Truly experiencing the sensation of a Duel, Tierra finally gained a brand new understanding of what Duels meant all along.
What is called a "Duel" is not simply a battle.
Rather, it is a process of completing each other's ideas and capabilities.
Just like Tenjo Hikari using Polymerization, it's not just because he likes it, but because it's his Alchemy, his Fusion.
"God?" Nephilim felt something was wrong all over its body.
No wonder the guy opposite kept talking about "God's false form" and the like.
But—
Speaking of "God," that would be too incredible.
"To call yourself a God is too arrogant. At least... there should be evidence." Even Nephilim, with its mechanical mind, experienced emotional fluctuations, although its instincts and soul warned it, as a warrior, it still insisted, "Moreover... your performance in the current situation is quite poor, not worthy of being called a God at all."
Nephilim was well aware.
Its effect is to destroy monsters without battling with Special Summoned monsters.
While Midrash's ability blocks the Special Summon on the field.
The Infernoid clearly relies on Special Summons; a single Monster isn't very threatening, and with Midrash present, the field is practically invincible and very solid.
"Fine then, let me show you the birth of [Shaddoll]."
"When I awaken, I need an agent to speak for me, so—Spell Card, Monster Reincarnation." She lightly pointed forward, and a Card automatically flew out from her Hand Card, "Find a suitable target, use something else to substitute its death, and resurrect it as my Divine Envoy.
Discard Cyber Dragon from the hand, retrieve Antra from the Graveyard back to the Hand Card."
In Tierra's Deck, there are only 4 Infernoids— of course, she could put 12 Infernoids, and although new Infernoids might be hard to get, she has the ability to replicate these components already manufactured by Tenjo Hikari.
She just doesn't like doing that.
Her ideology doesn't support her in constructing multiple versions of herself, seeing multiple bodies moving around wildly.
Besides, she is absolutely confident she will draw the Infernoid she needs.
She can't be sure of her plays, but her draws are definitely spot on.
However—if she wants to create a Deck of 40 cards this way, it surely won't work.
So, Tierra settles for the second-best option.
She loaded her Deck with various Machine-Type cards, and in necessary moments, she can also play Machine-Type Fusion.
Tenjo Hikari's cards, those hard-to-fit cards in a super-thick Deck, were used by Tierra to form her temporary Deck.
Which is Infernoid + Machine-Type, including Cyber Dragon, Ancient Gear, and the Labyrinth Tank favored by Tenjo Hikari.
But.
In this first formal Duel, none of these cards have been used until now; almost all of the cards she chose are her own.
"Banish Ashtaroth, Special Summon, Antra."
Infernoid Antra, LV 2, Fire Attribute, Fiend-Type, DEF 2000.
"That Monster..." Seeing the Monster appear again, Nephilim frowned tightly.
"When life is untimely, I will exert my Authority and send it where it should belong—be it among the living, or the dead.
Antra's effect, once per turn, returns 1 face-up card on the opponent's field to the Hand Card. Winda, return to the waiting room."
Antra manipulated blue flames, appearing beside Midrash, sealing it with blue fire.
"Ugh..." The locking-type Monster that was summoned with difficulty was returned to the Extra Deck in an instant, making Nephilim feel a headache.
But now.
It could be reassured.
Because it probably would be fine...
"Banish Ashtaroth. Harmadik, it's your turn to appear."
Harmadik, the Lord Chancellor of Hell, a demon governing wealth, its unique triangle symbolizing its identity.
Infernoid Harmadik, LV 3, Fire Attribute, Fiend-Type, ATK 1600.
Harmadik, ATK: 1600→1800.
"Harmadik can destroy 1 Monster on the field once per turn. As cost, it cannot attack. Nephilim, the sin of disobedience will be punished."
Boom—
Unlucky Nephilim was wiped out once again.
And it was the "sin of disobedience" again.
"Ugh, such a strong effect... However, when sent to the Graveyard, I can retrieve a Shaddoll Spell Card from the Graveyard, I'll add Nephe Shaddoll Fusion to the Hand Card."
Tierra didn't mind.
She just crossed her arms, coughed, and said, "Power of Void, add the banished Satan to the Hand Card."
The Card automatically flew out and floated in front of Tierra.
"Uh..."
Nephilim vaguely sensed the seriousness of a certain issue.
"Turn ends."
Nephilim's turn, it drew a card, looked at its hand, and couldn't help frowning.
"...Flip Summon, Falcon. Activate its effect, Special Summon Nephilim from the Graveyard in Face-down Position..."
"Harmadik's effect, release it, and banish your Graveyard's Nephilim." When Tierra activated this effect, she slowly raised her hand, and icy blue flames enveloped the entire surrounding, "Reincarnation is my duty, my Authority!
I will not allow anyone to snatch my authorities from me!"
This was the truth.
The core conflict between Tierra and Sofia, the two Goddesses of Rebirth, is their different views on life and reincarnation.
Nephilim then realized the crux of the problem.
It was completely countered!
No—
Was it... controlled by her?
It looked at its Hand Card.
Now what should it do?
"...End turn."
It thought for a moment and felt there was no need to be particularly afraid.
Because at most, the opponent could have only two Infernoid Monsters each turn on the field, so it could wait a bit and find another way.
But—
Tierra wasn't going to give it that chance.
"Hmm. Pot of Greed." Tierra selected a card in front of her.
Two cards flew out from the Deck, floating in front of her.
And after Tierra finished drawing the cards, she looked at her cards and couldn't help but slightly curl the corners of her mouth.
Retrieve banished area, banish the monsters in the Graveyard.
Then repeat the operation to return Falcon to the Hand Card, making it unqualified to be even a wall.
"You're thinking that enduring the attack from Harmadik or Ashtaroth this turn is not catastrophic, since their ATK is only 1600, 1800, you still have a chance, right?"
"Huh?" Nephilim softly questioned.
"But... ha... Spell Card, Polymerization." Tierra actually activated a card completely different in style from before.
She reached out, took the hanging Polymerization in her hand, and lightly pinched the card with her fingers: "Fuse Giga-Tech Wolf and Cannon Soldier from the hand."
"Fusion Summon—LV 7, Labyrinth Tank."
The classic vehicle appeared in Tierra's hand!
Labyrinth Tank, LV 7, Dark Attribute, Machine-Type, ATK 2400.
What the heck is this!?
Nephilim couldn't help but open its mouth.
1800 and 2400... with an empty field, it... lost.
"Because there's a non-[Infernoid] Monster on the field. Void Purification will be destroyed—but it doesn't matter."
Gods also need to learn to progress.