Card Apprentice Daily Log

Chapter 2589: Divine Retribution

Date: Unspecified

Time: Unspecified

Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Central Region, Central Academic City, Morningstar University District, Brothwork Manor

I wouldn’t be wrong to say that I had grown independent of the Card World. I no longer needed it—except for a lingering sense of belonging. As someone who had sensed the Origin Source and was‌ part celestial, I truly had no reliance on the Card World except for its occasional baptism every time I broke through to higher realm in the card power system. That was a gift and not something I couldn’t do without.

For a Card apprentice, the only thing binding them to the Card World was its rules within its womb. Unless one had sensed the Rule Source itself, they could only continue comprehending rules within their world’s womb without risk of rule contamination. That was why, no matter how powerful the Dark Race became or how far across the Myriad Realms they ventured, they always returned to the Dark Realm and never dared to set their sights on its Celestial Will.

Sensing the origin source as a part celestial, I had outgrown this dilemma and had achieved complete independence from the Card World, and that was one of the key reasons the Card Celestial regarded me as an equal.

Now that I was no longer dependent on it, how could the Card Celestial possibly enforce the World Decree on me? It had no leverage to do so. Even if it tried to impose the World Decree by force, what could it accomplish if I simply left its sphere of influence and moved to Lil’ Red Storm, the Dark Realm, or any of the thousands of other realms out there? Nothing. It could not even stop me from leaving—especially with the Devil Merchant Code aiding me.

If it were to enforce the World Decree, it would only turn a potential ally into a potential enemy, and the Card Celestial was far too shrewd to make such a mistake. That much was evident when it offered me affiliation, or alternatively, the freedom to carve my own path in the wider realms. A being capable of such foresight would never be foolish enough to uphold the predatory World Decree of the Masters.

This was the true reason I dared to sign the World Decree—and the Card Celestial did not disappoint me. Now, I could only hope that in its rage, it had killed a few of the Masters, if not all of them, becoming the catalyst that would accelerate the Three Mischiefs’ plan to overthrow the Masters. That way I could implement my plans to overthrow them and prepare the Card World for the upcoming demon invasion.

”How dare you gamble with your life?” Jill shouted, striking me as tears streamed down her face. ”You belong to me now. You don’t get to gamble with your life unless I say so. Do you understand?”

”Alright, alright—calm down,” I said, catching her wrists and stopping the rain of slaps. ”I’m fine. Nothing happened to me. I’m nobody’s slave.” I hadn’t expected her reaction to be this intense. ”Though I can’t say the same for those who tried to enslave me.”

Seeing that I was still in the mood to joke, Jill glared at me with fierce, unyielding eyes. ”Remember this,” she said firmly. ”Your body is mine, so you’re not allowed to hurt or harm it.”

”If my body is yours, does that mean your body is mine—” I began with a playful smile. Jill flushed and shyly nestled into my embrace—until her uncle loudly cleared his throat. Startled, she sprang out of my arms like a frightened little cat.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at him and ask, ”Why are you still here? I’ve already signed the World Decree. If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, bring me another one—I’ll sign that too.”

Demigod Von shook his head at my remark and said, ”You know, many of my colleagues have signed the same World Decree. Yet it never enraged the World’s Will. It has enforced those contracts to this day, let alone punish the Masters with divine retribution for it.” He paused, then added thoughtfully, ”I suppose, like any parent, our World’s Will has a favorite child.”

By his words, Demigod Von was placing both the Masters and me among the favored children of the Card World—yet among them all, I was favored enough for the World’s Will to punish the Masters on my behalf.

I had met the Card Celestial’s favored ones, and I knew I was not among them. I was an anomaly—an unforeseen variable, even to the Card Celestial itself. The fact that it treated me as an equal was proof enough of that.

Soon after, Demigod Von shook his head. Stopping his whining, he said, ”Very well. You’re right—my work here is done. I should be on my way. Before I go, just remember this: if you ever mistreat Jill, I will hunt you down, even if it means going against the World’s Will.”

”I don’t mistreat my possessions, let alone my woman,” I replied calmly, mocking him as I added, ”And aren’t you overestimating yourself? Forget challenging the World—I don’t think you could defeat even one of my summon cards.”

Demigod Von clenched his fist at my taunt, but he restrained himself when his gaze fell on his niece. With a final shake of his head, he turned to leave—only for Jill to call out, ”Uncle, when you meet my father and he learns about my relationship, can you tell me how he reacts? So I can prepare myself accordingly.”

”Of course,” Demigod Von replied with a nod.

Taking the cue, I added, ”If possible, please keep me updated on the Masters’ status as well. And if one of them happens to die, don’t forget to invite me to the funeral.”

Demigod Von paused mid-step and fixed me with a long, hard stare. It looked as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and left in silence.