A year had passed since the young prince had taken charge, and the nation was flourishing like never before. What was once a modest land, with barren fields and barely functional infrastructure, had transformed into a powerhouse of innovation and growth. The nation's farms were now teeming with lush greenery. Factories, once rudimentary in design and impossible to set-up were now buzzing with innovation. New technologies, previously unseen in the world, were rolling off the production lines at a pace that left neighboring nations in awe.
The nation's rise was nothing short of miraculous. Despite its small size compared to the other world powers, it had become an industrial force to be reckoned with. This transformation was not born of abundant resources but of an unwavering will—a determination to build something greater for the people.
Among the many achievements of the nation, the creation of the steam engine stood out. It was the first of its kind, a groundbreaking invention that revolutionized transportation, industry, and warfare. The credit, however, did not lie with the government or the elite; it belonged to the people. The civilians, driven by their collective desire to see their homeland thrive, were the true force behind the country's rapid development.
But there was one thing that still plagued them—funding. Despite their technological advancements, the nation's coffers were nearly empty, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to secure the resources needed to continue growing. The answer, the prince had come to realize, lay in expansion. The Tidal Crown Empire, a neighboring nation known for its wealth and resources, had to be conquered.
The Tidal Crown Empire, had grown increasingly aggressive ever since news of the nation's achievements had spread. The empire's military had launched several terrorist attacks on the nation's borders, hoping to quell the rise of a potential rival. But the nation's intelligence and defense systems, spearheaded by the prince's command, had managed to thwart every attempt. The Crown Security and Research Wing, an elite and secret agency within the nation, had infiltrated the enemy's ranks and gathered crucial intelligence on the Empire's movements.
Through these efforts, the prince uncovered something that both shocked and reassured him. While Tidal Crown was more developed, many of its territories were still nothing more than village settlements. The empire was sprawling, but it was fragile. And at the heart of it all was King Morvath, a ruler more concerned with filling his treasury than the welfare of his people.
The prince's heart ached for the citizens of Tidal Crown. They were starving, living under the iron grip of a king who cared little for their suffering.
One afternoon, while the prince was seated in his office, buried in paperwork, a quick knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter," he called out.
General Rock, burst into the room, his face pale with panic.
"Young prince, our factories…" Rock's voice trembled with urgency.
"Relax, calm down. Take a deep breath," the prince ordered, rising from his desk.
After a few moments, Rock regained his composure. "Our factories… they've created something revolutionary. You need to see it, quickly."
The prince, now intrigued, followed Rock through the winding halls of the royal palace, heading toward the factory district. The anticipation built with each step, and when they finally arrived, the sight before them left him speechless.
Inside the factory's testing chamber stood a large, imposing structure—one that was unlike anything the prince had ever seen before. A massive cannon, its design sleek and robust, sat ready for destruction.
The prince approached, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Is this… what I think it is?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Rock, with a look of pride in his eyes, nodded. "Yes, young prince. This is a cannon. A weapon of unimaginable power."
The prince could hardly believe his ears. A cannon—here, in their small country—created so quickly and efficiently. It was a game-changer.
"Does it work?" the prince asked, his heart racing.
Rock grinned. "Would you like to see it in action?"
Without waiting for a response, Rock signaled to the engineers to load the cannon. The massive barrel aimed at a wooden dummy set up in the distance. The engineers gave their final checks, and with a loud blast, the cannon fired.
The prince instinctively shut his eyes, the thunderous roar of the cannon deafening. When he opened them, the sight before him was staggering. The wooden dummy had been obliterated, reduced to splinters and dust.
"This…" The prince's voice trailed off, unable to fully grasp the magnitude of what he had just witnessed.
"This is the missing piece," he muttered to himself, his mind already racing with possibilities. With such a weapon at their disposal, an invasion of Tidal Crown was not only possible—it was inevitable.
The prince turned to Rock, his expression one of determination and confidence. "I think we can conquer Tidal Crown with this," he said, his voice steady and firm. "Make as many of these cannons as you can. We will soon march on Tidal Crown."
Rock's eyes gleamed with pride. "Yes, young prince. I'll ensure our factories are at full capacity. The cannons will be ready in no time."
The prince stood tall, his heart heavy with the weight of what was to come. But in that moment, he knew it was the only way forward. The people of his nation deserved more—they deserved to thrive. And the people of Tidal Crown, though under the rule of a selfish king, also deserved freedom.
"Prepare the army," the prince commanded. "We march soon. Tidal Crown will fall."