Chapter 326: Near Effortless Victory (1/2)
Days had passed since the Company of Jaegers led by Captain Andreas reached the main force and informed Berengar of their troubles. Berengar had a long conversation with the female agent about her failed mission before dispatching her on another classified operation.
Eventually, the Jaeger Corps returned with minimal losses from their operation; having cleared the entire path forward, Berengar and his army marched onto the city of Milan, where they were now outside its gates.
A siege camp was rapidly constructed in the same fashion that Berengar usually established; an extensive trench line was based around the encampment, surrounded by barbed wire. Embedded within this trench line were the Cannons and Schmidt guns that bombarded the city and defended the camp.
Observation towers were set up, with snipers atop them, giving the Austrian army a select view of their surroundings and the ability to react to any threat that might appear. The thousands of tents were used to house the soldiers and their supplies within the center of the trench line.
Though the siege camp was established, Berengar had not yet ordered the bombardment of the city. Instead, he was within his command tent, overgoing the strategy of how the Austrians intended to take the city in the most efficient manner possible.
Surrounding Berengar was his highest-ranking officers, each one commanding a large section of his forces. Among them was the Colonel tasked with leading his elite Jaeger Corps, who, unlike the rest of the soldiers that were dressed in renaissance style armor and attire, was clad in relatively modern equipment.
Spread out on the table before the officers and their King was a map of the city; Berengar had marked the various gatehouses in the town and had begun to address his General, who was tasked with leading the Artillery Brigades.
”I want the cannons fixed on these gatehouses, I want the gates turned into splinters, and the entire gatehouse brought to ruin. Once the gatehouses have crumbled, our armies will charge into the city and slaughter any resistance they might come across!”
When the artillery General heard this, he saluted Berengar before responding to his strategy.
”It will be done, your majesty!”
As Berengar heard this, he smiled before addressing the officer in charge of the infantry brigades.
”After the artillery has brought down the gates, I need your men to penetrate the gaps as quickly as possible; I want this city picked clean by sunset. There is no reason to prolong this siege; the longer we stay here, the longer the enemy has time to prepare for our advance.”
The infantry General quickly responded to Berengar's concerns in the same manner as the artillery General; after doing so, Berengar began to address the Colonel of the Jaeger Corps.
”As for you, I want you and your soldiers to gather what supplies you need and prepare to move out at a moment's notice. I want the path towards Parma cleared before we even begin our march forward. We have spent far too much time already bogged down here in Milan.”
When the Jaeger Colonel heard this, he nodded his head in response before uttering his acceptance of Berengar's terms.
”Don't worry, your majesty, we Jaegers are the spearhead of the Royal Austrian Army; I promise you won't see a single skirmisher on your journey to Parma!”
As Berengar heard this, he smiled and nodded before dismissing his officers.
”Alright, you all know your plans, quickly set to the task; I want our troops prepared to move out before nightfall!”
When Berengar said this, all of the gathered officers quickly saluted him before responding in the affirmative.
”Yes, your majesty!”
After saying this, they all exited the tent before preparing their troops for battle. As for Berengar, he pulled out a golden chalice and poured some fortified wine within it before taking a sip for himself. Thanks to his influence, the world was rapidly changing, and he knew it would not be long before his enemies began to adapt to his weapons.