Chapter 299: Declaration of Independence

Months had passed since Berengar's birthday, and it was now July 17th, 1421. This day would forever be remembered in German History within this world as a critical day in Berengar's schemes to unite the German people into a single cohesive Empire. 

At the moment, Berengar had gathered together all of the significant noblemen, and the political representatives of the Duchy of Austria, whether they be common man or nobility. The gathering in the Castle of Kufstein was quite lively, as many of these men were from vastly different social standings.

Nonetheless, they were not informed why they were summoned and were impatiently waiting upon Berengar's arrival. As a man with a taste for flair, he had decided to be fashionable late to this important meeting. 

An hour had passed after all of the representatives arrived before Berengar personally displayed himself. He was dressed in the most luxurious attire he had, set in the colors of his house; his renaissance style clothing had an elegant dalmatian fur overcoat over it as he strode up to his Ducal throne and sat upon it authoritatively. 

After sitting there in silence for a few moments, waiting for the voices to calm down, Berengar finally voiced his intent for gathering so many important figures to his abode. However, the manner that he performed it was different than anyone was expecting.

"Guards, bring in the prisoner!"

With that decree, the heavily armored soldiers of Berengar's personal guard left the room before dragging a swiss man who was bound and chained. Evidently, The man had been interrogated quite ruthlessly, as there were signs of physical abuse on his person. 

After being tossed in front of Berengar's feet and forced to kneel by the nearby guards, Berengar stared at the man with a cruel smile upon his face before giving him an order. 

"Tell these men who have gathered here on this day what you have confessed to me!"

The swiss man had dirty blonde hair and dark eyes. His hair was unkempt, and his appearance haggard; he gazed around at the various Austrian men of different social statuses with confusion, trying to understand what was about to occur.

However, Berengar grew impatient and slammed his fist on his armrest, alerting the man to his fury. As such, the man immediately began to declare his guilt and the reason for his imprisonment.

"I am a spy sent by Emperor Balsamo Corsini with the intent to sabotage Austrian development. My compatriots and I were caught red-handed in the act by the Austrian Department of Intelligence, and at this moment, I confess to the sins I have committed of my own free will."

The moment the Swiss man said these words, the crowd began to erupt in debate.

"The Emperor seeks to cripple Austria? For what purpose!"

"This is an attack on our entire Nation and must be met with recourse!"

"Damned Italians, always butting their heads into Austrian affairs, I say we give them a taste of their own medicine!"

Various voices of contention erupted in the Great Hall of Kufstein; however, after a while, Berengar tapped his armrest loudly, instantly calming the men who had gathered. 

"Order! I want order in my great hall! If you have any questions, direct them to the prisoner one at a time!"

As such, the men began to calm themselves. Marquess Otto holding an essential position in Berengar's Council was the first to address his concerns to the Swiss agent.

"Why would the Emperor do such a thing to our Duchy? We have not provoked him in any way!"

The swiss agent immediately looked over at Berengar, who gave him a silent murderous glare; this glance was enough to inform the spy of the penalty he would face for lying. As the chills invaded the prisoner's spine, he immediately confessed what he knew about the matter.

"The Emperor fears the rapid growth of Austria and is terrified of the prospect that Berengar might challenge him and his authority. As such, he has sent hundreds of agents into Austria with the intent to sabotage your industry. 

However, your industrial districts are heavily guarded, and we had no way to infiltrate them; as such most of us have failed in our tasks!"

Upon hearing this, the Austrian representatives became thoroughly enraged; the Emperor had violated the terms of vassalage. As far as the men gathered in the great hall were concerned, this was an act of war. As such, they began to erupt with fury in response to these claims.

One political representative of common birth was the first to protest the Emperor's actions.

"Bastard! There must be war!"

Immediately after he spoke, a minor nobleman followed with an even more vicious response.

"If they seek to destroy Austria, we should show them the power of Austrian steel! I would like to see who dares to bully us now that our military prowess is unrivaled in all of Europe! I volunteer to lead an incursion into Northern Italy to drive this false Emperor from his throne of lies!"

After this was said, an argument broke out between the politicians and noblemen within the chamber.

"You! You are but a small Baron and have no prior military experience; what gives you the right to lead an army! I am a colonel in the armed forces and a Viscount; I should be the one to lead the army to victory against the Empire!"

The two noblemen began to verbally spar with one another until Berengar once more pounded his armrest, signaling them all to calm themselves. After this action, the room fell deathly silent as Berengar, with a stoic gaze on his face that expressed the personification of a sovereign monarch, made his official declaration of Independence. 

"In response to these scandalous actions by the Holy Roman Emperor who has betrayed the rights of vassalage, I hereby declare the Independence of our realm and the formation of the Kingdom of Austria! I Berengar von Kufstein first of my name, and rightful sovereign of Austria decree that henceforth I shall be the monarch of Austria and all of its people as granted to me by right of conquest, and the support of the Lord almighty!" 

After saying this, Marquess Otto stood at attention as he saluted Berengar with a gaze of firm determination on his face. 

"Hail to the King!"

The moment he did so, the various politicians and noblemen gathered in the great hall responded in the same manner without hesitation. These men immediately formed ranks and pounded their chests in salute as they repeated the words spoken by Marquess Otto.

"Hail to the King!"

Upon seeing this, a cruel smile curved upon Berengar's lips; he felt it was inappropriate to hail to himself, and as such, a wicked idea formed in his mind as he chanted the following words while saluting his subordinates.

"Hail Victory!"

With those words stated, the men present formally drafted a declaration of Independence and the formation of the Austrian Kingdom. As such, they handed the letter to the Swiss spy and informed him to give their regards to the Emperor. 

On this day, Austria had become an Independent Kingdom, in doing so, brought war to its doorstep that would soon shatter the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire. After all, the loss of Austria was not only a blow to the face of the Holy Roman Emperor but his treasury as well, one that he could ill afford. 

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