The only good thing that he had found ever since he transmigrated was that there's a watch that tells time. For Ethan, it was a convenient tool as it helped him organize his agenda ahead of time.
And speaking of time, he transmigrated at approximately 9 a.m in the year CE 1689. Yes, they do have calendars here and it was also convenient that it follows the Gregorian calendar.
Fifteen minutes after Antoine left his bedroom, Ethan went to the prince's study room where he found a treasure trove of information. First thing he picked up was a long rolled parchment. He untied the string that held it together and carefully unrolled it across the desk. To his surprise, it was a world map. Ethan's eyes scanned the parchment intently, his sharp mind quickly identifying the continents, oceans, and geographical features. They were strikingly similar to the map of Earth he remembered from his previous life. However, the names of countries, kingdoms, and cities were entirely different.
Elysea was located in what he recognized as Western Europe, occupying much of the region where France would have been. The nearby Kingdom of Genova aligned with Italy, and to the north were vast lands under the Kingdom of Albion, which bore a striking resemblance to the United Kingdom. Across the oceans were other familiar but renamed continents: vast lands resembling the Americas, dense forests in regions akin to Africa, and mountainous ranges in territories that mirrored Asia.
The realization that the geography was the same but the history and names were different sent a shiver down Ethan's spine. This isn't Earth, but it's eerily close.
This world, while backward in terms of technology, followed many of the same patterns he had studied in history books. Wars over resources, territorial expansion, and the slow but inevitable march toward industrialization. The books he found on the shelves further confirmed this. The era was firmly Renaissance—advances in the arts, rudimentary sciences, and the slow decline of feudal systems were all evident.
But one book, in particular, caught his eye. Titled The Principles of Natural Sciences, it was authored by someone named Leopold Venslar. Ethan opened it and read the contents.
The pages were filled with basic but budding ideas about chemistry, mechanics, and astronomy. Concepts like the conservation of energy and rudimentary schematics for early steam engines were scribbled alongside elegant illustrations.
"This era is on the cusp of industrialization," Ethan muttered to himself, flipping through the pages. "If this Venslar is publishing theories like these, then someone will eventually take the next step."
The thought sent a thrill through him. "What if I took that step first?"
He had a knowledge of modern science, he could definitely make an efficient steam engine, introduce the basic oxygen process method which would mass-produce steel, and even create basic electricity generators using Faraday's principles. These advancements could catapult the world into the industrial age centuries ahead of its natural course. But the implications were enormous.
But then he paused, his thoughts turning cautious. Wouldn't that attract the wrong kind of attention?
Bringing technological advances to a world entrenched in monarchies, religious authorities, and conservative nobles could destabilize everything. Innovators like him could be seen as threats. Jealous rivals could sabotage his work. Worse, opposing factions might target him directly.
So what he needed to do was to gain political power, that way he'd be able to enact changes without much opposition. Sure, granted he was a royal prince but given the history of Prince Bruno, his position was precarious at best. His reputation as a failure made it unlikely that anyone would take him seriously, and any moves he made could easily be dismissed or undermined by those in power. To gain the leverage he needed, Ethan would have to rebuild Prince Bruno's reputation—and fast.
And the only way for him to do that was to start quelling the rebellion in the Corse island, bring stability after, and then improve the way of life of the people. In his mind, a plan was already forming.
***
At three o'clock, Ethan entered the council chamber to find the officers, ship captains, and advisors assembled. The atmosphere was tense; many of them were clearly skeptical, their expressions ranging from bored to mildly hostile. Ethan knew they expected the same bumbling behavior that had defined Prince Bruno.
Instead, Ethan projected confidence. "Thank you all for coming. I won't waste your time with platitudes. Let's get straight to business."
He unrolled the map of Corse on the table and began marking key points. "As for our latest intelligence report, the rebels are on the other island Sardinia. All the rebel forces moved into that island the moment we claimed Corse. There is a fort called Cervo that they used in which all of the rebel forces are staying. I believe that if we siege that fort, we will defeat the rebel forces. Does anyone concur?"
Not a single one protested as it was the right intelligence. They knew that rebels were gathering their forces in the Fort of Cervo, and it was their staging point when they were raiding the island of Corse.
Antoine hesitated and spoke. "Your Highness, while a direct assault on Fort Cervo might cripple the rebellion, it is a fortified position. The rebels have cannons, stolen weapons, and the advantage of high ground. An ill-prepared siege could result in significant casualties—or worse, outright failure."
"Not when we have the right strategy we won't," Ethan winked confidently. "The strategy is that we raise the number of forces, ideally about 1,000. We train them and ship them to the island of Sardinia where they are going to mount a siege to the fort in a wide-arc formation. That way, we will have the fort completely surrounded as what's behind the fort is the sea, where the two ships of the line will be positioned and bombard the fort."
The military officers studied the plan the prince had proposed and it was reasonably sound.
"But how are we going to raise the number of our troops? I only told you earlier, Your Highness, that we only have 200 and the government in Sanctum won't send more."
"It's simple, we hire locals. They are an Elysian now the moment we bought the island from the Genova," Ethan answered.
"What about the weapons?" Antoine added.
"We are going to build them," Ethan answered again.
Antoine folded his arms and gave Ethan a skeptical look. "Your Highness, this is something you can't simply decide on a whim. Forgive me, but the task of building weapons, training locals, and executing a siege is not as simple as saying it aloud. The resources, logistics, and time required for such an endeavor—"
"Antoine, I understand your concerns, and I appreciate your dedication to pointing out potential challenges. But let me remind you, I'm the one giving orders here. If you believe my plan is flawed, you're welcome to offer constructive alternatives. If not, I suggest you focus on making this plan succeed."
Antoine's mouth tightened."With all due respect, Your Highness, this abrupt change in demeanor is... uncharacteristic. Until now, you have—"
"Been a failure," Ethan finished bluntly. "A prince unworthy of the title, correct?"
Antoine flinched, not expecting Ethan to acknowledge it so directly. The other officers in the room shifted uncomfortably.
Ethan leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Antoine. "I'm not blind to my reputation. I have been a disgrace, an embarrassment to the crown, and a liability to this kingdom. But I am no longer that man. If you believe I'm unfit to lead, then say so outright, and I'll relieve you of your duties. Otherwise, follow my lead. This rebellion won't wait for us to argue."
Antoine hesitated, clearly torn between his ingrained impressions of Prince Bruno and the commanding presence now before him. Finally, he sighed and bowed his head slightly.
"As you wish, Your Highness. I will see to it that your orders are carried out."
"Good," Ethan said, his tone softening but still firm. "Then let's discuss the specifics. First, recruiting locals. The people of Corse have been treated as second-class since we came here. If we offer fair wages and treat them with respect, they'll fight for us. I'll personally draft an announcement to address their concerns and inspire loyalty."
He turned to one of the officers. "Captain…what's your name?"
"Duval sir, Captain Duval," he replied.
"Captain Duval, I want you to oversee the recruitment process. Can you do that?"
"Of course, Your Highness," Duval replied.
Ethan continued, addressing Antoine directly. "As for the weapons, we have blacksmiths and craftsmen here on Corse. I want them organized as I will have a task for them. Who can volunteer to do this part?"
"Me, Your Highness," one of the advisors raised his hand.
"Ah you…Mr. Brent. Very well, you handle it."
"That will be all for now. As for you Antoine, I need to speak with you in private, come to my office after this," Ethan ordered.
"Uhm…yes…Your Highness."