Steel Empire
Contact With the Byzantines

A man with short black hair in the form of a caesarean cut and emerald green eyes sat within the confines of his luxurious carriage. He was in his late twenties and quite handsome, so much so that he could make Berengar run away for his money. He had the regal features of a Roman nobleman, and he wore luxurious silk robes in a style common among the upper echelons of the aristocracy of the Byzantine Empire. Although German territory is currently in a state of total war, he has traveled across Europe for months in an attempt to gain an audience with the man known as Berengar von Kufstein. 

Berengar had long made use of trading networks throughout Europe and the Mediterranean to acquire silk from the Byzantine Empire to meet the demand of his textile industry. However, his name did not carry much weight in the eastern world. After all, even now as a Count, he was not an important figure in world affairs.

His most famous qualities are declared heretics by the Catholic Church. Although the Orthodox Church is a separate branch of Christianity from Catholicism, they are still quite friendly with their Western brethren in this timeline. Thus, being declared heretical by the Catholic church was practically brought to the Eastern Orthodox Church. However, the man on the carriage did not care about such details. Instead, he had a business proposal for Berengar that he believed the young Count could not resist.

The man who arrived in Kufstein shortly was a powerful nobleman who held the equivalent position of a Duke in the Byzantine aristocracy. Supposedly, Arethas Maniakes could trace his lineage to one of the greatest Roman Emperors of all time, Aurelian. A man so profound, he could very possibly prevent the collapse of the Roman Empire if the treacherous Praetorian Guard did not kill him before his work was completed. 

Arethas himself was an exemplary statesman and General, having personally led raids into Egypt in previous years. He secured a foothold in the war against the Mamluke Sultanate, which was currently in control of the region. However, despite his impressive victories that allowed the Byzantines to gain their advantage in Egypt, he could not believe the rumors he had heard about Berengar. 

If Berengar knew a powerful Strategos from the Byzantine Empire would come to meet him, he would prepare a feast; after all, such a position was much higher than the one he was currently holding. However, the man decided to show up unannounced to test Berengar and his character. A nobleman from another region who came to your territory without notice was a sign of disrespect, and this was unknown to Arethas. 

However, when the man saw Kufstein City's complicated defense, he couldn't help but be impressed. Such mighty walls were comparable to the Theodosian walls of Constantinople, no. They might even be superior in defensive ability. After arriving at the city gate checkpoint. Arethas noticed that the garrisons were all wearing plate armor and carrying strange weapons that were carried on their backs.

Although he did not know how these weapons functioned and was less impressed with them, his attention was fixed on the imposing armor the troops wore, how rich Berengar was to equip all his troops with plate armor! Although it only covers their body, back, neck, thighs, and head. That was enough to protect the vital points of their body without restricting mobility. The garrison allowed him to pass after hearing the man was a powerful representative of the Byzantine Empire. Thus, his train and bodyguards quickly drove into the city of Kufstein, which was filled with tenements, houses, shops, and all sorts of wonders. It was no longer a small farming town but a well-equipped town, although most were still in the process of development.

Though attracted by the nature of the City, which was much smaller than Constantinople, it remained majestic in its own right. Strategos walked towards the Castle, where the Castle guards suddenly stopped him. Arethas got off the train and explained his reason for visiting. He spoke in German with a thick Greek accent, which did not go unnoticed by the guards.

"I am Strategos Arethas Maniakes of the Byzantine Empire; I came to discuss the business transition with the Count of this region."

Confused by the man's identity, the guards did not react at first. However, the man appeared to be wearing luxurious clothes and probably had a high standing in the Byzantine Empire. Therefore, they decided to let him pass, but only after confiscating the weapons from him and his bodyguards. Berengar had become extremely cautious ever since he had mastered Tyrol; he would not allow armed visitors before him for fear that they would try to kill him after all his reforms became extremely unpopular among the nobles in Tyrol.

Arethas quickly agreed to these demands and had his bodyguards disarm them before entering the castle gates. When Arethas entered the Castle, he was not particularly impressed; after all, his palace was much more luxurious; of course, he did not know that the Castle was only a temporary residence for Berengar at this moment, either, while its grand palace, which is loosely based on the Schonbrunn Palace from its previous life is being built.

While sitting in his seat of power, Berengar exuded a natural sense of authority, in such a way that even Arethas, who held a much more prestigious position, could tell that Berengar was not a person to be taken lightly. Before Arethas could introduce himself to the fearsome Count, Berengar watched the man approaching his Great Hall and looked at the man with a stoic expression while expressing his thoughts.

"Who are you, and why should I care?"

Berengar was quite agitated as his rest was interrupted by an unknown man from the East. Berengar had worked hard all day, and his seat of power was one of the few places he could sit and let his mind recover well. Despite his minor annoyance, he was able to immediately tell from the way the man was wearing that he was someone of great importance, yet he had arrived in the Berengar region, at home without announcing himself. The level of disrespect shown cannot be underestimated.

Seeing how Berengar's reaction was, Arethas was quite surprised; the young Count looked at him as if he was worthless, and this was enough to comfort the mighty Strategos. Therefore, he boldly declared his position in his own society and his intention to arrive.

"I am Strategos Arethas Maniakes; I have traveled far from the borders of the Byzantine Emperor to meet His Majesty. I've got a business proposal that might interest you."

Despite the rudeness the man showed, Berengar was quite interested in two things. The man was basically a Duke within the mighty Byzantine Empire, and he had a business proposal for him. However, despite his interest, Berengar decided to repay this man's kindness with an equally rude attitude.

"I'm intrigued. However, I am currently busy and need time to prepare; come back in three days ..."

Finally Berengar decided to insult the man; for the time being, the level of disrespect shown to him had to be paid accordingly before he could move forward. It was small, but if he received this disrespect, it meant that any noble of a higher birth could walk on it. Therefore, he decided to show his authority and sent the man back to the Lower City. Meanwhile, Berengar intends to verify the identity of this man by inquiring about the so-called Strategos Arethas Maniakes through his trading connections. 

Although Arethas wanted to protest, the young Count's bulging sapphire eyes gave his spine goosebumps. After all, he was stripped and stood in his large hall surrounded by a group of armed men. Arethas therefore played it safe and decided to return to the City and rest for a few days before returning. While exiting the Castle, a wide grin appeared on the man's face as he expressed his thoughts aloud.

"Good game..."