Emperor of the Borderlands (Book 4)

"Only those who are ready to defend their people are worthy of power." With this in mind, I continue to develop my settlement, transforming a remote village into a stronghold of civilization in the Borderlands. But in a world where aristocrats view commoners as nothing more than a resource, and power is measured by the willingness to sacrifice the lives of others, my approach earns not only the respect of my allies but also the ire of my enemies. After all, nothing is more dangerous to a corrupt system than an example of how true power should look.

For that reason, my enemies multiply with each passing day. Prince Terekhov uses his own people as test subjects in his monstrous experiments in search of forbidden power. Prince Veratine thirsts for blood after I dared to challenge the established order. Countess Belozyorova, maddened by her thirst for revenge, is prepared to burn everything she has to the ground in order to ensure my death.

But I will not hide behind the village walls. With my elite squad, I will storm enemy strongholds and free the captives. From scattered villages, I will create a single fortress. From an ancient artifact, I will craft an impenetrable shield. Every free magician and scholar will become my ally. Every victory will strengthen the people's faith in me.

The degenerate aristocracy thinks it's me they're fighting. But they're missing the main point: they're fighting against a future where strength serves to protect the weak, not to oppress them. And I will build this future, even if I have to fight the entire world for it.