Kill the Lights - Chapter 17.3

Ethan Cross was a politician serving as the Secretary of the Department of Energy in the United States of America. He was also an engineer and a scientist prior to his position, to which he was hailed as a “King of Technology” as he was able to invent revolutionary technologies one after the other.But his life was cut short when the vehicle he was in was rammed by a truck from the side, and immediately after, he awakened in the body of a royal prince, Bruno de Elysea, who was a complete opposite of Ethan in terms of knowledge and capability.One thing he noticed is that in this new world, everything was so backward. Technology and politics. He desired to change them but by doing so, caught the eyes of those who opposed it.

“Ding! You’ve received the [Human Archer (Stage 2)] and has activated the 10,000x bonus. You have received the [Flame God Archer (Stage 10)].”“Ding! You’ve received the [Speed Totem (Silver)] and has activated the 10,000x bonus. You have received the [Wind Goddess’ Speed Totem (Legendary)].”“Ding! You’ve received the [Basic Resource]x1,000,000 and has activated the 10,000x bonus. You have received the [Basic Resource]x10,000,000,000.”“Ding! You’ve received the [Mecha Maid Army] and has activated the 10,000x bonus…”When Li Cheng was reincarnated to the launch day of the game, Tribe, he had received the 10,000x Bonus System.From armies to equipment to talents and skills, he could receive a 10,000x bonus.A few years later, when the world and game merged, people struggled to survive while Li Cheng had already become a godly being…

“Ahhhh why meeee?! I didn’t do anything, just played this shitty game, fuck, fuck fuck fuck!”[System: Your heart rate—]“Shut up! Millions of people played this shit and you choose me?! A fucking town girl who didn’t even stepped in a city in her life?! To be a fucking Empress?!”[System: You have fit the description][Woman, with no family. A woman who played at least 500 hours. A woman who reached max level. A woman who completed the final achievement. A woman who is in her late 20s.][Out of 43,456 candidates you were the one who got picked on a random roll. Be happy.]“Happy?! Happy that you have destroyed my life?! I bought my first house working twelve hour shifts every single fucking day and suddenly a black hole fucking vacuumed me in and I wake up in this terrible dress in a palace!”[System: Correct.]Indeed, the System was correct and even her, as she was in the grand palace of the Klimantina Empire, the exact same empire that she ruled… in the game at least.An empire that put her in the 17th century, the well known Rococo era… with a difference that it wasn’t based on a total fictional world, a total fictional country and its people and history.A game where the Empress took the throne after her family perished in a fire. In doing so, she not only assumed power but also entered a dangerous internal struggle, as her own people sought to overthrow her and claim the throne for themselves

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life.One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world.The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire.But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes.The Emperor loathed her.The mistress laughed at her.And the court whispered behind her back.Only she wasn’t truly alone.> “Finally, someone can see us!”“What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?”“Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.”Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace.When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court.Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity.> “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.”And Heaven sided with her.Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace.> “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.”“If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken.The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm.> “This is not palace fare,” he muttered.“It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.”Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead.From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured.Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm.Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire.She would not simply survive.She would rise.And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.