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
Winter Has Come.
The march began in the early morning, the army of Byzeth moving like a beast over the land, hundreds of feet trampling the dirt roads.
The banners flew high above the mass of soldiers, each one emblazoned with the royal crest of Byzeth, fluttering in the wind.
The clang of armor, the snorting of horses, and the rhythmic march of boots filled the air, creating an almost hypnotic sound as they made their way north.
On the first day, the weather was mild. The early autumn sun did only but warmed their backs, and the land stretched out in shades of brown and gold, the last remnants of summer hanging in the trees.
The soldiers marched steadily, conserving their energy. Aric, mounted on his black stallion, remained near the front, his armor gleaming under the sun.
He was silent, observing everything, from the way the soldiers marched to how the supplies were distributed during the occasional stops.