The Siege Dragon of Machinery - Gustav Dora
“...Incredible. Borromeo's tactics aren't working on Bardi at all.”
“Hey, Eden~ Why didn't that swamp flood work just now~?”
“Hm, I can't say for sure... but maybe it's a matchup issue.”
“Matchup~?”
“Yeah, probably venom... biological poison doesn't affect machine-type creatures.”
Right on cue, Eden's deduction nailed it. Smart guy, as expected.
“M-my... turn...”
Diego drew his card, body trembling. His defeat-ridden face suddenly brightened.
“K-kukuku... Kuhahaha!”
Looks like he drew something good again. For a marquis's son, he's awfully transparent.
“Kukuku... Yeah, no way I'd just sit here and take it. Of course not!”
I get that you're thrilled—now hurry up and play. Calling out [Nautilus] is starting to wear me out.
Tribute Gorgon Witch and Gorgon Twin Head to summon Lightning Serpent Gellia!!
Kwarrrung!
The bodies of [Gorgon Witch] and [Gorgon Twin Head], wrapped around the trees in [Gorgon Swamp], dissolved into a handful of poison in an instant and flowed into the depths of the marsh.
Right after, the entire swamp bubbled up again—then lightning burst forth. The bolt shot skyward from the swamp, twisting into a massive serpent that bared its fangs at me and [Nautilus].
-Shaaaaak!
【Lightning Serpent Gellia】
★4 / Lightning Type / Serpent, Element
Status: 2,300
“On top of that! By Gorgon Swamp's effect, serpent-type creature Gellia's status rises 30%!”
[Gellia]'s status shot up to 2,990.
“Kukuku, the flood effect dropping was unexpected, but Gellia can handle it anyway!”
“Lightning type.”
“Right! Favorable type matchup adds 500 to Gellia's status for this battle!”
Now 3,490. It barely caught up to [Nautilus]'s original status. Judging by the lightning type, this card was slotted in specifically to snipe [Nautilus].
“Go, Gellia! Fry that scrap metal dragon!”
-Shaaaaak...!
Pajik, pajijik!
Lightning brewed in [Gellia]'s fangs instead of venom, gathering in its maw before crashing down on the machine dragon like a massive wave.
“Vanish...! Dragon!!”
Anyone'd think he had a personal grudge against dragons. Wonder what his deal is to make him so twisted.
Of course, I don't have the luxury to care.
“Magic circle deploy, Re-Assembly!”
“What now!!”
“Consume 3 Factory Gauges to return a machine-type creature in my field to the deck and summon another machine-type creature of the same rank!”
“What...?!”
Before [Gellia]'s attack could land, [Nautilus] suddenly began disassembling.
Burrrung...
Four [Terraforming Drones] flew in from the factory depths, carrying the disassembled parts of Nautilus back with them.
Kugugu... Boom! Boom! Boom!!
“Nautilus is rank 5. A creature of the same rank...”
“Another creature rivaling Nautilus... exists...?”
Diego muttered, face drained white, as the deafening roar from [Rusty Factory] echoed behind him.
My face probably wasn't much better. My neck was stiffening, eyes drying out—hanging on by a thread.
“Hoo... Come forth.”
I wiped cold sweat with the handkerchief from my pocket and bellowed.
“Machinery Siege Dragon - Gustav Dora!”
The name of my second machine dragon, slumbering in my deck.
Whiiiirrrrr... Keek, kiiiiik...
The doors of [Rusty Factory] slid open, revealing a silhouette dwarfing even [Nautilus] as it slowly emerged.
A theropod silhouette crammed with intricate machinery. Its massive weight borne by two legs—each step cratering the ground.
Atop its enormous back sat a cannon as vast as a mountain, its barrel stretching from the back, past the head, and far beyond.
【Machinery Siege Dragon - Gustav Dora】
★5 / Earth Type / Machine, Dragon
Status: 3,500
This was my second machine dragon, Gustav Dora. Why this monster from my psyche ended up with that name, honestly no idea. Nautilus wasn't even tied to me originally, so probably just borrowing a famous war machine etched in my brain.
-Krurrrung...
Meant as a warning growl, but its size turned it into thunder.
Added to [Lost World]'s alarms, it created a horrific dissonance assaulting everyone's ears.
“A s-second dragon...?!”
“Insane...”
“Eek!”
“W-wow...”
“Does that mean Bardi's deck has...”
The crowd gasped again at [Gustav Dora]'s entrance, kaleidoscope lights scattering wildly. Even Professor Georgia's bloodshot, fatigued eyes widened in shock.
“No... way...!”
Diego's face was a miracle for not fainting outright.
No pity stirred. He'd pulled too much aggro for that.
“By Re-Assembly's effect, the newly summoned Gustav Dora battles your Gellia right away.”
“Ah...”
Diego gaped in despair.
“Consume one Factory Gauge—Gustav Dora, mobilize!”
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Keek, kurrrrung...
Bracing on two legs, mechanisms deployed behind them to counter recoil.
Thunderous roar echoed as [Gustav Dora]'s barrel locked onto [Gellia].
Boooom─────!!!
Eardrums rattled from the blast as the shell fired.
Even with [Gorgon Swamp]'s boost, Gellia's status was 2,990. No type advantage like with Nautilus.
Gellia's lightning was disadvantaged against Gustav Dora's earth—Diego could only watch Gustav's status rise by 500 instead.
-Kieeeek...
The shell tore through the air, piercing [Gellia]'s body. Its lightning elements scattered futilely, meeting its end.
“At this moment, Gustav Dora's special ability triggers. When it defeats an opponent in battle, instead of normal damage, it deals direct Soul Point damage equal to its status.”
【Diego Borromeo】
Soul Point 5,000 → 1,000
The shell, with power to spare after piercing Gellia, plummeted right in front of Diego.
Boom──!!
“Gaaahhh...!!”
4,000 damage in one hit. Diego's scream rang out as his Soul Points plummeted.
“Kkuk, kuhhh...”
“...”
Diego clutched the Battle Table, staggering. I didn't rush him.
“I... pass my turn...”
Soon, soaked in defeat, he ended his turn. I drew a card and slipped it straight into my hand—no need for it.
“Activating Gustav Dora's other special ability.”
“...”
“Consume 2 Factory Gauges to deal damage to the opponent's Soul Points equal to half this creature's status.”
“What... did you say?”
Of course, Gustav Dora can't move again this turn... but that hardly matters now.
Gustav Dora's barrel creaked toward the stunned, retreating Diego.
Here's hoping this humbles him a bit. Not expecting maturity or anything.
“Fire, Gustav Dora.”
──Break the Line. With that trigger phrase, the barrel roared again.
“Gaaahhh!”
【Diego Borromeo】
Soul Point 1,000 → 0
My victory was sealed.