@DeathDonut
I think MC suddenly got very sick. Even with technological advantage he is way overconfident.
First, "necessary" is not the same as "overconfident". If the bugs arrive at the world first (which they think is highly probable), everyone dies guaranteed. Even if it was just a 1% chance, or 0.1% chance for that matter, it'd still be worth trying.
Second, centuries is a long time if you've got the head start of technological development, a goal, and knowing what is possible. Look at us IRL, comparing technology in 1700 to 2000. And then the further progress in just the last 20 years. We're on an accelerating tech curve, and we didn't have anyone to give us some pointers at the beginning which could easily have cut off 100-150 years. They've got nanotech, even if not a ton, which helps even further. It would take a certain degree of luck for sure, and a ton of effort, but it's not that unreasonable in those circumstances to create a political entity, grab some territory, and set it on a scientific-industrial path. And with even a few decades of incubation time, it's also not unreasonable such an entity could end up unifying the world in a hurry, even a mid-1800s very early real world industrial nation-state would giggle stomp anyone from the Middle Ages. Even with magic, they don't actually use it well at all and it'd just become another advantage for an advanced state engaging in real R&D and standardized (and eventually computer/AI-assisted) training.
Actually would be nice for him to encounter an extremely powerful magical entity that can go toe to toe with a battleship.
Nah that'd be crap (even if there seems to be foreshadowing). But developing hybrid magitech would be interesting and disruptive to the balance, even if it only worked up to in orbit. Or even if it only worked in atmosphere, they might be able to develop interesting planetary defense weapons and shielding.