**London, July 1815**
Edward Langley, reincarnated as Crown Prince Edward, shielded Princess Isabella as chaos erupted at the Southwark shipyard, the *Empire Building System* screaming in his mind: *Rochefort's Attack Initiated! Sniper Neutralized, Bomb Detonated in Crowd. Sabotage Risk: 85%! Assassination Risk: 40%! Objective: Thwart Unveiling Attack. Reward: +15% Global Influence, +10 Legacy Points.* The *Strategic Nexus* mapped the pandemonium: *Steamship Ascendancy of the Seas: 90% Complete, Intact. Crowd: 2,000, Panicking. Marines: 50 On-Site, Engaging 10 French Operatives. Rochefort: Active, Armed.* Edward's 54 Legacy Points (with a 20-point debt due in 20 days) were his lifeline, but the blood seeping from his grazed shoulder and the screams around him tested his resolve.
Comte de Rochefort, a tall figure in black, charged through the crowd, his sword gleaming, shouting, "For France!" The *Ascendancy*'s iron hull loomed behind, its engine humming, a symbol of Edward's vision to vassalize Spain and crush Lord Ashford's schemes. Isabella, her crimson gown torn, gripped Edward's arm, her trust at 100%. Don Alvarez, pale and wavering at 60% trust, stood frozen nearby. The system's *Crisis Forge* roared: *"Thwart Attack Decisively. Reward: +10% Economic Stability, +3 Legacy Points. Risk: -50% Spanish Trust if Failed."*
Admiral George Cockburn, his firebrand presence cutting through the chaos, rallied marines to contain the crowd and engage Rochefort's men. The system's *Tactical Simulation* calculated: *"Engagement Success: 80% with Marine Coordination. Rochefort Capture Chance: 65%."* Edward's *Tactical Overdrive* was on cooldown, but *Shadow Protocol* beckoned at 2 Legacy Points. He activated it, cloaking his movements to flank Rochefort. *Legacy Points: 52. Debt: 22.*
"Stay with Cockburn!" Edward told Isabella, pushing her toward the admiral. She nodded, her eyes fierce, drawing a dagger from her sleeve—a Spanish blade, proof of her resolve. The system's *Legacy Bonding* ticked: *"Isabella's Trait Unlocked: Courageous (+10% Alliance Stability)."*
Edward darted through the crowd, the system's *Eavesdrop Mode* catching Rochefort's orders: "To the ship—plant the bombs!" Two operatives broke off, carrying satchels toward the *Ascendancy*. Edward signaled James Watt and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, stationed near the ship. "Brunel, Watt—stop those bombers!"
Brunel, his lanky frame sprinting, tackled one operative, while Watt, grizzled but fierce, tripped the other with a wrench. The system's *Chrono-Tech Codex* analyzed: *"Bombs: Gunpowder-Based. Disarm Chance: 90% with Engineering Expertise."* Margaret Hetherington joined, disarming the devices with steady hands. *"Bombs Neutralized. Sabotage Risk: Reduced to 30%."*
Edward closed on Rochefort, who parried a marine's bayonet and lunged toward the *Ascendancy*'s gangplank. The system's *Tactical Simulation* guided: *Engage Chance: 78%.* Edward's sword clashed with Rochefort's, sparks flying. "Your plot ends here, Comte!" he growled.
Rochefort sneered, his accent sharp. "Ashford's gold flows, prince. France will bury your empire!" He feinted, his blade nicking Edward's arm, but the system's *Shadow Protocol* let Edward dodge a lethal thrust. Cockburn's marines closed in, and Edward disarmed Rochefort, pinning him to the deck. The system updated: *"Rochefort Captured. Sabotage Risk: 10%. Assassination Risk: Reduced to 15%. Reward: +15% Global Influence, +10 Legacy Points. Total: 62 Points. Crisis Forge: +10% Economic Stability. Total: 114%. +3 Legacy Points. Total: 65."*
The crowd's panic subsided as marines secured the remaining operatives. Young Queen Victoria, her governess shielding her, clapped from the sidelines, her trust at 75%. The system noted: *"Victoria's Influence: +5% Court Stability."* Don Alvarez, his face ashen, approached, his skepticism shaken. Isabella, blood on her dagger from aiding a marine, stood firm, her voice cutting through. "Alvarez, see Britain's strength! This ship sails for Spain's glory too!"
The system's *Strategic Nexus* tracked: *"Alvarez's Trust: 70%. Spanish Alliance Chance: 98%."* Edward, panting, addressed the crowd, activating *Influence Pulse* (1 Legacy Point). "People of Britain, Spain, the *Ascendancy* stands unbroken! Our empires unite, and no foe will stop us!" *Legacy Points: 64.* The crowd roared, Alvarez nodding reluctantly. *"Court Influence: 108%. Global Influence: 56%."*
---
The next morning, Edward interrogated Rochefort in the Admiralty, Cockburn at his side. The system's *Eavesdrop Mode* captured Rochefort's defiance: "Ashford promised regency if your king dies. France will back him, prince—your unveiling changes nothing." The *Legacy Matrix* warned: *"Ashford's Threat: Re-Emerging. French Diplomatic Escalation: 70%. Castlereagh's Leak: Confirmed, 40% Involvement."*
Edward turned to Cockburn. "Admiral, escort Rochefort to the Tower. Double the shipyard's defenses." The system's *Tactical Simulation* offered: *"Expose Castlereagh's Leak: Success Chance 75%. Risk: -10% Court Influence."* Edward chose action, summoning Lord Castlereagh to the Privy Council.
Castlereagh, his fox-like eyes narrowing, denied involvement, but Thomas Harrow produced intercepted letters—proof of his aide's French contact. The system updated: *"Castlereagh's Loyalty: 50%. Court Influence: 105%.* Edward confronted him, voice steel. "Resign, Lord Castlereagh, or face trial." Castlereagh bowed stiffly, retiring to his estates, his influence broken. *"Leak Neutralized. Global Influence: +5%. Total: 61%."*
---
That afternoon, Edward hosted Isabella and Alvarez in Buckingham House's map room, the system's *Dynasty Forge* urging: *"Secure Spanish Alliance. Action: Formal Proposal. Reward: +20% Spanish Trust, +5 Legacy Points."* Isabella's trust was 100%, Alvarez's at 70%. The *Ascendancy*'s test sail had proven its might, and the unveiling's defense sealed Britain's resolve.
Edward spread a treaty draft, linking British steamships to Spanish ports. "Princess, Don Alvarez, this alliance binds our empires. The *Ascendancy* will sail to Cádiz, securing your colonies. Sign, and we'll rule the seas together."
Isabella's eyes shone, her voice firm. "Spain stands with you, Edward. I'll marry you, not just for duty, but for our shared dream." The system pinged: *"Isabella's Commitment: Sealed. Compatibility: 94%.* Alvarez, swayed by her resolve, signed the treaty. *"Alvarez's Trust: 85%. Spanish Alliance Chance: 100%. Reward: +20% Spanish Trust, +5 Legacy Points. Total: 69 Points."*
Edward's heart soared, Isabella's hand in his a promise beyond politics. The system's *Legacy Bonding* noted: *"Trait Unlocked: Diplomatic Savvy (+15% Alliance Stability)."*
---
At the shipyard, Edward met James Watt, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Margaret Hetherington, the *Ascendancy* ready for its maiden voyage. The system's *Chrono-Tech Codex* reported: *Steam Engine Unlock: 100%. Prototype Progress: 95%. Maiden Voyage: Ready in 3 Days.* Watt, his legacy secured, said, "She's the fastest ship alive, Your Highness."
Brunel, sketching, added, "The hull's unbreakable. Cádiz awaits."
Margaret reported, "Coal's stocked, security's ironclad. But Ashford's allies whisper—retaliation's coming."
The system's *Resource Nexus* confirmed: *"Coal: 100%. Security: 95%."* Robert Stephenson, now at 85% recovery, sent word: railway tracks were fully restored. *"Railway Progress: 60%. Blueprint: 65%."* Edward funded his work, the system noting: *"Legacy Points: +2. Total: 71."*
Cockburn joined, reporting, "Rochefort's men are broken, but Ashford's estate harbors French agents. Shall we raid?"
The system's *Tactical Simulation* offered: *"Raid Success: 70%. Risk: -10% Court Influence."* Edward chose caution. "Watch his estate, Admiral. We'll strike after the voyage."
---
The next day, Edward met young Queen Victoria at the palace, her trust at 80%. She clutched a model of the *Ascendancy*, her eyes bright. "Cousin Edward, your ship will make us legends. But the court fears Ashford's return. Will you win?"
The system's *Influence Pulse* was unneeded. "We'll win, Princess. Join me at the maiden voyage." *"Court Stability: +5%. Total: 110%."*
As Edward left, Thomas rushed up, breathless. "Your Highness, a French fleet—three ships—sighted off Portsmouth! Ashford's letters confirm he's funded them to attack the *Ascendancy* on its voyage!"
The system roared: *"New Threat: French Naval Assault! Maiden Voyage Risk: 95%! Assassination Risk: 45%! Objective: Defend Ascendancy."* The *Crisis Forge* flared: *"Repel French Fleet. Reward: +25% Global Influence, +15 Legacy Points. Risk: -50% Spanish Alliance."* Edward gripped his sword, Isabella's treaty, Victoria's hope, and the *Ascendancy*'s promise at stake.
He turned to Cockburn. "Admiral, ready the navy! We sail for Cádiz—and war!" The system blared: *"Legacy Points: 71. Debt: 22. The Eternal Crown Faces the Abyss!"*