Chapter 842: Chapter 815: Rainbow Ruins
The ancient cave, with temporary lighting towers and spotlights interwoven into islands of light, illuminated the central area.
High-end archaeological excavation equipment had been set up—3D scanners, ground-penetrating radar, environmental control systems, and precision artifact conservation devices. Archaeologists in matching protective suits were hurrying back and forth through the cave, all centered around a massive stone slab that had yet to be fully revealed.
A helicopter landed on the outer edge of the site. Yugen followed behind Keihei, slowly disembarking and heading toward the excavation area.
"Welcome, Yugen Boy~"
President Beckas, dressed in a red suit, came up with open arms as if he were about to give him a hug.
"Looks like President Beckas has recovered well."
Yugen smiled and reached out to shake his hand.
"That’s all thanks to Yugen Boy." President Beckas laughed. "With the Light of Destruction purged, I could recover my energy this quickly."
As he spoke, the president let out a sigh.
"Time really spares no one. I’m more and more aware that it’s about time for me to retire. This new era truly belongs entirely to young people like you..."
"You’re joking, President. You’re still the ultimate guiding figure of the Dueling Realm."
After a few pleasantries, the two of them walked inward together. At the same time, Yugen went straight to the point.
"Jade Beast?"
"Correct, Yugen Boy." President Beckas said, "I imagine Keihei Boy has already told you the story of the Jade?"
"An ancient country that worshiped the power of gemstones obtained the seven finest jewels in the world." Yugen said. "Each of those seven jewels contained an incredible power that gave birth to a gemstone Monster, and based on that, a one-of-a-kind, miraculous Card Deck was designed."
"That’s the rough idea." Beckas added. "In fact, that country was the ancient Roman Empire. And that emperor was the famous Caesar.
Back then, Caesar discovered the incredible power of those jewels and planned to use the seven jewels to create the greatest Monster stone tablet in the world, as proof that the Roman Empire ruled over the earth."
"But his plan failed, didn’t it?"
Keihei, standing to the side, spoke up.
"The merchant ship carrying the seven jewels encountered a Storm during transport and ultimately sank at sea. Later, the International Fantasy Association salvaged the seven jewels, and President Beckas personally used the power of those seven jewels to create seven gemstone Elves, the one and only ’Jade Beasts’ in the world."
"Exactly." President Beckas said. "But the true power of the Jade has never been fully released. All these years, we never gave up searching, and only now did we find this legendary stone tablet that gathers the power of the seven great jewels, the slab that hides this Divine Level power..."
As they talked, they had already reached the depths of the cave, where the massive stone tablet came into view.
"That is the ultimate Jade God, Rainbow Dragon!"
President Beckas spread his arms, a look of longing surfacing in his eyes.
It was the excitement of a top-tier designer when facing a major challenge in his career, itching to get started.
"So this is Rainbow Dragon, huh."
Yugen walked to the front of the stone tablet and looked up. At this point, most of it was still buried in the ruins, and even the exposed portion was covered in thick layers of dust, making it impossible to see its original form.
"Then I’m guessing that boy who holds the Jade," Yugen said, "is already here as well?"
"Indeed." Beckas said with a squinting smile. "John Anderson is a truly incredible boy. In fact, he kind of reminds me of Yuki Judai from Duel Academy.
Their extraordinary passion for Duels and their bonds with Monster Spirits are absolutely unique even on a global scale... In truth, it wasn’t my decision to let John Boy hold the Jade Card Deck. The Jade Card Deck chose him."
This was also explained in the anime.
At the time, President Beckas had only attended a public Duel tournament event, and he just happened to be carrying the Jade Card Deck with him.
Unexpectedly, as soon as John Anderson stepped onto the stage to Duel, the Jade Beast Monster Spirits that Beckas was carrying immediately began hopping with excitement and, without any hesitation, told Beckas: he’s the one.
This boy is the chosen one for our Jade.
And so, at the Spirits’ request, Beckas gave that priceless Card Deck to John completely free of charge.
John and the Jade Beasts might be the only Duelist in GX—and even in all of Yu-Gi-Oh!—whose bonds surpass even those of the main cast. His relationship with the Jades is no longer just that of comrades who share life and death, but something more like family.
"I already sent people to pick up John Boy earlier, so he should be here any moment..."
Before President Beckas could finish, an excited shout came from one side of the cave.
"Mr. Yugen! It’s the real, live Mr. Yugen!"
Yugen turned his head and saw a green-haired boy charge toward him in excitement, almost failing to brake and nearly crashing straight into his arms.
"N-Nice to meet you!"
He hurried to stand up straight and said somewhat sheepishly.
"My name is John Anderson." The boy scratched the back of his head. "I actually get to see the Duel King in person, it’s like a dream..."
President Beckas chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "Don’t get too worked up yet, John Boy. Because next, you’ll even have the chance to Duel the Duel King yourself."
Yugen had already heard about this from Keihei before coming, and this was exactly why he was here.
The Rainbow Dragon sealed in this stone tablet had been asleep for far too long, and only by gathering the seven great Jades would there be a chance of awakening it. So Beckas believed that only by having John and his Jade Beasts personally take the field and pushing themselves to their absolute limits in a high-intensity Duel would there be any hope of reviving Rainbow Dragon.
And as the Duel King, holding the title of the strongest of this era, Yugen had been specially invited to serve as John’s opponent.
"Since everyone’s here, let’s get started right away."
Yugen said.
"No problem on my end!"
John agilely hopped to the opposite side. Yugen also stepped back a few paces, opening up enough distance.
The two of them stood to the left and right, each at one side of the stone tablet. Yugen glanced at President Beckas, who had moved back to the side.
"Right here is fine, yes, President Beckas?"
"No problem."
Beckas folded his arms, watching with great interest.
"John Boy, with his unbeatable bond with the Jades, and Yugen Boy, the supreme King of the Dueling Realm—what kind of sparks will fly when they collide... I can’t wait to see."
"Is that so?"
Keihei pondered for a moment, then said with a somewhat meaningful tone.
"Mm... While I don’t doubt Yugen’s potential at all, for some reason I just don’t feel like he’s the best person to draw out another Duelist’s potential..."
"Oh?" Beckas raised an eyebrow.
While they spoke, the two on the field had already unfolded their Duel Discs.
"Duel!" x2
[Yugen, LP 4000]
[John, LP 4000]
"Then I’ll be taking the first move, Mr. Yugen!"
John said excitedly.
"My turn, draw!"
He slapped a Monster card from his hand onto the Duel Disc in horizontal position.
"I’ll Normal Summon this guy. Come on out!
Jade Beast, Jade Turtle, in Defense Position!"
The ancient turtle responded to the summon and quietly lay down on the ground. Its whole body was green, and crystalline, translucent gems grew out of its heavy shell, their luster gentle like jade.
[Jade Beast, Jade Turtle, Defense Power 2000]
After landing, the turtle stretched its neck forward to look ahead, squinted its eyes, and actually spoke.
"Looks like we’ve got one hell of an opponent today, John."
"Hahaha, yeah, it really is like a dream—that we get to fight the Duel King... We’ve gotta show our best." John drew two more cards from his hand. "I set two cards in my back row and end my turn!"
