Chapter 566: Annexing Schleswig-Holstein

King Alvar stood across from Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein. He felt slightly intimidated as he gazed upon the majestic crown which adorned the Kaiser's head. He had not expected the war of German Unification to come to an end so quickly, and thus by the time his delegation arrived in Kufstein, Berengar had already unified the German states beneath his command, and proclaimed himself emperor of the German people.

As a man who held a heavily disputed territory with this new empire, Alvar felt a great sense of fear in his heart, and thus, he quickly left the confines of his Scandinavian Kingdom to visit the new emperor personally.

Despite the protest of his more ardent catholic subjects who refused to recognize the title of Kaiser that Berengar had bestowed upon himself, Alvar was now meeting face to face with the man he had gone fishing with so many years ago.

The difference in their two positions in life had altered over the past few years, while Alvar remained King over an unstable political union, Berengar had now become the Emperor over all of Germany, and despite only recently fighting a war of unification, things appeared to be rather stable, as the Germans embraced their new monarch, and the wealth he brought with him.

Thus, Alvar released a heavy sigh as he revealed his reasons for visiting Kufstein, depressed with how little he had achieved compared to the man standing before him.

"I am sure you have heard my reason for visiting you on such short notice from my delegation. Allow me to be frank, if I had known you would unite your Empire so quickly, I would have visited Kufstein myself. Honestly, I now feel regretful that I did not witness your coronation as emperor myself."

Berengar simply nodded his head silently in response. He was well aware of the reason for Alvar's visit, and he was quite accepting of the idea. Rather than spilling more blood with one of the most powerful states in Europe, the peaceful annexation of Schleswig-Holstein was a far more appealing prospect. Thus, he welcomed the Scandinavian King with a warm smile on his face.

"I must admit, Alvar, that I was not expecting you to so willingly hand over the lands which I covet. So enlighten me as to what your terms are in exchange for such a gracious gift to my new empire."

When the King of the Kalmar Union heard such a welcoming response, he smiled and nodded his head before presenting the first of his terms.

"First and foremost, in exchange for the lands of Schleswig-Holstein, I request that a defensive alliance be established between our two realms. You have a few sons, and I have some granddaughters who are roughly the same age. I suggest a betrothal between our descendents to secure this alliance."

Berengar thought about it for a few seconds before quickly agreeing to the prospect. With the establishment of the German Empire, Berengar had proclaimed his intentions to the world that he wished to eliminate Catholic influence over Europe and replace it with his own. This was bound to create more enemies than allies, and to see his neighbor to the North, so willing to ensure mutual defense, was actually quite surprising. Thus, he was happy to agree to this condition.

"Very well. My son Kristoffer will marry one of your granddaughters when they come of age, ensuring the alliance between our two realms endures the test of time. What is your next condition?"

Alvar was happy to see that Berengar had agreed to this term, while Berengar had legalized polygamy allowing him to make far more alliances, the Scandinavian king was uncertain whether the German Emperor would agree to a defensive alliance, after all the difference in power between their two realms was staggering, and it would undoubtedly result in Germany's armies carrying the weight of their alliance. Upon seeing Berengar be so agreeable, Alvar did not hesitate to state his second condition.

"In exchange for the lands of Schleswig-Holstein, I ask that you share some of your technology, especially in the fields of agriculture, so that I may feed my people better, and generate more income. I think this is mutually beneficial to our alliance, as the more people I can feed, and the fewer men I need to do it, the more soldiers I can field."

Berengar did not hesitate to accept this condition. After all, he had already given agricultural and industry technology to his allies. Which had unfortunately been leaked to the Catholic church who now spread its contents among their allies. As a man who respected loyalty and allegiance, Berengar would never allow his allies to fall behind his enemies.

"Very well. I accept this condition. After all, I would not want my allies to fall behind the rest of the world. I will give you access to the same level of technology that I have given my other allies. If I were to take into consideration the harsh nature of your people's environment, then I would be cruel to leave you without the advanced fertilizers necessary for an abundant harvest. Thus, I will be gracious and gift you with a twenty-five percent discount on any fertilizer that you may order. You may consider this a benevolent act on my part."

Alvar's expression lit up with excitement when he heard this. He was well aware of the rumors of Austria's agricultural production capabilities and hoped to be able to utilize such technology for his own people. Since Berengar was willing to accept this condition, he confidently declared the last of the terms he had outlined for the sale of Schleswig-Holstein.

"My final condition is that you pay the Crown of Denmark proper compensation for the loss of their lands. I expect a fair price of a hundred thousand Austrian Guldens to be paid to the Danish treasury in full. I am sure this is not unreasonable."

A hundred thousand Austrian Guldens was no small amount. If one were to exchange its value in terms of modern currency, it would be worth billions of US Dollars, however in comparison to Berengar's goals of uniting the German-Speaking people, it was merely a drop in the hat. As such, Berengar did not hesitate to agree to the condition.

After all, the wealth he had at his disposal was so much greater than this meager sum, and he would not be stingy over the price he was required to pay for the lands of his own people. When he really thought about it, Germany would surely spend more in pursuit of conquest should they be forced to take up such an option. Having reflected on these thoughts, Berengar smiled and nodded his head before accepting the condition.

"Very well. I accept your terms. You can expect the delivery of the gold and technology after you have ceded Schleswig-Holstein to me. Once the transaction is completed, I will publically announce the alliance between our two realms, ensuring the stability of your Kingdom for years to come."

Upon witnessing Berengar agree to all of his conditions for the sale of Schleswig-Holstein, Alvar could hardly believe it. He thought for sure Berengar would balk at the vast sum he had asked for. Yet, it did not even seem to phase him.

Just how much wealth did Germany have at its disposal? Little did he know that paltry sum of gold would pale when compared to the vast gold mines belonging to the new world that Berengar would soon get his hands on.

As for Berengar, he was glad that a peaceful solution could allow him to gain the last region he wished to incorporate into the fatherland. His Empire would now stretch from the low countries in the West to Schleswig-Holstein in the north, all the way over to Austria and Switzerland in the south, and up into Bohemia and Prussia in the east.

With this, Berengar had single-handedly created a giant Empire in the center of Europe with access to the Mediterranean as well as the North and Baltic Seas. He would also maintain colonies in Malta, Gibraltar, and the New World. Allowing him absolute authority over the atlantic ocean and Mediterranean sea alike.

With the Kalmar Union joining Austria as an ally, the triple alliance of old would fall by the wayside, in its place Berengar intended to form a new Union of Imperial Powers. One which controlled trade and influence over the world at large. It was only a matter of time before the Kaiser made this a reality, or so he believed.

Thus, he gladly held out his hand and shook on the terms before drafting a proper treaty which acknowledged all the points discussed. After the two men signed the treaty, Germany would be well and truly unified under the control of Berengar and the von Kufstein dynasty.

With this last annexation out of the way, the German Empire could now focus all of their efforts on industrialization of the fatherland, and expansion into the New World via colonies. Only time would tell what level of power the German Empire held by the time the Catholic Church and its crusaders came knocking at their door.