Chapter 152: The Price of Victory

Chapter 152: The Price of Victory

The Ruins of Beldon Keep

The battlefield was a scene of devastation. Demons lay in smoldering heaps, their twisted forms disintegrating into ash as the dark magic animating them dissipated. Siege creatures, once towering monstrosities, were reduced to shattered limbs and broken husks. The rift that had unleashed the horde now stood silent, its pulsating energy permanently extinguished by the Imperium's precision strike.

The Holy Kingdom's forces staggered through the ruins of Beldon Keep, battered and broken. Their losses were staggering—knights lay slain in the thousands, their once-polished armor now covered in blood and dirt. Clerics moved among the wounded, their hands glowing with healing magic as they struggled to keep their remaining comrades alive.

By contrast, the Celestial Imperium's forces stood firm, their formations intact and their machinery largely unscathed. Mana-fusion tanks, their cannons still glowing faintly, formed a protective perimeter around the keep. Squads of augmented soldiers patrolled the ruins, their exosuits gleaming in the firelight. Overhead, squadrons of Valkyrie-class fighters circled in tight formations, their sleek frames cutting through the smoky sky as they scanned for lingering threats.

Jack stood at the edge of the ruined battlefield, flanked by Eryndra and a squad of special forces operatives. His black combat suit, lined with faintly glowing mana conduits, gave him an imposing presence that seemed otherworldly. Beside him, Eve hovered in her holographic form, feeding him live data.

"Final casualty report: Imperium losses minimal—32 soldiers and 2 vehicles. The Holy Kingdom, however, suffered catastrophic losses: 1,462 knights and approximately 5,000 demons neutralized. The rift has been sealed permanently. No residual activity detected," Eve reported, her tone devoid of emotion.

Jack's eyes remained fixed on the horizon. "And our equipment?"

"Damage is minimal. Repairs and resupply can be completed within three days."

Eryndra glanced at the ruined stronghold, her sharp gaze lingering on the remnants of the Holy Kingdom's forces. "This was a victory," she said quietly. "But for them, it looks more like a funeral."

Jack didn't respond immediately. His expression was unreadable, his thoughts locked behind a wall of cold calculation. After a long pause, he said, "They chose to fight this way. They cling to swords and gods in a war that requires something greater. That's why they lose so much."

Eryndra tilted her head toward him. "And what do you cling to, Jack? Machines? Numbers? Victory at all costs?"

Jack's voice was sharp. "I cling to results."

A Rift Among Allies

Not far away, the surviving members of the Hero Party sat among the rubble, their exhaustion plain. Derek, his armor battered and streaked with blood, leaned heavily against the broken remains of a wall. His sword, once radiant with divine energy, rested limply in his hand.

"This isn't how it was supposed to go," he muttered bitterly. "We're supposed to be the heroes. The ones who save everyone."

Sarah knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she cast another healing spell on a nearby knight. "Derek, we fought as hard as we could. If Jack and his forces hadn't arrived..."

"Don't," Derek snapped, cutting her off. "Don't act like he's some kind of savior. He didn't do this for us. He's just showing off his empire—his machines."

Ryan, seated nearby with his bow across his lap, looked up at the mana-fusion tanks rolling past. "Showing off or not, those machines saved us. You saw what we were up against. We didn't stand a chance."

Derek's fists tightened. "It's not about standing a chance. It's about fighting for what's right. Jack... he doesn't fight for anyone but himself."

Sarah glanced toward Jack, who stood at the head of his forces like an untouchable sentinel. Beside him, Eryndra seemed to whisper something that made him nod faintly. The sight of them together, united in purpose, left an odd feeling in her chest—something she couldn't quite name.

"Maybe he's not the Jack we knew," Sarah admitted. "But maybe that's why he's winning."

A Moment of Mourning

As the fires of battle began to die out, both the Imperium and the Holy Kingdom held a solemn memorial for their fallen. Holy Kingdom clerics recited prayers in the ruined keep's great hall, their voices trembling as they honored the dead. The knights who remained stood in silence, their heads bowed.

The soldiers of the Imperium, though less inclined to religious ceremony, observed their own traditions. A small beacon was erected near the ruins, its mana-powered light glowing faintly as a tribute to the lives lost. Each soldier placed a small insignia on the beacon—a token of respect for their fallen comrades.

Jack stood at a distance, his arms crossed as he observed the scene. He didn't bow his head or join in the rituals, but his posture carried a weight that spoke louder than words.

"You don't grieve like they do," Eryndra said quietly, stepping beside him.

"I don't have time to grieve," Jack replied. "There's too much to do."

Eryndra's voice softened. "You carry it, though. I can see it in the way you lead. You're colder than most, but you're not heartless."

Jack's eyes flicked to her, but he said nothing. After a moment, she added, "You should let them see that side of you someday. It might remind them why they fight."

The Echo Across the Continent

The victory at Beldon Keep sent shockwaves across the continent. News of the Celestial Imperium's might spread quickly, leaving nations awestruck and uneasy. The images of mana-fusion tanks, Valkyrie-class fighters, and special forces operatives cutting down a Demon General with surgical precision painted a clear picture: the Imperium was the most advanced military force in the world.

In the Holy Kingdom, whispers of doubt spread among the council. "If Jack can crush demons like this, what's stopping him from turning those machines on us?" one noble asked.

Meanwhile, in the distant northern territories, leaders convened to discuss the Imperium's rise. Some spoke of alliances, while others muttered about resistance.

For Jack, the victory at Beldon Keep was just the beginning. The rift was closed, but the war against the demons—and the political consequences of his growing power—were far from over.

End of Chapter 152