"Dekan, did you really think you had won for sure?" Isabel stared darkly at Dekan.

Seemingly hating him and yet hesitating to make a move. A card had appeared in the palm of the hand that she had clasped against her chest.

"What else could it be?"

Dekan, now back in human form, had a disdainful smile on his lips.

On his head was the Crown of Suffering, in his hand the Cursed Doll, and standing behind him was the Ruined Poet; he seemed like an emperor shrouded in a black mist.

It was the domineering aura of an absolute winner.

It was as if in his eyes, Isabel posed no threat.

At this moment, even if he only used [Captain Durrkan], he could turn Isabel into his plaything!

Dekan couldn't kill Isabel, but he could crowd control her without limits.

After all, the offensive pressure was on Isabel's side. If this continued, Cardinal Evans would have to retreat first. Should that happen, it would be Tristin Citys victory!

Seeing Dekan so confident, Isabel sneered inwardly.

Along with a subtle upward tilt of her mouth, she completed the casting of [Shadow Block].

Suddenly, the space around Dekan seemed to turn into a dark mist!

One after another, threads of subtle shadow mist instantly formed a fine thorny web, enveloping Dekan within it!

"Ugh!"

The entanglement of shadows left Dekan unable to move.

The sudden turn of events stunned Dekan, and for a moment, he couldn't find a way to respond.

This feeling was similar to when Dekan himself used [Ice Block].

But [Shadow Block] was the opponent forcibly controlling him!

...

"Young man!"

The Ice Princess, watching this scene from afar, shouted anxiously. She never expected that Isabel would have such a trick up her sleeve.

Soon, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes.

It seemed that even if the tier 8 Epic Summon, the [Destruction Demon Lord], which she had barely suppressed, would break free.She had to cast the tier 7 spell to break [Shadow Block] and save Dekan!

"Calm down." Croix sensed the restless magic emanating from the Ice Princess and quickly raised her hand to hold the Ice Princess's chained staff.

"Don't act recklessly; if you release the Destruction Demon Lord, we will truly lose." Croix said in a deep voice.

"Then, what should we do about him?" The Ice Princess's eyes were full of nearly uncontrollable unease and panic, her voice trembling.

She had already seen Isabel take out the [Blood Pact Incantation] that left a psychological shadow on her. She would undoubtedly use the [Blood Pact Incantation] to enslave Dekan!

The horrifying consequences had terrified the Ice Princess until now. It was Dekan who rescued her from that terrifying nightmare!

However, now it was Dekan who had to endure this incredibly tragic fate on her behalf.

Croix remained silent, merely providing additional healing to the Ice Princess.

Team Beautiful Heart operation guide: When a teammate was captured but did not request for rescue, absolutely do not attempt a rescue.

...

Isabel provocatively glanced at the direction of the Ice Princess and Croix. Then, she turned back and looked at Dekan with a somewhat pitiful expression.

"Oh dear, it seems your companions have no intention of saving you."

Isabel actually preferred to see the Ice Princess release the Destruction Demon Lord to save Dekan. Then, she would turn the tables again and have a chance to capture the Ice Princess.

But for now, this was enough. At least she would be able to secure a guaranteed escape in the midst of collapse.

Isabel unhesitatingly released the [Blood Pact Incantation] on Dekan, who was enveloped in shadows.

She was certain that the person controlled in front of her was Dekan and not a [Substitute Puppet] as [Blood Pact Incantation] was unable to target non-living entities.

Moreover, the Ruined Poet summoned by Dekan was the best symbol of Dekan himself.

To unbind an Epic Card required the consumption of a special sealing wax and would leave the unbound individual in a weakened state due to the soul severance.

Furthermore, a just-unbound Epic Card would be in a sealed state, requiring some time before it could be activated again.

So, Dekan did not switch cards with others while Isabel was unconscious.

"Ugh..."

Dekan's futile struggle was meaningless; the entanglement of shadows couldn't be unraveled by his own attacks.His expression was full of reluctance, as if he couldn't comprehend this sudden reversal.

Even if he calculated everything meticulously.

Even if he pushed Isabel to the brink.

In the end, he still couldn't overcome the absolute suppression based on tier, card quality, and the targeted oppression of cards!

"Perhaps you were just one step away, but this step is an insurmountable wall for you." Isabel sneered, her eyes filled with mockery.

The crimson dusk accompanied the barrier triggered by the [Blood Pact Incantation] and began spreading.

The blood-red curtain that had previously pushed the Ice Princess to the verge of collapse had enveloped Dekan and Isabel this time.

At the top of the barrier, a black cross representing three questions appeared in the high sky.

It started waiting for the declaration from the user of the [Blood Pact Incantation].

"Name: Dekan, Race: Human, Gender: Male!"

Isabel confidently completed the answers.

Her tone was forceful and domineering as if she were the master of this barrier.

Dekan's information was much simpler and easier to investigate than the Ice Princess's!

After Isabel finished answering, the three crosses tilted abruptly towards Isabel.

"Hahaha!"

Seeing the [Blood Pact Incantation] being completed without any surprises, Isabel couldn't help but burst into laughter.

In her laughter, the three black crosses turned into streamers and flowed into her body.

The crimson light on the barrier surged, as if a magical force wanted to build a pact between Dekan and Isabel.

In an instant, the world changed colors, and the space on the icy surface seemed to be illuminated with a blood-red light.

The terrifying power of the pact extended from the barrier, connecting Dekan and Isabel.

It was like an invisible blade had cut their fingers to extract a little blood. Or perhaps, the blood, guided from within, burst out from their fingers, leaving a cut in the process. Following the guidance of the pact, their blood turned into a seal engraved on the barrier.

Then, the barrier continued to shrink, forming an invisible contract, imprinting on Dekan and Isabel respectively.

After a few more seconds, the [Shadow Block] around Dekan finally dissipated. Hollow-eyed, he collapsed on the ground as if his body had become weak and powerless.

Seeing Dekan in this state, Isabel was very satisfied.

She could clearly feel the pact between herself and Dekan.

On Dekan's side, there was no movement, as if a soulless puppet were waiting for her command.