Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize

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It starts with a news segment from London in the news feed. The broadcast shows a heartbreaking scene: elderly people and children weeping over the loss of their families after their village in Somerset was bombed. Following this tragedy, there's a chaotic investigation, with allegations of obstruction by the government and the higher-ups. The people of London are desperate to know who was behind the terrorist attack that devastated their community.

A series of crackdowns ensue, leading to numerous arrests for bribery and corruption. The investigation drags on for some time, but by now, the people across the UK are hooked on this unfolding drama, which feels like a real-life crime thriller.

Online, countless individuals take to social media, playing the role of amateur detectives. They speculate wildly about the perpetrators behind the bombing. Theories abound—some suggest it's the work of Middle Eastern terrorists or a notorious terrorist group hiding there. Others hypothesize it might be the result of a failed government experiment. However, none of these guesses hit the mark.

Then, the plot thickens: investigators involved in the case start turning up dead. A wave of targeted killings sweeps through the investigation team, sparking global outrage. The media coverage is so dramatic it feels like a Hollywood blockbuster.

More arrests follow, along with further crackdowns by authorities. Eventually, the supposed perpetrators are found and killed, but their deaths raise more questions than answers. In the safe house of one of the suspects, authorities discover stealth technology, the technology known to originate only from New Atlantis.

Weeks later, a breakthrough comes from a surviving member of the investigation team. The specialist announces that traces of ether have been detected at the bombing site. Ether, a new element, was first discovered by none other than Daniel Emberweave and Astral Corp of New Atlantis. This revelation shifts the world's attention squarely onto New Atlantis, though the nation remains silent in the face of the accusations.

Watching the TV news report of the so-called "grand conspiracy," Cao Cao leans back in his office chair, his expression etched with disdain. He snorts at the blatant attempt to sway global sentiment against New Atlantis and his master.

"They're trying to rally the masses against us," remarks Guan Yu, standing nearby. Clad in his usual biker-gang attire, a casual black shirt, sunglasses, and a black leather jacket stretched over his muscular frame. He watches the news with a mixture of annoyance and mild anger.

"Hmph!" Cao Cao scoffs. "These theatrics might deceive a few simpletons, but anyone with half a brain would see through this… farce!" He spat the word farce with utter disdain.

"But most of the world is made up of simpletons," a familiar voice counters. "You know the saying: 'The individual is smart, but the masses are stupid.' With enough hate and enough voices crying for blood, war could easily erupt." From another corner of the room, Albert, the spymaster and head of the Whispering Hall, sits calmly, sipping tea as he continues his thought.

"With the right amount of manipulation, it doesn't take much to steer public opinion. And once the masses are angry enough..." Albert trailed off, leaving his sentence unfinished. Instead, he simply gestured subtly with his head and an expressive glance while sipping his tea, his demeanor making it clear that things could spiral into chaos.

"But… honestly, I don't know who they are, the Hightower or whatever they call themselves. But do they really believe they can win against us? I just don't get it. What makes them think they even have a chance? What are their goals?" This time, the speaker was a man with curly hair and a short, full beard, styled in a way that gave him the appearance of an old Greek noble. He was, of course, Odysseus, the admiral commanding Daniel's naval forces, with Oceanos as his flagship.

"Who knows? I can't understand their logic at all," replied Cao Cao.

*Sigh* The one who let out a sigh was Guo Jia, Cao Cao's strategist. He had foreseen this day; he knew it was inevitable. It was simply human nature. The rise of his master, Daniel Emberweave, and New Atlantis had disrupted too many vested interests. Astral Corp's clean and affordable energy had devastated the market dominance of numerous energy giants, particularly in countries that heavily relied on traditional energy industries.

The Qing Empire, in particular, the self-proclaimed "big brother" of the world with its massive population and unparalleled military power, would never tolerate anyone threatening their global dominance.

"This feels like the old days when Yuan Shao rallied everyone to fight against Dong Zhuo," remarked Guan Yu.

"The difference is that this time, we're being painted as Dong Zhuo, and we don't yet know who's playing Yuan Shao's role," added Cao Cao with a grim expression.

At that moment, a robotic voice echoed in the room. [Gentlemen, I have analyzed all communications and public sentiment on the internet. The probability of World War III starting due to this incident is currently at 71.12% and rising by the minute. I recommend requesting an additional military budget from Master Emberweave.] The A.I.'s delivered its unsettling prediction.

"Mi'lord, we must review our defense plans immediately," Guo Jia spoke after a long silence, his tone grave. "Even with our significant technological advantages, we cannot afford to grow complacent. If we do, they'll exploit any weakness they can find."

"You're right, Guo Jia," Cao Cao agreed as he rose from his chair. "Let's get to work. We have much to discuss." His cold eyes glinted with a murderous resolve as he turned toward Albert.

"Mr. Worseley, I trust you will uncover the identity of the mastermind behind this. Whoever they are, they must personally suffer the consequences," Cao Cao said, his tone carrying a chilling finality.

"I'm on it already. My shadow morphs are scouring the globe. I expect we'll have their name soon," Albert replied, placing his teacup delicately onto its saucer.

"Thank you," Cao Cao said with genuine appreciation.

"There's no need. This is my job," Albert dismissed with a slight wave before picking up a cracker, dipping it in his tea to make it soften, and savoring it with calm composure.

Cao Cao nodded in acknowledgment before exiting the room, accompanied by Guan Yu and Guo Jia.

At this moment, Odysseus stood up as well. "I'll go check on the naval preparations and ensure Oceanos is ready. I'll also confirm if our titan friend, Abysmoss, is prepared to defend the island," he said, directing his words toward Albert, who was currently spooning jam into his teacup.

"Isn't it kind of strange to put jam in tea?" Odysseus asked, his expression As if seeing something weird

"Don't ask me, ask the Russians. I just wanted to see if it's any good drinking tea this way," Albert replied, giving the tea a few thoughtful stirs before picking up the cup again.

"Alright… enjoy, then," Odysseus said with a shrug before exiting the room as well, leaving Albert alone to his experiment.

— Meanwhile - ??? —

Within the vast underground chamber, the ceiling was reinforced with spell enchantments to prevent it from collapsing. On the stone pavement of this expansive space lay a massive magic circle, meticulously crafted by the combined efforts of over a thousand mages. Even now, those mages were still tirelessly working to complete the intricate design.

How tirelessly? Their bloodshot eyes and heavy black bags under them told the story. Some clutched energy drinks, barely pausing between sips. One glance at them was enough to discern that they hadn't slept in days. Their exhaustion was compounded by the immense pressure of meeting the looming deadline set by their superiors. Yes… they resembled the overworked animators and artists of the animation and manhwa industries.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" asked a man in a white hanfu robe, fanning himself with a feather fan. It was Zhuge Liang, his tone cautious as he addressed another man overseeing the construction of the magic circle.

The man he questioned appeared strikingly handsome, resembling a wealthy heir, but his haunted eyes hinted at a past steeped in violence and harrowing experiences.

If Daniel or Greed had been present, they would have recognized this man as Garret Vance—the son of Alexander Vance and heir to Vance Heavy Industries. Once a suitor of Greed, Garret was now a fully-fledged mage with mastery over blood magic, his Origin Element.

"It will work!" The reply didn't come from Garret but from a distorted voice, sounding as if it passed through a mask.

The speaker was none other than a man wearing an owl mask, walking alongside Golden Scale, the enigmatic Grand Councilor of the Hightower. The owl-masked man continued with an air of pride.

"Garret Vance is my student, and he's the most skilled in blood magic. His Origin Element being blood grants him unparalleled sensitivity to it. If Garret says it will work, then it will work."

Then, turning to Zhuge Liang, he added, "Rather than questioning me, Mr. Zhuge, you should direct your doubts to our esteemed Grand Councilor. After all, this magic circle follows his design."

Golden Scale only nodded, his voice calm carrying a strange sense of pride. "It will work. This magic circle is based on a diagram from Merlin himself. Merlin used this very circle to travel into the future. If we cannot truly defeat Daniel, we'll send him to a far-off future. That will buy us time, time to prepare for his eventual return. And by then, we will eventually have a way to kill him!"