Card Apprentice Daily Log

Chapter 2412  Haunting Memories, Gideon Grimʼs New Plans

Date: Unspecified Time: Unspecified Location: Myriad Realms, Yellow Plains, Freedom Fighterʼs headquarters. ”Youʼve grown strong, Iʼll give you that,” Sansa admitted, tilting her head slightly. ”But donʼt mistake my patience for helplessness.” Her lips curled into a smirk as her eyes darkened. ”The only reason I didnʼt kill you the moment I became a demigod is because Baylor agreed to give our marriage another shot—on the condition that I leave you alone.”

After ascending to the card demigod realm, the first thing Sansa did was check on her husband—silently, unseen—using the new abilities granted by her origin card, Haunting Memories. The card allowed the memory of her in a personʼs mind, to come to life as a phantom and haunt them, letting her spy without their knowledge. But that wasnʼt all. If she wanted, she could weaponize the memory itself, turning it into a deadly force as strong as the victimʼs perception of her. Allowing her memories to assassinate those who remember or even know her. Watching Baylor work tirelessly, pushing himself past his limits to save the Freedom Fighters pained her, yes, but it also made her realize just how much the organization meant to him. That was when she decided—if the Freedom Fighters meant everything to Baylor, she would make them hers. And once they were under her control, he would have no choice but to return to her side.

But before she could fully execute her plan to make the freedom fighters hers, Baylor caught her in the act. She had no choice—she had his memories of her kidnap him.

Being taken captive without even a chance to resist sent a wave of panic through Baylor—not for himself, but for Wyatt. Thankfully, Wyatt was beyond the influence of the Card Worldʼs sphere, meaning Sansa couldnʼt reach him. Not yet. That gave Baylor just enough time to negotiate. He knew exactly what Sansa wanted most in the world, and this time, he made sure she wouldnʼt have the chance to pull strings behind his back—as she had with Ellen and her husband.

Though it infuriated Sansa that Baylor was only willing to give their marriage another shot for Ellenʼs orphanʼs sake, she wasnʼt about to waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Still, she wasnʼt going to let him half-ass it like last time. No, this time, he would truly commit—she had made sure of it. She had to be the center of his world, just as he was hers. That was why Baylor never reached out to the Freedom Fighters about his investigation—because he knew better.

Even with Baylor back by her side, Sansa continued taking over the Freedom Fighters. She wanted to gift the organization to him, a symbol of their fresh start. This time, she would support him with everything she had, ensuring he had no reason to leave. But that was only if he put her first—if she was his priority, the way he was hers.

Even with Baylor back by her side, Sansa continued taking over the Freedom Fighters. She wanted to gift the organization to him, a symbol of their fresh start. This time, she would support him with everything she had, ensuring he had no reason to leave. But that was only if he put her first—if she was his priority, the way he was hers.

Otherwise?

All hell would break loose. Just like the last time, she will hurt everyone that Baylor prioritized over her. When Matron claimed that Baylor had already joined her side, the other departmental heads were stunned. They couldnʼt believe it—Baylor had dedicated his life to their cause. But then, remembering his love for Ellen, they realized Matron wasnʼt lying. A heavy silence settled over the room as they chose to remain mere spectators, watching the tense exchange between the new leader Henricks had forced upon them and Matron.

Wyatt was taken aback. So this was why Matronʼs memory never haunted him—why she hadnʼt tried to assassinate him in his sleep whenever he was in the Card World after she became a demigod. He had Baylor to thank for that. If not for Baylorʼs meddling he could have dealt with Matron sooner.

Shaking his head, Wyatt turned to Sansa. ”How did you become a demigod? Last I checked, you were nowhere near condensing your divinity.” His eyes narrowed as a thought struck him. ”Was it Gideon Grim?”

He knew only Gideon had the knowledge and resources to reach out to the Three Mischiefs and help them break through to the demigod realm ahead of time.

At the mention of Gideon Grim, Sansaʼs expression finally darkened. But she quickly regained her composure, tilting her chin up slightly as she replied, ”Looks like they werenʼt wrong to call you one of the most brilliant minds of this era.” She let out a slow breath. ”Yes, it was him. At first, he wanted me to kill you in exchange for his help, and since I wanted the same, I agreed.” Her lips curled into a smirk. ”Donʼt worry, though—I promised Baylor I wouldnʼt kill you or be the reason you died.” She leaned in slightly. ”As for Gideon… he never specified when I had to kill you. Could be now… could be a thousand years from now.”

Wyatt exhaled sharply. So thatʼs why Gideon Grim had stopped planting his seed in card apprentices across the five regions. Wyatt now realized that Gideon Grim had managed to plant his seed in one of the Southern Regionʼs officials—someone who knew about Clown Mask and her visions of the future. That revelation forced him to reconsider his plans for helping the Seven Princes of Hell take over the Card World.

10:56

”Did he also help the Supreme Leader and the Emissary of Light?” Wyatt asked, though he already knew Gideon had reached out to the Supreme Leader—they were clearly working together. But the Emissary of Light? That was still a mystery.

Sansa smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned back slightly. ”Hold on, buddy. I answered your question—now itʼs your turn to do me a solid.”

Wyatt sighed, already having guessed the reason why she was suddenly being so cooperative. She wanted something from him. Narrowing his eyes, he leaned back, arms crossed. ”What do you want?” His tone was prepared—he knew a negotiation when he saw one.

He did not want to entertain her but he had no choice. He needed information on the Emissary of Light. He needed to know if he also had become a demigod and joined hands with Gideon Grim. No news ever slipped out of the Empire about him. His followers considered it blasphemy to even discuss him, believing their duty was to obey without question or expectation.

Sansaʼs lips curled into a pleased smile. ”The Freedom Fighters. I plan to gift it to Baylor during our honeymoon,” she revealed, her voice practically dripping with delight. For some reason, talking about this with Ellenʼs orphan made her feel as if she were speaking to Ellen herself.

Wyatt scoffed, shaking his head before sheʼd even finished. ”Not happening.” His rejection was instant, absolute. She was asking too much for basically nothing. Wyatt was the one who took advantage in a negotiation—not the other way around.

”Thatʼs it. This is where I draw the line.” Jax slammed his fist onto the stone table, his frustration boiling over. ”I know weʼre in a tough spot, but you guys are basically kicking us while weʼre down. Wyatt, youʼre supposed to be our leader—I expected at least a little respect for our cause.” He shot a glare at Wyatt and Sansa, disgusted by the way they so casually discussed the future of the Freedom Fighters right in front of them, as if their struggles meant nothing.

Wyatt barely spared him a glance. ”Sit your ass down.” His voice was sharp, laced with power.

Jaxʼs body jerked against his will as the celestial blood rule domain took hold, forcing him back into his seat. His breath hitched. Panic flickered in his eyes as he struggled—but it was useless. His horror mirrored in the faces of the other demigods, who also found themselves frozen, staring at Wyatt in stunned silence.

Just then, Luna let out a dry laugh and leaned back. ”See? Told you. Iʼm not weak—heʼs just too strong.”

Ignoring Lunaʼs interruption, Sansa began, ”Donʼt be so quick to reject me. At least hear me out first, will you?”

Wyatt exhaled through his nose, already knowing this conversation would go nowhere. ”Sure, go ahead,” he said dismissively, leaning back in his chair. He wasnʼt going to give her what she wanted, which meant she wouldnʼt give him any useful information. Still, if he played along, he could at least stall for time—Henricks needed every second to get the Freedom Fighters safely to Lil Red Storm Realm.

Sansa studied him for a moment, then suddenly smiled. ”You have no idea how much you resemble your mother.” She tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. ”Itʼs times like this I wish Iʼd just used my ability on her and kept her by my side instead of killing her. Donʼt get me wrong, I donʼt regret it—but I canʼt help feeling nostalgic.”

Wyattʼs jaw clenched. His expression remained cold, but there was a dangerous edge in his voice as he cut through her little game. ”Sansa, nothing you say or do will make me hand over the Freedom Fighters. So let us just get this over with.”

She was trying to get a rise out of him, but it wasnʼt going to work. Whatever she thought she saw in him, whatever connection she was trying to fabricate—it didnʼt exist. He wasnʼt Ellenʼs son. He was a stranger to her.