Tyranny Of Steel Chapter 1259 One Last Chance To Shine



This day stood out from the ordinary. Particularly for Berengar and his wife Adela. Nearly fifteen years had passed since his retirement, during which Berengar had lived quietly in a remote mountain village alongside his wives. However, today marked a special trip for him and Adela to Kufstein—straight to the Reichstag.

What brought about this visit? It wasn't Berengar delivering yet another address. Instead, Kaiser Hans von Kufstein was presenting a distinguished award. Not to his father, but to Adela, his wife. Leaders from every major nation had converged in Kufstein to witness the ceremony.

Berengar and Adela occupied the front-row seats, attentively watching Hans address the full assembly. The occasion was broadcast live on television, prompting Hans to present himself impeccably for the cameras.

An air of command filled Hans's voice as a proud grin lit his face, proclaiming the honor bestowed upon a woman who had served as a second mother to him.

"Today marks a momentous occasion for the German Reich, where we celebrate a woman devoted her life to elevating arts and culture in our mighty empire. Kaiserin Adela von Kufstein has long championed the arts, propelling countless talented creators to fame through her dedicated guidance.

And today, I, Kaiser Hans von Kufstein, present her with the Imperial Order of Arts and Science, ensuring her contributions receive the recognition they merit. Adela, please join me up here?"

Now in her early seventies, Adela appeared no older than sixty, thanks to the mystical pool's powers and cutting-edge anti-aging treatments, as she approached with a warm smile. After greeting the roaring crowd—like a superstar—Hans draped the medal over her neck, clasped her hand, and murmured words meant solely for her ears.

"This honor is richly earned... Without your influence, the Reich would remain a mere war machine, its culture trapped in feudal times. Thank you for all you've accomplished... Mother..."

Hans had always resisted calling any of Berengar's other wives 'mother' throughout his life. Yet on this day, he used the term to express his profound respect for Adela. This brought a faint blush to her cheeks as she embraced him warmly. Then, beaming at the cameras, she savored what might be her final public spotlight.

Stepping to the podium, Adela delivered the speech she'd crafted upon learning of the prestigious award.

"I hardly know where to begin. Back when I first begged my husband to fund artists throughout his lands, the world looked vastly different. Noble houses controlled every acre, leaving common folk to toil in fields for meager shares of their labor.

Now, ordinary people chase whatever path their passions dictate. Artists, who once fought just to endure, attend prestigious universities to master vital skills and methods. Moreover, the internet offers those same lessons for free.

We inhabit a marvelous era, and I'm thrilled my decades of work haven't been squandered. I thank my husband, Berengar von Kufstein, for enabling my visions and becoming the Reich's foremost patron of the arts. Gratitude also goes to every artist, across all disciplines, whose ingenuity and toil have positioned the German Reich as the world's cultural heart.

Finally, I thank Kaiser Hans von Kufstein for acknowledging my work and honoring it so grandly. Thank you everyone, and God bless!"

With that, Adela returned from the stage and settled beside Berengar again. He gazed at her with a beaming smile, gripping her hand tightly before murmuring his heartfelt words, audible only to them.

"Adela, I'm incredibly proud of you—this award suits you better than anyone else's. I love you..."

Adela's face lit up at his words as she pulled him into a hug. Then she whispered back the sentiment he'd shared.

"I love you too..."

The awards ceremony extended a little longer, with a group of artists Adela had supported stepping up to thank the woman for everything she had achieved. Almost every prominent artist alive in the Reich, be they painters, sculptors, animators, musicians, or the like, had shown up at the event, and they showered endless praise on the woman who turned their dreams into reality. 

Once all the thanks had been given and appreciation shared with Adela, she and Berengar headed back to their home. There, the couple savored some private time together. Before finally drifting off to sleep wrapped in each other's arms. 

While Adela relished the recognition and accolades she earned that day for a lifetime of hard work, a touch of sadness tugged at her heart. She understood this occasion was surely her final moment to bask in the limelight. Yet, as long as she stayed with Berengar in their peaceful lakeside villa, fame and wealth meant little to her. Her deepest care had always been for Berengar and the family they built side by side. And so, this day marked the perfect close to her tale. 

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I want to thank everyone for sticking with Tyranny of Steel this far. From now until the novel's end, updates will slow down to one chapter per day. In the meantime, I invite you all to check out my new novel Interstellar Age, at https://www.webnovel.com/book/interstellar-age_26235247006730205 which will get my main focus going forward. Thanks again for all your support, and I can't wait to keep writing stories for you for years to come!