episode_0020

“This is the deck that can use [Novice Dual Swordsman] as the ace……”

I finished building a deck that could use [Novice Dual Swordsman] with Arianna.

“When I first saw it, I thought it was a difficult-to-use Level 1 monster……. But it’s amazing. If it’s this good, it should be practical enough.”

Even Elfelt, who had been watching with a bewildered expression, acknowledged that the deck was a second-turn type deck focusing on ‘Equip Spells’ and their support cards.

“[Duel Fantasia]……. No, [Officiarl] has a long history. If you look for it, you can find anything.”

Of course, it wasn’t a combination I had entirely created anew from nothing.

[Novice Dual Swordsman], confirmed not by [Legacy] but by the specifications of [Officiarl], was ‘EARTH Attribute’ and ‘Warrior-Type’, and coincidentally, a theme that perfectly fit these two characteristics already existed.

[Wooden Sword Emperor].

It was a theme that had become a hot topic for its unique concept of focusing on ‘Equip Spells’ which were now rarely used.

Powerful yet unique effects, such as granting immunity to the equipped monster or increasing its ATK by the opponent monster’s ATK, were perfect for [Novice Dual Swordsman]. Depending on the situation, it could be used more powerfully than the ace monsters within the [Wooden Sword Emperor] theme.

The disadvantage was that due to the nature of ‘Equip Spells’, there was a high chance of hand bricking, and it could easily collapse if the ‘Equip Spell’ itself was targeted instead of the monster, but it was strong enough against unknown opponents. Even more so in a single match.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Yes. It’s amazing!! It’s incomparable to the decks I’ve used so far. But…….”

Arianna was happy but then made a slightly troubled expression,

“Is it really okay for me to receive all these cards……? More than half of them are cards I didn’t have…….”

She looked at the deck and hesitated sheepishly, as if feeling sorry.

The deck built this time did use a few of Arianna’s cards (like [Novice Dual Swordsman] as a prime example), but ultimately most of the cards were ones I possessed.

“Compared to [Ice Mirror Marius], what I’m giving is far short. It’s fine.”

“But, still…….”

“It’s really fine. I’d be happier if you used them anyway.”

I wasn’t saying this just to be considerate of Arianna. In fact, the [Wooden Sword Emperor] cards were truly surprisingly worthless compared to [Ice Mirror Marius].

[Wooden Sword Emperor] wasn’t particularly a beautiful girl theme or anything else, so there was no demand from collectors, and it was treated as a meme overshadowed by other powerful themes from the same pack. To the extent that the phrase ‘Nimulmok’ was popular. Meaning ‘Your Ultra Rare Wooden Sword Emperor’.

“……I also felt a little like unloading them.”

“Unload?”

“Something like that exists.”

And I had pulled that ‘Nimulmok’ so much that I had enough [Wooden Sword Emperor] cards for 5 decks. I just couldn’t bring myself to throw them away.

“And……. there might be a better deck.”

Also, while I built it with Arianna’s request, honestly, it’s not that strong of a deck.

Against unknown opponents, there’s a possibility it can hit like a truck, but building countermeasures is just as simple. This is especially true in duels using a Side Deck (a deck that can be swapped after a match).

Building it was fun, but looking at it coolly, I wasn’t confident. Even if this world’s [Duel Fantasia], [Officiarl] had a fragmented meta, would this work well? Would it be a good deck for a newbie to use?

“Operating it is also a bit difficult. To use it as a main deck right now……”

“No. I like this one.”

As I was feeling uneasy after building it, Arianna shook her head and hugged the deck I had built tightly to her chest.

“It’s a deck that Sir Kisu made for me. It’s also a deck where a monster full of memories is the ace. I definitely want to try using it.”

“Do you think you can do well? It’ll be quite difficult.”

“Yes. I want to do as much as I can with this deck. And someday, I want to build other decks with Sir Kisu too, and try those out as well.”

Arianna hugged the deck tightly and said with a bright smile.

“……Alright. I’ll cheer for you. If you have any questions or concerns, ask anytime. I’ll do my best to help you.”

If Elfelt was a good duelist, Arianna was the best newbie. I felt a bit moved, and my eyes were slightly moist.

“So……. I’ll start practicing right away!”

As if unable to stand still from excitement, Arianna knelt on the floor and began practicing her deployments.

‘As expected, Arianna has quite a knack.’

Even though I only explained it briefly, Arianna properly grasped and practiced the deployments based on the initial hand drawn. It was simple deployment practice without assuming being blocked by ‘Hand Traps’, but this was important for a deck that relies on proficiency.

“……Sir Kisu, you are amazing.”

As I watched Arianna practice, Elfelt praised me.

“Your decisiveness in quickly finding necessary cards and putting them in without hesitation, and the basis for including the cards was perfect. There was absolutely nothing to fault. It was a deck construction that felt beautiful.”

“That’s a bit of an overstatement. We won’t know until we test it in a real match.”

I just built the deck normally. I did contemplate the number of cards, but decided it was something I wouldn’t know without a real match, so I kept it simple.

“Even that humble part is perfect. You’re a fearsome person.”

“No need to be afraid. But what kind of deck do you want to build, Elfelt?”

At my question, Elfelt flinched and remained silent for a moment, thinking.

“……I don’t want to build a new one.”

And she picked up one of the decks floating behind her.

“I want to fix the Fire Attribute Spirit deck I used in today’s duel. To match the new era of duels.”

It was the deck whose ace was [Spirit King of Scorching Flames Flame Lord], which I had a heated duel with this morning.

“Of course, I’ll need to fix decks of other attributes too, but I plan to do that alone based on the deck I modified with Sir Kisu today. For now, I’ll just ask for this one.”

“Alright. Then, can you show me the deck?”

“Eek.”

As soon as I asked her to show me, Elfelt flinched and covered her body.

“…….”

“I can’t do it if you don’t show me.”

“Ah, I know! I just can’t help feeling resistant……. It’s the first time I’m showing my deck to anyone other than my parents…….”

In the end, with a blushing face, Elfelt awkwardly spread the deck before me. Her attitude when showing it made me feel awkward too, as if I was doing something strange.

“Don’t, don’t look too closely……. No, I guess you have to look closely……. Haaaah…….”

Ignoring Elfelt’s words which invited unnecessary thoughts, I calmly checked the deck.

‘This is…….’

I had thought this while dueling, but seeing it again solidified one certainty.

“Elfelt, I’ll be honest.”

Elfelt’s deck was,

“…….”

“You built the deck well.”

It was built very well.

“!”

At my words that it was well-built, Elfelt, who had been tense, widened her eyes in surprise.

“……Hmph, hmph. Hmm. You won overwhelmingly 2:0, though? Even after winning, hearing that just makes me feel a bit troubled, you know. Yes.”

And soon she grumbled with her arms crossed, as if troubled, but didn’t seem unhappy.

“I think you adjusted the numbers appropriately. Although there were no ‘Hand Traps’ or ways to deal with them, you properly included other powerful generic Spells.”

Actually, even if there were no ‘Hand Traps’ or ways to deal with them, Elfelt didn’t know they existed in the first place. It would be strange if she could deal with an unknown threat.

“Within the given situation, it’s the best possible deck built without flaws. You have a knack for it.”

“……Ha, hmph, fuu. Hmph. Well, well. You won’t get anything even if you compliment me?!”

Elfelt was being prickly with her words, but the corners of her mouth were turned up. She was even swaying her body as if unable to contain her joy. Anyone could see she was happy.

“Conversely, it also means its weakness is clear in situations where there are ‘Hand Traps’.”

“Ugh. I know that. That’s why I thought about building a new one…….”

As I pointed out her weakness, she immediately wilted. It was a little amusing how her emotions changed so quickly.

“First, can you try to imagine? What it would be like to fight with this deck as is, under the premise that everyone is using ‘Hand Traps’.”

“Hmmmm…….”

At my words, Elfelt closed her eyes, crossed her arms, and imagined.

“Hmmmmmm…….”

Her brows furrowed more and more. Her face looked like she had been hit by [Spirit of the Lock] and [Absorber of the Earth].

“Honestly, it feels hopeless……. Just imagining it is suffocating.”

Elfelt, who finished imagining, let out a deep breath as if she had been holding it in from the frustration.

“You said there were cards that could counter ‘Hand Traps’, right? Would adding those make it a little better? But I really want to avoid the deck becoming too thick…….”

“Adding those cards will definitely make things a bit easier. But before that, there’s a concept we need to address.”

Elfelt seemed eager to fix the deck quickly right away, but that alone wouldn’t be enough to keep up with the new era.

“A concept?”

“Yes. The concepts of ‘Penetration’ and ‘Landing Point’.”

Simple rock-paper-scissors between cards isn’t enough. To win, you need to go beyond that.