Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize

695  Daniel’s Brilliant Plan

"Yes, indeed! Lady Claudia, it was an illusion I witnessed," Wiglaf confirmed.

"That's strange," Claudia muttered. "Druids shouldn't be able to use illusions that can alter a group of people's perception. Their magic isn't that diverse. It primarily focuses on their connection to nature. At most, they could manipulate plants to release some sort of illusion dust."

She paused, then turned to ask, "Did you notice any strange smell while you were there? Something fragrant or unpleasant?"

"No, Lady Claudia. There was no such smell in the woodland," Wiglaf replied.

"Then it's clear. The one you encountered isn't a druid. They might be something stronger than a druid."

"You mean someone like you, Lady Claudia?" the Ealdorman asked warily.

"Perhaps… or perhaps not. But this one is certainly no druid," Claudia replied.

Hearing Claudia's assessment, the Ealdorman fell into deep thought. If this entity wasn't a druid, then perhaps there was no need to worry about an attack. After all, he had no grievances with this being.

The real question was whether this entity harbored malicious intentions. Surely, if they were hostile, there would have been some development or action in the past few days. Still, uncertainty gnawed at him. He resolved to send someone to investigate. It might take a few days, but it was better than leaving the matter unattended.

"You're hesitant, Ealdorman. I can easily investigate this entity and eliminate it for you if it proves to be a threat. Consider it repayment for your favor," Claudia offered with a smile.

The Ealdorman was startled by her proposal, and the frown on his face deepened.

It was important to understand that Ealdorman Norman was considered the most powerful among the king's vassals. His military might and influence were second only to the king's.

However, his strength could be undermined with a little political maneuvering. If the king allied with several other Ealdormen, they could put an end to Norman's domain.

What prevented this from happening was a singular, critical factor: the powerful guest residing in Norman's castle. He still had one favor left to call upon, a promise from this guest to act on his behalf once.

This particular guest was so powerful that she could singlehandedly decimate the king's army and the forces of all the other Ealdormen at his disposal. She had already demonstrated her might by repelling an invasion from the King of the North.

(Author's Note: In 490, Mercia and Wessex had yet to be founded. During this time, the Britons and Anglo-Saxons were still a collection of groups formed by Kings and Ealdormen vying for control, with no clear boundaries between territories like Essex, Wessex, or Mercia. It was a chaotic mess here.)

To Ealdorman Norman, Claudia was his trump card and a powerful deterrent against the king. Even after he became king, he still aimed to avoid using this favor. Instead, he let her stay with him, intending to seduce her into becoming his wife. With her support, he could even create an empire and become an emperor ruling over kings, just like the Romans of old. Such a dream was not beyond his grasp.

"No, Lady Claudia. This is just a trivial matter and doesn't require your expertise," the Ealdorman politely declined her offer.

A faint, knowing glint flickered in her eyes; she understood what this ambitious Ealdorman aimed for. Yet, she didn't mind. She had a comfortable place to stay while waiting for him to call upon the favor. Time was irrelevant to her. Eventually, this ambitious man would have no choice but to cash it in.

"Very well. If you need any help, just let me know. I'll remain here until then," Claudia smiled before leaving the stone hall for the guest wing where she resided.

After Claudia left the hall, the Ealdorman turned to Wiglaf.

"Wiglaf, return to the village and tell Cuthred to scout out this entity. Determine whether it harbors malicious intent. If it does, report back to me immediately, and I'll devise a way to eliminate it. If not, see if we can come to an understanding and attempt to recruit it. But under no circumstances should you provoke it. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Ealdorman," Wiglaf replied, quickly departing the hall. He needed to return swiftly. He could rest in the village once his mission was complete.

--- Night - Thegn Cuthred's Village ---

Wiglaf finally arrived at the village. The moment Thegn Cuthred learned of his arrival, he quickly got up in the middle of the night and came to the hall to hear Wiglaf's report.

In truth, Cuthred hadn't slept a wink, too worried about the eastern woodland. He hoped Wiglaf's report would ease his mind.

Indeed, it did ease his concerns. According to the Ealdorman's assessment, the entity was neither a druid nor connected to the druid community destroyed by the wars with the Ealdorman years ago.

However, there was still cause for worry. The Ealdorman had ordered them to monitor the entity closely to determine whether it had malicious intentions.

If it didn't, they were to try recruiting it. This was a headache for Cuthred. He didn't even know where to begin. He's just a simple warrior promoted to the position of Thegn, he lacked the skills for such delicate tasks.

He thought bitterly; it would be easier for the Ealdorman to ask me to fight a bear barehanded than to scheme and weave my way through this... this... madness.

The Thegn's face reflected his inner turmoil, as if he couldn't decide whether to swallow or spit out a bitter bite of food.

"My Thegn, let me handle this matter. I'll try to approach the entity and gain its approval. As long as it can speak and understand us, I believe I can at least discern whether it harbors malicious intent," Wiglaf offered.

Hearing his right-hand man propose a solution, the usually fierce Thegn laughed heartily and clapped Wiglaf on the shoulder.

"Good! If you succeed, I'll personally ask the Ealdorman to reward you handsomely!" the Thegn promised with a wide smile.

— Morning —

In the morning, with permission from the Thegn, Wiglaf personally selected gifts for the entity. He didn't know whether this entity was male or female. Still, based on what he had heard from Lady Claudia, the entity was humanoid and intelligent. This suggested that a trade and offering gifts would be possible.

Judging by people's basic needs, there weren't many options: wealth, power, or desirable companionship. Thus, Wiglaf prepared an assortment of magical ingredients, including Nixie hair, Wyvern claws, fangs, and a selection of beautiful virgin maidens and unsullied handsome men. He also arranged for many sheep and pigs fit for a king's feast, along with exquisite garments and jewelry.

All these gifts were taken from the Thegn's treasury. The Thegn himself, being a warrior through and through, preferred weapons and armor over trinkets and magical ingredients, which he found little use for. As for the beautiful maidens and handsome men, they were carefully chosen from among the villagers.

Once everything was ready, Wiglaf led the procession carrying the gifts toward the eastern woodland. A group of warriors accompanied them to guard against potential bandits during the journey.

— Lake of Avalon —

Daniel had stayed in his tower for the past few days, living like a shut-in. He only sent metal scarabs to scout the surroundings, never leaving the tower. With a universal pocket containing enough food supplies to last for years, he had no need to venture out.

While reviewing the data sent back by his metal scarabs, Daniel noticed a procession moving from the village toward the woodland where he resided.

"Huh?" Daniel squinted at the monitor, observing the scene. Judging the procession as non-threatening, he decided to let it be. Perhaps it was some sort of local custom.

But he couldn't have been more wrong. The procession eventually entered the woodland and stopped right before the illusion wall concealing the Lake of Avalon. This development made Daniel frown.

Wiglaf stepped forward, standing at the head of the procession, and shouted loudly,

"O great sage of the woodland! I am Wiglaf, acting under the command of Ealdorman Norman and Thegn Cuthred. I have come bearing gifts for you, O great sage of the woodland!"

Daniel's frown deepened. Great sage of the woodland? Me? What the hell is this nonsense? He thought to himself, walking out onto the balcony to get a better view of the procession.

He saw numerous chests, several beautiful women, and handsome men. It became clear to Daniel that these were the gifts Wiglaf had mentioned. However, the thought of being gifted men made his skin crawl.

My tastes are thoroughly normal, thank you very much, and they don't deviate an inch! What the hell is this!? Daniel thought, his hair standing on end at the absurdity.

But then, an incredible idea struck him. With these people here, he finally had a perfect way to lure Merlin out. Daniel admitted that, in this era, he would never allow Merlin to be with Envy. Period! Consequences be damned! If the balance of time thought otherwise, then send him back to his own era, god damn it!

With this in mind, Daniel walked down from the tower and passed through the illusion wall, appearing before the crowd. He wore his robe with the hood down, allowing the people to see his face.

"I am Merlin of the Lake of Avalon. What brings you here?" Daniel said, his voice reverberating through the woodland.