Valerian, The Legendary - Chapter 74

Rafael Callahan is a renowned Knight of the Castro Kingdom. After weeks out to fight against enemies and bring peace to the kingdom, Rafael returns to his estate where he meets the new maid Annalise Woods.Strange. Brazen. Bold. Three words he would use to describe Annalise. Love should be the last thing on his mind when the King, Tobias Castro, is requesting his help safeguarding the border, but Rafael finds himself drawn to Annalise.Annalise Woods is a maid for the Callahan household. Little is known about her family and her intentions for sticking close to Rafael. She had one goal when stepping foot in the Callahan estate, but soon finds herself intertwined with a man she should never love.Quiet. Annoying. Loyal. Three words she would use to describe Rafael. Annalise knew she should never return Rafael’s love because the moment he learned who she truly was, his gaze upon her would change.Tales of Castro Nobility story timeline order -The King’s Unbreakable WifeThe Knight’s Mysterious MaidThe Duke’s Masked Wife

“The masterminds are cooler than heroes,” I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game.Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit.Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not?***[Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.]What?[Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.]Wait, what?![Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.]And, why would I do that?![Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.]Why would I save him?![The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?]Ah! I give up...It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things.In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker.I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need?Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though.I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse!Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is...[Failure: Destruction of the World.]It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped.If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing.[Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.]“If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne.”And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.

When he found out that he was in the world of a female cultivator’s novel and was still a cannon fodder, Fang Jinyu began the process of self-rescue like walking on thin ice.

until he sees…

[Today is a day to shovel shit]

[Refining to get a face value +1]

…

【Today is a day of practice but nothing gained】

[Refining to gain insight +1]

- Description from novelbuddy

The Heavenly Dao is fickle. A phrase that he had heard all through his life. Only after that incident did Adrian truly understand the meaning behind those words.From someone who had it all, wealth, power, prestige, to one without anything. Heck, even his fiancée abandoned him.One of the Twelve Great Houses on the Floating Cloud Continent, the House of Thorne was reduced to a pile of rubble and dead bodies after a mysterious attack by the Demonic Faction.All that remained was a blood-soaked pendant and a broken future.That is, until his blood awakens the pendant, unleashing a dazzling light. When he regains consciousness, his pursuers are gone, but so is the life he once knew.Now with only his younger brother and a loyal servant girl, Adrian sets out into the night.Armed with only the mysterious pendant and the inheritance it contains, he must walk the path of cultivation.Can he rebuild the House of Thorne from the ashes? Will he uncover the traitor who aided the demonic faction?He won't stop until even the heavens know his name and fear it.