Rebirth System: Blood and Ash

Lerai began to scramble around the table in search of something. After a short while of not finding it, he walked to the side of the wall where a drawer was placed. He opened one of the sections and pulled out a stone.

"Ah, found it," he exclaimed as he walked back to Aric with the rune stone.

Lerai cleared the table of the cluster of papers and different magical instruments before placing the stone in the middle, while Aric stood back and gave him space to work his magic, literally. The fourth prince was unaware of how it was supposed to work exactly, but Lerai had told him it would give him the ability to communicate with anyone with the other rune stone, regardless of distance.

Lerai stretched his hand above the stone, took a deep breath, and began to mutter incantations.

"Serimu losbu iieukin oruik kass."

As the young mage did this, the stone began to give off a subtle glow. The runes etched atop it now shone a bright blue and eventually dimmed before glowing again, as though it was flashing.

Then, Aric heard a voice come from it.

"Uh... Borag, it’s flashing light."

"What... what did you do to it?"

"I don’t know, it just started flashing."

"Here, give it to me... eh, is anyone there?"

Aric walked closer to the table where the rune sat and cleared his throat.

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"Borag, Twicher... it’s Mr. V speaking," Aric announced.

"Oh, sire! We’ve been waiting to hear from you. How have you been?" Twicher spoke excitedly, his voice coming across from the stone.

"Let’s skip the pleasantries. I need you to mobilize as many men as you can and set up base somewhere along the stretch of Miredis, as close to Byzeth as you can without being easily found."

"Understood, but setting up base... could this be a long job?"

"It’s likely to be," Aric replied.

"Well, then it will cost you extra," Borag informed the prince.

"Money isn’t an issue, just do as you’re told... and remember, bring as many men as possible."

"Understood, sire," Borag affirmed.

Aric nodded to Lerai, and the mage disconnected from the other rune stone.

"That was impressive, thank you," Aric commended.

Lerai’s face lit up with a smile at the praise as he nodded. "My pleasure, your highness."

Aric turned to Alan, glancing at the magic device on his hand, and slowly an idea began to brew in his mind. Currently, his plan was to drive the bandits to their slaughter little by little while achieving minor goals with each killed man.

After all, most of them were only human and could have little impact on a main business route, which would most likely have cultivator or mage supervision for some transports.

However, what if the bandits could be more than human, not limited to just their low physical ability?

"Lerai, how many of these can you make in a week?" Aric asked, referring to the glove.

"It’s not really that hard to make, so maybe a couple dozen. However, the problem is magic crystals; they’re hard to get. The one this device uses was lent to me by a professor at the mage academy."

"I see," Aric thought for a moment. "I think I have a solution to that."

They were in Byzeth, the business capital of the Valerian Empire. Everything one could ever need was sold here. However, to be certain of getting the best of the best at a great price, it was better to go to an auction.

And one was held at the capital every week.

"Also, do you have any other builds?"

Lerai turned back to the table where the wooden prototypes and drawings were scattered all around.

"I have a lot of designs, and some have been made into physical wooden prototypes, but currently, only that one has been made into a working prototype," Lerai explained.

"Okay. I want you to take the most stable and effective design you have and make it into a working prototype." Aric then reached into thin air and pulled out a pouch of gold. "This is ten thousand gold to get any materials you might need."

Lerai took the money with wide eyes. He had always needed funds to pursue his projects, but no one would ever lend it to him as they did not believe in it. Lerai was also hesitant to ask the prince for money.

"Thank you so much, your highness."

"No," Aric shook his head, walking closer and grabbing Lerai by the shoulder. "Thank you. What you are about to do is going to change everything."

"I understand, your highness. I won’t fail you."

Aric nodded. "I know you won’t," he said before turning away, heading for the exit of the basement.

He then went back through the hallway and into the living room where Serina and the old man were previously sitting by the fireplace.

However, upon reaching there, Serina was no longer present, and Hitoki was standing, seemingly coming from another room.

"Where’s Serina?" Aric asked the old man.

"She said something about breaking into the next circle."

"I see."

"You said you wanted info on the king’s council tomorrow, but I’ve already prepared it, so if you’re free now..." Hitoki began.

"Of course," Aric swiftly replied. "That’s way more efficient."

"Alright, let’s go."

Aric and Hitoki both went to the study where they had their first discussion. As the prince entered, he saw sprawled across the desk multiple leather folders, papers, and even a few portraits.

"Oh wow," Aric expressed his shock.

He knew the old man’s line of work, but to think he would be able to pull out such intensive material on the council alone in such a short time was almost unbelievable.

"Before you is information on every member of Aszer’s council, whether current, executed, exiled, or even the ones who think they work from the shadows... it’s all here," the old man explained.

"Does your job include helping me go through all this information?"

"Depends on how much you’re paying me."

"A lot," Aric replied.

Hitoki chuckled. "Then I guess it does... where do we begin?"