Date: Unspecified
Ti: Unspecified
Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City, TSR Guild Headquarters
As I explained the appeal process with confidence, making it sound far simpler than it actually was, Jack and Catherine began to feel hopeful. Pax, however, did not share their optimism. He knew that appealing to the Devil rchant Code was far from a done deal. Unlike the impartial World Will, the Code’s judgnts were heavily influenced by offerings.
One thing, however, was absolute: in its court, anyone with concrete evidence could prove their case. What they could not expect was for the Devil rchant Code to deliver the punishnt the guilty truly deserved. As long as the accused offered sufficient tribute, they could still escape unscathed.
Pax had neither the concrete evidence to prove the New Age rchant Guild’s conspiracy in his recruiting nor the wealth to protect himself if he lost the appeal. In other words, the solution I proposed was never ant for him.
But it was the ideal solution for soone with his circumstances. Now that they were in the court of Devil rchant Code, with enough tribute, a guild mber could have the Devil rchant Code annul all their contracts and commitnts with the Guild.
Unless the guild was willing to offer more. It would then beco a blind bidding war, with each new bid backed by a higher promised tribute. When it ca to squeezing profit from others’ misery, no one surpassed the Devil rchant Code.
Seeing the troubled look on Pax’s face, Jack and Catherine realized the situation was far more complicated than I had made it sound. Catherine frowned and asked, "What’s wrong, Young Master? Is there a problem with the plan Master Wyatt proposed?"
Pax pulled himself out of his spiraling thoughts and forced a brave smile for his father. "No, Master Wyatt’s plan is solid. If I involve the Devil rchant Code, I can escape. But I was wondering whether I need to take that route at all. There’s another way... a better one, isn’t there, Master Wyatt?"
"I don’t know if I’d call it a better way, but it would take balls of steel to pull it off," I replied with a light chuckle.
Unknowingly Pax had just given a solid reason to go above and beyond to help him out of this ss. The fact that he could arrive at the second solution without any hint from proved that Pax Whiteburn Godson, despite his young age , was a true man. He was living proof that it is our choices, not our circumstances, that define who we beco.
"What do you an, son?" Jack asked, his face tightening with confusion and unease. A sense of foreboding settled in his gut. He could tell his son was being honest, yet he also knew he wasn’t hearing the whole truth. His expression made it clear he was about to do sothing dangerously reckless.
"I was thinking... why not go along with the New Age rchant Guild’s plan?" Pax said to everyone’s surprise. "Before they can brainwash or anything, I’ll sign a demon contract stating that, as long as they guarantee the safety of my loved ones, I’ll help them secure the rights to the Card World when it becos available again. But when that ti cos, I’ll delay the process for as long as possible, giving Master Wyatt the chance to purchase it before I can. That way, we can free the Card World from the Devil rchant Code once and for all. I believe this is the best solution. I’ve made up my mind."
What began as an explanation turned into a firm declaration. I watched as, with each word, his trembling hands steadied and his eyes hardened with resolve. Heroes truly do rise from unexpected places.
Even so, I had no intention of stepping in just yet. I would let this play out until the very last mont, when action was truly necessary. This was a turning point for Pax, and pressure like this would grind and polish him into the diamond he was ant to beco.
I felt an unexpected swell of pride watching the kid grow. Part of wanted to shout, ’I created Pax W. Godson’s Origin Card.’ There was sothing indescribable about watching sothing I had created be used for a greater good.
"Son, are you sure about this?" Jack asked, already prepared to support his son’s decision. He felt both pride and anguish. Pride, because his son had grown into soone remarkable. Anguish, because he feared he might soon lose that remarkable son. For the first ti in his adult life, Jack cried.
"Dad, don’t cry. It’s not as bad as it sounds. I can file the appeal as Master Wyatt said after we’ve saved our world," Pax said.
He believed that by the ti they had driven back the second demon invasion and secured the Card World, he would have earned enough to save himself. Once we purchased the rights to the Card World and screwed over the New Age rchant Group, he could then appeal to the Devil rchant Code and buy his own freedom.
"It seems you’ve thought this through. I’ll respect your decision. If you need help with anything, don’t hesitate to contact . You have my contact ID, right?" I said, offering my support in acknowledgnt of his resolve while carefully hiding how pleased I was by his growth.
I couldn’t help but rember the boy he used to be, innocent and hopelessly spoiled by his twin older sisters. Now he stood ready to shoulder the burden of sacrifice for the greater good.
His plan, however, was far from foolproof. There was no guarantee the leaders of the New Age rchant Guild would accept his proposal. They might decide it was safer to proceed with their original plan and simply brainwash him. The risks were nurous, and any one of them could ruin everything.
Yet despite that, he carried himself with quiet confidence, prepared to navigate every danger for the sake of his world and the people he loved.
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