Rebirth System: Blood and Ash

Razid began to breathe heavily. He was a man who could not even remember the last time he had faced death, since he was well guarded by the strongest of men. Not even the king could so easily pose a threat to his life.

However, like most—he had underestimated the fourth prince. He was no sickly prince, but he did not expect that he was a skilled cultivator as well, and one that could even go unsensed by his guards.

It seemed as though for the lord, he did really stand a chance of dying today, and that thought panicked him, although he did well to maintain his composure.

"If you are fretful that I may relay your words to the king, I assure you, your highness, I possess far too much hatred to warn my enemy of his demise."

Aric shook his head, the spears inching closer to the lord.

"I have to be thorough when it comes to loose ends, so I will let you live if you answer rightly."

"Please speak, your highness."

"You despise the king and his ideals, is that correct?" Aric asked.

"Very much so," the lord replied.

"And you believe that Byzeth will do better under new leadership, and although you wish not to sit on the throne, if I wish to take rulership, overthrowing Azser and eliminating the wrath of Valeria, will you support such an ambition?"

The lord walked from behind his desk, his entire demeanor changing as he heard the words of the prince.

"With all my being, I shall want nothing more," the lord declared.

"Then we see eye to eye, but I cannot trust you until you swear your loyalty."

Razid did not hesitate a moment as he dropped to a single knee with his head bowed before the fourth prince.

"I, Razid Heidz, son of Otto Heidz—swear total fealty to the fourth prince of Valeria, Aric Valerian. I shall give my life for the fulfillment of your ambition."

Aric turned from the kneeling lord to glance at the panel at the side.

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Lord Razid Heidz | Human

Avg Loyalty: 85

Emotion: Patriotism, Fear, Intrigue, Ambition

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Aric turned from the panel back to the lord, the floating spears dissipating into thin air as he walked closer to him.

"You may rise," the prince commanded.

The lord stood up at once, his face brimming with excitement.

"So you are telling me, Azser is to lose the throne?" the lord confirmed.

"Soon he will, and then I shall ascend it, and you will be made lord chancellor."

Razid bowed his head. "You honor me, your highness."

The lord then moved to the wine that stood atop the desk, refilling both of the cups and handing one back to the prince.

"To Azser’s fall," Razid declared.

Aric raised his cup in a smile before drinking the wine.

"But I must ask, if the imperial ears have heard of Azser’s rebellion, why did they not march to level Byzeth?"

Aric sighed. "Because it’s a trap…the moment imperial forces begin a march, the Northrenders will be ready to defend…and with a full-scale war in Byzeth, the imperial city will become weakened."

"It seems your ambition is well thought out?" the lord commented.

"It is. There is no point in ruining a prosperous kingdom like Byzeth with the tides of war…so I will take the more tactical approach."

"I am assured then," Razid laughed as he gulped more wine.

"Say, what would you say your influence on the Miredis stretch is?" Aric asked.

"It is quite significant. I control about half the flow of goods annually. What is not controlled by me are the collective transports of smaller merchants and trades with the Northrenders—that is done strictly under the king’s people."

Aric nodded, his plan coming together in his mind.

"I plan to gain full control of the Miredis stretch. I already have plans set in motion to achieve this, but for now, I will relay instructions soon concerning what you can control, and I want you to follow them carefully."

"Understood, your highness."

[Miredis influence increased]

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Stretch of Miredis \\ Place

{Current value: 86}

- Long stretch of land between Byzeth and the northern river, the only trade path between it and other kingdoms.

Accessibility: Easy

Influence: 43

Expand/?

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[S-Quest completed]

[Reward has been granted]

[Party feature has been upgraded]

’43…that is not enough.’

"I will be in touch, I’ll take my leave now," Aric bid his farewell to the lord.

———

The prince headed back to Old Man Hitoshi’s home, while prepared for them to leave for Miredis to meet with the bandits. Although he had planned to let them make moves unaided, he altered his decision since Lerai had acted faster than he expected.

As he reached what was now their base, the carriage which they owned was parked outside the house, their driver tending to the horses, while to the side were crates that were loaded and were to be transported.

The prince saw Lerai walking out with Alan, who effortlessly held another of the crates and placed it down among the others.

"You have returned, your highness," Lerai acknowledged the prince’s presence, while Alan bowed in respect.

"Yes, are we set?"

"Uh huh," Lerai confirmed, looking around as though mentally checking things.

"How many do we have?" Aric asked.

Lerai raised his arm as he began to point to one box after another.

"We have 15 pieces of the arrow shooter gloves, 25 vests, and 20 of the strength gloves."

Aric nodded in satisfaction.

"That’s more than enough for now," he said as he turned to Alan. "Load them into the carriage…we leave for Miredis immediately."

"Uh, but we wouldn’t have space in the carriage to sit."

"It’s no bother, we take position with the driver."

"What of Serina, won’t she be joining us? Come to think of it, I have not seen her in a while."

Aric turned to the house, looking up.

"No, she won’t be coming. She has important matters to tend to."