Tyranny of Steel
chapter-1027-30041322

Nearly two weeks passed, and all Berengar managed to do in this time was foster relations with the secluded viking village and make love to Brynhildr. With the Kaiser's increased stamina and the Valkyrie's supernatural endurance, the duo were breeding like rabbits all day, every day, something which forced Siv out of the house during daylight hours.

Siv had spent this time walking around the village, and getting to know the German marines who were on standby. She listened to their tales about the Reich, and all its wonders, with wide eyes. Wondering what life would be like in such a different world than the one she lived in.

The German marines helped out the village in every way they could, but in truth, there was not much that needed to be done. The land which the clan inhabited was secluded from the outside world, and was practically a paradise in its own right.

Food was plentiful, pestilence was non-existent, and war was a world away. Thus, these marines were more than happy to interact with the villagers, and tell them about the lands they had come from, and the battles they had fought.

As much as Berengar wanted to stay in the loving arms of his newest 'bride,' he knew that he had to get back to the Reich. After a two week long honeymoon, the time had come. Thus, on the morning of new year's eve Berengar climbed out of Brynhildr's loving embrace, and stroked her wavy platinum blonde hair, before bidding the woman farewell.

"I must admit, part of me doesn't want to go. This has been the best two weeks of my recent memory. However, I have an Empire to run, and a war to wage. Before I leave Iceland behind, I promise I will deal with Erik personally. That bastard will pay with his life for what he has done to you and your daughter."

A bitter smile formed on the mature beauty's face as she nodded her head in silence. She didn't want Berengar to depart so soon after they had become a couple, but she knew what fate had in store for the man, and she would never wish to be an obstacle in his path to glory. However, she would not allow the man to leave without her parting thoughts, which she was quick to give voice to.

"I want you to know that my home is your home. Whenever you feel the desire, you can return this little slice of paradise and spend the weekend with me and Siv. As much as the girl might protest our union, she still wanted to go with you back to the Reich. However, I didn't allow it. Maybe when she's older, she can explore the world, and all it has to offer, but for now, she belongs under my protection."

Though Brynhildr had said this, she honestly thought it was nothing more than an ill-fated desire. After all, the journey from Austria to Iceland was a long one, which took several weeks to accomplish by sea.

Never would she imagine that Berengar had the ability to traverse such a vast distance in a mere five hours. Thus, it came as a surprise when the man kissed her on the lips and made a solemn pledge to her.

"I promise that once a month, I will come to visit the two of you for a weekend away from all my worries. After all, it's only a five-hour flight from here to my home. So don't look so sad. You will be seeing plenty of me from here on out. Now I better get going. If I dare to remain a second longer, I fear I might never leave your side. Not that there's anything wrong with such a thing."

With that said, the couple kissed once more, before Berengar raised from their bed and dressed himself in his military uniform. He stepped one foot outside the door and noticed that Siv was waiting for him. The girl had a flushed expression on her cute face as she leaned forward and kissed Berengar on the cheek before saying her farewells.

"Goodbye, father..."

After saying that, she rushed inside her home, and shut the door behind her, not having the courage to look the man in the eyes. Berengar touched his wet cheek and sighed before gathering his marines.

"Alright, men, we've been here long enough. We're returning to Reykjavík, where I have some personal matters to attend to before we cast off for the fatherland."

Roars of excitement filled the air, as the men were just happy to finally leave this secluded village behind. Though the locals were polite, there simply wasn't much for the men to do here, and they had been not only bored out of their minds, but incredibly envious of their Kaiser, who spent practically the entire time making love to a beautiful woman.

With the roars of the trucks' engines, Berengar climbed into a vehicle, before entering the convoy which departed from the secluded village in style. He looked out the rearview mirror, where he saw the figures of Brynhildr and Siv waving him goodbye, and continued to gaze upon their figures until they were no longer visible. Where he then focused his attention on the long journey ahead of him.

After a few hours, he arrived on the outskirts of Reykjavík, where the outline of the massive battleship was visible from kilometers away. Berengar quickly got on the radio and informed the marines of his plans.

"Converge on the Castle. I think it's about time this island came under new management..."

Having spent the last two weeks wasting away in idleness, the company of marines was filled with excitement at the prospect of finally doing some damage. The drivers shifted their trucks into full gear before speeding towards their destination, where they surrounded the castle's exterior with their vehicles.

The vehicles in Berengar's convoy came in many forms. Some of them were supply trucks, while others were technicals. The 4x4 pickup trucks had a variety of weapons mounted in their beds, everything from 2cm flak cannons, to 75mm recoilless rifles, and even nebelwerfers. Which were essentially multi rocket launchers.

These trucks were designed to be fast, reliable, and capable of engaging a multitude of threats such as infantry, light armor, and fortifications. Thus, it came as no surprise when one of the 75mm recoilless rifles tore through the timber gates as if they were were made of wet tissue paper.

A rather substantial explosion occurred, and as a result the wooden gates were blasted into smithereens. Before the castle's guards even had time to react, the German marines had vaulted out of their trucks, and begun to open fire on the garrison.

Berengar simply sat back in his truck, with the windows rolled down, while smoking a cigarette. Waiting for his highly trained marines to eliminate the medieval threat they were attacking. Gunshots rang throughout the air, and the screams of men, women, and children alike resounded in the vicinity.

After no more than five minutes of combat, things became quiet, too quiet. Just when Berengar was about to exit his vehicle and investigate the scene, he witnessed his marines drag Erik out of his castle, and into the courtyard, where they forced the bastard to kneel in the bloodstained snow.

Upon seeing this, Berengar exited his vehicle and took a long drag from his cigarette while he approached his newest prisoner. Erik could not help but curse Berengar for his treachery with a rather vile tongue.

"You fucking two-faced bastard! You said you'd leave me alone if I gave you the girl! What is the meaning of this? When King Alvar hears about how you have treated me, I will have your head!"

Berengar could only scoff at Erik's delusional mind while he pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and put it out in the man's right eye. The miserable bastard screamed in agony as the burning sensation blinded him. However, before he could lash out in anger, Berengar pulled out his sidearm and pointed it towards Erik's forehead. A single phrase escaped his lips before he pulled the trigger.

"Brynhildr sends her regards..."

A look of horror overwhelmed Erik's face, and just as he was about to defend his actions, a loud bang resounded in the air. In the next moment, Erik's corpse fell to the floor, his brains splattered all over the snow. There was a stoic expression on Berengar's face as he gazed upon the scene of his deed, as if he had done nothing more than take out the trash.

Though the Marines didn't know why they were assaulting this castle, they honestly didn't care. Orders were orders, and if the Kaiser wanted Erik dead, the man must have done something horribly wrong. Thus, they did not give it a second thought, and instead waited for Berengar to give his commands, which he was quick to do so.

"Scour the castle, and free any prisoners you might come across. As for Erik's family, leave them be. There's no reason to cause any further bloodshed."

With Erik's death, Iceland would end up under new management as a Protectorate of the Reich, where Berengar would work tirelessly to restore the ancient Germanic faith as the primary religion of the island.