Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize

Chapter 481: Gua Jia Plan - Final

The program continued, and many people faced the undeniable truth. Some accepted it, others reacted with anger. Even the most steadfast loyalists displayed disbelief and denial, retreating to their tents to cope with the fact that they had been lied to their entire lives. However, most of the refugees who watched this program continued to watch, as if encountering this information for the first time.

Normally, this process of persuasion would take time, but Envy had lent a hand. It wasn't complicated magic, just a subtle form of suggestion. The magic helped the speaker's words resonate with the listeners, making them think, as long as the context aligned with the truth.

It worked well, but not to its full potential, due to a lie within the program's narrative – a lie the speaker believed to be true.

The lie was about the royal family's bioweapons lab. The truth involved magic, so they had to compromise on this detail. Since the lie wasn't far from the truth, the spell still worked, but not as effectively as it could have. Otherwise, all these people would have become sworn enemies of the Tessia royal family.

— The Next Day —

After the program aired, the number of refugees seeking to register as Alpha City citizens increased tenfold. Only the staunchest supporters of the Tessia royal family remained. For them, this was the only life they had ever known. They were the ones who persecuted those who didn't worship the royal family and were always the first to condemn anyone who thought differently.

Back then, they were the majority, backed by the authority of the state. They were never wrong in their judgment, even when they were. It was the fault of those they condemned for making them believe they were sinners who weren't loyal to the royal family.

Now, they were the minority, like useless roadside stones covered in moss... no, they were more like piles of dog excrement, their only value being the stench they emitted.

In the refugee camp, the staunchest supporters of the Tessia royal family could only accept the daily rations provided by Astral Corp. Today, they lacked their usual vigor. Their days consisted of eating, sleeping, waking up, eating again, relieving themselves, and sleeping again.

These were the people who had once led raids on stores and fueled hatred towards Astral Corp. Now, only about 10,000 of them remained, while over 200,000 of their fellow refugees had registered as Alpha City citizens and moved into comfortable condominiums.

They watched as their former comrades, who had accepted the truth, worked and built new lives in the living spaces Astral Corp had constructed for them. The standard living spaces were being built tirelessly by metal scarab micro-construction bots, leaving the royalists in awe and envy.

What they felt now was anger and envy at the lives of those who could embrace the truth. They stewed in resentment, conveniently ignoring that they were their own worst enemies by overcomplicating things.

In their minds, they still denied the truth, but deep down, they knew it was real. They couldn't accept it openly because it would invalidate their entire reason for existence.

—

At a nearby guard post, Daniel, Envy, Cao Cao, and Guo Jia observed the long line of refugees registering for citizenship.

"Your plan is working, Mr. Guo," Daniel said, watching the line. "You've made my life much easier."

"You are too kind, Mr. Emberweave," Guo Jia replied humbly, bowing. "I don't deserve the praise. It was Lady Envy's magic that made my plan go more smoothly than expected. I anticipated complications and a longer timeline, My Lord."

Envy smiled slightly, knowing Guo Jia was trying to curry favor with her, aware of Daniel's soft spot for family. She considered it her duty to protect this vulnerability.

"No, Mr. Guo," Envy countered, "your plan is what made it work. You devised the details; I merely enhanced them with magic. Your plan would have succeeded eventually."

By dividing the refugees into two groups – those who follow our rules and those who resist – you created a clear disparity in their quality of life. Those clinging to their old ways will eventually succumb to reality if they don't adapt." Envy looked down at the disgruntled refugees watching the line. "My spell simply accelerated their realization."

Of course, the spell helped, but the fabricated evidence about the experimental lab and a subtle memory alteration spell on Mr. Cortez were also instrumental. Albert had made Cortez believe in the authenticity of the evidence he held regarding the lab.

However, that was just one aspect of Albert's assistance in helping Daniel manipulate events behind the scenes. Aside from the lab evidence, everything else was genuine evidence gathered by Mr. Cortez's investigation.

Guo Jia, stunned by Envy's smile, sensed a hidden danger. Yet, when she spoke with Daniel, he saw only a perfect wife, concealing her darker side from those she cared for.

"As Lady Envy said, thank you for your praise," Guo Jia accepted her words and moved closer to Cao Cao.

[Don't try to manipulate me or him for your plans. I hate cheap tricks. You are his subordinate, so I don't want to be rude, but... don't try this again] Envy warned telepathically. Guo Jia nodded quickly, realizing she knew he was trying to gain her favor to influence Daniel's support for Cao Cao's plans, ultimately increasing Cao Cao's standing within Daniel's forces.

[It seems her centuries of experience are not to be underestimated] Guo Jia thought.

[Oh? What did you say, Mr. Guo? Something about my age? What were you saying before I was about to cut our telepathic connection?] Envy's telepathic threat sent a chill down Guo Jia's spine. He felt her glare and noticed the sweat on his forehead.

[I deeply apologize for my intrusive thoughts, Lady Envy] Guo Jia quickly apologized, cupping his fist and hurrying out of the guard post, leaving Daniel and Cao Cao confused.

"It seems our refugee problem has been dealt with," Daniel said, sighing. "The next problem is the UN and establishing our own mage organization."