Reborn as the Third Prince: To Build and Conquer my way to Royalty.

The Heart's Sanctum, once a battleground against the Dalins, now hummed with a different kind of energy: the quiet, focused determination of creation. Sylus, though still feeling the lingering exhaustion from unmaking the Dalin network, was already immersed in the monumental task of transforming this primordial chamber into a secure, permanent base of operations.

Alfred, having received Sylus's telepathic commands, arrived at the temporal gate entrance on the surface with a hand-picked team. He brought not just skilled miners and guards, but also a small contingent of engineers and scholars, all sigil-bearers, their loyalty absolute, their minds eager to serve the Prince.

"Your Highness," Alfred's voice resonated in Sylus's mind, filled with awe as he stepped into the Sanctum for the first time. "This place… it's beyond anything I could have imagined. The mana… it's intoxicating." His youthful appearance seemed to glow in the pure light of the Mana Crystals.

"Welcome, Alfred," Sylus replied, a faint smile touching his lips. "This is the true heart of Linye's future. And our first task is to make it a fortress."

Sylus quickly outlined his vision: a multi-layered defense, a systematic extraction process, and a dedicated research facility. He explained the nature of the Manifestation Engine, the pure Mana Crystals, and the dormant Dalins, emphasizing the need for absolute secrecy and control.

Alfred, ever the efficient organizer, immediately took charge. His Chess Legion abilities, particularly the Rook's power to ignore distance and the Queen's ability to ignore damage weaker than Sylus's own, made him invaluable. He directed the sigil-bearers with uncanny precision, establishing work shifts, setting up temporary living quarters carved into the crystalline walls, and designing a secure transport system for the manifested crystals.

Zani, meanwhile, focused on reinforcing the temporal gate. Her Blazer, now stronger than ever, wove intricate layers of mana-infused thorn vines, creating a living, growing barrier that pulsed with defensive energy. She also established a constant perimeter patrol, her "One That Watches" aspect keenly attuned to any lingering Dalin presence or external threats. Her eyes, sharper than ever, seemed to pierce the very essence of the Sanctum, ensuring no impurity could slip through.

Sophia, in her shadowy form, became Sylus's constant companion and primary research assistant. Her unique ability as the Concept of Envy allowed her to perceive abstract truths, the underlying "programming" of Alhara's primordial mana. She drifted through the Sanctum, her dark mist subtly interacting with the ancient carvings, the Mana Crystals, and even the dormant Dalins.

"Master," Sophia purred, her voice a low hum, "the Dalins… they are like corrupted data. Their original purpose was to maintain the Bringinger's balance, to prevent uncontrolled creation. But the Destroyer… it twisted their core programming. Now they only protect the corruption."

Sylus, seated before a section of the colossal Mana Crystal wall, absorbed her insights. He was using his "Assimilation" aspect to delve into the ancient symbols, cross-referencing Sophia's abstract perceptions with the concrete data from his Blessing of Information. He was trying to understand the Dormant Creation Node's true mechanics, the "sacrifice" it demanded, and the subtle nuances of the Bringinger's original will.

He discovered that the Node required not just immense mana, but a harmonic resonance with a pure, uncorrupted soul. The "sacrifice" wasn't necessarily a life, but a profound act of selfless intent, a willingness to give without expectation of return. It was the antithesis of the Destroyer's greedy, consuming nature. This explained why Layla's attempt to awaken it had been deemed a "sacrifice" – her pure intent, however manipulated, had resonated. And why Sylus's own fragmented soul, a shard of the Bringinger, was so vital.

Days bled into nights within the timeless Sanctum. The rhythmic thrum of the Manifestation Engine became a constant companion. Thousands more pure Mana Crystals were manifested, their serene blue glow filling newly carved storage chambers. The temporal lift hummed, sending continuous streams of wealth to the surface.

Linye, under Alfred's meticulous management, transformed at an astonishing pace. The daily and monthly wages, now consistently paid with Alhara's boundless resources, fueled a massive public works project. Roads were paved with mana-infused stone, water systems were established, drawing pure water from newly manifested underground springs, and fertile land was created, yielding bountiful harvests. The city's economy boomed, attracting skilled laborers and merchants from across Verdenez. The jobless rate plummeted to an unprecedented low.

The news of Linye's miraculous transformation reached every corner of the kingdom, and beyond. Whispers of "miracle county" turned into shouts of "Prince Sylus's blessing." The common folk adored him, hailing him as a savior. But among the nobility, and especially in Verdenez Castle, the whispers were laced with growing alarm.

King Martin, still bound by Sylus's command, received Commander Valerius's detailed reports with a mixture of disbelief and chilling dread. Valerius spoke of pure Mana Crystals, of sigil-bearers working with impossible strength, of former Red Vipers now obedient laborers, and of a shadowy figure (Sophia) whose presence caused profound despair. He spoke of Linye becoming a fortress around the Alhara cave, its entrance now guarded by impenetrable mana barriers.

"He's building an army," Martin muttered, his voice hoarse, the leash of Sylus's command tightening around his throat. "And he's using my own kingdom's resources to do it." He tried to deny it, to dismiss it as exaggeration, but Valerius's meticulous details, backed by the sheer economic data, were undeniable.

Elizabeth, now fully aware of Martin's past manipulations and her own suppressed memories, had become a quiet but formidable force within the castle. Under Sylus's subtle command, she subtly diverted more funds from the Astrodial Corporation to Linye, justifying it as "investment in a promising new territory." She also used her influence to deflect Martin's more aggressive inquiries, buying Sylus precious time. Her eyes, once clouded by suppressed pain, now held a clear, resolute light. She was no longer just a victim; she was a Queen, subtly wielding her newfound agency.

Back in the Sanctum, Sylus had moved beyond mere resource generation. He was now experimenting with the Dormant Creation Node, trying to understand its deeper potential. He theorized that if it could manifest resources, it could also manifest information, knowledge, or even concepts.

"Sophia," Sylus commanded, his hand hovering over the central mana sphere, "I need to understand the Bringinger's original intent for the Heavenly Principles. How were they supposed to function before the Destroyer's corruption? And how does the All Father feed on them?"

Sophia drifted, her shadowy form expanding, touching the sphere. "The Principles... they were meant to be cosmic anchors, Master. Guiding forces for creation, balance, and evolution. The Stars were meant to be conduits of pure life energy, nurturing nascent worlds. But the Destroyer... it twisted the conduit. It made the Stars parasitic, feeding the All Father through the Principles."

Sylus nodded, a grim understanding dawning. "So, my mission, to 'rid the stars,' isn't to destroy them, but to purify them. To sever their corrupted connection to the All Father."

"Precisely, Master," Sophia confirmed. "It is an unmaking of corruption, and a remaking of purity."

Sylus closed his eyes, focusing. He poured his mana into the sphere, calibrating the commands. "I wish for... the complete, uncorrupted blueprint of the Heavenly Principles. Their original function. Their true purpose."

The sphere pulsed violently, its light flaring. The mana drain was immense, far greater than manifesting crystals. This was not just a resource; this was a fundamental truth.

[Manifestation: Blueprint of Heavenly Principles successful.] [Primordial Mana Drain: Catastrophic (Successful manifestation of Cosmic Truth).] [Karma Points: +500 (For manifesting a fundamental cosmic truth).] [Karma Points: 888/1000.]

A wave of pure, raw knowledge flooded Sylus's mind. He saw the intricate dance of the Principles, their perfect harmony, their symbiotic relationship with creation. He saw the Stars, once vibrant conduits of life, now twisted into siphons. He saw the All Father, a monstrous void, growing fat on the stolen essence of worlds.

He also saw the weakness in the system. The Destroyer's corruption, while vast, was not absolute. There was a backdoor, a fundamental flaw in the corrupted programming, a remnant of the Bringinger's original design. It was a single point of vulnerability, a cosmic "kill switch" that could sever the All Father's connection to the Principles and the Stars.

But activating it... activating it would require a profound act. A sacrifice. Not of life, but of cosmic balance. It would unleash a wave of raw, untamed primordial mana that would reshape the very fabric of reality, potentially destroying worlds in the process.

And the only one who could wield such a power, who could activate that kill switch, was the Star Killer.

Sylus opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the blueprint of the Principles, now shimmering in his mind. He had the knowledge. He had the power. He had the mission.

He looked at Zani, who was now standing beside him, her brow furrowed with concern. "My lord, what did you see? The mana... it was immense."

"The truth, Zani," Sylus replied, his voice grim. "The truth of everything. The cosmic war is far grander than we imagined. And our role in it... is paramount."

He then turned to Sophia. "Sophia, the 'sacrifice' the Node demands... for the ultimate act of creation, or purification... it's not a life. It's a fundamental disruption of cosmic balance. It will unleash primordial mana on an unprecedented scale. It could reshape reality, or destroy it."

Sophia's shadowy form rippled, her eyes glowing with a chilling understanding. "The ultimate envy, Master. The desire to unmake, to remake. The Destroyer's greatest fear."

Sylus nodded. He had the blueprint. He knew the kill switch. But the cost was terrifying. He needed to prepare. He needed to grow stronger. He needed to understand the true nature of the Star Killer. And he needed to ensure Linye was secure, a bastion of his new order, before he plunged into the ultimate cosmic confrontation. The forge of destiny was just beginning its true work.