Imperial Reincarnation: I Came, I Saw, I Survived

“I command thee, kneel!” When a history buff reincarnates as the infant emperor Carmine, he’s immediately struck by despair—child rulers aren’t known for their longevity. But as he learns the ins and outs of his new reality’s elaborate metaphysics and “his” corrupt and bloated state apparatus, he sets in motion a scheme to purge the rot—and woe betide any scheming noble standing between Carmine and a functioning government. Of course, he’ll have to survive first—no easy feat for a child emperor dancing on other men’s strings. But hey, how hard could running an empire be?

“I command thee, stand aside!” Having survived his first decade with the nobility none the wiser to his puppet emperor act, it’s finally time for Carmine to get his payback—with interest. And as his coronation swiftly approaches, so too does the opportunity to purge the festering corruption within the Empire’s upper echelons in a single fell swoop. But as he makes his move, sword in hand and allies by his side, will his preparations prove enough? Or will his attempt to seize back political power be consigned to history, doomed to be forgotten like the names of so many too-ambitious sovereigns of ages past? “Long live the emperor,” as they say, but it’s looking dicey whether this particular emperor has another year left in him!

“Impossible? I do not know the word!” After executing both the Chancellor and Minister of Ceremony, Carmine inherits an Empire in turmoil. His reputation among the people may have gone from “incompetent” to “hero,” but with his political enemies mustering an army to oppose him, he’ll need to address his critical shortfall of funds and weapons—and fast, because war is already at his doorstep. If that weren’t enough, he also has to deal with dubiously loyal vassals, assassins out for his throat, and the debts his predecessor left behind. Then, as he struggles to bring stability to the Empire, the devil appears to offer him a deal. The only question: will he accept?