I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom-Chapter 113: Next Move

The Treaty of Madrid had secured Elysea's rule over Pan-America, but Marshal Armand Roux knew that their work was far from finished. Iberia had ceded its claims, but other European powers still had footholds in the region—the Germania and the Dutch Republic. While they had not yet made moves against Elysea, it was only a matter of time before they turned their attention to the rapidly growing colonial empire.

From his command post in Fort Saint-Louis, Roux stood over a massive map of Pan-America, studying the regions that remained beyond Elysea's control. To the north, the Germania had established small but well-defended settlements along the coast, trading furs and resources. To the south, the Dutch held several fortified outposts, supported by their powerful navy. The Wallachia, meanwhile, controlled a few strategic ports, acting as middlemen in the transatlantic trade.

Elysea's path to complete dominance would not come without resistance.

***

Inside Fort Saint-Louis, Roux gathered his top officers—Captain Étienne Giraud, Lieutenant Adrien Vasseur, and several colonial administrators. The room was filled with the scent of burning candles and parchment, the map before them marked with enemy territories.

Roux's voice was firm. "The Iberians are gone, but our work is far from over. Pan-America is not yet ours."

Giraud leaned forward, arms crossed. "The Dutch are the next logical target. Their outposts are weak. If we strike quickly, we can seize them before reinforcements arrive."

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Vasseur hesitated. "But their navy is strong. If we move against them, their fleet could blockade us."

Roux nodded. "Which is why we do this efficiently. We hit them before they can react."

He pointed to the Dutch outposts on the southern coast. "If we take Willemshaven, their strongest colony, the rest will crumble. Their economy in the region depends on that trade hub."

Giraud grinned. "Then we cut them off."

May 1698.

On May 12, 1698, Elysea's forces marched south toward Willemshaven, the largest Dutch stronghold in Pan-America. The settlement was heavily fortified, with stone walls and coastal artillery, but its garrison was small—no more than 800 soldiers.

Roux led an army of 1,500 men, accompanied by four field cannons and two Gatling guns—the newest addition to Elysea's arsenal. These weapons had devastated the Iberians, and now, they would do the same to the Dutch.

The Battle Begins

At dawn, Elysea's artillery opened fire, blasting the outer walls of Willemshaven. Cannonballs tore through the stone, sending debris raining down on the defenders.

Inside the fort, Dutch officers scrambled to organize their troops, but the Gatling guns had already been deployed. As the gates shattered, Elysean troops advanced, and the machine guns opened fire.

The effect was catastrophic.

The Dutch defenders, trained for muskets and cannons, were unprepared for the relentless barrage of bullets. Their lines collapsed instantly, soldiers cut down before they could even raise their weapons.

Panic spread.

Some Dutch troops attempted to retreat, but Giraud's cavalry flanked them, cutting down those who fled.

By midday, the battle was over.

Willemshaven had fallen.

Roux stood atop the fort's walls, overlooking the battlefield below. Hundreds of Dutch soldiers lay dead, their bodies littering the streets.

Vasseur approached. "The survivors are surrendering. Willemshaven is ours."

Roux nodded. "Good. Secure the armory and the docks. Any Dutch warships that try to escape—sink them."

Within hours, Elysea's banners flew over Willemshaven.

With their largest colony lost, the remaining Dutch outposts surrendered within days.

Elysea now controlled the southern trade routes.

But while the Dutch had been swiftly eliminated, Germania had been watching.

June 1698.

One week after the fall of Willemshaven, a Germania warship arrived off the coast of Fort Saint-Louis, carrying an envoy from Prince Wilhelm von Triesenberg, the governor-general of their Pan-American holdings.

Roux stood at the docks, watching as the envoy approached, flanked by Elysean guards. The man—Count Lukas von Austerlitz—had the calm demeanor of a diplomat, but his steel-gray eyes hinted at the power Germania still held in the region.

He bowed slightly. "Marshal Roux, Germania wishes to discuss the recent… developments."

Roux smirked. "You mean our victories."

Von Austerlitz didn't react. "The Prince wishes to know Elysea's intentions. We have observed your forces expanding aggressively, absorbing Dutch territory. If your ambitions extend further south, we will be forced to respond."

Roux crossed his arms. "And if they do not?"

Von Austerlitz met his gaze. "Then we will remain at peace. Germania is not interested in war—not yet."

Roux considered the statement. Germania was testing Elysea's resolve. They wanted to see if Elysea would provoke them directly or if there was room for an unspoken agreement.

"Tell your Prince that Elysea has no quarrel with Germania—unless Germania stands in our way."

Von Austerlitz smiled faintly. "Then let us hope we do not."

With that, the envoy departed, leaving Roux and his officers to consider the next move.

Back in Fort Saint-Louis, Roux gathered his officers for a strategy meeting.

"We have secured the Dutch ports and sent a message to Germania," Roux said. "The question now is—do we stop here, or do we keep pushing?"

Captain Étienne Giraud leaned forward. "Germania is waiting for an excuse to fight. If we cross into their lands, they'll respond. But if we move north, against Germania, we avoid them entirely."

Vasseur frowned. "Germania's settlements are small, but they have strong ties to their homeland. If we take them, we risk bringing the full force of their navy upon us."

Roux tapped his fingers against the table. Both paths carried risks.

Push south, and Triesenberg would retaliate.

Push north, and Germania would intervene.

He exhaled. "We need time. We consolidate our forces, strengthen our defenses, and prepare for war. But when the time comes… we strike first."

The officers nodded.

Elysea had crushed Iberia and annihilated the Dutch.

Now, only Wallachia and Germania remained.

And Roux had no intention of stopping. After all, his mission here is not yet completed. The mission given to him by the King was to conquer Pan-America and turn it into a territory of Elysea.