"I see."
Yugen calmly surveyed the surroundings and took a step forward to speak.
"This was a trap from the start, wasn't it?"
"Huh?"
Judai looked at him, still confused.
"The girl earlier was told from the beginning to lead people like us to this location if we appeared. What we saw from the start was bait to lure us in..."
Yugen pondered.
"No, or more likely, the girl was sent by the other side as bait, and everything just now was a show put on for us. The so-called Mountain God was just a made-up story."
Yugen and Hades locked eyes.
"Isn't that so?"
Hades let out a sinister chuckle.
"Your reaction is indeed quicker than that dazed companion of yours," he admitted openly, "to clarify, we didn't lie about the Mountain God.
I am the Mountain God here, and all nearby residents must offer tributes to me. We protect their safety, which is only right."
"I suppose the word you're looking for is 'exploitation'?" Yugen said.
There was no need for someone to explain; just by observing the desolate town, it was easy to guess the situation.
Hades laughed heartily.
"These days, conflicts rage across various regions, and there are always those who underestimate the Overlord Army and make trouble. Some inferior scoundrels gather a ragtag group to rob and plunder from the lower-level people.
We provide protection here, sparing the residents from the ravages of war and bandits. Isn't it reasonable to collect a little extra fee?"
"The Overlord Army."
Yugen calmly sized up the surrounding group of elves watching them intently.
"You're under the Overlord?"
"Oh? Even travelers from the Otherworld have heard of the great lord's name?"
Hades laughed.
"Ha, it seems the lord's fame has spread beyond dimensions. Well, it's only a matter of time before those who oppose are subdued..."
He stepped into the arena, and a Duel Disc appeared on his arm, with a Card Deck materializing.
"For some time now, people like you have been appearing occasionally."
Yugen spoke as he also entered the arena, standing before him.
"Oh? People like us?"
"Travelers, from various dimensions," Hades smiled, "and I am stationed here by orders to deal with people like you."
"To capture elves and travelers from different dimensions. Lord Overlord is very interested in you and the dimensions you each represent."
"One day, the Overlord Army will continue its conquest beyond the Twelfth Dimension."
"One day, all worlds seen by my Overlord Army will come under the great Overlord's dominion!"
"Such ambition."
Yugen couldn't help but clap in admiration.
"Not bad, not bad, quite the idea."
Conquering the multiverse with card duels. However, considering the card kings from parallel dimensions, the Overlord might not have an easy time.
"Wait..."
As if just catching the rhythm, Judai hurriedly spoke up.
"So... that girl earlier, she deceived us?"
Everyone looked at him.
"She was under my Overlord Army," Hades sneered, "most Otherworld travelers are so naive, falling for the same trick easily."
Only then did Judai realize he had been fooled.
"So... there was never a girl being abandoned as a sacrifice by her family?"
Hades laughed: "Of course not. You've been in the palm of our hands from the start."
But just halfway through his laughter, Judai also burst into laughter, so much so that even Hades was dumbfounded and stopped, staring at Judai with wide eyes.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Ahaha... that's great. What relief, no one was harmed after all."
Judai laughed with joy.
"I was so worried, but it turns out I was deceived. That's such a relief..."
Hades stared at the boy for a long time, feeling that his genuine happiness seemed real, wondering.
Aren't you aware of your situation?
You were deceived.
What do you mean no one was harmed? Aren't you the victim? Don't you have a clue?
"Sorry, sorry, my friend is just like that, don't mind him."
Yugen smiled, calmly speaking.
"Also, frankly, your trap design... is a bit basic. Though I couldn't be entirely sure, I had some suspicions on the way here."
"Ha, why pretend now?" Hades sneered, "if you saw through it, why walk into the trap obediently?
We are in the Overlord Array, a special barrier. Unless you win the duel, you cannot leave!"
"I noticed that. But you seem to misunderstand something."
Yugen activated the Duel Disc.
"The reason I willingly walked in after seeing through it was because it's not us trapped here in the trap..."
He paused, flashing a sunny smile that was chilling even to a Demon who ruled the Netherworld.
"...but rather you're trapped here with me."
Hades: "!"
He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but couldn't find the words.
How can someone be so confident?
The Overlord Array is actually somewhat similar to the "Orichalcos Barrier." Within this array, neither duelist can leave before a winner is determined, and as the one who activated it, he is empowered by the entire array's strength.
With the array's support, Hades has never been defeated. In this array, every card draw fills him with overwhelming power, making him feel almost omnipotent.
With such a home advantage, how could the opponent possibly compete?
"Then as you wish, let's duel."
Yugen locked in his Card Deck, drawing five cards.
Hades also steadied himself.
"Duel!" x2
[Yugen, LP 4000]
[Hades, LP 4000]
"I'll make the first move, draw."
Yugen said.
"I'll set one monster in the front, and set three cards face-down in the back, ending my turn."
With four cards set, Yugen swiftly ended the first round.
Judai had his mouth open behind him: "Yugen..."
But before he could say anything, Yugen waved his hand and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
So Judai swallowed his remaining words.
It's not that he doubted Yugen's skills.
He just wanted to ask...
...why are you so naturally and skillfully engaging in battle again?
I wanted to duel too...