"We can only blame our bad luck for running into a king like this."
"Yeah. The Austrians really did send troops. Looks like divine favor is still with the House of Carlos."
The generals' expressions were hard to read—whether they felt relieved or helpless, the mood was certainly grim.
"Divine favor? I'm not so sure. His Majesty wants us to take Madrid in three months. Do you think that's even possible?
"How many years has this war been going on? Does anyone really think it can be over in a few months?"
"I don't know. If the Austrian Empire's army can really reach Madrid within three months and attack us from both sides, then maybe."
"Three months from Barcelona to Madrid? Do you think he's Caesar or Napoleon?"
"Who knows?"
The generals chatted in fits and starts. Then someone suddenly had a thought and blurted it out.
"What if the Austrians don't leave? Wouldn't all our efforts have been for nothing?"
Throughout history, there had been no shortage of invaders who came under the banner of providing aid. With the Carlists' current strength, if the Austrians really decided to stay, there wasn't much they could do about it.
"Don't worry. This is Spain. Even if they don't want to leave, the British and French won't let them stay."
This general clearly saw the situation for what it was. After so many years of war, with neither side able to achieve a decisive victory, some people had finally realized that a great power was pulling the strings behind the scenes, unwilling to let Spain fall into either camp.
"I almost hope the Austrians stay. The House of Habsburg is far more generous than the Bourbons."
"Exactly! I hear the emperor of the Austrian Empire gives his meritorious subjects a monthly allowance.