Immediately afterwards, at Jerome Bonaparte’s sincere invitation, Albert boarded an ironclad ship named "Surt".

Standing on the deck, Albert first looked up at the massive mast towering in the center and the "chimney" behind it, with its bluish-black metallic sheen, then turned to glance at the "monster" trapped on both sides of the deck by cables and rails, and slowly spoke.

"If I’m not mistaken, this ironclad also launched very recently!"

"Albert, your observation is very keen! This child (referring to the ironclad) is just one month old!" Jerome Bonaparte introduced to Albert with a trace of pride, "And it was built on February 14, 1856!"

Albert’s heart was secretly surprised upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s introduction.

As the British Shadow Helmsman, he didn’t know the technology of building ironclads, but he was very clear about the time required from ship construction to launch, and from launch to commissioning.

If this ship was indeed constructed in February 1856, then the time from construction to launch was just over two years. (In Britain, the time from launch to commissioning is generally about six months)

Such shipbuilding speed could already rival that of the Kingdom of Britain.

If you add France itself being Europe’s premier land army...

At this thought, a sense of apprehension and regret arose in Albert’s heart.

If the Kingdom of Britain had steadfastly opposed the Bonaparte Clan ascending as French rulers, then Britain wouldn’t be facing such an aggressive ruler.

...

Of course, Albert didn’t know that the ironclad he boarded wasn’t a truly brand-new ironclad but one modified from a sailing battleship.

This modification had decreased many basic steps, saving a significant amount of time.

...

Just when Albert was apprehensive about the French Empire’s shipbuilding speed, Jerome Bonaparte’s voice reached Albert’s ears, "Albert, let me show you around inside!"

Regaining his composure, Albert walked shoulder to shoulder with Jerome Bonaparte to the ladder connecting the deck and cabin, while the accompanying Mediterranean Fleet Commander and others were ordered by Jerome Bonaparte to stay on the deck and wait.

After entering the first level through the oak stairs at the ladder’s entrance, Albert’s view immediately became expansive.

Looking from the ladder’s entrance to the cabin’s end, aside from the rifled cannon fixed at each side’s ports and the navy soldiers and officers arranged in two rows, there were no other obstacles within the cabin.

Though puzzled why only two monarchs arrived, the junior officer dutifully saluted Jerome Bonaparte and Albert as scripted.

"Peace be with you, Your Majesties!" The navy soldiers behind the junior officer also loudly proclaimed to Jerome Bonaparte and Albert according to their rehearsed process.

Albert and Jerome Bonaparte waved in response to the navy soldiers at this sight.

Following the junior officer’s introduction, Albert understood that the "Surt" was an ironclad with dual-layered gun decks housing a total of 50 cannons (including sixteen 194-mm cannons and thirty-four 164-mm cannons), with 120-mm armor thickness at each cannon’s mouthpiece. (The actual armor thickness at the gun port is 109–120 mm, with the junior officer stating the maximum value of 120 mm.)

Upon hearing these metrics, a cloud of gloom appeared once more in Albert’s heart.

In terms of these data, the "Surt" could entirely crush any warship Britain had, even surpassing Britain’s under-construction "Warrior" class ironclad.

The 50 cannons positioned on both sides of the ship grant it sufficient power to destroy any enemy daring to approach while the 120-mm armor thickness ensures that opposing cannons inflict minimal actual damage.

However, the only slight (fortunate) flaw is the giant ironclad’s speed of 13 knots (23.076 km/h), while the "Warrior" has a nominal speed of 14 knots.

Regarding endurance, the "Warrior’s" range of 3910 km/11 knots drastically exceeds the "Surt’s" range of 3410 km/8 knots.

This means the "Warrior" could attempt to escape from the "Surt" if needed.

But in the dictionary of the sea-dominating Kingdom of Britain, "escape" has never featured.

No matter how formidable an enemy on the sea, Britain would choose to relentlessly fight.

Thanks to this steadfast naval spirit, Britain triumphed over the Kingdom of Spain with its Invincible Armada, the United Provinces of the Netherlands known as the maritime carriage driver, and the Kingdom/Empire of France.

Thus, Albert silently resolved to construct a faster and more powerful ironclad than the "Surt".

He believed that with Britain’s profound shipbuilding capabilities, it would outperform the "Surt".

...

Guided by the junior officer, Albert also visited the ammunition room, engine room, and soldiers’ quarters for sea life.

Looking at the neatly arranged dormitories, Albert sensed a vibrant vigor and meticulous discipline.

Clearly, France is not only striving to match the Kingdom of Britain’s ship performance but is also fiercely pursuing Britain in terms of sailors’ quality.

An outstanding fleet must possess equally excellent sailors and commanders; otherwise, the finest ship is merely a toy (this is specifically referring to the United States).

Although France’s sailors are lesser than Britain’s, their gap isn’t insurmountable.

Should Britain become slightly careless, France might surpass them.

...

After touring the "Surt", Albert and Jerome Bonaparte, accompanied by the fleet commander and the "Surt’s" captain, left the ship by boat.

On the carriage ride back to the hotel, Albert frequently displayed a contemplative demeanor.

Sitting opposite Albert, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help reveling in silent happiness, knowing Albert now harbors apprehension towards the French Navy, which was precisely his trip’s objective.

...

Early the next morning, Jerome Bonaparte and Albert took the train back to Paris.

That evening, Jerome Bonaparte once again summoned Deco. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Now that Albert has been deceived by us, it won’t be long before Britain boasts a fleet of useless ships!"