Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh!

The transparent sacred shield burst forth with blinding light from the Trap card, rebounding toward Venus like a tidal wave.

"When the opponent declares an attack, destroy all Attack Position monsters on their field!" Tragoedia shouted. "If I can't use Venus, I'll destroy her!

Bury Splendid Venus!"

"Muda."

Kira snapped his fingers.

In the next instant, Mirror Force's shield shattered with a crisp crack.

"NANI?!"

Tragoedia was stunned.

"Why? How could Mirror Force…?!"

He then saw a card on Kira's field—one that had somehow appeared in the back row.

Continuous Trap—Royal Decree.

While Royal Decree is on the field, the effects of all Traps except this card are negated.

"Chaining to Mirror Force, I activate Royal Decree from my hand—Trap effects are negated," Kira said. "So the attack continues.

Splendid Venus, destroy Dark Valkyria!"

Dark Valkyria couldn't withstand Venus's blow; the blast from her staff was like a force piercing deep into the soul. The Dark Valkyria's wings shattered instantly, and her form was soon swallowed by the holy light.

"With One Day of Peace's effect, no damage is dealt—so I end my turn."

"Tch, even my Traps are sealed now," Tragoedia gritted his teeth.

Not only had the tables turned, but his deck's ace, Venus, had been stolen.

The Planet Series meant a lot to Tragoedia. The reason he controlled Reggie to participate was because he'd learned the Terra card was in Koyo's hands and wanted to steal it.

But at this rate, Venus would be stolen before he could get Terra.

But it wasn't over yet.

"My turn. Draw!" Tragoedia said. "I activate the Spell 'Magic Planter'—send a Continuous Spell on my field to the Graveyard to draw two cards!" (Anime effect)

He pointed to his back row.

"I send the Continuous Spell 'Court of Justice' to the Graveyard—draw two cards!"

"Sorry, no can do." Kira calmly waved his hand. "I activate my set card—Continuous Trap, Imperial Order.

As long as this card remains in the Spell/Trap Zone, all Spell Card effects are negated!"

Tragoedia: "!"

After sealing Traps, now Spell too!?

Wait, that's not right…

"Wait, Royal Decree and Imperial Order can't be used together," Tragoedia protested. "While Royal Decree is on the field, all other Traps are negated, including your own. So Imperial Order would also be negated."

Royal Decree and Imperial Order, both Royal lockdown cards—one for spells, one for traps—seem like a natural combo for a total lockdown. But in practice, the Royal series are Traps, so all would be negated by Decree.

So in theory, this perfect dual lockdown shouldn't be possible.

However…

"Huh, did you forget your own ace's effect?"

Kira smiled, pointing at the now-turned Big Angel on his field.

Splendid Venus.

[Effect: As long as this card is on the field, the activation and effects of your Spell/Trap cards cannot be negated.]

Tragoedia was stunned.

Then Reggie's mouth, under his control, slowly opened, face contorting—

This… this…

With Venus on the field, Kira's Spell/Trap cards couldn't be negated. In other words, Royal Decree and Imperial Order, both lockdowns, worked one-way.

Only the opponent couldn't use spells or traps—Kira could use them freely.

So naturally, Imperial Order wasn't negated by Royal Decree. Both cards took effect—a theoretically impossible complete lockdown, realized in Venus's absolute magic domain.

That's not all. Because Venus was present, "Light-Imprisoning Mirror," which should have been negated by Royal Decree, was also protected. Thus, all LIGHT monster effects from the field or graveyard were negated.

And Tragoedia was controlling Reggie, whose deck was almost entirely LIGHT monsters.

No Spells, no Traps, no monster effects…

And your ace from your own deck is now turned against you.

What kind of hell is this!?

Even Reggie was shocked.

She'd held Venus for so long, defeating countless opponents with it, but had never seen a situation like this.

Could it be… this is the real way to use Splendid Venus!?

Turning all top lockdowns into one-way locks, trapping your opponent in utter despair?

Reggie gasped, inwardly thinking "good grief" several times.

Suddenly, she felt relieved it was Tragoedia dueling now. As much as she hated that dark Shrimp, she had to admit this monster's strength was bottomless.

If she herself faced this, she'd have already given up.

Now, let's see if Tragoedia has any tricks to escape this predicament…

Huh?

Reggie realized something was off.

She tried moving her arms, rotating her neck.

To her surprise, she found she'd regained control of her body.

And the cold, dark aura that had surrounded her since the duel began had vanished.

"…Hey, are you there?"

She tried contacting the spirit behind her.

"Say something."

"Where are you?"

At that moment, Reggie realized—

—Her substitute had run away.

Tragoedia: What the hell—how am I supposed to play like this?

No spell, no traps, no monster effects, can't play a single card—how about you try and break this board, huh?

I'm out. Really out. Player is gone—don't @ me.

Reggie was left reeling.

Wait—

You show off so much and then, when you can't win, just bail, leaving me to take the hit!?

Then Kira spoke again.

"If you're not going to do anything, then it's my turn again."

Kira smiled.

"My turn. Draw," Kira said. "During my Standby Phase, I need to pay 700 LP to keep Imperial Order on the field."

[Kira, LP 2500 → LP 1800]

"Wait!"

Reggie panicked.

"I was forced! I was hijacked—"

"I know," Kira nodded.

"Huh?" Reggie was stunned.

Kira knew she was a victim. But it didn't matter.

Even if she was forced, she had shown killing intent. To survive, she'd do anything, even use underhanded tricks. In the original story, she'd defeated Midori Hibiki by threatening her with her comatose brother's information.

She wanted to kill him, so Kira wouldn't just sit there. In a Shadow Duel, there can only be one winner. Anyone in the way is an enemy—defeat them, simple as that.

Kira: "Battle Phase."

"No, wait—" Reggie stammered. "It's a misunderstanding…"

"Splendid Venus, Raiza—direct attack," Kira said without hesitation.

"Uwaaahhhh!!!"

[Reggie, LP 4000 → LP 0]

PS: Bonus chapter at 500 PS