Tyranny of Steel

The German Marines travelled for several days across the Anangpur Landscape. After a few small scale skirmishes, the local lords surrendered their territory willingly, rather than risk fighting against the might of the German Military. Before long, the armored column made its way to the capital, whose gates were wide open, awaiting their arrival.

Since the earliest hours of the operations, the Jaegers had captured the city, eliminated its garrison, and put it under martial law. The entire campaign lasted under 72 hours, which was the quickest victory in a war that the world had ever seen. With a single fleet, and a single brigade of marines, the Anangpur Empire had fallen.

Berengar and Dharya departed from the back of the IFV, though the Kaiser was invigorated from days of combat on the front lines. Dharya felt like he was going to puke. He had no idea if he had actually taken a life, as he simply fired randomly into the crowd of his uncle's troops. However, the very thought of doing so made him sick to his stomach.

The moment they walked upon the steps of the Anangpur Palace, Dharya nearly hurled, which Berengar was forced to help him to his feet for the sake of the cameras. The last thing he needed was his puppet to be remembered as a gutless coward. Thus, Berengar grabbed hold of the boy and whispered in his ear while forcing him forward.

"Keep it in and keep moving forward. You can throw up all you want after we have announced your victory."

After seizing the palace, the German Jaegers had turned it into their forward operating base. It was also where they kept their high value prisoners, such as Chandra Tomara and his son, Ishwar. Berengar and Dharya moved forward while flanked by marines until they reached the Great Hall, where the usurper was kneeling with his hands bound behind his back.

As for Ishwar, his eyes lit up when he noticed his cousin enter the building. Dharya had grown up into a handsome young man and he could not be more proud, despite his father's fall from grace. The man attempted to get to his feet and greet the true Emperor, but was quickly struck in the gut by a Jaeger and fell to his knees. The Jaeger cursed the man before making sure he knew his place.

"Stay down, cunt!"

Berengar led Dharya to the Throne of his ancestors, where he motioned for the boy to sit down. The German media then entered the palace and recorded the scene of the usurper kneeling before his nephew.

During their journey to the capital of the Anangpur Empire, Berengar had instructed Dharya on what to say, and thus the boy glared fiercely at his uncle, with all the hatred he could muster. Chandra's face was stained with tears after realizing that his wives, and concubines were all slain.

As for Ishwar's mother, she had died in childbirth, and thus he was not particularly close with any of the women who were silenced by the Jaegers. In fact, he was a bit relieved that he no longer had to call any of them "mother".

After glaring at Chandra for several moments in silence, Dharya spoke the lines he had been given.

"On this day, the 4th of August, 1430 of the German Calendar. I, Dharya Tomara, third of my name, hereby ascend to the throne, which was stolen from me by my uncle Chandra Tomara. With the support of the German Empire, I have brought the reign of the Usurper to an end, and hereby declare a new age of prosperity for my people.

The Kaiser, in his infinite wisdom and benevolence, has promised to help me restore my lands, which my uncle has pilfered for his own profit. As for the usurper Chandra Tomara, I have decided to be merciful and place him under arrest. Where he will live out the rest of his days as a prisoner of the Reich.

To my cousin Ishwar Tomara, for the mercy you have shown me, and my sister Princess Priya Tomara, by helping us escape your father's sinister plot to the lands of the Reich, I will name you my successor, until a time when a true heir can be born by either my line, or my sister's. With that said, I will now allow Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein to say a few words."

Berengar gracefully stepped forward and took the stage, stealing Dharya's thunder as he opened up his speech to all those present, and to all those who would one day watch this event unfold.

"I, Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein, First of my name. Hereby lift the sanctions which I have imposed upon the Anangpur Empire, in response to the sinister actions of the usurper Chandra Tomara. Not only am I ending the hostilities between our two nations, but am pledging my support both through trade, and through military action, to protect the borders of my new ally from those who would seek to take advantage of their weekend state.

For the next five years, I shall provide a lend-lease which will allow the Anangpur Army to be rebuilt into a modern fighting force, capable of protecting their people against the atrocities of the Bengal Empire and their Japanese puppeteers. I will also provide military advisors to help establish a proper cadre of officers who can lead the soldiers of this new army to victory.

In the meantime, as the Anangpur Empire reforms into a modern state, I will look after the Princess Priya Tomara, where I shall ensure her safety and security as I have done for the past few years. Once the Anangpur Empire has returned to its previous level of stability, I shall return the princess to the land of her ancestors should she so desire. I look forward to working with Emperor Dharya Tomara to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the Anangpur Empire, and all its citizens."

After saying this, the media ceased their filming, and began to take pictures. As for Chandra, he was quivering in fear of what might happen to him now that he was a prisoner of the Reich. However, Berengar merely ignored him before approaching Dharya and shaking his hand.

"To a better tomorrow..."

Dharya forced a smile as he accepted the Kaiser's gesture. However, the words he muttered under his breath were far from cordial.

"You just make sure to keep up your end of the bargain..."

Berengar continued to smile despite the boy's rudeness, and even pulled him in close, where he wrapped an arm around his shoulder as if they were close friends. Where he responded to the boy's aggressive statement in a voice so low only the two of them could hear.

"As I told you before, I'm a man of my word. You need not fear for your sister's chastity. I won't touch a hair on her pretty head unless she makes the first move..."

Dharya's teeth clenched when he heard this. Despite the rage in his heart, he continued to force a smile as he once more whispered his vile thoughts.

"Priya would never fall for an old bastard like you!"

Berengar continued to smile and wave for the cameras as he leaned in close and whispered into the boy emperor's ear.

"I wonder..."

After saying this, he broke his grip over Dharya's shoulder and distanced himself before the boy could take a swing at him. Where he gracefully addressed the press.

"I thank you all for risking your lives to record this event in history. However, now that the battle is won, I have a flight to catch. I will be returning to the fatherland. As for the future of the Anangpur Empire, I have left behind the means to communicate with Emperor Dharya here on a regular basis. So there is no need to fear the steady development of the land. Sergeant Major, if you will be so kind as to escort the prisoner to my transport..."

After saying this, Sergeant Major Lach Graf von Wickten grabbed hold of Chandra and forced him out of the palace and towards the makeshift airstrip that had been established to house Berengar's personal transport. Once they had all gathered inside the plane, Berengar sat on a rather luxurious sofa where a beautiful young flight attendant poured him a whiskey on the rocks.

Berengar's personal aircraft was a modified Ju 390, which was equipped with six fuel efficient turbo-prop engines. It flew at roughly 30,000 feet or 9km in the air at a cruising speed of roughly 400 mph, or 644 kmh. Unlike the standard Transport variant, this aircraft had a range of 8,100 nautical miles or 15000 km.

The interior was like one would expect of an ultra-luxurious private jet from Berengar's past life. After everyone was onboard, the aircraft took off, and began to head back towards the reich. It was only after they reached their peak altitude did Berengar glare at Chandra and mutter his thoughts.

"So... What am I going to do with you?"