Arthur woke up early the next morning and headed to the castle courtyard to complete his exercise routine. As he arrived, he noticed the soldiers practicing their swordsmanship. Compared to the rigorous training program he had designed, their exercises seemed overly simplistic. His attention was drawn to Daniel Armstrong, the middle-aged, experienced commander of the castle knights. Daniel, known for his discipline, loyalty, and courage, was one of King Cedric's most trusted men and was tasked with enforcing discipline among the knights. Arthur observed as Daniel reprimanded a few soldiers attempting to shirk their duties.
After watching the training for a while, Arthur completed his exercise routine and returned to his room. He took a quick shower, changed into clean clothes, and had a light breakfast. Once ready, he gathered the plans he had written for modernizing the army and left his room to present them to his father.
When Arthur arrived at the king's chamber, one of the guards—accustomed to Arthur's early morning visits—had already entered to inform Cedric of his arrival. After receiving permission, Arthur walked in with his meticulously prepared documents.
King Cedric, noticing the familiar determined expression on Arthur's face, greeted him with a playful tone. "What brilliant idea do you have for me this morning?"
Arthur, without changing his expression, replied, "To disband the current army and build a new one from the ground up."
Cedric chuckled, thinking it was a joke. But when he realized Arthur was entirely serious, his amusement turned to surprise. "You're serious?"
"Completely," Arthur replied.
Cedric leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Every day, you grow bolder, Arthur. I'm beginning to fear that one day you'll suggest we invade a neighboring kingdom."
Arthur only smiled in response and placed the plans on Cedric's desk. The bold title on the front page read, "A Plan to Build the Most Powerful Army in the World." Cedric raised an eyebrow. "The most powerful army in the world? Isn't that a bit ambitious?"
"Not at all," Arthur replied confidently. "Once you hear my plan, I'm certain you'll agree."
Cedric gestured for him to continue. "Go on, then."
Arthur began, "The foundation of this army will be its training. Every soldier will undergo an intensive three-month program. This program will teach them not only the physical demands of war but also discipline, navigation, and map-reading skills. Most importantly, every soldier will become proficient in using firearms."
"Firearms?" Cedric asked, puzzled.
Arthur nodded. "I'll explain soon, but let me finish describing the training. As for the officers, they'll undergo similar physical training, but their academic requirements will be much higher. Every officer must excel in mathematics, particularly artillery officers, as precise calculations are vital for their role."
"Artillery officers?" Cedric interrupted again.
"I'll explain that as well," Arthur said with a slight smile. "Other officers will need specialized academic knowledge in fields like engineering and geography, depending on their roles."
Arthur then moved on to the equipment. "As you know, most wars today are still fought primarily with swords and spears. Gunpowder weapons are used sparingly because of their unreliability. But I've developed advanced firearms that eliminate the flaws of older designs."
Cedric leaned forward, intrigued. "Interesting. I'd like to see these weapons for myself."
"You will," Arthur assured him. "I'll have William prepare a demonstration. But for now, let me explain their capabilities."
Arthur began by describing the rifle: a firearm with a 10-round magazine capable of firing 40 rounds per minute. Its effective range was 500 meters, far surpassing the 30 meters achieved by current weapons, which were prone to frequent malfunctions. "Additionally," Arthur added, "a bayonet can be attached to the rifle, allowing soldiers to engage effectively at both long and close range. This innovation makes swords redundant as standard-issue equipment."
He continued by explaining the machine gun, the field gun, and the prototype of a steam-powered, steel-hulled warship. As Arthur elaborated on each innovation, Cedric's expression grew increasingly serious, realizing the potential of these advancements.
After detailing the equipment, Arthur outlined the new organizational structure and ranks for the army and navy. His presentation lasted for hours, and Cedric listened attentively throughout. When Arthur finally finished, Cedric sat in silence for a moment before speaking.
"If these weapons perform as you claim, we must begin rearming and training our forces immediately," the king said. "As an island nation, I also agree with your emphasis on building a powerful navy. Once the prototype steel warship is complete, I'll issue orders to establish a fleet of these vessels."
Cedric then called for Daniel Armstrong. When Daniel entered the room, he saluted both the king and Arthur. "Your Majesty, how may I serve you?" he asked.
Cedric briefed Daniel on Arthur's inventions and plans for modernizing the army. When he finished, Cedric asked, "What do you think?"
Daniel, ever pragmatic, replied, "If these weapons perform as Prince Arthur claims, we should reorganize the army immediately and begin training with these new tools."
Arthur nodded in approval and suggested scheduling a demonstration. Together with Daniel, he sent word to William to prepare for the event.
The next day, Cedric, Arthur, Daniel, and several influential figures from the government and military traveled to the test site. William showcased the weapons in a manner similar to the previous demonstration for Arthur. One by one, the firearms and field guns displayed their devastating capabilities. Cedric and Daniel, along with the other attendees, were visibly astonished.
By the end of the demonstration, Cedric turned to Daniel and gave the order to begin reorganizing and training the army according to Arthur's plans. Training would start with the troops stationed in the capital and surrounding areas and would eventually encompass the entire kingdom.
With the king's approval and the demonstration a resounding success, Arthur felt a deep sense of accomplishment. His vision of a modernized military was finally becoming a reality.