298

"Hmph, that Card." Seeing Necrovalley played, Marik seemed quite displeased. "It's the symbol of the Tomb Keepers, the Pharaoh's Graveyard where even the Three Egyptian God Cards cannot be Revived once they enter it. It's truly fortunate it wasn't used against me."

Marik recalled his childhood memories. Back then, due to the Tomb Keepers' traditional customs, the clan members could only stay within the Tribal Land and were forbidden from going outside. When Marik, Ishizu Ishtar, and Rishid, who were of similar age, had free time, they could only pass the time with Duel Monster Cards, one of the few outside things that made their way into the Tomb Keepers. After all, while the Tomb Keepers were conservative, they weren't primitive people living three thousand years ago.

Based on their respective interests, the three of them built different Decks. Marik's early impression of Duel Monsters in his childhood was of endless Traps, and being repeatedly beaten down by Present Underworld and Gravekeeper's.

After activating Necrovalley on the Field, Ishizu Ishtar then activated a Spell Card: "Although Traps and low-Level Monster Effects are ineffective against Gods, Spell Cards are still effective for one Turn. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, Book of Eclipse, changing all Face-up Position Monsters on the Field to Face-Down Defense Position."

Ishizu Ishtar certainly had some tricks up her sleeve. Although Hayato had both the powerful The Winged Dragon of Ra and Ojama King with its Monster Zone Negate Effect on his Field, the weaknesses of the two Monsters were surprisingly similar—

The Winged Dragon of Ra's change in original ATK came from the Effect activated during its Tribute Summon. If it was Flipped back Face-Down, The Winged Dragon of Ra's ATK/DEF would directly drop to 0. As for Ojama King's Monster Zone Negate Effect, it was only applicable when it was in Face-up Position. If it was Flipped Face-Down, its Effect would immediately become ineffective.

"Don't think it's that simple, Ishizu Ishtar. I Chain to your Book of Eclipse and flip up my Set Card in the Backrow!" Hayato activated one of his two Set Cards. "The Quick-Play Spell Card Forbidden Lance! It decreases The Winged Dragon of Ra's ATK by 800 points until the End Turn, and it will not be affected by Spell/Trap Card Effects!"

A book with a dark solar eclipse symbol appeared on Ishizu Ishtar's Field. The light of the solar eclipse, symbolizing the sun's fall, bloomed from the book. Ojama King was affected by its Effect immediately and sealed back into a Card. However, when the light reached The Winged Dragon of Ra, it was blocked by a divine spear that suddenly appeared in front of it.

Although the sacred long spear saved The Winged Dragon of Ra from being Flipped, its power indiscriminately suppressed a part of The Winged Dragon of Ra's own power, causing its ATK to decrease.

[The Winged Dragon of Ra][ATK4800→4000]

Book of Eclipse didn't Take Effect, but Ishizu Ishtar wasn't disappointed. Instead, she showed an expression as if everything was going according to plan. "Just as I expected, Hayato-kun. You lowered its ATK to protect Ra. In that case—"

Saying this, Ishizu Ishtar drew a Card and Summoned it to the Field.

"Besides possessing the ability to purify the Graveyard, Necrovalley is also home to the Gravekeeper's who have guarded it for generations. I Normal Summon Gravekeeper's Spiritualist. Then, because of Necrovalley's Effect, Gravekeeper's Monsters' ATK/DEF will increase by 500 points."

On Ishizu Ishtar's Field, a female figure wearing a dark Bastet mask, holding a black version of the Millennium Eye and a golden Staff, elegantly appeared.

[Gravekeeper's Spiritualist][Level 4/DARK]

[Spellcaster Type/Effect]

[1500/1500→2000/2000]

"Its ATK and DEF have been boosted to a pretty good level, but it still can't compare to my The Winged Dragon of Ra."

Ishizu Ishtar heard Hayato's words and smiled, saying, "After all, Ra is the highest-ranking among the Three Egyptian God Cards. Naturally, Gravekeeper's Spiritualist alone cannot defeat it. However, the Gravekeeper's Monsters never act alone."

Reminded by Ishizu Ishtar, Hayato immediately understood what Ishizu Ishtar was planning. If he remembered correctly, Gravekeeper's Spiritualist's Effect seemed to be...

"I activate Gravekeeper's Spiritualist's effect," as if they had a telepathic connection, just as Hayato noticed the combo Ishizu Ishtar was about to use, she began to implement it. "If Necrovalley is on the Field, I can send monsters from my hand or field, including this card, as fusion material to the graveyard, and fusion summon a spellcaster-type fusion monster!"

"I send Gravekeeper's Summoner from my hand and Gravekeeper's Spiritualist from my field as fusion material to the graveyard, and fusion summon, Gravekeeper's Visionary!"

Gravekeeper's Spiritualist raised the golden rod in her hand and began to chant. Gravekeeper's Summoner, which had been added to Ishizu Ishtar's hand earlier by the effect of Painful Choice, also appeared on the field. Then, under the dual chant, both monsters dissipated into particles, and a dual magic circle was constructed on the field.

Using the two monsters entering the graveyard as power, the magic circle began to operate. A strong man with white hair holding a long staff appeared, his face showing a determined expression. Behind him, the phantoms of Gravekeeper's Spiritualist and Gravekeeper's Summoner emerged.

[Gravekeeper's Visionary][Level 7/DARK]

[Spellcaster Type/Fusion/Effect]

[2000/2000]

"Gravekeeper's Visionary possesses the effect to inherit the power of the Gravekeeper's monsters used as its fusion material. Its ATK and DEF will increase by a value equal to the combined original levels of the fusion materials x 100 points," Ishizu Ishtar explained. "Additionally, Necrovalley's effect is still active, so Gravekeeper's Visionary's ATK/DEF will increase by another 500 points!"

[Gravekeeper's Visionary][2000/2000→2800/2800→3300/3300]

"ATK 3300?!" Joey Wheeler looked at Gravekeeper's Visionary in surprise.

In his previous Duel, he had unexpectedly Fusion Summoned Archfiend Black Skull Dragon with 3200 ATK and a powerful Effect, thinking that besides the God Cards, only Kaiba's Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon could surpass it. But in his very next Duel, Ishizu Ishtar had Summoned a Monster with exactly 100 more ATK than Archfiend Black Skull Dragon.

"It's not over yet. I Set Card one Card from my Hand, and then I activate the Equip Spell Card United We Stand from my Hand, equipping it to Gravekeeper's Visionary!" Ishizu Ishtar played her last two Cards. "A Monster equipped with United We Stand has its ATK/DEF increased by the Number of Monsters on my Field x 800 points!"

[Gravekeeper's Visionary][3300/3300→4100/4100]

"You successfully increased its ATK to a level that surpasses a God," Hayato looked at Ishizu Ishtar. "So next, you'll Attack the God, right? You're really showing no mercy."

"After all, if one doesn't give their Full Power, it's difficult for a mortal to surpass a God."

Ishizu Ishtar raised her Hand and commanded: "Enter my Battle Phase. Gravekeeper's Visionary, bury the Sun God Ra! Underworld Pull!"

Raising the Staff in its hand, Gravekeeper's Visionary, taking advantage of The Winged Dragon of Ra's ATK Decrease due to Forbidden Lance's Effect, Summoned a seal to suppress and seal it, sending it to the Graveyard.

[Hayato: 4000→3900LP]

Normally, Hayato should have been happy that The Winged Dragon of Ra was Send to Graveyard, because the famous The Winged Dragon of Ra researcher, Mr. Marik, once said, "Ra in the Graveyard is its strongest state." However, the presence of Necrovalley perfectly countered Ra's Effect.

A God that could unleash its strongest Effect after being Revived from the Graveyard was now essentially ruled out of the Duel indefinitely, with the Graveyard sealed.

"My Main Phase 2. I Activate Gravekeeper's Visionary's Effect. During the End Phase of this Turn, I can add one Gravekeeper's Monster or Necrovalley from my Deck to my Hand. After that, I End Turn." Ishizu Ishtar said. "Because of Book of Eclipse's Effect, Monsters that were changed to Face-Down Defense Position will be Flipped back to Face-Up Defense Position, and the opponent Duelist draws Cards equal to the Number of Monsters that were changed to Face-Down Defense Position."

As Ojama King returned to Face-Up Defense Position, its Effect became applicable again, and three Zones on Ishizu Ishtar's Field were once again occupied and unusable for Summoning Monsters. At the same time, Hayato also drew a Card, bringing his Hand count back up to five.

Simultaneously, Ishizu Ishtar also Activated Gravekeeper's Visionary's Effect, adding a Gravekeeper's Monster from her Deck to her Hand.

[Ishizu Ishtar: 4000LP, Hand 1]

[Gravekeeper's Visionary (United We Stand)][ATK4100]

[Set Card]

Field: [Necrovalley]

"Honestly, this is troublesome," Hayato rubbed his temples with a slight headache.

Previously, Hayato had anticipated that Ishizu Ishtar would use a Present Underworld Deck. For this, he had specifically Set Card a Red Reboot that he had painstakingly obtained from the System Shop, precisely to prevent Ishizu Ishtar from activating Present Underworld. But who would have thought that she would switch to using Gravekeeper's?

Even if she used Gravekeeper's, Hayato thought that none of the Gravekeeper's family, old or young, focused on high ATK. His Ojama King with 3000 DEF and The Winged Dragon of Ra with 4800 ATK on the Field should be able to stay on the Field for a few Turns. But Ishizu Ishtar countered with a Gravekeeper's Visionary with 4100 ATK and Destroyed by Battle The Winged Dragon of Ra in one Turn.

Indeed, he shouldn't have gotten hot-blooded and Summoned the God earlier.

"My Turn, Drawing Cards." Despite his helplessness, Hayato began his Turn, Drawing Cards from his Deck. Last Turn's Nightmare's Steelcage, Ishizu Ishtar's Book of Eclipse, plus this Turn's Drawing Cards, brought Hayato's Hand count back up to a full 6 Cards.

However, because Nightmare's Steelcage would Activate its Effect during the Standby Phase and require Hayato to Discard four Cards from his Hand, Hayato Activated a Card from his Hand: "Before entering the Standby Phase, the Quick-Play Spell Card Emergency Provisions Activates! I Send to Graveyard Nightmare's Steelcage and Recover my Life Points by 1000 points!"

[Hayato: 3900→4900LP]

"Although Ojama King's DEF is as high as 3000 points, it's still far inferior to Gravekeeper's Visionary on your Field. In that case, I activate Star-Calling Heavenly Instrument to return to deck the level 6 Ojama King on the field, and I draw two cards."

With the disappearance of Ojama King, the paper figures of the three Ojama Monsters that occupied Ishizu Ishtar's Monster Zones also disappeared. After Hayato drew two Cards from his Deck, he smiled: "Although 4100 ATK looks quite exaggerated, I have already gathered the Puzzle pieces in my Hand to defeat him!"

"I activate the effect of Gaia the Magical Knight from my hand! If I have no monsters on my field, or if you have a monster with 2300 or more ATK on your field, he can be normal summoned from my hand without tribute! And when he is summoned or special summoned, I special summon Curse of Dragonfire, a level 5 monster, from my hand!"

"Then, because it was special summoned, Curse of Dragonfire's effect activates! It can target one field spell card on the field and destroy it!"

[Gaia the Magical Knight][Level 7/LIGHT Attribute]

[Warrior-Type/Effect]

[2300/2100]

[Curse of Dragonfire][Level 5/DARK]

[Dragon-Type/Effect]

[2000/1500]

The familiar combo appeared on Hayato's field. Despite its new appearance, it followed the usual pattern. Gaia the Magical Knight, who was supposedly "Magical Knight" but was a LIGHT Attribute Monster, commanded Curse of Dragonfire. As soon as it appeared on the field, Curse of Dragonfire spat out a stream of Hellfire from its mouth, incinerating the valley. Necrovalley instantly turned into a sea of fire.

However, at the same time, Gravekeeper's Visionary waved the long Staff in its hand, injecting golden Energy into the valley beneath its feet, activating the mysterious power of Necrovalley itself. The Hellfire spat out by Curse of Dragonfire gradually extinguished, revealing Necrovalley unharmed.

"Because of Gravekeeper's Visionary's Effect, as long as Necrovalley is on the Field, this Card and the Card in my Field Zone cannot be Destroyed by Effect."

Hearing Ishizu Ishtar's words, Hayato shrugged. "I knew it wouldn't be that simple. In that case, I activate Curse of Dragonfire's second effect."

"I send to graveyard the fusion materials on my field, including this card, determined for a fusion monster, and fusion summon a monster!" Hayato shouted, raising his arm. "Bringing both force and magic power under control, only this can be called sound. Come forth, Gaia the Dragon Champion!!!"

[Gaia the Dragon Champion][Level 7/Wind]

[Dragon-Type/Fusion/Effect]

[2600/2100]

After summoning Gaia the Dragon Champion, Hayato showed a Confidence smile. "With this, the equation to defeat Gravekeeper's Visionary is successfully completed. Enter my Battle Phase. I Attack Gravekeeper's Visionary with Gaia the Dragon Champion!"

"Go, Gaia! Perfect Cavalry Spin!"

On Hayato's field, Gaia the Dragon Champion, riding on Curse of Dragonfire, received Hayato's command. After just one glance at Gravekeeper's Visionary, whose ATK far exceeded his own, he drove the yellow Flying Dragon into a charge without hesitation.

"Attacking a monster with 2600 ATK with a monster with 4100 ATK? What is Hayato trying to do?" Joey Wheeler was completely bewildered.

Even Yugi Mutou was somewhat confused. "Does that Gaia the Dragon Champion have an effect similar to D.D. Warrior Lady that allows it to be destroyed along with the opponent's monster?"

Ishizu Ishtar also guessed this, as Hayato's action at this moment clearly indicated he was attempting the impossible. It couldn't be that Gaia the Dragon Champion's ATK would suddenly increase during the battle, could it?

"I activate my set card Wall of Disruption! This card can only be activated when the opponent's monster declares an attack. The ATK of all attack position monsters on the opponent's field decreases by the number of monsters on the opponent's field x 800 points!"

Ishizu Ishtar's backrow set card flipped up, and an invisible wall of air blocked the space between Ishizu Ishtar and Hayato's fields. As Gaia the Dragon Champion charged, its ATK decreased as it passed through the wall of air.

[Gaia the Dragon Champion][ATK2600→1800]

Seeing the two monsters, with the ATK gap widening further, about to clash, Hayato calmly played a card: "So that's your set card, Ishizu Ishtar. Then I'm truly lucky. I activate the quick-play spell card Forbidden Apocrypha!"

"This card can only be activated during the damage calculation step of both players' monsters' battle. Until the end of the damage step, all card effects on the field except for Forbidden Apocrypha are negated, and the damage calculation for this battle is performed using both players' monsters' original ATK/DEF!"

"What!" Hearing Hayato's explanation, Ishizu Ishtar was also startled, looking at the charging Gaia the Dragon Champion and Gravekeeper's Visionary on her field.

As a sacred book on Hayato's backrow opened, Gravekeeper's Visionary's protection from Necrovalley, the boost from the two fusion material monsters, and the increase from the equip card United We Stand were all stripped away.

[Gravekeeper's Visionary][ATK4100→2000]

"Powerful magic power, foreknowledge of the future. The existence of these external forces can help us go further to a certain extent, but in the most important moments, what we can ultimately rely on is our own power!"

Hayato shouted: "With this one strike, bury Gravekeeper's Visionary, Gaia!"

Riding the Flying Dragon and thrusting his weapon in a spiral motion, the clash between Gaia the Dragon Champion and Gravekeeper's Visionary lasted only an instant. The Dragon Knight returned to Hayato's field, while Gravekeeper's Visionary was send to graveyard to rest in Ishizu Ishtar's graveyard.

[Ishizu Ishtar: 4000→3400LP]

"Because Gaia the Dragon Champion destroyed by battle a monster, its effect applies, increasing its ATK by 2600 points." Looking at Gaia the Dragon Champion, Hayato Set two Cards. "Set two Cards, I End Turn."

[Hayato: 4900LP, Hand 1]

[Gaia the Dragon Champion][ATK2600→5200]

[Set Card]X3

"My Turn, Drawing Cards." It was Ishizu Ishtar's Turn again. She calmly drew a Card, smiled, and played a Card. "I Summon Gravekeeper's Priestess."

Gravekeeper's Priestess, with her hair wrapped in a braided headscarf and holding a jackal-headed Staff, appeared on Ishizu Ishtar's Field. Compared to the other Gravekeeper's Monsters Hayato had seen before, Gravekeeper's Priestess seemed to be the youngest, especially when compared to a very mature-looking Monster like Gravekeeper's Cannonholder. The difference was like a generation gap.

[Gravekeeper's Priestess][Level 4/DARK]

[Spellcaster Type/Effect]

[500/1500→1000/2000]

However, Hayato would not underestimate Gravekeeper's Priestess because of this. As soon as she appeared on the Field, her mouth began to mutter, seemingly chanting some spell in ancient Egyptian.

Fortunately, Hayato didn't understand ancient Egyptian well, so he felt that what Gravekeeper's Priestess was muttering was somewhat profound and mysterious. But to Ishizu Ishtar, Gravekeeper's Priestess was actually muttering—

"Oh dear, why am I called out again? Can't you youngsters handle things yourselves? Why do you always need us old folks to step in?"

"Oh, oh, oh, is this the technology of the present world? It's amazing! I thought I had materialized."

"Hey, Ishizu Ishtar, you're looking better and better lately. Have you found a boyfriend? Bought a house? When are you planning to have children?"

Getting a bit annoyed by the muttering, Ishizu Ishtar quickly interrupted Gravekeeper's Priestess and said with a slight blush: "Activate! Activate Gravekeeper's Priestess's Effect! When she is Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned, I can Target one Gravekeeper's Monster in the Graveyard and Special Summon it in Face-Up Attack Position or Face-Down Defense Position."

"Sigh, Ishizu Ishtar is annoyed with me. I'm so sad." While saying this, Gravekeeper's Priestess did become a bit serious and began to truly chant a spell in ancient Egyptian. Beside Gravekeeper's Priestess, a Magic Circle connecting to the Underworld appeared.

"Huh, Special Summon from the Graveyard?"

In the stands, Joey Wheeler, who had just understood the meaning of Necrovalley's Effect from Yugi Mutou's explanation, was quite confused. "Didn't you say that when Necrovalley is present, Effects that involve Cards in the Graveyard are Negated? Why can Gravekeeper's Priestess's Effect be used?"

"Hmph, you fool. Necrovalley was originally built by us Tomb Keepers. Even I, who was still alive at the time, contributed to it. Would I be affected by Necrovalley's Effect?" Gravekeeper's Priestess said in ancient Egyptian, which only Ishizu Ishtar and Marik could understand.

Ishizu Ishtar explained: "Necrovalley although possesses a Graveyard purification Effect that applies to Both players simultaneously, the Gravekeeper's who have guarded this place for years have certain privileges. Gravekeeper's Priestess's Effect is not affected by Necrovalley's Effect."

The Magic Circle leading to the Underworld was completed, and Gravekeeper's Spiritualist, who had been Send to Graveyard by Ishizu Ishtar to Summon Gravekeeper's Visionary, reappeared.

[Gravekeeper's Spiritualist][1500/1500→2000/2000]

Today's update was a little late

The main reason is that I forgot to set up automatic updates after I finished typing

(End of this chapter)