Apocalypse Transmigration - The Card Captor System

A soldier rushed out of the ranks and whispered into Colonel Adrian’s ear. As Adrian listened, his features twisted into a look of disbelief.

Before anyone else could speak—

”Colonel!” Rex pushed his way to the front. ”Your people attacked us!”

The beaten soldiers stared at Rex, completely stunned. One of them pointed a shaky finger at him. ”You were the one who—”

Adrian raised a hand, silencing the man. A muscle ticked in his jaw. ”You came here, started a fight, and now you’re blaming us?”

Rex did not even blink. ”Do you have any proof?”

Adrian shut his mouth. The surrounding soldiers went dead quiet. Proof? They had plenty of witnesses. Yet Rex had the nerve to demand proof with a perfectly straight face.

Adrian took a slow breath. He knew Rex’s reputation. Among all the members of the Freedom Convoy, Rex was the most troublesome—and the most brazen. Arguing with him would lead nowhere.

Adrian shifted his gaze past the man. ”Miss Valentine. Let’s discuss this matter and resolve it peacefully.”

Cyrus stepped up to block the colonel’s line of sight. ”I’m the captain of the Freedom Convoy. Whatever you want to discuss, you should discuss it with me first.”

Adrian ignored the young man. His eyes stayed glued to Valentine. Cyrus scowled, but Valentine sighed.

”Cyrus. Step back.”

”But—”

”Cyrus.”

Cyrus closed his mouth.

Valentine stepped into the open space. Adrian waved his hand, signaling his soldiers to lower their weapons. The other members of the Freedom Convoy started to follow her, but Valentine held up a hand to halt them.

”You guys can go back.”

Cyrus frowned. ”But Aunt, this guy—”

Valentine shook her head. ”Don’t worry. They can’t do anything to me.”

Cyrus hesitated before giving a stiff nod. ”Alright.”

The members of the Freedom Convoy trickled out of the area. Rex was the first to vanish, acting as if he had only been waiting for permission to run. Soon, only Valentine stood in the clearing. She trailed behind Adrian toward the military command tent.

Inside the shelter, Valentine sat cross-legged on the sofa placed inside the tent. Across from her, Colonel Adrian settled comfortably into a padded chair. A secretary walked over with a steaming pot of tea. He filled two cups, offering one to Valentine.

She eyed the cup before taking it. ”One year into the apocalypse...” She took a sip. ”You people are still living comfortably enough to drink tea.”

Adrian offered a faint smile. ”Lady Valentine, this tea came from the Rizen Group. It’s extremely expensive.”

Valentine set the cup down. ”Stop wasting my time. How are you going to resolve this problem? I don’t want to spend another second around people like you.”

Adrian put on a helpless look. ”Why so much hostility, Lady Valentine?”

Valentine raised her eyes to meet his. ”You know very well why.”

Adrian gave a bitter smile. ”Lady Valentine... Why don’t you let go of what happened in the past? Moreover, my clan had nothing to do with it.”

The air in the tent grew heavy. Valentine got to her feet, her eyes turning cold. ”How dare you?”

A suffocating pressure settled over the room. Valentine glared at him. ”My entire clan is dead. Other than me and my nephew... Everyone is dead.” She balled her hands into tight fists. ”Why don’t I kill everyone in your clan? Then, after I’ve wiped out your entire family... I’ll tell you to let it go.” She stared deep into Adrian’s eyes. ”Will you be able to do that?”

All the color drained from the secretary’s face. Adrian, however, kept his composure.

”Lady Valentine. Please calm down. I only have your best interests at heart.”

Valentine let out a cold laugh. ”My best interests?”

Adrian sighed. ”The circumstances back then were different. The Rizen Group had risen to power without warning. Everyone wanted to gain an advantage over them.” He met Valentine’s gaze with a serious look. ”Your brother was the one who revealed the mysterious techniques of the Gregory Clan.”

Valentine’s face darkened as Adrian continued.

”Only your clan could contend against the Rizen Group. Naturally, everyone became interested. They wanted those techniques. They wanted the strength of your clan. That was why they came after you.”

Valentine scoffed. ”Don’t give me that nonsense. If my clan could contend against the Rizen Group... That means all of you could have gone after the Rizen Group as well.” Her voice dropped to a chill. ”But you didn’t. Why?”

Adrian did not answer.

Valentine answered her own question. ”Because my clan wasn’t as ruthless as the Rizen Group. If my father had wanted... Your so-called prestigious clans could have been wiped out.”

Silence swallowed the tent. Valentine turned toward the flap of the exit. ”Enough.”

She looked over her shoulder one final time. ”I expect Bear to apologize to the Freedom Convoy. And I expect compensation.” Her eyes flashed. ”Otherwise... I’ll personally separate his head from his body.”

She stepped toward the door.

Adrian spoke up before she could leave. ”Lady Valentine.”

She paused.

Adrian leaned forward, his face dead serious. ”The times have changed. Many clans already know about the hatred between you and them. Even if you are stronger than them... One day, they will make a move against you and your nephew.”

Valentine turned to face him, a faint, amused smile resting on her lips. ”Oh? And what advice do you have for me?”

”My clan is willing to protect you,” Adrian stated.

Valentine raised an eyebrow.

”Both you and your nephew,” Adrian added. ”With my clan behind you, no one will dare to touch either of you.”

Valentine’s smile grew. ”And the price?”

Adrian answered without missing a beat. ”You marry me.”

The warmth vanished from Valentine’s face.

”Our abilities complement each other,” Adrian pushed on. ”If we join our bloodlines... Both of you will become members of my clan. No one will dare complain.”

Valentine stared at him. A harsh laugh burst from her throat. ”Old man. You’re already this old... And you’re still a toad lusting after swan meat.”

Adrian went stiff.

Valentine pressed on without mercy. ”And I know your true intentions. Even if I agreed to marry you... You wouldn’t care about me. You want the secret techniques of the Gregory Clan.”

Adrian did not try to deny it.

Valentine’s eyes grew hard. ”You can keep dreaming.” She turned back to the exit. ”And as for those people who want to come after me...” She stopped at the tent flap and cast a final glance over her shoulder. ”Let them come.” Her gaze carried a chilling promise. ”Let’s see who will be the last one standing.”

With that, Valentine swept out of the tent.

Adrian sat in total silence. After a long moment, he picked up his cup of tea and stared at the empty doorway. A deep sigh escaped him.

He shook his head. ”I really do hate dealing with the Gregory family.”

The secretary standing nearby kept his mouth shut, too afraid to make a sound.

Outside the tent, Valentine narrowed her eyes at the command center.

The Gregory Clan’s secret techniques...

A cold smirk pulled at the corners of her mouth.

You people still haven’t learned your lesson.