Chapter 5: The Truth

As Jake's travels led him through a world teeming with both friendly and hostile denizens, his demeanor remained unyielding. The lessons of betrayal and darkness had seared his soul, leaving little room for mercy.

In the face of those who posed a threat, he showed no mercy. Even when they pleaded for their lives, their pleas echoed in vain. In this unforgiving realm, the treacherous path he had embarked upon required unflinching resolve, and the darkness that dwelled within him brooked no compromise.

As Jake entered his hometown, the once-familiar streets and buildings lay in ruin, a stark testament to destruction and devastation. His heart plummeted, and he whispered to himself in disbelief, "I'm supposed to be in the past."

The truth dawned upon him, a chilling revelation that sent shivers down his spine. He hadn't been transported to the past, but rather his very soul had been into the body of a young boy who bore a striking resemblance to his former self.

In the midst of the ruined streets, Jake muttered to himself, piecing together the fragments of his fractured reality. "So that's why I'm at the cave and not in the orphanage, but why is my hometown in ruins? It must be that traitor."

The weight of his past betrayal bore down on him, and he knew that the treachery of the king and his former lover,

Anguish welled up within Jake, and his heart seethed with anger. The relentless refrain of a single word echoed through his mind, a mournful litany of despair: "Why? Why? Why?"

The questions remained unanswered, the shadows of betrayal and devastation clinging to him like a shroud. In the depths of his fury and torment, the quest for vengeance surged ever stronger then before,

In the throes of unrelenting anger, Jake's emotions reached their breaking point. Without hesitation, he delivered a furious punch to a nearby tree, his hands battered and bloodied in the process. The violence of the act mirrored the tumult within him, a physical release of the overwhelming rage that had consumed his very soul.

As he stood before the scarred tree, panting and trembling,As he slowly control his anger,

With the capital city now pinned on his map, he knew it was imperative to venture there in pursuit of answers

As Jake began his journey toward the heart of the empire, he crossed paths with a kindly old merchant. The man's weathered face held a hint of curiosity

The old merchant's surprise at encountering a lone 10-year-old traveler in this treacherous world was unmistakable. He peered at Jake with a mixture of concern and curiosity,

as he greeted the young traveler"Oh, hello there, kid. Are you lost?"

Jake blinked, momentarily forgetting that his current body was that of a 10-year-old boy. Gathering his thoughts, he replied, "Not exactly lost, but I'm on a journey. I need to reach the capital."

"How about you come aboard my wagon?" the old man suggested, his voice tinged with both sympathy and intrigue. "I'm bound for the capital myself. We could travel together, if you'd like."

Jake hesitated, his instincts sharpened by the shadows of betrayal

Jake's caution remained high, but he made a calculated decision to accept the old man's offer, recognizing the potential benefits of a quicker journey to the capital. With a guarded tone, he replied, "Sounds good. And, mister, what is your name?"

The old man's face broke into a warm, weathered smile, and he answered, "I'm known as Eldric, kid, It's a pleasure to have some company on the road to the capital."

As the wagon continued its journey toward the capital, Jake remained vigilant, knowing that even the company of a seemingly friendly elder could hold hidden dangers in this dark and perilous world.

The creaking wagon wheels and the rhythmic trot of horses

Eldric, eyes glinting with curiosity, posed a question to the young traveler. "And, kid, what's your name?"

In that moment, Jake contemplated his response, guarding the truth behind a façade of secrecy. "My name is Armand, Eldric," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with an air of mystery.

The old man nodded thoughtfully, his eyes betraying a deeper knowledge. "Armand," he mused. "A name with a meaning, and that meaning is 'soldier.' How interesting."

The conversation was halted by the abrupt stop of the wagon

As Jake observed the scene with growing unease, a grand royal carriage, adorned with the insignia of power, came into view. It was accompanied by a contingent of heavily armored royal guards, their imposing presence casting an air of authority over the surroundings.

One of the guards, a stern figure with an air of dignity, approached the wagon. He introduced himself with solemn formality. "Hello, my name is Andrew, the guard of the goddess."

Eldric, maintaining his calm and polite demeanor, acknowledged the royal guard with a respectful nod. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Andrew. May I ask why you've halted my wagon?"

Andrew, the royal guard, responded "The southeast area near the capital city has been spotted with many dangerous beasts, and my mission is to guard the newly appointed goddess safely away from this perilous region."

The carriage's door swung open, and a figure of ethereal beauty emerged, radiating an aura of divine elegance. The goddess, with a voice that held a note of polite authority, addressed Andrew, her knight. "My knight, why is it taking so long to move our carriage?"

As Jake discreetly observed the goddess, he focused his mana to sense her own. The intensity of her divine mana was a sight to behold, a shimmering and powerful force,

As Jake observed the goddess and pondered the nature of her divine mana, he whispered to himself, "Her divine mana is strong, though not as potent as the past goddess. Still, for a newly appointed goddess, it holds remarkable power."

His keen insight and experience from his previous life as a general allowed him to gauge the extent of the goddess's abilities.

Andrew, the loyal knight, turned his attention to the goddess, and he explained with reverence, "These merchants are en route to the capital, my goddess. I was attempting to warn them against continuing their journey due to the recent surge of dangerous monsters in the area."

The goddess, with a voice that held both grace and concern, Eldric and Jake. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you. How about the two of you come along with us? We're heading to Bredwardine, and it's perilous for an old man and a child with no protection to be traveling in these dangerous times."

Her invitation was delivered with a sense of regal compassion, and her suggestion offered the promise of safety and companionship in a world fraught with peril. Jake, who concealed the knowledge of his past life as a seasoned general, remained cautious but considered the offer,

With a clear understanding of his own limitations and the dangerous nature of the world they traversed, Jake leaned in and whispered to Eldric, "We have no choice but to accept."

Eldric, in response to the goddess's offer, expressed their gratitude and acceptance. "We will gladly accept this offer, goddess."

The journey took an unexpected turn, as Jake now traveled not to the capital, but toward the town of Bredwardine.