Overwhelming Firepower

After Lucen made his point, Count Reginald Bihn warned his son to stop meddling with Alexander and his classmates.

Of course, Marlo tried to complain, but his father did not allow it. ”Enough!”

With that one simple word, Marlo no longer spoke. He knew the reason why he was able to strut around was simply because of his father’s influence.

Marlo had no choice but to do as his father commanded and stop harassing Alexander. In fact, it wasn’t just him, but the other students who were harassing Alexander, and the other commoners were also forced to stop.

***

After Lucen had dealt with the school bullies, he went back to focusing on making the first video show in this fantasy world.

The production continued for the next few days. It was a rather amazing time for many of them. Everything they were doing was so new and exciting.

Today, they were going to film the third episode. After they were done with the third episode, they would finally introduce the video orb to the King. Of course, no one but Lucen knew that.

The third episode was the most exciting and important part of the series. This was the episode where Eren and Kael would finally meet.

The line used in the audition was going to be used in this episode. The reason for the duel was because of Eren’s rare ace card, which Kael wanted to buy.

Since this was a card that was part of his deceased father’s deck, he would never sell it for any price. This led to Kael insulting everything else in Eren’s deck as being weak and not worthy of that card.

Which then led to them having a duel, if Eren wins, Kael is forced to apologize, and if Kael wins, he gets the rare card.

***

This was an episode that should have had the most hype and cemented the story in the minds of people.

If Eren Holt was the boy who believed even weak cards had value, then Kael Veyr was the complete opposite.

To Kael, cards were power. Rare cards belonged to those worthy of using them. Strong cards should crush weak cards. Victory was the proof of one’s value.

That was why the contrast between their ace cards mattered.

Kael’s ace card was Argent Sky Dragon, a majestic dragon wrapped in silver light, noble and overwhelming.

Eren’s ace card was Demon Lord of the Broken Crown, a dark and ominous card that many people would fear at first glance.

It was an old card. Its edges were worn, and the picture on it showed a demon lord sitting on a ruined throne with a cracked crown in one hand.

One was the ruler of the sky who defeated everyone with overwhelming power, and the other was a failed Lord who showed kindness to other races and was hated by his own kin.

In the story, Demon Lord of the Broken Crown was once a ruler who refused to follow the cruelty of his own race. He protected humans, beasts, spirits, and even those considered weak and useless. Because of that, his own people betrayed him, broke his crown, and left him with nothing.

Yet even after losing everything, he did not abandon those who followed him. That was why the card’s effect fit Eren perfectly.

Demon Lord of the Broken Crown did not become stronger by standing alone. Its power came from the weak cards beside it. The more low-rank Summon Cards in the necropolis, the stronger its effect became.

It was a card that turned defeat into a path forward. A card that gave value to those who had already fallen. A card that made even the weakest cards matter.

To Kael Veyr, such a card was wasted in Eren’s hands. A rare card should belong to someone powerful. A card with a legendary history should be used by a summoner with wealth, bloodline, and skill.

Harry Nidhouni also understood the importance of the scene. He was walking around the arranged set, checking every position carefully.

The place they were using was a wide stone courtyard made to look like a public dueling ground. Several extras stood around as villagers, merchants, and traveling Card Summoners. Liora Maren stood near the side, ready to play Eren’s childhood friend.

Taren Bell, who started this production as a rookie, was now getting used to how things worked. He had gained a bit more confidence in himself and was focused on doing his best. He was now trying to get into character like everyone else.

Lucen, who was standing right in front of him, did not need to get into character the same way as the others since he had the trait Acting Adept, which allowed him to act as anyone he understood.

Everyone was now in character, and seeing that Harry signaled the others to get ready, once that was done, he spoke. ”Action!”

The moment Harry spoke, the courtyard came to life.

The extras began moving naturally. Some acted as merchants selling cards from wooden stalls, while others played casual duels nearby. Children ran past the side of the public dueling ground, laughing as they held cheap practice cards in their hands.

Eren Holt stood near one of the stalls with his father’s old deck held carefully in both hands. Liora’s character stood beside him, looking at the cards on display with bright curiosity.

”Eren, look at this one. Doesn’t it look beautiful?”

Eren simply nodded his head as his focus was on the duels happening all around. It was at that moment that the extras near the side slowly parted.

Kael Veyr entered the courtyard. His steps were calm and unhurried. Two attendants followed behind him, and the people around him instinctively moved out of his way.

He walked toward Eren. Without greeting him, without asking his name, he took out a pouch from his coat and dropped it onto the table in front of him.

The pouch landed heavily. Gold coins spilled from its opening, catching the sunlight. Several extras reacted immediately. Some stared at the coins, while others whispered among themselves.

Eren looked at the pouch, then at Kael. ”What is this?”

Kael looked at the card in Eren’s hand. ”Payment.”

”Payment for what?” Eren asked, confused by who this person was and what he wanted.

Kael’s gaze remained fixed on the card. ”Demon Lord of the Broken Crown. Sell it to me.”

Eren’s fingers tightened around the deck. He did not answer as his gaze lowered toward the deck in his hand. There was only one card in his deck that anyone would want to get.

Demon Lord of the Broken Crown. The ace of his deck, the very card his father liked so much. The card had been with his family since his grandfather’s time.

”This card is not for sale,” Eren said.

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly. ”Not enough?”

He looked toward one of his attendants. The attendant immediately stepped forward and placed another pouch on the table. More gold coins spilled out, and the extras around them reacted with even greater surprise.

Kael spoke calmly. ”This is enough for you to live a comfortable life.”

Liora, who was playing the childhood friend character Anna, frowned. ”He already said he will not sell it.”

Kael did not even look at her. His gaze remained fixed on Eren. ”That card should be used by a powerful card summoner. That weak deck of yours will never be able to make that card shine. Someone like you is not worthy of such a card.”

Eren slowly raised his head. He looked at Kael and did not say a word. That silence, however, felt heavier than shouting.

Anna noticed the change in Eren and stopped speaking. She knew how much that deck meant to him. It was not simply a group of cards. It was the last thing his father had left behind.

Eren carefully placed the deck on the table and rested his hand over it. ”You can insult me. You can say I am weak. You can say I am not worthy. I do not care.”

His fingers tightened slightly. ”But do not insult this deck!”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. Eren looked straight at him. ”If you believe I am not worthy of this card, then prove it.”

The courtyard became quiet. Kael stared at him for a moment before slowly smiling. ”A duel, then?”

Eren nodded. ”If I win, I want you to apologize to my deck.”

Kael’s smile turned cold. ”And if I win?”

Eren lifted the Demon Lord of the Broken Crown. ”Then this card is yours.”