May 1700 – Fort Saint-Louis, New World
Marshal Armand Roux had returned to the New World, but something had changed.
Before, he had seen himself as a soldier of Elysea. Now, he was the architect of its empire.
The days passed as they always had—inspections, orders, governance—but the words of King Bruno and his advisor Leclerc never left him.
"And now, tell me, Roux—what should I do with you?"
"You are too powerful."
Even here, thousands of miles from the royal palace, he could feel Bruno's watchful eyes upon him.
The King feared him.
And for the first time, Roux wondered if he should fear the King in return.
Despite the subtle warning sent by Bruno, Roux wasted no time in consolidating his power.
Within weeks of his return to Fort Saint-Louis, he began restructuring the colonial administration.