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
Royalty.
The northern winds whispered through the barren trees as the night settled around them, brushing the sky in shades of deep blue and silver. The world felt distant, consumed by winter's stillness.
The camp was quiet now, left for the occasional crackle of the fire that blazed between Aric and Yrsa. They had stopped just a few miles from the settlements outside Kurag, the kingdom where Aszer awaited them.
The night was tense with the understanding of what was to come.
Aric sat on a cold stone, his armor discarded for the moment, his mind far away. He stared into the flames, the orange and gold light dancing across his pale face, his thoughts fixed on what lay ahead.
His body ached, not only from the brutal fight he had endured earlier but from the scar of every decision he had made since his rebirth.
"We are close," Yrsa's voice broke through the quiet, it was low…steady as she too stared into the fire. "We shall meet Aszer soon."