Tyranny of Steel

Fall Brandt fulfilled his promise and applied to the War College of Vienna immediately after returning home.And though he was a high school dropout, he was given the opportunity to pass a series of tests in order to enter the university. After all, Germany was a nation built upon merit, and if one could prove they were intelligent enough to enter the War College, then they were free to do so.

After acing the tests put in front of him, Brandt began the life of a cadet. Any and all prestige he once had was gone, as he became just another cog in the German War machine. This would last for another eight years of his life. During his time at the War College, he would not speak with Zara again, nor see her pretty face. Thus, beginning a decade long quest to earn the girl's hand in marriage.

As for Berengar, he was immediately interested in the subject the man had chosen to pursue as his primary field of study. Brandt was majoring in Bio-Chemistry, and had almost immediately begun to use the vast wealth he had accumulated during his years as a professional kickboxer to invest in a brewing company. Whether or not it would achieve the desired results in the next ten years was yet to be seen.

And that was the end of Brandt's story for now. Instead, Berengar returned his sights to managing the realm, and expanding his Empire's power. Before he knew it, nearly six months had come and gone. And just like that, his son Kristoffer and his young fiancee were both now of marriageable age.

As a result, Berengar and his family immediately set off North of the Reich's borders, where they found themselves within the city of Copenhagen to attend Kristoffer and Astrid's wedding. Not only was today the day that the beautiful young nordic sweetheart married into Berengar's family, but it was also the day that his son assumed the position as the new King of the Kalmar Union, an agreement that was brokered between Berengar and Alvar, years ago, after the betrothal between Hans and the Nordic Princess came to a bitter end.

When Berengar stepped foot in the Kalmar Kings' palace, he was immediately reminded of memories from what now seemed like the distant past. Nearly twenty years ago, he first stepped foot in this building to ensure that the Kalmar Union did not interfere in his plans to unite Germany into a single nation. He had seldom stepped foot in these lands since then, except for but a few occasions, such as the time he visited Copenhagen after encountering the Norn sisters within Jutland.

While Berengar had aged gracefully, and maintained a large, and overbearing presence. Alvar had perhaps unsurprisingly aged rather poorly, his health was in full decline, and Berengar could now say with certainty that the man was morbidly obese. So much so that he suffered from a particularly nasty bout of gout.

The last time Berengar had spoken with his Nordic counterpart, they had departed on rather poor terms. After all, Hans had taken his daughter's virginity and then kicked her to the curb. By now, the poor girl was probably married off to some minor Nordic nobleman in order to secure her father's position.

Which was evident by the fact that she was not present for the wedding. However, today the two men would have to put the past behind them, and move forward with their lives, thus Berengar forced a smile on his handsome face as he reached out his hand to shake Alvar's before complimenting the man.

"King Alvar... It has been a while, I am glad to see that you are in good he-"

Berengar was about to say good health, but he could not very well make such a blatant lie in good conscience. As for Alvar, he immediately broke out into laughter as he heard Berengar abruptly silence himself, before throwing shade on himself.

"Go ahead and say it. I'm a jolly old fat fuck, aren't I? I just couldn't help myself. The food that we import from your country is just too delicious! Hopefully, your son will have more restraint than me. Because it would be a pity of my granddaughter had to deal with a spouse like me..."

A slight smile emerged on Berengar's face as he realized that the man had moved past their former grievances, and embraced his current lot in life. Berengar then began to go along with the subject that his northern counterpart had started.

"Indeed, we sure do make a bunch of tasty treats. However, I tend to avoid some of the less healthy options. If I did not maintain my current physique, I am afraid that my wives would begin to riot!"

Alvar chuckled in response to this statement while he walked alongside Berengar with his cane supporting his massive weight. The two monarchs could not be any more different from one another. And while the two men walked down the hallway of the Nordic King's palace, Alvar whispered to Berengar in a voice so low that only the two of them could hear.

"At first I was angry with you, demanding that your son replace me the day he marries my granddaughter. But I realize now that if the Kalmar Union wishes to stay united, then it will need a member of the von Kufstein Dynasty to sit upon its throne.

The other Kings in the North are already scrambling for a chance to split apart, and if we do that, it is only a matter of time before Scandinavia falls into obscurity. Thus, I will do as you once commanded, and will pass my crown onto your Son just after he marries my granddaughter."

Berengar nodded his head as he looked over at the other end of the hall, where the other Scandinavian royal houses gathered to witness the occasion. He leaned in closer to Alvar to ensure that only the two of them heard his words before saying something rather shocking.

"For your information, my leibgarde are rather skilled at handling discreet matters. You only need to say the word, and your political rivals will not make it back to their homes with their lives intact. I will not make the same suggestion to my son, for his heart is too pure to even entertain the thought of staining his hands with so much innocent blood, but if you truly wish to cement Kristoffer's reign, then I suggest you think about my offer."

Alvar's eyes darted back and forth across the area in an attempt to see if anyone had overheard the Kaiser, and when he realized that he was in the clear, he sighed in relief before saying the words Berengar wanted to hear the most.

"Do it..."

Berengar did not say a word, and simply smiled as he waved to the other royal families of Scandinavia, where he then nodded silently to the Captain of his guard as he slowly walked passed the man. In doing so, he signalled for the purge to begin, which would occur later that night.

Naturally, in order to avoid suspicion, these deaths would look like a series of accidents, but in the end, only Kristoffer would remain as the unchallenged ruler over all the Nordic countries. As for the boy himself, he did not even realize that his father had given the order to spill blood on his wedding night, and was instead walking behind the man, with his lovely fiancee in hand. His mind was on far more trivial matters, like how he would kiss Astrid after they said their vows. Thus, without anyone but Berengar and Alvar being aware, the Nordic Empire was about to rise from the ashes of the Kalmar Union.