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
Ashen Convenant
The Cathedral still ticked with murmurs of whispered prayers and the soft shuffling of robes as Aric and the priest sat side by side. The priest, eyes keen beneath his humble hood, watched Aric for a moment before breaking the silence.
"what is it you think you have to offer us?" he asked again, voice thick with both curiosity and skepticism.
Aric's reply was as calm as it was direct.
"Wealth. More than any of you have ever known."
The priest's brows lifted, a faint smile playing at his lips, skepticism writ plainly on his face.
"The pockets of the fourth prince, deep as they may be, are hardly as vast as those of your brothers or other nobles. Why should I believe you could offer us anything more?"
"Just tell me a price," Aric replied, unfazed.
The priest chuckled, his eyes slipping from Aric to the bronze statues along the cathedral walls. "The church has become divided, boy," he said, voice dropping to a grave murmur.