Steel Empire
The War Begins

Currently, the Duke of Wilmar is with his followers, including Prince Otto, who has regrouped with the main Austrian forces in Munich where they are currently besieging. They were inside the commander's tent inside the siege camp, where they discussed tactics for the ongoing siege that had lasted for a total of fifteen days at this point. While inspecting the preparations to build a tunnel under the city walls, a messenger rushed into the tent with bad news in hand.

"Bring me in, I'm sorry for the disturbance, but the news is urgent!"

Seeing the depressed expression on the envoy's face, Duke Wilmar calmly responded to his uninvited appearance.

"What news is so grim that you're going to disturb my war council?"

Seeing the unfriendly gazes of the followers staring at him, the envoy immediately gulped his saliva while finding the courage to report on the precarious situation in Austria.

"Count Lothar has led his army to Vienna where he took up arms against you and surrounded the city as we speak!"

Duke Wilmar's expression turned murderous when he heard the shocking news; he did not expect someone related to his family, albeit distant, to change it in such a way. However, just as the Duke was about to speak, the envoy spoke once more.

"There's more..."

Duke Wilmar calmed himself down in a manner appropriate to his position before giving the order to the envoy.

"Continuing..."

Therefore, the messenger continued to tell the full contents of the news he received.

"Viscount Berengar had taken up arms against Count Lothar and was herding his army into Innsbruck in an attempt to force the hand of Count Lothar to return to Tyrol and defend it."

The envoy then reported the message Berengar had sent throughout Austria, and the frown on Wilmar's face turned into an evil grin as he spoke his mind out loud.

Count Otto bowed respectfully to Duke Wilmar before accepting his request, though it would be difficult as Lothair's forces outnumbered his troops and were equally well equipped; he must do his duty for the legitimate Duchy and Duke of Austria!

"That will be done, my lord!"

with that, the stage was set for a series of massive battles in Austria; thus, Austria was now severely limited in their ability to advance their claim to the German throne. Although it is not as if the other fraudsters are in a better position. After all, all of Germany and the surrounding areas have been involved in the conflict since the King's death.

...

Prince Lothair is currently in the same position as Duke Wilmar, he is currently besieging the City of Vienna, which acts as the capital of the Duchy of Austria, it is the seat of Habsburg power, and therefore, it is the seat of Habsburg power, he was looking to claim it for himself. He was currently standing in his tent reading a letter from Berengar declaring an open rebellion against Prince Lothair, and his official support to Duke Wilmar. In his other hand was a secret letter from Linde. After reading the contents of the two letters to his followers, he allowed it to be discussed on how they would proceed. Throughout the conversation, Count Lothar remained calm; fortunately, his daughter was by his side, as he thought the love he had for Berengar could not replace the loyalty he had to his family.

In Linde's letter, Berengar is blinded by ambition and has led an army with very poor equipment to Innsbruck, leaving Kufstein completely helpless. He added that he would welcome his father's soldiers with open arms if they appeared in Kufstein. However, his goal was to seize Vienna; after all, if Lothair were to abandon it now, he said, he would never get another chance to become Duke and would most likely have to fight a full battle with Duke Wilmar which resulted in the Duke being very supportive. However, due to how badly Kufstein defends from Linde's description, Lothar inevitably accepts his bait; therefore, he decides to act while his followers yell at each other in a manner of continuing.

"Viscount Theodoric, I want you to take a quarter of our troops and march on Kufstein, secure the territory and my daughter. You shouldn't face any resistance now that he's in charge; we'll make sure that bastard Berengar and his loathsome army have no home to return to!"

With that said, Theodoric grinned from ear to ear with an evil smile; he would now be able to ransack Kufstein and snatch something precious for himself; this was also his chance to get close to Linde, who was the one who was the only one who had ever seen before, what she had craved since she was a child, after all, she was considered one of the three heavenly beauties of Austria. As for Berengar's bastard son, he planned to knock him off the roof of the Castle. Therefore, he happily accepted the offer while bowing before Prince Lothar.

"You can count on me, my lord."

With that, Count Lothar's army was extremely weak overnight as a quarter of them would soon march into the trap set by Berengar and Linde, who were the only ones left behind, completely unaware that they would soon face an impenetrable defense mounted on all sides with 24-pound siege cannons and a rifle-wielding garrison. As for Lothar, he had greatly weakened his position, completely unaware that Count Otto was marching with his full strength to lift the siege of the traitor. Whether or not Count Lothar survived the ordeal was determined by how quickly he could take the Castle in Vienna and hold the Duke's family hostage.

In one move, Linde had greatly weakened Berengar's enemy position, while Berengar and his army marched through the Alps to besiege Tyrol's capital, the city of Innsbruck. One thing is certain the war for Austria has just begun, and it will be a long and brutal war with an unexpected winner. After all, both the Duke of Austria and the Rebel Count were currently in the midst of a siege, where anything could happen, and lives were easily lost.