I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom

April 20th, 1693 – Port of Loretto, Corse

The harbor of Loretto was alive with organized chaos. Royalist soldiers, sailors, and workers moved like a well-oiled machine as they prepared the fleet for departure. The captured Republican ship of the line and frigates had been fully repaired and refitted under Bruno's command. Now, with banners bearing the crest of the House of Elysea flying high, the ships were ready to take the fight to the mainland.

Prince Bruno stood on an elevated platform overlooking the docks, observing the operations below with a keen eye. The air was filled with the clatter of crates, the creaking of wooden planks under heavy cargo, and the distant shouts of officers issuing orders. The soldiers of his army, now numbering over 3,000, were boarding the vessels, each battalion assigned to a specific ship.

Captain Vallier approached, saluting. "Your Highness, the boarding process is proceeding smoothly. All regiments have been assigned their ships. The final shipments of food, ammunition, and medical supplies are being loaded as we speak."

Bruno nodded, turning to face Vallier. "Good. We've prepared for this moment for months. We can't afford delays. Once everything is secured, signal the fleet to be ready for departure."

"Yes, Your Highness," Vallier replied before hurrying off to oversee the final preparations.

Bruno's gaze shifted to the largest ship in the fleet—the Elysean Vow, the newly renamed ship of the line that had been captured from the Republic. Its three decks bristled with 80 cannons, their barrels gleaming in the sunlight. It would serve as the flagship for the campaign ahead. Other ships, including two frigates, four brigs, and several sloops, were positioned throughout the harbor, each with a role in the mission.

Below the platform, Master Engineer Antoine Durand inspected the cannons being mounted on the ships. The 152mm howitzers and the smaller 76mm field guns had been carefully designed for both ship and shore operations. Sailors hauled crates filled with high-explosive shells, powder kegs, and cannonballs onto the deck of each vessel.

Durand approached Bruno as he descended from the platform. "Your Highness, the artillery crews have completed their final inspections. All cannons are secure and fully operational. I've personally ensured that each ship's armory has more than enough ammunition for the initial engagements."

"Excellent work, Antoine," Bruno said, clasping the engineer's shoulder. "These cannons will give us an edge in both naval and land battles. We'll show the Republic that their time of terror is coming to an end."

Nearby, General Berthold barked orders to the infantry regiments boarding their assigned ships. Each soldier carried a full complement of gear—rifles, bayonets, rations, and spare ammunition. Supply officers checked manifests and tallied the inventory to ensure no critical supplies were left behind.

"Keep the lines moving!" Berthold shouted. "We sail in a matter of hours. Everyone should be in their positions before sunset!"

The soldiers obeyed without hesitation. Many of them had fought alongside Bruno during the defense of Corse, and their loyalty to him had only deepened after his speech in Loretto. They knew the stakes—this was not just a campaign to reclaim a throne but a battle for survival against a ruthless regime.

Bruno strode up the gangplank of the Elysean Vow, greeted by the ship's captain, Theodore LaSalle, a seasoned veteran who had defected from the Republic shortly after the revolution.

"Your Highness," LaSalle saluted. "The flagship is fully manned and ready for your command. We've completed a full inspection of the sails, rigging, and weaponry. She's seaworthy and ready for war."

"Good to hear, Captain," Bruno replied, walking toward the helm. He glanced out over the harbor, watching as the final groups of soldiers boarded their ships. "We've come a long way since the siege of Loretto. Now, we take the first step toward liberating our homeland."

LaSalle stood beside him, his expression grim but resolute. "The men are ready, Your Highness. They've endured much, but their spirits are high. They believe in your leadership—and in the cause."

"They will have their chance to prove their resolve," Bruno said quietly. "The Republic may believe they can crush us with sheer numbers, but they underestimate the will of those fighting for their homes and their freedom."

Bruno's thoughts briefly drifted to the Revolutionary Council in Elysee. He imagined their faces—cold, calculating, filled with arrogance. They had executed his family, seized control of the nation, and spread fear across the land. Now, they would face the consequences of their actions.

"Captain LaSalle, ensure that all ships receive the departure signal as soon as the final inventory checks are complete," Bruno ordered. "We leave nothing to chance."

"Understood, Your Highness," LaSalle replied, turning to relay the command to his officers.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, the ships in the harbor came alive with activity. Sailors unfurled sails, and officers shouted commands as anchor chains were hauled aboard. Drummers aboard the Elysean Vow began to beat a steady cadence, signaling the fleet's imminent departure.

Prince Bruno returned to the observation platform one last time, addressing the gathered officers and soldiers below. His voice rang out over the harbor, carried by the evening breeze.

"Today, we set sail not just for conquest, but for justice," he declared. "The Republic has stolen our country, destroyed our families, and trampled on the rights of our people. But they have made a fatal mistake—they left us alive, and they underestimated our resolve."

The soldiers and sailors erupted in cheers, their voices rising in unison. "Long live the King! Long live Elysea!"

Bruno raised his hand to silence them. "This journey will not be easy. We will face powerful enemies, but we have something they do not—unity, purpose, and the knowledge that we fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Let this be the beginning of their end."

The cheers resumed, echoing across the port as the final preparations concluded. The fleet, now fully manned and supplied, began to pull away from the docks, sails billowing in the wind. Prince Bruno watched in silence, the weight of the mission ahead pressing on his shoulders.

"This is it," Vallier said quietly beside him. "Our future begins now."

Bruno nodded. "And we will not stop until Elysea is free."