Steel Empire
Resignation

Berengar woke up bright and early again. After doing a normal exercise routine and maintaining her personal hygiene, she went to the Dining Room, where she would arrive at about the same time every morning. However, to her great surprise, both her mother and father were already sitting at the end of the table. In his father's hands was a list of reports, ledgers, and laws that Berengar had signed as long as his father was absent. There was a serious expression on his father's face. Berengar assumed the man would end his own so-called penance and take the Viscount's robe. However, what was really going to happen would greatly shock him.

It was only after Henrietta and Linde arrived that Sieghard put the papers out of his hands and spoke to his family with the worries he had thought deeply about since he had secluded himself from the wide world. Henrietta is deeply concerned about her father's haggard appearance. He had not seen the man in some time, even months, and he had grown significantly older and weaker in this period of time. This was the first time he had witnessed his father's poor condition; his hair was now completely gray while long, tattered, and oily, his beard was unkempt, and his eyes were sunken.

He barely even recognized his father, who used to be so full of life. On the other hand, despite looking a little tired, Gisela still maintained her beauty, even at a certain cost. None of the brothers' parents were as vibrant and healthy as they were before Lambert's exile. Henrietta quickly voiced her unease.

"Dad, are you okay? You don't look well ..."

Sieghard drank from a glass of water before trying to calm his beloved daughter about her declining health.

"I'm fine, I'm just a little sick, but I guarantee I'll make it through this."

Although Henrietta was deeply concerned about the man's well-being, she chose to believe her father's words. After addressing his daughter's concerns, Sieghard cleared his throat before making the announcement.

"Listen, during my absence, you have been a much better ruler than I have ever been. Not only have you expanded our territory and power, but you have begun pioneering the construction of a magnificent city, all while balancing our coffers perfectly. Words cannot express how impressed I am with your actions."

Berengar smiled as he heard the praises of his father, who had ruled the Barony of Kufstein for decades. However, the words that followed him greatly shocked him.

“Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I am no longer in a condition to rule this country again. So today, I will abdicate officially in front of my Council and announce you, my only son and heir. I'm sure you'll continue to do great things in the future!"

Berengar was greatly shocked by these words; from all the end of his father's reign, he had never expected the man to voluntarily abdicate and retire; therefore, he had not, he had many questions for his father and his decision.

"I'm going to be the new Viscount? Then Dad, what are you going to do?"

Sieghard chuckled, which caused a slight cough; he told Berengar of his plan after recuperating.

Berengar sighed; this was truly the best ending he could ask for his father. The man is now too weak to go to war, as he once wanted; hopefully, Sieghard can find a much-needed break and heal the demon he kept inside him, which started to appear after what happened to Lambert.

He knew Berengar was struggling with this news and decided to comfort him.

"Don't worry, my son, as I've said, you've done amazing things with your own efforts, and I'm sure you're destined for great things. I'll only hold you back if I continue to rule this country."

Although Berengar agreed with these words, he felt he would lose something now that his parents would move on. On the other hand, Henrietta was worried about her future and where she should go and, therefore, asked her father like an obedient little princess.

"Dad? What's gonna happen to me?"

The old viscount reached out his hand and grabbed his daughter in an attempt to comfort her as he gave one last command to her.

"You will stay here with your brother and obey his every command as if he were your father. He will provide for you and eventually find you a good husband to marry. I completely trust him in this."

Tears began to flow in Henrietta's eyes as she nodded in agreement. He could not see the words he wanted to say and instead ran to his father and hugged him. Linde, of course, was quite happy with the result. Despite the fact that Berengar currently held absolute authority in the region due to his large and powerful army; the nobles technically swore allegiance to his father. Thus, they began to grow quite rebellious with the many Berengar reforms. The only thing holding them back was the overwhelming power of Berengar and his military. With the official resignation of his father, they would have no reason to disobey Berengar's orders and could not create a crazy conspiracy theory to justify the act of open rebellion.

After discussing things for some time, the family began to have breakfast together. They don't have many more opportunities to do so in the future, so they take advantage of this moment to enjoy time together as a family that is largely intact. When the meal was finally finished, Sieghard had gathered his Council in the Great Hall where he sat on the seat of power in Kufstein for the last time. On his right side was Berengar, who stood upright. As everyone with political interests in the city of Kufstein had gathered in the room, Sieghard stood up from his chair and made a startling statement, that will continue to reverberate in history as a decisive factor in Berengar's rapid rise to power.

Standing boldly in front of the gathered nobles, Sieghard made his decision to be heard by everyone.

"I am Sieghard von Kufstein, first of my name and current Viscount Kufstein hereby express my official resignation from power, and further transfer of Land, title, and, and my fortune to my only son and heir Berengar von Kufstein! All kneel before your new Viscount!"

With those words spoken, everyone in the hall knelt before their new ruler with great respect. Berengar was now officially Viscount Kufstein and would use his strength to a high degree. The changes he would make in the months that followed would completely turn Kufstein into a semi-modern state and incite the ire of the Church and Nobles.