Chapter 2665: Tess Malvin
Chapter 2665: Tess Malvin
Date: Unspecified
Time: Unspecified
Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City, Teleportation Hub
Listening to City Lord Malvin’s words, Asong was shaken to the core. As a politician, she understood all too well the Border City’s significance and the political weight carried by the Unstoppable Auriculean family. They were the only ones who came close to outshining the Southern Royal Family’s bloodline in the Southern Region and a strategic linchpin for all Five Regions against the Empire.
She couldn’t believe that someone burdened with such authority and responsibility would even entertain the idea of challenging the existing order, let alone the current rulers themselves.
Yes, City Lord Malvin had merely asked what Wyatt would do differently if he became the ruler of the Card World. On the surface, it was a simple question. But given who was asking it, those in power would never see it that way. To them, it would sound like a direct challenge to their authority, an open crack in the foundation of their rule.
In their eyes, it would amount to nothing less than treason. The consequences would be absolute. The entire Malvin family, including all its branch families, would be wiped out.
Asong couldn’t comprehend why City Lord Malvin would willingly take such a risk just to ask that question. Knowing the price Malvin was gambling by doing so, Asong found herself listening intently, wondering whether the answer would truly be worth the cost.
Susan, Anna, and Jill slowly descended next to their beloved. They had heard my conversation with City Lord Malvin. They, too, wanted to know what I planned to do after World Domination.
I scratched my head and let out a quiet breath, answering in a tone that was almost casual despite the weight of the moment.
"Honestly, City Lord Malvin, I just want to live a chill life," I said. "I don’t crave power, thrones, or people kneeling before me. All I ever wanted was the freedom to do my own research, craft my cards, and live without constantly being dragged into other people’s gambits."
My gaze hardened slightly as I continued without pausing. "But the world doesn’t let you stay peaceful if you’re weak. The more I tried to stay out of power struggles, the more they came looking for me. Criminals, rulers, demons, Masters... everyone wanted to decide my fate for me."
After a brief, deliberate pause, I shrugged and revealed, "So I chose the simplest solution. Becoming the ruler of the Card World. For me, it doesn’t mean one with the authority to rule all, but one with the most freedom in the entire world. I’ll take that seat not to dominate the world, but to stop others from interfering with my freedom and to secure as much of it as possible."
I met her eyes squarely and stressed, "I don’t want to rule people. I want the authority to live life on my own terms. If absolute power is the price of a peaceful, chill life, in this world and across the Myriad Worlds, then I’ll earn it."
City Lord Malvin’s gaze lingered on mine for a long moment. Then she inclined her head in a formal bow and introduced herself. "Your Highness Wyatt, I am Tess Malvin, City Lord of Border City and matriarch of the Malvin family..."
At her words, jaws dropped all around us. The way she addressed me was a clear declaration, to me and to everyone present, that she had accepted me as the Ruler of the Card World.
"...please allow Border City and the Malvin family to be part of your journey," she finished.
"If that’s what you want, then sure. Welcome aboard," I replied, extending my hand.
Our gazes locked as she took my hand in a firm grip, and we shook on it.
The turn of events was far too shocking for everyone present, especially for those who truly understood the implications of Tess Malvin formally affirming my claim as the Ruler of the Card World and allying with me.
Conard Cabe, who stood not far away, witnessed everything in vivid detail. What he had dismissed as a poorly conceived joke was now hardening into an unavoidable reality. His mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing and hearing. Was this history in the making, or a tragedy waiting to unfold, or both?
Whichever it was, one thing was certain. The storm would sweep across the entire world in the form of Dalton V. Wyatt.
For a long, momentous beat, the atmosphere grew so tense and solemn that it felt as though even breathing aloud might shatter it.
Then there was Aurelia. Her shamelessness was potent enough to melt the thickest ice. She scratched the back of her head and asked innocently, "Boss, since my mother joined our organization after me, does that make me her senior?"
The question instantly shattered the tension. Laughter burst out across the venue from nearly everyone present, with the sole exceptions of Tess and her entourage, who remained stone-faced.
Before I could even respond, Aurelia turned toward her mother, a wide grin spreading across her face as she shouted, "Hey, cute juniors, drop down and give me hundred thousand squats—"
*Slap!*
Refusing to indulge her daughter’s nonsense, Tess struck her across the face with such force that Aurelia spun through the air for several seconds before crashing into the ground, carving a human-sized dent into the pavement.
Aurelia never saw it coming. Still, thanks to her traits and physique, she quickly regained consciousness and recovered enough to crawl out of the crater. She then looked up at me and complained, "Boss, these juniors are way too arrogant and rebellious. Teach them a lesson for me, will ya?"
"Sorry, honey," I replied calmly. "You lost to her. That makes her your senior." As I spoke, I tossed her a storage card loaded with elixirs and potions for healing, recovery, and mental strength. "Take these and try again next time."
The moment the card landed in her hands, Aurelia sprang to her feet, and slipped it into her grimoire’s card holder without hesitation as she thanked me aloud. Clearly, she had been exaggerating her injuries.
The real reason I rewarded her so generously was simple. She had defeated the Bright brothers and took charge of Bright Lions Gang far ahead of schedule than I had anticipated, proving she had been working harder than I had given her credit for.