Tyranny Of Steel Chapter 1251 The Annexation Of Hungary



From the conclusion of the Last Crusade—a conflict that shattered the Catholic Church and reshaped Europe under the banner of the newly formed German Empire—Hungary had been steadily advanced by its designated King. This ruler happened to be none other than Noemi's elder brother.

Yet in these latter years, Kaiser Hans von Kufstein had started exerting influence on the Hungarian realm, mainly through persistent Germanization efforts. Indeed, German had become a secondary tongue throughout Europe, often supplanting local languages in many regions.

German customs were likewise being adopted widely. Hungary itself had begun mimicking the iconic Reich architecture, even without access to advanced innovations like electricity.

After years of this steady transformation, Hans deemed the moment ripe to fold Hungary into the German domain as a colony, kicking off full-scale Germanization.

So on this day, he occupied a seat in the Hungarian Royal Palace, accompanied by Noemi. Her brother admired her stunning features with a touch of pride in his expression. Long ago, he had dispatched her to the German Reich for a superior existence, never imagining she would wed the future Kaiser.

Truth be told, his sole aim had been her survival, sparing her the fate of their lost sibling, who perished amid sanctions imposed on Hungary after aligning with the Catholic Church. Noemi regarded her brother with cool detachment. So much time had passed since their last encounter that they felt like strangers now, though he clearly didn't share that sentiment.

Still, this aloofness failed to stop the Hungarian King from addressing his sister with the warmth of old bonds.

"Noemi, you've become so beautiful—you're truly the mirror image of our mother. It's been ages since we last talked, but I'm curious why you've chosen now to return to your old home? Is all well?"

Noemi stayed silent at first, taking a sip of her tea. She deferred to her husband for the explanation, as it was his scheme. Hans stepped in eagerly.

"Viktor, through marriage, we're brothers now. Thus, I'm granting you the respect of hearing this face-to-face. I intend to annex the Kingdom of Hungary, merging it into the German Reich as an additional state. The shift won't happen overnight, but within two generations, once Hungarians are deemed sufficiently German, they'll gain full status as such.

For now, you may keep your title of King, and Hungary will nominally stay independent. However, my troops will garrison your borders, my citizens will settle here, and we'll elevate your realm into a true modern civilization."

Viktor stared at Hans in shock, then turned to Noemi for her response. Against his expectations, she remained utterly composed by the announcement, as though fully aware of it ahead. He promptly demanded her thoughts.

"Noemi, you can't mean it? Handing Hungary to the Germans? Why?"

Noemi fixed her older brother with an icy stare, speaking down to him almost like a superior as she revealed her support for her husband's scheme.

"Because I aspire to be Kaiserin, not just some Hungarian Princess. With Hungary absorbed into the Reich as a German state, I—like Anne and Veronika—can claim the title of Kaiserin, letting my children vie for the throne.

This has nothing to do with you or your insignificant kingdom, brother. It's about forging a fresh succession line. My kids merit German status equal to my sisters', and I won't let you or your backward mindset block that.

Hungary's Germanization proceeds as intended, and your folk will thank you for it. We're delivering the world-famous technology we excel in. You can't claim that's a negative, can you?"

Viktor could scarcely credit what he heard, swiftly turning to Hans, who sipped tea with a triumphant grin. Desperation overtook him as he implored like a youth before guardians, urging Hans to abandon the scheme.

"My Kaiser, I've fulfilled every demand from you and your father. Doesn't that count for anything? You're set to erase ages of culture and legacy from existence. You mustn't let this occur!"

Yet, Hans showed complete indifference towards his brother-in-law, choosing instead to hurl some cutting remarks in response.

"A thousand years ago, this land belonged to the Germans, governed by the Gepids, Lombards, Goths, and Vandals. That changed when your ancestors arrived from the east and launched their invasion. We're merely reclaiming what is rightfully ours.

You can accept annexation, or we battle to prove whose claim holds true—though I believe you know the grim fate awaiting you and your folk. Indeed, I suspect your soldiers wouldn't even lift a weapon for you, aware that you've robbed them of the wealth gained by uniting with the Reich. My father forged a fresh age for this realm with toil, blood, and sacrifice. Now it's the German age, and any who refuse our orders may fight until their last breath.

Of course, the decision rests with you, but out of the affection I hold for your sister, I urge you to decide shrewdly. It would grieve me deeply to shatter her heart..."

Noemi's face betrayed a near-suppressed laugh at her husband's closing words. To her mind, she was every bit as German as Veronika. Both originated from territories once held by the German folk, and both had become fully Germanized. Just like Veronika, she deserved the title of Kaiserin, and she was prepared to see her people transformed to achieve it.

As Viktor grasped that his options boiled down to either deliberately surrendering his people's culture and legacy or rising in arms to protect it, he saw he had no real choice whatsoever—victory over the Reich in battle was but the wild hallucination of an insane man.

With that, the King of Hungary heaved a profound sigh before yielding to the German Kaiser and his stipulations.

"Very well... I grasp my situation perfectly. I accept every one of your terms. Hungary belongs to you, to shape as you see fit..."

A wicked smirk formed on Hans's lips upon hearing those words, as he nodded in approval of his brother-in-law's concession.

"Excellent..."