Duke Arlindor Highcrest, sovereign of the Emerald Highlands, was born into a lineage steeped in both privilege and ambition. Nestled among the undulating hills and verdant forests of the Verdantreach Kingdom, his ancestral seat, Highcrest Keep, stands as a testament to the family's storied past.
In the realm of Verdantreach, Arlindor wields power second only to the king. Many believe he is more formidable than his title suggests, and not without reason.
Every noble title beneath the duke is held by a member of the Highcrest family. From the humblest baron to the loftiest marquis, their influence runs deep throughout the hierarchy of nobility.
Such a concentration of power would typically be anathema to any king. Yet, the Highcrest family has deftly woven themselves into the ruling class by marrying into it—a bold maneuver that few would dare to attempt. However, a sinister pattern emerges.
Every individual who marries into the Highcrest family mysteriously meets their end shortly after giving birth to a son. This grim legacy has ensured that, for over two centuries, every ruler in these lands has borne the name Highcrest, with a Highcrest guardian at their side.
The only recourse available to the king and the surrounding nobles was to command the duke to fortify the kingdom's borders against potential incursions from Cragspire Kingdom.
In a surprising or an unsurprising turn, the duke chose to marry his daughter to the first prince of Cragspire, intensifying pressure on the king and allowing the Highcrest family to thrive in peace—until now.
Highcrest Keep loomed majestically over the Emerald Highlands, its stone walls draped in ivy and adorned with banners that fluttered in the gentle breeze. The keep's grand façade, a blend of ancient architecture and noble elegance, was punctuated by tall, narrow windows that glimmered like watchful eyes.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of polished wood and the faint aroma of herbs from the gardens below. The grand mansion was a labyrinth of opulent chambers, each telling tales of triumph and tragedy, of feasts and whispers, of power and peril.
The throne room, a vast expanse of polished marble and intricately woven tapestries, was the heart of Highcrest Keep. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor, illuminating the room with an ethereal glow. At the far end, a raised dais held the duke's throne, a magnificent seat carved from dark oak and inlaid with emeralds that sparkled like the hills outside.
The walls were adorned with portraits of past Highcrest rulers, their eyes seeming to follow every movement, a reminder of the family's enduring legacy.
Duke Arlindor Highcrest sat upon the throne, a figure of imposing stature and regal bearing. His hair, a cascade of silver, framed a face that bore the marks of both wisdom and weariness. Deep-set emerald eyes, sharp and calculating, surveyed the room with an intensity that could pierce through the bravest of hearts. Clad in a deep green tunic embroidered with gold thread, he exuded an air of authority that commanded respect and fear in equal measure.
Arlindor's presence was magnetic, drawing the attention of all who entered. He was a man of contradictions; while his demeanor was often stoic and reserved, there was an undercurrent of ambition that pulsed beneath the surface.
His reputation as a formidable strategist and a master manipulator preceded him, and many whispered of the dark legacy that surrounded his family. The tales of his ancestors' ruthless pursuit of power were woven into the very fabric of the kingdom, and Arlindor was no exception.
A royal decree has arrived from the capital, commanding the duke to assemble his men and hunt down a monster that has been ravaging Count Belmont's lands, devouring everything in its path.. To Arlindor, this is nothing but another desperate attempt by the old fool to diminish his power.
Ever since he ascended to the rank of an official wizard 200 years ago, the balance of power has been shattered. While the king remains an apprentice magician, Arlindor has become a full-fledged wizard. The difference between them is as vast as the heavens compared to the earth.
The old fool has long awaited Arlindor's arrival, having nightmares about the moment he will come to claim his life and kingdom. But Arlindor will never grant him that mercy. Why would he burden himself with the responsibilities of kingship when he can live freely, unencumbered by such duties?
Had he not achieved that fateful breakthrough, he would have perished, and the Highcrest family would have crumbled beneath its own weight. Instead, he endures, his soul immortal, relying on one of his descendants to serve as a vessel for his spirit. These descendants, of course, must possess a suitable aptitude for magic and be destined to become the next duke.
Many family members harbored ambitions and laid claim to the title, but what could they achieve in the face of such overwhelming power? They could only curse their fate and be content with the scraps he tossed their way.
Yet, boredom was creeping into his life. His talent was mediocre at best, and he saw no hope of advancing any further. He would much rather be a big frog in a small pond than a tiny insect in a vast ocean, where he wouldn't even qualify to play the role of a minor player.
But now, a large monster, unlike anything ever seen before, had suddenly appeared, devouring everything in its path. This should prove to be extremely interesting.
[System Interface Activated]
Name: Adam
Species: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Age: 110 days
Evolution Points: 237,189
Special Titles:
KinSlayer: Grants a 20% damage boost against family members
Stats:
Strength: 30
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 11
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision]
[Slightly Hardened Claws]
[Slightly Sharper Teeth]
[Night Vision]
Points Required for Minimal Evolution: 1,000 (increases with each evolution)
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts: Enhance hunting capabilities.
Physical Augmentation: Increase strength and agility.
Cognitive Development: Boost intelligence.
Adam surveyed his stats with satisfaction. He had spent the last ten days hunting anything that crossed his path and raiding some villages. Strangely, no one came looking for him. With all the ruckus he had caused, he thought the ruling class would send men to hunt him down. Yet ten days passed, and no one came for his head.
Unfortunately, news of a man-eating monster had spread, and said monster is now struggling to find humans to hunt. He truly felt sorry for them, but once he gathered enough points, he would transform back into a human and stop harming people. They just needed to tolerate him a bit longer.
Just how can I get more points? Even if a thousand humans were placed in front of me, I simply can't consume all of them before the majority escape! Desperation gnawed at him as he paced, brainstorming ways to maximize his efficiency.
System Interface Activated
Name: Adam
Species: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Age: 110 days
Evolution Points: 237,189
Special Titles:
KinSlayer: Grants a 20% damage boost against family members
Stats:
Strength: 30
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 11
Abilities:
[Enhanced Vision]
[Slightly Hardened Claws]
[Slightly Sharper Teeth]
[Night Vision]
Points Required for Minimal Evolution: 1,000 (increases with each evolution)
Potential Evolution Pathways:
Predatory Instincts: Enhance hunting capabilities.
Physical Augmentation: Increase strength and agility.
Cognitive Development: Boost intelligence.