After Diluc's turn ended, the spectators erupted in surprise.
They had assumed Diluc's [Destiny HERO - Doom Lord], with less than 1000 ATK, wouldn't amount to much—at best, a minor nuisance. They never expected that this [Destiny HERO - Doom Lord] could temporarily banish an opponent's monster from the field.
Luya's [Elemental HERO - Tempest], a monster summoned using three materials and [Polymerization], was gone—just like that.
The crowd stirred in awe, amazed by Diluc's strategy and Doom Lord's special effect.
"That's incredible—it can do that?!"
"Yeah… even if it's temporary, it still shuts the opponent down."
"Now I wonder how that man from Liyue will respond."
"Exactly! That Fusion Summon looked cool, but it costs way too many cards… you need [Polymerization] and multiple monsters in hand!"
"And now he's almost out of cards…"
Indeed, Luya had only two cards left in his hand. It seemed impossible for him to perform another Fusion Summon.
…
After Diluc temporarily banished Luya's [Elemental HERO - Tempest], the turn passed to Luya. To Mondstadt's onlookers, Luya's mighty hero—created by fusing four cards—had vanished, and his hand was nearly empty.
Surely, he couldn't summon anything powerful now.
But…
Luya remained completely calm.
Even with little on his field or in his hand, his Graveyard still held power.
And unless he dealt with Diluc's [Destiny HERO - Defender], he would be in trouble.
"My turn—Draw!"
Glancing at the green card in his hand, Luya placed it into his Spell Zone.
"I activate the Spell Card [Pot of Greed]!"
A deep-green pot with a huge yellow-toothed grin appeared.
Diluc had no cards on the field to negate it.
[Pot of Greed] successfully activated.
Two small green hands emerged from the pot, reaching into Luya's Deck—each hand drew one card and offered it to him.
The spectators who had just been commenting on Luya's lack of cards were instantly shocked.
"Ah!"
"That green pot can do that?!"
"So strong… it lets him draw two cards instantly!"
"He might pull another powerful Fusion Monster…"
"That could be bad news…"
While the citizens discussed excitedly, Luya smiled again. "I activate the Spell Card [Graceful Charity]!"
A gentle breeze swept through Mondstadt Plaza.
A beautiful angel in a pale green dress descended from the Statue of the Anemo Archon, hovering above the Duel Stage. With a golden halo above her head and twin wings unfurled behind her, she radiated divine grace.
The audience, mesmerized by her beauty, momentarily forgot they were watching a duel.
"What…?!"
"Is that… Lord Barbatos?!"
"She has wings and brings the wind of freedom!"
"No… it must be a card effect!"
"Look, she's holding three cards!"
The angel floated toward Luya, extending three softly glowing cards.
[Elemental HERO - Stratos]
[Elemental HERO - Knospe]
[Elemental HERO - Woodsman]
Luya selected [Elemental HERO - Woodsman], adding it to his hand while the other two flew into his Graveyard.
"[Graceful Charity]'s effect: draw three cards, choose one to keep, and discard the others."
Two consecutive draw effects left the crowd speechless. Moments ago, Luya had barely any cards—now he held several.
"I Normal Summon [Elemental HERO - Woodsman]!"
A teal-green flash lit up the plaza as a massive, half-orc warrior appeared—one side formed of thick vines, the other covered in rugged green skin.
[Elemental HERO - Woodsman] Level 4│EARTH│Warrior│1000 ATK / 2000 DEF
Woodsman's muscular frame rippled with strength, gripping a huge axe gleaming with cold light.
As the crowd stared, Luya continued, "I activate [Elemental HERO - Woodsman]'s effect! Once per turn, during your Standby Phase, you can add 1 [Polymerization] from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand."
The effect resolved, and a Spell Card [Polymerization] flew from the Deck into Luya's hand.
The moment [Polymerization] appeared, both the spectators and Diluc immediately understood what Luya intended next.
"I activate the Spell Card [Polymerization]!"
As Luya spoke, the Woodsman on his field transformed into a green light, while a yellow light from his hand—the power of [Elemental HERO - Wildheart]—rose to meet it.
The two lights intertwined in a swirling vortex of Fusion.
From the whirl of light and energy emerged a mech-like warrior clad in a sturdy, earthen shell.
[Elemental HERO - Gaia] Level 6│EARTH│Warrior│2200 ATK / 2600 DEF
Fusion Materials: "Elemental HERO" monster + EARTH monster
Though Gaia's ATK was only 2200, it possessed a special ability:
When this card is Fusion Summoned, you can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; until the end of this turn, that monster's ATK is halved, and this card gains the same amount.
Albeit…
Luya still had another card in hand.
"I activate a Spell Card—[Miracle Fusion]!"
The people of Mondstadt gasped.
"He can fuse again?!
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]