Chapter 434: A Tacit Understanding Between Two Kings

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.

I have seen what madness fanatics will commit in the name of religion and want no part of it. My brother tried to have me eliminated because he thought I was too moderate; even one of my wives attempted to murder me in cold blood. If not for you, I would be a dead man, my name forever erased from history. 

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Honestly, I never would have had the nerve to challenge religion's stranglehold on my society if not for your German Reformation. I have seen what secular rule free from the command of religious fanatics has done for your Kingdom, and I too wish to prosper to such a degree. 

So, I have begun to implement my social reforms to encourage moderate religious views and secular rule. I may not have the vast knowledge your Kingdom has access to, but I, at the very least, can encourage scientific thinking. 

I won't lie though, there has been some fierce resistance against such things, the older generation clings to their superstitions, but they will be dead soon, I care more about influencing the youth, who will be the future of my realm, than the old fools who cling to the glories of the past."

Upon hearing this, Berengar smiled and nodded; Although Hasan was severely lacking in potential as a ruler and a general; it was his moderate views of religion that had made Berengar decide to prop up his state with their alliance. For if he could influence the Islamic World to be more moderate in their views, perhaps the religious extremism of the 21st Century would not come to pass in this timeline. 

However, if Granada were to prosper in the future and become a significant power worthy of Austria's continued support, they would need a leader groomed from birth to an efficient politician and capable general.

This man was not Hasan; however, if Berengar were to marry Yasmin through matrilineal Marriage, he could potentially place his son with her on the Granadan Throne and create a robust and secular Sultanate of Al-Andalus.  Thus Berengar had a warm smile on his face when he dropped a bombshell on Hasan, one that he was not expecting so soon.

"Hasan, my Friend, you once asked me to unite our houses through marriage. I will admit I was initially hesitant over such a proposal; after all, at the time, I did not have complete control over my household, and my wives can be exceptionally jealous. 

However, I have become quite fond of your sister during my stay here, and she is not getting any younger. Thus, if you are still interested, I am willing to agree to your proposal, so long as it is via matrilineal marriage. After all, I already have two wives in my dynasty, and their children will be contending for my throne; the last thing I need is more competition between my offspring."

Hasan did not care that the marriage would be matrilineal; after all, he did not think that far ahead; all he cared about was the long-term alliance between their two kingdoms and the fact that his sister was finally about to be wed. Thus the young Sultan hastily nodded his head in agreement, unaware of Berengar's true intent behind this marriage proposal.

"I am still interested. We can host the wedding here in Granada before you return home. I'd love to see the look on your wives' faces when you bring home my sister as your newest bride."

Berengar laughed when he heard this, there was another severe advantage to marrying Yasmin and bringing her home to Austria, and that was the fact that such an event would shift his wives attention away from Henrietta's confession toward this newfound threat—allowing him to ignore the serious problem that lies between himself and his sister for some time. 

Thus while the two Kings were watching the Grandan troops receive their instruction in the art of war, they had come to a tacit understanding that would forever change the landscape of European and Global Politics. 

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