Tyranny of Steel

Arnulf stared at a stack of paperwork in his hands with a smile on his face. Throughout these past few years, the Colony of New Vienna had prospered immensely. Due to his skilled negotiations with the native peoples of the region, the German Empire had secured a large labor force that was paid for with food and shelter. Something Germany had an abundance of.

The Colony of New Vienna had gone from a small military fortress to a much larger settlement, filled with Germans and natives alike. Though disease had spread rapidly across the land, those who submitted themselves to an alliance with Germany would find basic medical treatment to help aid in recovery. Because of this, the death rate of the indigenous population of the region once known as New York in Berengar's pervious life had been lowered drastically.

As the Colonial Governor, Arnulf had exceeded Berengar's reputation in the region, and this was in part because he had a completely different mindset of foreign policy than the esteemed emperor. As far as Arnulf was concerned, conflict with the Native populations was unsustainable, at least in the short term. For the time being, Germany simply did not have the number of vessels capable of transporting arms and munitions to the new world in vast enough quantity to completely overwhelm their potential enemies.

Thus, unlike Berengar, who was hellbent on conquest and dominance, Arnulf reacted by brokering mutually favorable peace treaties with the local tribes and confederations. Unlike in the other settlements of the New World, the natives had begun to accept and embrace the foreign colonizers as a beneficial existence. So much so that Arnulf's word was treated with much respect amidst disputes between the various tribal confederations. He had earned the nickname the "Great Peacemaker" as a result.

However, none had embraced the German colonials more so than Kahwihta, who was currently standing by Arnulf's side with an infant child in her arms. While Kahwihta had initially had romantic feelings for Berengar it had been years since the one eyed man last visited the colony, and as time passed by her interest in the man vanished, and was instead replaced with a strong foundation she had built with Arnulf over the years. The Colonial Governor had even taken her as one of his brides.

Kahwihta was no longer a mere translator, but was actually the secretary of the Colonial Governor. She had learned a lot about math, science, and history in her spare time and was an excellent example as to Arnulf's friendly policy with the natives. The young couple stared at each other lovingly as Arnulf finished approving the establishment of a local armory, as well as a local nitrary. When Kahwihta saw this, she was slightly surprised and voiced her confusion on the matter.

"Are we expecting a war anytime soon?'

Arnulf merely smiled when he heard this and shook his head before grasping hold of one of the woman's free hands while kissing it.

"No, not at all, but it is never a bad thing to be prepared. I still don't know much about the lands outside New Vienna, and there could be an existence that threatens everything we have built here. I have decided not to rely on the fatherland for support in terms of arms and munitions. You never know when the Kaiser will piss off some major power, and find himself in another war, incapable of tending to our needs."

When Kahwihta heard this she chuckled, reminiscing on the violent display she had witnessed when Berengar first step foot in the new world, after having many conversations with her newfound husband, she came to understand that the German Emperor was a bloodthirsty man hellbent on conquest, and was glad that she avoided falling prey to his charms. Thus, it was no surprise when she responded with a witty quip about the man in question.

"Berengar is an interesting man... Do you think there will ever be a day where he doesn't need conflict in his life?"

Arnulf scoffed as he heard this before breaking out a couple of mugs, which he quickly poured a hearty lager into from the keg in his office. After Handing his wife one of the drinks, he shook his head before responding to Kahwihta's question.

"Honestly, I think he wants to die on the battlefield. I don't know what it is, but he believes because he has the power to force his will on others, that is the only solution to his problems. This attitude of might makes right has, in reality, made many enemies for the Empire. If we weren't so much superior to our enemies in terms of military technology, they would surely swarm us. I'm just glad that I am free to govern how I see fit here in New Vienna."

Having said this, Arnulf took a large sip from his mug as if no amount of alcohol could put his worries at bay. When Kahwihta saw her husband was drinking in excess again, she smiled before calming his nerves.

"Slow down, I know what worries you, but I highly doubt the Kaiser is going to call you to war anytime soon. You have retired from the military and are now a politician. Besides, there's plenty of young blood to be shed in his wars. Why would he ever need you by his side?"

When Arnulf heard this, he felt much better about himself and slowed his drinking before taking a heavy sigh. He grabbed hold of native beauty and kissed her on the lips before reflecting on how good his life had become these past few years.

"You know, when he first gave me this position, I thought of it as an insult. After my years of loyalty and hard work, he awarded me with a crap lot of land to rule over, an ocean away from the fatherland. However, I have come to realize becoming the Colonial Governor of New Vienna is the best thing that could have ever happened to me."

Kahwihta smiled when she heard this and nodded her head in agreement with her husband's assessment. Without Arnulf, it was entirely possible that the German expansion in New Vienna would have been a long and bloody process. It was only because Arnulf was a skilled diplomat that he was able to peacefully solve the disputes between the Colony of New Vienna and the natives.

She could not believe how quickly things progressed. With the unconditional support of the fatherland, its advanced agricultural practices, and mechanized equipment, the Colony of New Vienna had become the breadbasket of the region. However, it also had a significant interest in cash crops such as tobacco. As a result, it had become a wealthy and stable colony that was close to being on par with the fatherland.

Though there were no trains yet, nor many of the other technological marvels the fatherland was renowned for. Many of the inventions that existed in the fatherland that allowed for convenience had found their way to New Vienna, creating a much more peaceful and stable life for those looking to escape the wars of Europe.

Thus, While Berengar was lighting the Aztec Empire ablaze in the flames of war, Arnulf was living a serene life, filled with prosperity and meaning. Ultimately, Kahwihta took a sip from her drink before commenting on the approval of the new armory, as well as a few other projects that Arnulf had green-lighted recently.

"Is it just me, or are you seeking to establish a self-sufficient colony here in New Vienna?"

When Arnulf heard this, he merely smiled and nodded his head before responding to his wife's thoughts.

"Indeed, though I have much faith in Berengar to defend his Empire from any and all enemies he may create. The truth of the matter is I do not know how competent his successors will be, nor the content of their character. It is because of this that I am preparing New Vienna to be a haven for my people who wish to flee from whatever chaos my follow the Kaiser's eventual death."

When Kahwihta heard this, she broke out into giggles. She could not believe Arnulf was thinking so far ahead, thus she merely sighed before nuzzling her head against the broad chest of her husband.

"You are so wise, though I believe it will be many years before our Kaiser dies. You are right to assume that there could be some significant chaos within the fatherland when that happens. We are all so lucky to have you as our colonial governor..."

In response to this, Arnulf chuckled as he grabbed hold of his wife and child and dragged them into his embrace. Perhaps Berengar's successor will be a greater man than himself, or perhaps he would be a bloodthirsty tyrant. Whatever might be the case, Arnulf intended for his own successor to have the same vision of peace and prosperity for the colonies in North Vinland that he had sought to establish. After all, he was well aware that Berengar intended New Vienna to be the first of many such settlements.