Tyranny of Steel

Nearly three months had passed since the civil war in Luxembourg began, and news of Hartman's brutality in hunting down the insurgents had spread across all of Europe. Berengar, while sympathizing with the plight of the rebels, refused to directly involve himself in the war until his rival's reputation was at such a level that the world at large would consider military intervention into this conflict a humanitarian necessity. 

However, this did not mean he sat idly by and watched during this time. Quite the contrary, he expanded the South German-Confederations military capabilities by arming and training entire divisions of its member states with the best weapons available. He also spent considerable effort replacing his personal army's needle rifles with the new G22 Bolt Action Rifles. 

However, most importantly, the Austrian King had spent a small fortune ensuring that a railway stretched from the city of Kufstein to the northern borders of Bavaria. After all, this was critical to the rapid invasion of Luxembourg that he had planned, as well as crucial to the success of his logistics network. Now Berengar was merely counting down the days until this network was complete and he could deploy forces and equipment to Bavaria's northern borders. 

At the moment, the Grand Duke of Bavaria, Dietger von Wittelsbach, stood within Berengar's office. Along his side were the other leaders of the South German Confederation, including Eckhard von Marienburg, who wore his various military honors with pride. Though the middle-aged man was no longer a military official, he was still an important political figure in the union of the South and Eastern German States. 

For some time, Eckhard had been dealing with the nobles of his realm, attempting to coerce them into obeying the laws he had implemented under Berengar's authority. However, resistance was inevitable and thus he had taken Austria's military aid with much enthusiasm, rising an army from the peasants in his personal territory. Currently, he was outlining the delicate balance that existed in the newly formed Grand Duchy of Prussia. 

"I understand your need for troops, your Majesty; however, as you may be aware, Prussia is currently amid its own internal conflict, and moving my forces from Marienburg to Luxembourg will surely embolden my vassals to rise against me. They are not exactly happy with losing their power.  I simply can not afford to spare the troops without risking civil war within my domain. You will simply have to do without my forces...."

Berengar sighed heavily when he heard this troublesome news. He desperately wanted Eckhard's support in this campaign of German unification, but the man was adamant in refusing to partake in warfare. Hell, if he really wanted to, he could have crushed this rebellion of the nobles ages ago.

After retiring from the Austrian Army, Eckhard was more determined than ever to resolve things peacefully; unfortunately negotiations had reached a stalemate. The Austrian King was well aware of the difficulties his vassal faced, thus he placed the palm of his hand on his forehead as he responded to Eckhard's worries with sympathy.

<br/>"Very well. Prussia will be exempt from this campaign. You need not send your forces to the battlefield. However, I will require you to contribute to the war effort via additional material aid. After all, we are all unified together against the Northern Alliance, and I do not plan to let a single one of my vassals escape from their duties."

Eckhard had a stoic expression as he nodded his head in response to his liege's demands.

"Very well. I am sure I can satisfy your request. Send a report to me on everything you will need to ensure our Confederation's victory, and I will do my best to supply it."

With the matter of Prussia's participation settled, Berengar gazed upon the map sprawled out across the table in his war room, and pointed towards the railway that now stretched to the northern Borders of Bavaria. 

It will be at most a fortnight before the railway through Bavaria is complete, when it is, I will send the first three divisions of my Royal Army and the First Division of Bohemia's Army through the vast network that we have established to the northern Border. I expect Bavaria's troops to already be gathered within the region, and provide support for my army, who will act as the spearhead towards the Northern Alliance. 

As for the rest of you, it is unfortunate, but we simply did not have the time to connect your lands via the rail network, so I would advise you to march your forces as soon as possible towards the enemy's borders. Hopefully, within the next few weeks, we can all be gathered and ready to strike at our enemies, who so boldly massacre their civilians in retaliation for the rebels' actions. 

I want to make this clear to everyone gathered here. We will conduct this invasion in the most civil manner possible. That means outright bombarding civilian targets, even if there are hostiles stationed within, is a criminal act.

We are not fighting foreigners, but our own German brothers, and unnecessary bloodshed is not only explicitly forbidden, but also a tragedy of the highest order! Remember, we are here to liberate the German people from their corrupt masters, and are most certainly not going to add to their suffering."

The various Grand Dukes who surrounded Berengar nodded their heads in silence as they agreed to these terms. After all, none of them wanted to get on their liege's bad side. Thus, they kept quiet, all except for one. Dietger was rather concerned that his realm would act as the staging ground for the invasion, and thus he spoke up on his views.

"What will happen when the Bastard of Luxembourg realizes I am amassing an army on my Northern Border? Do you think he will simply allow us to prepare for an invasion without incident? Surely, he will strike the moment he becomes concerned with the possibility of our intervention into his civil war."

Berengar scoffed at this concern before lecturing his vassal on the power that his troops possessed.

"If Hartman is foolish enough to attack you, then you have my permission to annihilate his forces. I equipped your men with needle rifles, breechloading cannons, and even a few Schmidt guns. They possess firepower that is more than capable of annihilating any hostile force in this world. 

It is my honest belief that the Bastard of Luxembourg will be hesitant to march on your borders should he discover our plot. After all, he simply does not have the men to spare. However, should he rear his ugly head, do whatever is necessary to repel his army."

Dietger nodded his head in response to this answer, though he did not want to provoke a conflict with his neighbors before the Austrian Army arrived to support him, with Berengar's confirmation of Bavaria's current military capabilities he was far less fearful of such a prospect than he was moments ago.  With these concerns addressed, Berengar gazed up from his map, and towards the men who had gathered before him, before asking the question that was on his mind.

"Does anyone have any other concerns they wish to discuss before we enact our plans?"

Despite saying this, nobody raised their voice, rather they shook their heads silently confirming that all was understood. Thus, the King of Austria sighed heavily before dismissing his vassals.

"Very well, then this meeting is adjourned. I look forward to seeing you all, or your representatives on the battlefield, soon enough. Remember, this war will determine the future of not only our realms, but the entirety of Germany. We have the opportunity to unite our people into a single Empire, so do not fail me!"

With this said, the various Grand Dukes of the South German Confederation fled the scene, leaving Berengar by his lonesome as he sighed and took a sip from his wine chalice. Soon enough, he would be back in the fields of battle, engaging in the carnage of war.

His hands trembled with fury as he dwelled on such a thought, only the savory taste of his fortified wine could calm his nerves. After settling down by drinking the entirety of his chalice's contents, he sighed heavily once more before speaking to himself, in doing so affirming his resolve towards this upcoming conflict.

"Hartman von Luxembourg, I will make you pay dearly for what you have done to my precious little sister!"

Thus, the Kingdom of Austria and its subordinate states had enacted a plot to invade their Northern Neighbors. A war for the future of Germany was about to take place, whether it would be united under the rule of Austria, or forever remained fractured had yet to be seen. However, Berengar von Kufstein was confident that he and his dynasty would rule over this German Empire for years to come. 

Perhaps his actions in this second life of his could prevent the fate that Germany and its people had suffered in his past life. As he reflected on recent events that had occurred in this timeline, another thought escaped his lips. 

"Never again..."

What exactly he was referring to when he said these words, only the young King of Austria himself knew the answer.