I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom

May 14th, 1693 – Assault on Fort Vaillac

The battlefield erupted with action as Prince Bruno's orders were executed. The royalist infantry surged forward, advancing under the protective cover of artillery fire. General Berthold led the main attack from the west, while Captain Vallier's detachment launched their diversionary assault on the eastern approach.

Bruno remained at the forward command post, his eyes never leaving the fort as he watched through his spyglass. From his vantage point, he saw smoke billowing from shattered sections of the fort's walls. The artillery had done its job, reducing the enemy's defenses to crumbling ruins. Now, it was up to the infantry to take the stronghold.

The Main Assault – Western Wall

"Hold the line! Advance on my command!" General Berthold barked as he rode ahead of the advancing soldiers.

The royalist infantry moved in tight formations, their bayonets fixed and their rifles ready. Enemy riflemen fired from the few remaining sections of the fort's ramparts, but with their defensive positions compromised, their shots were rushed and inaccurate. The royalists returned fire with deadly precision, their bolt-action rifles cutting down exposed defenders.

"Engineers, forward!" Berthold commanded.

A team of combat engineers carrying demolition charges sprinted toward the breaches in the wall. Despite sporadic enemy fire, they reached the weakened structure and quickly set their explosives. Moments later, a thunderous explosion echoed across the battlefield, creating a wider breach for the advancing soldiers.

"Charge!" Berthold roared.

The royalists surged through the gap, engaging the remaining defenders in brutal close-quarters combat. Bayonets clashed, rifle butts struck skulls, and hand-to-hand fighting ensued in the rubble-strewn corridors of the outer defenses.

One young soldier, barely out of his teens, drove his bayonet into a Republican officer's chest. The officer crumpled to the ground with a gurgling cry. Around him, royalist soldiers pushed forward, forcing the enemy to retreat deeper into the fort.

"Push them back! Give them no quarter!" Berthold urged, leading from the front.

The Diversionary Assault – Eastern Approach

Meanwhile, Captain Vallier's detachment pressed hard against the eastern defenses. Their attack, though intended as a diversion, was executed with fierce determination. The royalists exchanged volleys with entrenched Republican soldiers who struggled to maintain their positions amid the chaos.

"Keep up the pressure!" Vallier shouted. "Suppress their fire and advance by squads!"

Royalist soldiers advanced in staggered formations, using cover effectively as they fired in coordinated bursts. The crack of rifle fire filled the air as Vallier's men methodically cleared the outer trenches. Smoke and dust obscured much of the battlefield, making it difficult for the defenders to see where the main threat lay.

As more Republican soldiers were drawn to the eastern defenses, the pressure on General Berthold's main force decreased. Bruno's plan was working perfectly—the enemy was divided and disoriented.

Inside Fort Vaillac

Colonel Dumont paced furiously near the inner courtyard. His face was drenched in sweat, and his once-pristine uniform was stained with soot and dirt. The collapse of the southern and western walls had thrown his entire defense into chaos. Reports of breaches and heavy casualties streamed in from every direction.

"Colonel, the royalists have breached the outer defenses on both sides!" a panicked officer reported. "We're being overrun!"

"Then we hold the inner defenses!" Dumont snapped. "Pull every available man to the central barracks. We make our stand here!"

The defenders scrambled to regroup, but it was clear to Dumont that they were losing control. The sound of royalist artillery and rifle fire drew closer with each passing moment.

The Final Push

Prince Bruno rode closer to the battlefield as the infantry made their final advance. He dismounted and walked among his officers, issuing direct orders to ensure the momentum was maintained.

"Berthold's forces have breached the walls," Vallier reported, approaching Bruno. "The enemy is falling back to the central courtyard. Their numbers are dwindling."

"Good," Bruno replied. "Have the artillery cease fire. I don't want to risk hitting our own men. Order Berthold to encircle the courtyard. We'll give the defenders one chance to surrender."

Vallier saluted and quickly relayed the command.

Within the hour, the royalists had secured most of the fort. General Berthold's soldiers encircled the courtyard, their rifles aimed at the remaining defenders, who were now cornered and outnumbered. Colonel Dumont stood defiantly among his men, refusing to order a surrender despite the hopeless situation.

A royalist officer approached under a flag of truce. "Colonel Dumont, by order of Prince Bruno of Elysea, you are offered the chance to surrender. Lay down your arms, and your men will be spared."

Dumont clenched his fists, his pride battling with the reality of defeat. Around him, his soldiers looked exhausted and demoralized. Some had already dropped their weapons, realizing there was no point in further resistance.

"I..." Dumont began, his voice strained. He hesitated, then finally let out a defeated sigh. "I will speak with your prince."

Shortly after, Colonel Dumont was brought before Prince Bruno near the shattered gates of Fort Vaillac. The two men faced each other in tense silence.

"You've fought well, Colonel," Bruno said and continued. "But this battle is over. There is no shame in surrendering to prevent further bloodshed."

Dumont's voice was calm, almost too calm. "You have your victory, Prince Bruno," he repeated, stepping forward. "But the Republic will not fall so easily."

Bruno maintained his composure, observing the colonel's subtle body language—tensed muscles, clenched jaw, and darting eyes. He sensed the shift in the atmosphere and remained alert.

Dumont moved closer, his boots crunching over loose stones. "You may think you've won here, but all it takes is one act... and this war changes forever."

In a sudden blur of motion, Dumont lunged forward, pulling a concealed knife from his sleeve, aiming for Bruno's heart. Gasps erupted from the surrounding soldiers as time seemed to slow.

Bruno was ready.

In one fluid motion, he pulled a musket pistol from his belt and leveled it at Dumont's chest.

Then with a pull of the trigger, the pistol fired with a deafening crack, the sound echoing through the ruined walls of Fort Vaillac. Colonel Dumont staggered, the knife slipping from his grasp as he clutched his chest, blood seeping through his uniform. His eyes widened in shock as he fell to his knees, gasping for air.

. Bruno stepped forward, lowering the smoking pistol, his expression cold but resolute.

Dumont struggled to speak, his voice barely a whisper. "You... think... this changes anything...?"

Bruno knelt slightly, locking eyes with the dying colonel. "It changes everything. The Republic can't hide behind terror and deception forever. You've lost this fort, and you'll lose the war."