Cultivation Through Artifacts - Chapter 61: Diamond Beetle

This is a time of great powers: The vast Persia, Sparta that was founded by force, Athens with its trade and business, Thebes the rising star, The ambitious Macedonia, The twin heroes of the Western Mediterranean, The rising Rome and so on.

This is an era of brilliant stars: Agesilaus II – the last king of Sparta, Epaminondas – the Rising General of Thebes, Philip II – the founder of Macedonian’s hegemon, Dionysius – the tyrant of Syracuse, Camillus – the Roman dictator and savior…

This is an era of contention among a hundred schools of thought: Plato – the great philosopher, Antisthenes – founder of cynicism, Pythagoras – school of number, Democritus – the encyclopedia scholar, Hippocrates – the father of western medicine, Aristophanes – the great dramatist…

What will the hero bring to the world when he comes to this age as a humble mercenary through rebirth?

[SLOW BURN ROMANCE. RATED 18: NO RAPE]What if the sort of love you'd wanted and desired, only but a man incapable of love could give it to you–a man who has not the slightest of an idea what the word “Love” meant?.....Vampires coexisted with humans for centuries without either side hunting or killing the other due to a peace treaty. They didn’t feed on human blood for so long either, but that changes when the first vampire auction is held.Six human slaves were sold, and among them included Avelina, a twenty-six-year-old woman.Avelina is sold to an infamous Vampire prince, Draven Delgaard, rumored to have committed heinous acts even amongst his kind.She fears for her life upon their first encounter, but to her utmost bewilderment, Draven Delgaard makes a deal with her.He sought the inheritance of the royal family, but to be qualified, he needed a wife. Since his kinds weren’t available due to his reputation, Avelina was one of the few options left.In exchange for her freedom, she will assist him in obtaining the inheritance. But this royal inheritance can only be acquired through the style of a chess game with other royal opponents. A game of strategy and survival.Should she succeed, her freedom shall be regained and it would be a win-win for both her and Draven. However, she soon realizes that success might come at a very heavy cost.Will Avelina and Draven be able to win the game of chess? Will they secure her freedom and inheritance, or will they fall victim to the dangerous machinations of the royal family?

Dust and blood scattered in an instant.Asahi and Aletha belong to a family of five that once governed a world known for its many powerful Rulers. When the twilight was swallowed by a mysterious radiance, their realm was transformed; the land, its people, and even the legends were reshaped by the ensuing light.Over millennia, the Adtraic Family’s world slipped into legend, leaving behind only whispers. Now, in this new, altered world shaped by the veil of light, the two descendants step from obscurity, determined to uncover the origins of the catastrophic radiance and recover their family’s concealed past.* * * * * * * *Cover art, map, sketches, and all other character illustrations are owned by me. (Turn on Paragraph Comments to see them.) Art by Rexsama, Rainbow Amee, and MeCurrent title is a place holderIf you're here for world building, you chose the right spot!Disclaimer: Truth and Family is a passion project, it will not be rushed, and it will be edited/published at my own pace. Thank you for reading!Tags: World building-heavy, complicated magic system, high fantasy, multiple leads, multiple protagonists. Strong to Weak, Adventure

Takahiro Nao, a 25-year-old drowning in debt and despair, lives only for his struggling family. Every sacrifice he makes is for them—until a selfless act costs him his life. Instead of the end, Nao encounters a Goddess of Benevolence who offers him a miraculous deal: “Live in a new world, and your efforts there will support your family back on Earth.”Reborn into the dead body of Naoki von Blackmore, the so-called “Failed Hero,” he finds himself burdened with the daunting task of saving the world by defeating the Demon King—all while supporting the family he cherishes. Armed with formidable powers yet haunted by his past failures, Nao steps into a dangerous realm of swords, magic, and ferocious monsters. Facing relentless enemies, harrowing trials of life and death, and an unyielding fate, he’s forced to confront the ultimate question: how far is he willing to go to protect the people he loves?Filled with emotional struggles, determination, unexpected humor, and a touch of romance, this story asks a powerful question to the readers: What would you sacrifice for the people you love?