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
Preaching Truth
The morning light filtered through the stained-glass windows of the small chapel where Hitoshi and Kael sat, cloaked in anonymity among the throng of attendees. The Church of the Holy Flame had seen better days, and the cracks in its foundation weren't just metaphorical.
Outside, the streets lit with whispers of doubt and discontent, and inside, the clergy's sermons no longer rang with the same unshakable authority.
The priest, a man of middling years with a face weathered by years of service, stood at the pulpit, his voice wavering as he delivered the day's scripture. His words carried the fervor of belief, but the underlying unease in his tone betrayed the fragile state of the Church.
It was precisely this vulnerability that Aric sought to exploit.
Hitoshi leaned toward Kael, his voice a low murmur. "He's not ready for this kind of influence yet, but he'll come around. They all will."