The Grandmaster Strategist - Volume 2, Chapter 16: Hanging in the Balance

Emperor Ian Veroshion, the first noble mage, was betrayed and executed. Cursed to never be reborn, he awakens a century later as the illegitimate son of a disgraced ducal line, destined to be a hostage in a barbaric land. Stripped of his magic and his throne, he must navigate a world vastly different from the one he ruled, facing political machinations and a resurgent monster threat. But the embers of his past life still burn, and Ian will not surrender his legacy. He will reclaim his name, his magic, and perhaps, even his empire.

After graduating, Su Jing was met with rejection everywhere he went. Discouraged, he returned home to adjust his mood. He then discovered that his own backyard had become the Galactic Garbage Station. Every day, lots of tr*sh would suddenly appear – some were from Tomb of God, Battle Through the Heavens, Coiling Dragon, One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, X-Men, Captain America, Iron Man, and even from the Marvel Universe. As the owner of the garbage station, Su Jing had the duty to process all these tr*sh. In the beginning, he thought it would be a hard and unprofitable task. Afterwards, he discovered that this was actually the most beautiful and cushy job of his entire life.

Born as a lowly goblin, Leav refused to accept fate’s cruelty. Through sheer will and tactical brilliance, he clawed his way up—evolving, battling, and commanding monsters who once saw him as nothing. But power comes at a cost. As war rages and enemies lurk in shadows, Leav faces betrayal, brutal losses, and the cold truth—strength alone won’t forge a kingdom. With ancient magic resurfacing and rival factions closing in, can he rise above mere survival and claim true dominion? In a world where the strong rule and the weak perish, Leav must choose: remain a pawn or become a king.