I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom

January 14th, 1693 – Loretto, Corse

The city of Loretto had returned to calm by mid-morning. Royalist soldiers patrolled the streets, ensuring there were no remnants of Republican resistance. Civilians cautiously emerged from their homes, fear still etched on their faces from the previous night's battle. However, the sight of familiar soldiers wearing the royalist crest brought them a degree of comfort. They began clearing rubble, rebuilding market stalls, and putting out the remaining fires.

Prince Bruno stood on a hastily erected platform in the town square, his military advisors, including Captain Vallier and General Berthold, flanking him. A large crowd gathered before him, their eyes filled with confusion, anxiety, and hope. Many were desperate for answers about the events that had unfolded.

Bruno raised his hand, calling for silence. The crowd's murmurs slowly died down as all attention focused on the prince. His gaze swept across the crowd, ensuring every person present could see him clearly.

"People of Loretto," Bruno began. "I know you are afraid. I know many of you do not understand why this city—your home—was attacked by those who should have been our countrymen. I am here to give you the truth."

He took a step forward, his voice rising so all could hear. "Two nights ago, an army bearing the banner of Elysea launched an unprovoked assault on our island. They bombarded our port, killed our soldiers, and sought to subjugate us. You are probably wondering how this could happen. How could our own nation turn against us?"

The crowd murmured again, bewildered. Bruno continued without pause, his expression hardening. "The reason, my people, is because Elysea is no longer the country you once knew. The kingdom we were loyal to has fallen. The monarchy, our royal family, has been overthrown by revolutionaries who call themselves the Republic of Elysea."

Gasps and shocked whispers rippled through the crowd. Many could not believe what they were hearing. The idea that the centuries-old kingdom had been dismantled was almost too much to comprehend.

"They rose in rebellion two years ago," Bruno went on. "They executed my father, the King, my mother, the Queen, and countless others of noble blood. The Republic now rules from the capital, seeking to destroy everything we stood for—our traditions, our values, and our right to self-govern."

An elderly man near the front of the crowd shouted, "But you're still here, Your Highness! You survived!"

Bruno nodded. "Yes. By a twist of fate, I am the last living member of the royal family. The Republic's leaders see me as a threat to their power. That is why they sent their army to Corse—to kill me and extinguish any chance of restoring the kingdom."

His words carried a weight that seemed to settle heavily on the gathered crowd. For a long moment, no one spoke. The full gravity of the situation began to sink in.

"But I am not dead," Bruno declared firmly, his voice cutting through the silence. "We are not broken. The Republic thought we would submit easily, but they underestimated the strength and will of Corse. We have repelled their forces, taken back Loretto, and shattered their plans. This is only the beginning."

Captain Vallier stepped forward and saluted. "The enemy that survived in the expedition were all arrested and executed for high treason."

Captain Vallier's declaration caused another wave of murmurs in the crowd. Fear mixed with relief as the people processed the news. Many had lost family members and friends in the Republic's brutal assault, and the announcement of justice being served brought some small measure of closure.

Prince Bruno raised his hand again to quiet the voices. "Justice has been delivered to those who sought to destroy our lives. But make no mistake, this is far from over. The Republic will not accept defeat easily. They will return with greater force. That is why we must be prepared—together."

Bruno scanned the crowd, making eye contact with as many people as possible. "From this day forward, Corse will be the beacon of resistance. We will not hide in fear. We will not wait for another attack. Instead, we will strengthen our forces and strike at the heart when the time comes."

The crowd listened intently, their expressions gradually shifting from confusion and fear to a sense of unity and purpose. Prince Bruno's words were sinking deep, stirring the embers of resistance in their hearts. People began nodding to one another, whispers of determination spreading throughout the square.

"We will fight for you, Your Highness—No Your Majesty!"

A woman near the center of the crowd raised her fist in the air, her voice cutting through the murmurs.

"Long live the King!" she cried, her words filled with renewed hope. Others quickly repeated her call, their voices growing louder with each chant.

"Long live King Bruno! Long live the King!"

The chant spread rapidly throughout the square. People who had moments before been filled with fear now shouted with defiant pride. They clapped and cheered, raising their arms in unison. The square was soon filled with the thunderous sound of their voices, echoing off the surrounding buildings.

Bruno, standing tall on the platform, raised his hand, urging the people to continue. He did not correct them, nor did he claim the title officially just yet. In truth, he knew that their belief in him was vital, their loyalty essential for what lay ahead. His calm gaze swept over the sea of faces, their eyes shining with hope and determination.

Captain Vallier leaned toward him, his voice low but firm. "They've given you their trust, Your Highness. You've inspired them to fight. This is a moment we cannot waste."

"I know," Bruno replied quietly, his eyes still on the crowd. He then stepped forward once more, raising both hands to bring their attention back to him.

"My people," he called out, his voice powerful and commanding, "today marks the beginning of our fight to restore our home and bring justice to those who fell under the Republic's tyranny. We will train. We will build. And we will not stop until Elysea is free from those who betrayed our nation!"

The cheers intensified, people waving royalist flags and embracing one another. The chant resumed louder than before.

"Long live King Bruno! Long live Elysea!"

As the crowd celebrated, Bruno turned to Vallier and Berthold. "This moment will solidify their morale, but it's only one step. Start organizing recruitment efforts. We'll need every able-bodied person into the ranks of our army."

"Consider it done, Your Highness," Vallier replied with a salute.

"Now—let's get started."