Chapter 44: TST [44]
Despite that, this turn, she could still only play defensively. After all, [Imperial Order] was still on Morgan's field, preventing the use of Spell Cards.
And the moment Viviana drew a card, Morgan's Life Points dropped by another 700.
The card Viviana drew was a Trap Card—[Crystal Raigeki]!
This card lets her send 1 "Crystal Beast" card from her Spell/Trap Zone to the Graveyard to destroy 1 card on the opponent's field.
Right now, she had two "Crystal Beast" cards in her Spell/Trap Zone.
One of them had been placed there through Sapphire Pegasus's effect, allowing her to place a "Crystal Beast" from her Deck into the Spell/Trap Zone.
Her choice was [Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle]!
Counting the Crystal Beasts on her field and in hand, she was one step closer to summoning Rainbow Dragon.
"I Normal Summon [Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise] in Defense Position!"
[Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise] Level 4│WATER│Aqua│600 ATK / 2000 DEF
A wizened tortoise with a shell encrusted in emeralds appeared on the field. Being in Defense Position, it tucked itself entirely into its shell, only its gleaming eyes visible.
"I Set two cards. Turn end!"
Though she didn't intend to give up, facing Morgan's suppression, she could only cautiously wait for an opening.
Seeing Viviana hadn't pulled off a comeback, the crowd looked disappointed—but quickly recovered and resumed cheering.
"Let's go, Viviana Sweetheart! I believe in you!"
"We must resist the witch's tyranny to the very end!"
"Viviana Sweetheart, summon your Rainbow Dragon and end this duel!"
'Rainbow Dragon?'
Hearing the shout, Morgan paused. So Viviana really did have [Rainbow Dragon, the Ultimate Crystal]?
She didn't play Crystal Beasts herself, but she did know Rainbow Dragon's summoning condition.
You needed to have seven different Crystal Beasts on your field and in the Graveyard to Special Summon it. So to stop Viviana from summoning it, she'd need to target the Crystal Beasts in those zones.
Morgan thought for a moment, then placed her pale fingers on the top card of her Deck.
"My turn—draw!"
As Morgan drew, her Life Points dropped another 700.
She glanced over her hand, then gave Viviana's Set cards a thoughtful look.
Emerald Tortoise could block one attack, but the combined Attack of her remaining Eldlich and [Conquistador of the Golden Land] was just enough to reduce Viviana's LP to zero.
So the only thing that could save her must be hidden in those two face-down cards.
Just then, before Morgan could finish her thought, Viviana flipped both of them.
"Activate Trap Card—[Crystal Raigeki]!
Send 1 face-up "Crystal Beast" card from my Spell/Trap Zone to the Graveyard, then destroy 1 card on your field!"
The gem representing Sapphire Pegasus vanished from her field and was sent to the Graveyard.
"I destroy your [Imperial Order]!"
At once, [Imperial Order] on Morgan's field shattered—freeing Spell Cards from their lockdown.
But that alone wasn't enough to save Viviana. She needed another card.
"Activate another Trap Card—[Crystal Conclave]!
Send this card to the Graveyard and target 1 "Crystal Beast" card I control and 1 card on your field. Return both to their owners' hands!"
"I target [Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle] and your [Eldlich the Golden Lord]—return them to our hands!"
As Viviana finished, the red gem representing Ruby Carbuncle and Eldlich both turned into glowing streaks of light and returned to their respective hands.
Seeing her chain resolve successfully, a smile bloomed on Viviana's face.
Eldlich was a Level 8 monster—without a dedicated Spell or Trap, it would be hard to summon again.
This meant Morgan couldn't finish her off this turn.
If she could just survive until the next one, she'd have a chance to summon Rainbow Dragon!
"Nice job! That's our Viviana Sweetheart!"
"She broke through the witch's chain combo! Rainbow Dragon's coming next, right?"
"I knew Viviana Sweetheart would claim the ultimate victory!"
Viviana blew a kiss to the cheering fans. For the first time, she found these overzealous fanatics oddly adorable.
And though her lockdown had been broken and Eldlich bounced, Morgan didn't panic.
In truth, the only real threat in Viviana's deck was Rainbow Dragon. As long as she stopped it from appearing, she'd win.
Besides, Eldlich actually had two different forms.
On the field, it was practically a Normal Monster.
However, in the hand, Deck, or Graveyard, it was treated as an actual Effect Monster.
Because of that, [Skill Drain] had minimal impact on it.
As Viviana rekindled her fighting spirit, Morgan had already prepared her next chain. With a smile, she declared loudly:
"Activate my Set card—[Huaquero of the Golden Land]!"