image [https://cdn.midjourney.com/4dcdc84f-cf31-49c0-9429-49c03dbdbbd9/0_1.png]

----------------------------------------

New Reality: 30 August 1525, The Balkans

The mountains were lower near the Danube than in Dalmatia, however, they had their charm, and the river added much to that. A light blue color, it was wide enough to be majestic, yet not so bloated to ruin the landscape's charm. Barges discharged rows of crates, on both banks of the rivers, guarded by two twin forts. Shiny new, with long-range artillery peeking their barrels from their concrete redoubts. Two men examined the view from a hilltop.

"I see you covered all routes," Salvatore said.

"The Queen asked me so," Leonardo said. "Last week, a small army came from Austria to 'friendly' help Mary with her new country. A few salvos helped them see reason."

"We chose well. She's smarter than her siblings," Salvatore said.

"Yet Charles and Maximilian have more resources."

"For now. You gave her the System?"

"I did," Leonardo nodded. "She's now a Rank S Leader."

"Then, we're good. She's intelligent, young, she'll manage."

"I hope so… in the main history, multi-ethnic Balkan states didn't fare so well."

"Have a little faith, my friend," Salvatore lightly slapped Leonardo's shoulder. "This new country has a tremendous asset that none of the future countries had."

"Magic?"

"The perfect role model. They adore Ardent, and he's a paragon of tolerance and inclusivity."

"HAHAHA…" Leonardo roared.

"What's up with you?" Salvatore frowned.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Sorry… that's precious," the Italian gasped, still bent in half from laughter. "We had a chat together, the other day. He thinks Bulgarians are stubborn and the only good thing they do is grow vegetables, the Greeks treacherous liars, the French don't wash, the Germans are dumb fucks who follow orders stupidly, Italians are lazy and in your face, and… yeah, they dress like pimps—he did say I'm an exception—and… lat but not least… this is so good," Leonardo paused," the Hungarians swear too much. He, who's always throwing some 'fuck their mothers' around, thinks Hungarians are worse."

"Believe me, they are," Salvatore nodded. "One would never imagine how creative they are. Like when they say 'A lie has short legs' they add: 'and a large horse dick that fucks you in the mouth.'"

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention. And if you think he likes his people better, you'd be wrong. Vlachs are either drunkards or thieves, in his opinion. The only honest Vlachs he knows are in his village. His bandits' village. So, paragon of inclusivity and tolerance, you say?"

"Have you ever seen him mistreating someone because of their ethnicity?" Salvatore interjected curtly.

Leonardo tucked at his beard, lost in thoughts. "Not really."

"The important thing is that when he's in front of an individual, he treats everyone the same. The Turks killed his family. Do you see him taking revenge on normal Turkish people?"

That made Leonardo shut up. They both looked again at the river's shore, where the capital of the new polity was to be built. Metallic constructs, vaguely humanoid, were now opening the crates and extracting building blocks for factories.

"The airship patrol reported a small Hungarian army, fifty miles to the north," Leonardo said, checking his phone. "Here are the pictures," he showed the screen to Salvatore. On it, about two thousand heavy cavalry were heading south, trying to appear inconspicuous by sticking close to the woods.

"I'm not familiar with the flags," Salvatore sighed. "Ask Mary."

"Already on it… Moment, she's writing… oh, she says: 'It's not hubby, he's with me. Must be renegade nobles… probably want to take me hostage. Scare them away without bloodshed if possible.' Hungary's a mess in this period," Leonardo said. "I'll ask the airship to fire some warning rounds."

"Are the airships armed now?"

"Gatlings… Good, SMS sent," the Italian pressed the screen.

"To be honest, progress is faster than expected," Salvatore said. "People accept the new things so easily… it's… disconcerting."

"Maybe not. This was to be a period of change anyway… The New World, the Reformation… Magic just supplanted those with… what the heck is… this?" Leonardo frowned, touching his neck. On his neck, his hand met a small dart. His eyes widened as he fell to the ground. Salvatore went down as well.

"Blimps, do you copy? Blimps, do you copy?" a deep voice spoke nearby.

"Roger," a distorted voice said.

"Change of plans. Use the fragmentation bombs, and kill them all. Fuck the nobles."

"Today and tomorrow, First Comrade," the voice replied, and then blackness took Leo.