Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize

"By the way, why are you here?" Daniel asked. "I heard you said you came for a diplomatic trip. Are you going to be an ally to the US government or something?"

"Haha, you must be kidding," Anastasia giggled. "Everyone in the Curtained World knows that the uncrowned ruler of the US is Ms. Greed. Anyone with ties to the mages knows this fact." She explained further,

"No, we're not here for that. We, the Romanov dynasty and the Romanov dynasty alone, want to form an alliance with you, Lord Emberweave," said Anastasia.

"What do you mean, 'Romanov Dynasty alone'? Does this mean the Russian government doesn't count?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, they don't count," Anastasia nodded.

Hearing this from Anastasia made Daniel more confused. Then it dawned on him that although Russia is a monarchy state now, most day-to-day affairs and country development decisions are in the hands of the cabinet.

Since the Hightower event that erased normal folks' memories about magic controversies, the number of people aware of magic has decreased, including those usually in control of many monarchies that are mage families.

So, it's normal for them to have ambitious thoughts about gaining control of the entire country for themselves.

"That's very interesting," a familiar voice sounded out as Envy and Koyuki entered the scene, while Penthesilea in her green suit and bodyguard attire followed not far behind.

Envy exudes elegance in a fashionable dress that struck a perfect balance between contemporary style and timeless class. Her polished heels clicked rhythmically on the pavement. Koyuki, on the other hand, remained true to her signature look - a vibrant red jacket over a branded T-shirt paired with a denim skirt. However, her steel-capped boots weren't ordinary.

Daniel recognized them instantly – the ones he'd personally reinforced with Atlantean steel.

Koyuki shifted uncomfortably under Daniel's gaze. "What?" she blurted out, noticing his attention fixed on her footwear.

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"Are you sure you came for a date and not to stomp someone to death?" Daniel teased.

"Like you said, just in case," Koyuki smiled knowingly, referring to Daniel's paranoia and his tendency to over-prepare with the phrase 'just in case.'

Daniel shrugged it off and let out a smile, he stood up and turned toward his girls. "Only the three of you? Where are the others?" he inquired.

Koyuki giggled. "Greed lost the rock-paper-scissors match, so she's off with Sylvana to visit Pride. Penthesilea won against Michaela, so she came instead of her on bodyguard duty. They all wanted to come, but for a date, I think the three of us should be just right, wouldn't you say?" she explained playfully.

"Lady Envy, good afternoon," Anastasia politely greeted Envy and nodded.

"Hello, Your Highness. About what you told Daniel just a moment ago, could you please tell us in detail?" Envy asked.

"Certainly, Lady Envy," Anastasia readily agreed. "Would you prefer to discuss the details in a quieter setting now?"

Envy chuckled and shook her head. "No, Your Highness. Today is Danny and the girls' well-deserved day off. It's a long overdue date, and I wouldn't want to disrupt it with work matters. Perhaps we could postpone our discussion until afterwards?"

"Ah, yes, Lady Envy," Anastasia stammered, realization dawning on her. "How rude of me! By all means, enjoy your date. We can certainly discuss this later." Anastasia flustered, nodding her agreement rapidly.

Then… in a move that surprised both Koyuki and Envy, Anastasia seized Daniel's hand, much like one of his other dates. But her boldness didn't stop there. She wrapped her arm around his bicep and accentuated her cleavage, deliberately positioning his arm between her breasts.

Witnessing this brazen display, both Koyuki and Envy were left speechless.

"Looks like you've got some competition," Envy whispered mischievously to a visibly annoyed Koyuki.

"Please mind your manners, Your Highness," a stern warning came from the stoic maid in glasses.

"Oh, pleaseee— , Svetlana. You know that our royal father wants us to have familial ties with Lord Emberweave," Anastasia retorted with a fact that momentarily made the stoic maid stammer.

The revelation of this fact made Envy realize that something significant might have happened in Russia and its surrounding areas, such as with the Qin Empire. Otherwise, Dimitri wouldn't dare to let his bloodline, the only bloodline in the entire mage world that can use Astraheim Magic, flow out of the family like this.

***Author's Note: For readers who don't want to go back to Volume 2 to look up what Astraheim Magic is:

Astraheim Magic: This magic uses star arrangements to amplify the magic they use and create many magical phenomena. For example, brainwashing magic, when combined with the right star arrangement, can amplify its range and effect to affect an entire country. Or on a smaller scale, stars can amplify the magical power of specific magic types like fire or wind.

It's not flashy, but the fact that it increases magical strength without additional resources, relying solely on star arrangements, is highly desirable for mages.***

Svetlana cleared her throat pointedly. "Ahem... even so, manners and etiquette are still something you need to be mindful of, Your Highness,"

Never one to back down, Koyuki mirrored Anastasia's move, slipping her arm around Daniel's bicep and strategically positioning it between her breasts.

This audacious maneuver caused a blush to creep up Daniel's face. A seasoned monster hunter, he'd battled demons and otherworldly entities, but his natural biology threatened to betray him now. He forced himself to remain calm, lest he appear flustered before the ladies.

Unfortunately, his subtle flush wasn't lost on Envy's seasoned eyes. Having lived for centuries, she could detect the faintest flicker of emotion on a person's face.

With a sly smirk, Envy sauntered towards Daniel. Cupping his face, she drew him into a deep French kiss, then deliberately pressed her chest against his and brushed her body suggestively against his. A bulge formed in a very predictable area – a natural reaction for a healthy man.

Envy, however, retreated quickly, leaving him with a lingering peck on his cheek.

The teasing was overwhelming. Daniel felt the urge to scream. He fought his body's response with all his willpower, but just as he was about to succumb, Envy pulled away.

Desperate to regain control, his mind conjured images of the latest wrestling championship he'd watched, specifically the musclebound competitors grappling and grunting in the ring. The mental picture effectively dampened his desire.

Envy's audacious display of affection left both Koyuki and Anastasia speechless, astonished by her boldness. Svetlana felt hot on her cheek while Penthesilea also felt hot, but in a different and more secretive place, she really wanted to join in.

"Could you ladies please give me a break?" Daniel sighed wearily, eliciting a chorus of giggles from Koyuki and Envy.

"Alright, alright," Envy chuckled, peeling Anastasia off Daniel's arm with a playful nudge. "Let's move on, shall we?" She then took Anastasia's place, her arm slipping around Daniel's bicep.

Anastasia bristled, a complaint forming on her lips. However, she wisely kept silent. Envy, after all, not only wielded immense magical power, but also commanded far greater respect within the Curtained World than even her father, the Tsar himself.

Left with no choice, Anastasia cast a longing glance at the spot Koyuki occupied on Daniel's other arm. Koyuki, however, returned the look with a steely glint in her eyes, a silent challenge that Anastasia knew better than to accept.

Svetlana, ever vigilant, intervened before the tension could escalate. "Your Highness," she addressed Anastasia sternly, "please refrain from causing Lord Emberweave any further trouble. You must remember, Koyuki Mori No Tokugawa is the princess of both the Tokugawa and Mori clans. Her status is no less esteemed than yours, whether in the Normal World or the Curtained World."

"Yes, ma~," Anastasia mumbled with a bored sigh. A light tap on the head from Svetlana served as another firm reminder.

"Your Highness," the stern maid continued, "please conduct yourself with proper decorum and respect for etiquette."

Anastasia, finally subdued, sighed once more and fell into line behind Daniel, maintaining a façade of propriety.

Daniel, having made a reservation beforehand, ushered the girls to a luxurious French restaurant near Union Square. He proceeded to check in, unaware that his companions' striking features had caught the attention of a man observing from the restaurant's top-floor office.

The man, without hesitation, dialed the internal phone line. His call reached the front desk where Daniel's reservation was being processed.

"Manager," the man's voice boomed, "remove that man's from the reservation list." The manager, momentarily stunned, could only nod in bewildered agreement.

"Yes sir," he stammered, promptly deleting Daniel's reservation.

Despite their heightened senses exceeding human limitations, Daniel, Envy, Penthesilea, and Svetlana all distinctly heard the exchange. However, they were in an awkward position. Pointing it out would be futile, as the other patrons wouldn't hear it like they did, potentially leading to an embarrassing accusation with no proof.

"Sir, I don't see your reservation on record. Are you absolutely certain you made one?" The manager's voice held a hint of skepticism, not outright denial. This implied it wasn't the first time the top floor had pulled such a stunt.