Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize-Chapter 723: The Last Loose End

— A Year Later: New Atlantis —

Not far from the outskirts of the forest lies a vast lake filled with fairy lights and pixies flying and playing above its magical surface. This enchanting place is none other than the Lake of Avalon, which had vanished from Camelot long ago.

On the green lawn in front of the lake and tower, white pavilion tents have been erected. Inside, a grand feast awaits, with an array of exquisite foods and drinks. Guests mingle with one another, dressed in either formal suits or elegant party dresses. Among them are members of prominent mage families, successful business entrepreneurs, CEOs of large corporations, influential celebrities, and even politicians.

They have all gathered for one purpose: to celebrate the most powerful person on Earth today—Daniel Emberweave, the founder of the Order of Ember, the most influential organization in the world.

Over the past few decades, the world has changed dramatically. Magic, folklore, and myths are no longer just stories; they have become part of history. What was once considered fantasy has now become reality. Magic and supernatural phenomena are no longer hidden from the public eye. Many corporations have even entered this new market, creating products and services to address emerging challenges, such as hauntings. Businesses like ghost expulsion and curse-banishing services have become legitimate enterprises that pay taxes. This is why so many business moguls are here today—to celebrate Daniel's marriage.

Up in the tower, Daniel's bedroom has been transformed into an improvised bridal suite. His wives are preparing themselves, checking their dresses in the mirror to ensure everything is perfect. Lust is helping Pride, Michaela, and Penthesilea with their makeup, as the three are not skilled in this area. Meanwhile, Envy and Tian Xingyun are overseeing the preparations, reviewing the script and guest list nearby.

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.

Koyuki is also present, accompanied by her mother. Another non-female guest in the room is Vlad, who has come to check on his adopted daughter, Maria. Maria is the latest addition to the group, having been persuaded by Envy to join their sisterhood.

Although Daniel was initially a little confused, he is not foolish enough to overlook Maria's genuine interest in him, which goes beyond mere loyalty. Choosing to remain silent rather than argue with a group of women who had formed a strong bond during his 10-year absence, he decided to let things unfold naturally.

"Alright, girls, hurry up! We have a busy schedule today," Envy urged Pride and Michaela, who were still applying their makeup.

On Daniel's side, he is accompanied by an old man, Ragnar Stenmark, who has come to visit him in the groom's suite—a small tent on the ground. The two chat while waiting for the bridal party to finish their preparations.

As for the children—Andreas, Sylvana, and Mordred—they are waiting in another tent. Since Andreas is only four years old, Sylvana and Mordred have taken on the role of caretakers, looking after him. Surprisingly, Andreas seems more mature than his age. He doesn't cry over minor injuries or throw tantrums when he doesn't get his way—a testament to Penthesilea's disciplined upbringing.

After waiting for about 15 more minutes, the brides were finally ready. They came out to meet the guests alongside Daniel. All the brides mingled and chatted with the attendees. It had become common knowledge that mages often had more than one partner due to their low fertility rate.

However, there was still envy and jealousy among the single guests, especially the mages. All of Daniel's brides were stunning, each with a unique style that made most men feel like winning the affection of even one of them would be a lifetime's worth of luck.

While Daniel, Envy, and Koyuki mingled with the guests, Daniel suddenly felt a strange sensation coming from the entrance of the venue. Frowning, he walked toward the entrance.

"What's wrong?" Envy asked as she followed Daniel, then nodded to Tian Xingyun to join them, as Tian Xingyun was the strongest among Daniel's wives.

At the entrance, Daniel was alarmed to see a man in a white hooded robe. Envy, however, recognized the figure immediately.

"Golden Scale!" Envy spoke through gritted teeth. She knew Golden Scale had escaped from their reality when they stormed the Hightower. His sudden appearance now meant he must have some guarantee of safety—otherwise, a coward like him wouldn't dare show his face.

"Long time no see, Grand Councilor Envy," Golden Scale said calmly.

By this time, guests close to Daniel, as well as his subordinates—such as old man Ragnar, Guan Yu, Momotaro, and Vlad—had surrounded Golden Scale.

Golden Scale slowly turned toward Daniel. "Thanks for making my life easier, Mr. Emberweave…" He paused, then slowly removed his hood. The face revealed was that of a middle-aged man, covered in surgical scars from experiments. The scars crisscrossed his face, and various artifacts and metal pieces were embedded in his skull.

Envy and Tian Xingyun couldn't help but gasp. The face… if Daniel were to age into a middle-aged man, it would look exactly like this.

While Envy and Tian Xingyun were startled, old man Ragnar remained composed. He recalled that when he first became involved in Daniel's affairs, there had been a meeting where it was mentioned that someone with a high level of authority had erased all information about Daniel's origins. If Golden Scale was the one who had deleted that data, it would make sense—as one of the three Hightower Grand Councilors, he had more than enough authority to do so.

As for Envy, her memories churned as she recalled a forbidden experiment from long ago. During the start of World War I, there had been an experiment related to Merlin. Although she had lost most of her memories of Merlin at the time, she had felt a deep sense of revulsion and banned the experiment. Later, she discovered that some of Merlin's mementos had been stolen from her castle in England.

"Don't tell me… you're one of the successful experimental bodies from the Merlin Rebirth Project?" Envy asked, startled by the revelation.

"Successful?" Golden Scale echoed. "More like… a survivor. I'm the only experimental body that survived the purge back then. You see, the unstable element of Merlin's power destabilized my body. I searched for a cure for a long time, until I came across your profile in the sacrificial ritual report that Victor Justius sent me. Back then, I suspected you might be a descendant of Merlin… and I was right! You have full access to Merlin's power!" Golden Scale's eyes gleamed as he looked at Daniel like a treasure.

At this moment, Daniel glanced at Envy. He remembered what he had done to her back in Camelot. Envy felt his gaze and heard his voice through a telepathic message: {You lost that bedsheet?}

Envy didn't answer verbally, but her flushed face and a nod confirmed Daniel's suspicion.

Letting out a long sigh, Daniel realized the truth: this man was another paradox created by his journey back in time to Camelot.

Golden Scale didn't say anything more. Everyone here knew he had come with malicious intent, and making the first move would give him an advantage.

The moment Momotaro saw Golden Scale move his arm, he immediately slashed, hoping to sever it. But…

Clank!

His blade met an invisible shield, completely unable to pierce it. Next, Guan Yu and Vlad attacked, but their strikes were also blocked by the same invisible barrier.

"Hahahahaha! As expected of the power to access the Akashic Records of Merlin. Anything is possible!" Golden Scale laughed loudly before waving his hand. An invisible force pushed Momotaro, Guan Yu, and Vlad away from him.

Seeing this, Daniel frowned and immediately sank his mind into the mindscape. What he saw alarmed him. The power he observed in the mindscape, which was enchanting and blocking the attacks from Momotaro, Guan Yu, and Vlad, was something he knew all too well.

—

Card Name: Invisible Aegis

Picture: Layers of an invisible shield blocking various attacks directed at a man.

Rarity: ???

Type: Enchantment

Mana Cost: 2 Light, X Non-Element

Description: Create shield counters equal to X. Each time a player controlling Invisible Aegis is attacked, remove a shield counter to negate that damage.

Flavor Text: -

—

He saw the card details in his mind… This meant Golden Scale had the same power as him. Daniel's thoughts raced back to what the Keeper had said—that someone might be able to absorb the abomination's power. Considering Golden Scale had the blood of Merlin, or at least something closest to it, this meant… he was likely the one capable of absorbing the power from that abomination.

This also meant that whatever Daniel pulled out from the card, Golden Scale might be able to emulate it. But… did this mean Golden Scale was also bound by the rules of the game?

"Golden Scale… If you make a soul contract with me, promising to leave peacefully and never trouble me again, I'll help you gain more power," Daniel said.