After being directly attacked by the Infernoid demons, Construct's body froze, collapsing to its knees with both hands hanging limply. For a while, it drifted into unconsciousness. Only after so ti did it slowly regain awareness.
In that mont, it wondered: would it, like Winda, have its body stolen now that it had lost?
However, it soon realized that the being who had stolen Winda's body and now walked the world with her appearance wasn't even looking at it. Instead, she was cheerfully waving toward that human warrior.
Right now, she was proudly showing off to Amaki Hikaru.
"Well? Amaki Hikaru, first Duel ever, and I easily defeated a powerful Spirit!"
"Graceful Charity plus Pot of Greed, then literally using divine power to force a four-card perfect draw... You're unbelievable." Hikaru couldn't help but grumble.
Even in her weakened state, Tierra wasn't soone Construct could hope to beat. And with her having full elental advantage plus godly top-decks... Of course, she got whatever she wanted. "Even then, you still misplayed so much and had to keep checking your own card effects."
Hikaru shook his head furiously.
More than that—she shalessly bragged mid-Duel, exaggeratedly calling herself a god, flaunting so-called miracles... Watching from the sidelines, Hikaru almost felt sorry for Construct.
Was that really necessary?
"A divine Duel needs divine dignity. Humans wouldn't understand," Tierra said, turning away.
Naturally, she wouldn't hold a grudge over a clueless Spirit landing a punch on her during a Duel.
But since this was her first real Duel, she had indeed gone a bit "all out."
Not so much tactically—her Duel itself was still pretty sloppy, running mostly on Hikaru's "simple and honest cards."
Still, because of her opponent, she had overdone it a bit.
When she unleashed her power earlier, the entire dinsion must have felt it. Who knew what consequences that would bring?
Nevertheless, it was this first Duel that finally made Tierra truly understand the "Duel Ceremony's" core logic.
Just like Hikaru said—she only needed to do what she wanted.
A Duel was the Duelist's philosophy made manifest.
Even if she couldn't revive, she could still use Duels to express her Authority.
Honestly, she'd had fun this ti.
"You... what are you..."
"Address as 'Your Eminence,'" Tierra turned to Construct. "I don't need your power, nor will I take your life, but from today onward, you'll address properly."
Construct stayed silent for a long while.
It was a warrior of the Shaddoll tribe. One of the "guardians" of the Shaddolls. While not the most elite, it was a fairly high-ranking warrior.
Yet just now, it had clearly sensed that their powers existed on entirely different planes.
Even facing their own leader, it had never felt this way.
Even so, beyond that, in the Duel, its opponent had fought like a total beginner. Completely unfamiliar with Dueling, constantly needing partner reminders, and not even knowing her own card effects.
In this world, the stronger the Spirit, the stronger the Duel—If she really was a "god," then her being invincible was only natural.
That was its instinctive understanding.
However, post-Duel, after actually losing—after being hit head-on by Tierra's power—it faintly felt sothing strange.
Almost like... its power had originated from her all along.
Yet the sensation was so faint, it felt like an illusion.
The higher the Duelist's level, the sharper their instincts. After all, a top Duelist's gut feeling could turn the tide of a match.
And being able to seize such fleeting instincts—was a Duelist's true skill.
Could it be—that unknown entity opposite it was really...
A god?
Their god
Uncertain, unable to grasp the truth, unable to imagine... but Construct still instinctively bowed low and said, "Your Eminence."
A loss must co with a price.
If it had won, as per the agreent, it could have made Tierra abandon Winda's form.
But having lost—and with Tierra rely demanding a respectful address—it naturally wouldn't refuse.
"Alright then, go back and stay put." Tierra snapped her fingers lightly.
Construct instinctively bowed again—even though it didn't know why.
After that, Construct's figure faded from the dinsion. Tierra summoned Pirmais, had it retrieve the card, and casually tossed it to Hikaru: "Here."
Hikaru caught the card, smiling.
First ti earning a card without even Dueling—felt great.
Although the card still carried so power of the Light of Destruction, thanks to Construct's recognition, Hikaru wouldn't need to amplify it. He could use it right away.
At the sa ti, Hikaru picked up the book strapped to his waist, flipped it open, and glanced.
'Okay.'
Fulltal Alkahest had locked Construct's classification.
Now he could gradually narrow down the coordinates of the DT Spirit World.
By the way, he noticed Construct had left behind a few extra cards—One Winda, and one Shaddoll Squamata.
Hikaru's eyes lit up.
Extra Winda—not bad at all. Squamata was a solid low-level, too. Overall—profit.
Tierra was in a great mood.
Not just from winning her first Duel.
Also, because she had finally found sothing she could do amidst her endless "idleness."
Even after finding Hikaru, even after gaining a chance at revival, even as everything progressed beautifully from her perspective—she'd been lost.
Yes.
Even though she always seed confident, Tierra had been confused.
Her confusion?
She had absolutely no idea what she'd do during or after her revival.
In the past, when she first revived, her head was filled with thoughts of resetting the ecosystem, reconstructing all things, and remaking creation according to her will.
That had been her conviction.
Though now—after endless ages—even "Spirits" had erged.
For all she knew, her planet might not even exist anymore.
Even if she revived—even if she started making a new life on her planet—what would she even create?
She didn't know.
Originally, she'd thought about making a chanical Amaki Hikaru as her "first Adam" or sothing... But after that?
Gods needed to evolve, too.
Even a Source of Destruction Goddess had to understand the new era.
And this new era belonged to Duels.
Old ideas needed to go.
"Dueling's actually kinda fun, Hikaru." She grabbed the Duel Disk and handed it back to Hikaru.
She even felt... anticipation.
"Hah, is that so?" Hikaru nodded slightly, then raised the Erald Book. "If that's the case... you'll have plenty more chances from now on."
...
Bonus @200
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