September 1st, 1797.
In the picturesque city of Milan, bathed in the warm hues of Italian autumn, Napoleon Bonaparte paced restlessly in his quarters. The signing of the Peace of Leoben had brought a momentary respite to the conflict that had engulfed Europe, but for Napoleon, it was merely a stepping stone towards something greater. He knew that this momentary peace was an opportunity to solidify his power.
From the moment he set foot in Italy as the Commander of the Army, Napoleon had been captivated by the grandeur and potential of the region. He had witnessed the yearnings of the people for change, for liberation from the shackles of the old order. Napoleon saw himself as the harbinger of that change, the bringer of a new era.
