I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom

At dawn, the sound of marching boots echoed down the winding mountain road. The elite battalion, two hundred strong, approached Mont Verdain with disciplined precision. These were the best-trained and best-equipped soldiers on the island, personally organized under Bruno's command. They were clad in durable uniforms with reinforced leather padding. Slung across their shoulders were semi-bolt action rifles, a weapon designed and produced under Bruno's industrial reforms.

Leading the battalion was Captain Auguste Vallier, a battle-hardened officer with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor. He raised his hand, signaling the column to halt as they reached the main gate. A sentry on the wall gave a confirming shout.

"Open the gates!"

The iron-and-oak gates creaked open, revealing a contingent of Mont Verdain soldiers waiting inside. Prince Bruno stood at the forefront, flanked by General Berthold and Governor DuPont. Captain Vallier dismounted from his horse, approached Bruno, and bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness," Vallier said with reverence. "The elite battalion reports as ordered. We've come prepared to defend the city."

Bruno smiled faintly and extended his hand for a firm handshake. "Thank you, Captain Vallier. You've arrived just in time. We face an enemy unlike anything we've dealt with before."

"I've heard the reports, Your Highness," Vallier said, straightening his posture. "The Elysean fleet bombarded Loretto and captured it. I still don't understand why they would fire upon an Elysean prince or even their own soldiers stationed there."

"Neither do I," Bruno replied, his voice steady but cold. "Something has changed in the mainland. And I intend on finding that out."

Captain Vallier nodded thoughtfully at Prince Bruno's words. He removed his gloves and adjusted the rifle slung across his back as the soldiers around them began dispersing to their positions on the walls and towers.

"I'll have my officers set up observation points around the eastern ridge," Vallier continued. "If the enemy sends scouts, we'll catch them before they get too close."

"Good," Bruno said, glancing at General Berthold. "Coordinate with Berthold and ensure the sharpshooters have overlapping firing angles. I don't want any blind spots in our defenses. The Republic soldiers are moving cautiously, but they'll test our walls before committing to a full assault."

Berthold nodded in agreement. "We've positioned heavy artillery on the northern towers, Your Highness. If their cannons enter range, we'll counterfire immediately."

"That's exactly what we need," Bruno replied. His gaze shifted to the bustling square, where blacksmiths continued working on spare parts for artillery and barricades. Civilians moved supplies into underground storage areas, while engineers inspected the reinforced walls.

Governor DuPont approached, wiping sweat from his brow. "Your Highness, additional grain shipments have arrived from the nearby farms. We'll be able to extend our food reserves by another two months if rationed properly."

"Excellent, Governor. Ensure the distribution centers are secure. The last thing we need is panic or sabotage disrupting supplies," Bruno ordered.

"As you command, Your Highness," DuPont replied, bowing slightly before hurrying away.

Bruno turned back to Vallier and Berthold. "We'll hold this city as long as necessary. If they expect us to surrender quickly, they'll be sorely disappointed."

Bruno stood atop the eastern watchtower, his spyglass raised as he surveyed the plains below. The enemy had begun to appear on the horizon. Their forces moved in disciplined formation, infantry columns stretching across the landscape like a dark wave. Artillery units followed closely behind, their cannons glinting under the midday sun.

"They're setting up siege positions," Berthold muttered beside him. He pointed to a series of wagons being unloaded near a ridge. "Those artillery crews are building emplacements. Once those guns are in place, they'll start bombarding our walls."

Bruno nodded, lowering the spyglass. "They're wasting no time. They'll likely probe our defenses tonight, looking for weak points. We'll need to respond aggressively."

"We'll keep patrols along the walls throughout the night," Vallier suggested. "If they attempt a surprise attack, we'll drive them back."

Bruno's expression darkened as he watched the enemy forces continue to organize. "Let them come. They think this is another Loretto, but they'll find out soon enough that Mont Verdain is a different beast."

***

Captain Julien Renoux strode through the growing encampment, his boots crunching against the dirt path leading to the artillery lines. Soldiers erected tents and dug trenches, while officers barked orders to their units. Renoux's mind was occupied with the reports he had received from his scouts. Something about Corse didn't add up.

He approached a makeshift command tent, where several scouts and engineers waited for him. A detailed map of the region lay on the table, marked with key locations—roads, supply depots, bridges, and other infrastructure.

Renoux traced one of the newly built roads with his gloved finger. "Tell me again what you found."

The lead scout, a wiry man with sharp eyes, stepped forward. "Sir, the road networks are far more developed than anticipated. Paved stone roads now connect the major cities, and there are fortified depots positioned at key intersections. We also saw what appeared to be industrial facilities further inland—possibly workshops or factories. Some of them seem to be using steam power, though we couldn't confirm the details without getting closer."

Renoux frowned. "Steam power? That's a significant leap in development. Corse was supposed to be an isolated backwater, reliant on imports from the mainland. How the hell did they build all this without anyone noticing?"

The scout hesitated. "It's possible the prince was responsible. We've heard rumors that Prince Bruno initiated major reforms and industrial projects during his time here. He might have modernized the entire island."

Renoux slammed his fist on the table. "Damn that prince… He's more of a threat than I thought. If he's managed to turn Corse into an industrial hub, this siege will be far more difficult than we expected. Still, I am confident that we can defeat him in one siege."

One of his lieutenants, Captain Armand Renault, joined him near the table. "Do you think they'll try a counterattack during the night?"

Renoux chuckled and shook his head. "No, Prince Bruno's too clever for that. He knows attacking us in the open would be suicide. He'll hunker down behind his walls and hope we break before his supplies run out. It's textbook defensive warfare."

"And if he has tricks up his sleeve?" Renault asked, raising an eyebrow.

Renoux waved a hand dismissively. "We're not facing some mythical army, Captain. These are royalist fanatics clinging to outdated ideals. They are still just isolated rebels. The Republic has crushed far greater threats. We'll do the same here."