**London, July 1815**
Edward Langley, now Crown Prince Edward, stood in the royal library of Buckingham House, surrounded by towering shelves of leather-bound tomes. The air smelled of dust and ambition, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across diagrams of steam engines and nautical charts. His mind buzzed with the Empire Building System, its interface a glowing constellation only he could see. The *Strategic Nexus* displayed Britain's stats: *Military Strength: 79%, Economic Output: 55%, Court Influence: 49%.* The *Chrono-Tech Codex* pulsed with progress: *Steam Engine Blueprint: 22% Unlocked. Next Requirement: Recruit 3 Master Engineers.*
The war council's approval for his steamship prototype was a victory, but Edward knew it was fragile. The court was a labyrinth of egos, and his bold proposal had stirred both admiration and envy. The *Legacy Matrix* warned of a *"Threat Level: Moderate"*—someone in the court was plotting against him. The system's new *Temporal Insight* feature, used once for free in the war room, now demanded *Legacy Points* he didn't have. He needed to act fast—recruit engineers, secure resources, and root out his enemies before they struck.
A new system prompt flashed: *"Mission Update: Recruit Master Engineers. Objective: Identify and enlist three engineers capable of building steamship prototype. Reward: +15% Steam Engine Unlock, +3 Legacy Points. Secondary Objective: Uncover Court Rival. Reward: +10% Court Influence."* Edward's lips curved. The system was like a game master, pushing him to strategize in real time. But this wasn't a game—failure meant death, not a restart.
He summoned Thomas Harrow, his sharp-witted aide, who entered with a stack of dossiers. "Your Highness," Thomas said, bowing, "I've compiled a list of Britain's finest engineers, as you requested. And… regarding Spain's royal daughters, Princess Isabella is unmarried, 19, and favored by their court. A match could seal an alliance."
Edward nodded, though his heart twinged. The *Dynasty Forge* had already flagged Isabella as a strategic consort, boosting *Diplomatic Influence* by 15% if wed. But the idea of a marriage for power alone grated against his modern sensibilities. "Focus on the engineers for now, Thomas. Who are our best?"
Thomas spread the dossiers on a table. "Three stand out. James Watt, in Glasgow, perfected the steam engine for industry but is aging—persuading him may be difficult. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a young prodigy in Bristol, ambitious but untested. And Margaret Hetherington, a widow in Manchester running her late husband's foundry. She's unconventional—some call her a witch for her mechanical genius."
Edward's brow rose. A female engineer in 1815? The system highlighted Margaret's dossier: *"Innovator Trait: +20% Tech Research Speed if Recruited."* Brunel had *"Visionary: +10% Prototype Success Rate,"* while Watt offered *"Mastery: +15% Steam Engine Unlock."* Each was a puzzle piece for his steamship. But recruiting them meant traveling, negotiating, and risking exposure to his enemies.
"Send invitations to all three," Edward ordered. "Offer royal patronage, funds, whatever it takes. I'll meet them myself. And Thomas—keep an ear out for whispers in the court. Someone's plotting against me."
Thomas's eyes sharpened. "I'll be discreet, Your Highness."
As Thomas left, the system pinged: *"New Feature Unlocked: Influence Pulse. Cost: 1 Legacy Point. Effect: Inspire a small group, boosting loyalty or productivity by 10% for 24 hours."* Edward had no points yet, but the feature tantalized. He could sway engineers, nobles, even crowds with a single speech. The *Legacy Matrix* also updated: *"Court Rival Probability: 82%. Suspect: Lord Reginald Ashford, Duke of Norfolk."*
Edward frowned. Ashford, a silver-haired noble with a hawk's gaze, had been silent during the war council, his silence more dangerous than opposition. The system flagged him: *"Ambition: 88%. Loyalty: 41%."* Edward needed proof before acting—accusing a duke without evidence could fracture his fragile influence.
---
The next morning, Edward rode through London's bustling streets in a royal carriage, the system's map overlaying the city. Factories belched smoke, workers hauled coal, and merchants haggled in markets. The *Strategic Nexus* calculated: *"Iron Stockpile: 320 Tons. Coal: 800 Tons. Shortfall for Steamship: 180 Tons Iron, 200 Tons Coal."* He needed to redirect resources from civilian industries, a move that would anger merchants. But the steamship was his key to Spain—and the world.
His first stop was a foundry in Southwark, owned by Margaret Hetherington. The system's *Tactical Simulation* ran a quick analysis: *"Recruitment Success: 74%. Risk: Local Resistance (Merchants, 22% Opposition)."* Edward stepped into the foundry, the air thick with heat and the clang of hammers. Workers paused, staring at the prince in his crimson coat.
Margaret Hetherington was a wiry woman in her late thirties, her apron smudged with soot, her eyes sharp as a blade. "Your Highness," she said, wiping her hands, "I don't bow easy, but I'll hear you out. What's this about steamships?"
Edward smiled, liking her directness. The system's *Influence Pulse* tempted him, but without Legacy Points, he relied on charm. "Mrs. Hetherington, I'm building a ship to change the world—iron-hulled, steam-driven, unstoppable. I need your genius to make it real."
She crossed her arms. "Steam's tricky. Engines overheat, boilers burst. And iron ships? The navy laughs at the idea. Why should I risk my foundry for a prince's fancy?"
The system flashed: *"Negotiation Option: Offer Royal Contract. Success Chance: 81%."* Edward leaned in. "Join me, and your foundry becomes the crown's supplier. Unlimited funds, royal protection, and a chance to prove the skeptics wrong. You're not just building a ship—you're building an empire."
Margaret's eyes gleamed. "I'm in, but I want a say in the design. And my workers get triple pay."
"Done," Edward said, the system updating: *"Margaret Hetherington Recruited. Steam Engine Unlock: +10%. Total: 32%."* One down, two to go.
As he left the foundry, a messenger intercepted him, breathless. "Your Highness, Lord Ashford requests your presence at St. James's Palace. Urgent matter, he says."
The system's *Threat Level* spiked to *High*. *"Warning: Potential Ambush. Temporal Insight Available. Cost: 2 Legacy Points or Override (One-Time Use)."* Edward cursed his empty points but activated the override. His vision blurred, and he saw a glimpse: Ashford in a candlelit room, whispering to men in naval uniforms. Papers on a table showed plans to seize the steamship project, branding Edward a reckless upstart. The vision faded, leaving a name: *Admiralty Leak.*
Edward's blood ran cold. Ashford wasn't just a rival—he was sabotaging the steamship before it could begin. The system offered a new mission: *"Counter Sabotage: Expose Ashford's Plot. Reward: +15% Court Influence, +5 Legacy Points."*
---
That evening, Edward entered St. James's Palace, the system's *Strategic Nexus* tracking every face in the crowded hall. Lords and ladies bowed, but their smiles hid knives. Ashford stood by a fireplace, his silver hair gleaming, his smile a predator's. "Your Highness," he said, voice smooth as silk, "I hear your steamship venture progresses. The Admiralty has… concerns."
The system highlighted Ashford: *"Deception Probability: 94%."* Edward kept his face neutral. "Concerns, Lord Ashford? Or is it fear of progress?"
The hall hushed. Ashford's smile tightened. "The navy trusts sails, not experiments. Diverting iron from cannon production risks our defenses. Some call it folly—others, treason."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The *Legacy Matrix* dropped: *Court Influence: 45%.* Edward's pulse quickened, but the system's *Tactical Simulation* offered a counter: *"Public Rebuttal. Success Chance: 79% with Evidence."* He needed proof of Ashford's plot, and fast.
"Folly?" Edward said, stepping closer. "Or is it treason to undermine the crown's vision? I've heard whispers, Ashford—whispers of men plotting to steal my project for their own gain."
Ashford's eyes flickered, but he laughed. "Whispers, Your Highness? The court is full of them. Name your source, or it's mere slander."
The system pinged: *"New Intel: Admiralty Leak Traced to Captain Horace Vane, Ashford's Ally. Location: Admiralty Office, Tonight."* Edward seized the opening. "Captain Vane, perhaps? I hear he's been… talkative."
Ashford's composure cracked, a fleeting shadow crossing his face. The crowd murmured, sensing blood. Edward pressed on. "I'll address the Admiralty myself tomorrow. If there's treason, I'll root it out. Care to join me, Lord Ashford?"
The duke bowed stiffly. "As you wish, Your Highness." But the system's *Threat Level* remained *High*. Ashford was cornered, not defeated.
---
Later, in his chambers, Edward pored over the system's data. The *Chrono-Tech Codex* updated: *"Steamship Prototype: 35% Complete. Next Step: Secure Iron Supply."* Margaret's recruitment was a start, but Brunel and Watt were still out of reach, and Ashford's sabotage loomed. The *Dynasty Forge* pinged again: *"Strategic Marriage: Princess Isabella of Spain. Deadline: 3 Months. Reward: +20% Spain Vassalization Chance."*
Edward rubbed his temples. A Spanish princess could lock in his campaign, but the thought of a loveless match gnawed at him. The system's *Legacy Bonding* feature tempted him—spending time with a consort could unlock loyalty or even love, but time was a luxury he didn't have.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. Thomas entered, his face pale. "Your Highness, I found something. Papers in Captain Vane's office—letters from Ashford, promising him control of the steamship project if he discredits you. They plan to present false reports to the Admiralty tomorrow, claiming your prototype is flawed."
Edward's fists clenched. The system flashed: *"Mission Update: Expose Ashford's Plot. New Objective: Infiltrate Admiralty Office Tonight. Reward: +20% Court Influence, +7 Legacy Points."* The *Strategic Nexus* mapped the Admiralty building, highlighting guards and entry points. A new feature unlocked: *"Shadow Protocol"*—a stealth mode that dimmed the system's glow and enhanced Edward's perception for covert operations, costing 1 Legacy Point per hour.
He had no points, but the system offered another override: *"One-Time Shadow Protocol Activation."* Edward grinned. "Thomas, get me a dark cloak. We're breaking into the Admiralty."
Thomas blinked. "Your Highness, that's—"
"Necessary," Edward cut in. "Ashford wants a fight. I'll give him one."
---
Under moonlight, Edward and Thomas slipped through London's fog-choked alleys, the *Shadow Protocol* sharpening Edward's senses. The Admiralty Office loomed, a stone fortress by the Thames. The system's map guided them past patrols, highlighting a side window. Edward climbed, his modern fitness barely keeping up with his royal body's strength. Inside, Vane's office was a maze of papers and naval charts.
The system scanned documents: *"Evidence Found: Ashford-Vane Correspondence. Sabotage Plan Confirmed."* Edward pocketed the letters, but footsteps echoed outside. The *Shadow Protocol* warned: *"Guard Approaching. Escape Window: 30 Seconds."*
Edward and Thomas bolted, slipping out as a guard's lantern swept the room. Back in the alley, Edward's heart raced, not from fear, but exhilaration. The system updated: *"Mission Progress: Evidence Secured. Present to Admiralty for +25% Court Influence."*
As they vanished into the fog, Edward felt the weight of his new life. Ashford was a threat, but a small one compared to the world he'd conquer. Spain, the Americas, the stars—the Eternal Crown was his destiny. The system whispered: *"Legacy Points: 0. Greatness Rising."*
He smirked. Tomorrow, he'd crush Ashford. Tonight, he'd dream of iron and empires.