The farthest distance in the world is when we are clearly in the same game, but I’m inside the cage, and he’s outside...

Hmm, this is the most genuine reflection of Merlot’s heart at this moment.

Looking at the red-hot iron cage in front, and then the big fool with lava seemingly dripping off him, seeming to smirk at him, Merlot was momentarily speechless.

All he could do was take a deep breath, deep breath, another deep breath.

Then curse under his breath.

Damn, Lava Demon God. How could I have forgotten about this?

He should have known better. Lava Demon God is a monster claimed by Duel King to be his ace, and has played key roles in critical battles, including the ones against the Judge.

He should have thought of this one.

But later on, Yugen didn’t use it much according to intelligence, plus he was busy dealing with the volcano’s blockade, burning damage, and explosive card effects throughout this duel, leaving him no time to think so much.

Thinking back now, Merlot realized there was a moment when he truly thought he was cautiously guarding against Yugen trying to show off his big monster, which was far too naïve.

This here is "that" Duel King, Ancient Egypt’s deity of societal retribution!

Would this guy actually summon the ace monster and face you head-on?

Although the Lava Demon God actually has nothing to do with volcanos, because it’s also of the Fire Attribute, and its image resembles the volcano series’ art style, plus its hermit effect of burning opponent’s monsters, it’s easily associated with volcanos, and is generally considered a distant relative.

Not to mention, it was once dubbed "Volcano Couple" alongside the "Volcano Queen", a pair notorious in the environment for living off consuming opponent monsters and burning their Life Points.

"What a pity, with this, your Caesar is gone next turn too. ’Sword Fighter’s Wound’ can only prevent destruction, but can’t stop Lava Demon God."

Yugen said with a smile.

"The Sword Fighting system barely started turning and was blocked again, it’s truly a pity."

Merlot: "..."

Annoyingly, when Yugen said "it’s truly a pity", Merlot actually saw the abstract face on the Lava Demon God above him open its mouth to suck in cold air and shake its head as if truly feeling sympathy and regret for his plight.

Merlot laughed angrily.

Are you two performing a skit here?

"But in the turn when Lava Demon God is summoned, I can’t conduct Normal Summon." Yugen said, "So I will put one card face-down in the backfield and end the turn."

Merlot composed himself.

Fortunately, although his side was blocked again, the opponent’s volcano system was not rebuilt. He could use this turn to regroup the offensive...

"My turn, draw!"

Yugen reminded: "At this moment, the Lava Demon God’s effect. During the standby phase, it causes its controller 1000 damage."

Lava dripped down, pouring over Merlot. Merlot snorted coldly and bore it with his body.

[Merlot, LP2300→LP1300]

"Activate the Magic Card ’Upper-Level Draw’." Merlot said, "Sacrifice the monster with Level 8 or above on the field and draw two cards.

Disappear for me, Lava Demon God."

Lava Demon God hummed with grievance, then melted into magma and vanished.

"To treat the Eight-Star Monster I gifted you like this." Yugen shook his head, "Just wasted a kind intention..."

"Shut up!"

Merlot interrupted mercilessly.

"It’s people like you who need the great Cosmic Light’s cleansing!

Then activate the Magic Card ’Akasha Record’, draw two cards from the deck. However, if any card drawn has been used in this duel, it must be removed from the game."

Merlot drew two cards again, then immediately revealed one.

"Activate Magic Card ’Sword Fighting Training Institute’, add a ’Sword Fighting Beast’ of four stars or below from the deck to the hand. I add ’Sword Fighting Beast - Madox’ from the deck to my hand!"

"Then activate the Magic Card ’Beyond Expectation’!

When there are no monsters on your field, special summon a Level Four ordinary monster from the deck.

Special summon ’Sword Fighting Beast - One-Eyed Fighting’!"

[Sword Fighting Beast - One-Eyed Fighting, Attack Power 1900]

"And then once more, ’Slave Tiger’ from my hand! When there’s a Sword Fighting Beast on your field, special summon this card!"

[Slave Tiger, Attack Power 600]

That tricky tiger again.

Yugen rested his chin in contemplation.

It seemed Merlot’s Sword Fighting build, sealed after battle, relied largely on this tiger to continue...

Well, this thing is indeed useful.

Only the repeatedly overworked little tiger appeared much less spirited than before, hanging its head, looking listless.

Guess working isn’t easy. Its field doesn’t carry the Sword Fighting Beast keyword; it’s essentially outsourced yet works several times harder than the main unit...

"Slave Tiger’s effect, sacrifice this card and return ’Sword Fighting Beast - One-Eyed Fighting’ on the field to the deck. Then special summon a ’Sword Fighting Beast’ from the deck!"

The two just summoned monsters immediately disappeared together.

"Descend again! Sword Fighting Beast - Augustus!"

[Sword Fighting Beast - Augustus, Attack Power 2600]

"Augustus effect, when this card is special summoned using Sword Fighting Beast’s effect, special summon a Sword Fighting Beast from your hand in defense position.

Special summon the ’Sword Fighting Beast - Madox’ just added to the hand!"

[Sword Fighting Beast - Madox, Defense Power 300]

"Then Madox effect, when this card is special summoned using Sword Fighting Beast’s effect, special summon a Sword Fighting Beast monster from the graveyard with its effect negated!

Revive ’Sword Fighting Beast - Shield Battle’, destroyed in the initial turn by your Flaming Cannon!"

[Sword Fighting Beast - Shield Battle, Defense Power 1200]

"Then activate Cover Card." Yugen said, "Trap Card ’Challenger Appears!’

Select a face-up monster on opponent’s field, special summon a monster with the same level as the selected monster from your hand.

I select your ’Sword Fighting Beast - Shield Battle’, special summon a Level Three monster from my hand..."

Yugen slapped a card onto the duel disc.

"’Demon Dog Eight Ghost Dogs’ special summoning."

[Demon Dog Eight Ghost Dogs, Defense Power 800]

"It doesn’t matter what’s summoned!" Merlot shouted passionately, "Preparation is complete!

Use ’Sword Fighting Beast - Augustus’, ’Sword Fighting Beast - Madox’, and ’Sword Fighting Beast - Shield Battle’, return to the deck, triple fusion!"

The three Sword Fighting Beasts vanished into the fusion vortex, transforming into a pillar of light piercing through the heavens, as the king of gladiators descended into the vortex!

Sword Fighting Beast - Blind Fighting, summoned again!

[Sword Fighting Beast - Blind Fighting, Attack Power 1000]

"Blind Fighting effect, when summoned successfully, special summon a Blade Fusion monster from the fusion deck ignoring summon conditions——

——Sword Fighting Beast - Caesar, summon!"

In the green tornado, the king Caesar manifested again!

[Sword Fighting Beast - Caesar, Attack Power 2400]

"Sword Fighting Beast - Caesar special summon success, destroy up to two cards on the field!" Merlot said, "Your only two cards left on the field, ’Volcano Rocket Shells’, ’Demon Dog Eight Ghost Dogs’, all destroyed for me!"

Caesar’s tornado whirled once again, countless steel feathers shot through Yugen’s monsters like beehives. Volcano Rocket Shells and Demon Dog Eight Ghost Dogs exploded together, disappearing in two fireball blasts.