"Roar ahh!"
A piercing scream echoed from the other end of the airplane communication, long and mournful, as if piercing the clouds.
It was the sound of despair from watching his prized ace, the Greedy Star, perish tragically while being held hostage.
To be honest, the Sacrificial series shouldn't be unfamiliar to him. Although Daryup Skaw was a disciple of Pegasus Nightwalker, Nightwalker himself was Beckas' adopted son. Having been with Nightwalker for many years, he had more than one chance to interact with Mr. Beckas.
In fact, he was fortunate enough once to witness Mr. Beckas in card action firsthand. Beckas had retired since Duel Kingdom, not battling for many years, and that event was only seen by a few close insiders of the company.
That card game indeed left a deep impression on him. Mr. Beckas' card deck revolved around bypassing monsters to attack the opponent Duelist directly, combined with the NTR-inducing Sacrificial series, they truly showcased the legendary power of the Father of Duel Monsters.
Yet comparing to today, doubt suddenly arose in his heart—
—Did you really create the Sacrificial Demon?
Why does this person's Sacrificial Demon feel more fluent than Mr. Beckas' by at least twice as much...
At first glance, he thought it was a Mage card deck, only to find it was all tailor-made around the Sacrificial Demon. By exhausting Mana Indicators, the Sacrificial Demon repeatedly resurrects the magic guiding Minotaur, combined with the Sacrificial Demon accelerating card draws through the Magic Race Barrier, and added to that is the sudden mutation allowing for an extra NTR transformation...
Comparing this build, what garbage is Beckas' original system?
Recalling back to Beckas' Sacrificial Demon of yesteryears, difficult to summon, Thousand-Eyed Sacrificial Demon needing Mortal Bone as material for Fusion to appear, and still obediently adhering to its effect restriction, absorbing only one monster per turn.
And then looking back at this person, Sacrificial Demon relentlessly resurrects like Infinite life, sudden mutation transforms a card, eating three to five opponent monsters each turn with ease.
Even making one feel like Beckas didn't unleash even half of the Underworld potential of this thing.
Who truly is the Father of Duel Monsters?
The string of reluctant screams cut abruptly.
But it was not Daryup who stopped, but rather the communication between them was interrupted.
Turning back again, Yugen also saw the giant iron bird that had been trailing them seemed to have lost its soul. The jet, like an abandoned toy, spun and drifted helplessly in the air currents, the fuselage drawing breathtaking curves against the sky with a loud roar.
The clouds were torn apart, and the mottled moonlight scattered upon the twisted metal surface, as the iron bird fell like a broken wing.
Apparently, with Daryup's duel defeat, control over his airplane was lost, just like Lucifer facing a nine-day fall.
From such a height, even if Daryup were still alive now, he'd be lifeless upon hitting the ground.
"Silent," Yugen said softly.
No more communication needed, no detailed instructions required, the Silent Magician was already like an arrow released, flying out from the cabin.
She turned into a remnant of white light, quickly diving, soon catching up with the falling plane.
She maintained a diving position, but lightly pointed forward with her Magic Staff, drawing a circle lightly. Milky white magic power poured out, transforming into cutting solid energy on the exterior shell of the cabin.
The heavy metal shell was immediately slashed open by the white magic light, like a hot knife through butter. The Silent Magician darted inside with a figure, and moments later flew out carrying an unconscious Daryup.
She flew back to Yugen's cabin, carrying the faint, half-alive Daryup. By this time, Daryup's plane had long since been left behind, plummeting down towards the sea, disappearing without a trace.
The Silent Magician held Daryup in one hand, tilted her head towards Yugen, as if asking what he intended to do with him.
Yugen casually waved his hand, "Just dump him here for now."
He had already discerned that this person was merely controlled and used, his mind rewritten by some powerful spiritual ability. Subduing him with a duel was sufficient, no need to take the life of such a skilled fighter without reason.
"Going back, Pegasus Nightwalker owes me an even bigger favor or two."
Yugen muttered.
Then connecting with Keihei's communication, he asked, "How does the Foundation's investigation look?"
"I've met with Pegasus Nightwalker on this end," Keihei replied. "Nightwalker said the foundation had been ambushed recently, with several accomplished card professors going missing.
Some were taken from their homes, others attacked while walking alone at night. On-site investigation showed traces of a duel, and reactions indicative of dark forces were detected..."
"Understood, let me know of any further progress," Yugen nodded.
He then swiped to turn off the communication screen.
It was much as he had guessed.
Whether it be Kiku Lloyd, or the card professors, they were functioning like actors summoned by certain someone. Their role was presenting a puzzling mystery to provoke Yugen into investigating, at least keeping him busy outside for a time.
However, when Yugen decisively turned back to the Academy, Daryup Skaw arrived with the purpose of delaying him.
Though apparently, he hadn't fulfilled his mission smoothly.
"Five minutes to Duel Academy remaining," the built-in AI reminded.
"Alright."
Yugen stood up from the seat.
"Prepare the glider, I'm going to parachute in a moment."
...
...
Duel Academy, deep at night.
The night was pitch black, utterly silent, only sparse starlight and the distant sound of waves gently lapping the shore weaving into the night's symphony.
Light from flashlights pierced through the dim forest like a sharp sword, the silhouettes of two patrolling guards flitting in and out of illumination.
"Honestly, is there still a need for us to patrol a place like this?"
One guard muttered.
"Isn't the most valuable thing on this island supposed to be the Three Phantom Demons? But I heard they have been taken by the Duel King, what else is worth coveting?"
"Ha, shows what you know," his companion said with a tone of instructive seriousness, "This island is rich in talents and resources, there's quite a lot of valuable stuff."
"Is that so..."
"Of course," the guard B paused, suddenly chuckling, "Also, I don't mind the night patrols. At least it gives me a legitimate reason to come back home late."
Guard A curiously asked, "Oh? Don't want to go back? Got into a fight with the wife?"
"No, if it was a fight, it would be better," Guard B sighed, "The wife is getting clingier, leaving me constantly fatigued. It's only the nights on patrol that allow me to catch my breath...
...You're still young, you don't get it. When you're my age, you'll understand."
Guard A: "..."
Amid their conversation, they suddenly heard a movement behind them. They turned around sharply.
"Who?!"
Only to see a white-robed figure standing behind them without notice, hands crossed behind, facing them with a cold, wicked smile.
"Who are you?" the guard shouted sternly, "This is a restricted area."
The man gave no answer, merely slowly raised his arm, showing the Duel Disc on his hand.
In his eyes seemed to be a surging aura of malice.
The two guards exchanged a look.
"Alright, you asked for it."
The two simultaneously activated their Duel Discs.
"..."
"Ahhhhhh!!!" x2
Just a minute later, Professor Mackenzie walked unhurriedly out from amidst the trees, licking his lips like he just enjoyed a feast.
"The Elf of Bai Yu, the Feathers of Maut... just you wait."
The Professor spoke coldly.
"I'm coming."