Tyranny of Steel

In the following days Berengar, and his son Ghazi travelled from the coast of Gibraltar to the capital of Al-Andalus. They rode in an armored stagecoach, which was protected by members of the Imperial Guard. The caravan rode for some time before arriving in the city of Granada where both the remnants of the Granada Royal Army and the Imperial German Peacekeepers greeted them. 

The city's streets had been cleared, and everyone who dwelled within its walls for forced to return to their homes for the time being. However, that did not stop men, women, and children from gazing out through their windows to see what important guest had arrived. 

After the armored stagecoach arrived at the Royal Palace of Al Andalus, Berengar stepped out of the vehicle, before helping his young son down so that he was by his side. Ghazi gazed with wide eyes as he witnessed the splendor of the Capital. Though it was far from the glory of Kufstein, it was significant in its own right.

Truthfully, the boy had never left the palace since his birth, and now he was witnessing a foreign Empire on the other side of the continent. His young mind was flooded with excitement as he tried to run towards the massive palace, whoever he was quickly pulled back by his father, who lectured the boy with a stern expression on his face. 

"Ghazi, one day you will rule this land. However, at the moment, it is not safe for you to go running off by yourself. Stay by my side at all times, and do not speak out of turn..."

Upon witnessing the intimidating appearance on his father's face the bow lowered his head in submission and muttered in a voice so low Berengar almost missed it.

"Yes... father..."

After seeing the boy had become obedient, Berengar grabbed his son's hand and led him into the Royal Palace of Al-Andalus, where the widows of the late sultan lie in wait for him. Hasan had been busy and had remarried after the loss of two of his wives who had previously conspired against him. Despite this, they did not give birth to a son, and instead, Hasan's lineage was left with a bunch of young daughters. Women had no rights to inheritance in Al-Andalus, and because of this, the crown naturally fell to Ghazi who was the previous sultan's nephew. 

These young girls gazed at Ghazi with curiosity as he strolled through the Palace's entrance while holding his father's hand. He was so young, and yet they knew he would be the next sultan. At least one of the girls lamented the fact that she had been born a female. Unlike Ghazi and his newborn sister, these were full-blooded Moorish girls, and because of this, their hair was as dark as their eyes. They did not share the mixed features that displayed the noble German heritage that Ghazi had.

The servants of the Palace were quick to meet their new young master, who gazed upon the opulent, and exotic surroundings of what would one day be his new home. For now, the boy would spend some time in Granada and get to know the history of the region and its culture. However, he would return to Germany before long to live with his family, and one day soon start his education.

Berengar led Ghazi to a room where he had the servants of the Palace dressed the boy in a ceremonial regalia. When he looked in the mirror, he was astonished to see the foreign clothing that adorned itself over his small body. He quickly called out to his father, questioning what was going on. 

"Father, why am I wearing this?"

By now, Berengar had raided Hasan's liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink. He had a tired expression on his face as he sipped from the fortified wine imported from the Reich. 

"Your Uncle Hasan has recently passed away. He died without leaving behind a proper heir. As the closest male relative, you are now the new Sultan of Al-Andalus."

Ghazi struggled to comprehend everything his father was saying. He had heard the man call him the Sultan in previous conversations, but he had no idea what that meant, thus he quickly asked for clarification.

"What's a Sultan?"

Berengar merely smiled before giving the boy an answer.

"The word Sultan is Arabic in origin. It essentially means monarch. King or Emperor would be the closest translation in my native tongue. You are now a King, boy, though you are still too young to govern your realm. Because of this, you will have to choose a regent to manage the Kingdom's affairs for you until you are old enough to take your rightful position."

The boy pondered about this for several moments. He was still too young to properly comprehend everything his father was saying. He was about to ask what a regent was when his father wore a reassuring smile before placing his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Ghazi, you don't have to worry about the details. Just Leave everything to your old man. All I want for you is to grow up and live your life to the fullest. By the time you reach adulthood, you will understand your responsibilities. For now, just relax and treat this as a vacation."

The kid nodded his head with an excited expression on his face before responding.

"Okay, father..."

Upon hearing this, Berengar smiled and patted the boy's hair. In the next moment, a knock resounded on the door, and General Ziyad's voice disrupted the wholesome moment.

"Kaiser, everything is prepared. We are waiting on you and the young Sultan..."

Berengar quickly finished the rest of his drink in a single gulp, before grabbing his son's hand and leading him to the door. He left him a simple reminder as he informed the boy about what was going to happen.

"You don't need to say anything Ghazi, just sit still and wait for the ceremony to be over."

The young boy nodded his head and wore a kind smile as the duo exited the door, and were led through the corridors by the Moorish General, who presented them to the Great Hall where Hasan's gilded throne lie in wait for its new master. 

Berengar led his son up to the throne, and sat him upon it where Ghazi gazed around at the spectacular grand hall in wonder. There were many people gathered, nobles from all over. The German Imperial Guard and the Al-Andalusian Royal Guard united to protect the young child from any threat. Berengar stood proudly by the boy's side, while Adelbrand and Ziyad took flanking positions. 

As for the boy's cousins and aunts, they were forefront at the gathered crowd, and gazed upon the young boy with complex expressions on their faces. It was ultimately General Ziyad who led the proceedings. 

"Sultan Hasan Al-Fadl is dead. During his campaign in Morocco he was ambushed, along with his forces, and killed in action. Since he has left no male heirs of his own, by the right of succession the Crown of Al-Andalus falls to his closest male relative. Which is his nephew Ghazi Al-Fadl, son of Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein, and Princess Yasmin Al-Fadl. Today we crown this boy as our King, and name his father Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein as Regent, until a time where the new Sultan comes of age."

After saying this, a servant brought forth a beautiful crown, and offered it to Ziyad who placed it upon Ghazi's head. 

"I present to you, Sultan Ghazi Al-Fadl, first of his name, long may he reign! Kneel before your new sovereign." 

The gathered noblemen were in shock to hear that the previous Sultan had died in Morocco, it took them several seconds to realize that this information had been kept hidden from them, and the true successor was already placed on the throne before they could conspire to control it. It had all happened so fast, and the only reason Berengar could place his son on the throne so easily was because of the near-instant communication that was a result of his radiotelegraphs. 

However, there was nothing they could do now short of assassinating a small child, and that was highly unlikely, the German Empire backed the new Sultan, whose Kaiser acted as the new regent. This meant the full might of Imperial Intelligence would be protecting the boy from anyone who conspired against him. 

Ultimately, even the most bitter of noblemen fell to one knee and bowed their heads to the new Sultan before repeating the words. 

"Long may he reign!"

Under the regency of Berengar von Kufstein, Al-Andalus would see its political turmoil crushed, and the authority of the Crown strengthened. Berengar planned to do everything in his power to create a stable and prosperous empire for his son to inherit. After all, Hasan had left Al-Andalus in a terrible state, and many things needed to be fixed, if not overhauled entirely. 

With this, the political situation in Iberia had entered a new phase of stability. In the coming days, German troops would land on Iberian soil once more, where they, alongside Imperial Intelligence, would conduct a thorough sweep of rebellious entities, beginning an era of political purges not so different from the Spanish Inquisition of Berengar's past life.