Chapter 1201: Majestic Red Dragon

"You're starting to show some kingly presence again," Kira nodded with a smile. "Seems you've finally recovered from the pain of being dethroned."

Jack: "Shut up!"

"Alright, I'll let it go." Kira reminded him, "But, you just summoned 'Red Dragon Archfiend', 'Majestic Dragon', 'Jester Confit', and 'Majestic Red Dragon'—four total.

Lord of Phantasms Raviel's effect: whenever the opponent Normal, Special, or Flip Summons a monster, you Special Summon a 'Phantasm Token' in Defense Position.

So for each summon, one more 'Phantasm Token' in defense."

[Phantasm Token, DEF 1000]

Jack shot back. "Doesn't matter how many extras you have! I told you, I'll crush them all with the Power of the Absolute King!"

Jack slapped another card down.

"Spell Card: 'Card Destruction!' Every player discards their hand to the Graveyard, then draws the same number!"

Crow: "Ooh, nice! Jack's targeting that guy's 'Shimmering Scraper', right?"

Jack snorted, "As if I, Jack Atlas, would just run headlong into a trap unprepared!"

Kira laughed. "Oh, really?"

Yet everyone knew: in the original series, the King rushed into traps constantly, pure wild style.

But, sure. If he says so, Kira won't argue.

"At this moment, I chain to 'Card Destruction'." Kira displayed a monster from his hand. "I discard 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel – Shimmering Scraper' from my hand—its effect activates!

When discarded, the on-field 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel's ATK doubles!"

As his monster hit the Graveyard, Raviel's power surged, roaring with blue flames erupting from its claws.

[Lord of Phantasms Raviel, ATK 4000 → ATK 8000]

"Shimmering Scraper's effect also triggers during your opponent's turn, Jack," Kira smiled. "Did you forget?"

The "Card Destruction" effect resolved, everyone discarded and redrew.

Jack grunted, "Of course I knew! Watch now—the King's absolute reversal!"

He raised his right arm, shouting, "Activate 'Majestic Red Dragon's effect!

Once per turn, I target one monster on your field—their effect becomes null, and Majestic Red Dragon absorbs their ATK, boosting itself by the same amount—

Power Boost!!!"

Majestic Red Dragon's power went off, its body now like a black hole, hungrily pulling in energy. Raviel's body dulled, its power drawn out as streams of red particles—like blood—coursed into the Majestic Red Dragon.

[Majestic Red Dragon, ATK 4000 → ATK 12000]

Crow gasped in awe, "Twelve thousand ATK!"

All five Signer marks had gathered upon Jack, and this newly forged Majestic Red Dragon—incarnate of the Crimson Dragon—had the unrivaled strength to tip the battle in a single strike! That's why Jack forced the discard using 'Card Destruction': if he let Kira boost Raviel during the battle phase after Jack absorbed its "normal" strength, then they'd just tie at 8000 and nothing would be resolved.

But by forcing him to act early, Jack could absorb the stronger Raviel, and win outright!

"RAAARGH!!"

Jack roared, wild and primitive.

"This is all of me—a raging soul!

Go, Majestic Red Dragon, crush Raviel!

Ultimate Authority Domination!!!"

Triple halos of destructive energy converged at the dragon's claw, compressing twelve-thousand attack points into a thirty-meter-diameter blood-red energy sphere. Raviel, immobilized under the energy's grip, let out a final, metallic screech as the blast struck.

Crimson Demon Dragon's wings flared wide, flames bursting across its spine, warping the air into a spiderweb of fissures. The Nazca Condor overhead faltered, half-torn away.

BOOM!

Destruction descended. The shockwaves were terrifying. As the dark red energy ball struck Raviel, the mighty demon howled—its steel-hard body vaporizing like sunlight through thin ice, a three-meter tunnel seared through its massive torso, falling in pieces down to the earth, its colossal form collapsing on a molecular level.

[Kira, LP 5700 → LP 1700]

"We did it!"

Crow was nearly moved to tears.

This overwhelming Goodwin had made them feel true despair, but with their bonds, and the Crimson Dragon's power, they'd finally cut him down to 1700 LP! At last, there seemed to be hope of victory.

They'd never given up, but only now did it truly feel possible—they could beat Goodwin!

Even Yusei's calm broke, "Amazing, Jack!"

Jack sneered arrogantly, "Naturally! Did you forget who you're talking to?"

Yet from the smoke on the other side, a round of slow applause was heard.

"Impressive, truly impressive."

But—even a compliment from their opponent put the trio on edge.

Somehow, all of them sensed that more treachery was coming.

Indeed, it was.

"Absolute strength… Believing in your power at all times and smashing down anything in your way is your creed, and the reason you're so strong.

But, if you pursue only strength and ignore everything else, it also becomes your weakness."

Kira spoke lightly.

Jack frowned.

This guy... what's with that lecturing tone?

Kira quietly muttered, "Originally, it would have been Team Unicorn to teach you this lesson. But Z-ONE asked me, so… I'll just give you this class early."

He smiled, eyes narrowing.

"And Majestic Red Dragon's effect isn't just to absorb ATK, right?"

…