Chapter 239: Lamberts Official Death I (1/2)

Since the death of Lambert, Berengar had hidden it from his family. The reason being he was afraid of the effect such news would have on his loved ones. More importantly, he did not want them to figure out that he had personally killed his brother in battle and claimed his skull as a drinking cup. This barbaric act was Berengar's final revenge on his little brother for the boy's wicked actions.

However, he could not keep the secret forever, and thus Berengar had been hatching a scheme to inform his mother, father, and little sister of Lambert's death. He had just been too busy up until this point to do so.

However, with his schedule free for the next few days, Berengar knew the time had come to announce Lambert's death and allow his family to have a good image of their lost loved one in their hearts and minds.  As such, he had recently sent out a summons to his parents so that they may appear in Kufstein.

It was on this day that they had finally arrived, and when they did so, they were amazed to see the changes that had occurred to their once humble Barony. The last time they were in Kufstein, it was little more than an agricultural town. Now it was a thriving city, protected by mighty walls made of steel-reinforced concrete bricks.

The sturdy star-shaped walls that bore dozens of cannons facing in all directions were an intimidating sight to the couple who had never thought that Kufstein would grow so rapidly in the year since their departure.

Like all visitors, they had to wait in line until the city guards could vet them; Sieghard was quite impatient as he waited within his carriage. Eventually, he and his wife arrived at the city gates, where the guards flagged them down.

The guard overseeing their arrival was a refugee from Saxony and had fled to Kufstein with his family during the initial outbreak of the war. Having no skills to speak of, he could only enlist in the Army and hope for a spot in the garrison which he was lucky to receive.

Because of this, the man was entirely unfamiliar with Berengar's parents and did not immediately recognize them. Thus he uttered the words he had said a hundred times on this day alone as if he were speaking to any commoner who wished to enter the city.

”State your names and your purpose for visiting the city of Kufstein.”

While Sieghard had waited impatiently up to this point, he quickly began to scowl when the guards of the territory he once ruled did not even recognize his identity. Thus he proudly declared his position.

”I am Sieghard von Kufstein, father of Berengar von Kufstein! This is my wife Gisela von Kufstein, mother of Berengar von Kufstein.”

Hearing this, the guard's eyes opened with shock; he was not aware that Berengar's parents were still alive; His first instinct was to allow them to pass quickly. However, as a diligent guard, he knew he could not allow someone into the city just because they claimed to be related to the Duke; therefore, he quickly gave them an order.

”Wait right here while I get someone to verify your identities...”

After saying that, he left the area; shortly after that, he returned with a man equipped with brass-trimmed blackened plate armor; this man was an officer in the ranks of the garrison. The moment he arrived and noticed the former Baron and Baronness sitting in their carriage at the gates with an impatient expression, the man quickly slapped the grunt who had made Berengar's parents wait upside his helmet before bowing respectfully to Sieghard and Gisela.

”Apologies, your Grace, some of the members of the garrison are new to Kufstein and are unaware of your identities... You can quickly head to the Castle; I will make sure you are unobstructed on your journey.”

This officer was a veteran of Kufstein's forces, dating back to when Sieghard ruled over the region. Thus he knew the appearance of his old liege like the back of his hand. On the other hand, Sieghard was greatly bewildered when he was referred to by the honorific ”your Grace” and quickly questioned the term as if his hearing had failed him.

”Your Grace?”

Sieghard and his wife were unaware of just how much progress Berengar had made in the past year; after all, they had retired to the countryside and maintained a peaceful life, they did not bother to check in on the current affairs of the realm.

The officer looked befuddled; it took him a few moments to realize that the couple was unaware of the changes made to Kufstein and all of Austria during their seclusion, and thus he merely smiled before saying.

”It appears your son has many things to inform you about. Welcome home!”

with that, Sieghard nodded in confusion before ordering the servant who drove his carriage to press forward.

”To the Castle, it appears there is much I have to speak about with my son...”

With this, the carriage rode forward and up to the Castle, where Sieghard and his wife departed; at the gates, Berengar, Linde, Henrietta, and Hans were present to greet the couple. Gisela stiffened when she Berengar's appearance; the scar was above and below the eyepatch that covered his right eye made her feel a sense of overwhelming dread.

As such, Gisela quickly walked over to Berengar and grabbed his face into her hands.

”My poor baby! Who did this to you?”

Berengar felt awkward as he heard this and coughed as he released himself from his mother's grasp.

”I was injured on the battlefield, but rest assured, I am fine.”