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 king returns
Aric's eyes flickered open, the world gradually coming into focus around him. The first sensation that greeted him was warmth—unexpected and unfamiliar, the kind of warmth he hadn't felt in many, many days.
It wasn't the pale, weak light that barely kissed the skin during the frigid marches through the northern lands. No, this sunlight was far brighter, harsher even, bathing his face in an almost startling heat that jarred him awake.
He squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the golden rays spilling across the horizon.
The brightness made his head swim, disoriented by the stark contrast between the warmth and the biting chill he had endured for what felt like ages. For a moment, he wondered if he had died after all—succumbing to the wound, the exhaustion, the battle.
Perhaps this was hell, and he had been damned to wander through an eternity of suffocating heat.