The March of the Legions

The uneasy peace that had settled over Europe after the fall of the Coalition was beginning to crack. Across the continent, armies drilled, weapons were stockpiled, and alliances were forged in secret. But it was in Italy where the greatest threat to France's dominance was taking shape. The Neo-Roman Empire, under the iron grip of Imperator Vittorio Severus, had turned its ambitions outward. Their armies, infused with stolen technology and fueled by the dreams of empire, were no longer content to remain within Italy's borders.

 The First Movements

Napoleon's spies sent troubling reports from Rome. Factories in the Po Valley were producing armored vehicles en masse, though their designs were crude compared to French models. Airstrips were being constructed across the Italian countryside, and recruitment efforts had reached a fever pitch. But most disturbing of all was the massive military parade held in Rome, where Severus personally addressed his people.

"Our ancestors ruled the known world," he declared from atop the restored ruins of the Roman Forum. "It is our destiny to reclaim that power. The Neo-Roman Empire shall not be shackled by the whims of lesser nations. We will march, and nothing shall stand in our way!"

The speech was met with deafening cheers, but for Napoleon, it was a declaration of war. He knew that Severus would not stop until he had either been crushed or had expanded his dominion beyond Italy.

The Mediterranean Crisis

As tensions mounted, the Mediterranean became a flashpoint. Neo-Roman fleets, bolstered by stolen French designs, began harassing French trade routes. Corsican and Sicilian outposts reported sightings of Italian warships moving dangerously close to their waters. Napoleon responded swiftly, deploying France's navy to counter the growing threat. Skirmishes erupted at sea, and though France held the technological advantage, the Neo-Roman forces were relentless.

Meanwhile, France's allies in Spain and Prussia grew concerned. The balance of power was shifting once again, and they feared being caught in the middle of another war. Diplomats worked frantically behind the scenes to form coalitions and secure strategic alliances, but trust was in short supply after the last great conflict.

 A New Kind of Warfare

Unlike previous conflicts, this war would not be fought with muskets and cavalry alone. The introduction of armored vehicles and aircraft had fundamentally changed the nature of battle. Napoleon, aware of how dangerous the situation was becoming, ordered the further development of advanced weaponry. Engineers worked tirelessly in secret facilities to refine France's tanks and aircraft, ensuring that France maintained its technological superiority.

Severus, however, had a different approach. Though he lacked the industrial prowess of France, he compensated with sheer manpower and tactical cunning. His forces relied on overwhelming numbers and brutal, disciplined warfare. He was no mere pretender—he was a strategist in his own right, and he intended to prove that Rome could once again stand as the master of Europe.

The Road to War

By the winter of 1802, all pretense of peace had faded. The Neo-Roman Empire officially annexed Dalmatia, bringing them dangerously close to Austrian territory. France issued a warning, demanding that Severus halt his expansion. The reply was swift and defiant.

"We take back what is ours," came the message from Rome. "Step aside, or be trampled beneath the might of the legions."

Napoleon read the message in silence before setting it aside. He had faced kings, emperors, and coalitions. Now, he faced something different—a man who, like him, sought to reshape history itself.

The world braced for war once more, and Napoleon knew that this battle would be unlike any he had fought before.