God of the Battlefield #3
“With the effect of Lance of the Storm Charge, all ‘Knight’ creatures on my field gain 300 stats per ‘Knight’-named Warrior creature until the end of this turn.”
Maximilian declared. His tone remained cool and collected, but an undeniable fervor burned beneath it.
He's pumped.
Daphne murmured inwardly as she gazed at the knights whose stats had surged in an instant.
Her eyelids half-covered her violet eyes, which gleamed coldly like a dream made manifest.
Maximilian Spinola. Unlike other high nobles of the Lilucania Kingdom, his family had a remarkably short history.
They had risen to nobility just over eighty years ago. A commoner named Valerian, boasting exceptional skill, had been granted a title for his prowess and merits—that was the beginning.
Yet despite that brief lineage, House Spinola had produced outstanding players generation after generation, shining in politics as well to claim a seat among the high nobility.
And Maximilian, the eldest son, was no different. He wasn't exactly likable—his persistent advances included—but his talent had kept him close.
Today, he seems... unmasked, somehow.
Was there some scheme afoot, after all?
Daphne had never for a moment believed his pursuits stemmed from pure affection.
She'd assumed he was growing restless with mere high nobility and scheming to mingle his blood with royalty.
But Maximilian's actions today had shifted her view slightly.
Who stands behind you, Maximilian?
As a true member of the royal family, she'd seen every shade of intrigue. The position of Federico Academy student council president wasn't won by dueling prowess alone.
It meant his upstart house wasn't to be underestimated, nor was he someone to trifle with lightly.
This could be interesting.
A dreamy curve tugged at Daphne's lips. Her gaze had drifted to Ricardo.
The dragon user who had dragged out this irksome rival's true face thrilled her. Seeing his rumored strength firsthand was a delight.
As a Magic & Creature player herself, she'd harbored competitive sparks toward Ricardo—but for now, she set them aside.
She simply wanted to watch how his dragon would dismantle these flashy knights.
And if he delivered a satisfying show... well.
Should a student council seat open up down the line, recruiting Ricardo might be first on her list. Talented individuals deserved fitting rewards, and Daphne intended to provide them generously.
She needed to gather as many assets as possible for the kingdom in the time ahead.
Daphne dabbed her cold sweat with a handkerchief and smiled faintly.
“Hehe...”
“...”
“Eek...!”
Alessia, who had glimpsed a hint of her intentions, shot a glare with eyes boiling like crimson lotuses. Beatrice, clutching her ancient amulet and whimpering, was a bonus.
Amid the deepening schemes of the elite, the duel pressed on.
The knights, now boasting high creature-level power after shattering rank barriers in one go.
“Th-three thousand two hundred...!”
“That kind of firepower from rank 2 creatures... this is the student council?!”
“Ugh~ Go get 'em~ Ricardo~.”
Basking in the students' gasps and awe, Maximilian thrust his hand forward.
“I attack Machinery Black Panther - K-2 Black Panther with Charge Knight - Black Wolf!”
The warhorses kicked off in unison. The knights' leveled lances formed a tidal wave of violence.
“Deploy the magic circle from last turn! Gray Mine Graymoor!”
【Ricardo Bardi】 Mana Crystals 3 → 2
BOOM──!!
The lance tips tore through even the fierce headwind, closing in on the [K-2 Black Panther]—when an explosion erupted at [Black Wolf]'s feet.
“This is...”
“Graymoor can be deployed by consuming one Factory Gauge when the opponent declares an attack. It destroys the highest-stat enemy creature.”
“Tch...”
Maximilian clicked his tongue. [Black Wolf], drenched in Graymoor's flames, collapsed pathetically, never to rise again.
“But my knights still stand! I attack Black Panther again with Vanguard Knight - Lion Heart!”
The knights, momentarily faltering at their charge leader's death, wheeled around for another assault. Leading them was [Lion Heart], his helm evoking a lion's mane.
But.
“No...!?”
The students cried out in unison.
The foaming warhorses, bearing the knights and charging ahead—their legs plunged into the thick dust cloud from Graymoor's blast, only to sink into a sudden ashen mire.
Even as they tried to pull free, rampant weeds tangled like nets, holding them fast.
Thus, the knights flailed comically in place, their heroic momentum shattered.
“Graymoor's other effect. On the turn it's deployed, the opponent can't attack, and their creatures lose 300 stats until the end of your next turn.”
Maximilian's face twisted in fury.