"It seems I've won, Your Majesty."
Yugen put away the Duel Disc.
Pharaoh: "..."
Yugen stepped forward two steps. But as soon as he moved, soldiers from below jumped up immediately, surrounding him with long spears.
"Halt!"
"Do not take another step."
"Damn bastard, how dare you be so rude to the Pharaoh..."
The soldiers grew more agitated, some seemed ready to thrust their spears in retaliation for the Pharaoh's recent defeat.
But Yugen appeared oblivious to the encircling spears, calmly looking at Abidos III.
"What do you say, Your Majesty?"
Abidos III panted heavily, calming his breath momentarily, and stood up supporting himself on his knees.
"S-stop..."
All soldiers looked at the Pharaoh.
"But Your Majesty..."
"I said stop." The Pharaoh stood up, with a flick of his cloak, his voice carrying an undeniable authority, "I am a Duelist. Such a disgraceful defeat is already intolerable, do you intend to disgrace me further?"
The soldiers looked at each other, but ultimately obeyed his command, putting away their spears and retreating.
The Pharaoh looked at Yugen again, exhaling heavily.
"You did not take my life." He said indifferently, "But I should have been long dead, only choosing to return to the land of the living in search of a true opponent, a thrilling duel..."
He paused, shaking his head, not saying more.
He found a true opponent, yet the thrilling duel was absent.
What just happened was more like an interrogation than a duel. The Pharaoh reflected on whether he had done something wrong during his reign or committed unknowingly unforgivable mistakes. Why else would fate send such a person to judge him?
Simultaneously, he felt increasingly reconciled to the fact he was arrogant, unnecessarily seeking a real duelist after three thousand years...
...Although, this duel indeed solved his problem.
In the original anime, Abidos III faced Yuki Judai. Though the result was the same—defeat—it was exhilarating, fought with gusto.
Even at the end of the duel, he warmly invited Judai to accompany him to the Netherworld. As the duel had not extinguished his passion but stimulated it, going to the Underworld to duel with Judai daily would be delightfully enjoyable.
However, this time, His Majesty the Pharaoh lost the desire to duel with anyone ever again. He found torturing his subordinates daily rather amusing, no longer wanting duel matches with strong contenders.
As for inviting Yugen to the Netherworld to duel?
He might have to resurrect from the dead out of anger in a few days.
"I will return where I belong."
The Pharaoh said.
"Rest assured, I will not return, I will not disturb the realm of the living."
"There's no rush."
Yugen smiled.
"You still need to help me with a small favor, remember, Your Majesty?"
The Pharaoh hesitated, then nodded, "Of course. I am a Duelist, naturally, I keep my word. Tell me, as long as I can fulfill it..."
"Actually, nothing much."
Yugen turned to look toward the door.
"This matter is also something I must entrust to you."
Tania was still looking complex, in a dazed state.
Even the Duel God was punished like her...
...No, perhaps even worse than her.
Though she hadn't seen Abidos III's coffin strategy, she could somewhat tell that this Pharaoh intended to implement a strategy he never executed, suppressed entirely throughout the duel.
This Revolver guy is terrifying.
She was merely an observer when Yugen mentioned her name, surprising her slightly: "Me?"
"Yes."
Yugen looked at the Pharaoh beside him.
"I presume, Your Majesty, you have no idea where the Master of Seven-Star is?"
"No idea."
Abidos III shook his head.
"I only know it's the man who revived me. But I don't care who he is; he promised worthy duelist opponents for a genuine duel.
Until then, I am to wait here."
He said, glancing at his hand, clenching his fist as if testing the vitality flowing within.
"The power he gave sustains this body in this era but cannot last long. Thus, I sleep to conserve energy, only acting when duels are necessary or urgent issues need addressing."
Yugen nodded. This was consistent with what Tania had disclosed to him.
"Well. I hope you remain quiet for now, stay with Seven-Star, and do nothing for the time being."
The two Seven-Star Officers exchanged looks, incredulous.
Is this truly possible?
They are Dark Duelists. Losing a duel would naturally require payment, surrendering one's soul, and facing consequences is common. Yet this person tells them to maintain their status quo without doing anything, is there such a convenient situation?
"Haha, of course, not forever. I have a small plan." Yugen smiled, "Each of you has tasks within the plan.
When it's time to implement, I will notify you."
The Pharaoh and Tania looked at each other again.
"I understand."
The Pharaoh nodded, agreeing.
As the defeated in the duel, they have no room for negotiation.
Connecting with Yugen's earlier inquiries, Tania guessed something: "You want us to act as moles within Seven-Star?"
Yugen smiled without answering.
"I see... That Master of Seven-Star, I guess there's a grudge between you?"
Yugen shook his head: "No, we are strangers."
Tania puzzled: "Then why are you so relentless..."
"Let's put it this way, there's a risk of conflict in our positions." Yugen said, "Moreover, what he's attempting is too dangerous, if not restrained it might threaten me and many I know."
Tania contemplated.
"So, you decided to preemptively strike before it happens, targeting him?"
"Yes, I am not fond of uncertainties. If resolved while controllable, that would be best."
Tania: "..."
She dared not voice a thought.
In a world rife with dark, dangerous existences, do you intend to confront and eliminate each one?
Moreover, if this person accomplishes it, eradicating every existence he deems threatening...
...Wouldn't he become the greatest uncontrollable threat in the world?