Chapter 198: An Unexpected Welcome (2/2)

”So, Adelbrand, I have met your brother Wolfgang...”

Adelbrand instantly became enraged at the mention of his brother; his eyes contained the fury of his soul, and he began to grit his teeth in anger. As such, he quietly snarled before putting on a pleasant facade and asking Berengar about his encounter with the fool.

”Tell me, what is your opinion of my dearest brother?”

Seeing the forced expression on Adelbrand's face, Berengar struggled to contain his laughter; ultimately, he decided to stride back and forth in front of the man before telling him the truth.

”Honestly, he is an imbecile and a coward. I am much more impressed with your actions to defend your lands. Albeit leaving the people to their fate was not the best idea, but I know you could not contend with the Bavarians in the field, and thus your actions were the best of a bad situation. If you had met them in the field, you would have been soundly defeated, and Salzburg would have truly fallen to the enemy.”

Seeing the pained expression on Berengar's face, Adelbrand instantly began to fear the results of his actions and thus asked Berengar about what had happened in the County while he and the other Lords of the realm hid behind their large stone walls.

”How bad is it?”

Berengar clicked his tongue before responding.

”Tsk... Most of the villages I have come across were massacred and burnt to the ground; not even the fields or livestock were spared...”

Adelbrand immediately felt great remorse for this fact and slammed his fist upon the armrest of his seat of power while clenching his teeth. He could not believe the Bavarians would be so cruel as to do such a thing. Thus he cried out at the top of his lungs!

”Those bastards!”

There was not much the man could do to calm his nerves, but releasing his pent-up anxiety through violent expression was the best he could manage. Seeing the man's twisted guise, Berengar knew that Adelbrand was a man who cared more about his land and the people in it than Wolfgang. Thus he was more likely to favor Berengar's reforms, and as such, Berengar wanted him as an ally. After coming to such a realization Berengar quickly proposed a plan that would benefit both of them.

”It is not your fault, the majority of your father's forces were lost in Passau, and your brother hid with the remainder of your elite units in Steiermark. You were left with a bunch of levies and greenhorns to protect your lands. You did your best to protect the cities and the fortresses of your territory. If anyone should be blamed for this disaster, it is your brother Wolfgang!”

Hearing Berengar shift the blame for the disaster that had befallen Salzburg onto his brother made Adelbrand more amicable to the words that came next; as such, he perked up his ears and listened to Berengar's plot.

”Go on...”

Berengar smiled wickedly when he realized that he had gained the man's attention, and thus he declared his intent.

”I have been named Regent of Duke Conrad of Austria, when we have retaken these lands, I will hold your older brother responsible for the events that have transpired here in Salzburg and will proclaim him as having failed to fulfill his vassal duties. I will strip him of his title and hand it over to you.”

Adelbrand was shocked by this information, he was unaware that a government in exile had been set up in Kufstein, but hearing it brought him a sense of hope for the future. If he could succeed his late father, instead of his foolish and incompetent older brother, then maybe he could restore Salzburg to its former state. However, he knew such a thing would not come without a price, and thus he inquired about Berengar's intentions.

”And what pray tell, do you receive from such a thing?”

Berengar once more smiled as he heard the man take the bait and thus elaborated further on his plans for the future.

”Well, for starters, I get a competent subordinate, but more importantly, I will need your support at a later date. In the upcoming years, I have many reforms in mind to help establish Austria as a serious power, and with that in mind, I will need a man of your position to back them without question. So long as you support my future endeavors, the position of Count of Salzburg will be yours...”

Adelbrand thought deeply on the matter for a few moments; however, ultimately, he agreed to Berengar's request, and thus shook his hand, sealing the deal.

”Alright, I will agree to your conditions. Whatever you need from me, you shall have it!”

Hearing the man accept his terms caused Berengar to grin with anticipation; soon enough, Austria would be his, and he could then focus on unifying the German Empire! Everything was going according to his plans.