Steel Empire
The Dibavarian Victory

Count Otto wore a set of Churburg-style plate armor, covered from head to toe in a combination of plates, letters, and gambesons, with a tabard featuring the mighty emblem of his home. In his hand was a spear that he used very effectively as he slashed the Bavarian defender, an armed man wearing a brigandine breastplate on a letter hauberk; he wore a protective bascinet as he desperately defended the attack of the middle-aged master.

Otto and his troops are currently engaged in a field battle not far from the city of Landshut. Although his army was outnumbered, he had used superior tactics to encircle the Bavarian army in a classic double siege as used by the Carthaginian army at Cannae. Thus, the fields had turned into a massacre when the Bavarians were pushed together and massacred by the Austrian army. The Berengar family was famous as warriors for a reason; this idea extended to his cousins and their families as well.

Although Sieghard failed to recognize his son's strife; he was highly regarded as a great warrior and battlefield commander, though he had been looking forward to the day he could rise alongside his allies in battle once again, the guilt he felt for his son's actions, and his subsequent exile made him no longer a match for him. The battle, therefore Berengar's father was not present in this battle beside his brother-in-law. Count Otto was desperate for this incident; if Sieghard were here, the battle would probably have fewer losses. Of course, Sieghard was a follower of Count Lothar and would probably be stuck defending the Austrian Alps from the Bavarian forces located across the border.

Nevertheless, Count Otto could not help but lament the absence of his brother-in-law as he struck the man in front of him with his mighty spear. After finishing off the man, he moved to another nearby with his army flanking him; a group of heavily armored knights descended on Bavaria like reapers, as well, fend off their shots with polearms and heavy armor plates. Luckily for Otto, he had equipped all of his soldiers, pennants, and knights with the excellent armor of the Berengar industrial district; therefore, their casualties were far inferior to the enemy, the, even before they were caught in a trap.

Golden goose banners fluttered through the air as Austrian troops soon defeated the slightest resistance the enemy could put up. Pressed from all sides, the number of Bavarians quickly shrank from thousands to hundreds. The enemy commander soon finds himself surrounded by an army of steel-clad soldiers who cut his troops like ribbons. He could not imagine how the Austrians managed to make such a large supply of brigandine and plate armor; the cost was definitely outrageous! Nevertheless, Otto and his men quickly slashed at the people in front of them, urging the Enemy commander, who regretted his decision to advance from the wall and protect the nearby farm town from Austrian attack.

Today, the Bavarians have lost most of their troops, and the remaining ones continue to be banged against the mighty steel walls of the heavily armed men who continue to press them further and further. Spears, Halberds, Polehammers, swords, mace, war hammers all descended on the relatively incomplete Bavarian army, cutting off limbs and destroying skulls as deadly blows landed on their enemies. Produce a sea of blood that stained the snow under their feet.

After a protracted long battle, the last Bavarian position finally fell to the onslaught, ending in a remarkable victory for the Austrians, who suffered minimal losses due to their well-equipped troops. As thousands of his men cheered for the great victory they had achieved, Otto lifted a large basket visor and stared at the sight of a bloody iron-clad corpse into the snow covering the ground. The middle-aged count heaved a heavy sigh as he muttered those words.

"So this is steel tyranny? How could the enemy possibly compete with the defense that my troops have?"

Count Otto was astonished by the performance of his troops in this battle; if he was angry at Berengar earlier for betraying his daughter and having an illegitimate child whom he dared to recognize, he could not feel any more anger. The alliance he made with House von Kufstein actually paid off in this battle because he suffered far fewer casualties than usual if he did not invest much in the Berengar steel and weapons trade. The amount of steel that Berengar could produce was definitely a miracle from God, as the middle-aged Count could not explain otherwise.

As the main kuirassier rode next to Count Otto, the man saluted the Count before speaking.

"Are you Prince Otto von Graz?"

Count Otto noticed the intricate brass pattern on the officer's armor and looked at him with envy. The pattern contrasted sharply with the blackened steel plate and the striking black, gold, and white clothing that was slightly visible under the three-quarter steel plate. After gazing in admiration at the Count's incredible armor design, Otto finally regained his senses and nodded. When he did, the kuirassier gave him a letter with the House von Kufstein seal on it; while doing so, the main officer told the Count about a brief summary of what had happened during his absence.

"Viscount Berengar von Kufstein sent word of the dispute he had with your son Gerhart and asked for your help."

Hearing those words, Otto immediately read the letter; as he did so, his expression became increasingly sour before commenting loudly to be heard by all the troops nearby.

"That damn idiot..."

Although this was supposed to be a great victory and a reason for celebration, it was soon tarnished in the eyes of Count Otto by the foolish actions of his wayward son. For some reason, the boy thought that he could do whatever he wanted just because he was named Regent. If this was how the boy would rule as his successor, then Count Otto was very worried about the future of his kingdom. Count Otto had no choice but to send word back to Berengar, assuring him that the arrangement was still in effect and that he would resolutely rebuke Gerhart for his actions. The last thing he needed was Berengar to invade his land under the guise of securing the liberation of Steiermark from the usurpers.