Steel Empire
Welcoming

Berengar's or remaining forces had been marching ever since he had successfully annexed the Prince-Bishopric of Trent into County Tyrol. It had been weeks at this point, and he could finally see Kufstein City and its impenetrable defenses on the horizon. It had been more than two months since he first started his campaign, and he had achieved a great victory against the rebel forces.

A warm smile appeared on the face of the handsome young man as he gazed at his homeland joyfully, muttering the words in his mind while sitting on his warhorse, yang has proved to be an excellent friend during the last two months of his life.

"We're finally home..."

Berengar's losses in the war were quite low; less than 1,000 people on his side were killed in the conflict; as for the levies allied with him, the numbers were slightly higher. However, he did not count them among his own victims, as they were technically not his current troops. As for the Army behind him, it was less than half of what he had invaded with Trent; the territory was given command by Arnulf for a time until the rebellion officially ended. As for Eckhard, he was in charge of South Tyrol and its garrison.

The spirit of resistance was still in the hearts of many of the citizens Berengar had conquered at this time, but at this moment, they did not follow through. After the war officially ended, Eckhard, Arnulf, and the troops left behind in the region will remain there until a more permanent garrison made up of well-indoctrinated locals into his army is established.

It had been two months since she had felt the warm embrace of her lover, or since she had seen the dazzling sapphire eyes of her baby boy, and Berengar had missed her so much as he drove to the City, she said, who was currently covered in snow, he had a wide smile on his face. When Berengar and his army entered the city of Kufstein, the townspeople marched across the street, welcoming the return of their Liege as conquering Heroes. Cheers reverberated throughout the city as Berengar rode in front of his troops, wearing a strikingly decorated black steel plate armor.

Berengar thought to himself as he smiled and waved at his people

'So this is a hero's welcome? It's really fitting ...'

To the citizens of Kufstein, Berengar had achieved the unthinkable; he spread the glory of their territory and seized the entire County of Tyrol and its neighbor, Prince-Bisophric of Trent, the prince of Trent, from their enemies within a span of two months. Although many of his men were killed in the conflict, Berengar would keep his promise and exempt their families from taxes for a period of time. However, the Kufstein community has not yet learned of the promise.

After passing through the streets of Kufstein, Berengar dispersed his army; they could return home to their loved ones for a while; after all, they had more than earned it. Only after his troops had fully assembled and paid their utmost respect to Berengar on the steps of Kufstein Castle did he understand the extent of their loyalty. Such appearances were not requested from them, yet they took it upon themselves to pay respect to God and their Commander, who had to lead them against unthinkable odds and towards overwhelming victory.

Berengar paid their respects before marching to the castle gate. As Berengar stepped through the gates of his castle, he was practically slashed down by Linde, who rushed into his arms like an attacking bull. Lucky for him, he was able to stand up straight and accept his embrace. Her family, as well as Henrietta, had gathered nearby and witnessed the loving reunion. Berengar started greeting Linde

"Did you miss ..."

Before he could even finish his sentence, Berengar's lover had pressed his lips against his own and separated them with his tongue to show passionate affection. Her sisters were quite surprised by her bravery and watched in embarrassment for some time as the two continued to caress each other openly; it was only when Berengar grabbed onto Linde's big breasts that someone decided to speak up.

Berengar, on the other hand, smiled and licked his lips before greeting Linde and the others.

"So I guess that's it?"

After which, he quickly grabbed Linde's waist and dragged her to another. Linde's older brothers each had different expressions on their faces, Adelheid thought of Berengar as a woman who took advantage of his older sister, but he knew he was capable of great things and had helped overthrow his father's cowardly plans; therefore, he was conflicted with how to treat the man before him.

Liutbert had chosen to submit to Berengar and gracefully welcomed the man who would become the next Prince of Tyrol. He had already received news of Lothair's defeat in Vienna. After realizing his father's defeat, Liutbert finally realized that he had made the right choice in favor of Berengar. As for Herman, he acted like a stubborn brat, very scowling at the man who rebelled against his father.Little incompatibility could not help but blame Berengar for his father's defeat and detention.

Linde also has one other sibling, a younger sister, roughly the age of Henrietta, and this girl is named Minna, and she is quite friendly in Berengar. Minna has grown closer to Henrietta over the past month's "detention" in Kufstein, and Henrietta has filled her ears with stories about Berengar and his dashing actions. Berengar did not even need to swing the little girl to his side, as he had developed the image of Berengar as a knight in armor; from how Henrietta spoke of his past, to how he had been, he looked like some kind of Prince Charming. Therefore, he was happy to finally see the man he admired, and his good looks did not disappoint.

Henrietta, of course, beamed with a smile on her face as her older brother returned home alive. With his parents retired to the countryside and Lambert exiled, Berengar is the only family left, and he is deeply afraid of the misfortune that may befall him. In her hands is baby Hans, whom she cares for a lot, considering that when she was not around, Linde was forced to deal with Kufstein's civil affairs.

Seeing his infant son in Henrietta's hands, Berengar walked up to him and grabbed his son.

"Hans... Your father has returned!"

With that, Berengar held onto his son, surrounded by loved ones and allies. He felt completely safe for the first time in what seemed to him like a lifetime war. Therefore, a big party was held that night to celebrate his return, and he began inviting his friends all over Kufstein to take part in it.

During a sumptuous meal, that felt like ambrosia straight from God's mouth after eating nothing but bread and salted pork for two months, Berengar forced himself to stop stuffing his face and make a victory toast. Everyone expected him to say something bold, something bold, or a statement about a future prospect. Instead, Berengar simply raised his glass and uttered those grim words that had plagued his mind since the battle began.

"For our fallen warriors! May they forever rest in peace!"

A serious toast gets the eager audience out of their celebratory mood and forces them back to reality; every victory is sprinkled with the blood of the dead and the brave men who fought on the front lines. The fact that Berengar had used it as a toast undoubtedly killed the mood, but it also achieved the effect he had hoped for; it reminded everyone around him of the winning price.