The Retired CEO's Guide To Being Spoiled - Chapter 23: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Lancelot Haier came from a dynasty of politicians who had ruled with tyranny and oppression. Despite those origins, he despised his family and was willing to help the citizens who had long suffered under their rule.However—before he even had the chance to change his country, the people revolted. His entire family was executed, and he was killed along with them. In his final moments, he wished for a second life—one where he could redeem himself and carry the sins of his bloodline.Unexpectedly, that wish was granted.He was reincarnated into another world as the crown prince of the Kingdom of Aragon. But in this world, everything felt backward.The country was ruled by an absolute monarch. Feudalism was the norm. Technology resembled that of the late 1700s.Fortunately, in his past life, he had earned degrees in both mechanical engineering and political science—knowledge he once hoped to use to reform his homeland. Now, it seemed he would use them here instead.He would use his modern knowledge to transform the lives of his people, industrialize his territory, gain the upper hand in technology, and form alliances with foreign nations—all while navigating the treacherous waters of internal affairs and politics.P.SWhile Reincarnated as the Crown Prince draws inspiration from historical settings, political systems, and technologies of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, this work is entirely fictional.All characters, governments, names, and events—although some may resemble real-world history—are products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictionalized, altered form for narrative purposes.This novel is not a historical account. It should not be interpreted as a factual representation of any real monarch, nation, revolution, or political figure.Lancelot Haier, his backstory, and the alternate version of different kingdoms portrayed here are entirely original creations. The inclusion of familiar concepts like feudalism, industrialization, and political reform serves the plot and world-building, not historical documentation.Readers seeking accuracy in history are encouraged to consult verified academic sources. This story is a creative work meant for entertainment, character development, and speculative exploration of “what-if” scenarios rooted in alternate history.Thank you for reading, and I hope you will enjoy the journey.

Leon Vale’s world stopped when the chamber labeled him F-Rank, no spark, just Empty Core.One dozen sparks in a sea of a thousand chances. A near-miracle of failure, somehow flopped harder than flatlining.In Neo-Veridia, strength rules the game, no exceptions. Those who are tough get hailed as champions; others? They're stuck cleaning up messes. Might makes right here, plain and simple.Leon ended up on the ground. That’s where he landed, no surprise there.Later, the red moon climbed into view. Right after, creatures smashed past the shield. His siblings stood near death yet deep in his Empty Core, an old force stirred awake.[ SHADOW EXTRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVATED ]Leon takes energy from whatever he defeats. Each time a creature falls, he gains more strength. As shadows vanish into him, he drifts toward a mystery - something waits in a space beyond places: a seat atop no land, while a voiceless headpiece calls out to him through empty dark.Yet taking what’s not yours brings trouble.On top of everything else, the Evernight Alliance caught wind. Not just vampires - werewolves too. Old creatures that oughta be myths are poking at the city’s walls, messing up dungeon cores, chasing whatever’s pumping out that dark energy signal.Hunting for him.Leon’s stuck in a risky move, quietly getting stronger so he can shield his folks, hitting school while sneaking around to pull out shadows, acting powerless even though some old, grim force now names him successor.That F-Rank tag? Total fake. His Empty Core isn't broken, it fights. Each darkness he swallows drags him nearer to a reality he can’t face yetNot every seat of power fits a hero.Some crowns come from shadows, built on bones.Some kids just inherit stuff whether they like it or not.The Crimson Moon marked the start. What’s coming next? Things are about to heat up.

She is a daughter of a marquis. People only know her as the timid and cowardly young maiden, unaware that her other identity is the imperial capital’s famous, who awes the world, “slender gentleman“ is her.

She was promised a marriage 10 years ago and painstakingly waited 4 years for her groom. The morning her supposed partner returned to imperial court, he’s holding another woman.

In a single evening, from primary spouse she was demoted to secondary spouse.

For love, she supports and assists him. Together they share trials and tribulations, flying side by side. Who would expect all he did was for another woman?

He was born in the top chain of power, yet he grew up inside the darkness, enduring among conspiracies. Maturing from a weak youngster to a war-god.

For the woman he has once loved, he met her on the battlefield [1]. Every move fierce. He helplessly watched her ripping apart her sleeve, falling into bottomless cliff with a smile….he was hurt to the core. After this imperial ancestral temple and jiang hu, sky and sea, are we never to meet?

Coming out of prince’s manor, visiting vast sea, walking on the grassland and dealing with maritime power struggle.

The world is in chaos, love came in troubled times. Palace. Jiang Hu. Power. Mutiny. Naval battle. Four years of silent endurance. She, commanding thousands of pirates, returned, swirling the imperial court and jiang hu.

Only, you have once said you have been waiting for a person — a person who you admire, who you adore, a woman who could stand side by side with you.

Now, have you regretted?

- Description from Novelupdates

Su Ming joined a large company as the exclusive driver for the CEO after he was discharged from the military, but what Su Ming didn't expect was that the CEO would come up with an absurd demand. The CEO used both soft and hard tactics to threaten him to seduce the boss's wife and even made him move into their home…