Several months had passed since the young prince's bold declaration of independence. At first, the entire region had been stunned, but as time passed, the people quickly adapted to the drastic shift and began to follow the new course laid before them. It was a change that, although sudden, was accepted with remarkable ease.
The prince's decision to break free from the Azure empire had been expected by some, but the indifference with which his parents had treated his departure had been striking. His father, without a hint of hesitation, allowed him to carve his own path. The prince had been seen as little more than a liability that they were happy to discard. His mother, too, had said nothing. Not a word, not even a glance. As if her son's departure was inconsequential.
The Tidal Crown Empire, however, had not taken the prince's defiance lightly. Their aggression grew, not in the form of direct conflict, but in subtle attempts to undermine the fledgling nation. It was clear that they would stop at nothing to bring the prince's country back under their control.
To defend against these efforts, the prince knew that military strength was necessary. He had immediately set about recruiting soldiers, drilling them relentlessly to make them capable of standing against any threat. In a short time, he had managed to assemble a force of 1,000 soldiers—a small number, but one that would have to suffice for the time being. It wasn't enough to fight off an empire, but it was enough to hold their own against any immediate danger.
With the military in place, the prince turned his attention to the nation's economy. Knowing that a growing population would be vital for future success, he implemented policies to encourage growth. He ordered the farmers to increase crop production and promoted the development of animal husbandry. Soon, the country was raising cattle, horses, chickens, and bulls—resources that would serve both as food and tools for their economy.
But growth wasn't just about farming. The prince knew that infrastructure would be key to their future. Roads needed to be built, mines needed to be developed, and factories needed to be constructed. He focused on industrializing their country as quickly as possible, despite the fact that much of the production was still done manually. Every step was crucial to ensuring that the country could survive and grow independently.
One quiet afternoon, the prince sat in his office, staring at a world map, deep in thought. His fingers absently tapped against his lips as he examined the land, a frown on his face. Robert, standing silently beside him, broke the silence with a polite inquiry.
"Young prince, you seem troubled. What's on your mind?"
The prince sighed, still staring at the map. "I'm trying to figure out how to export our crops."
Robert raised an eyebrow, his expression concerned. "Aren't you planning to sell them to the capital?"
The prince shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "I don't want to. But we don't have a choice. The only neighbor we share a border with is the Tidal Crown Empire, and I don't trust them at all."
"I understand," Robert said. "But how do you expect to get a surplus of crops? The capital will likely tax us heavily instead of allowing us to profit."
The prince leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he thought. "I know. Damnit, I know. But I need a way to export them—somehow. I wish we were like Athena's territory, by the sea. That would make everything easier."
Robert's expression grew serious. "We are in a difficult position, young prince. We have so much potential in our crops, but no way to get them out of the country."
The prince stared out the window, his thoughts swirling. "I don't see a way right now, but… there might be one. It's a very risky option, though."
Robert tensed. "What do you mean, young prince? What's this risky plan?"
The prince's gaze hardened, his voice taking on a serious, almost intimidating tone. "We invade the Tidal Crown Empire."
Robert's eyes widened in shock, his voice rising with panic. "What? Invade the Tidal Crown Empire? Are you out of your mind?"
He quickly regained his composure, lowering his voice. "My apologies for speaking out of turn, young prince. But please, think this through carefully."
The prince's gaze did not waver. "I've thought it through. I see no other option. The Azure Empire won't let us cross their borders, and we can't interact with other nations. If we manage to invade Tidal Crown, we can open up our markets to the entire world through their ports."
He paused, his expression grim. "But it's not an easy decision. Defending a country is always easier than invading it. Defenders fight with everything they have to protect their home, while invaders fight without the same sense of urgency. However, our situation is different. We need that land, and our soldiers will fight just as hard as theirs. If we fail, our nation will not survive."
Robert remained silent, still processing the prince's words. After a long pause, he asked, his tone serious, "So, what do we do now?"
The prince leaned forward, his voice unwavering. "We have no choice. We must invade. If we want to survive, it's the only option."
Robert nodded slowly, his face hardening with resolve. "What's your command, young prince?"
The prince's eyes gleamed with determination. "First, we need to gather as much internal information about Tidal Crown as possible. That will be our key to success."
Robert, still uncertain but trusting his leader, asked, "How do we get this information?"
The prince grinned, his confidence shining through. "In this era, information is power. And I'm going to make sure we have it. I'm starting an intelligence agency."
"An intelligence agency?" Robert repeated, his confusion clear.
"Yes," the prince confirmed, a smile curling on his lips. "The Crown Security and Research Wing, or CSRW. That's our first step."
The prince's eyes gleamed with ambition, a fire burning in his chest. "We'll need the information to win. And once we have it, nothing will stand in our way."