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
Hollow Relics
Members of the fourth's court sat in the corner of his private chambers, the warm light from a single oil lamp made faint shadows on the stone walls.
The air smelled faintly of ink and parchment, mingled with the richer scent of wood smoke from the hearth. Around him, his trusted gathered as they seemed to do so much now. Serina stood by the window, one arm resting on the sill as she gazed out into the quiet evening streets of the capital.
Hitoshi sat with his hands clasped over the head of his cane, his expression pensive. Viscount Kael leaned against a nearby shelf, idly flipping through a book, though his eyes were unfocused.
Aric tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair, a soft rhythm that mirrored the cadence of his thoughts.
"The people are talking," he said finally, his voice steady but low. "Rumors are one thing, but to truly shake the Church's power, we need something tangible. Something they can see with their own eyes."