God of the Battlefield #5
“Next, activate the special ability of Machinery Citadel - Katyusha Grad!”
With Ricardo's declaration, the missile containers on [Katyusha Grad] opened once more. The crowd instinctively tensed, bracing for another barrage—but what emerged from the containers was utterly unexpected.
“When this card defeats an opponent's creature in battle, it calls forth a Vision Creature Worker Bee.”
Weeeeng—
The newcomer was a bee far smaller than even the [Apache], let alone [Katyusha Grad]. It was mechanical through and through, just like them, but carried no armaments whatsoever—a true worker bee in every sense.
“Worker Bee's special ability. It increases my Factory Gauge by an amount equal to the rank of the creature defeated by Katyusha Grad.”
Katyusha Grad had taken down [Vanguard Knight - Lion Heart], a ★2 card.
Thus, Ricardo's Factory Gauge filled by that amount once again—enough to cover the cost of Emergency Upgrade.
“That ends my turn. At the same time, Rusty Factory's effect triggers.”
Ding—! Ding—! Ding—!
Though [Katyusha Grad]'s massive frame made it impossible to re-enter the [Rusty Factory]—and thus build up the gauge—the [Worker Bee] stepped in to fill the role.
“Worker Bee provides three points to the Factory Gauge. It vanishes after this, but it served its purpose well enough.”
“……”
“Your turn, senpai.”
Ricardo passed the turn in his usual flat tone. But that very nonchalance made it all the more humiliating. The students watched as Maximilian's jaw clenched tight.
“Spinola's getting pushed back like this... by a freshman, no less.”
“He hasn't even summoned his dragon yet.”
“The freshmen who have to compete directly with that guy have my pity...”
“Spinola's down to zero cards in hand. Whatever he draws next is make-or-break.”
“He does have some ridiculously strong cards, but can one card turn this around?”
“Exactly. A raw 2,900 stats with no support? To beat that, he'd have to swarm knights and go for Lance Charging.”
Every murmur grated on his nerves. Maximilian irritably swept back a stray lock of hair falling into his eyes.
“My turn.”
He feigned composure, but his hand trembled faintly as it reached for the top of his deck. No one else might notice, but Daphne saw it instantly.
He's shaken.
Maximilian Spinola had never been cornered like this by fellow students before.
The God of the Battlefield is the Knight. He could spout that arrogance with every duel because his knights' [Lance Charging] was devastatingly powerful.
But right now, he hadn't scratched Ricardo's Soul Points by even 1. It had to feel like his blood was running cold.
And the fact that his opponent was a freshman only rubbed salt in the wound. It didn't matter that the kid was a dragon user—Ricardo hadn't even played his dragon yet.
And yet.
“……Hah.”
As Daphne pondered, Maximilian drew his card and let out a chuckle.
Hm?
Daphne's brow twitched ever so slightly—barely noticeable unless you were looking closely. Laughing in this situation? Had he drawn a game-changer?
“I activate the magic circle, Blessing of the Heavens!”
“……!”
Her purple eyes widened. The other students reacted the same.
“Blessing of the Heavens?!”
“He had a rare card like that?!”
[Blessing of the Heavens]. A support card so rare and powerful it was practically priceless.
Even scions of famous houses had only heard of it, and it was deemed overpowered for a mere “support.” Now it unfolded from Maximilian's hand.
“Both players can draw from their decks until they have five cards in hand.”
“……!”
Simple effect. In Magic & Creature, where every card mattered, this replenished your hand massively with no cost except mana crystals.
True, it had no targeting restriction, so the opponent benefited too—but the merit of instantly gaining up to five cards outweighed that. Absurdly strong.
Where the hell did he get a card like that?
Daphne clicked her tongue inwardly. Even she, a princess, didn't own one—and here was the heir of a high noble house (not even the head) holding it.
“And one more magic circle. Brand of Betrayal!”
“What⋯⋯?!”
“Eek!”
Alessia, who'd been watching silently, finally yelped in shock. Beatrice beside her clutched her amulet, trembling in sync.
“Brand of Betrayal~? Hey, Eden~ what's that card~?”
“……”
“Eden~?”
“……Ah, yes. Sorry. I was a bit startled.”
“That shocking~?”
“Yes. Brand of Betrayal is a rare card that lets you control an opponent's creature for one turn.”
“……Control~? That's a rare too~?”
“Mm. Not quite on Blessing of the Heavens level, but still priceless.”
“Must be loaded~.”
Adella muttered with a queasy look. Where were these rare cards even coming from?
But Maximilian had no intention of explaining. He pressed on with the duel.
“With Brand of Betrayal's effect, I take control of Katyusha Grad!”
“……!”
“Then, I tribute Katyusha Grad and Lion Heart to summon Captain of the Prosperous Knights - Fried!”
The hulking [Katyusha Grad] dissolved like mist in sunlight, while [Lion Heart] bowed gracefully, removing his helmet and placing it on the ground.
Clop, clop, clop.
From the spot where even the [Vanguard Knight] had vanished came the thunder of hooves.
The white steed that appeared was a paragon of equine perfection, breathing steam with a noble snort. Its mane gleamed with luster, its body rippled with sculpted muscle. But even that magnificent mount was merely a pedestal for its rider. Golden hair fluttered in the wind. Eyes sharp as lances gleamed sky-blue. His face, seasoned by countless battlefields, exuded dignity and gravitas on its own. Callused hands, worn from years of war, stroked his neatly groomed beard.
★4 / Earth Type / Warrior
Stats: 2,600
“Fried's special ability! The moment this card is successfully summoned, I can fetch Horn of Reinforcement and Storm Lance Charging from my deck!”
A terrifying search effect that grabbed two magic circles at once—and both were top-tier cards. No wonder the students gaped in awe.
“I activate Horn of Reinforcement once more! Add Vanguard Knight - Lion Heart from my deck to my hand!”
Bwoooo—
He couldn't summon this turn due to summon rights being spent, but [Vanguard Knight]'s ability to call more knights meant the field would swarm again next turn.
“And I set a Zone! Blessed Citadel - Valerian!”
As if to cap it off, Maximilian deployed a stage named after his house's founder.
A grand citadel rose dazzlingly in his formation. Adorned lavishly with silver and gold on its pristine white body, it resembled a palace more than a fortress.
“With Blessed Citadel - Valerian's effect, my Warrior creatures named 'knight' gain 30% stats.”
★4 / Earth Type / Warrior
Stats: 3,380
“Battle! Captain of the Prosperous Knights - Fried attacks Machinery Black Panther - K-2 Black Panther!”
-Hmmm.
[Fried] drew his sword from its sheath at his waist with a smooth shing. The blade gleamed pale blue, matching his armor—a famed sword at first glance.
Thud!
His white steed kicked off the ground. The explosive power in its muscles was phenomenal—the distance to the enemy closed in a blink.
-Graaah!
[K-2 Black Panther] roared and fired shells wildly, but to no avail. Thanks to [Fried]'s divine prowess. He slashed and deflected the projectiles with his sword, brushing past the mech beast in an instant.
-Kick. Gyigig.
A sword path smooth as drifting clouds. The mechanical beast's body split along that trajectory and crumbled. A brief explosion followed.
“Ngh⋯⋯.”
【Ricardo Bardi】 Soul Points 5,000 → 2,900
Ricardo's Soul Points had been chipped for the first time since enrolling at the academy. Alexander and Diego—who'd never touched them before—stared wide-eyed.
“Let me say it again.”
Regaining his composure, Maximilian declared loftily.
“Knights are the true gods of the battlefield.”