Chapter 463 - Preparing For War With The Eastern Coalition (1/2)
Berengar currently sat in the confines of his office upon his leatherbound chair. Standing in front of him were three of his Generals, one of which was from the Kingdom of Bohemia. Besides these men was the Director of Intelligence, dressed in her steingrau uniform. The four people stood at ease before their King as he overwent the report in his hands; with a heavy sigh, Berengar asked the question on his mind.
”Is this report accurate?”
Linde immediately nodded as she confirmed the document that her husband was looking at.
”Indeed, the Golden Horde has united once more under a new Khan, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth has gone on a recruitment campaign. With the loss of peasants and soldiers that they suffered during the war in Iberia, they are more determined now than ever to take hold of the current Teutonic Order's rump state.
If we wish to annex what remains of the Teutonic State, we must act now, before it is too late. Our agents in the field report that the Eastern Coalition will be marching an army of 100,000 men onto the Teutonic State in an attempt to eradicate it. Action must be taken if you wish to accomplish your goals of securing eastern Germany.
War is inevitable at this point...”
Berengar sighed heavily as he heard this last part; while his agents had been conducting sabotage and assassinations among the ranks of the Eastern Coalition; it was a certainty that they would overcome such tricks and unite against the Teutonic State. He was lucky that he had bought himself the time he had managed.
Berengar had just gotten back from his war in Iberia not long ago, and in truth, had no desire to depart to another war so soon. As such, he looked at his three Generals and began to ask the question on his mind.
”What is the state of the Bohemian Royal Army at the moment?”
Alexej Stepped forward with a face filled with pride and determination as he reported to his King.
”Bohemia stands ready for any conflict. Our soldiers are armed and trained to the same standard as the Austrian Royal Army. Though our Army is roughly a quarter of the size with a mere two divisions at the moment, make no mistake we are well prepared for this conflict.”
Berengar smiled and nodded as he heard this; for the most part, his Army was still equipped with needle rifles, and he had no intention of revealing his next-generation weapons just yet. With this in mind, he shifted his gaze to Eckhard and Arnulf as he began to give the two men his orders.
”I want one of the newer divisions to be deployed to the Teutonic State so that they may gain some valuable field experience, make sure they are under the command of a competent and proven General.”
Eckhard immediately nodded his head in response to these orders and suggested.
”How about Adelbrand? He has proven himself capable in multiple campaigns and is greatly respected among the Army.”
However, Berengar immediately rejected this idea by shaking his head and responding firmly.
”No, I have plans for Adelbrand; he must remain in Kufstein for the time being. Instead, you should send someone else if neither of you is up to the task.”
While there were many competent Generals to choose from, ultimately Eckhard sighed before volunteering himself.
”I will lead the campaign against the Eastern Coalition. However, I will do it under one condition...”
Berengar immediately peaked his brow in curiosity as he heard this; while, he was aware that Eckhard was suffering from Battle Fatigue; the man had still been willing to perform his duty to the bitter end.
If it were any other General, Berengar would punish him for making demands of his King and Reichsmarchall; however, since it was Eckhard, he merely sighed before entertaining the man's request. Eckhard spoke of his condition with a weary expression upon seeing his King nod his head in agreement.
”Your Majesty, I am old and quite honestly exhausted. I will lead this campaign under the condition that it is my last, and I am allowed to retire after I have achieved victory...”
Berengar frowned when he heard this, Eckhard was by far his most efficient military commander, yet he understood where the man was coming from; as such, he proposed a counter offer.
”I will agree to your terms, so long as you serve your retirement as a part-time instructor at the Austrian Military Academy. Your insights are too valuable to the next generation of officers to lose so easily...”