Chapter 386: Preparing for War against the Eastern Coalition (1/2)
Days came and went as Berengar enjoyed his week within the City of Constantinople. He had spent the majority of this time in the loving arms of his newest wife, where the newlywed couple shared practically all of their time together.
After the conflict with Decentius on that fateful morning, the proud prince had not made a move on Berengar or anyone who had traveled with him. Instead, He largely kept his distance from the Austrian host as a whole.
Berengar had grown suspicious of his actions but chose not to make a move himself; he decided that he would later dispatch field agents to keep an eye on Decentius and investigate the faction supporting him for the succession of the Byzantine Throne.
Eventually, the day came for Berengar to depart, and he returned to Kufstein with his family in tow. The return trip was far less eventful than the journey to Constantinople as such, Berengar and his family arrived in the capital of their Kingdom without incident.
Oddly enough, Berengar was not given any time of reprieve, for the moment he stepped in the door of his study, there was a massive pile of paperwork sitting upon his desk. Atop this pile of documents was a letter with the seal of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order.
As Berengar read the contents of the text, a wicked smile curved upon his lips. He had not suspected the Teutonic Order to come crawling to him begging for his protection. He was greatly interested in the prospect, but of course, was wary.
After all, he would be sending the First Division of his Army into Granada soon enough; as such, it would incur a great expense to create a conflict with the massive Coalition who were at the gates of what remained of the Teutonic State.
With this in mind, he immediately requested a nearby servant to fetch his field Marshal for him. Eckhard had recently returned from the Bohemian Front and was even the best man at his wedding to Honoria. As such, Berengar knew he was within a reasonable distance.
After waiting roughly an hour, the veteran field Marshal of Austria stood before his King. Both men were in full-service dress as they began to speak within the personal study of the King of Austria. Berengar handed the letter over to Eckhard and allowed him time to read through its contents.
Eckhard's expression shifted from severe to grave after reading through the text; after doing so, he handed it back to Berengar with a stern expression on his face. Berengar was grinning from ear to ear as he asked for his Field Marshal's opinion.
”So Eckhard, what do you think? Can we annex the Teutonic State and protect it from its enemies to the east?”
Eckhard felt exhausted; he knew exactly where this was heading. He just got back from one war, and now his King was about to ship him off to settle another. Even though he wanted to deny Berengar's wishes, as a man loyal to his King, he gave his honest opinion on the feasibility of the matter.
”Can we? Yes, Though it will require a substantial investment. Should we? I don't think it is worth it. Allow me to ask a question, what exactly are your plans for the Teutonic Order, your majesty?”
Berengar smiled as he heard this question and pointed to one of the stars pinned upon his chest.
”It is simple; I will annex the territory of the Teutonic State and empower the local nobility. I will reform the Teutonic Order from a Catholic Military Order to a Prussian Chivalric Order!”
Eckhard was immediately confused as he heard this and immediately asked for clarification.
”Prussian?”
Berengar nodded in response to this before answering the field Marshal's question.
”I will elevate what remains of the Teutonic State to the Grand Duchy of Prussia for the time being. After we have united Germany underneath my rule, I will combine it with Brandenburg and raise its status to that of a Kingdom.”
After hearing this, Eckhard sighed heavily; indeed, Berengar's ambitions were never-ending; from what the King had stated, it became evident that he wanted to create a Federal Monarchy where Austria and, by extension, his Dynasty ruled above all other German States as the Emperors. As such, Eckhard immediately relented and asked for Berengar's plan.
”So what exactly did you have in mind for this annexation? Hennek has appeared to leave the terms deliberately vague. It is clear that he intends to negotiate for as many benefits as possible.”
Berengar immediately turned away from Eckhard upon hearing this and stood before the window gazing out upon the gorgeous Tyrolean scenery as he stood at ease. After a while, he began to speak of his plot.
”I don't intend to negotiate with the Teutonic Order, they have expressed interest in annexation, so I will march the Second Division into their lands, where I will personally accept their servitude. Tell me, Eckhard, what is the progress on the Bohemian Royal Army?”
Eckhard sighed heavily once more before speaking his thoughts on the matter.