Seeing Morgan's move, Ritter wasn't about to back down.
The effect of Dimension Barrier had already expired, so he could fully use Branded in Red to recover Fallen of Albaz from the Graveyard and then Fusion Summon. If he brought out Mirrorjade the Iceblade Dragon again and banished Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle from Morgan's field, then her last hope of turning the duel around would be crushed.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Branded in Red!"
"Add one Fallen of Albaz monster from the Graveyard to the hand, then send Fusion Material monsters from the hand and field to the Graveyard to Special Summon that Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck!"
Even so, Morgan had already predicted Ritter's move. The fact that he hadn't used Branded in Red the previous turn showed he was waiting for the perfect timing. He thought this was it—but he hadn't counted on the face-down Dimension Barrier still on Morgan's field.
Because of that card, Branded in Red could only recover Fallen of Albaz from the Graveyard.
"At this moment, I activate my face-down card, Dimension Barrier!"
The appearance of the Trap made Ritter's pupils contract, his expression darkening. No wonder Morgan had boldly used Dimension Barrier last turn. He had assumed it was just to bring out Lovely as a stepping stone, though in truth, it was because she had another copy in hand all along.
With Dimension Barrier activated, the chain resolved.
"According to Dimension Barrier's effect, I declare Fusion Monsters. This turn, you cannot Special Summon Fusion Monsters, and all Fusion Monsters on the field have their effects negated!"
Hearing Morgan's words, Ritter could only retrieve Albaz with Branded in Red and then stop there. Thanks to Eradicator Epidemic Virus, he had already lost too many Spells, and now this precious Fusion Summon opportunity slipped away too.
At least Fallen of Albaz was back in his hand. If he drew into a Fusion Spell next turn, he might still stand a chance.
After that, thanks to the effect of Labrynth Welcome, Morgan Special Summoned Arianna the Labrynth Servant in Defense Position.
With the maid's arrival, Morgan's plan was complete. Because she had activated Labrynth Welcome, the Field Spell Labrynth Labyrinth gave the Trap an additional effect to destroy a card on the field. And Morgan's chosen target was none other than Dramaturge of Despia, preparing to attack.
"I activate the effect of the Field Spell, Labrynth Labyrinth!"
"When you activate a Normal Trap Card like Labrynth Welcome, you can add the effect to destroy one card on the field."
"I destroy your Dramaturge of Despia!"
A void opened beneath Dramaturge's feet, filled with countless traps. After a long drop, a loud explosion resounded—the sound of Dramaturge being destroyed.
Ritter grew anxious. He had only Fairy Tail - Snow left on the field. If Snow were destroyed, he would be wide open to direct attacks, and he no longer had the resources to revive her.
Nevertheless, Morgan wasn't done. Because the destruction effect had been added to Labrynth Welcome, it counted as that Trap destroying Dramaturge. That in turn triggered Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle's effect, letting her destroy another card.
At the same time, Arianna's effect upon being Special Summoned also activated, joining the chain.
And the Field Spell's second effect, along with two furniture monsters in the Graveyard, all activated simultaneously. Morgan immediately stacked a long chain of effects.
The scariest part of the Labrynth Deck—the sheer resource cycling—was now showing its fangs. Ritter would face a flurry of relentless effects.
As the chain resolved, Labrynth Chandraglier returned from the Graveyard to Morgan's hand, Labrynth Stovie Torbie appeared on the field, and Labrynth Labyrinth's second effect Special Summoned another maid from the Graveyard.
In an instant, Morgan's field was swarming with monsters. The disadvantage from earlier had completely vanished.
And the maid's Special Summon effect searched a Trap directly from the Deck. After a moment's thought, Morgan chose Compulsory Evacuation Device, an effective answer to any powerful monster Ritter might summon. Meanwhile, Lovely randomly destroyed a card from Ritter's hand.
Ritter's resources dwindled once again. The card destroyed was Gryphon.
At least there was one silver lining—Eradicator Epidemic Virus's effect would end next turn, letting him use Spell Cards again.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Ritter's face. His position had suddenly worsened, and all he could do was play defensively.
"I Tribute Fairy Tail - Snow to Special Summon one monster in face-down Defense Position!"
A set monster appeared on Ritter's field. Morgan didn't know what it was, but she recalled Ritter had searched Shaddoll Beast earlier. If she guessed right, his last card was Fallen of Albaz.
"Before the turn ends, I activate Labrynth Stovie Torbie's effect!"
"Send this card and one card from my hand to the Graveyard, then add one Labrynth Welcome from the Deck to the hand!"
Seeing Morgan expand her field so freely on his turn, Ritter could only grit his teeth, powerless.
"My turn is over."
As Ritter was forced to end, the spectators' chatter swelled. After all, Morgan had just pulled off a comeback from a locked Life Point situation—something you rarely see. Still, the duel wasn't over yet. If Morgan couldn't finish Ritter this turn, the fight would rage on.
The second day's first duel was already this intense, leaving everyone fired up, eager to duel after watching Morgan's match.
Akiyama, however, fell quiet. His thoughts weren't even on Ritter anymore. He had just spotted a promising target among the female students. Once Ritter was defeated and she felt down, he planned to swoop in and comfort her.
"My turn—draw!"
Morgan drew sharply. Ritter was practically playing with open cards now. She drew a Trap; however, with her current field, she didn't even need it to finish the duel.
After a brief pause, she declared firmly:
"I activate the Trap Card, Labrynth Welcome!"
"I Special Summon Labrynth Chandraglier from the Graveyard!"
Chandraglier, the opposite of Stovie, had 1500 Attack and 0 Defense.
With Labrynth Welcome as the starting point, the same chain from the previous turn unfolded again. The Trap's added effect from Labrynth Labyrinth destroyed Ritter's Shaddoll Beast, and Morgan prepared to launch her direct attack with all her monsters.
"According to the effect of Labrynth Labyrinth, Labrynth Welcome gains the effect to destroy a card. I destroy your Shaddoll Beast!"
The Field Spell blazed with light, swallowing Shaddoll Beast and destroying it.
Ritter realized Morgan was going for the finishing blow. He had no choice except to banish the rest of his Graveyard and revive Snow again, hoping to stall the attack.
"I activate the effect of Fairy Tail - Snow in the Graveyard!"
"Banish seven cards from the Graveyard to Special Summon this card!"
Albeit even then, Morgan's face-down Compulsory Evacuation Device made Ritter's desperate effort meaningless. One Snow alone couldn't turn the tide. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, his pupils trembling. Adjusting his glasses with a shaky hand, he forced himself to calm down.
Snow appeared once more, and naturally, its effect targeted Morgan's Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle.
"I activate Fairy Tail - Snow's effect!"
"When this card is Special Summoned, you can change one monster your opponent controls to face-down Defense Position!"
"I target your Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle!"
Anyhow, it was pointless. It was Morgan's turn—she could just Flip Summon her monster again. The Compulsory Evacuation Device didn't negate effects, only bounced monsters.
The most delighted spectator was Akiyama, who was now convinced Ritter was finished. Straightening his clothes, trying to look cool, he wiped his shining forehead with a tissue, ready to approach after the duel.
Isla also realized what was about to happen and exhaled slowly. Morgan's Life Point lock had been nerve-wracking, but the result was turning out well.
"At this moment, I activate my face-down, Compulsory Evacuation Device!"
"I return your Fairy Tail - Snow to the hand!"
In the next instant, Snow was gone, and Lovely flipped back up.
Morgan casually flipped her monster face-up again, switched her field to Attack Position, and launched her final assault.
"Battle! Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle, direct attack on the player!"
...
TL: This novel has been updated up to the latest available chapter (current: 210), after which I do not have access. For now, it will remain in Paused status while I wait to see whether I can obtain the rest or not. Otherwise, it will be considered dropped.