Chapter 432 - Return To Granada (1/2)
Berengar and Hasan stood within the confines of the Granadan Royal Palace; throughout their absence in Aquitaine, the situation within Portugal had deteriorated rapidly. Though the Austrian Jaegers and Grenadier Guards were initially sent behind enemy lines to disrupt the border, they soon were embroiled in a chaotic and lawless region where deserters from the Portuguese Army ravaged the land as nothing more than filthy brigands.
The true extent of this lawlessness remained unknown. Still, one thing remained certain, a massive army of foreign peasants would soon be arriving in Portugal, whether or not they were capable of restoring order to the Portuguese Crown or would engage in the same criminal behavior as the soldiers of the Portuguese Army remained to be seen.
Despite the unruly situation in Portugal, it created an opportunity for Berengar. Though he had initially planned to outright invade the Kingdom, with its current state, there was little chance that the enemy would be rushing the Granadan Border any time soon. As such, he was communicating with his Generals and the Sultan of Granada about his newfound idea.
”Portugal is in an unprecedented state; much of the realm has become a wasteland where those who possess any semblance of might are capable of doing as they please. Thus, I have decided to shift my strategy; after all, if we were to invade the Kingdom at this point, it would only be met with resistance from not only what remains of the Portuguese Army but also the brigands and the people themselves.
Thus I have decided to maintain our presence on the border and begin rebuilding the Granadan Army. With our Support, over the next few months, a sufficient force can be armed and trained, fully capable of invading Granada by itself. Obviously, we will provide surveillance and long-range artillery support to the Granadans when they invade Portugal.”
Arnulf immediately cursed under his breath when he heard this, and Palladius smiled; after all, the veteran Strategos of the Balkans was the winner of their little wager. Luckily it was just a favor owed to the man. Otherwise, Arnulf would be more irritated than he currently was. Though Berengar took note of the two men's expressions, he did not inquire any further about it and instead shifted his attention to Hasan with a broad smile on his face.
”What do you say? Do you think your Kingdom is up to the task?”
The young Sultan smiled as he heard this news; he was growing disheartened by relying on Austria to win this war; any chance to become self-sufficient in terms of military matters was something he greatly desired. Thus with a broad smile on his lips, he nodded his head.
”I will have you know that the men of Granada are more than up to the task!”
Berengar nodded his head as he heard this before responding to the young Sultan's words.
”Very well, we will maintain a presence at the Granadan-Portuguese Border. My soldiers will begin training your troops, and I will begin supplying you with the weapons necessary to win your wars. After all, I still have tens of thousands of Muskets and hundreds of my old cannons lying around in a warehouse.”
After saying this, Berengar shifted his gaze to Arnulf and Adelbrand to give them their new orders.
”Dispatch orders to our units behind enemy lines, command them to maintain their positions and continue their reconnaissance operations. I want a regular update on what is transpiring on the other side of the border. If there is even the slightest hint of an attempt to attack our troops in the trenches, I want to know about it beforehand!”
Berengar's generals saluted him briefly before responding in the affirmative.
”Yes, sir!”
After saying this, Berengar looked over at Hasan and Palladius before issuing their orders.
”What remains of the Granadan Army will withdraw from the Trenches and return to the Capital where they will undergo further training alongside the new conscripts. As for your soldiers, Palladius, keep them at the border and maintain a presence. I don't want the Portuguese to think we are withdrawing a significant number of troops from the border.”
Hasan and Palladius both nodded their heads as they responded to this request.
”It will be done.”
”You can rest assured, King Berengar, my troops will hold the line until a point where it is no longer necessary!”
After saying this, Berengar smiled; with this strategy, the war in Granada had transitioned; from an all-out offensive by the Triple Alliance to a security operation designed to train the Granadan forces to be self-sufficient without needing to rely on Austrian Support. In other words, this next phase of the Reconquista was this world's equivalent of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
Berengar knew he would be in Granada for at least another half a year because of this, thus making it his most extended campaign to date. He only hoped that his civil work would have made significant progress by the time he returned to the fatherland.
As for what he intended to do between now and then, that was simple; he would stay in the Granadan Palace and spend some time getting close to the Princess of Granada. After all, if he were to endure such a long period of time away from home, then he would not do it celibate.
Whatever may come of the relationship between Berengar and Yasmin, the young King of Austria knew that at the very least he was going to make sure to get under the princess's skirt. Thus he put on a friendly facade as he dismissed the meeting of Generals and placed a hand on Hasan's shoulder.
”This meeting is adjourned, come, my friend, let us get something to drink and speak further of our future conquest!”
Ignorant of Berengar's desire to spend some intimate time with his sister, Hasan quickly agreed to this request and played right into the Austrian King's hands.
”I will get my sister to pour our drinks for us!”