Rebirth System: Blood and Ash
Aric Valerian, the fourth prince of the Valerian Empire, bears many titles: The Forgotten Prince, The Whore's Child, The King's Bastard—names that have been spoken more than his own. Born with a crippling illness and devoid of mana or ki, Aric was a disgrace, scorned by his family and the court. But when the gods cured him and gifted him the strength to fight, Aric dared to hope. He sought glory in battle, only to be betrayed by his brother and sent to die in a hopeless war. In his final moments, as death closed in, a mysterious text appeared before him… [Would you like to change your fate?] After being given another chance, Aric embarks on a ruthless journey to claim absolute sovereignty. [Ki Circulation Mastered: Strength +10] [System Upgrade: Advanced tactical planning unlocked] [Hidden Fortress Established: Stronghold security +15%] The forgotten prince claws his way through the treacherous landscape of imperial politics, he is forced to make impossible choices, each decision pushing him further down a path soaked in blood. He learns that true power demands sacrifice, and the price of vengeance may be his soul. ------------------ This book contains dark themes and depictions. The mc is a ruthless cynic, and is closer to being a villain than he is a hero. Main themes: Politics, Kingdom building, strategy, war
A Dreadful Warmth
The smell of war was always a bitter tang in the air.
The scent of iron and fear lingered in the chill bite of the winter breeze, and the undercurrent of smoke only rose as fires began to flare.
By Aric's command, the Byzeth soldiers marched into the settlements, dragging families out of their homes before promptly setting the houses on fire. Men pleaded for their families, women pleaded for their children, and the little ones could only cry and scream, adding to the symphony of disaster as their homes crackled in the flames.
The dark winter night was painted orange by the flames, and as Aric gazed at the chaos he wrought, his dark mask glowed gold from the fire reflected upon it.
He could hear the screams of the community and their pleas, but he remained indifferent, his heart and mind as cold as the winter chill that bit through the steel of his armor.