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
The Worst of Men
There are only two ways an empire or kingdom can fall. The first is through force, a siege—the bloody and brutal normalcy of war. The second is for it to crumble from within. When its cracks are exposed, and weak points are struck, it will collapse.
Aric had no means to utilize the first method. As for the second, the deeper you are within something, the easier it is to destroy it from the inside. If Aric managed to enter the king's ranks, he would gain an undeniable advantage—gathering crucial information and manipulating it to his benefit. This would be the prince's ultimate card.
However, Aszer was no fool.
The king chuckled dryly, his voice echoing through the throne room before turning into a hearty laugh, booming through the castle.
"You come here to tell me that you, a Valerian prince, are willing to aid me in taking power from the current sovereign, and you expect me to believe you?"