Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize-Chapter 371: The Christmas Eve

— A Week Later - Lombard Street - Greed's Mansion —

In a quaint mansion nestled on the hill of Lombard Street, Koyuki and Greed were busy adorning a Christmas tree. It was the 24th of December 2033, and with the new year fast approaching, they savored this brief respite from their usual routines. The festive ambiance enveloped them, a rare moment of shared joy among Daniel, Koyuki, Greed, and Envy.

Amidst the holiday cheer, Pride had departed for the Confederacy to report to her father, yet she had not returned as expected. Envy and Greed assured Daniel that this was typical behavior for Pride, who harbored a deep affection for her father, Reginald Aldenmere.

It was understandable, considering he was her sole remaining family member and the one who had paid a hefty price for her resurrection as a witch.

Though the exact nature of this "great price" remained shrouded in mystery to Daniel, he suspected it went beyond mere wealth and influence. Envy had hinted at Reginald Aldenmere's prestigious past as a former Grand Councilor of the Hightower faction, leading the path of knowledge long before Cyrus rose to power.

Yet now, he held a lesser position as a mere Councilor, a puzzling shift that intrigued Daniel.

The cozy living room glowed with festive cheer. Christmas lights twinkled like a captured galaxy on the tree, and an assortment of ornaments, some new, some holding years of memories, adorned its branches. Laughter, like tinkling bells, filled the air as Sylvana, a little whirlwind of energy with mismatched socks and a mischievous glint in her eye, darted around the furniture.

Her quarry? None other than Mammon, the once mighty Lord of Hell, now reduced to a scrawny yellow iguana. He scurried across the plush rug, his tiny legs churning in a comical attempt to escape the clutches of his tiny tormentor. Despite his predicament, a hint of amusement flickered in his beady black eyes. It wasn't every day a demon lord got to play cat and mouse with a human child.

The sight of Mammon, the once fearsome Lord of Hell, reduced to playing tag with Sylvana was a bizarre spectacle. Greed felt a tangled web of emotions coil around her heart. Should she laugh? Mammon, the supposed demon lord, seemed to be enjoying the ridiculousness of it all. But a sliver of fear snaked through her laughter. Could this be a ploy?

Was Mammon subtly manipulating the innocent child? Or was it a misplaced worry? What if, by some twisted fate, he truly meant no harm?

Greed's gaze drifted towards Daniel. His unwavering focus on Sylvana, the way he meticulously arranged the gifts while keeping a playful eye on their adopted daughter, sparked a warmth in Greed's chest. If he could be this devoted, this protective of a child not his own by blood, then what would their future hold?

A vision of a bustling household filled with laughter, of more tiny hands tugging at her sleeves, flooded her mind. The yearning for a family, truly her own, ached within her. Yet, a pang of guilt followed. Sylvana, their precious Sylvana, deserved all their love. Greed vowed to cherish them all equally, but the human part of her couldn't extinguish the desires that flickered so brightly.

Koyuki's voice, laced with amusement, pierced through Greed's daydream. "Lost in a world of your own again, Greed? What makes you so captivated? Seeing anything you like?" The last part was added after Koyuki noticed that her friend looking at their husband.

Greed flushed, feeling exposed. "Nothing, nothing at all," she stammered, quickly resuming her decorating with a newfound fervor.

The last ornaments were hung, the last bits of wrapping paper and ribbon cleared away. A light dusting would finish the job, but for now, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen, drawing everyone's attention.

The kitchen door swung open, revealing Envy in an apron. Her aura of domesticity was undeniable, a picture-perfect wife wielding spatulas like a maestro. Her warm smile softened the room as she emerged, expertly balancing two enormous plates. One held a glistening roasted turkey breast with a ruby red cranberry-orange compote, the other a decadent truffle lobster mac and cheese.

A third plate, holding honey-glazed ham adorned with pineapple chutney, levitated beside her, courtesy of her magic.

"Alright, ladies! Dinnertime!" Envy's voice, both jovial and commanding, echoed through the house. Plates were meticulously arranged on the grand mahogany table.

"Coming!" Koyuki and Greed responded in unison, hurrying to Envy's aid. Michaela followed suit, eager to participate. Daniel, seeing the flurry of activity, grabbed a broom and dustpan, tackling the remaining mess.

Sylvana sprawled on the floor, panting alongside the exhausted golden iguana sprawled on its back. They had played for hours, a testament to Sylvana's boundless energy. Despite being an unusual child with seemingly inexhaustible stamina, even she had reached her limit after a day of exploring San Francisco with the group.

Although clearly tired, a wide, happy smile still graced Sylvana's face. Daniel, his heart brimming with warmth, knelt beside her. He gently tucked a sweat-dampened curl behind her ear.

"Alright, sweetie," he said, his voice filled with affection. "Time to freshen up before dinner. Don't forget to wash your hands."

Sylvana, though her reply was a somewhat bored "Yesss Papaaa," followed his instructions dutifully, skipping towards the bathroom.

Alone in the living room, Daniel's gaze fell upon Mammon, the former Lord of Hell sprawled on his back like a comical lizard sunning its belly. With a practiced flick of his wrist, Daniel sent a fingernail-sized orb shimmering with concentrated mana arcing towards the iguana.

Mammon's eyes snapped open at the magic's signature. In a flash, he was no longer lounging but a blur of yellow, snatching the orb mid-air and gulping it down with the zeal of a dog catching a frisbee.

"Good work keeping her entertained, Mammon," Daniel said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "According to the contract, continued babysitting duties could earn you some… perks. How does transforming into your human form once a month, for a day trip outside, sound?"

What Daniel offered wasn't just any treat. The orb Mammon devoured was a chromatic Philosopher's Stone, painstakingly crafted from pure mana, a feat far beyond the capabilities of any average mage. Their creations, fueled by blood and soul, were blood-red stones offering a mere pittance of power compared to Daniel's chromatic marvel.

Back when they were revising Greed's contract, Daniel had hatched a plan. Sylvana's unexpected fondness for the grumpy iguana had sparked an idea.

A contract was drafted, binding the powerless Mammon to him and Sylvana. Playtime with the little girl would be compensated with these mana-infused stones, while any protective actions would come at a higher 'price.' Initially, the once-proud Lord of Hell scoffed at such a mundane task. But the moment the power within the Philosopher's Stone hit his tongue, his pride took a nosedive.

This pure mana was far more enticing than any human soul, and in his current state, under Daniel's watchful eye, such delicacies were practically nonexistent.

So, with a gleam in his beady black eyes, Mammon eagerly accepted the contract. Now, he found himself as a sort of half-nanny for Sylvana. Surprisingly, a strange sense of contentment bubbled within him as he played with the little one. It seemed even a fallen Lord of Hell could find a form of joy in the simple act of playing cat and mouse with a human girl.

Minutes ticked by as the Christmas Eve table materialized under their combined efforts. Just as Daniel rose to join the others, a low hiss stopped him in his tracks. It was Mammon.

"Hold on, Magitek," the iguana rasped, his voice barely a whisper. "Don't forget the steak. This whole healthy-eating iguana charade is killing me. Sneak me a few slices when Envy's not looking, alright?" He cast a wary glance towards the kitchen, the mention of Envy's name laced with a hint of dread.

A flicker of sympathy darted across Daniel's eyes, swiftly masked by amusement. Poor Mammon. Little did he know, Envy was well aware of his predicament. In fact, she was thoroughly enjoying this charade of forcing the mighty Lord of Hell to subsist on lettuce and carrots. But Daniel wasn't about to burst Envy's bubble.

Mammon's discomfort was a source of quiet entertainment, and besides, a little payback for centuries of animosity never hurt.

So, with a sly grin, Daniel agreed. "Don't worry, dude. I'll sneak you some."

The aroma of roasted turkey and truffle mac and cheese hung heavy in the air, a symphony of delicious smells that filled the grand dining room. A magnificent mahogany table, adorned with a festive centerpiece and gleaming silverware, awaited its guests.

The warm glow of fairy lights cast a festive spell over the dining area. A long wooden table, adorned with a rustic centerpiece of pine cones and holly, groaned under the weight of a mouthwatering feast. A golden-brown roasted turkey sat proudly at the center, flanked by a steaming casserole dish of truffle lobster mac and cheese and a platter of honey-glazed ham adorned with pineapple chutney.

Envy, in a cozy knit sweater and apron, beamed with pride at her culinary creation.

Koyuki and Greed sat across from each other, sharing soft smiles. Michaela, ever the attentive one, refilled water glasses with a quiet hum. Sylvana, barely contained with excitement, bounced in her seat, her sparkly Christmas dress shimmering in the soft light.