The Black Luster Soldier's blade sliced through the air, causing Priest Mahad to stagger backward two steps, involuntarily dropping to one knee on the ground.
The figure of the Black Luster Soldier gradually became transparent until it disappeared from the field. Mahad remained half-kneeling on the ground, his head lowered, eyes closed, and silent for a long time without speaking.
He appeared very calm... or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he was despondent.
He had lost, completely and utterly. The spirits he commanded were far from as powerful as the legendary "Black Luster Soldier," and as an Elf Master, he was also inferior in strategy and arrangement.
Mahad had extensively studied various magical texts and had reached the pinnacle in the field of Black Magic, claiming to be the top magician in the nation... no, confident in being the best in the world.
Moreover, he was a priest who had undergone rigorous training and had a soul refined through countless trials.
Protecting the Pharaoh and fulfilling his dreams should have been his duty, the value, and meaning of his life. But now, a cruel reality stood before him.
That reality was that he was not strong enough.
Whether it was Bakura, the current Pharaoh, or this warrior named Youyu who suddenly appeared before him, their strength all exceeded the understanding that priests had until now.
With his current power, even if he burned his soul, he might not be an opponent for Bakura and his Three Evil Gods.
"Mahad."
A voice came from the side. Mahad hurriedly stood up and looked up, "Pharaoh?"
The one who came was none other than Dark Yugi, who was now the Pharaoh.
Jonouchi and the others were not present for the moment—they seemed to be receiving a warm welcome as honored guests, but Yugi remained inseparable from the king's side.
Following behind them were several other priests from the Priesthood.
Mahad did not anticipate that their seemingly ordinary sparring would become so earth-shattering. Especially with the various forms of the Black Luster Soldier, each one appearing with overwhelming presence, with flashes of lightning and abnormal celestial phenomena on entry, full visual and sound effects, attracting anyone's attention unless they were deaf or blind.
Thus, it was only natural that the Pharaoh and the Priesthood gathered here.
In fact, they had begun to arrive during the duel, but seeing Youyu and Mahad locked in such an intense and extraordinarily exciting battle, no one wanted to interrupt.
This duel was truly spectacular for the duelists of Ancient Egypt.
The two Yugis were not particularly surprised; they had already witnessed some of Youyu's skills. While they were slightly amazed at Youyu's summoning of the Black Luster Soldier, they merely nodded and made a few brief remarks.
For instance, Yugi conventionally remarked, "Youyu is getting stronger," to which Dark Yugi typically responded, "I'm also getting stronger"...
For the other priests, however, this duel indeed stirred up a storm in their hearts.
Fortunately, the previous duel between the Pharaoh and the Thief King had prepared them a bit mentally for such high-level duels.
Priest Set, who had faced Youyu directly, was not too surprised at his power; instead, Mahad's dazzling performance somewhat refreshed his understanding.
"Mahad, did he really always hide such strength?" Set thought to himself, "So every time we sparred before, did he intentionally hold back?"
"..."
Hum↓!
Upon thinking about this, Set felt displeased.
He felt like he was being underestimated.
"I apologize deeply, Pharaoh." Mahad knelt on one knee, "I thought I could take down the Thief King on my own and acted on my own... but this Lord Youyu has reminded me that I was too arrogant. I shouldn't act on my own, and I definitely shouldn't conceal anything from the Pharaoh.
Please punish me, Pharaoh."
He kept his head lowered, looking ready to accept any punishment.
"Humility and arrogance have always been cardinal sins for a priest, and concealing anything from the Pharaoh is utterly unforgivable," Priest Set interjected, "Mahad, even if you are a priest trained through countless trials, such actions mean you must have prepared to face the consequences, haven't you?"
As Priest Set spoke, he exhibited the "nostril gaze," a traditional skill of President Haima, with such a distinctive tone that Youyu could imagine the president's expression even with his eyes closed.
But this time, Youyu squinted at him, thinking that aside from the previous points, did the president really think he had the right to talk about "arrogance"?
"Yes, I'm prepared for that." Mahad still didn't raise his head.
"Speaking of which, when the Thief King broke into the Royal Palace, part of that responsibility was yours. I recall you were initially in charge of the Royal Palace's security, weren't you? With such a huge oversight, do you understand your sin?" Set continued pressing.
"Yes."
The other priests remained silent.
"Technically, these offenses are enough to strip you of your priest status, with the Pharaoh personally meting out punishment... but that would be too lenient for you." Set said coldly, "That would be too easy for you.
The sins you've committed must be atoned by you personally, using your priest's status to cleanse this nation of sin and eliminate obstacles, offering the Pharaoh your blood and soul, to achieve prosperity and flourishing for our nation. Only then can you atone for your sins!"
Youyu: "?"
Mahad was also somewhat taken aback, looking up at Set.
Priest Set had always been at odds with him, and the icy gaze he usually directed at Mahad always seemed ready for a confrontation at any moment.
Yet now, Mahad felt that this cold and unyielding Priest Set seemed like...
...he was indirectly pleading on his behalf?
Was it an illusion? Or was his understanding just wrong?
"Hum↓." Set turned his nose up, crossing his arms with the Millennium Rod, "Being selected as a priest means you must have exceptional qualities, finding a decent priest is not easy, so keeping you in this position for now is not an unreasonable measure."
Finishing this, he turned around, respectfully placing the rod horizontally in front of him, kneeling on one knee to salute the Pharaoh.
"Pharaoh, in my personal capacity, I suggest we temporarily retain Mahad's status as a priest, allowing him to atone through his merits."
Youyu: "..."
After all this, it turned out he really was pleading for him?
Even the players hiding alongside Mana couldn't help but stir.
As expected of President Kaiba!
Many people often say "old tsundere," but most are just casually saying it. These words are probably only truly accurate when it comes to President Kaiba, because he is the "true old tsundere."
To what extent, you ask?
A thousand-year-old tsundere, as ancient as the Millennium Rod in his hand and the Millennium Puzzle on the king's chest.
However... those who understand, understand, this time the president really wasted his expression.
Because the king... would never truly punish his master.
In fact, after recognizing Mana as the Dark Magician Girl, Dark Yugi quickly also recognized this loyal priest Mahad as none other than the Ace Monster "Dark Magician," who had remained steadfast by his side, weathering countless storms over three millennia.
Now, looking at him, Yugi only felt a deep affection, and of course, he wouldn't hold his stubbornness against him.
"It's okay, Mahad. Stand up, none of this is your fault." Yugi smiled.
"But Pharaoh..."
Mahad wanted to say something more, but Yugi had already reached out to lift him up.
"I understand your feelings, and I'm sincerely grateful," he said, "But the Thief King is my enemy, my responsibility. As the Pharaoh, some enemies I must personally defeat, some matters I must bear myself."
He looked sincerely at Mahad, directly into his eyes, and slowly asked, "Will you still be willing to lend me your strength?"
He said this both to Mahad—the NPC priest in this memory sandbox—and to the Dark Magician who had accompanied him relentlessly for three thousand years.
Mahad hurriedly lowered his head, "I would willingly risk my life!"
Yugi gently smiled, patting his shoulder, his demeanor more like that of a brother than a master to a servant.
The atmosphere was remarkably harmonious, except it seemed like the Pharaoh had temporarily forgotten...
Mahad had been personally helped up by him, but Priest Set, who had kneeled to plead, was still holding that rigid posture, unable to rise until the Pharaoh spoke.
The silly players were laughing so hard they were bending over, even adding voice lines and embellishments to Set's inner monologue.
"Set: Damn it, can you guys wait to chat later? I've been kneeling so long my back hurts, and my knees are aching."
"Shock! The reason behind President Kaiba's betrayal in a past life is found, the reason being loss of favor..."