Tyranny of Steel

Several days had passed since Berengar, and his host had begun their journey. Throughout the entire trip from Bohemia to Austria, Veronika had sat in front of Berengar on his horse. She had personally witnessed the vast difference in agricultural technology and military fortifications between her former Kingdom and Berengar ’s.

Star forts were constructed on Berengar ’s borders, allowing for good defense; these forts were staffed by many cannons and small garrisons of a couple of hundred men each. Regular patrols were sent out between the various fortresses to ensure safe borders.

Upon entry into Austria, the young princess noticed the vast fields operated by very few men. However, these men utilized advanced horse-powered machines the likes she had never seen before to tend to their crops. Strange metal pipes existed throughout the fields that provided water to the plants that grew in abundance. So much so that Veronika truly believed that God had blessed Austria.

As they passed through towns and cities, the exceptional baroque Architecture that had begun to prop up across all of Austria during Berengar ’s reign truly astounded the girl. The people were dressed in luxurious clothing, largely still in the previous style Berengar had implemented, where they seemed to be perfectly healthy. Very few, if any, citizens were malnourished, unlike the poor masses toiling the fields in Bohemia.

As they continued their journey, Veronika asked more and more about how Austria had managed to develop to such a state, and Berengar was not afraid to exaggerate his tales of how far he had come as a Ruler. The more she listened to Berengar ’s marvelous adventures, the more she came to respect him and feel safe by his side.

Finally, after several days of travel, Berengar and his host arrived within Kufstein; out of all the cities she had seen up until this point, it was by far the most advanced. The smoke of the burgeoning industry filled the air, but not to the point where it would harm one ’s health. The hemp fields growing outside the city soaked up more than their fair share of carbon in the air.

The Capital of Austria was the most advanced and prosperous of all the regions of the Kingdom, and for the first time in her life, Veronika had seen what an industrialized city could look like. However, most impressive were the significant monuments and constructs in the city forever glorifying Berengar and his achievements.