Chapter 1028 The New Year

After setting up a provisional government in the city of Reykjavík, Berengar and his soldiers soon departed for the lands of the Reich. In the coming days, a new influx of german soldiers and government officials would arrive in Iceland, where they would begin reconstructing the Island into a semi-modern state. 

Officially, Iceland had been ceded to the Reich as a colony by King Alvar during his negotiations with Linde. However, Berengar was unaware of this, and thus he made his own plans. Berengar recognized that Iceland had its own unique culture, and he wanted it to stay this way.

Thus, after investing heavily in the island, and its reconstruction. Berengar intended to grant Iceland its independence as a Kingdom beneath the Reich's protection. Naturally, the son that would eventually be born between Brynhildr and himself would become Iceland's King.

Other plans for the island were to lease some land for a German Naval/Air base. As well as establish the land as a foothold for the resurrection of the Germanic faith. Berengar wanted to fully convert the local population within the next hundred years. An act which would grant the Germanic Pantheon a considerable boost in power. 

Speaking of a considerable boost of power, though Berengar had not mated with a goddess, and had instead chosen a Valkyrie as his chosen bride, the offspring of their union would be close enough to a Demigod that Odin's plans regarding such a being would still come to fruition. Especially when said Demigod would eventually become king of Iceland.

As for Siv, she was a mortal being, and the reason for this was because the girl was conceived while Brynhildr's divine essence was stolen by Níðhöggr. Though the woman eventually regained her status as a Valkyrie and all the powers that came with it. This occurred long after her daughter was born. The same could not be said for the son she bore in her womb at this very moment. 

Currently, Berengar stood on board the SMS Linde as it sailed off from the coast of Iceland. For some time the Kaiser gazed upon the island as it slowly disappeared from his sight. Thinking about what he was leaving behind.

Though he had promised to visit Brynhildr once a month, for a weekend getaway, a part of him felt like such a thing was a mere consolation prize for a woman he owed his entire existence to. If not for her, he would have never been reincarnated into this world and given a second chance at life. 

In a way, everything Berengar had gained in this world was owed entirely to Brynhildr and the suffering she endured. Words could not express how thankful he was to the woman, nor how attracted he was to her. Even now, a part of his heart felt empty, despite knowing that he would be returning to the loving arms of the woman he recognized as his soul mate. 

It was with this in mind that Berengar felt he needed a distraction. Thus, he went to the battleship's gym, where he immediately found a weight rack. If there was one thing the Kaiser was unsure of, it was just how strong he had become after undergoing a physical rebirth. 

After observing the weight rack for some time, Berengar decided to test his limits, and piled on all the weights that existed in the gym onto the barbell, for a total of 500 kgs. After which he began to deadlift the weight as if it were nothing. 

During his deadlifts, a marine entered the gym and noticed the Kaiser's impeccable feat of strength. The man had dropped his protein shake onto the floor in shock as he witnessed what could only be described as a miracle. 

Berengar did not even break a sweat as he concluded five sets before sighing heavily in defeat while voicing his inner thoughts.

"It looks like I will have to wait until I get back home, before I can truly test my limits..."

It was only now he noticed the marine gawking at him, as if he were superhuman. This caught Berengar by surprise, causing him to put one finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. When the marine saw this, he nodded his head in silence, before slowly backing out of the weight room. 

Realizing that his body was truly at the peak of human ability, Berengar felt like he would need to update his personal gym to accommodate this change in strength, endurance, agility, and stamina. Thus, he spent the rest of the day reflecting on how he would go about this. 

Night fell before Berengar even realized it, and he had prepared himself for an important broadcast. Onboard the SMS Linde, a film crew gathered to record their Kaiser and broadcast his speech across the fatherland. 

In a few moments it would be the new year, and Germany had accomplished much throughout 1431. Thus, Berengar wanted to take a moment to congratulate the German people, and inform them of the difficulties that lie ahead. 

After going through makeup, Berengar stood at the bow of the ship, as it passed by an iceberg. The full moon was on display in the night sky, whose light perfectly illuminated Berengar's handsome appearance. With a microphone in one hand, the kaiser began to make his speech. 

"Happy New Year, citizens of the Reich. If you don't mind listening, I wanted to take a few minutes to speak of all that we have accomplished this past year, as well as the future of our people as I envision it. 

Throughout this past year, Germany has made monumental accomplishments. Where should I even begin? I suppose I should start with the field of medicine. Thanks to the efforts of our many scientists, a multitude of medicines and vaccines have been developed to help treat, and potentially even eliminate, common diseases that have plagued humanity since the dawn of our species.

Small pox has been eradicated among the German population, along with polio, and measles. With many more illnesses to follow in the coming years. Dangerous diseases from beyond our borders, such as Malaria are now preventable, and our brave colonists are now able to expand into lands previously thought impossible. 

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The Child mortality rate is now at an all-time low, as well as the rate in which women die in labor. Because of this, we are able to have large and healthy families. Something which was inconceivable for the average family just a decade ago. As a result, our population is rapidly climbing. 

Which brings me to the economy. I am happy to announce that within the fatherland, poverty no longer exists. With the poorest of our citizens, now capable of living a life without fear of whether they will be able to afford food, shelter, medicine, or any other basic requirements for life. 

Unemployment is virtually non-existent within the Reich, and the average wage of a German worker is enough to make the nobles of the rest of the world seethe with envy. Inflation is kept at a healthy 2% thanks to the competency of our treasury department, and our goods have become sought-after commodities across the globe. 

With ample investments into public education, even the highest levels of academia are free for our students to pursue. Literacy rates are at an all-time high, and the average intelligence of the German population is the highest in the world. Our universities have become the envy of the world, where even professors from other nations have a hard time comprehending our material. 

This has led to an increase in scientific achievements across all fields. Something which can be seen in everyday life. The very fact that most households are now able to witness this broadcast on their own televisions is proof of this rapid increase in technology. For those of you who still have to listen to my words over the radio, do not fret. With new innovations, television sets will become more common and affordable within the next few years. 

As for the Infrastructure of our great nation, with each year, new railways are opened, connecting every town and city within the fatherland to one another. Plumbing is nearly universal, as is waste management and water treatment. Electricity is becoming more and more common across the reich, with nearly every major city already being connected to the national power grid. 

Our roads and bridges are kept under constant repair, with public transportation becoming commonly available throughout cities. While our harbors are the largest in the world, capable of accommodating a constant flow of goods throughout our vast Empire. I am proud to say that the city of Trieste has become the primary trading hub of the Mediterranean and the western world as a whole. 

As great as this year has been for our people, I will end my speech with a warning. Our current peace and prosperity is under threat, for conflict with Japan seems increasingly likely as they refuse to change their warmongering ways.

It is my fear that very soon, diplomacy will no longer be on the table, so tonight, celebrate and welcome the arrival of a new year, but tomorrow, we must return to our quiet preparations for the war that will be fought in East. Thank you all for your time, and have a wonderful night. God with us!"

After saying this, the cameras cut, and the production crew congratulated Berengar on his speech.

"An excellent speech, my Kaiser. Our people have a lot to celebrate this year!"

Berengar remained silent, and instead pulled out a cigarette, which after lighting it aflame, he took a heavy drag while gazing off the bow and towards the east, where the only threat to his Empire that remained in this world existed. Seeing that he wasn't in the mood to talk, the film crew bowed with respect before departing, leaving the Kaiser alone with his thoughts. 

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