Chapter 8 — The Alliance of Innovation
Steam hissed beneath the polished decks of the HMS Progress, the world's first steam-powered airship.Its massive bronze hull gleamed in the sunlight, banners of the Church of Innovation fluttering proudly.
Edward stood at the prow, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the French coastline.Below, the white cliffs of Calais gave way to green fields and river valleys — the heart of the Seine Kingdom.
Charlotte approached, her uniform crisp, her eyes scanning the horizon."France is divided," she said. "Half its clergy follow Archbishop Devereaux. The other half… still kneel to the Church of Mana."
Edward smiled faintly. "Then it's time to give them a reason to stand."
Palace of the Seine Kingdom — Paris.
Inside the glass-dome throne room, golden light poured through stained glass.Princess Éléonore du Seine, famed scholar and mathematician, waited with composed grace. Her gown was trimmed with silver gears — a secret symbol of her alignment with Edward's ideas.
When Edward entered, she bowed slightly. "Your Highness of Britain… or should I say, the Prophet of Innovation?"
Edward chuckled. "Titles are for others to give. I prefer engineer."
Éléonore smiled — a rare, intelligent smile that hinted at danger. "Then we share the same language. I've read your Doctrine. You've done what centuries of philosophers failed to — make logic divine."
He inclined his head. "And yet, logic alone can't protect it. Europe burns with faith and greed. If we wish to preserve knowledge, we'll need power."
She led him to a balcony overlooking the Seine. Below, factories churned beside the river, smoke rising like the incense of progress.
"You want an alliance," she said. "Industry for faith. Faith for revolution."
Edward met her gaze. "Together, we can create an Age of Steam that no king or priest can suppress."
Éléonore extended her hand. "Then let us forge this alliance — of Innovation, Industry, and Reason."
Their hands met — and the future shifted.
[System Alert]Diplomatic Alliance Formed: "Seine Kingdom" (France)Faith Spread: +20% (Continental Europe)Technology Transfer Enabled: Metallurgy II, Mathematical Systems IIINew Project Available: "Continental Industrial Treaty"
That evening, as celebrations began in the streets of Paris, Charlotte and Annabelle joined Edward in the embassy quarters.Charlotte spoke first. "Your alliance with Éléonore will strengthen our position… but it also paints a target on your back."
Annabelle nodded. "The Church of Mana and the German Electorates are already forming a coalition. They're calling it the 'Holy League.'"
Edward's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Good. Every empire needs an enemy worth crushing."
He unfurled a new blueprint — a rifle of sleek steel and polished wood.
"It's time," he said, "to give the age of faith a new kind of miracle — one that fires lead instead of light."
End of Chapter 8.