Even knowing that her grandfather Locke had deliberately taken the three Sacred Beasts from her Deck, Luca still had to smile and play along.

After all, she counted as a hostage.

Perhaps Locke had foreseen her loss and taken the Sacred Beasts beforehand to prevent the most crucial one—Raviel—from being seized as Shadow Game payment.

After all, that card was the key to Locke Slint's lifelong pursuit of eternal life.

Luca played her part pathetically, pleading, "Grandpa, your cute granddaughter has fallen into the enemy's hands. You wouldn't abandon me, would you?"

"That's reasonable. After all, you are my only granddaughter. Young girl, Aisha Carlos, let's not beat around the bush. What do you want from me?"

The attempt at a hostage tactic worked unexpectedly well, even shocking Aisha. She wore a smug expression.

"I didn't expect the Imperial Marshal to be so easy to talk to. He really does sound like a doting grandpa."

"You're too naïve, Aisha."

Miles was already used to his host's airheaded nature.

That was why, before negotiations, Miles had swapped Aisha back into the Soul Room and taken control himself.

If Aisha negotiated, she'd probably hand Luca over the moment Locke acted pitiful or slipped her a few cards.

"This old fox has lived nearly a century. Don't think you can outscheme him. And that's the Millennium Eye, isn't it?"

If Miles recalled correctly, its wielder had killed the Millennium Key's host ten years ago.

Right now, the most important task was rescuing Deion Kaiser, defeated in the Shadow Game. The royal Spirit Eyes must not fall into the Slint family's hands.

"Let's exchange hostages, Locke Slint. You release Deion, and I'll return Luca. One for one—you won't lose anything."

Deion whispered bitterly, "Aisha Carlos, you…"

On the brink of losing his Duelist fate, the one trying to save him was a junior he had barely spoken to at the Academy.

"Damn it, so this is what it feels like to have a reliable junior. I'm too blessed!"

"Brother, get a hold of yourself. You sound like a creep. And Aisha is a cute boy."

"No, I really mean it, this junior is reliable—…wait, what? A boy? That's impossible, she lives in the girls' dorm!"

Locke's non-Millennium Eye narrowed. After hearing Miles's terms, he pondered, then said:

"Frankly, I cannot accept those terms."

"Grandpa, please reconsider!"

Dangling in the air, carried by Mokey Mokeys, Luca begged.

"Wouldn't it be better to save me first, and then we can take care of them together?"

Miles narrowed his eyes at her. "Could you scheme a little more quietly?"

"Since I stand here already, battle is unavoidable. Instead, let me propose a deal. Young girl, see if you accept this: a Duel between us, wagering both hostages. If I win, you free my granddaughter. If you win, I'll spare the Kaiser prince."

"So it comes down to a Duel after all."

To Miles, it made little difference. Even if Locke agreed to the hostage exchange, this clash was inevitable. If he lost, all hope was lost regardless.

"Fine. I accept."

"No, don't, Aisha Carlos!"

Deion urgently protested, afraid Aisha was being lured in.

"His Duel is unnatural—no ordinary person can win against it. The best option is to avoid battling the Imperial Marshal altogether."

Even recalling it now, Deion shivered, remembering how thoroughly his every move had been exposed.

"Unnatural, huh? I can guess why."

That Millennium Eye was far too obvious.

A relic that pierced the heart and revealed every step, every card—dominating any Duel environment.

"But sorry, senior. For a man, there are battles that must not be avoided!"

Miles's cool stance and declaration were flawless in his eyes.

However, to Deion Kaiser, they were shocking.

"Aisha Carlos… you mean you really are a man?!!"

His worldview collapsed. 'The junior I thought was a cute girl… turned out to be a boy?!'

Aisha shouted, "Miles, it's your fault! Now everyone will think weird things about me!"

What's so bad? Being a cute boy might be more popular than being just another pretty girl.

And with Deion's personality—boasting about his defeat until everyone heard—it wouldn't be long before Miles's invented "cute boy" attribute spread through the whole Academy.

Although first, both Aisha and Deion had to survive this looming clash of nations.

"For those who face reality and accept challenges, I give the highest praise. Let us begin—a Duel for the hostages!"

Locke Slint extended his Spirit Eyes and prepared his Deck.

"Wait—you're starting just like that? Something's off."

"What's the problem, young man?"

"The Shadow Game. You're not using it?"

"Heh. This is just a Duel for hostages. I trust you to honor your word, so there's no need. Besides, at my age, using Shadow Games too often is not good for me."

"Fair enough."

If the opponent didn't activate a Shadow Game, Miles wouldn't force it. Even though the Millennium Puzzle could, Miles didn't yet know how to use that power.

"Duel!"

[Locke Slint, LP: 4000]

[Aisha Carlos, LP: 4000]

Aisha muttered, "I can't believe it… I'm really about to Duel one of the legendary figures of the Spirit Continent."

Facing the Varian Empire's Marshal was like watching her childhood storybook hero step off the page and into reality.

...

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