Tyranny of Steel

Berengar opened the small wooden box which contained a special medal where he gazed upon the nation's highest award. The Imperial Order of the House von Kufstein, an award Berengar specifically invented to reward his wife Linde for her years of faithful service. Though Linde held the title of Grandmaster within the Order, there were still Knights and Commander classes that could be awarded to others. 

Berengar held back the tears that were forming in his eyes with a visible sign of discomfort, before taking his stance at the podium once more. The people of Germany had never seen the man look so vulnerable before, and were wondering just what was about to happen. Berengar took a moment to calm himself before recovering his signature stoic appearance, where he then spoke into the mic. His voice nearly breaking as he struggled to announce the words.

"It... It is with a heavy heart that I posthumously give out this first award to a man who has been a hero to the people of Germany for many years. There is something I have been keeping a secret until now, from the entire world. If not for the critical strategic value of this information, I would have revealed it to you all sooner. 

Across the Atlantic Ocean are two whole continents of land filled with untapped resources that are critical to the development of the Reich. Over the past few years, I have established colonies in these lands and have sent men I trust to govern the regions. 

One of these men was Field Marshal Arnulf von Thiersee. A man who has proven himself a loyal subject, and a close personal friend. Unfortunately for all of us, the Field Marshal was betrayed by a group of native savages who he tried to help. These barbarians betrayed Arnulf's trust, and attacked the hand that fed them, killing the man in cold blood as he tried to protect the colony from their onslaught.

For giving his life, in defense of German soil, an entire world away from the fatherland, I hereby award Field Marshal Arnulf von Thiersee with the highest honor within the Reich. The Commander's Cross of the Imperial Order of the House von Kufstein.

As you may be aware, Arnulf took no wife, and fathered no children before his untimely demise, and for that I will hand this award off to his younger brother to keep in his memory from this day until the end of days."

After saying this, a man dressed in the uniform of a colonel approached the Podium where Berengar handed off the medal to the man, along with a fine painting of Arnulf and a folded flag. Arnulf's little brother was in tears, and to comfort him, Berengar hugged the man and grabbed the back of his head while saying something to him that he would never forget. 

"I loved your brother as if he were a member of my own family. If you need anything to help you process your grief, I am here for you and your family." 

Arnulf's brother had grown up in the era of Berengar's rise to power. He was at least five years younger than his brother and practically worshipped both Arnulf and Berengar. Arnulf's family was made aware prior to this event that the Field Marshal had died, but it did not hurt any less. After the man thanked Berengar, he stepped down from the stage and sat at the side. 

The crowd was astonished, and also depressed. It shocked them to hear that there was an entire other world across the atlantic filled with savages, but they were more disheartened than hopeful, and that was because Arnulf was a national hero who had been with Berengar since the very beginning. His prestige and fame throughout the reich were second only to Berengar and Eckhard. 

A moment of silence was taken for the loss of one of Germany's greatest generals. After it was over, Berengar quickly transitioned to a more happy note. Where he handed off a Grand Cross of the Iron Cross to another officer who approached the podium.

"General Arnwald Gerwig, for your heroic actions in aiding in the Defense of the Kaiser's Pass, I hereby award you with the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. You have proven yourself a capable General not only in the mountains of New Swabia, but in the Deserts of Egypt!"

The man saluted the Kaiser before allowing Berengar to wrap the medal around his collar. After it was over, Berengar saluted the man back. The following men to receive prestigious medals were Field Marshal Heimerich von Graz. General Willehelm Ritter von Krieger, Admiral Reitz Bettinger.

Admiral Reitz Ritter von Bettinger, as he would be known from now on, was awarded the Knight's Cross of The Imperial Order of the House von Kufstein for his efforts in defeating the Crusader Navy off the shores of Naples.

Berengar spent some time handing out awards to various General Officers before moving onto the commissioned officers. He had three separate military honors to issue to his first target. A man who had been in the ranks of his special operations since the very beginning. 

"Major Andreas Jaeger, or should I say Colonel Andreas Ritter von Jaeger, for your clandestine operations behind enemy lines, and the heroism that you and your men showed in the face of battle, I award you with the following honors: A Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, a Knight's Cross of the Order of Saint George, and finally an Order of Merit! You have more than earned the honor and prestige associated with these awards!"

The crowds cheered for the veteran Jagdkommando who received his commendations, but he himself had a stoic expression on his face. He had been at the forefront of special operations since Berengar created them and had seen many horrific things in the line of duty. He did not care for fanciful titles, and garish medals, he cared only about defending the fatherland. 

Andreas and his men had recently been issued a string of new toys to play with, and were even more deadly on the field of battle now that they had access to select fire and semi-automatic weapons. The battle-hardened veteran also knew by looking into the sky and witnessing the zeppelin that it was only a matter of time before he and his men began deploying from land, sea, and air.

However, that wasn't his concern for the time being. He was certain when the time came, Berengar would introduce new equipment that would allow him and his men to fulfill the task perfectly. Thus, he stood silently and waited for the Kaiser to wrap the medals around his neck and pin them to his chest. 

After Andreas had received his medals, Berengar gazed at the next name on his list and was slightly surprised. When he spoke the youth's name, even Linde, who was standing nearby with a pretty smile, acted strangely. 

"Lieutenant Herman von Habsburg, please step forward."

The name Habsburg caused rumors to spread among the older members of the audience. It had been years since anyone had heard that name. After all, the main line died off with the boy Conrad after Berengar had tossed him out the window. Although Linde had an elder brother named Liutbert, he was not exactly famous outside of his ancestral home of Innsbruck. 

Herman walked forward and stood before the Kaiser while in his dress uniform. He had no major medals, and a stoic expression on his face. If Linde were to be gender bent, she would look exactly like this young man. Berengar could see the family resemblance and smiled before pinning an Iron Cross first class to his breast.

"For your heroic actions during the invasion of the lowlands, I hereby award you with the Iron Cross First Class. Keep up the good work, and perhaps one day you will be leading more than just a platoon of soldiers."

The young man refused to smile. After all, he had mixed feelings about Berengar and his sister. The Kaiser noticed this and shifted his gaze towards Linde, who seemed distressed at the sight of her younger brother, whom she had not seen in years. Upon seeing his wife in such a sorry he state, the Kaiser decided to take the opportunity to shake the Herman's hand, where he pulled the boy in close and whispered something in his ear.

"You should forgive your sister already. What happened to your father was practically a lifetime ago, and well deserved. Life is too short for such hatred, especially against your own family."

Herman merely glared at Berengar before saluting him. He left behind a single word before stepping down from the stage. 

"Betrayal can never be forgiven!"

Berengar could only sigh in defeat as the young man walked off, angrier than ever. He could not find fault with Herman's words, after all, he used the same reasoning to execute his friend Arnulf just weeks prior. After accepting this, he turned back to his list of names before calling out to the crowd. 

"Sergeant Major Lach Wickten. Will you step forward, please?"

A man whose face was scarred from years of warfare stepped forward. He wore the uniform of a member of the Jaeger Corps. Meaning more often than not, he was deployed to the most heated war zones. It was no wonder that he had such a grizzled look on his face. 

The man stepped forward and saluted Berengar before awaiting his award. His chest was already brimming with medals that he had earned through years of bloodshed. However, it had been a while since the Kaiser personally gave him a medal.

So much so that Lach truly believed Berengar had forgotten about him. Thus, it came as a surprise when the Kaiser wrapped a Commander's Cross of the Order of Saint George around his neck and reminded him of old times. 

"Sergeant Major Lach Wickten or should I say Sergeant Major Lach Graf von Wickten... I remember you. You were that man who brought back a prototype weapon to the battlefield after returning to Italy from your injuries. Ludwig's first successful needle rifle. Am I right?

Man, if it weren't for you, Ludwig would have waited until the end of the war to tell me about his newest invention, and we surely would have suffered dearly in the trenches outside Florence. Your actions saved many lives during the latter part of that war, and I haven't been able to reward you properly until now. 

It appears you have been busy over the years. Getting promoted to a Sergeant Major in the Jaeger Corps. That is a very respectable position. You are the first non-commissioned officer to earn this honor, and it is thanks to your efforts that it is now available to NCOs. You have more than earned a title of nobility.

I present you with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Saint George. From this day forward, your descendents will be Counts. Not that nobility means what it once did a decade ago. However, you and your family can hold your heads high as members of the noble class going forward."

Lach nodded his head in understanding before shaking the hand of the Kaiser. He was honestly surprised that Berengar remembered who he was, but pleased nonetheless. The Sergeant Major was the last man to receive a medal during the Victory Day Celebration. What would come next was a night of feasting and a martial arts tournament.