Not Without Greatness

Over the years, Fernandez had taken one step at a time and suffered countless setbacks.

Those setbacks were not worth glorifying, but he had learned many lessons from failure.

If failure could not crush you, it would surely make you stronger.

Before the Holy Cross Kingdom withdrew from its homeland, it had already completed the initial stage of steam industrialization.

Now, after several rounds of upgrades, it had barely attained an industrial base that could keep up with the trailing edge of the times.

Electrification was still rare, but outdated Steam Engines could still offset much of the labor shortage.

Fernandez had even shown remarkable foresight by assembling several wooden aircraft incapable of actual combat.

After realizing that the nature of warfare might change, he had specifically modified a batch of anti-aircraft Autocannons.

Besides that, they stockpiled food and weapons and carried out militia training for the entire population.

But... that was only the effort of the New Holy Cross Kingdom.

Looking across the entire colony, there was not a second power that had prepared to such an extent.

It was not enough, far from enough.

Even if all the remnants of the four nations across the colony united, their chances of victory would not exceed fifty percent—and that was Fernandez's optimistic estimate.

That was why he had taken that step himself, an act destined to leave him bearing infamy.

Abdicating the throne to be crowned in his brother's place was bound to draw criticism.

Even if the old King was a bastard, he had not wronged him.

In truth, this transfer of the throne between brothers had nothing to do with personal greed for power.

Thus, though King Bruno was unwilling, he had chosen to cooperate—not because he had been threatened by force.

Fernandez did not covet the throne,