The core card "Machine Emperor Divine Wisdom ∞" that Placido has is unique. However, even if its components go to the graveyard, as long as you get another "Wisdom Core" and destroy it, you can recall all the components back onto the field from the graveyard.
However, if he previously judged it insignificant and didn't use a Counterattack Trap and allowed the Great Cosmos to pass, then this duel would already be almost unsalvageable.
Placido's entire card deck revolves around Divine Wisdom; it's either enhancing Divine Wisdom's Machine Emperor components or supporting Magic Trap Cards. One could say that if he loses Divine Wisdom, his entire card deck would basically lose its combat power.
With this in mind, Placido looks at the burning Demon God on the field and then at the Great Cosmos, which he just countered back to his opponent's field, feeling fearful.
"What a damned late-upon realization..."
Yugen squints, smiling at Placido's enraged expression, as if admiring his masterpiece.
This expression obviously makes Placido even angrier, feeling as if his opponent is toying with him like a monkey. How could someone with the strongest self-esteem among the Taiyi Three Emperors accept this?
Yet Yugen is not merely delighting in sadistic enjoyment at his opponent's anger; he's confirming his own judgment through his opponent's reaction.
Placido's "Machine Emperor Divine Wisdom ∞" indeed has only one copy.
From how it is shown in the animation, these key cards seem indeed to have only one copy. But relying on the animation, Yugen could not be certain, as this dimension might not be consistent with the animation—it can only serve as a reference, not as absolute. However, seeing the opponent's reaction now, it seems the Machine Emperor indeed doesn't have a second Machine.
But the next scene was somewhat unexpected for him.
"Just now, because 'Machine Emperor Divine Wisdom ∞' was released by the Lava Demon God and left the field, the remaining Machine Emperor components on my field destroyed themselves due to their own effects.
And this card in my hand can be Special Summoned when a monster on my field is destroyed and sent to the graveyard due to a card effect!
Appear now—
——Machine Emperor Divine Wisdom ∞ Fusion Version!"
Yugen: "?"
He has to admit, this time he indeed was a bit surprised.
The component that was just destroyed is the same name as the body of the previous Machine Emperor, also called "Machine Emperor Divine Wisdom ∞," but this time, what Placido summoned from his hand to the field was not just the body.
It was the fully assembled Machine Emperor Divine Wisdom!
Moreover, it wasn't five separate cards but a fully integrated and transformed form, yet it was just one Monster Card, occupying only one monster slot.
This was the physically carded version of the Machine Emperor's wisdom, which should not have been shown in the animation version.
[Machine Emperor Divine Wisdom ∞, Defense Power 2500]
"Interesting." Yugen chuckled.
What did he say before?
The animation can only be used as a reference, not believed entirely. The opponent won't necessarily reflect what the animation shows.
"To think you even forced me to use the Fusion form of Divine Wisdom," Placido said gloomily, "Your skill is indeed impressive. But a Machine Emperor will not lose to a shameless bastard like you."
"Calling your opponent such, how mean." Yugen pretended to be innocent.
He is clearly also playing cards seriously like others, so how is he shameless?
Yugen: "Then I'll set another card face-down, ending my turn."
Placido: "My turn, draw!"
"In the instant of the preparation phase, the Monster Effect of the Lava Demon God." Yugen said, "The Lava Demon God inflicts 1000 points of damage to its owner during the preparation phase.
Enjoy the Lava's warm hospitality, will you?"
Placido: "!"
He sharply raises his head to look at the iron goof above, only to see that lava has indeed started to drench his Ghost Robot's head.
[Ghost, LP 200]
Left with only 200 Life Points, how can one withstand this round of lava pour? Having just escaped danger, Placido immediately finds himself at the brink of life and death again!
"Don't underestimate me!"
Placido roared.
"Activate the cover card, Counterattack Trap 'Damage Polarizing Shield'!
Negate the effect that inflicts damage, and both sides draw one card from the deck!"
A round shield floats above the Ghost, and the scalding lava pouring from the Lava Demon God streams over the shield, burning glowing red holes on both sides of the black iron cage.
"You dodged another bullet, impressive."
Yugen draws a card, smiling.
"Are you as tenacious as a cockroach?"
"How dare you become so cockily complacent..."
Placido becomes more and more furious.
"Now let that smile disappear from your face!"
"Battle!" Placido exclaimed, "Using 'Lava Demon God' to attack 'Chaos Warrior'!"
The Chaos Warrior, bound by the Demon Race's Chain, had its entire glow dimmed. But even so, when the enemy came, he wasn't deterred one bit; even while shackled, he tried his best to draw his sword, swinging it towards the incoming Lava Demon God.
"A monster bound by the Demon Race's Chain cannot attack, but its Attack Power is unaffected." Yugen said calmly.
The Attack Powers are the same on both sides, which would result in mutual destruction if they fought.
"Hmph! Of course, I know this!
Placido controlled the Ghost and threw out another card from his hand.
"Speed Attack Magic 'Concentration Socket'! Increases the Attack Power of one of your monsters by its own Defense Power, but as a cost, other monsters on the field cannot attack this turn.
I will increase the Attack Power of the 'Lava Demon God' by its own Defense Power of 2500!"
This card came out, and the Lava Demon God was immediately enveloped in golden electricity. The iron goof let out a series of roars, and energy continuously poured into its body, seemingly making it grow rapidly stronger.
[Lava Demon God, Attack Power 3000→Attack Power 5500]
The lava's punch smashed fiercely, and the Chaos Warrior's sword shattered with a snap. The chains binding its body also broke apart with a crash, and the Chaos Warrior fell backward, head tilted back.
"At this moment, I activate the Continuous Trap 'Deadly Team Hand Swap'."
Yugen's backfield opened another Cover Card.
Then, Special Summon a Warrior Race monster of level 4 or lower from your hand."
The flames from the Lava Demon God's punched out were entirely absorbed by the trap's wave, transforming into a whirlpool of fire and disappearing into the trap.
Yugen waved and slapped down a Monster Card from his hand.
"Special Summon 'Iron Knight - Jia Fried'!"
A black-armored steel warrior, spinning out amidst the summoning vortex as the Monster Card was placed on the Duel Disc. The sword in his hand swung, seemingly slicing through starlight, scattering countless stardust around him.
[Iron Knight - Jia Fried, Attack Power 1800]