Mark of the Fool - Chapter 876: Steel

[WSA 2025 Entry]Ivan Mendoza, a world-renowned robotics engineer, met his end at the hands of those who feared his genius. But death was not the end. Awakening in the body of Kael Valtieri, heir to a destitute border territory in the magical kingdom of Ardania, Ivan finds a second chance in an unfamiliar world driven by arcane forces.In this realm, magic reigns supreme, yet it is woefully inefficient and bound by antiquated traditions. Armed with the knowledge of advanced robotics and engineering from his past life, Kael sets out to merge science with sorcery, aiming to revolutionize the very fabric of magic. His quest? To uplift his impoverished territory and safeguard it against the lurking dangers beyond the border.But Kael’s journey takes a thrilling turn when he stumbles upon the remnants of an ancient, forgotten civilization. Hidden within their ruins lies golem technology—astonishing constructs far superior to anything Earth’s science could fathom. Driven by curiosity and ambition, Kael deciphers their secrets, melding ancient ingenuity with his modern intellect to forge unprecedented defenses.As Kael uncovers the dark history of this world, he learns of rifts that once unleashed monstrous beings from other dimensions, nearly annihilating humanity. Though a powerful artifact sealed these rifts, its strength is waning, and an impending cataclysm looms.Now, with time running out and the continent teetering on the brink of another monstrous invasion, Kael must wield his hybrid mastery of science and magic to confront the rising tide of darkness. Can one man, armed with the knowledge of two worlds, avert a catastrophe and carve out a new destiny?Prepare for an epic tale of innovation, mystery, and survival in a world where the past and future collide.

[Warning: r18, smut, MC does morally questionable things][Disclaimer: The Gods and Goddesses in the story's world have absolutely no relation to any Gods that are worshipped in the real world. The purpose they serve is also entirely different.]~Even if you're someone who typically doesn't enjoy works with smut, I request you to give this novel a chance (provided you're 18 or older of course). It would be awesome if you could at least read Volume 1 before deciding whether or not this is your cup of tea.~This is an action + kingdom-building story where the MC and his kingdom (Realm) are metaphorically powered by his lustful acts.The story begins with Hiro's (the MC) transmigration into a magical world. At first glance, this “World” might look quite similar to many other fantasy worlds that you've come across on your reading adventures. Status screens, levels, classes, gods, kingdoms, elves - all that good stuff.But it will soon become clear that this World has its own “Rules”. These (mostly) game-like Rules will bring out unique character interactions. They will be what differentiates the World in my story from other similar fantasy worlds.Now about the characters - specifically the main character.The MC (Hiro) will be thrust into the role of Ruler in the new World right off the bat. He starts with a bottom-tier, barebones realm and makes his way to the top.I'm going to say this right away - Hiro is a deeply flawed character at the start. Yes he might be overpowered and good at getting things he wants, but that does not make him flawless.Hiro has glaring emotional flaws at the beginning. He is intelligent but not in the emotional sense. He is lustful but not truly loving. He is apathetic towards death (both of himself and of others).The women who surround him will also have their own problems, both internal and external.As the story progresses, it won't just be the MC and his realm growing in power.Hiro and his harem will also mature emotionally. Hiro's character growth will be a slow, grueling burn. It isn't going to be a smooth straight line from point A to point B.But when it finally does happen, it will be worth it.That's all from me, your author. I hope you enjoy the ride.P.S - Power stones, golden tickets, gifts, adding this to library, reviews, comments, paragraph comments - all these things help immensely and are greatly appreciated.Thanks and Enjoy! :)

Lu Gu got a marriage on behalf of his brother and married the fierce hunter in Qingxi Village. No matter how wronged he was, under the coercion of beatings, he was still put on the sedan chair.

How could the Shen family gave up on marrying such a ridiculous thing. After a tumultuous fight, Lu Gu was brought back to the Shen family. He was ready to tremble and seek life.

Who knew that the days after marriage were far less difficult than he imagined, and he could even fill his stomach without having to be beaten. Shen Xuanqing also bought him chickens and ducklings, and built a fence in the backyard to raise chickens and ducks for him. Lu Gu squatted in the backyard and touched the chickens and ducks. After the panic, he was full of joy. Shen Xuanqing said that these were all his.

For the first time, Shen Xuanqing, who was about to go out was stopped by Lu Gu timidly, holding the corner of his clothes. He saw his little fulang showing a short and shy smile, handing over a small bag of fine flour cakes, saying that it was the food for him who was going into the mountains.

Shen Xuanqing was nibbling on the cakes expressionlessly in the mountains, but in his heart he was thinking that the little fulang was good and diligent. He looked good when he smiled, but he was too thin.

- Description from Novelupdates

Ren Zhouyuan, who loves to study Chinese culture since childhood, has never imagined that his own life would one day be subverted by a foreigner.

Not only do these foreign devils not love the Chinese, but they also scoff at him, looking at his eyes like watching a fool.

After getting drunk, Ren Zhouyuan is for no reason pregnant with a ball, and actually gave birth to a child as a man. This kid is blonde; almost do not have to verify who he is from the “handwriting.”

Ren Zhouyuan does not want to make that arrogant foreigner part of his life, but after fate tied them tightly together again, he found that there was a big difference between this man and the arrogant fighting nationality he imagined.

Leonid: Honey, what does ” Jijiwai Wai*” mean?
Ren Zhouyuan: Refers to people like you
Leonid: But I’m not chirping ah …

- Description from Novelupdates