Chapter 149: The Rift in Purpose

Chapter 149: The Rift in Purpose

Present Day – Solara Prime

The tension in Solara Prime was palpable. The Hero Party, their teacher Mr. Harper, and the Holy Kingdom's envoys gathered in the Imperium's Council Hall, the air thick with unspoken questions and buried memories. Jack, seated at the head of the sleek mana-powered conference table, had just finished unveiling the Imperium's military potential and its advancements in technology.

But the purpose of this meeting wasn't simply to flaunt the power Jack had built—it was to determine if the Holy Kingdom could trust Jack's intentions, and if the Imperium's vision of unity could coexist with their deeply rooted faith.

Jack leaned forward, his gaze sweeping over his former classmates and the envoys. "You came here for answers. Ask your questions."

Derek's scowl deepened as he crossed his arms. "What we want to know is simple: are you building all of this to protect the world or to control it?"

Jack's expression remained neutral, though a flicker of annoyance crossed his eyes. "Control? That's your interpretation?"

Derek leaned forward, his voice sharp. "Your machines, your soldiers, your alliances with elves—everything about this place screams domination. How do we know you're not just preparing to overthrow the Holy Kingdom next?"

Eryndra, seated beside Jack, tilted her head, her silver hair gleaming under the soft light. Her voice was calm but laced with warning. "The Imperium doesn't waste resources on petty conquests. We fight for survival, not to satisfy pride."

Derek glared at her. "And what about you? How can we trust the elves haven't manipulated Jack into serving your agenda?"

The room fell silent. Even Sarah and Ryan looked uncomfortable at Derek's bluntness. Jack's eyes hardened as he rose from his seat.

"Enough," Jack said, his voice cold. "You think I don't know how to make my own decisions? Everything you see here—everything I've built—is because I refuse to live in a world that's constantly on the brink of annihilation. I've sacrificed more than you can imagine to get here. Don't you dare accuse me of being someone's pawn."

The Rift Between Beliefs

The conversation shifted uneasily as Sarah attempted to ease the tension. "Jack... we're not here to fight. But you've changed so much. It's hard to reconcile who you were with... all of this."

Jack met her gaze, his tone softening slightly. "Of course I've changed. I had to. The person I was couldn't have survived what I went through—much less built the Imperium."

Sarah hesitated. "Then tell us. What happened to you? Why didn't you end up with us when we were summoned?"

Jack's jaw tightened, and for a moment, it looked as though he wouldn't answer. But then, with a sigh, he sat back down.

"You want to know what happened?" he said, his voice quieter now. "Fine. I'll tell you."

Flashback – The Summoning

When Jack was pulled into the summoning ritual, he had expected to find himself alongside his classmates, surrounded by the safety and grandeur of the Holy Kingdom. Instead, he had been hurled into chaos.

The spell had gone awry, splitting him from the rest of the Hero Party and depositing him in a remote, barren wasteland at the edge of demon-controlled territory. He had woken up alone, disoriented and weak, with no explanation for where he was or why he had been separated.

His first weeks in this world were a nightmare. Without food, shelter, or weapons, Jack had been forced to scavenge and hide from the monstrous creatures that prowled the land. He had no allies, no guidance—only his wits and determination.

"I wasn't blessed like the rest of you," Jack said, his voice steady but filled with an edge of bitterness. "No gods came to guide me. No Holy Kingdom knights trained me. I was left to fend for myself, fighting for every scrap of food and every second of survival."

Ryan's expression was one of shock and guilt. "We... we thought you had died in the summoning. They told us the spell failed for you."

"It did fail," Jack replied. "But I didn't."

The Turning Point

Over time, Jack discovered remnants of an ancient civilization buried deep within the wilderness. It was here that he encountered Eve, the AI who would change the course of his life. With Eve's guidance, Jack began to understand the potential of the mana-infused technology left behind by this lost race.

"While you were being hailed as heroes," Jack continued, "I was learning how to build traps, fortify defenses, and use technology to fight back. The ruins became my sanctuary, and their knowledge became my weapon."

Sarah's eyes filled with sadness. "Why didn't you try to find us?"

Jack's gaze met hers, unwavering. "Because by the time I knew where you were, I realized I didn't need you anymore. The Holy Kingdom wouldn't have accepted me—not after everything I'd learned. I didn't fit into their vision of what a hero should be."

Back to the Present

The room was silent as Jack finished his story. Even Derek seemed at a loss for words, though his distrust lingered.

Eryndra broke the silence, her voice calm but firm. "Jack didn't just survive—he thrived. While the rest of the world clung to outdated traditions, he built a future. If you can't see that, then maybe it's you who's been left behind."

Derek bristled, but Sarah placed a hand on his arm, silencing him. "We see it," she said softly. "Or at least... we're starting to."

Jack's Vision

Jack stood, his expression resolute. "The Imperium isn't just about survival. It's about making sure no one else has to go through what I did. It's about building a world where the demons can't exploit division anymore. I don't care if the Holy Kingdom doesn't like my methods—as long as they work."

Ryan hesitated before speaking. "And what do you want from us?"

Jack's gaze softened slightly. "I want you to see the truth. The old ways aren't enough anymore. If we're going to win this war, it's going to take more than prayers and swords. It's going to take unity, technology, and innovation."

Seeds of Doubt

As the meeting ended, the delegation returned to their quarters, each lost in their own thoughts. Ryan couldn't shake the admiration he felt for what Jack had accomplished, while Sarah wrestled with her lingering guilt over how they had abandoned him.

Derek, however, remained firm in his mistrust. "He's hiding something. All of this—his machines, his alliances with elves—it's too perfect. No one builds something like this without wanting control."

Mr. Harper sighed. "Or maybe he just wants to protect the people who believed in him when no one else would. Think about that."

End of Chapter 149