more **Meklords** after being destroyed, but cards like **Machina Fortress** can also destroy an opponent's card when destroyed.
Most importantly, the ace monster in Alister's deck, **Meklord Army of Skiel Attack**, has an extremely troublesome effect. During the Battle Phase, it can pay half its Life Points to negate any effect activated by the opponent, and on top of that, it can reduce the opponent's Life Points by half.
The most crucial thing is that besides this effect, **Meklord Army of Skiel Attack** also has the effect that most **Meklord** monsters have when destroyed. Its own ATK is also exactly 100 points higher than **Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon**, as if specifically targeting it.
It was truly annoying to the extreme.
Having dueled Alister several times, Kaiba deeply understood how difficult he was to deal with. However, what surprised him was that upon hearing his words, Alister didn't turn his head back, but merely said with a rather regretful tone, "It's truly a pity, Kaiba Seto. To be honest, I really don't have many good ways to deal with Rafael."
As Alister placed his hand on his deck, preparing to draw a card, Kaiba frowned. Suddenly, he realized something. "You, I remember you said that '**Meklord Army of Skiel Attack** is a card born from the Seal of Orichalcos within your inner darkness', right?"
"Could it be that you..."
Kaiba didn't finish his sentence, instead falling silent, while Alister drew a card.
"My Turn, Draw." After confirming the drawn card and adding it to his hand, Alister glanced at the two mysterious set cards in Rafael's Spell/Trap Zone. "Because of that **Graceful Charity**, dragging out the battle will indeed be very disadvantageous for me. I must strike now while your field defense is weakest, Rafael."
"I Activate Continuous Spell Card **Meklord Factory**. As long as I control a Machine-Type monster with Level 7☆ or higher, my opponent cannot target my Machine-Type monsters with Level 6☆ or lower for attack or effect targets."
"Next, I Normal Summon **Machina Soldier**, and because I control no other monsters besides **Machina Soldier**, I Special Summon **Machina Sniper** from my hand in Attack Position!"
Alister played three cards consecutively. Two lower-Level monsters from the **Meklord** deck instantly appeared on his field, and a defense barrier rose up around their feet.
**Machina Soldier** [ATK 1600]
**Machina Sniper** [ATK 1800]
But he wasn't finished. This level of board presence could be achieved by any Duelist with a bit of fame. Alister's field setup was not yet complete. He revealed a card from his hand.
"I Activate the effect of **Machina Fortress** from my hand! By discarding **Machina Megaform**, a Level 8☆ monster, from my hand to the graveyard, I Special Summon **Machina Fortress** from my hand in Attack Position!"
Discarding one card to the graveyard, Alister's field gained another massive Machine monster.
**Machina Fortress** [ATK 2500]
After a round of operation, Alister summoned a total of three monsters to the field in just one turn. Although his hand was consequently used up down to only one card remaining, what he gained in return was an offensive with a total attack of 5900 points!
If Rafael's Spell/Trap Zone wasn't prepared with defense cards, he would be defeated instantly after taking a round of direct attacks. However, from Rafael's calm expression at this moment, it could be seen that he was very confident in accepting Alister's attack.
"This guy is pretty amazing!" Rex exclaimed in surprise at Alister's field setup. As a Professional Duelist, he had noticed things beyond the appearance of Alister's three monsters on the field. "Although on the surface it just looks like a series of Summons of three monsters,"
"Because of the appearance of Level 7☆ **Machina Fortress**, **Meklord Factory** grants **Machina Soldier** and **Machina Sniper** the ability to not be selected as attack targets or effect targets. This means useful cards like **Magic Cylinder** and **Sakuretsu Armor** are ineffective against them. Furthermore, **Machina Sniper**'s attack-attracting ability also forms a combo to impede the opponent's attacks!"
"Strong and powerful, strong and powerful, indeed!"
"Huh? So there was so much hidden in that guy's field setup?" Listening to Rex's professional commentary, Joey Wheeler couldn't help but scratch the back of his head. "Rex, if you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have noticed any of this. You're both really amazing, Alister and you, Rex."
Alister didn't seem to mind Rex revealing his combo with his professional commentary. Rafael actually knew all of what he said. After all, the two of them had been acting together in Organization Doma for over ten years and knew each other's decks inside and out.
Moreover, Rex also didn't explain a part of it. For example, not only were **Machina Soldier** and **Machina Sniper** granted resistance to being effect targets by **Meklord Factory**, **Machina Fortress** itself also has the effect of checking the opponent's hand and discarding one card when it becomes the target of an opponent's monster effect, as well as the synergy with **Machina Megaform** in the graveyard when it is destroyed.
However, despite setting up so much, Alister actually still didn't have much confidence in whether he could defeat Rafael. Although reluctant, Alister had to admit that Rafael was the strongest among their Doma Trio. Even when he hadn't lost his "Dark Machina" and was fighting Rafael, it was still somewhat difficult, let alone now.
But he had to complete the duel with Rafael. This was something only he, who was also one of the Doma Three Swordsmen, who was a game piece in Lord Dartz's hands just like Rafael, and who had already broken free from the shackles of his inner darkness, could do.
"Enter my Battle Phase! And now I'm attacking, Rafael!" Declaring that he was entering the Battle Phase, Alister pointed his hand towards Rafael, who had no monsters on his field. "First, a direct attack from **Machina Soldier**, Sonic Slash!"
Receiving the attack command, **Machina Soldier** leaped high with the long knife/sword on its right arm, fiercely striking towards the empty field where Rafael stood. Seeing this, Rafael pressed the button to activate a set card.
Although the attack had not yet arrived, Rafael's Life Points were suddenly deducted by a large amount.
[Rafael: 4000 → 1000 LP]
As Rafael's Life Points plummeted, several wisps of white light rose from his body, transforming into a barrier in front of him. The slash swung by **Machina Soldier** was completely blocked by that seemingly thin barrier, without causing the slightest ripple.
"Continuous Trap Card, **Wall of Revealing Light**. You can activate it by paying Life Points in multiples of 1000. Monsters with ATK less than or equal to the paid value cannot attack." Protected by the card effect, Rafael showed no sign of having just paid 3000 Life Points, and said calmly, "I pay 3000 Life Points, causing all monsters on your field with ATK less than 3000 points to be unable to attack."
"Exchanging 3000 Life Points to block the attacks of my monsters? That's a profitable deal." Alister hadn't expected to defeat Rafael with the first turn's attack anyway, and casually set the card in his hand. "End my Battle Phase, then set one card from my hand, and End Turn."
[Alister: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
**Machina Soldier** [ATK 1600]
**Machina Sniper** [ATK 1800]
**Machina Fortress** [ATK 2500]
**Meklord Factory** [Set Card]
The effect of **Wall of Revealing Light** used by Rafael to intercept attacks is continuous as long as that card remains Face-up Position on the field and doesn't target, so even Alister's **Machina Soldier** and **Machina Sniper** couldn't avoid it. And because Rafael generously paid a high 3000 Life Points, even **Machina Fortress** was similarly unable to attack.
Although Rafael's current Life Points have been reduced to only 1000, he cannot be dealt damage again for the time being until Alister summons a monster with ATK over 3000 points.
However, both players were in a similar situation. Alister couldn't attack with monsters under 3000 ATK due to **Wall of Revealing Light**'s effect, while Rafael also couldn't attack Alister due to the combo of **Meklord Factory** and **Machina Sniper**.
But just as Alister announced the end of his turn, Rafael surprisingly pressed the button to activate a set card again. "Before your turn ends, Alister, I activate this card, Continuous Trap Card **Life Absorbing Machine**."
Beside **Wall of Revealing Light**, which protected Rafael from attack damage, another rather eerie device rose up.
Although the card had been activated, its effect seemed not to have met the activation condition. **Life Absorbing Machine** remained on Rafael's field without operating, and Rafael began his turn.
"My Turn. Because of the effect of **Graceful Charity**, I draw two cards from my deck." After his hand size increased to two, Rafael didn't rush to confirm what cards he had drawn, but instead pointed to **Life Absorbing Machine** on his field. "Then, during the Standby Phase, because of the effect of **Life Absorbing Machine**, I recover half of the Life Points I paid last Turn!"
"Nani!?" Under Alister's surprised gaze, **Life Absorbing Machine** began to operate, spitting out a green energy ball towards Rafael that merged into his body!?
"Last Turn, because of the effect of **Wall of Revealing Light**, I paid 3000 Life Points. Therefore, I now recover 1500 Life Points."
[Rafael: 1000 → 2500 LP]
After absorbing the energy, Rafael played another card. "Now that my Life Points have recovered, and I have no other cards in my deck that require paying Life Points to activate, the use of **Life Absorbing Machine** ends here."
"Activate Magic Card **Pot of the Forbidden**. I send the Face-up Position **Life Absorbing Machine** on my field to the graveyard, and draw two cards from my deck."
"Having lost its usefulness, **Life Absorbing Machine** is now no longer needed."
As he spoke, the number of cards in Rafael's hand increased to three. Looking at the cards he had drawn, Rafael raised his head and looked at Alister.
"So, are you ready, Alister? As a traitor of Doma, a betrayer attempting to obstruct Lord Dartz's plan, are you ready to accept my sanction?"
"Activate Magic Card, **Dark Hole**!"
