Chapter 433 - A Tacit Understanding Between Two Kings (1/2)

Over a month had passed since Berengar returned to Granada; during this time, he had spent his days overseeing the Reformation of the Granadan Royal Army. Standing before him was a unit of recruits. The contrast between Berengar's 20th-century style apparel and the 16th-century Ottoman-style armor that the Granadans wore was worlds apart.

Despite this, these recruits were in the middle of drilling exercises for the sixth week of basic training. Berengar had drafted a new training regimen based upon the Austrian Royal Army's. Every soldier went through Ten Weeks of basic training, followed by specialized training for their role in the Armed Forces.

For the time being, Granada's Military comprised solely of an Army; after all, building up a proper Navy was a substantial cost, and until Berengar could replace his Frigates with more advanced steam-powered and armored steel vessels, he would not part way with any ships within his current fleet.  Berengar and Hasan sat back and drank from their wine as they conversed about the ongoing changes in the Granadan Royal Army.

”With the agricultural improvements we have begun to employ, thanks to your generosity, we are now able to raise a substantially larger force of recruits. We project a standing professional army of 25,000 men within the next six months. When armed with the Muskets and artillery that you have provided, we will easily defend our borders. However, it will take a least a year to have an Army capable of invading Portugal. Do you intend to stay behind during this entire time?”

Berengar sipped from his wine as he listened to the young Sultan speak; after hearing the man's question, he calmly smiled before answering the question.

”With Austrian support in terms of artillery and reconnaissance, I assure you that the time frame will be significantly reduced. Your 25,000 men will be enough to act as the spearhead into Portugal. As we speak, my forces grow, and I will soon dispatch more artillery brigades to Iberia.

However, I will significantly reduce the number of infantry in the field; now that we have reached peace with Aragon and Castile, there is no need for so many infantry and cavalry stationed in the Region. As for me, personally, I still have some work to be done, and I won't be returning home until I have completed it.”

Hasan smiled when he heard this; he believed that he knew the exact reason as to why Berengar was not ready to return home. Throughout this past month, the young Austrian King and the Princess fo Granda had grown considerably closer, and yet to Berengar's dismay, he had not been able to seal the deal between himself and Yasmin. Despite this, Hasan believed that Berengar was determined to sleep with his sister, and thus he thought that the man would remain in Granada until this had been accomplished.

However, in reality, this was not Berengar's primary reason for staying with Granada. The Austrian King was outright terrified to return home; the reason for this was simple; the moment he arrived at his Palace, he would be forced to confront Henrietta's confession and give her an answer. This weighed heavy on his heart, as he had no romantic feelings towards his sister.

In Berengar's mind existed a duality of memories from two separate lives. He could say that he was no longer simply Julian Webber like he had initially thought upon entering this world. Throughout the years, the memories of the original Berengar had begun to take their hold over his heart, and he had often considered himself an amalgamation of the two individuals.

Thus despite having memories of another world, he still thought of Henrietta as his precious little sister and was greatly disgusted by the idea of incest. Despite this natural aversion, another feeling was embedded deep within his heart.

Perhaps it was because he never had a sibling in his past life, but the very thought of seeing his precious sister with another man troubled his conscience. He had no idea what to do about this awkward situation that had been forced upon him.

Thus the more time he spent in Granada away from his sister, the better. After all, it would give her the space she needed to think through her incestuous fantasies and would allow him to ignore his complex emotions by thrusting himself into the loving arms of another woman and drowning himself with booze.

Thus he had a complicated expression on his handsome face as he answered the Sultan's question and continued to drink from the fortified wine contained within his chalice. Instead, he decided to shift the topic to something of greater interest.

”So tell me, Hasan, how do your people view their Sultan who engages in forbidden behavior? Drinking alcohol, eating bacon? I thought such things were against your faith?”

The young Sultan chuckled upon hearing this before commenting on the social challenges he faced as a secular ruler over a Muslim Nation.

”Every so often, some radical Imam rises to a position of prominence in an attempt to unite the ordinary people against me. However, I have no tolerance for zealots and immediately put those fools to the sword.