Chapter 993: Formation of the lndian Empire
As the Vienna Accords came to an end, and in doing so ushered in a new era of human relations, so too did another world-changing event occur on the other side of the map. In the jungles of Burma, the 12th Panzer Division, along with the Anangpur Army, poured through the easternmost territory of the Bengal Empire, and brought the local population beneath their heel.
Unlike the time when the Bengal troops entered the jungles of Burma, where they proceeded to commit any number of atrocities. There was no major act of bloodshed this time around. In fact, the German soldiers had been exceptionally kind to the natives of the region, understanding full well just how they had been treated in the past by their previous conquerors.
What could only be described as a celebration occurred when the combined forces of the German and Anangpur Empires swept through the streets and rid Burma of any Bengal presence. When the people realized that they had been liberated, they greeted the allied soldiers with open arms.
The war for India, a conflict that had been ongoing for quite some time, had come to a close. Naturally, this news was transmitted back to the Reich as quickly as it had occurred. When Berengar heard of this news, he was at a local tavern with the other world leaders. A member of Berengar's leibgarde had entered the facility, and reported the words to his Kaiser in a slight whisper.
Upon hearing the good news, Berengar ordered another round for himself and his guests. Right before they were all about to take a sip, he stood up and announced his victory to the rulers of the world's mightiest empires.
"I have some good news to discuss with all of you. As we speak, the last bastion of Bengal resistance within Asia has fallen. The war is over, and because of this fact I now proclaim in front of all of you that Dharya Tomara is no longer the Emperor of Anangpur but of all of India!"
Dharya was stunned to hear this news. Though he knew that any day the Bengal Empire or what little remained of it would fall. However, now that the day had finally come, he was finding it a bit too hard to believe.
Surprisingly, to no-one but Dharya himself, all the other monarchs who were seated alongside the man gave him their congratulations. After all, a unified India allowed for many trade opportunities between their Empires.
Despite their words of praise to Dharya, more than a few of the monarchs eyed Berengar with envy, fully aware that this newly formed empire with unlimited potential was nothing more than a puppet of the Reich and its cunning Kaiser. It was only after things had settled down that Berengar posed a question to Dharya that the man had not considered.
"So tell me Dharya, will you be proclaiming the formation of your new empire here in Vienna, or will you wait to make the announcement until you return home?"
The boy emperor looked over at the man, who had in many ways been his foster father, with a hint of suspicion in his eyes. He had not received much training on how to become an effective ruler. In fact, all he really learned was how to be an exceptional puppet.
However, if Berengar was asking this question, he clearly had ulterior motives. Thus, Dharya was forced to think about it clearly, which he did so for several moments of awkward silence. While pondering on this topic, all the other monarchs exchanged glances between the two men, wondering what the boy would choose.
Everyone knew the meaning behind the act of announcing the formation of the Indian Empire within the city of Vienna. Dharya was invited as a guest to the Reich for an international peace conference, and while he was away, his forces emerged victorious in a campaign against the army of a convicted war criminal.
Even though the monarchs had technically finished their work early, the Vienna Peace accords were officially lasting all weekend. To announce the formation of an Empire during this conference was a strong statement of commitment to the ideals which this treaty was founded upon. It was also, in a sense, a symbolic recognition of the German Empire's role in the formation of this newly unified Indian state.
While Dharya sat in silence thinking about how he should proceed, Berengar sipped from his drink with a smug smile on his handsome face. In truth, he already knew how Dharya would respond, even if the boy himself didn't realize it.
Not only did Berengar have the eye of Horus, which displayed one's hidden emotions towards him, but he was also a master manipulator and an excellent judge of character. To put it simply, from the moment Berengar first sent his forces into India, he had planned for these two events to converge at approximately the same time. All for this very moment. After several moments of awkward silence, Dharya sighed, and forced himself to smile as he responded to Berengar's question in affirmation.
"It would be my honor to announce the formation of my new empire here in Vienna, assuming you are willing to accept this."
Berengar chuckled lightly before gripping Dharya on the shoulder, partially to show his approval of the boy's actions, but also as a sign of dominance before all the other major world leaders. With a satisfied expression on his face, Berengar said the words Dharya was already expecting.
"My friend, the honor is all mine."
After saying this, Berengar, Dharya, and the other world leaders enjoyed a night out within the city of Vienna, celebrating all which they had accomplished on this day.
The following day, the world leaders gathered at the City Hall of Vienna once more, where in front of a large audience of journalists from across the Reich, they made a major announcement. Berengar stood by Dharya's side as he eloquently spoke the words that would usher in a new era of Indian politics.
"As of last night, the last remnant of the Bengal Army surrendered to the coalition of German and Anangpur troops. With this, the war for the region has come to a close, and I would like to formally announce the unification of the Indian subcontinent beneath the Anangpur Empire.
Since we are no longer just a small state in the northwestern portion of the Indian Subcontinent, but rather now encompass the entire region, I hereby announce the formation of the Indian Empire, to be ruled over by the Tomara dynasty from this day, until the end of days!
I assure you all that I will work hard alongside Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein to ensure that relations between India and the Reich are well maintained. Thank you all for your time."
With this said, the Indian Empire was officially formed, and Dharya was now the ruler of Berengar's largest and most powerful puppet, one he intended to mobilize against the Japanese when the time for war finally arrived.
As for how India developed, like all of his allies, Berengar fully intended to transform it from a feudal state, to a peak pre-industrial civilization. The military, of course, would be well funded and supplied by the Reich with a level of technology on par with the Joseon Kingdom and the Majapahit Empire, if not slightly superior.
In the coming days, Berengar would work side by side with Dharya to overhaul the Indian military and introduce agricultural reforms to the entirety of the newly established empire. He also had plans to smuggle tea plants from the Ming Dynasty into India, so that he could produce his own supply of such a valuable substance on German owned lands.
After all, if there was one luxury good that Berengar was lacking domestic production of, it would be tea. Something many of his citizens had begun to enjoy as much, if not more so, than coffee. With this in mind, Berengar intended to occupy a section of the market for himself, which was now a possibility with the formation of the Indian Empire.
As for Dharya, he would stay within the borders of the Reich for a few days longer, visiting Kufstein and his much beloved sister. Little did the Indian Emperor realize his German counterpart had already impregnated his dearest little sister. A fact that would cause quite a bit of concern in the man's mind when he learned about it.
Who was the Kaiser, if not the most cunning and manipulative man to ever walk the Earth? For the Indian Princess to enter the man's harem and carry his child, it only meant one thing, that Berengar von Kufstein had intentions to place his own offspring on the Indian Throne, one which Dharya had only recently established. Upon understanding this fact, Dharya would become deeply concerned about his future.