Kairo and Nyx were locked in a grand waiting room at the center of the HQ. From here, Kairo had a panoramic view of how big the HQ was. Each of the four departments had its own predefined sector spanning several hectares of land.
"A miniature city," Kairo said.
"The Safe Vault doesn't fall into any particular category of cards. It is always active and never ends. Like a sustainable world of its own," Nyx said from the side. Seated on the sofa, they all waited patiently for Kairo's father.
The doors of the hall sprang open with Magnus and Mirelle entering. Outside, Kairo could briefly see a few four-star officers standing guard. This was the first time he had seen so many of them at the HQ.
Kairo still had a hard time understanding how truly dangerous that Deck of Origin was. But from their reactions, it wasn't far from legendary.
"The world has found out about the arrangement with the Seruth monster. Now they demand you be filmed during the interview. Otherwise, they won't stay docile for long," Magnus said, his expression calm and serene despite the chaos rising outside.
"In simple terms, they might try to force their way into the HQ of the Card Mage Police," Mirelle added. The two acted like the elite they were, without a trace of discomfort from the story that existed between them.
Noticing that, Kairo decided to do the same and forget about that for now. "Sam is a real madman. Do they really think they can enter the Card Mage Police? It's impossible, right?" Kairo asked with a skeptical expression. His father, although calm, wasn't relaxed.
Magnus stepped closer to the table, placing his tablet, which showed a projection of the HQ, in front of them. "Not exactly. The Safe Vault might have existed for several years already, but if attacked from several angles at the same time, it's not impossible—with a counter card to spatial realms—to sneak in. Even if they can't bridge it. Most of our officers are still returning and are outside. A full-scale fight with all of those card mages would not be smart for us."
"A counter card, you say…" Kairo still had a vivid memory of what Nyx explained about her fight with Harid. His use of counter cards had been clever and almost led him to a clean victory. If there existed a counter card to the Safe Vault, then it wasn't a matter of sturdiness or power anymore but of time before they could bridge in here.
"We've placed Fabian and the others to find out who might possess such a card. But time is running thin. We need to act now," Mirelle said.
"We could try to stall or something. If Kairo were to go out at such a time, it would be like throwing him into the wolf's den. The underground card masters, the assassins of the OBH, or even lone card mages—everyone will want to know what he learned. The moment the meeting ends, it will be a real bloodbath out there," Nyx finally broke the silence.
Kairo noticed neither Mirelle nor Magnus was surprised. Clearly, they had already envisioned such a situation, and that was why they were here.
"We have two choices. Either we refuse and risk a war before the expedition, or we give in and risk Kairo's life."
"There's no certainty they can break into the Card Mage Police. We don't have to give in. But no matter what you choose, we will follow you," Mirelle said.
Kairo took a deep breath, glancing at Nyx to the side. Although she had not said anything, he knew she would follow him even into hell. Kairo didn't want to risk the entire Card Mage Police just for his own safety. It sounded a little absurd, but if they retreated now, then when the fight broke out for the Chosen Destiny, they wouldn't be able to compete as a world superpower.
"Either way, we can't avoid the clash," Kairo said. "If we could prevent it from spreading to the Card Mage Police before the real battles start, it would be the best outcome for us. We will make the meeting public, and if they try something, it will be our chance to prove to the world what the Card Mage Police is capable of. What we are capable of."
Kairo said, his eyes locked into those of his father. Actually, he understood his father better than anyone, as if he could read his mind.
Magnus had taken his decision long ago. He wasn't the type of person to bend in front of danger. Far from it. The only reason he was here was because he wanted Kairo to acknowledge he was right. Kairo to admit they thought the same way.
"Get ready. We will be leaving in a few minutes. The meeting will take place at the public fountain of Card Paradise," Magnus stood up, exchanging looks with Kairo and then with Mirelle. On his lips, Kairo could see unfinished words, but Magnus simply turned and left.
"I will inform the media and handle the preparations. That's very courageous of you, Kairo," Mirelle added, a proud smile on her face.
"All of this started with me at the center. I had only been a pawn in something larger. But it is over. No one will dictate how I choose to go through this ordeal. We will do things on my own terms now. I will face it head-on," Kairo added.
…
The fountain of Card Paradise was a grand open space at the center of the area. Having exactly three levels, the water flowed down each level, undulating like living snakes along the edges before falling to the next level again and again.
This place always attracted a lot of people, mostly couples who loved taking pictures around the fountain. Surrounded by one of the most impressive houses of Card Paradise, this place was the center of its lively surroundings.
However, today, many strangers wondered why people were arriving in masses. One after another, they gathered around the fountain. Most of these people were card mages from all over the world. All here for the location of Chosen Destiny.
The media had gone wild with the news. All over the world, the news traveled like fire. They called it a once-in-a-century event—where more than half of the active card mages of the world had gathered. Where the most influential people were awaited. The headlines were written in bold: The Gathering of Dragons.
Sam and the ICMA arrived next, waiting to the side with their elites. A few seconds later, some figures could be seen roaming in the crowd like shadows—neither too visible nor too hidden.
The members of the OBH had arrived. Among them, two figures stood on the ceiling of a house. One wore a mask covering his face and was playing with a katana in his fingers. If one looked closely at the katana, they would have noticed it didn't have any sharp edges—more like a blunt weapon. However, on the faces of the katana, there were three cards that looked like they were engraved into the weapon as if they were an inherent part of it.
Next to this figure was another one. Unlike all the serious expressions on the others' faces, he was relaxed, playing with a pack of poker cards in hand. He would hold the cards upside down and let them fall, causing the cards to make a series of flips in perfect order before falling back into his other hand.
Still, within the shadows of those people, a furtive group hid. A woman with long golden hair took the lead. All the others stood behind her like bodyguards, their posture straight like swords.
"Is it ready?" she asked.
"It's the only one we have. The surgeon's results were useful, but he is behind bars now. Do you want us to test it here?" Rellion asked. Unlike the others, he was the only one who dared stand next to her, not behind her. Around them, the others had very peculiar expressions—a hint of frustration and anger directed towards Rellion.
"It is the perfect opportunity."
Finally, the void started distorting in the middle of the area, inches away from the fountain. Summoned out of a portal, a group of figures stepped in one after the other, lining up around the fountain like knights on duty.
Kairo, dressed in his Card Mage uniform, adjusted his cap. He could feel the thousands of pairs of eyes on his back. It was like he was in the middle of a wolf's den, ready to take a bite at him any moment. But Kairo kept his back straight.
Around him were Mirelle, Fabian, Danzan, standing guard. Almost all of the captains were here.
Kairo then walked and sat on the fountain's edge. Next to him was the most important man of the time because of what he knew—the Seruth Monster. Dressed in a tight-fitting black suit, he sucked in fresh air, glancing around at all of them with a well-hidden malicious smile