Chapter 233: The Hussite Representatives Arrive (1/2)

After a long journey from Bohemia to Kufstein, a group of men dressed in common clothing approached the city gates of Kufstein. From afar, these men gazed upon the mighty star-shaped walls of Kufstein with awe. Such fortifications proved that their leaders had made the right choice in contacting the man behind the German Reformation.

Within the Kingdom of Bohemia, civil conflict was brewing, inspired by the great reformer Jan Hus. Both the nobility and common people within the region were up in arms against the Catholic Church for many of the same reasons that Southern Germany was.

With the unjust execution of Jan Hus in 1415, a group of his followers referred to by the term Hussites had begun to grow violent in the wake of his death. In Berengar's previous life, a war broke out in the Kingdom of Bohemia between the Hussites and the Catholic Church in the year 1420.

However, Berengar's intervention in this timeline and the rise of his German Reformation had sparked more significant conflict from the Hussites. The latter had grown emboldened by Berengar's success in his battles against the Catholic forces.

By now, Bohemia was on the verge of civil war. Thus these men, acting as representatives of the Hussite movement, had come to Kufstein, the center of the German Reformation seeking aid from the mighty Duke Berengar.

As such, these men waited in the long line that had gathered to enter the city of Kufstein. Berengar had implemented strict security measures to avoid infiltration by potentially hostile groups and individuals.

Because of this, every man, woman, and child that sought to enter the city had to undergo an inspection. All arms were required to be deposited with the garrison and would only be returned once the visitors left the town.

After waiting for some time, the men were hailed by the guards signaling that they may approach. The guard observed the men who were garbed in relatively common attire and immediately assumed they were refugees.

”If you wish to seek refuge within the City of Kufstein, you must fill out an application. I can give you a pass that will allow you to enter the city, where you will be led to the Department of Immigration. They will determine if you meet the criteria to migrate to Austria.”

However, the man in charge of the group of diplomats immediately shook his head upon hearing this and declared his actual intent for entering the city.

”We are not here to seek refuge. Instead, we seek an audience with the Duke. We come from the Kingdom of Bohemia and have important matters to discuss with the man known as Duke Berengar the Reformer!”

The city guard immediately sighed heavily before giving the standard response to everyone who sought to meet with the Duke.

”There is currently a three-month wait for an audience with the Duke. Unless you represent a powerful foreign interest, the most I can do is allow you access to the city so that you may wait your turn patiently.”

Due to Berengar's position and popularity, many people from all walks of life wanted to meet with him. So much so that a waiting list had been established, at the moment, it was backlogged up to three months in total.

Berengar was an incredibly busy man, and he could not afford to compromise his work to meet with every person who desired an audience with him. Unless it were some powerful foreign entity, then they would be forced to wait until Berengar's schedule was free.

Upon hearing this, the Hussite diplomats frowned; they had not intended to reveal their identity until they met with Berengar. However, it would appear they were forced to do so early in order to meet with the young Duke in a timely manner. Thus the man who led these diplomats removed his hood and revealed his entire appearance before speaking his thoughts.

”I am Luděk Hlaváček; I represent the interests of the Hussite Reformation within the Kingdom of Bohemia; as a fellow reformist, I believe your Duke will want to hear what we have to say. I would greatly appreciate it if you could relay our message to the man.”

Hearing that the man was a representative of another Chrisitan Reformist movement, the guard immediately asked for verification of their identities.

”Do you have anything that can prove your claims? If not, you will be forced to wait like the rest of the visitors.”

Luděk immediately pulled out a letter that contained the seal of a Lord from Bohemia known as Alexej Kašpar as proof of his identity. Alexej Kašpar was a man known far and wide as a leader of the Hussite Movement, or one of the many groups it comprised of. After observing this the guard recognized its validity and parted ways for the diplomats to enter the city. Before doing so, he said his piece.

”I will inform his Grace, Berengar von Kufstein, of your arrival. You can wait within the city until someone leads you towards the castle.”