Among the onlookers, many had peculiar expressions. Selis and The Collector felt more interested in Kairo. Like all the others, they were wondering why he wasn't blown away into dust like the previous one.
Kairo too fell silent. The only reasonable explanation he could think of was his relationship with the Eye of Truth. He remembered the card's description talking about seeing time and choosing what not to erase. If I'm not mistaken, I was saved by the Eye of Truth. Now there is no possible doubt. It is indeed one of the cards of Oring, Kairo thought inwardly.
The members of the Card Mage Police were both delighted and surprised. This was a powerful show of strength for the Card Mage Police. The four-star officers smiled at him, taking their guarding stance even more seriously. Kairo had not only shown courage by going first—he had also shown resilience by surviving that.
Next came the member of the OBH to take his turn and ask a question. But when The Collector asked for a volunteer, no one stepped forward. After what had happened to the last person who asked a question, they didn't feel that confident anymore.
This might be helpful against them. They have no organization, Kairo noticed. He was elaborating plans on how they would handle each faction during the gold run on the Island of Card Fossils, and had just found one weakness of the Order of Bounty Hunters. Unlike the ICMA, the Card Mage Police, or even the Underground Card Masters, they had no direct leader—no allegiance or whatsoever. They were just a bunch of assassins and card hunters mixed together to do their job. The Order was born mostly as a name to give them a semblance of power—to resist if the other three ever tried to get rid of them all.
The power of the others lies in their leader: Magnus for us, Selis for the Underground Card Masters, and Sam for the ICMA, Kairo took note in his head. Selis was a massive threat not only because of her strength but because of the respect that she commanded.
While The Collector was still coaxing the others to act, a single phrase from her, and a volunteer walked out almost like a fanatic.
"For the freedom of card magic," he said. This was their mantra.
"What are the safest ways to get the card Chosen Destiny?"
Although some short-sighted card mages had begun rushing out after the first two questions were answered, in an attempt to get a head start, most of the leaders were still rooted here, learning as much as they could.
"There is none… the only way to get the card Chosen Destiny is to get it from Slayer's throne," the Seruth Monster answered. Exactly as he had promised them, he was able to answer all of their questions, one after the other.
Only one question was left for the OBH. Card Zero and The Collector garnered all the remaining attention. Perched at the top of that building, their attitude had always been that of mystery and enigma, causing many to question their true motives.
"I hate when I have to do that. But I have no choice. I can't let the others think the Order is a joke. Card Zero, will you?" The Collector said. Standing up, he swept his gaze over the entire crowd like a king surveying his domain. Then, with a smile, he pointed at a particular figure.
The figure panicked and began running away, as if he could feel the danger despite the distance. He pulled a card from his makeshift launcher and summoned the Circuitry of the Void. A gale of wind swept through the court, forcing all of them to retreat away from him. Summoned from the Circuitry of the Void, wings made of thunder flapped out from his back—majestic and grand. He then shot into the sky, running away for his life.
But Card Zero lifted his katana, pointing at the flying assassin like a sniper locking onto his target. He leaned forward, placing the katana at his side like he was about to deliver a strike. On it, the first card anchored to it began shining brightly, drawing the Circuitry of the Void mosaic patterns on his blade.
Then he swung upward. The fleeing assassin cried out in shock as his wings exploded behind his back, as if they had been ripped by a gust of wind. In shock, he began his free fall, dropping several meters toward the ground—rocketing down like a meteor.
The Collector flipped one of his cards in hand and murmured, "The Tomb of Souls." In the sky, the air began condensing into gray particles, like a mist was being formed. A mist so cold, many retreated in fear.
The falling mage blinked in surprise, his figure encased in a mirror of smoke suspended in midair. His body smashed into the crowd, turning into a pile of bones and blood. The civilians who had been attracted by the chaos all ran away in fear.
"Now ask that question. You have nothing to fear about your body anymore," The Collector smiled.
The soul stuck in the mirror slowly calmed down, showing no sign of fear or dread anymore, as if it had been stripped of all its mortal emotions.
"Does Kairo possess one card from the Deck of Origin?" he asked, relaying the words of The Collector through his own voice.
"No… that wasn't the last question to ask," Kairo stood up in shock.
"Yes…" the Seruth Monster said.
His words were like a death sentence pronounced against the Card Mage Police. Unlike the lackeys, none of the leader factions seemed surprised by the news. Most of them had guessed this would be the outcome after Kairo survived. Their eyes gleamed with a malicious glint in them. Yet none of them made the first move.
"Kairo, get ready to leave this place," Mirelle said, preparing her cards. Standing at the forefront, she was ready to face the entire army of card mages for him.
Kairo felt a wave of worry rise in his heart. Among these people were the most dangerous card masters of their time. Even if she was a captain, Kairo feared she would not get out of this intact.
"Remember, if you want all of them to survive Slayer… you must summon the Eye of Truth in the Altar… do you understand, Kairo… Kairo…" the Seruth Monster murmured in his ears.
Kairo frowned, about to ask more, but the Seruth Monster flashed a knowing smile, his figure turning into particles of dust that were wiped away by time. He had died to reveal this last piece of information to Kairo. He knew all along he wouldn't survive, Kairo thought. But he had no time to focus on what this meant.
For now, he needed to get out of this place. Kairo noticed that the Card Mage officers had already made a circle around the fountain, protecting him from every possible angle. Now that the truth about the Eye of Truth was revealed, he was a prime target.
"Get Kairo still, and I will collect his soul for us to share—not only what he was just told but also the Eye of Truth. Members of the Order, Underground Card Masters, members of the Independent Card Mage Association… it's time for a hunt," The Collector called out.
His words were like a bell sounding the charge of an army. The master assassins all began gliding in the shadows toward Kairo. Given how fast they had reacted, one managed to slip past Mirelle and the other defenses.
A dagger in hand, he aimed at Kairo's heart. As long as he managed to land a fatal strike, The Collector could get Kairo's soul, and they would obtain the Card of Origin. Thus, none of them hesitated.
Alone, faced with his approaching enemy, Kairo had no time to evade. Thus, he summoned the card he had been holding dear all this time. "Come to me, Protector," he said. With him as the center, a storm of winds blew outward. Fine silk-like blue lines painted the Circuitry of the Void, connecting particles on himself as if drawing an armor.
By the time the dagger touched Kairo's chest, it met with incredible resistance. The impact created dazzling sparkles in the air.
With a crack… the dagger broke, unable to go past the armor. Kairo glanced downward. The Protector was a massive knight-like armor that had encased his entire body. Made entirely of blue iron, he appeared twice taller than his usual self.
With a single sweep, his fist descended down like a meteor. A clear and resounding explosion could be heard. The earth spider-webbed outward, while the assassin lay motionless underneath his armor.
"If you want the Card of Origin, you will have to take it yourself," he said defiantly to The Collector.
"Get him!" Selis and her people went into action. One after the other, the factions sent their mages toward the group of the Card Mage Police. Despite the pressure, Kairo was calm. With Nyx by his side, they got their cards ready.
First time I would take part in such a large-scale clash, Kairo thought—both excited and worried.
The battle eruptted