Tyranny of Steel

In the center of Kufstein lie a Theater Hall, which had recently finished construction, and tonight was its grand opening. Because of this thousands of people from across the city had gathered to witness the masterpiece that was written and directed by the young High Queen of Austria. 

Whether it be commoners or the nobility, all would gather together to witness the brilliant play conducted by the talented actors and actresses who lived within the Kingdom of Austria. For the Grand Opening of the Theatre House, Adela had constructed a play based upon the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. 

This was a battle fought in ancient times by the Cherusci Chieftain Hermann, also known by his Roman name Arminius, who led the Germanic tribes to victory against three Legions of the mighty Roman Empire. In Berengar's previous life this battle was used as a propaganda piece for centuries, and he intended to make use of it in this timeline as well.

Standing in the center of the stage was an attractive young man with long straight blonde hair and sky blue eyes; he was dressed in the thick woolen clothing of the Ancient Germanic People, with a lorica Hamata coat of mail over it. 

This actor who played the role of Arminius was currently huddling over a fire on stage as he discussed the Roman Advance into the Black Forest with other actors who represented the various Germanic Chieftains.

"The Romans shall enter the forest on the morrow; when they do, we will meet them with sword and spear! When these foreigners enter our lands, they shall feel the wrath of the German people! For Wodanaz! For Germania!

Another actor who was a middle-aged man scoffed when he heard this before responding with a boisterous voice. 

"You want us to fight the legions of Rome? Have you gone mad, Hermann? The Roman War Machine is not easily beaten in battle!"

The actor who played Hermann grabbed ahold of the other actor by his cloak and shook him around in a state of frenzy as he countered his argument with a passionate speech.

"What would you have us do? Lie down and accept the Romans as our masters? They would make slaves of us all! You have not dwelled in Roman lands, but I have lived as one of them! I would rather die a thousand deaths than allow one inch of German soil to be occupied by our enemies!

If you are too afraid to fight, then, by all means, you and your people are welcome to stay behind like the cowards you are, but I promise you, before the dawn rises in the East, I will have watered these forests with the blood of the Romans!"

While the play continued, Berengar and Adela watched it from above in their private booth. The Austrian King had a broad smile as he began to whisper to his wife about the play she had written.

"Truly, an excellent display of talent, this piece of theatre will be sure to inspire our people to work hard for a greater tomorrow and to resist foreign influence over our lands. I must say, Adela, you have outdone yourself this time..."

In response to her husband's kind words, Adela smiled and latched onto his arm as she rested her head on his shoulder. It was rare for her to have alone time with the man she loved. Not only did Berengar have multiple wives, but he had many children to take care of, and frequently Adela felt that despite her position as the primary wife, she was neglected. 

Despite this, he had accompanied her to the opening night of the Grand Theatre Hall she had designed, as well as the first of many plays that she had written. It was indeed a monumental occasion for the High Queen of Austria. The play continued for some time before an intermission was declared, and with it, Berengar and his wife got up to stretch their legs.

Gathered outside of the theatre hall were the thousands of people who had come to watch the play's opening night. Berengar was dressed in his kingly attire, while Adela was in a black evening gown. Together they stood side by side as various members of society approached them and discussed what they thought of the play so far.

"It is truly amazing what you have created here, your Majesty! You have quite the future as a playwright."

This woman addressed Adela, who wore a proud smile on her face. After all, compared to anything else that existed in this medieval world, the Austrian Theatre was extremely impressive; not only were the sets grand, but the acting was top-notch.

Watching such an extravagant piece of theatre was a luxury that only the people of Kufstein could currently afford. However, Adela had planned to open theatre halls all across the Kingdom, among other institutions, to enhance Austria's culture further. The Noble young Queen  nodded her head and thanked the aristocratic woman for her kind words with a pretty smile on her luscious pink lips.

"I am glad that you are enjoying the play so far. However, the best is yet to come, so feel free to eat and drink your fill of wine and fine cheeses; when the intermission ends, I promise you, you will be pleased with what comes next!"

Having said this, Adela began to entertain more guests, and before long, they returned to their seats, where the play continued. Berengar continued to watch with an eager expression. Before long, the main battle scene occurred where the Germanic warriors ambushed and slaughtered the Roman legionnaires; as the last eagle fell, the crowd erupted in applause. 

Shortly thereafter, the end of the play came, where the actor representing the Roman General Varus gazed upon the devastation that had been wrought upon his army. After hearing the howls of the German warriors closing in on him, the fat, old, and bald man who played the character pulled out his Gladius and fell upon it, in the end leaving behind a single sentence.

"What man could tame such a wild and unforgiving land?"

Having committed suicide, the actor playing Hermann and his Germanic allies found the Roman General's corpse, where they proceeded to sever Varus' head, holding it high in the air the Germanic Hero boldly proclaimed for all to hear.

"Let this be a lesson for those who seek to impose their will on the German people; no foreigner shall ever claim dominion over our lands, for so long as the blood of Germania flows through our veins we will never submit, and we will never be conquered! Rule Germania!"

After saying this, the curtains were drawn, and the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, standing from their seats and cheering with the final phrase spoken in the play.

"Rule Germania!"

When Berengar witnessed this, a smile etched itself upon his lips. Adela had done more than he ever expected of her. She had invoked the fighting spirit that he wished for his people to have with a single play. Thus he gazed over with an affectionate gazer towards his High Queen and grabbed ahold of her hand. After doing so, he kissed her on the lips and whispered in her ear.

"It was truly an inspiring piece of Propaganda; you have done well. I look forward to your future work..."

Upon hearing her husband's praise, Adela blushed. She then shifted her attention to the stage where the actors took their bows. She had put a lot of effort into the production of this play, and it turned out better than she had imagined. 

After the play was over, Berengar and Adela returned to the Royal Palace; this play would continue to perform for the following month within the City of Kufstein; after all, the theatre hall could only fit so many people. With each show, it would gain an even more excellent reputation, inspiring many Austrians to work hard for the glory of Austria and the dream of a united Germany. 

Adela would immediately begin producing more plays, most of which acted as propaganda pieces to idealize Berengar's vision for a unified German Empire. The extravagance of Austrian theatre would catch the attention of wealthy noblemen and women from around the German Speaking regions who would visit Austria to see the play. 

With each play, the importance of German unification would be more prevalent, paving the way for the people of not only Austria but the German regions as a whole to accept Berengar's plans for a single German Empire. In doing this, Adela had secured herself in the good graces of Berengar as one of his most essential tools for developing German culture in his image. 

Perhaps one day he would make her the Minister of Propaganda; if she had such an important government role, the young woman who always lived in the shadow of her rival would be able to hold her head high with pride as she said to the world.

"See, I am every bit as useful as Linde!"

Of course, Berengar had no idea that Adela's success would further increase the rivalry between her and his second wife.. However, such a thing was none of his concern; as long as it was conducted with a degree of civility, he would encourage such petty competition between his wives.