I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom-Chapter 60: We Will Serve

Leclerc adjusted his spectacles, watching Bruno carefully. "Radical reforms?"

Bruno met his gaze. "We are not restoring the old monarchy. The people would never accept it. The nobles, for all their supposed loyalty, are opportunists who will turn against me the moment they see a better prospect. If I am to keep this kingdom together, I need to prove that my rule will not be a return to the past."

Berthold nodded slowly. "And what does that mean?"

"It means that we are not returning to the old ways. We will keep some of the Republic’s reforms—such as the abolition of noble privileges. There will be no special rights granted by birth. Every man will earn his place in Elysea based on merit, not lineage."

Vallier crossed his arms. "So, no return to the monarchy, but also no Republic?"

Bruno exhaled, pacing around the war room. "The Republic failed because it gave too much power to ideologues who ruled through chaos. The monarchy before it failed because it was built on the stagnation of privilege. Elysea will not be ruled by bloodlines or by mobs—it will be ruled by strength, by vision."

Leclerc frowned. "And who holds that vision, Your Highness?"

Bruno stopped and turned to face them. "I do."

A silence settled over the room.

Berthold smirked. "Then you intend to rule as a supreme head of state."

Bruno nodded. "Yes. The people need order, and only I can provide it. I will not be a king in the old sense, nor a mere figurehead under a republic. I will be Elysea’s leader—unchallenged and absolute."

Leclerc hesitated before speaking. "A strong ruler can bring stability. But absolute power… that is a dangerous path."

Bruno met his gaze. "It is only dangerous if the ruler lacks vision. The Republic tried to govern by committee, by endless debates, and by sacrificing national interests for the sake of ideology. The old monarchy was no better—its policies enriched the nobles while the people starved. This kingdom will not be ruled by greed or by weak men squabbling in councils. It will be ruled with purpose."

Vallier folded his arms. "And what do you propose?"

Bruno walked to the map of Elysea spread across the war table. "First, I will establish a new government. A Council of State, composed of the most capable men in Elysea, regardless of their birth or past allegiances. This council will serve as advisors, but the final authority will rest with me."

Berthold nodded. "And the nobility? They will not sit idle while you strip them of their power."

Bruno smirked. "They will adapt. Those who are loyal will be allowed to serve the state—on my terms. But their titles will mean nothing unless they prove themselves useful."

Leclerc sighed. "And the people? They fought for the Republic because they wanted rights, not just a new ruler."

Bruno turned to him. "Then they shall have rights—but not at the expense of the kingdom’s stability. The law will be equal for all, but there will be no mob rule. Justice will be swift and firm. Property rights will be secured, but the state will ensure that no oligarchy rises to take advantage of the people. Education will be expanded so that talent, not heritage, determines one’s success."

Berthold grinned. "So, a state built on strength and merit. It sounds… revolutionary."

Bruno chuckled. "Revolutions fail when they are built on ideals alone. This will be built on discipline, law, and power."

September 3rd, 1693.

The city of Elysee gathered in the grand square, where thousands of citizens stood in anticipation. The banners of the Republic had been torn down, and the royal insignias had not been raised to replace them. Instead, a new standard—bearing the eagle of Elysea—was hoisted above the city.

Bruno stood on the palace balcony, overlooking the people. He wore no crown, only a dark military uniform with golden embroidery, signifying his role as commander of the nation.

When he spoke, his voice carried across the square with the weight of certainty.

"People of Elysea," he began, "our kingdom has endured war, tyranny, and division. The Republic is no more, and the old monarchy will not return. We stand at the dawn of a new era."

The crowd murmured, uncertain.

"I have seen firsthand the failures of the past—the corruption of the nobles, the oppression of the Republic, the chaos of endless war. No more."

A silence settled as they listened.

"This nation will be ruled by law and order, by strength and discipline. No man will be granted privilege by birth. No noble will rule simply because of their lineage. No ideology will dictate policy at the cost of our people’s well-being. Elysea will be a nation of merit, where the strong and capable lead, and where every man has the opportunity to rise."

Some in the crowd murmured with approval.

"I will govern this nation—not as a king of the old ways, nor as a puppet of the fallen Republic, but as the supreme head of the state. I will rebuild our lands, strengthen our armies, and bring Elysea into an era of prosperity. We will not return to the failures of the past. We will forge a new destiny."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the chants began.

"Long live Bruno! Long live Elysea!"

The voices grew, rising into a deafening roar. The people, weary of instability, had found someone who could lead them. A ruler who would not bow to old traditions nor be shackled by failed ideologies.

Bruno stood firm, his hands clasped behind his back.

The state of Elysea was born.

***

In the grand hall of the palace, the highest-ranking officers of the Elysean military who had remained loyal to the Republic were gathered. Some stood stiffly in their uniforms, their expressions cold and unreadable, while others glanced at one another uncertainly, as if waiting for someone to make the first move.

At the head of the gathering stood General Victor Mcdonauld, commander of the 2nd Republican Army. A tall, grizzled man with a scar across his left cheek, he was among the most respected officers in the Republic’s military. He had not fought in the battles that had led to the Republic’s fall—he had been stationed along the border, waging war against the coalition forces. Now, he was here, summoned by a ruler he did not recognize.

Bruno sat at the long table, flanked by General Berthold and Captain Vallier. He studied the men before him. These were seasoned warriors, officers who had fought for the Republic’s banner. Many had lost comrades in battle, had sacrificed for a cause they had believed in. They were not men who would submit easily.

The silence stretched, heavy and unbroken, until Bruno finally spoke.

"You are here because I have given you a choice," he said, his voice calm but unwavering. "You swore an oath to serve Elysea, but that oath was twisted by those who led you. The Republic is gone. Its leaders are dead. The people have chosen order over chaos. I am offering you a place in this new Elysea, not as servants, but as soldiers of a nation reborn."

McDonauld’s expression remained impassive. "You speak of choice, yet your men have already sent their message. Those who resisted you have been crushed."

Bruno nodded. "Yes, and they will continue to be crushed until this war is over. But I did not call you here to demand your surrender—I called you here because Elysea needs its warriors. It needs commanders who know how to fight, who understand discipline and strength."

McDonauld’s lips curled in something that was almost amusement. "And if we refuse?"

Bruno’s eyes darkened. "Then you will be treated as rebels, not soldiers. And you will die."

A tense murmur rippled through the officers. Some exchanged glances, weighing their options. They were men who had seen war. They understood the gravity of their situation. They could continue fighting, but without leadership, without the Republic to support them, they would be crushed. Or they could bend the knee and survive.

McDonauld crossed his arms. "And what of the Republic’s ideals? The men under my command did not fight for a king."

Bruno leaned forward. "They fought for a vision of a stronger Elysea, for a nation free from corruption and stagnation. That is exactly what I am building. I am not restoring the old monarchy. Nobles will have no privileges. There will be no return to the decadence of the past. Only strength and merit will rule in Elysea."

One of the younger officers, a colonel named Renaud, frowned. "You say that, but what stops you from becoming another tyrant? Another king ruling by birthright?"

Bruno smirked. "Because I do not rule by birthright. I rule by strength. By the will of the people. And I will ensure that every man in Elysea has a chance to rise, just as I did."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

McDonauld was silent for a long moment. Then, he exhaled through his nose. "You will not make me swear fealty to a crown?"

Bruno shook his head. "You will swear loyalty to the state. To Elysea."

McDonauld glanced around at the other officers. He could see it in their eyes—they were tired. They had fought for years, some of them since the Republic’s founding. They had followed their leaders into battle, and now those leaders were dead or in exile. The war was lost. The dream of a Republic had burned away in the fires of civil war.

Slowly, he nodded. "Then we will serve."