A month had passed since the declaration of war, and during this time, newspapers continuously reported on the situation. Journalists conducted interviews with merchants and crews whose ships had been attacked by pirates or had their cargo confiscated due to exorbitant transit fees imposed by Aragon. As these reports spread, the people of Pendralis grew increasingly enraged. Stories of piracy, stolen goods, and even the tragic fate of some sailors being sold into slavery fueled public outrage. The result was an overwhelming surge of support for the war.
Meanwhile, the military intensified its preparations. Newly constructed warships, fresh out of the shipyards, were assigned to their newly trained crews. These sailors underwent extensive naval exercises to familiarize themselves with their vessels and maximize their efficiency in combat. The navy conducted drills daily, while marine divisions and artillery units also increased the intensity of their training. Although the war had yet to begin, the sheer amount of ammunition and resources expended in these exercises steadily increased.
Pendralis' industrial sector was working tirelessly. Factories ramped up arms and munitions production to unprecedented levels. Existing facilities expanded their capacity, while new armament factories were established to meet the growing demand. Every day, hundreds of thousands of rifles, cannons, and rounds of ammunition rolled off the production lines. To oversee this massive war effort, Arthur was officially placed in charge of military logistics and production by the king, marking the beginning of an intense and grueling period of work.
Arthur personally monitored shipbuilding, weapon manufacturing, and troop training, ensuring that everything progressed as efficiently as possible. Seeing the rising patriotic fervor among the populace, he decided that a nationalistic song would further inspire the people and solidify their resolve. He recalled a poem written by James Thomson in 1740 and adapted it to fit Pendralis' cause:
When Pendralis first, at Heaven's command
Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sung this strain:
"Rule, Pendralis! Rule the waves:
Pendralians never will be slaves."
The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.
"Rule, Pendralis! Rule the waves:
Pendralians never will be slaves."
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful, from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.
"Rule, Pendralis! Rule the waves:
Pendralians never will be slaves."
Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame:
All their attempts to bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy generous flame;
But work their woe, and thy renown.
"Rule, Pendralis! Rule the waves:
Pendralians never will be slaves."
To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine:
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.
"Rule, Pendralis! Rule the waves:
Pendralians never will be slaves."
The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair;
Blest Isle! With matchless beauty crown'd,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
"Rule, Pendralis! Rule the waves:
Pendralians never will be slaves."
After completing the poem, Arthur had it published in newspapers, and soon the song spread throughout Pendralis. In bars, on the streets, in schools—everywhere, people sang the anthem with pride. Even children learned the song and sang it as they played in the streets. The patriotic spirit of the nation had reached its peak.
Additionally, for the Royal Marines, Arthur chose the motto "Death or Glory," a phrase historically used by cavalry regiments in British military history. The phrase was incorporated into the design of the Royal Marines' banner.
This would be Arthur's first war since arriving in this world, and he was determined to personally oversee its execution. To do so, he needed his father's approval. He made his way to the king's chambers, where he saw several ministers and high-ranking officers leaving the room. The intensity of their expressions made it clear that war preparations were consuming every waking moment of governance.
After briefly exchanging greetings with the officials, Arthur entered the chamber. King Cedric was at his desk, engrossed in military reports. Upon seeing Arthur enter empty-handed, the king raised an eyebrow. "Arthur, this is the first time you've come to me without some sort of blueprint or plan in hand," he remarked.
Arthur chuckled at the observation. Indeed, every time he had entered this room before, he had always carried schematics, inventions, or policy proposals. "Yes, this time I'm here to ask for something for myself," he admitted.
King Cedric gestured for him to sit. "And what is it that requires my approval?"
Arthur met his father's gaze. "I want to join the war," he said bluntly.
The king's eyes narrowed. "You want to fight?" he asked, surprised. "You have no combat experience. Why should I allow this?"
Arthur responded with conviction. "I was the one who planned the modernization of the army. I developed our new firearms and formulated the strategies for their battlefield deployment. If anyone understands how this war should be fought, it's me."
King Cedric studied him in silence, weighing his words carefully. At first, he had assumed this was youthful recklessness, but Arthur's reasoning was sound. After a long pause, the king finally nodded. "Very well. You may join the war—but you will not be in command. You will follow the decisions of the professional generals in charge."
Arthur nodded in agreement. "Understood."
After discussing ship deliveries, troop training, and other logistical matters, Arthur left his father's chambers and returned to his own. He leaned back in his chair, thinking. Once they secured the Maraz Strait, Pendralis would finally dominate the White Sea's trade routes. With that accomplished, he could turn his attention toward oceanic exploration.
While Arthur planned for the future, Aragon was making its own war preparations. King Juan issued a royal decree commanding feudal lords to rally their knights for war. Across the kingdom, noble houses began mustering their forces, summoning knights and levying troops from their lands.
The forges of Aragon roared with activity. Blacksmiths labored day and night, forging new swords and armor for the coming battles. Iron mines ramped up production, working ceaselessly to meet the demand for raw materials. Meanwhile, granaries were filled with food imported from surrounding nations, ensuring that Aragonese forces would not suffer from shortages during the campaign.
As the military buildup continued, Aragon's navy prepared as well. Their fleets consisted of large, short-range cannon-equipped sailing ships. Gunpowder and cannonballs were stockpiled, and ships in need of repair were hastily refitted. The belief in Aragon's imminent victory was nearly universal. With a larger army and the advantage of defensive positioning, the people of Aragon were confident that the war would end in a swift and decisive triumph.
As Arthur finalized his plans, King Juan convened a war council in the royal palace of Ardenzia, summoning lords and ministers to discuss the final stages of preparation. The wheels of war had been set in motion on both sides, and soon, the world would witness whether the modernized might of Pendralis could stand against the entrenched strength of Aragon.