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
Crumbling Truth
Aric sat alone in his study, candle flickering shadows across the high walls ligting his face in a strange mixture of soft light and deep shade. His hand rested on an open ledger, and a slight, almost contemplative smile traced his lips as he read through the notes he had made.
He had been preparing for this for days.
The Church of the Holy Flame was no simple place of worship; it was an iron fist hidden in the silken robes of righteousness, capable of influencing the masses and manipulating the nobility with a mere word. But now, Aric had found the cracks, and he had every intention of digging until the Church fell.
The door creaked open, and Viscount Kael entered first, followed by Old Man Hitoshi. They walked with purpose, Kael's steps brisk, while Hitoshi moved with the steady pace of a man who'd seen centuries of strategies rise and fall.
They both paused, bowing their heads briefly before Kael spoke.