I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom-Chapter 85: Logical Decision

April 20, 1695 – The Palace of the Sultan, Tunis

The grand halls of the Sultan’s palace were shrouded in a heavy silence. Sultan Hassan III sat upon his elevated throne, his dark eyes fixed on the scroll laid open before him—the Elysean peace terms. Around him, his most trusted advisors, generals, and scholars stood in tense silence, waiting for his decision.

The past weeks had been a disaster. Carthage had fallen. The Grand Vizier’s strategy to burn the city around the Elyseans had failed to break them. Their forces had held firm, their technology superior, their discipline unwavering. It was clear to any rational mind that a direct war against Elysea was unwinnable.

The Sultan clenched his jaw. He hated this moment. He had spent his entire reign maintaining the independence of his realm, resisting the growing influence of European powers in North Africa. And now, he was being forced to make a decision that no ruler wished to make.

Submission.

His generals had failed him. His army, though vast, had proven obsolete against the disciplined firepower of the Elysean war machine. His navy was outmatched by their superior warships. Even if he mustered every warrior from the interior, every man capable of bearing arms, they would only be throwing themselves into a massacre.

And yet, surrendering outright would be the end of his dynasty.

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He needed to salvage what he could.

He needed to negotiate from a position of weakness, but without appearing weak.

The Sultan lifted his gaze to Grand Vizier Suleiman al-Mutazz, who stood at his right side. The older man bore the signs of recent struggles—the exhaustion in his features, the deep lines of worry carved into his expression.

"You have read the terms, Grand Vizier. What do you make of them?" the Sultan asked, his voice calm but heavy.

Suleiman inhaled slowly. "Your Majesty… we cannot defeat them. We must accept this reality."

A murmur ran through the gathered court.

"Cowardice," General Idris bin Rashid spat. "We still have men! We still have swords! If we fight, we fight to the last!"

"To what end?" Suleiman shot back, his voice cutting through the room. "You saw what happened in Carthage. Their weapons tear through us before we can even reach them. Their cannons shatter stone walls like clay. Their warships dominate the sea. What do you propose, General? That we march every man, woman, and child to their deaths?"

Idris scowled but said nothing.

Suleiman turned back to the Sultan. "Your Majesty, we must accept this peace. But we must not accept it blindly."

Hassan III exhaled sharply. "Explain."

"If we agree to their terms without negotiation, we become nothing more than vassals in all but name. We must push for conditions that allow us to retain dignity and strength. If we must concede, then let us do so in a way that secures our survival."

The Sultan ran a hand through his beard, contemplating. Then he turned to the court scribe.

"Read the terms again."

The scribe unrolled the Elysean scroll and cleared his throat.

"In the interest of lasting peace between the Kingdom of Elysea and the Sultanate of Tunis, the following terms are proposed:

Carthage remains under Elysean control, ensuring their right to govern the city’s trade and administration.

The Sultanate of Tunis will recognize Elysea’s territorial acquisition and will not attempt to reclaim it through military action.

Tunisian merchants will have access to Carthage under Elysean oversight, with adjusted tariffs ensuring fair trade between both nations.

Elysea will station a limited number of troops in Carthage to secure its holdings but will not advance further into Tunisian lands.

In return, Elysea will provide military and economic support to the Sultanate, offering modern weaponry, financial aid, and industrial knowledge to strengthen its internal stability.

An agreement of mutual cooperation will be established, preventing Tunis from forming military alliances with hostile European powers without prior consultation with Elysea.

Tunis remains sovereign and its ruling authority will not be challenged or influenced by Elysea’s governance."

The hall remained silent as the terms settled over them.

The Sultan’s fingers tapped the armrest of his throne. "They wish to control Carthage indefinitely," he mused.

Suleiman nodded. "That much was expected. It is the price we pay for losing the war."

The Sultan exhaled slowly. "And the clause about military and economic aid?"

The Grand Vizier’s expression darkened. "It is a clever move on their part. They will arm us, but in doing so, they will ensure we become dependent on their technology. If we accept their weapons, we ensure that our army will forever rely on Elysean steel and gunpowder."

"Which means they have power over us," the Sultan muttered.

Suleiman inclined his head. "Precisely. But if we refuse, we are left weak, vulnerable to further exploitation by other European nations."

The Sultan turned his gaze to his generals. "Can we afford another war?"

General Idris was silent.

The answer was obvious.

They could not.

Hassan III exhaled through his nose, his mind made up. "We will accept the terms, but we will negotiate further on two points."

Suleiman leaned forward. "Which ones, Your Majesty?"

"The stationing of their troops," the Sultan declared. "They may control Carthage, but I will not allow their soldiers to spread further into our lands. Their garrisons must remain within the city limits."

"And the second?"

"The trade agreement," the Sultan continued. "If they are to control Carthage’s ports, we must secure favorable trade terms for Tunisian merchants. If we must accept their rule over the city, then we must ensure our economy is not strangled by their tariffs."

Suleiman nodded approvingly. "A wise decision, Your Majesty. We will demand an amendment to the terms before we sign."

The Sultan straightened on his throne. "Then summon the Elysean envoys. We will conclude this matter."

April 22, 1695 – The Elysean Embassy, Tunis

The Elysean delegation stood before the Sultan’s court, their expressions composed but attentive. Foreign Minister Charles Dufort, representing King Bruno, had arrived personally to oversee the finalization of the treaty.

As the translated negotiations began, the revised terms were presented.

Dufort listened carefully, nodding in acknowledgment. When the Sultan finished his counterproposal, the Elysean minister smiled slightly.

"These are reasonable adjustments," Dufort admitted. "Elysea has no interest in spreading beyond Carthage. We accept your condition regarding our troops."

The Sultan gave a curt nod. "And the trade terms?"

Dufort exhaled. "I will send word to my king, but I suspect he will find them agreeable."

The room fell silent.

For the first time since the war began, there was no hostility—only an understanding of power and survival.

Sultan Hassan III’s fingers tightened against his throne. He hated this, but he knew it was the best possible outcome.

Finally, he nodded.

"It is settled."

A treaty was drafted and signed.

The war was over.

Carthage belonged to Elysea.

Tunis remained sovereign—but forever changed.