The world says that a king is someone who cares for their people, protects them, feeds them, raises them, and works tirelessly until the end of their life. But what is the reality?
We live in a world where only the strongest survive, and the weakest perish. The world may know your name, praise you, and fear you, but in time, they will forget you. You become a mere memory, a fragment of history. Your life's work fades into obscurity, like dust swept away by the winds of time. The titles of "King" or "Emperor" become nothing more than words, admired for a moment and forgotten the next.
This story is about a single person who lived his life entirely for himself. Reborn into a world where civilization was advancing amidst chaos, his journey began in a place filled with monsters mutated by a strange virus. Here, people fought with magic and swords, striving to survive in a dangerous land.
The Rebirth of Ashoka Avrathan
Our protagonist, Ashoka Avrathan, was reborn as a child in the outskirts of the kingdom of Ardenart, the weakest nation on the vast continent of Dragonia. This planet, named Cortana, was dominated by a single massive continent shaped like a dragon, surrounded by oceans teeming with monstrous creatures.
Despite his humble beginnings in a noble family from the countryside, Ashoka was no ordinary child. Armed with the knowledge of his previous life, he believed that desire was the driving force behind progress. Even as a newborn, he resolved to fight for his ambitions.
By the age of five, Ashoka had secretly mastered magic and swordsmanship, absorbing knowledge at an astonishing rate. He carefully hid his abilities, aware of the dangers of revealing too much too soon.
Ardenart, though vast and rich in resources, lagged far behind other nations in terms of advancement. Ashoka was determined to change this.
A Bold Request
When Ashoka turned six, he approached his father, Varun Avrathan, with an audacious request:
"Father, I need land. A large area to establish a base for ruling this continent and, eventually, this planet."
Varun, amused by his son's ambition, laughed heartily. "You want land? Why?"
Ashoka replied confidently, "I want to become the Emperor of this planet. I need a city built with my own hands, my own knowledge, and my own vision—a place where I can live comfortably and rule effectively."
His father, after a moment of silence, chuckled and said, "Come back tomorrow and tell me which land you desire."
When his mother overheard the conversation, she couldn't help but laugh as well. "You dream big, my child. But isn't everything here enough for you?"
Ashoka shook his head. "It's not about what's enough. I want something that's mine, created by my hands and guided by my knowledge."
The First Step
The next morning, Ashoka's father granted him a vast stretch of land. "This area lies in the southern part of our domain. One side is bordered by towering mountains, another by an expansive desert, and the third by the Angkor Ocean. Only about 30% of the land is arable, while the rest is harsh terrain. If you're not satisfied, speak now."
Ashoka studied the map and, after some thought, said, "I'm satisfied."
Though the land was challenging, he saw potential in its diversity and resources. At six years old, he traveled to his new domain, a journey that took three and a half days. Arriving at night, he surveyed the rugged mountains, the endless desert, and the small area of habitable land.
Here, 2,565 impoverished people struggled to survive. Ashoka spent days observing, researching, and interacting with his people. Finally, he announced, "I am your new lord. I promise to change your lives and transform this land into a place of prosperity."
The Path Ahead
Returning home, Ashoka informed his father of his satisfaction with the land. His father then said, "You're almost seven years old now. It's time for you to enroll in the academy to further your education."
Ashoka agreed but harbored a secret plan. While he would study at the academy, he also intended to use his growing knowledge and abilities to build the foundation of his empire.
This sets the stage for Ashoka's rise to power, his relentless pursuit of his desires, and the challenges he will face in a world of magic, monsters, and ambition.