Building an empire which the sun never set

For three weeks, Arthur and William oversaw the production of the newly developed weapons, ensuring that every detail, from raw material procurement to final assembly, was meticulously managed. As the weapons neared completion, the final step was a live demonstration before Pendrallis' top military leadership.

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On the day of the test, Arthur and William arrived early at the secure military proving ground, where several high-ranking generals and officers had already gathered. The air was filled with anticipation as soldiers prepared the testing range, setting up reinforced barricades, mock trench lines, and distant targets. The assembled officers murmured amongst themselves, eager to see the promised new weaponry in action.

William adjusted his gloves and turned to Arthur. "This is it. If these weapons perform as expected, they will change the way we fight wars."

Arthur nodded. "And if they fail, we go back to the drawing board. But I have confidence in our engineers."

The first test involved the mortars. Soldiers swiftly positioned the weapons and adjusted their angles based on calculated trajectories. At Arthur's signal, the first volley was fired. The shells arced high into the sky before crashing down on their targets with thunderous explosions, shattering wooden dummies and simulated fortifications.

One of the generals, an older man with a stern face and numerous battle decorations, stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Your Highness, the accuracy is impressive. What about reload speed?"

Arthur gestured toward the soldiers, who quickly demonstrated the loading process. Within seconds, another barrage was launched, proving that trained teams could maintain a steady rate of fire.

"Impressive, Your Highness," another officer admitted. "However, how well do they hold up under battlefield conditions?"

"That's what this test is for," William interjected. "We will conduct sustained fire trials to check for overheating and barrel degradation. If needed, modifications can be made."

Next came the grenade demonstration. Arthur took one himself, pulling the pin and throwing it toward a cluster of mock enemy positions. A moment later, the explosion sent debris flying, proving its effectiveness. The officers whispered among themselves, impressed by the compact yet deadly design.

"And now for the final test," Arthur announced. The rocket launchers were distributed to select soldiers, who aimed at reinforced barriers meant to simulate enemy fortifications. When they fired, the rockets streaked forward with a fiery trail before smashing into their targets, blowing them apart with devastating force.

The watching generals exchanged approving glances. "That," one of them said, "will be a nightmare for any enemy behind walls."

William smirked. "That's the idea. Fortifications are no longer the impenetrable defenses they once were."

Arthur turned to the officers. "Your input is crucial. What are your concerns?"

The oldest general, a veteran of countless campaigns, rubbed his chin and nodded respectfully. "Your Highness, I see great potential in these weapons. These weapons will allow for more aggressive tactics, but only if we adjust our doctrine accordingly. Soldiers will need training, especially in mortar deployment and grenade use."

Arthur nodded. "We are already preparing specialized training programs. I want these weapons integrated seamlessly into the army."

The general gave a curt nod. "Of course, the final decision lies with His Majesty, but you have my support, Your Highness."

The demonstration concluded with further discussions, officers giving their assessments while engineers took notes on suggested refinements. As the sun set over the proving ground, Arthur felt a sense of accomplishment. This was a step forward—one that would shape the future of Pendrallis' military capabilities.

After the successful demonstration, Arthur returned to the palace, knowing that the next day he would be presenting his findings to King Cedric. The success of the weapons trials was a major step forward, but the final approval rested with the king. He spent the evening reviewing his notes, ensuring that every detail of the test results was prepared for discussion.

The following morning, Arthur made his way to the royal chambers, where King Cedric awaited him. The meeting would determine the future of these new weapons and their role in Pendrallis' military strategy. That evening, in his study, he sat with intelligence reports spread before him, detailing the empire's internal state. Despite its military strength, Syvatoslav was in a state of transition. While remnants of aristocratic corruption persisted, recent reforms had started to centralize power under the emperor's administration. The imperial bureaucracy had grown more structured, and military logistics had improved compared to previous decades. The nobility still held influence, but their grip was weakening as the crown expanded its authority over taxation and law enforcement. The army, though still burdened by outdated practices, was undergoing modernization, with new officers rising through the ranks based on merit rather than birthright. Vast estates were controlled by noble elites who resisted any attempt at central reform, while the common people remained bound to a feudal system that hindered economic progress. Compared to Pendrallis, the state's military, while large, was slow to mobilize, poorly supplied, and riddled with bureaucratic corruption.

At the helm of this fragile system sat Emperor Ivan IV Syvatoslavovich, a ruler with vision but limited power. Though he desired to modernize the empire, he faced immense resistance from the entrenched nobility, who feared losing their privileges. His reforms moved sluggishly, bogged down by internal power struggles. But as Arthur read further, a different figure caught his attention—Empress Yelena Syvatoslavovna.

Unlike her husband, Yelena was known for her sharp political acumen and ruthless ambition. She had gathered around her a circle of reformists—military officers, bureaucrats, and progressive thinkers who saw Syvatoslav's decay and sought change. She skillfully navigated the aristocracy, leveraging alliances and maintaining a careful balance of power to strengthen her position within the empire. Arthur suspected that if Syvatoslav suffered a military defeat, Yelena would not simply watch from the sidelines. Instead, she would ensure that her influence remained intact, securing her position within the empire's governance regardless of the outcome. No, she would take matters into her own hands.

The reports suggested that Yelena had already begun solidifying influence within the officer corps, positioning herself as an indispensable figure within the empire's governance. Her political acumen extended beyond the court, as she maintained close ties with key military commanders and influential noble factions, balancing their interests to strengthen her own position. This led Arthur to an intriguing conclusion—if Syvatoslav lost the war, it was not Emperor Ivan who would be the true threat, but Empress Yelena, who could emerge as a far more dangerous figure in the aftermath.

Arthur leaned back in his chair, contemplating the long-term implications. The reports also contained rumors—whispers that Yelena's power did not stem solely from her marriage to the emperor. Much like the great queens and empresses of history, she had cultivated personal relationships beyond her husband, leveraging them to manipulate key figures within the court. Whether through charm, intelligence, or sheer ambition, she ensured that the most powerful men in Syvatoslav remained in her favor. It was difficult to tell how much truth lay in these accounts, but Arthur knew better than to ignore such possibilities. If Yelena truly commanded such influence, she was a force to be reckoned with, regardless of who sat on the throne.. If Yelena staged a coup and overthrew her husband, she could consolidate power and reform Syvatoslav in a way that would make it stronger in the long run. This, in turn, could shift the balance of power in Neustreich and beyond. For now, this was merely speculation, but he knew better than to dismiss such possibilities.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. A messenger entered, delivering a note from King Cedric himself—tomorrow morning, he was to meet with King Cedric and Daniel, the Minister of Defense, to present the results of the weapons trials and discuss the next steps in Pendrallis' military strategy.

Arthur exhaled slowly, closing the intelligence reports. The next day would be critical, not just for their military advancements, but for the political realities that lay ahead. With these thoughts lingering in his mind, he extinguished the lamp in his study and prepared for the challenges to come.