Chapter 234: Negotiations With the Hussites (1/2)

After some time, the Hussite representatives arrived in Berengar's great hall and kneeled before him with great respect. Not only was Berengar a mighty Duke, but in the eyes of the Hussites, he was a man inspired by the teachings of Jan Hus, and as such, a brother in arms against the oppression of the Catholic Church.

The man in charge of the diplomats quickly introduced himself as not to keep Berengar waiting.

”I am Luděk Hlaváček, a humble servant of the Count Alexej Kašpar leader of the Kašparian sect of the Hussite Movement!”

Berengar had not heard of the Kašparian sect from his previous life. Then again, as far as he was aware, few important figures of the era from his past life existed in this timeline so it was only natural for some things to be changed.

Luděk was a relatively short man; despite this, he was solidly built and had a set of long brown hair, with a matching beard. His eyes were the color of amber, and he had a scar across his left cheek, adding some notion that the man was battle-tested.

The other two men who flanked Luděk wore their hoods and concealed their identities, though Berengar did not challenge them to reveal themselves; after all, they were a religious movement wanted by the Church as heretics he could sympathize with their desire to hide their faces.

Berengar quickly addressed the men who had entered his great hall

”I am Duke Berengar von Kufstein, as one of the founders of the German Reformation; I welcome you as brothers in arms. Though I am curious as to why you have made the journey from Bohemia to my humble abode.”

Berengar had a rough idea of what they were here for, but if what they desired was what he thought it would be, he would, unfortunately, have to decline them. However, he made it appear as if he was genuinely confused, thus giving them the ability to explain themselves.

Luděk did not shy from the topic at hand and quickly addressed his reason for being in Kufstein.

”Bohemia is on the brink of war; just recently in Prague, seven members of the city council were defenestrated! The King of Bohemia has sided with the Vatican and seeks to suppress our movement. We have come asking for assistance from the man who so thoroughly defeated the mighty Teutonic Order.”

Berengar was slightly surprised, it was only 1418, yet Prague's first defenestration was moved up by roughly a year. This meant that what the delegate had said was likely to be true. It would not be long before Bohemia plunged into civil war, and the Hussite wars had fully begun. However, Berengar began to rest his head on his right fist as he made his stance clear.

”If you seek for me to invade Bohemia with my forces, I am afraid I am going to have to disappoint you.”

After saying this, Luděk's face turned grim, and he immediately asked about the concerns on his mind.

”Why not? Did you not just say we are brothers in arms? Will you truly abandon us in our time of need?”

Berengar knew this would be brought up, and as such, he immediately replied with his reasoning.

”I have spent the last year at war with my enemies. The Bavarians have ravaged the lands that are now under my authority during their occupation. Now that I am Duke and have established a sense of peace and stability within Austria, I cannot afford to march off to war once more so quickly.

During this era of peace, I need to take advantage of this time to stabilize my reign and rebuild what has been destroyed. I can not spare the troops while there is an ongoing war just outside my borders that could invade my lands at any moment.

You are like brothers to me, but my people are like my children, and thus I need to look after them first. I hope you can understand.”

Hearing this reasoning, Luděk bowed his head; what Berengar said made sense, the rest of Germany was embroiled in a bloody civil war, with only Austria maintaining a peaceful existence, and it had cost them dearly to do so. Berengar's land lay in ruins in many areas, and he needed time and effort to rebuild after the Bavarian occupation.

However, before the man could admit his defeat, Berengar's serious expression turned to a warm smile and revealed some degree of hope to the Hussite representative.