I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom

April 3rd, 1693 – Royalist Gun Workshop, Loretto, Corse.

The steady clang of hammers striking metal echoed across the sprawling gun workshop situated near the western outskirts of Loretto. Smoke billowed from tall chimneys, and the scent of molten steel mixed with coal filled the air. Rows of craftsmen, engineers, and apprentices moved about with purpose, assembling weapon components and calibrating complex mechanisms under the watchful eyes of foremen.

Prince Bruno arrived on horseback, dismounting near the entrance. Captain Vallier and Master Engineer Antoine Durand awaited him, flanked by guards and senior machinists. Durand, a lean man with spectacles perched on his nose, stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Highness," Durand greeted him with pride in his voice. "The first production models of the new artillery pieces have been completed. We have set up a test site beyond the ridge for a live demonstration."

"Excellent," Bruno replied, shaking Durand's hand. "These howitzers will be critical in our campaign. Show me the assembly line first."

Durand led the prince through the workshop, passing rows of partially assembled cannon barrels and reinforced chassis. Workers were meticulously grinding, welding, and reinforcing the thick barrels with steel bands designed to withstand extreme pressures. Some were installing hydraulic recoil systems designed to absorb shock and prevent the weapon from shifting after firing.

"These are the 152mm howitzers you designed, Your Highness," Durand explained. "Their effective range is around seven kilometers, depending on terrain and elevation. With high-explosive shells, they can deliver devastating indirect fire on enemy fortifications and artillery positions."

Bruno nodded as he inspected a finished barrel resting on a steel frame. The design had been inspired by his modern knowledge of artillery mechanics, something he had carefully integrated into the workshop's capabilities without overwhelming the workers with too much complexity.

"The recoil system," Bruno asked, pointing to the hydraulic unit mounted beneath the barrel, "can it handle repeated fire without overheating?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Durand assured him. "The recoil is dampened by a hydraulic cylinder filled with pressurized oil. We've tested it under simulated battlefield conditions—each howitzer can sustain twelve rounds per minute for up to thirty minutes before needing cooling maintenance."

Bruno ran his hand along the sleek barrel. Unlike older cannons that relied purely on brute force and heavy shot, these howitzers combined precision engineering with superior firepower. He had ensured that the design featured rifling in the barrel, allowing for greater accuracy over long distances. The ammunition, standardized into high-explosive, armor-piercing, and incendiary variants, had also been developed to maximize the versatility of the weapon.

"And what about mobility?" Bruno continued as they walked toward another section of the workshop. "How quickly can these be repositioned in the field?"

"We've mounted each howitzer on a reinforced carriage with pneumatic wheels," Durand replied. "Horses can tow them, but for faster deployment, we're experimenting with attaching them to steam tractors."

"Good," Bruno said. "Artillery that can't be repositioned quickly is a liability. We'll need both firepower and flexibility when facing the Revolutionary Army."

Durand gestured to another part of the workshop where a smaller cannon was being assembled. This weapon was noticeably more compact, with a 76mm bore designed for faster firing and mobile infantry support.

"These are the smaller field guns based on your instructions," Durand explained. "Their range is shorter, about three to four kilometers, but they excel in rapid deployment and anti-personnel roles. They can be manned by a crew of four and repositioned swiftly on the battlefield."

Bruno nodded approvingly. "These will complement the howitzers well. They'll be essential for infantry support during city sieges and close-quarters engagements."

As they exited the workshop, Vallier joined the conversation. "Your Highness, shall we proceed to the test site?"

"Yes," Bruno replied. "I want to see how they perform in the field."

The test site was located on an elevated ridge overlooking a wide, open plain. Several artillery crews had already positioned both the 152mm howitzers and the 76mm field guns at designated points along the ridge. Observers, including senior officers and engineers, stood near the firing stations, awaiting Bruno's arrival.

"Your Highness," an artillery officer saluted, "we are ready to begin the live demonstration."

"Proceed," Bruno ordered, stepping toward the observation area. He raised a spyglass to his eye, focusing on the wooden targets and mock fortifications set up at various distances across the plain.

The first crew, operating the 152mm howitzer, loaded a high-explosive shell into the breach. The gun commander called out firing coordinates, adjusting the elevation and azimuth based on calculated range data. Once the gun was locked in position, the loader pulled the lanyard.

A deafening boom echoed across the ridge as the howitzer discharged its shell. The recoil mechanism absorbed the impact smoothly, with minimal displacement of the carriage. Seconds later, the shell struck a distant target, detonating in a fiery explosion that sent debris flying.

"Direct hit," Vallier commented, lowering his own spyglass. "The range and accuracy are impressive. Usually, the cannon that we use only has an accuracy of about an acceptable range, but this... it's unprecedented," Vallier finished, his voice filled with awe.

Bruno spoke. "It's due to the rifling, Vallier. Traditional smoothbore cannons sacrifice accuracy for ease of manufacturing. By grooving the interior of the barrel, we impart spin to the projectile, stabilizing it in flight. Combined with advanced sighting instruments, the howitzer's accuracy significantly surpasses conventional models."

"I see…rifling huh."

The artillery crew quickly moved into action. One man retrieved another high-explosive shell from a nearby crate, while another adjusted the elevation wheel on the barrel. Within moments, the howitzer was ready for another shot. The loader shouted, "Ready!" and pulled the lanyard once again.

Boom!

The second shot arched through the sky, its path calculated precisely to hit a wooden fortification over six kilometers away. The target shattered upon impact, sending a shockwave rippling through the observers' viewing area.

Bruno lowered his spyglass, his expression neutral but pleased. "The rate of fire is acceptable for now, but I want drills conducted to improve reload time. Crews need to achieve faster reloading under combat conditions."

"Understood, Your Highness," Vallier replied, saluting.

Next, they moved to the field gun test site, where a 76mm cannon crew stood ready. This time, the target was a simulated infantry formation made up of life-sized wooden mannequins.

"Test shrapnel rounds," Bruno ordered.

The crew inserted a shell designed to detonate mid-air, scattering lethal fragments. They adjusted the gun's elevation for a near-horizontal trajectory and prepared to fire.

"Fire!"

The 76mm cannon let out a sharp crack, significantly quieter than the deep boom of the howitzer. The round burst in mid-flight, sending hundreds of metal fragments tearing through the mock infantry. The mannequins were obliterated, with splinters and debris scattered across the field.

"Effective," Bruno noted with a hint of satisfaction. "The combination of these smaller field guns and the howitzers will give us control over both large-scale bombardments and mobile skirmishes."

Durand spoke with pride. "The field gun is designed for maximum versatility. With a four-man crew, it can be disassembled and transported quickly, then reassembled in minutes. It's ideal for supporting infantry advances or defending key positions."

Bruno turned to Vallier. "These weapons give us an edge, but only if deployed with strategy. We need to coordinate artillery barrages with infantry movements. Ensure that our officers receive proper artillery training."

"Of course, Your Highness. We'll begin tactical integration drills immediately," Vallier responded.

Bruno walked toward a group of engineers and artillery commanders who had gathered nearby, all awaiting his next instructions. He took a moment to speak directly to them.

"These weapons are the product of our hard work and ingenuity. They are tools of liberation. But make no mistake—poor strategy and complacency can turn them into liabilities. I expect discipline, precision, and adaptability from all of you. Our campaign to reclaim the mainland will not be won with brute force alone."

The officers stood straighter, their faces serious as they nodded in agreement.

"I want the howitzers and field guns in full production," Bruno continued. "We will need at least fifty howitzers and over a hundred field guns ready by the time the fleet sails. Ammunition reserves must be tripled.

"Yes Your Highness!"