Steel Empire
Alchemist Arrived Dikufstein

When news of his Law Reform spread throughout the country, it was not only the nobles who became his followers who became annoyed with the news. In fact, almost all Austrian nobles were angry with such wild and ambitious ideas. For starters, they were not sure whether Berengar really had the legal authority to do this; technically, Berengar was a Vassal of Count Lothar, who, in turn, was a Vassal of Count Lothar, vassal of the Duke of Austria. As such, it was not at all clear whether he had the legal authority to wipe out the Feudal system in his own territory.

The subject of the second major debate was that he essentially challenged the absolute authority of the nobility across Europe as a whole when commoners from other regions heard that their counterparts in Kufstein would be given representation politics, and public education in Kufstein, one of two things, will happen. They would leave the land where they worked hard for the sake of their Feudal masters, or they themselves would demand representation in their territory and thus pave the way to revolution.

Berengar's actions didn't really make him friends. However, there was not much they could do for it; rumors about him having the power to conjure thunder and lightning had spread throughout the German-speaking region; not only that but Kufstein is a relatively isolated region and quite mountainous, it would be difficult to attack and would definitely cost many lives. Needless to say, his reforms were extremely unpopular among the nobles of this feudal world.

As time passed and the news inevitably spread, Kufstein received many German peasants who fled from their masters and sought a better life in Kufstein. This massive influx of Kufstein's population rapidly expanded its workforce and accelerated the production of the Great Infrastructure Initiative, increasing its troop numbers, and increasing industrial productivity.

Of course, the most important group attracted to the Visounty of Kufstein by this bold new legal reform were a group of fugitives fleeing the persecution of the Church; this fugitive is an Alchemist who has provoked the wrath of the Church, as scientists have done in the past. Knowing that Berengar was branded heretical by the Church, and seeing how he was supposed to enact legal reforms to separate the church from the political power of the State in its territory, Berengar, these alchemists arrived in Kufstein under the protection of many peasants seeking better jobs.Life, which despite protests from nearby nobles, Berengar refused to return to their former masters.

When they arrived at the burgeoning City of Kufstein, the people consisting of a small group of alchemists numbering no more than a dozen of these were amazed by what they saw. The ongoing construction of the city walls formed a strange star-like pattern, a huge apartment complex was being built, an industrial sector that had technology they had never seen before, even the sewage treatment facilities that were currently being built had been caught off guard. It was as if these people were stepping into a land of technological marvels.

Of course, after taking a walk for some time, they walked to the castle gate guarded by people in strange clothes and unknown armor who were holding what looked like hand cannons, but the design is unlike anything they've ever seen before. . As they approached the guards, they were quickly stopped by the bayonet affixed to their rifles, with a deep hoarse voice from the squad leader giving them orders.

"Stop right there! The viscount did not see any guests at this time!"

Afraid of unknown weapons, the group of fugitives quickly do as they are told while lowering their veils, which reveal their faces. The man in front of them were all tall and graceful men in their fifties with neatly styled gray hair, matching whiskers, and lensed glasses; the man quickly introduced himself and expressed the urgency of his need to visit the Viscount.

"I am Aldo von Passau, former palace alchemist to the Duke of Bavaria, and these are my students. Please, I have an urgent matter to discuss with your Master!"

The guards immediately looked at each other and began to discuss whether they should allow this group to enter the Castle or not. After all, Berengar had long since told his men that if an alchemist arrived in his territory, he was eager to meet them. However, they were also under strict orders not to let anyone enter the Castle at this time. Eventually the squad leader decided to make an exception and let those people pass by; if they were really as they claimed, Berengar would definitely forgive them.

Thus, the group of a dozen scholars were taken to the Great hall where Berengar was currently working; their arrival shocked the young Viscount as he stared at the uninvited guests. Before he could ask for their identities, his bodyguards introduced those people properly.

"My lord, I know that you have given us an order not to allow guests to enter the Castle, but these people claim to be alchemists, and therefore, are, I thought you might want to meet them."

"Sir, I am Aldo von Passau, former Alchemist of the Court of the Duke of Bavaria; I have traveled a long way to meet you. I'd like to offer my services to you and my students."

Berengar frowned when he heard this, he was quite skeptical about why an Alchemist of the Court of a Duke would bother coming to such a lowly place like Kufstein. So he decided to investigate.

"If what you claim is true, then why are you here in my domain, not in Court in Bavaria?"

The man quickly explained his story, which was all too common for brilliant men in the medieval period. He was studying alchemy when he discovered some new advances that the Church declared blasphemy in their great ignorance; therefore, he was declared heretical, imprisoned, and his research stolen. With the help of a hidden supporter in the Duke's castle, he escaped with his students and fled ever since. He was lucky enough to escape. Otherwise, he would most likely be burned at the stake.

After hearing the story, Berengar thought it made sense, but he wanted to confirm the man's story. Therefore, he would then assign his spy network to determine whether the man was telling the truth or not; if so, then Berengar would gladly accept his job. For now, he would give protection to that man and his so-called disciples. If they happened to be enemy agents, he would not hesitate to put them on the wall to be shot.

Therefore, he informed the group of his decision.

"Until I can verify your identity, I'll give you protection here on my domain, if your identity is properly verified, I'll give you protection, I've no doubt offered you a job because I desperately need a chemist, as a consequence if you lie to me, and try to hurt me, I'm sure you can imagine it yourself."

Aldo bowed in thanks to Berengar; he had no doubt that his identity and his students would be confirmed, and therefore, there was nothing to fear. Therefore, he thanked the local Viscount for his attitude before being taken away.

"I'm grateful for the kindness you've shown to my students and me today, and I look forward to working for you."

The only thing that Aldo thought was strange was that Berengar used the term "chemist" instead of "alchemist," maybe he had misheard the young Viscount...

With the arrival of a dedicated team of alchemists in Kufstein, Berenar would teach them actual chemistry and would be able to accomplish many things that he currently lacked. Therefore, he was filled with excitement; he really wished for them to be as they claimed to be and that they had no malicious intentions.