Reincarnated as Napoleon II

Chapter 213: Preparing Departure

Port of Brest, France.

June 12th, 1836.

The sea was calm that morning.

Not perfectly still, but steady enough that the harbor reflected the sky in long, broken lines. Ships moved in the distance, some anchored, others preparing to depart, but none drew attention the way the vessel at the center of the dock did.

The Rivoli.

It dominated the harbor without needing to move.

Guizot stood at the edge of the dock, his gaze fixed on it. His aide stood beside him, silent for the moment, allowing him to take it in without interruption.

The ship did not resemble anything that had existed even a decade ago.

Its hull was long and narrow compared to traditional warships, designed for speed rather than brute mass. The lines were clean, the structure refined, as if every part of it had been shaped with purpose rather than tradition. It sat lower in the water than older vessels, its profile reduced, its surfaces angled in ways that broke up its silhouette.

It did not try to appear larger than it was.

It did not need to.

The forward section of the ship carried its most striking feature.

Two large gun turrets, both positioned at the front, aligned along the centerline. Each housed multiple heavy naval guns, long and reinforced, built to deliver concentrated firepower directly ahead. The arrangement was deliberate. Instead of spreading weapons across the ship, they had been focused, allowing the vessel to bring its full strength to bear without exposing itself unnecessarily.

Guizot studied that for a moment.

"They moved everything forward," his aide said quietly.

"Yes," Guizot replied. "So it can engage without turning broadside."

The implication was clear. Speed. Control. Efficiency.

The rear of the ship was not empty, but it was lighter. Secondary guns were mounted along the sides, smaller in caliber but positioned to defend against closer threats. Anti ship weapons, rapid fire cannons, and support systems lined the deck, integrated into the structure rather than added as separate elements.

Above, the superstructure rose in a compact form.

Observation decks.

Command stations.

Communication arrays.

All placed with careful consideration, minimizing exposure while maintaining visibility.

The smokestacks were fewer, but wider, designed for engines that burned hotter and moved faster than anything that had come before.

Steam power had changed everything.

And this ship showed it clearly.

"Your Excellency."

A naval officer approached, stopping a few steps away before giving a brief bow.

"The Rivoli is ready."

Guizot turned his attention toward him.

"Fully prepared?"

"Yes," the officer said. "Fuel reserves are at capacity. Armaments are secured. Crew is onboard and awaiting your command."

Guizot gave a small nod.

"And the escort fleet?"

"In position," the officer replied. "They will follow once we depart."

Guizot looked back at the ship.

It was not just a vessel.

It was a statement.

The aide stepped closer.

"This is what we’re bringing to Japan," he said.

"Yes," Guizot replied.

"And they’ve never seen anything like it."

"No."

Guizot allowed a brief pause before continuing.

"They’ve built their defenses around what they understand," he said. "Wooden hulls. Traditional formations. Limited range."

His gaze remained on the Rivoli.

"This changes that."

The aide nodded slowly.

"They’ll see it before they understand it."

"And by the time they understand it," Guizot said, "it will already be too late to ignore."

They began walking toward the boarding ramp.

The closer they got, the more the scale of the ship became clear. The hull rose high above them, its surface smooth, reinforced, and uninterrupted by unnecessary design. The gangway was secured firmly, leading up toward the main deck where sailors stood in formation, waiting.

Each step echoed faintly against the wood beneath them.

No one rushed.

There was no need.

Guizot reached the top of the ramp and stepped onto the deck.

The crew straightened immediately.

"Welcome aboard, Your Excellency," the captain said, stepping forward.

Guizot gave a small nod.

"Captain."

The man stood firm, his posture exact, his expression controlled.

"The ship is ready for departure," he said. "We are awaiting your order."

Guizot looked around the deck.

Everything was in place.

No movement out of line.

No signs of uncertainty.

This was not a demonstration.

This was readiness.

"Show me," Guizot said.

The captain gestured forward.

They moved across the deck, passing the forward turrets first. Up close, their size was even more apparent. The guns extended outward, silent, but heavy with implication. The mechanisms beneath them were reinforced, designed to handle recoil without compromising stability.

"These are the main batteries," the captain said. "Concentrated forward to allow maximum firepower during approach."

Guizot nodded.

"And the range?"

"Extended," the captain replied. "Further than anything currently deployed in the region."

Guizot did not need exact numbers.

He understood what that meant.

They continued moving.

The secondary guns lined the sides, positioned to respond quickly to threats from multiple angles. The integration was seamless, nothing appearing out of place.

"And speed?" Guizot asked.

The captain allowed a faint breath.

"Faster than any ship of its class," he said. "We can outrun most threats and outmaneuver anything heavier."

Guizot glanced briefly at his aide.

"That’s the point," he said.

Not just power.

Control.

They reached the command deck.

From there, the harbor stretched out before them.

Ships in motion.

Crews preparing.

The world continuing.

Guizot rested his hands lightly on the railing.

"This is what they’ll see first," he said.

His aide stood beside him.

"And it will be enough."

Guizot nodded.

"Yes."

He remained there for a moment longer, looking out across the water.

Then he turned back.

"Prepare for departure," he said.

The captain straightened.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Orders were given immediately.

Lines were released.

Engines began to build pressure.

The ship came to life beneath them, not with noise, but with controlled force.

The Rivoli did not rush forward.

It moved with purpose.

As the harbor slowly opened ahead of them, Guizot remained on the deck, his gaze fixed forward.

Japan lay far beyond the horizon.

Closed.

Unmoving.

But not for long.

Because now, France was coming.

And it was not coming quietly.