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
Senate Report
Aric stepped into the Senate House.
The entire building reeked of tension, smoke thick and presssin down with expectation. Grand columns lined the hall, leaving streched shadows across the walls adorned with murals of past emperors and battles won.
Rows of high-backed seats spiraled upward, each filled by the most influential nobles in the empire. At the very center, in an elevated chair, sat his father, Emperor Xavier Valerian, flanked by his three sons—Valen, Sylas, and Darius—each eyeing Aric with varying shades of curiosity, contempt, and veiled calculation.
As Aric advanced to the center of the hall, Duke Thadrian Varys, Speaker of the Senate, raised his hand to silence the murmurs that had rippled through the chamber. Thadrian was a neutral figure, wielding power not by force or favoritism, but by holding sway over the secrets of every senator present.
His gaze, penetrating and careful, settled on Aric.