The reappearing Gladiator Beast Domitianus was clearly far more irritable than when it last appeared. It seemed that being defeated by Burstinatrix earlier had made her unbearably furious.
However, with Gladiator Beast Vespasius no longer on the field, Tamer Editor's power had also weakened accordingly.
[Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor, Attack 2900 → Attack 2400]
"You've got to be kidding… You actually summoned Domitianus again in this situation, and even replenished your hand while destroying Spirit of Neos!" Alicia's small face turned slightly pale as she watched, unable to hold back a trace of fear. "So this is the power of Gladiator Beasts!"
Domitianus' strength had yet to be truly displayed before, but just from watching how Yuui had needed to spend three cards in a row to take her down last time, it was enough to show how seriously Yuui regarded this monster.
As for Spirit of Neos being destroyed—that made Alicia anxious. This card, another form of Neos, was something Yuui created using the magical energy he had accumulated over this period of time, combined with the magic Alicia had accumulated inside the Eye of Wisdom, and with Neos' help, the three forces together recreated this card.
It was a powerful monster that combined survival, searching Spells/Traps, and Special Summoning from the Deck—three abilities in one.
This card was both a test piece Yuui made while practicing card crafting and the trump card they specially created to deal with the threat of the Prince's Faction.
Yet this powerful and meaningful card had been destroyed less than a full turn after it debuted.
This made Alicia even more worried about the outcome of this Duel.
On the other side, Roland inserted one last card into his Duel Disk, then looked calmly at Alicia (Yuui) and said, "I Set one card and end my turn. Now let me see what you and that Spirit can still do. His power shouldn't end here, right?"
Hearing this, Yuui raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Alright then, open your eyes wide and watch! My turn—draw!!"
After drawing, Yuui glanced at the card, then immediately revealed it. "I activate the Spell Card Fusion Deployment. I reveal 1 Fusion Monster in my Extra Deck, then Special Summon from my hand or Deck 1 of the listed Fusion Materials.
I reveal Elemental HERO Grand Neos from my Extra Deck, then Special Summon from my Deck the hero from the cosmic Neo Space—Elemental HERO Neos!"
A beam of light descended from the sky, and the pure white hero appeared in a heroic stance!
[Elemental HERO Neos, Attack 2500]
"So this is Neos!? This aura… he really is something!"
Roland narrowed his eyes at the pure white hero. Even though he was only an ordinary Monster, Roland could still sense an unimaginable, terrifying power from him.
The last time he felt something like this was when he saw the Dark Magician.
Thinking of this, Roland couldn't help furrowing his brows. "There's no way… this Neos can rival the Dark Magician… right? Absolutely impossible!"
"Next, I activate the Spell Card Wrath of Neos!" As Roland was deep in thought, Yuui revealed another card. "I target 1 Elemental HERO Neos I control. That Neos returns to its owner's Deck, and all cards on the field are destroyed.
"Go, Neos—Wrath of Neos!!"
As the effect activated, a force capable of annihilating everything on the field surged from Neos' body.
"What!?"
Hearing the words "destroy all," Roland instantly sobered up. He immediately waved his hand. "I activate my Set card—the Counter Trap Solemn Judgment! By paying half my Life Points, when a Spell/Trap is activated, I negate that activation and destroy it.
"I pay half my Life Points to negate and destroy your Wrath of Neos!!"
[Roland, LP: 4000 → LP: 2000]
As 2000 Life Points were cut away, the phantom of an old man with white hair and beard, draped in white robes and exuding a solemn, divine presence, appeared above Roland.
Upon noticing Neos preparing to unleash his attack, the old man raised his hand, and the overwhelming, destructive power enveloping Neos was instantly dispelled.
Watching this, Alicia felt deeply disappointed. If Wrath of Neos had resolved successfully, Yuui-san would have had a very high chance of winning.
Meanwhile, on the opposite field, a bead of cold sweat slid down Roland's forehead. He couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart.
"To destroy every card on the field with just one Spell… The energy inside that Spirit is actually this strong!"
One could often judge the strength of a monster by its dedicated Spells and Traps. For example, Dark Magician's Dark Magic Attack and Dark Magician Girl's Dark Burning Attack both proved the overwhelming powers they wielded.
However, a full-field wipe with no regard for ally or foe, like Neos' card, while powerful, also revealed a certain issue.
This Spirit's power seemed exceedingly tyrannical.
But Yuui didn't think that far. If he couldn't break Roland's field with a Spell, then he would use a monster effect.
"I Normal Summon Neo-Spacian Grand Mole!"
[Neo-Spacian Grand Mole, Attack 900]
"Ah, this combination!"
Seeing the two monsters on Alicia's (Yuui's) field, Roland immediately thought of the form mentioned in the documents—the one able to return monsters on the field to the hand.
However, that form also had a considerable drawback: it automatically returned to the Extra Deck during the End Phase. Judging from that, it seemed the power of this Neos was not only tyrannical but also quite unstable!
Could such a Spirit truly defeat the Three Sacred Beasts?
…No. Roland knew now wasn't the time for such thoughts.
He had to focus on the Duel. And Alicia (Yuui) clearly intended to summon that form, likely to force him to use Domitianus' effect.
This woman, though a Nameless One with no status whatsoever, somehow knew many monster effects—something he could tell from how she insisted on removing his Domitianus earlier.
And the next moment, Alicia (Yuui) began to act exactly as Roland expected.
Yuui swept his arm. "I return Elemental HERO Neos and Neo-Spacian Grand Mole from my field to the Deck for a Contact Fusion!
A flash that pierces through darkness, the force to stir the cosmos—appear! The indestructible hero, Elemental HERO Grand Neos!!"
Within the shimmering cosmic nebula, clad in heavy steel armor, wielding a massive drill taller than a person, the form representing the power of the earth—Elemental HERO Grand Neos—descended!
[Elemental HERO Grand Neos, Attack 2500]
"Next, I activate Grand Neos' effect. Once per turn, I can target 1 monster on your field and return it to its owner's hand." Yuui pointed forward. "I target your Gladiator Beast Domitianus—return to your Extra Deck! Spiral Breakthrough!!"
"Rrrgh!!"
The drill spun wildly, emitting an ear-piercing hum, the spiraling force enough to pierce space itself swirling around it.
Grand Neos charged at Domitianus, the silver drill aimed straight at her chest.
Seeing this, Roland growled, "If that's what you want, then I'll give it to you! I activate Domitianus' effect! Once per turn, when your monster effect is activated, I negate and destroy that effect—Tyrant's Wrath!!"
"ROOOAAARRR!!!"
Domitianus let out an earth-shaking roar at the approaching Grand Neos. The sound waves materialized into crushing force, shattering the silver drill into fragments and immediately blowing Grand Neos apart.
Seeing this, Alicia showed no worry. Through Yuui's memories, she already knew what he planned to do next.
...
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