**London, July 1815**
Edward Langley, reincarnated as Crown Prince Edward, stood on the windswept cliffs of Dover, the *Empire Building System* roaring in his mind: *French Invasion Force Detected! Mercenary Ship Docked at Dover. Unveiling Sabotage Risk: 90%! Assassination Risk: 40%! Objective: Neutralize Mercenaries. Reward: +20% Global Influence, +10 Legacy Points.* The *Strategic Nexus* mapped the threat: *Mercenary Ship: La Foudre, 50 Armed Men, French-Affiliated. Rochefort's Command: Disrupt Steamship Unveiling. Marines: 30 On-Site, 20 En Route.* Edward's 41 Legacy Points (with an 18-point debt due in 21 days) were his edge, but the *Ascendancy of the Seas*'s test sail, just seven days away, hung in the balance.
Admiral George Cockburn, his firebrand presence a bulwark, rallied marines along the dock, their muskets trained on *La Foudre*'s shadowed hull. The system's *Crisis Forge* pulsed: *"Thwart Invasion at Unveiling. Reward: +10% Economic Stability, +3 Legacy Points. Risk: -30% Spanish Trust if Failed."* Princess Isabella's trust stood at 98%, but Don Alvarez's wavered at 50%, swayed by French promises. The unveiling was Edward's chance to lock in Spain's alliance and crush Lord Ashford's French-backed schemes.
The system's *Tactical Simulation* calculated: *"Engagement Success: 75% with Marine Superiority. Mercenary Capture Chance: 60%."* Edward gripped his sword, the *Tactical Overdrive* tempting at 2 Legacy Points. "Cockburn," he ordered, "block the gangplank—trap them aboard. I'll lead a boarding party."
Cockburn's eyes gleamed. "Bold, Your Highness. Marines, form up!" Edward activated *Shadow Protocol* (2 Legacy Points), its stealth mode cloaking his movements as he led ten marines onto *La Foudre*. *Legacy Points: 39. Debt: 20.* The system's *Eavesdrop Mode* caught French curses below deck, confirming Rochefort's mercenaries.
The ship's hold was a maze of crates and gunpowder barrels. The system's *Strategic Nexus* mapped: *Mercenary Leader: Captain Henri Duval, Rochefort's Proxy. Threat Level: High.* Edward's team crept forward, but a creaking plank betrayed them. Duval, a hulking man with a scarred face, roared, "Ambush!" Swords clashed, muskets fired, and the system's *Tactical Overdrive* (2 points) kicked in, sharpening Edward's reflexes. *Legacy Points: 37.*
Edward parried Duval's saber, the system guiding: *Disarm Chance: 82%.* He knocked the blade free, pinning Duval against a barrel. Cockburn's marines subdued the others, the system updating: *"Mercenaries Neutralized: 40 Captured, 10 Fled. Ship Secured. Assassination Risk: Reduced to 30%. Reward: +20% Global Influence, +10 Legacy Points. Total: 47 Points. Crisis Forge: +10% Economic Stability. Total: 104%. +3 Legacy Points. Total: 50."*
Duval spat, "Rochefort's already at your shipyard, prince. You're too late." The system's *Legacy Matrix* screamed: *"Rochefort's Unveiling Attack: 90% Likelihood. Sabotage Plan: Snipers, Bombs, Crowd Incitement."* Edward ordered, "Cockburn, interrogate Duval. Send marines to the shipyard—now!"
---
The next morning, Edward returned to London, briefing the Privy Council. His *Court Influence* at 103% silenced doubters, but Lord Castlereagh, loyalty at 55%, warned, "Your Highness, the French ship escalates tensions. Alvarez questions your war footing. The unveiling must be flawless."
The system's *Rally Cry* beckoned (2 Legacy Points), but Edward leaned on evidence. "The *Ascendancy* will sail, and Spain will join us. Rochefort's mercenaries prove France's panic. Castlereagh, demand France recall their diplomats." The system warned: *"Castlereagh Leak Risk: 35%."* Thomas Harrow shadowed him, reporting, "Castlereagh's aide passed notes to a French contact."
The system updated: *"+5% Global Influence. Total: 41%."*
---
That afternoon, Edward met Princess Isabella at Buckingham House's library, the system's *Dynasty Forge* urging: *"Solidify Legacy Bonding. Action: Share Triumph. Reward: +5% Isabella's Trust, +3 Legacy Points."* Her trust was at 98%, compatibility at 90%. Don Alvarez's trust lingered at 50%, his French ties a threat. The unveiling was Edward's final chance.
Isabella, in a violet gown, her eyes warm, clasped his hand. "Edward, you stopped a French invasion. Spain's court buzzes with your name. But Alvarez fears war. Can your ship deliver peace?"
The system's *Legacy Bonding* guided his resolve. "The *Ascendancy* will sail, Isabella, uniting our empires. I stopped the mercenaries for us—Britain, Spain, a shared dream. Be my voice to Alvarez at the unveiling."
Her smile was radiant, her trust absolute. "I'm yours, Edward. Alvarez will see your power." The system pinged: *"Isabella's Trust: 100%. Alliance Chance: +10%. Legacy Points: +3. Total: 53."* *Compatibility: 92%.*
---
At the Southwark shipyard, Edward met James Watt, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Margaret Hetherington, the *Ascendancy*'s engine humming. The system's *Chrono-Tech Codex* reported: *Steam Engine Unlock: 100%. Prototype Progress: 90%. Test Sail: Ready in 5 Days.* Watt, his genius unmatched, said, "She's a marvel, Your Highness—22 knots, unstoppable."
Brunel, his sketches complete, added, "The hull's seaworthy. The test sail will win Alvarez."
Margaret reported, "Coal's at 100 tons, thanks to Stephenson's trains. But Rochefort's spies are bolder—caught one near the engine."
The system's *Resource Nexus* confirmed: *"Coal: 100%. Security: 92%."* A courier brought news: Robert Stephenson, recovering at 80%, oversaw railway repairs. *"Railway Progress: 50%. Blueprint: 55%."* Edward sent funds, the system noting: *"Legacy Points: +2. Total: 55."*
Cockburn arrived, grim. "Duval confirmed Rochefort's at the shipyard, Your Highness. Snipers on rooftops, bombs in the crowd, hired agitators. He's betting everything."
The system's *Legacy Matrix* screamed: *"Rochefort's Attack: 95% Likelihood. Assassination Risk: 35%."* The *Tactical Simulation* offered: *"Fortify Unveiling: Success Chance 85%. Preemptive Strike: 70%, Risk -20% Global Influence."* Edward chose fortification, ordering, "Cockburn, deploy marines to rooftops. Margaret, screen workers. Brunel, Watt, finalize *Ascendancy*."
---
Five days later, the test sail dawned, the Thames gleaming under a rare clear sky. Crowds lined the banks, nobles and merchants buzzing. Young Queen Victoria, her eyes wide, stood with her governess, her trust at 75%. The system flagged: *"Victoria's Role: Court Stabilizer. Influence Boost: +5%."*
Isabella and Alvarez arrived, her presence radiant, his skeptical. The system's *Strategic Nexus* tracked: *Alvarez's Trust: 50%. Spanish Alliance Chance: 90%.* Edward, in a crimson coat, addressed the crowd, activating *Influence Pulse* (1 Legacy Point). "Today, the *Ascendancy of the Seas* sails, binding Britain and Spain. Watch, and see our empire rise!"
The system updated: *"Alvarez's Trust: 60%. Legacy Points: 54."* The *Ascendancy*'s engine roared, its iron hull cutting the Thames, reaching 20 knots. Isabella clapped, Alvarez's eyes widening. The system pinged: *"Test Sail Success: +10% Global Influence. Total: 51%. Spanish Alliance Chance: 95%."*
But the system's *Legacy Matrix* flared: *"Rochefort's Attack Initiated! Sniper Sighted on Rooftop! Bomb Detected in Crowd!"* A shot rang out, grazing Edward's shoulder. Marines tackled a sniper, but screams erupted as a bomb exploded near the docks, scattering the crowd. Cockburn roared, "Protect the prince!"
Edward shielded Isabella, the system's *Tactical Overdrive* tempting but empty. The *Crisis Forge* screamed: *"Thwart Unveiling Attack. Reward: +15% Global Influence, +10 Legacy Points. Risk: -50% Spanish Trust."* Rochefort emerged from the chaos, a tall figure in black, sword drawn, shouting, "For France!"
The system blared: *"Legacy Points: 54. Debt: 20. The Eternal Crown Fights for Survival!"*