Wanna Duel? I've Got the Pharaoh's Deck! [25]

Unlike the previous three Machina monsters, a towering robot painted in bright orange—one not even bearing the standard naming convention—was now summoned by Satomi Shou.

The moment it appeared, it snapped into a precise military salute, pounding its chest with a fist and then sharply raising its palm skyward.

That action seemed to signal something unseen. Immediately, the eyes of [Machina Sniper], [Machina Soldier], and [Machina Defender] glowed brightly, and the three robots dismantled themselves, their parts recombining rapidly into a single, massive entity.

Scorching steam hissed out, kicking up a thick dust cloud on the duel field. Standing there, beneath clear skies, was a gigantic war machine easily the height of a three-story building.

It was an eerily familiar scene.

[Machina Force, Level 10 / EARTH / Machine]
ATK: 4600 / DEF: 4100

“Amazing! You're incredible, boss!”

“To casually control a monster of this level—only our boss is truly qualified to become the Duel King of the future!”

At some point, the two delinquents Yuuhi had flattened earlier had recovered, now enthusiastically showering Shou with praise.

Clearly pleased, Shou gloated, “You see this, Yuuhi-kun? This monster is one that even [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon] can’t match. Facing it, you have absolutely no chance.”

[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon], the ultimate fusion of the legendary [Blue-Eyes White Dragon], boasted an enormous 4500 ATK, famously surpassing even the gods. Yet [Machina Force] happened to surpass it by exactly 100 points.

Claiming superiority over [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon] wasn’t technically wrong. Still, how disappointing that nowadays even the Ultimate Dragon had become merely a standard benchmark for comparison…

“[Machina Force]? So you've managed to master this card, Satomi Shou.”

Even Izayoi Yuki seemed slightly surprised.

Monsters of this level—even if they weren't from the Extra Deck—typically required significant [Feel] to command properly. Previously, Shou had only been capable of using [Machina Fortress] at best.

“It's thanks to that Duel Disk of his.”

Mai, sharp as ever, instantly saw through it.

“A Duel Disk is originally a device to support Duelists, reducing the conditions needed to summon stronger monsters. He’s probably using a top-tier model—those can cost hundreds of thousands.”

“Exactly right, Mai-chan! You've got sharp eyes.”

Exposed, Shou showed no shame. He simply brushed his hair back arrogantly, adding, “Aside from [Feel], dueling ultimately comes down to the strength of your cards. Stronger cards cost more money—it's fundamentally a competition of financial power. Money is strength, and that principle applies perfectly to Duel Disks as well. If you chose me as your teammate, you'd never worry about money again.”

“But money can’t buy everything,” Yuuhi countered sharply. “At least, building a deck's bonds must be done personally. Money can't buy true mastery over summoning methods, can it?”

“Right, exactly! That depends on personal effort. A Duel Disk only lowers the difficulty, but some thresholds still remain,” Mai agreed immediately. “If I recall correctly, even though you learned to wield [Feel], you still haven't mastered any special summoning methods, right? Or has that changed?”

“Hmph! Even without that, I already possess enough power!”

Struck right in his sore spot, Shou’s expression darkened instantly, angrily shoving a card into his Duel Disk. “I activate the Spell Card [Machina Redeployment]!”

“By discarding one card, I add two Machina monsters from my deck to my hand. Additionally, by discarding a Level 8 or higher Machine monster, I Special Summon [Machina Fortress] in Attack Position!”

[Machina Fortress, Level 7 / EARTH / Machine]
ATK: 2500 / DEF: 1600

A roaring engine echoed across the field. A blue-armored tank-shaped mech equipped with treads and wheels materialized, aiming its electromagnetic cannon directly at Yuuhi’s assembled poker knights.

“You talk big, Yuuhi-kun. Let's see how your body handles experiencing the despair and power of my mechanical legion firsthand! [Machina Fortress], attack [Jack’s Knight]—Fortress Cannon Fire!”

As Shou declared battle, electricity surged through [Machina Fortress’s] barrel, firing a blinding beam of light straight toward [Queen’s Knight].

“Not so fast! Trap Card activate: [Mirror Force]!”

Yuuhi swiftly revealed his set card.

A rainbow-colored barrier appeared instantly, deflecting the cannon blast—and that wasn't all.

“When an opponent's monster declares an attack, destroy all their Attack Position monsters!”

The reflective barrier multiplied the energy of the incoming cannon fire several times, turning it into a devastating counterattack that instantly swept through Shou’s entire monster formation…

“It’s useless! I activate my own Trap Card: [Attack Invulnerability]!”

Simultaneously, Shou flipped open his set card, enveloping his colossal mech in a protective glow.

“I choose one monster I control. During this battle phase, it can't be destroyed by battle or card effects!”

“Then your other two monsters are destroyed.”

Excluding [Machina Force], protected by [Attack Invulnerability], both [Machina Fortress] and [Commander Covington] exploded violently as [Mirror Force’s] energy returned to annihilate them.

“I anticipated your resistance! This reckless move will only plunge you deeper into despair, Yuuhi-kun. Thanks to your foolishness, the stronger machines sleeping in my Graveyard awaken! Activate effects of [Machina Megaform] and [Machina Colonel]!”

“When [Machina Fortress] is sent from the field to the Graveyard, by banishing it, I Special Summon [Machina Megaform]. Additionally, [Machina Colonel] revives itself infinitely whenever EARTH/Machine monsters are destroyed!”

[Machina Megaform, Level 8 / EARTH / Machine]
ATK: 2600 / DEF: 1500

[Machina Colonel, Level 10 / EARTH / Machine]
ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500

Drawing two cards from the Graveyard, Shou’s field erupted as two imposing robots broke through the earth on either side.

Though [Megaform] alone was formidable, the real issue was clearly [Machina Colonel].

“He even has that card…”

“That one’s a problem.”

Yuki and Mai recognized [Machina Colonel] immediately. How could they not? It was the signature ace of Satomi Akira, a locally famous Duelist in Kiyosumi City. Apparently, he’d given this very card to his son as a birthday gift.

And its fearsome power was—

“[Machina Colonel’s] effect activates!”

[①: During either player's turn, target one Machine monster you control. Destroy that monster and all opponent’s monsters whose ATK is equal to or lower than it.]

“I choose [Machina Force]—destroy all your monsters with 4600 ATK or less! [Machina Force] is protected by [Attack Invulnerability], so only your monsters will be destroyed! Disappear, weaklings!”

A devastating electromagnetic blast from the mechanical titan instantly tore the Poker Knights apart, clearing Yuuhi’s field completely.

“Wooo! As expected of our boss! Just erase that cocky pretty-boy!”

“That looks much better!”

Shou’s lackeys cheered loudly. Smirking, Shou continued, “Next, let’s remove your last remaining pest! Machina Megaform, attack his facedown monster—Megaform Cannon Blast!”

Another beam exploded forth, ready to annihilate Yuuhi’s set monster, leaving him open to a punishing direct strike from the remaining two mechs. It wouldn't outright defeat Yuuhi, but a combined 7600 damage was still devastating.

“Now you'll finally understand the difference between us—”

Yet Shou’s smug smile abruptly froze halfway through.

The reason was simple—

“What’s going on? Why isn't your facedown monster destroyed?”

Despite the powerful blast, the seemingly insignificant facedown monster remained unharmed.

The “insignificant” monster revealed itself as…

“That's thanks to this monster’s effect—[Obnoxious Celtic Guard]!”

[Obnoxious Celtic Guard, Level 4 / EARTH / Warrior]
ATK: 1400 / DEF: 1200

The elf-like swordsman deflected the massive beam attack, looking frail but refusing to fall.

“[Obnoxious Celtic Guard] can't be destroyed in battle by monsters with 1900 ATK or more!”

“Ha!”

With a fierce shout, the guard slashed apart the laser beam.

“And since [Machina Colonel’s] destruction effect is once per turn, you can't destroy [Celtic Guard] again this turn. Sorry, senpai, but I still don't see that ‘gap’ you mentioned.”

“You bastard…!”

“Oh wow, Yuuhi-kun’s got quite the sharp tongue~”

Mai couldn’t hide her delighted surprise at seeing Shou’s face twist in frustration.

To think such mild-mannered Yuuhi had a biting side—this was certainly unexpected, and she rather liked it.

“Hmph, you think you're clever escaping through sheer luck?” Shou spat coldly. “Don't forget—you’re still losing.”

“I’m aware,” Yuuhi shot back impatiently. “If you've got nothing else, hurry up and end your turn.”

“Fine. Turn end!”

“During your End Phase, I activate the Graveyard effects of [Royal Straight] and [Royal Straight Slasher], returning my destroyed [Queen’s Knight] and [King’s Knight] to the deck, and adding these two cards back to my hand.”

With that combo, Yuuhi could summon the Poker Knights again next turn.

But to overcome [Machina Colonel]—

“My turn. Draw!”

He played his reserved card—

“Activate [Graceful Charity]! Draw three, discard two.”

He swiftly picked his card, slamming it down—

“I Tribute Summon—[Dark Magician Girl]!”

As the lovely magician materialized, Shou’s eyes lit up greedily.

“Let's raise the stakes, Yuuhi-kun. If I win, I get your [Dark Magician Girl].”

Disgusted, Yuuhi nodded. “Fine. Then if I win, I’ll take your precious [Machina Colonel]!”

“...What did you say!?”

---

T/N: DARK MAGICIAN GIRL!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! should i change feel to heart

This is a fan translation of 打牌吗？ 我王样卡组！by 夏日戏言 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!