"If there is a Monster with the name containing 'Archfiend' on your field, this card can be Special Summoned."
Hm?
Crackle, the yellow lightning split the sky.
Boom!!
A Archfiend that Tenjo Hikari was familiar with slowly appeared on his field.
Summoned Skull...?
Oh, it's "Archfiend Commander."
Archfiend Commander, LV 6, Dark Attribute, Fiend-Type, Attack Power 2500.
"That setup?" Camilla, who came to watch, looked serious.
Vampire Fraulein couldn't help but frown.
Some of the Spirits behind the Duke recognized the setup and couldn't help but cheer for him.
"When Archfiend Commander is Special Summoned using its effect, you must target 1 Archfiend Card on your field and activate it. Destroy that Archfiend Card you control."
I destroy Archfiend Heiress."
Archfiend Heiress chuckled, waved, and a thunderbolt descended from the sky, erasing it.
"Archfiend Heiress' effect, when this card is sent to the Graveyard due to an effect or destroyed by battle, activate. Add 1 'Archfiend' Card from the Deck to the Hand, except 'Archfiend Heiress.' I add Archfiend Cavalry to my hand."
Archfiend Deck, huh?
Tenjo Hikari wasn't really familiar with Archfiend Decks until he saw the series with Archfiend Heiress, which did not have the 'Archfiend' field, and studied the series slightly.
"Set a card, end turn."
A very normal opening.
Tenjo Hikari took a glance, felt as though nothing was amiss, and drew a card normally.
And at that moment…
"Activate the Set Card!"
The Duke raised his hand abruptly.
"Trap Card, Eradicator Epidemic Virus!"
What!?
Tenjo Hikari was stunned, then his pupils shrank suddenly.
There's work to do!
"Tribute 1 Dark Attribute Monster with 2500 or more ATK from your field, declare Spell Card or Trap Card, activate. Check all Spell·Trap Cards on the opponent's field, in the opponent's hand, and all cards drawn within 3 turns starting from the opponent's turn. Destroy all of the declared cards!"
Tenjo Hikari raised an eyebrow.
"I've heard all about it, Lord Hikari. You pursue the most Extreme Fusion, so your Deck primarily relies on 'Fusion' Cards, right? And you used this Deck to defeat the Thousand Gold young lady, correct?
But—
A Deck like this has an eternal flaw, that is, your Deck requires Spell Cards!"
"Come on, show your hand."
Upon hearing the words, Tenjo Hikari silently revealed the six cards in his hand.
One Trap, two Monsters, three Spell Cards!
"Indeed, many Spell Cards!" some watching Archfiends whispered.
"Is Duke purposefully trying to vent for the young lady?" Some Vampires felt the Duke was venting for their leader.
But Vampire Fraulein couldn't help but pinch her brow.
The pride of the old man."
Vampire Fraulein could see that the Duke was very pleased with Tenjo Hikari's willingness to help his subordinates find a safe place, but as an elder noble archfiend, he couldn't accept it, so he wanted to display a more powerful and admired strength.
It really wasn't necessary.
However, a duel is a duel, for the Spirits, the Duel Ceremony won't consider holding anything back, so wanting to appear stronger, Vampire Fraulein couldn't fault him.
But...
If this is the case, how will Tenjo Hikari duel?
"Interesting, directly destroyed three hand cards," Tierra watched Tenjo Hikari's cards with interest.
Losing three hand cards in the opening is a difficult task in a duel, Tierra already understood.
The number of hand cards, the quality of individual cards, the blockade's breadth, the strength of resistance, and so on, for Tierra, these things are no longer unfamiliar.
Now it seems that the Duke's blockade has a significant influence on Tenjo Hikari, likely more formidable than prior 'Non-Fusion Area' and 'Revoke Fusion'.
Ultimately, most of Tenjo Hikari's fusion still relies on Spell Cards.
Of course, it is merely 'most fusion.'
Tierra hasn't seen the Vampire Fraulein and Tenjo Hikari's duel, but roughly estimating, she could guess what Tenjo Hikari's Deck was like at the time.
Back then, Tenjo Hikari was not what Tenjo Hikari is today.
"I see... Indeed, without Spell Cards, normal fusion is challenging. However—Duke, this is not the past me anymore!"
"My fusion, my duel, everything about me is evolving!"
He reached out, pointing at the Graveyard: "First, the Graveyard, Metalfoes Fusion's effect, from the Graveyard, return this card to the Deck, shuffle the Deck, then draw 1 card."
"Using fusion effects from the Graveyard?" The Duke scrutinized Metalfoes Fusion, silently nodding, "But if the drawn card is a Spell Card, it has no significance."
Tenjo Hikari did not respond, merely drew a card, then looked down and glanced.
Trap Card.
Chain Material.
He displayed it, then returned it to his hand.
"Normal Summon, LV 2, Predaplant Chlamydosundew!"
A lizard-like plant leapt from Tenjo Hikari's hand.
Unseen cards!
The Vampires simultaneously felt surprise internally.
"Monster Card?" The Duke questioned in confusion.
"Though it is a Monster Card, Chlamydosundew can perform fusion during the Main Phase using Dark Attribute Fusion Monster Cards in its hand and field that include itself!"
Monster Fusion…
"Haha—easily bypassing the blockade to fuse?" The Duke watched this scene and couldn't help but laugh, "It seems, Lord Hikari, rumors say you truly love fusion."
"The little purple one can now fuse without using Spell Cards." Camilla remembered Tenjo Hikari needing allies for assistance with fusion, surprised now how three cards missing, he could properly fuse.
"Fusion conditions are, Predaplant and Dark Attribute Monster." Tenjo Hikari slowly spoke, "Fuse Chlamydosundew on the field and Predaplant Byblisp from the hand!"
"See, the plant once rivaled the apocalyptic force and Pure White Dragon—
Fusion Summon!
LV 7, Predaplant Chimerafflesia!"
The ground began to churn, branches and petals erupted from the soil, engulfing the Dueling Arena.
Predaplant Chimerafflesia, LV 7, Dark Attribute, Plant-Type, Attack Power 2500.
"Then, Predaplant Byblisp effect activates due to being sent to the Graveyard—its effect, add 1 Predaplant Monster from the Deck to the Hand besides 'Predaplant Byblisp.'
I choose Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio."
Tenjo Hikari opened the Deck and selected one card from it, showing it to the opponent.
And adds it to his hand.
"This way, Fusion Material is replenished..."
"Moreover, can directly attack!"
The Vampires discussed among themselves.
These Zombies who have been enclosed in the Vampire Kingdom for years, either in slumber or training, facing a crisis from shrinking and collapsing dimension, rarely contacted the outside world, hence unaware of how varied Tenjo Hikari's fusion methods had become.
Due to this, witnessing Tenjo Hikari's fusion excited and intrigued these Vampires.
Tenjo Hikari shook his hand, pointed at the Duke, "Direct attack on the opponent with Chimerafflesia."
The gigantic Cannibal Flower whipped its branches, like whips, lashing against the Duke.
The Duke, LP: 4000→1500.
"Inflicted 2500 damage at once!"
"So strong!"
The Duke dusted his clothes, remained very calm and looked completely not nervous.
"Set two cards, end turn." Tenjo Hikari glanced at the cards in his hand, shook his head, and set them.
"Though inflicted 2500 damage...but...actually, does not affect the board position." Vampire Fraulein watched the field and gently shook her head.
"Indeed—" Camilla joined in, "The young lady is correct, Tenjo Hikari's Set cards are Necro Fusion and Chain Material, fusion monsters created this way can only last one turn; there is only Predaplant Ophrys Scorpio in hand. If Tenjo Hikari draws a Spell Card in the next turn, it is equivalent to not drawing a card..."
As she spoke, many Spirit gradually realized the current dire situation Tenjo Hikari faces.
Certainly, Tenjo Hikari took the advantage by inflicting damage, but truly, he inflicted the damage because the Duke intentionally left room.
As time passes, the Duke's advantage will only increasingly become apparent!