The Primal Hunter Chapter 1261 - An Era of Stability

Acknowledging errors served as the fundamental duty for any capable individual... thus, Jacob couldn't deny that he'd started to doubt his own competence, far beyond what he'd initially assumed about himself.

Numerous occasions had arisen where he'd been encircled by those wielding authority, and each time, events had spiraled into catastrophe. In almost every such scenario, Jacob had foreseen the poor outcome, occasionally through his Augur talents, yet equally often, it stemmed from his awareness that the matter at hand exceeded the Holy Church's capabilities within the ninety-third universe.

The Holy Church stood as a colossal powerhouse among factions, filled with deep-seated internal splits. Even within those subgroups, conflicts occasionally erupted, spawning offshoots that vied to amplify their own sway. Although the Holy Church championed the collective above the personal, the framework demanded a degree of self-importance and personal drive that demanded recognition.

This dynamic fostered numerous figures of substantial clout who harbored immense egos and yearned for even greater might. Their Paths centered on their authority, and as they amassed more dominance, they accrued additional Records and insights, fueling their drive to accumulate power.

Naturally, given their affiliation with the Holy Church, their Paths also compelled them to serve as effective guides and care properly for those under their charge. Poor performance rendered irrelevant the scale of their reach, and since most held priestly roles or equivalent honors, they remained bound by the Holy Church's sacred directives.

This factor partly explained why the Holy Church refrained from suppressing rivalry among its upper echelons, and Jacob further guessed it aligned with why the Holy Mother avoided quelling all inner turmoil. Such competition held merit, as it curbed laziness and spurred peak efforts from all, yet it risked dire consequences. Balancing this delicate line proved essential, and in the context of the ninety-third universe—particularly Earth—the Holy Church had blundered catastrophically, to put it mildly.

The organization adhered to a standard strategy guide, and initially, Earth's leaders had executed it flawlessly. This approach enabled swift growth and heightened sway for the Holy Church, but it simultaneously sowed the seeds for its impending collapse.

Undoubtedly, the gravest error involved aligning with Ell’Hakan against the Chosen of the Malefic Viper. To outsiders, this appeared as a calculated move where the Holy Church assessed benefits and drawbacks before selecting the optimal path. The fallout proved regrettable and unforeseen... save for Jacob, who had anticipated that doom from vast distances across the stars.

Regrettably, back then, Jacob's voice had been sidelined, compelling him to yield to schemes from those convinced of their superior judgment. His discussions with the Holy Mother and her adherents had essentially verified that the Primordial permitted their unchecked folly to expose the utter ineptitude of Earth's overseers.

And presently... Jacob now positioned himself within the Andromeda Galaxy. This stellar expanse exceeded the Milky Way in scale, yet hosted a comparable array of settled worlds. The system's integration preserved much of the universe's cosmic order, while reshaping other aspects, with theories suggesting planetary shifts between galaxies.

As the nearest neighbor to the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy emerged as the prime launchpad for any potential assault aimed at claiming the Milky Way. Indeed, upon Jacob's arrival alongside fellow Milky Way refugees—which bolstered Andromeda's ranks—talks swiftly turned to strategies for reclaiming the lost galaxy someday.

For Jacob, that marked the first warning sign.

Under the Holy Church's total command of the Andromeda Galaxy, an air of arrogance swelled among the World Leaders, who viewed their faction as invincible and unchallenged. They disregarded the Holy Church's banishment from the Milky Way, gearing up to dispatch agents for a covert cultural infiltration to extend their reach.

Warning sign two.

Subsequently, as numerous individuals approached or attained B-grade, chatter ignited around the impending system event tied to the Seat of the Exalted Prima. With the Holy Church's galactic dominance secured, the sole debate centered on which contender would seize it. A multitude of Administrator Candidates vied for it... so abundant that ambitions stirred for capturing multiple Seats of the Exalted Prima.

Given the Holy Church's supremacy and their formidable consolidated forces, what entity in this cosmic sector would challenge them? The Andromeda Galaxy loomed as the grandest, while rival galaxies lacked unity and would swiftly succumb to the multiverse's premier faction's pull. All advantages aligned in their favor, and though certain potent groups warranted caution to avoid provocation, diplomacy and concessions would undoubtedly align them with the Holy Church's agenda. Even the Milky Way, tenuously linked by a fragile pact among varied factions led by the rising Order of the Malefic Viper, stood no chance against the full might of the Andromeda Galaxy...

Warning sign three.

Jacob perceived the cycle of blunders on the verge of repetition. The fresh galaxy's World Leaders teetered toward identical reckless decisions, where their avarice and hunger for expansion would once again damage the Holy Church—and crucially, its blameless adherents.

In broader scenarios, these World Leaders' choices weren't inherently flawed. Their schemes succeeded overwhelmingly, bolstered by the Holy Church's unparalleled subtle influence, which propelled it to multiversal preeminence.

Yet, their judgment faltered specifically against the Milky Way. The Holy Church's strategy manual offered no guidance for such a predicament. Every suggestion Jacob encountered promised ruin and avoidable anguish... compelling him to halt the Holy Church's repetition of past errors.

In truth, Jacob harbored no desire for authority or sway purely for its own sake. He viewed acquiring them solely as tools for positive change. Armed with power and influence, he could aid far more souls and amplify beneficial effects beyond what isolation allowed. Still, pursuing such stature required rivalry and self-serving actions.

Though bold to claim, Jacob genuinely saw those around him as clueless simpletons blind to their missteps. He held that the truest act of altruism for the Holy Church and its flock lay not in persuasion or candid counsel. Rather, it demanded utter self-interest: dismantling rivals and seizing command where directives flowed without debate.

As a refugee from a vanquished galaxy—regarded by local World Leaders as a mere survivor seeking refuge—this ambition loomed daunting. He anticipated fierce resistance and scant backing... until the inter-universal conduit fully activated.

Veteran commanders and Holy Church-trained experts from diverse universes surged into the ninety-third universe, experts in integration phases. Hierarchies realigned amid the turmoil, and Jacob seized the disorder to embrace selfishness.

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Backed entirely by the Holy Mother, Jacob installed devoted allies in key roles while reassigning those he considered inept or obstructive. As his clout swelled, World Leaders approached him, and leveraging his Augur status plus the Holy Mother's endorsement, rallying backing from these novice rulers—many overwhelmed by the faction's immense duties—proved straightforward.

The shift unfolded incrementally, yet eluded reversal by Jacob's detractors among the World Leaders. Some resisted, but their countermeasures proved feeble, while most discerned the shifting tides and complied. To Jacob, he simply executed the necessary steps, and ultimately...

“Thank you for your support,” Jacob uttered with a faint smile and a nod, extending his hand to clasp the elf’s.

“It’s the least we can do, and I’m confident this is the right choice,” the elf replied, gripping Jacob’s hand and echoing the Augur’s smile.

Beneath that grin lurked defeat and a touch of bitterness. Such reactions made sense, and Jacob recognized he drew ire from figures like this elf, yet he accepted it as the weight of his chosen path, convinced that time would reveal the wisdom of their decision.

“My Lords, if you would both sign the decree here...” a priest clad in white robes announced, approaching to kneel and offer the gilded parchment.

“Of course, and please stand,” Jacob responded, gesturing for the woman to rise. She appeared reluctant before acquiescing with a nod and a smile. Jacob inscribed his mark on the decree, and after brief pause, the elven World Leader followed suit.

The elf glanced at Jacob and transmitted a mental message, averse to broadcasting his sentiments amid the throng witnessing this landmark occasion—whether present or via widespread magical broadcasts across the galaxy.

he said, also signing the decree while still having a smile on his face.

Jacob sent in return as the two of them stood side-by-side, smiling in front of the cheering masses.

the elf continued while waving happily.

Jacob continued their subtle argument.

the elf insisted on having the final word. Jacob could have countered, but chose not to, as he just continued the performance.

“Under the benevolent eyes of the Holy Mother, the decree has been signed and witnessed,” the priest proclaimed aloud, elevating it high. “May the vision of the Augur, guided by his Patron, lead us toward the light.”

Jacob inclined his head and extended his aura across the chamber, ensuring it conveyed no threat. Freshly ascended to B-grade—owing much to his relentless efforts in commandeering an entire galaxy—he recognized that scarce observers could withstand its intensity.

“Thank you, everyone,” he declared, amplifying his voice through the vast cathedral and the array of devices relaying it galaxy-wide. “Know that I do not take this trust and responsibility lightly.”

Jacob exhaled as he faced the assembly and offered a smile before pressing on with his concise address.

“Not much time has passed since most of us felt our world completely change, and since then, this has been an era of strife, conflict, and chaos. Many of our dear ones have fallen or been left behind by the changes... but I swear that I will do my utmost to make sure no one is left behind. That the era of chaos has come to an end, and we shall enter one of stability and peace. Conflict remains inevitable and is a part of this new world we now find ourselves in, but it does not have to be chaotic. We can face conflict with wisdom and training, even if I know the mere notion of battle still frightens many. I understand why. But know that we can face conflict with order, chaos with stability, and that even if death should come for us, peace shall follow. As long as the Holy Mother is in your heart, and your faith is by her side, all are welcome in the eternal afterlife. So join me in facing the future, not with fear, but with a willingness to adapt and welcome the changes. Join me in allowing us all to become our best selves, and through that, create the world we all want to live in until it’s our turn to arrive in the blessed Holyland.”

As Jacob concluded, he permitted the quiet to linger, letting his message echo through the sacred cathedral spaces. Soon, applause erupted from some, while others bowed in prayer, embracing the call for reflective pause.

With one last incline, Jacob withdrew, his immediate duties fulfilled. Ample tasks awaited in readying for the forthcoming Seat of the Exalted Prima occurrence. The prior scheme had eyed seizing the Milky Way's Seat in tandem with their own, but Jacob had promptly altered course. The revised strategy focused on aiding other galaxies while securing their own claim, given the uncertainties surrounding how an Administrator Candidate might assert a Seat of the Exalted Prima.

Descending to the cathedral's undercroft, Jacob encountered Bertram in the corridor, propped against the wall with folded arms.

“Surprised no one tried anything,” the Guardian remarked, straightening his posture.

“I’m not,” Jacob replied with a smile as they commenced strolling along the passage. “In such a setting, no one with enough sense to become a World Leader in the Holy Church would dare make a fuss.”

“People can be surprising and act unpredictably,” Bertram shrugged.

“True,” the Augur sighed. “Speaking of unpredictable, what’s the word from Kindroth?”

Although the Holy Church had withdrawn officially from the Milky Way Galaxy and Jacob had quashed infiltration efforts to reclaim it gradually, ties to the galaxy persisted. Kindroth, the elven World Leader overseeing the Milky Way's most densely populated world, adhered to a deity who collaborated frequently with the Holy Church despite non-membership, extending that alliance to his adherents. Though not serving Jacob directly, he supplied updates and kept the Holy Church informed, maintaining a foothold in Jacob’s native galaxy.

“Things seem to be going well for them. They’re still dealing with what’s suspected to be remnant followers of Ell’Hakan and Yip of Yore, but they’re handling it,” Bertram answered. “As for Jake, the latest news is that he recently did a dungeon with Casper before returning to Haven, after which Kindroth doesn’t know anything. I think it’s a safe bet he’s working on his profession as he’s yet to evolve.”

Jacob nodded, all aligning with their projections. Admittedly, the revelation of Casper and Jake tackling a dungeon jointly caught him off guard, yet it warmed him slightly. Their rapport had always been solid, and Jacob appreciated their chance to reconnect.

“With that covered, have you had a chance to look through that crystal you got last week yet?” Bertram inquired with a playful tone. “Now that you’ve reached B-grade, people are starting to find it weird you haven’t found one yet...”

Jacob shot his Guardian a sharp glare, met only with Bertram's chuckle.

“What? I’m just a Guardian; such things aren’t expected of me,” Bertram shrugged. “And I’m sure you can find at least a few pleasant ladies on that list. Even if you’re not interested, just doing should buy you some time.”

The beleaguered Augur longed to object but held his tongue, merely shutting his eyes and sighing. Relationships held no appeal for him, yet mounting external urges to pursue one intensified. No mandates enforced it, but the Holy Church strongly promoted pairings, especially for offspring, and as leader, Jacob faced expectations to exemplify that ideal. Hitherto, he'd deflected with his focus on B-grade attainment, but that rationale had expired.

Resigned, under Bertram's another mischievous look, Jacob humored his guardian by retrieving the accursed crystal en route to the teleportation circle. It brimmed with enchanted, elaborately crafted dating entries, and perusing them left Jacob uneasy. Many profiles appeared appealing, yet he recoiled at risking dashed hopes.

Merely glancing past entries, a recognized name halted him abruptly.

The daughter of a Grand Master, leading a band of Templars, and was himself in B-grade. That name evoked floods of recollections from the Tutorial and its aftermath, when he and Bertram had shared moments with Inera and the Grand Master prior to Earth's return.

The entry noted her C-grade status, and on impulse, Jacob channeled a trace of energy into the crystal, signaling interest in a meeting. If only to reminisce and learn of the woman who'd aided his fledgling steps... while easing pressures from others. At minimum, it might grant temporary reprieve.