58. "I don't like you." - Jake Thayne, Year 1, 93rd Era

Sultan, confident in his research on the Malefic Viper’s Order, expects compatibility with Jake. Jake, unconvinced, declares he dislikes Sultan and challenges the need for slaves, accusing him of sadism and weakness. Sultan argues pragmatism: keeping dangerous criminals as slaves preserves their future utility.

Pressed on torture and control, Sultan claims he offers a choice—death or slavery—asserting contracts permit self-defense, proximity rules, and a death timer should they attack him. He reveals his method uses a Soulbound notebook medium, allowing release on his death or by nullification, unlike permanent soulbinding.

Jake inspects a decoy notebook, burns a page, then reviews the real contract, confirming minimal rules and no explicit obedience clause. When Jake forces an archer slave to speak, she accuses Sultan of lies and abuse, but her timing and the others’ reactions leave Jake uncertain, though he confirms they can act and speak independently.

Weighing gains versus costs, Jake declines immediate execution, opens the barrier, and summons Sylphie, Miranda, Neil, and Silas to verify claims and influence the outcome. Miranda greets Sultan, signaling a shift from private confrontation to a broader, higher-stakes negotiation.