Tyranny Of Steel Chapter 1260 And So Our Story Begins [The End]



Years passed by, and Berengar's vitality started to diminish. Eventually, upon reaching the age of eighty, death had been vigilantly awaiting. In that instant, Berengar lay upon a bed inside the Royal Palace of Kufstein, transported there so the von Kufstein Dynasty's dedicated physicians and caretakers could tend to him during his final moments. 

His wives, lovers, children, grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren encircled Berengar. Every one of them wore expressions of deep sorrow while bidding farewell to the man who had forged their dynasty from nothing. 

Though Berengar understood his end drew near, no suffering etched his face. Pure contentment radiated from him instead. Encirled by his cherished ones as death approached. Following a life brimming with unrivaled achievements, unequaled by any before or after. Such a noble conclusion suited the mighty Kaiser of the German Reich perfectly. 

Berengar's hands were now held tightly by each of his women. Though they were almost as aged as he was, they brimmed with more vigor. Tears streamed down Linde's cheeks as she watched the man she had adored above all else for nearly her whole existence fade toward the beyond. Berengar squeezed her hand with resolve, summoning his remaining might to shake his head at her. 

"Do not cry, my love. I am heading to a better place, a realm of eternal youth. Soon, you will all join me there. I have loved you from our first night together, and I always will..."

Tears continued to flow from Linde, as well as from all his other women. Adela was the next to embrace him fiercely, pleading for her husband to remain by her side until the reaper claimed her too. 

"Please... Don't leave me here all alone... Berengar, I love you!" 

With every ounce of strength left in him, Berengar caressed Adela's smooth hair for the final time, then comforted her that all would be well. 

"I will await you in the afterlife. Adela, my one regret in this life is how poorly I treated you. You deserved far better. But I vow to make amends when we reunite." 

Adela's sobs intensified as she clung to Berengar, terrified that releasing him would mean losing him eternally. Once Adela finished her goodbye, Honoria stepped up next. The Byzantine Princess felt her heart shatter just like her two eldest rivals. She pressed her lips to Berengar's wrinkled forehead, vowing to follow him shortly. 

"Berengar, my love, do not fret. Linde and I will surely join you before long. Besides, Brynhildr will keep you company until we reunite." 

In reply, Berengar offered a gentle smile and nodded, accepting Honoria's comforting words. Yasmin then seized his head, pressing it to her chest one last time while whispering her intimate farewell. 

"Husband... You have forever been my sole true love. I swear we will reunite soon. Until then, stay strong, knowing my love for you surpasses all else." 

Henrietta followed, delivering perhaps the most devastating goodbye of them all. 

"Big brother, please don't leave me behind without you! I've always stayed by your side, and I don't know how I'll manage once you're gone! Please don't go!" 

Feebly, Berengar extended his hand to clasp his little sister's, reflecting on their forbidden bond that never should have formed. 

"Henrietta, my dear, you have always been, and forever will be, my cherished little sister. Sadly, I can no longer shield you in this world. Not until we meet again. Promise to be a good girl until then, alright?" 

Profuse tears flowed from Henrietta as she nodded vigorously, vowing to her elder brother and lover that she would stay the "good girl" he desired.

"I promise, big brother! I promise I'll behave!"

One after another, Berengar's lovers and children approached to offer their goodbyes. At last, only his sons—the reigning monarchs—stood waiting. Berengar looked upon the young men he had groomed to conquer realms in his place, expressing his profound pride in their growth. 

"My sons, the Kings of this world. Seeing all you have achieved fills me with immense pride in the men you've become. Yet soon, I will depart this realm and can no longer guide you as before. So heed this final counsel: Whatever trivial quarrels arise in life, cherish your brotherhood above all. Family surpasses everything, and instill this truth in your own children too.

As long as a von Kufstein occupies the world's greatest thrones, and you keep in mind your place in my dynasty, I genuinely think a measure of peace can spread across the globe. Hans, I'm placing the Empire I've forged right into your reliable grasp. Never forget my parting words, ever...."

Having spoken thus, Berengar shut his eyes and drew his final breath. Leaving the land of the living for good. While every woman in the chamber sobbed uncontrollably, the men stood utterly impassive, honoring their father's wishes. 

--- 

Berengar stirred awake in a lush grassy field, sunlight warming his face. The brilliance annoyed him slightly. When he finally opened his eyes, he stared at the enormous breasts of his wife, Brynhildr. A soft, affectionate smile graced her lips as she ran her fingers through her lover's blond locks. 

"Good morning sleepy head, how did you sleep?" 

Utterly baffled by his location and recent events, Berengar sprang up instantly. So fast, in fact, that he felt fifty years more youthful than before sleep claimed him. Puzzled by it all, he scanned the expansive, serene plain where creatures played freely and trees towered impressively. Unsure of his whereabouts or arrival, he promptly questioned the stunning valkyrie. 

"Where am I? Where are the others? What has happened?" 

Brynhildr's voice carried warmth and tenderness as she rose, clasping her lover's hand. She clarified the nature of this realm and his journey here. 

"This is your private afterlife. The one promised by the all-fathers long ago. Don't fret over your family. They mourn your passing, but your wives and lovers will join you soon enough. For now, let's begin. It would be mortifying if they arrived to see this realm in such a pitiful condition. 

Berengar surveyed the surroundings once more, then voiced the thought that struck him next. 

"Get started? On what? There's nothing here!" 

Only then did Berengar spot his reflection in Brynhildr's icy blue gaze, realizing he had returned to his youthful form from his transmigration days. Stunned by this change, he prepared another query, but she addressed his earlier one first. 

"Precisely! Nothing exists here! Isn't this your dream? A realm for you and your kin, shaped to match your wildest visions? It's a fresh existence, everlasting. All that meets your eyes belongs to you rightfully. Shape this world however you desire." 

Understanding that his afterlife lacked any settlements or buildings—a blank canvas for his designs—Berengar laughed lightly while shaking his head. He eyed the boundless, rich lands now under his domain, then shared his musings aloud with a mix of resentment and thrill. 

"And so our story begins...." 

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PLEASE READ

I'd like to pause and express my gratitude to everyone for sticking with my debut novel effort. The journey was lengthy, and I gained tons of insights. Right now, I'm crafting a new story, a spiritual follow-up to Tyranny of Steel. If you haven't yet, go check out Interstellar Age. 

Though this marks the true conclusion of Tyranny of Steel, I plan to drop monthly side chapters on Berengar's afterlife adventures ahead. If you're eager for Berengar's reunions with his dear ones and constructing a fresh kingdom from nothing, solely with his family, more content awaits. Thanks immensely for your years of support. I look forward to delivering plenty more tales your way!