Overwhelming Firepower

Lucen lifted his hand a little, indicating he wanted to speak, and the people quieted down.

”What you have just watched is only the first part of the orbshow. In other words, it is something I call the first episode. There will be numerous episodes, and they will be shown to the public weekly at set times in the city squares of selected cities.”

When the people heard what Lucen said, they became excited, but then they felt something else the second they heard the word weekly.

”So you’re not going to show us what happens next now?!”

”I need to see what happens now!”

”I’m more interested in those cards. Are you going to make them?”

There were many voices, but Lucen had expected this reaction as well. In fact, he wanted this reaction.

If they were satisfied after only one episode, then the orbshow had failed. The fact that they were complaining meant they wanted more.

Lucen smiled and raised his hand again. The crowd slowly quieted down, though a few children still looked as if they wanted to protest.

”I understand your feelings, but a story is not something that should be swallowed all at once. If you know everything today, then what will you look forward to next week?”

Of course, there were a few who continued to protest, but Lucen ignored them. ”However, while the next episode will not be shown today, there is something else you can do.”

Lucen took out a single card. It was not large. It was not made of precious metal. It was simply a card with an illustration and words written on it. Even so, the eyes of the people followed it.

”This is one of the cards used in Card Summoners.”

The children at the front immediately leaned forward as their eyes widened in shock and excitement.

”The cards are real!”

”Does that mean we can be Card Summoners?!”

”Can we summon those creatures as well?!”

Lucen was amused by the excitement in their voices, by the very thought that they could summon those creatures. It reminded him of his old world, where children also thought the same.

’I guess no matter what world you’re in, seeing such a game would make you excited.’

Lucen smiled at that thought before speaking. ”Unfortunately, these cards cannot summon creatures.”

Hearing what Lucen said, the children had a look of disappointment. A few who were already imagining using those cards for battle felt like the world was going to end, and it showed in their faces.

Seeing their reaction made Lucen laugh inside. ”But,” Lucen continued, ”that does not mean you cannot become Card Summoners.”

The disappointed children immediately looked up again.

Lucen held the card between his fingers and showed it to the crowd. ”The cards cannot summon real creatures, but they can be used to play the same game you saw in the orbshow. You can use Summon Cards, Art Cards, and Ambush Cards. You can build your own deck, challenge your friends, and win using your own strategy.”

The children’s eyes began to shine again. Even though they could not really summon the creature like in the orbshow, they could play the game, which looked like fun.

Even the adults were starting to get excited about the fact that they could play those cards. A few were interested in the art displayed, others, of course, were interested in the depth of the game itself, and there were those who were thinking that they’d be left behind if they didn’t play the game.

It was at this moment that a loud voice boomed from the crowd. ”Hey! Lucen, what do you mean I can’t summon those creatures! Give me a deck now, and I’ll find a way! I-”

Of course, the person shouting was none other than the mad alchemist Robert Duskwell, who was entranced by what he had seen. He hated the fact that he was not involved in the creation of such advancement.

As he was screaming, Thelwin appeared behind him and knocked him out. ”I apologize for this fool’s outburst, continue on.”

With that interruption finished, Lucen shrugged his shoulders and continued.

”Starter decks, card packs, card boxes, and printed rule sheets will be sold at the Card Shop I have prepared nearby. For those who do not know how to play, there will also be staff inside who will teach the basic rules.”

The children started asking their parents if they could buy the cards. Of course, quite many parents who did not have much money looked troubled.

”There is no need to worry much about the price. The starter decks will be sold for one silver coin. The card pack is fifty copper coins, and the card boxes are three silver coins.”

Some parents sighed in relief. One silver coin was not exactly cheap, but it was not impossible either. If it were something their children truly wanted, then they could afford one starter deck.

”Also to celebrate this occasion. I will be giving the first pack of cards to a lucky random individual who is able to answer three questions about the show.”

The moment Lucen said those words, the children became even more excited.

”Me!”

”I know the answers!”

”Pick me!”

A few adults also raised their hands, wanting to get their hands on the first pack of cards. Lucen decided that the picking would be random so as not to cause a riot.

Lucen looked toward the Grey Tower mage beside him and nodded. The mage understood immediately. He raised his hand, and a small ball of light rose above the crowd. The ball spun in the air several times before shooting forward like a playful firefly.

The ball of light moved left, then right, then circled over the heads of several people before suddenly stopping above a young boy sitting on his father’s shoulders.

The boy and his father were stunned by the lucky chance, but then the crowd cheered them on.

”How lucky!”

”Come on, boy, show us what you’ve got!”

Despite being jealous of the young boy, the people of Norvaegard celebrated his good luck.

The boy’s father carefully lifted him down from his shoulders. The boy looked nervous at first, but after hearing the cheers from the crowd, he puffed out his chest and walked forward.

Lucen looked at him with an amused smile. ”What is your name?”

”Perrin,” the boy answered quickly.

”Very well, Perrin. I will ask you three questions. If you answer all three correctly, the first card pack will be yours.”

Perrin nodded with a serious expression, as if he had been chosen for a knightly trial. Lucen raised one finger.

”First question. What was the name of the boy who inherited his father’s cards?”

Perrin answered without hesitation. ”Eren!”

Lucen raised a second finger. ”Second question. What was the name of the Ambush Card Eren used to stop the Iron-Fang Hound?”

The boy did not even take a second to think before answering. ”Mud Pit!”

”Third question. What did Eren say after he defeated the bully?”

Perrin’s eyes brightened. He clenched his small fists and shouted as loudly as he could. ”Alone they might be weak, but together my father’s cards are strong!”

The crowd cheered and clapped their hands. A few adults laughed at how cute the kid was acting.

”Correct.”

He took a small sealed pack from one of the assistants beside him. The pack was wrapped in thin paper with the words Card Summoners painted across the front. Beneath the title was a simple illustration of Eren holding his old deck.

Lucen handed the pack to Perrin. ”This is the first pack of cards being given to the public. The content is random; you might get powerful cards or not, and the rarity of some cards is higher. It will all depend on luck.”

Perrin held the pack with both hands, his eyes shining as if he had received a treasure from the royal treasury itself.

”Can I open it now?” he asked.

Lucen smiled. ”Of course. Everyone should see what the first pack contains.”

Perrin carefully tore open the thin paper wrapping. The crowd leaned forward as if he were opening a treasure chest.

One by one, he pulled out the cards.

[Forest Hare.]

[Minor Shield.]

[Stone Pebble.]

[Quick Climb.]

[Mud Splash.]

[Rust Beetle.]

[Broken Spear Goblin.]

[Old Hunter’s Snare.]

The first eight cards were simple. Despite that, the children watched with excitement as each new card was revealed, and Perrin felt even more excited. Each card was something new to him, and he stared at every illustration with shining eyes.

They were truly nice to look at, and the written words were too complicated for him to get, but it was also nice to look at.

Then he pulled out the ninth card. The moment the card appeared, the crowd grew quiet.

The illustration showed a tall, thin monster standing in a snowy forest. Its body was covered in pale fur, its limbs were too long, and its mouth stretched wider than any human mouth should. Behind it, claw marks scarred the trees.

At the bottom of the card, its name was painted in dark letters.

Dire Wendigo.

Perrin swallowed. ”It looks scary. But... It’s also nice to look at.”

”Yes, you drew a jackpot. That is a rare card, and we only made twenty of them for the first release. Its power is not as outstanding as the other cards of the same level, but its special ability makes up for it. Once again, congratulations, Perrin.” Lucen patted the boy’s head with a smile.

The moment the people heard the word rare, the atmosphere in the square changed. Children stared at the pack in Perrin’s hands as if it had become a treasure chest, while a few adults were starting to understand why the contents were random.

”If any of you wish to buy your own cards, the card shop is located near the Lower District. Look for the sign with the picture of a card on it, as well as the name Card Summoners.”

The second the crowd heard what Lucen said, a few could no longer wait and started rushing towards the Card Shop, which made many others follow suit. Seeing this scene, Lucen sighed as he shrugged his shoulders.

’I guess I should have expected this... Well, I’ll just inform the noble families about the Video Orb Shop. Nah, I’m sure they’ll notice it even without me saying anything.’

Aldric Marren, who was waiting near the Card Shop, saw the crowd rushing toward him and felt his merchant’s smile freeze. The other workers were also feeling the same thing.

For the first time since serving Lucen, he wondered if having too many customers could also become a disaster.