A Record of Ash & Ruin: The Grieving Lands - Chapter 11Book 3: : Finish Line

Du Xiao Li, the legendary person all look up to, yet couldn’t ward off the ridiculousness of fate!

Opening her eyes once again, the steady and calm her was still shocked senseless by her own withered little hands, and the leaking and windy rat infested surroundings before her eyes.

Both parents dead, three meals uncertain, and her only property was this shabby house and a cute little big brother.

What the hell is all this!

Buying a mountain top, planting fruit trees, opening winery, fermenting fruit wine, and developing a supply chain. From then on, profits poured in from all sides, bringing along big brother to lay down a family fortune and become rich!

Making close friends, kidnapping a prince, fighting villains, a peasant daughter can also live calling the wind and rain, laughing in face of the world!

Oh? This little guy looks pretty good, come plant a fruit tree for me then! How about also set a kiddy engagement?

With the roll of his eyes, the small child, who was currently being enslaved to plant trees gave her a cool turn of his back.

One separation, several years later, seeing this tall, rich, and handsome emotionless prince tell her with an ice cold face that she and him were already engaged, and moreover have long sealed the deal with a kiss, letting her take responsibility. He really was that little handsome boy from before?!

Du Xiao Li speechlessly look to the sky: I don’t want to be a princess consort! Can I get a refund?!!

The cold face prince, with a face full of grievance: You said before that once sold, can’t be returned. A few years ago, I’ve already obediently gave myself to you. In these years I’ve always carefully obeyed your teachings, keeping myself pure for you. How can you heartlessly abandon me now?

Du Xiao Li’s jaw was about to drop to the ground: Alright then, seeing that you’re this obedient, you can come home with me!

A certain young master charmingly smiled: This husband shall comply!

- Description from Novelupdates

[An explosive and thrilling story, highly recommended by the Chief Editor himself. A must-read divine book, you’ll regret not reading this.]In the eyes of others, he might have seemed like a worthless fool, but he was revered as the master of appraisal, the miraculous healer, the charming sorcerer, the lord of the Dragon Palace, the invincible war god… With a hand that wielded golden needles against death itself, and another that brandished a longsword, compelling nations to submit, he possessed unparalleled prowess. His divine gaze surveyed the heavens and the earth, while his demonic sight pierced through the veils of yin and yang. He was unmatched in all the world!

In a world of power struggles and betrayal, A hero was once a loyal warrior who dedicated his life to helping his childhood friend ascend to the throne. Through blood, sweat, and unwavering devotion, he paved the way for his friend's reign—only to be betrayed the moment his goal was achieved. His life was cruelly stolen, but fate had other plans.Instead of death, he awakens in his childhood once more, armed with the memories of his tragic fate. This time, he will not be the loyal shadow of a false friend. This time, he will seize the throne himself.Yet, this is not his story.Our true protagonist is an ordinary man who finds himself reincarnated into this world—not as a hero, but as an extra. A mere background character destined to meet a tragic end, a third prince whose death will serve only as fuel for the true villain's rise. Slated to become an undead knight under the fourth prince, the last and most terrifying villain of this dark tale, he must now defy fate itself.With knowledge of the future and a world filled with scheming nobles, ruthless warriors, and an impending catastrophe, can this forsaken prince change his fate? Or will he meet his destined end, only to rise as a pawn in the villain’s grand scheme?A tale of revenge, survival, and defying fate begins now.

“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.