Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize

Chapter 586: A Fight at the Abandoned Island-Second Half

The rocks began to shift, as if something beneath them was trying to break free.

"They... they're not stopping!" one of the mages exclaimed in alarm.

Slowly, the pile of earth and rock moved more and more, the tons of weight containing the killing machines giving way. The machines, driven by soulless determination, remained fixed on their objective—eliminating the targets and safeguarding the nuclear warhead.

At this moment, Achilles was the only one who had regained his composure. "We don't have time! Move the warhead to the ship and retreat!" he commanded.

"But what about this place!? We have clear orders to establish a base here!" one of the mages questioned.

Achilles lost his temper. He grabbed the mage by the collar, pulling him close. "Don't you see? We've been sold out! Edgar Willow already betrayed us! Even if he hasn't, this place is useless to us now!

They know we're here!" he roared, taking control of the situation.

"Retreat to the ship!" Achilles ordered, his voice firm.

With that decisive command, the panicked mages snapped back to action. They immediately began moving the warhead toward the small ship they had arrived on. However, repacking the warhead, which had already been unpacked for preparation, was time-consuming—time they didn't have.

At that moment, the pile of rock and soil exploded as the killing machines emerged from their confines. Their bodies were slightly dented in places, but the damage wasn't enough to hinder their operation. Their numbers also allowed them to shield each other from the crushing force of the debris.

Seeing this, Achilles quickly rushed forward. This mission had been planned for a long time, and now the first part had already failed. With their discovery, the second part was also compromised.

Achilles engaged the killing machines, his spear whirling as he thrust it at the robots. Although the endoskeletons were made of Atlantean steel, minimizing the damage, Achilles was not one to be underestimated.

With relentless and precise strikes, Achilles managed to pierce one of the machines' energy reactors, causing it to shut down.

Startled yet relieved by his success and discovery, Achilles knew his efforts were paying off. But even with this newly discovered of the machines' weak points and his ability to take them down, the situation was too dangerous to continue.

Ever since the start of the operation, mage families across the world had begun to rebel and try to make a fool out of Daniel. But Daniel was not one to take it lying down, he also planned ahead and ruthlessly sent his forces to violently suppress those rebels. Their struggles and long planning turn out to be short lives, meeting with relentless and merciless suppression.

Reports from survivors indicated that these robots were the products of Astral Corp, and many anti-mages armaments they use were also designed and developed by them to counter and suppress all the mages in the world.

This meant that if the robots knew of their presence, then Daniel Emberweave and his elite forces likely did as well. If Daniel sent someone like Heracles or Vlad to finish them off, there was no way they would survive.

"What are you waiting for?! Hurry up and retreat! That warhead needs to be secured—it's our only chance!" Achilles roared at his comrades as he fought to hold off the killing machines.

His skill and experience as a warrior were enough for him to take down two more of the machines, but the remaining seven all targeted him. They did everything they could to stop his spear, to the point that one of them sacrificed itself, allowing Achilles to pierce its reactor, halting his spear.

This tactic partially worked, slowing Achilles just enough for another machine to land a powerful punch to his chest.

Boom!

With a resounding crash, Achilles was sent flying into the cave wall. Slowly, he struggled out of the impact crater, clutching his chest. If not for his soft armor, the artifact, and the blessing of invulnerability from the River Styx, he would have already been dead. He could feel his organs had been shaken, and a wave of nausea washed over him.

"Shit… this is bad… this homunculus body is ok but it's not as good as my original body." Achilles uttered, feeling helpless.

With Achilles out of the way, the killing machines shifted their focus to their primary target: the mages surrounding the nuclear warhead.

Without mana available in the cave, the mages were no different from ordinary people. Unable to use magic, all their magically enhanced strength had left their bodies, leaving them to face the frailty of mortality—something they despised.

The killing machines marched forward, beginning their merciless massacre. Blood splattered as agonizing cries echoed through the cavern, filling it with the sounds of death.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Achilles slipped onto the ship and frantically tried to start its engine. To hell with the mission—he needed to save his own life. Yes, he had the blessing of invulnerability from the River Styx, but there were many ways to neutralize him. Sealing him or burying him alive were just two, not to mention his infamous weak spot—his heel.

If it were injured, his life force would leak from that point, and he would die again.

He tried several times to start the engine, but in his panic, it only sputtered, making strained revving sounds without fully turning over. Some of the mages attempted to climb aboard, but they were dragged back by the killing machines.

One of the machines noticed Achilles on the ship and rushed toward him. Fortunately, just then, the engine roared to life. But it was too late—the machine had already jumped onto the ship and advanced toward him.

Luckily, a single killing machine was no match for Achilles. Summoning all his strength, he thrust his spear, puncturing the machine's reactor and shutting it down instantly.

Looking down at the lifeless robot, he allowed himself a relieved smile. At least this time, he had something to show for it. He could bring the wrecked machine back for that damn owl-masked man to analyze and find a way for those grass root mages to counter it.

— On the Island —

At a secluded corner of the island, several VTOLs were parked in a clearing, where squads of power-armored soldiers patrolled the perimeter. Military tents and field gun emplacements were set up around the area.

Inside one of the VTOLs, equipped with top-tier equipment fit for a mobile command center, Daniel sat in the commander's seat, watching a ship move off the coast toward a specific location in the open sea.

Standing behind him were Albert, Cao Cao, Guan Yu, and Edgar Willow, all observing the screen, with Edgar sporting a satisfied smile.

"Good job, Mr. Willow—no, Lord Willow. From now on, I grant you a seat as a senator within the Order of Ember council," Daniel said, smiling with approval.

"Thank you very much, Lord Emberweave," Edgar replied, bowing respectfully.

Albert smiled at Edgar and nodded in approval, while Cao Cao, still harboring skepticism, gave a reluctant nod of acknowledgment.

As for Edgar, this "deal" with Daniel began when a man in a black robe visited him in Germany, where Edgar had been living off the remnants of the Willow family's wealth.

Since then, the black-robed man had contacted him periodically, discussing plans while fueling Edgar's hatred toward Daniel. Yes, he loathed Daniel deeply. Even now, despite seeing Daniel as his superior, he had no desire to converse or socialize with him.

But, as a proud mage, allowing emotions to cloud judgment was something only a third-rate mage would do. While Edgar wasn't particularly powerful, he knew his value.

Stay tuned to mvl

Amidst the bitterness and anger, a rational thought emerged: he was the last of the Willow family. His duty wasn't to seek immediate revenge, but to ensure the survival of his bloodline, accumulate power, and then—only then—revenge could follow.

His roots were in Southeast Asia, where Daniel and the Order of Ember were based. Unseating Daniel, one of the most powerful mages, was impossible in the foreseeable future.

To revive his clan, Edgar needed immense resources and influence within Southeast Asia. What remained of his family's legacy wasn't nearly enough.

Thus, he chose to betray the black-robed man's plans, selling the information at the nearest Whispering Hall information hub in Germany. In return, he earned vast wealth, magical resources, and personal favor from Daniel Emberweave himself.

Mages are pragmatic, often heartless creatures. If one lets emotions cloud their judgment, preventing them from pursuing obvious benefits, they are nothing more than the third-rate mages. This, Edgar Willow had learned, over the course of his life.

As for future revenge... Edgar glanced at Daniel, noticing the smirk on his face as he continued watching the screen. It's better to forget about it for now—keeping it on his mind isn't good for his mental health. He could always revisit the thought when, someday, Daniel were to fall from grace.