"So, even if you continue to fuse Frightfur or call in a backup, it won't be of any use."
4000 ATK, clears the field upon summoning, can't be targeted by effects, and can revive Angels from the Graveyard!
Destruction, resistance, recovery, it has it all!
"Oh no, Tenjo's situation on the field is critical!"
"And now, even the last Flame Swordsman is gone."
"Not only that, there are only a few cards left in the Extra Deck!"
Manjome and Ed each pointed out Tenjo Hikari's current predicament.
Very bad, extremely bad!
"Lucifer—If there are no surprises, Professor, this must be the [Apocalypse] you mentioned, right?"
Seraph nodded gently.
"But as far as I know, the legend of Lucifer is known to the world, right? You should be well aware of what kind of angel Lucifer is. Do you truly believe you have obtained the Apocalypse, and not the temptation of a demon?" Tenjo Hikari was very curious about this.
"The temptation of a demon... Indeed, from a common perspective, it is like that," Seraph nodded lightly, "But actually, that's not the case.
Tenjo-san, this should be the most straightforward thing for you, right? As a duelist seeking Extreme Fusion, you and the fusion army duelists can never understand each other.
Because although you both utilize fusion, you use completely different philosophies."
"Those fusion monsters in your hand that seem very evil at first glance, yet under your control, have defeated one enemy after another..."
Seraph took a deep breath and said, "Of course, I know what kind of existence Lucifer is in legend. But what truly matters is not the temptation or deceit, but... whether I, as a duelist, choose to believe, isn't it?
The outcome of the ceremony leading to justice or evil isn't about whether the Demon Ceremony brings malice, but the heart of the summoner.
If the summoner's heart is inherently evil, then even ordinary spirits will be corrupted. Similarly, I make the current choice simply because I feel it's worth trying."
"Is that so?" Tenjo Hikari's expression gradually cooled, "Then, as you said, the Demon Ceremony depends on people's choice... Because of my attempts at Alchemy, I summoned Tierra to our world. I lived, learned, and collaborated with her.
We each have our own understanding and answers, but the real key shouldn't it be another point in the Demon Ceremony—[Moderation]."
Moderation.
Or "within one's capabilities."
Tenjo Hikari and Tierra collaborate with each other, but remain vigilant, then sincerely communicate, and finally become friends.
This is the process.
If either party fully accepts all the other's statements during the process, they will lose "self."
Seraph's words professed his choice, but in reality, he gave up on making choices at numerous times when he could have decided for himself, leaving everything to "Apocalypse," to "God."
Because...
He abandoned the search for his answers!
He says it's a choice, but actually it's abandonment! He's completely at ease, doing whatever Darkness or Lucifer tells him to do.
Tenjo Hikari looked at his hand card.
Initially he thought the deck prepared before the duel was for the wrong opponent, but now...
No, at this moment, it's the right opponent.
Now, he understood something even more clearly.
As partners and friends, whether with Tierra, as they no longer scheme against each other, they must naturally respect and support one another—
Tierra looked at Tenjo Hikari's hand card, didn't voice what she also thought, but simply nodded at Tenjo Hikari, "Alright, Tenjo Hikari, don't hold back, use my strength freely."
"Lucifer, eh? Haha, I'm not afraid of it at all—"
Tenjo Hikari laughed, then slowly raised his hand card, "Spell Card, Dark Fusion."
"Eh? Could it be an Evil Hero? But how to solve this situation with an Evil Hero?" Ed was momentarily puzzled.
"Dark Fusion is a fusion spell card specifically for Fiend-Type. It can use monsters from the hand or field as fusion materials to execute a fusion summon for Fiend-Type. This turn, the opponent cannot target a monster Special Summoned by this effect as an effect target."
Tenjo Hikari held up two cards from his hand, "I will fuse Infernoid Attondel and Infernoid Decatron from my hand!"
"Fusion conditions are two Infernoid Monsters!"
"Its name is Sin, its name is Evil—Fusion Summon, LV 1.
Infernoid Evil."
The blue flames burst forth dramatically.
Unlike the blazing flames of the Flame Swordsman, these were the hellfire, the fire of death, it was... Tierra's flames!
"Infernoid?" Ed asked in astonishment.
"Infernoid—" Manjome was taken aback.
"Evil?" Seraph frowned, displeased with the name.
Infernoid Evil, LV 1, Fire Attribute, Fiend-Type, ATK 1100.
This card was a byproduct of Tenjo Hikari's attempt to create "materialism." Unfortunately, materialism is not so easy to create. The good news is, during the attempt, replicas like Evil and Decatron were born.
"When Evil is successfully Fusion Summoned, banish 1 Infernoid Monster in the Graveyard. According to that monster's level, send Infernoid monsters from the Deck to the Graveyard, up to a maximum of one card with the same name.
I banish Attondel."
Following this, Tenjo Hikari lifted the entire Deck, and like a fan, the cards erupted into the air, then hovered suspended in midair.