Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 45: Heading to the Firing Range

November 25th, 1829.

The French Imperial Family were aboard the steam locomotive’s first-class Pullman coach, heading east toward the Champagne region.

The temperature inside the carriage remained steady, unaffected by the cold air outside. Warmth flowed evenly through vents hidden along the lower panels, driven by a closed-loop steam heating system tapped from the locomotive itself.

Across from him, Napoleon I sat with his arms folded, posture relaxed but alert. Marie Louise read quietly, the pages of her book unmoving despite the speed of travel. Elisabeth sat beside the window, watching the countryside slide past—vineyards stripped bare for winter, stone farmhouses, narrow roads now obsolete beside the rails.

"This never gets old," she said.

Napoleon II followed her gaze.

Rows of vines stretched across the rolling hills, pruned and dormant. It was the beautiful sight.

"It’s what you expect from this region," Napoleon II said. "This is where the finest wines are produced."

"But you still didn’t tell us where we are going," Marie Louise said.

"It’s best to show you rather than tell it," Napoleon II said, sipping his tea. "We’ll be there soon." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

As they were having that short conversation, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Napoleon II permitted whoever was knocking to enter.

"Your Imperial Highness," a familiar voice said. Napoleon II looked at the man who entered, it was Armand.

"Yes?"

"His Majesty would like to see you in his chambers," Armand said. "A brief word."

Napoleon II set his teacup down.

"I’ll be back shortly," he said, already rising.

Marie Louise looked up. "Don’t disappear for too long."

"I won’t."

He stepped into the corridor as Armand closed the carriage door behind them.

They walked a few steps before Napoleon II spoke.

"What is it?"

"Nothing urgent," Armand replied. "His Majesty wishes to talk with you."

"I see, then I’ll oblige him," Napoleon II said.

They entered the adjoining compartment. Napoleon I stood near the window, hands behind his back, watching the land pass by at speed. He didn’t turn immediately, as if finishing a thought before speaking.

"You may leave us Armand," Napoleon I said.

"Yes Your Majesty," Armand said before stepping out of the room, leaving Napoleon II and I alone.

"So, what do you want to talk about father?" Napoleon II asked.

"I am just excited to see the weapons you have promised you will show me in the Camp de Châlons."

"It is indeed a gun that would take your breath away," Napoleon II said.

"You even mention that you’ll demonstrate a variety of weapons to the testing field and I’m already eager to know more about it."

"Father, I’ll tell you when we arrive. The arms company that made it and also scientists from the Ministry of Science, Arts, and Technical Instructions who made them possible."

"You wouldn’t even say a hint?"

Napoleon II chuckled. "No."

"Well, if you aren’t going to tell me then at least promise me that you’ll use those weapons to strengthen and expand France."

Napoleon II tilted his head to the side, his brows furrowing. "What do you mean by that?"

"The military mostly consisted of veterans of the coalition war. They were depressed to see how France regressed in terms of territory. We conquered the Western Hemisphere of the European continent, and now it’s reduced to her natural frontiers."

"So you are saying that the military is itching its finger to start a war?"

"No no no. I’m just saying, the Empire is built in military conquest. I dreamt of France having the largest empire in the world like the Roman Empire."

"Oh don’t worry Father, I may not look like it but I’m also an imperialist person," Napoleon II said. "In this world, France would dominate economically, culturally, and militarily...and speaking of which, we are arriving at the station."

The train began to slow.

There was no jolt. No screech. Just a gradual easing as the air brakes engaged in sequence, the carriage settling as if guided by hand rather than machinery. Outside the window, the landscape shifted, vineyards giving way to cleared land, rail sidings, storage depots, and low industrial buildings.

Napoleon I turned slightly as the platform came into view.

"Camp de Châlons," he said, reading the station marker as it passed.

The locomotive hissed softly as steam vented. Pistons slowed. Wheels rolled to a controlled stop.

Napoleon II straightened his coat.

"That’s our cue," he said.

They exited the compartment together.

On the platform, Imperial Guards were already in position. Officers stood at attention. Engineers and administrators waited a few steps back, hats in hand. Beyond the station, a line of dark carriages stood ready, horses steady despite the noise and steam.

Elisabeth stepped down carefully, boots touching stone.

An officer stepped forward.

"Your Majesties. The carriages are prepared."

They boarded without delay.

As the carriage rolled forward, the station receded behind them. And fifteen minutes later, the carriage passed through the outer gate.

Iron swung open smoothly. Guards checked insignia, then stepped aside without question.

Inside, the scale became clear.

Firing ranges stretched into the distance. Artillery emplacements sat covered, inactive but ready. Workshops lined one side of the grounds, chimneys venting heat, and crates were stacked in marked rows, each labeled with dates and serial numbers.

They approached a wide, open stretch of land bordered by reinforced earthworks. Long lanes extended forward, separated by thick wooden partitions. Targets stood at measured intervals—one hundred meters, three hundred, five hundred—each marked clearly.

The carriage slowed and stopped.

An officer approached at once and opened the door.

"Your Majesties," he said. "The range is secured. All personnel are ready."

Napoleon II stepped down first.

The ground here was packed hard, worn by boots and wheels. Soldiers stood along the perimeter, rifles slung, eyes forward. Beyond them, a group of men waited near a covered rack, engineers, armorers, and representatives from the arms manufacturer.

Napoleon I descended next.

He took in the scene quickly.

"No crowds," he observed.

"No," Napoleon II said. "I prefer it to be personal, you are the Emperor of France and still have control over military affairs. Your presence alone represents the entirety of the Grand Armee."