Chapter 214: Establishing the Navy (1/2)

At the moment, Berengar was sitting in his study, overseeing reports on his desk. There were several notes of importance he had to go over. Many of these were focused on the procurement of resources for his vessels.

To accomplish this, Berengar had sent trade representatives to the Kalmar Union in Scandinavia in an attempt to garner an ample supply of oak timber. The reason for this was simple, Norway would be a massive stockpile of such material, and presently there was little demand for it. Thus he could acquire his shipbuilding materials at a low expense.

As for the procurement of hemp to use for his sails, and rope Berengar had already begun growing the product alongside flax for some time. Thus he did not need to spend too much money when it came to acquiring the amount he was missing from his current stockpile.

Berengar needed a powerful fleet of at least three ships if he would send an expedition to the new world. These ships would require thousands of sailors, and he could not purchase such a vast workforce.

Instead, he was at this moment officially signing into law the establishment of the Austrian Navy and had decided to purchase a few carracks from Venice to act as training vessels. They would be docked in Trieste, where he would funnel recruits over to the region to train as sailors.

He severely lacked in sailors for his territory. The Duchy of Austria, despite holding a coastline in the southern tip of Kärnten, an area that belonged to Slovenia and Croatia in his past life, had never bothered developing a Navy. Instead, they merely had trading vessels and fishing boats.

Thus Berengar desired to hire some professionals, and in doing so, looked towards veterans of the Venetian Navy to act as instructors to his new sailors. The expenses for the construction of his Navy were growing by the day, but they had to be made. Without a powerful Navy, his future German Empire would never be able to maintain control over its colonies that would be vital to the success of his Dynasty.

On top of all of this, Berengar had to design a basic training program for the Navy; luckily, he had a little bit of knowledge of the U.S. Navy's basic training program from his previous life; after all, he had an acquaintance who was an officer in the Navy, and they would commonly chat about the differences between Army and Navy life.

Many hours passed, and eventually, Berengar had finished all of the necessary tasks to start the foundation of the Austrian Navy. After the last stroke of his quill was signed, he let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his leather chair while stretching his muscles before expressing his thoughts aloud.

”The work of a Duke is never finished.”

After finishing his work for the day, Berengar left his study and entered the dining hall, where he found Linde and Conrad in another conflict. The sight of which instantly brought a sense of fatigue to Berengar. He could not wait for this little brat to croak finally, but it could not be too sudden. Otherwise, the blame would surely fall on his shoulders, and the other nobles of Austria would be up in arms against him.

Linde was furious. Conrad had said something that had visibly upset her, and she quickly slapped Conrad across the face once more before yelling at him.

”You little brat! Who do you think you are? How dare you call me that!”

Conrad's outbursts were becoming more frequent, and Linde was usually the one who had to put up with his crap. However, the following words that came out of his mouth invoked Linde's ire and Berengar's.

”You fucking whore! Just because you are sleeping with Berengar doesn't mean you get to lay a hand on me!”

Conrad's fists were curled as if he were ready to strike, and the guards were once more moving into position to separate the two; however, when they noticed Berengar's slow approach with a murderous glare in his one good eye, they immediately backed down. The Count wanted to handle this himself.

Just when Conrad was about to pounce on Linde, he felt an arm wrap around his little neck, and as it did so, it quickly began to cut off the supply of oxygen to his brain. Berengar had put the 12-year-old child in a rear-naked choke so tight that within a matter of seconds, the boy passed out. As he did so, Berengar slowly let the kid fall to the ground before releasing the chokehold.

Linde gazed at Berengar with a cruel smile on her luscious lips; she loved it when her man took charge of the situation and hindered those who insulted her or did her harm. This was not the first time he had taken action to protect her against a violent male. She instantly got flashbacks to the time Berengar beat his little brother for his actions.

It only took a few seconds for Conrad to regain consciousness, and when he did, he awoke with a fright; he had no idea where he was or what had happened; when his mind finally adjusted to his surroundings, he saw Berengar and Linde passionately kissing in front of him. Conrad did not know that Berengar had just choked him and instead glared furiously at Linde who was the initial target of his fury.

Upon seeing the boy's gaze, Berengar stopped his public display of affection and put on a terrifying expression as he glared down at Conrad. Berengar slowly kneeled in front of the kid and grabbed him by the throat with his hand, squeezing it tightly, but not tight enough to suffocate the lad. Afterward, he coldly stated a bold threat.

”If I hear you insulting my woman or see you getting violent with her again. I will end you...”