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
Legion
Morning came, and usually this would have been announced to Aric by the chirping of birds in the sky, but there was no such thing. Here it was far too cold for birds to fly, and even the sunlight came in a pale, gloomy glow. There was barely any warmth in its rays.
Aric had donned his armor again, and he went to the water reservoir that was placed within the tent. He dipped both hands in it before splashing his face with the freezing cold water. It was only then he realized the stains of blood on his hands, none of it his.
It belonged to the men he had felled the previous night.
He soaked his hands in the water and scrubbed to wash away the blood, as if washing their murders off his hands along with the crimson stains, but he knew better—such a sin was one that would follow him all his life.
He stood, looking at his face in the reflection of the water a while before he heard a call from outside the tent.