Chapter 358: Preparing for Intervention in Bohemia (1/2)

After the military parade had been finished, Berengar was alerted that the War in Bohemia had come to an end, and just as he expected, the various Hussite sects could not agree on who the next King would be.

He began to chuckle to himself as he read the letter written by Eckhard that was currently in his hands. Of course, it would turn out this way. Did Eckhard expect a bunch of religious fanatics to have a plan for after they had overthrown the legitimate monarchy?

King Radek of Bohemia was dead, so too were his male heirs. Prague was in a disastrous state, and the various Hussite sects had turned on one another in an attempt to put their representatives on the vacant Throne.

If not for Berengar's fearsome reputation being utilized by Eckhard to pressure the various factions into maintaining civil ties, then a new war would have broken out between the victorious Hussites. After spending years backing the various Hussite sects in their war to overthrow the Catholic monarchy, now was the time to lay claim to the Bohemian Crown.

Eckhard had openly invited him into Bohemia, and as such, Berengar would show up with an army at his back. With the Austrian Royal Army behind him, the various factions vying for the Bohemian Crown would have to take him seriously.

As such, Berengar got up from his seat within his study and ventured to the headquarters of the Austrian Royal Army located within the city of Kufstein. After entering the building, the various soldiers who worked as administrative personnel saluted their King as he made his way to the General's chambers.

After entering the room, Berengar saw multiple of his General's gathered. They were discussing the trials of the new field cannons. However, when they saw the King enter the room, they immediately halted their discussion and saluted him in the more modern fashion he had recently implemented among his ranks.  After doing so, Berengar returned their gesture before answering the questions he knew they had on their minds.

”The war for Bohemia is over; the Hussites are victorious!”

After saying this, the Generals began to break out into cheers; however, shortly thereafter, Berengar raised his hand, signaling them to be silent. After doing so, he spoke up once more about the current situation.

”The various Hussite sects are ready to turn on themselves in an attempt to put a member of their faction on the Throne. The situation is volatile, and I fear it is necessary to intervene before the Kingdom of Bohemia descends into further chaos. I want 10,000 men gathered and ready to deploy to Bohemia within 72 hours. I will personally lead them; after all, it has been some time since I have last seen my good friend Eckhard.”

The Generals immediately began to nod their heads as they received their order, not a single man among their ranks was willing to anger the King. As such, they quickly began to relay the orders to muster a small division of soldiers capable of stabilizing the situation within the neighboring Kingdom.

Berengar knew the likelihood of violence occurring after the Austrian Royal Army arrived in Bohemia was slim. This was merely a show of force. Thus he returned to the Palace where he began to prepare for his journey.

As Berengar was getting his supplies in order within the royal bed chambers, Honoria snuck up behind him and pounced on him, pinning him to the bed in the process. She had a pouting expression as she gazed upon her lover with a sense of dread.

”You're leaving so soon? It has only been a month since you returned home, and you have spent most of it with Adela!”

Berengar chuckled as he tried to get up from under the young princess. However, she refused to relent and continued to put pressure upon him. With his combatives training from his previous life, the young King could easily escape the princess's mount.

Still, he decided to endure the gesture and instead grabbed Honoria and brought her mouth into his own. Where he began to kiss her passionately. After a few moments, he let her go with a wicked grin on his face. He began to tease the young woman as he removed himself from under her grasp.

”Does that make you feel better?”

However, Honoria did not relent. Instead, she continued to pout as she looked away from her lover. Berengar had not spent nearly enough time with the girl since his marriage to Adela, and she was starting to feel left out. Now all of a sudden, he was going off to God knows where, as such, she would not forgive him so easily.  Instead, she merely began to question Berengar about his plans.

”Where are you going now?”

Berengar smiled as he heard his lover slowly begin to open up; as such, he began to inform her of the ongoing crisis in the neighboring Kingdom.

”The war for Bohemia is over. However, the Hussites are dumber than I thought; every faction among their ranks is currently vying to put their representative on the Bohemian Throne. The only reason blood has yet to be shed is because Eckhard had mentioned that I would be arriving to settle the dispute.

It would appear my neighbors have become afraid of me; as such, I am given a perfect opportunity to claim the Bohemian Crown for myself and annex it into my domain. Who will dare to oppose me after all the pain and suffering the Hussites have caused upon the Bohemian Kingdom?”

After hearing Berengar's explanation, Honoria began to break out into laughter, which was not the reaction Berengar was expecting; as such, he gazed at her with confusion before asking the question on his mind.

”What is so funny?”