Tyranny of Steel

While Berengar was undergoing the Trials of Odin in a distant corner of the world. Linde was conducting her own operations in the fatherland. After learning about the deaths of her adopted family, Min-Ah had agreed to become an agent of German Imperial Intelligence. 

Currently, the Joseon Princess was undergoing strict training in the arts of espionage and assassination. Beneath the tutelage of one agent, Friedrich Ziegler, Min-Ah had learned rather swiftly how to be the perfect spy. 

As time passed, and the Japanese Empress became impatient about the return of her little pet, a romance began to blossom between the German interrogator and his Korean captive. A situation which was closely monitored, and orchestrated by Linde's hands. 

Currently, the Director of Intelligence sat within her office, overseeing a report written by the agent in question who continued to train their newest recruit. With a slight smirk on her flawless face, Linde responded to this information with a satisfactory nod. 

"Good, it seems everything is going as planned. The only problem I have now is stalling for more time. Empress Itami Riyo is becoming quite impatient with the matter regarding Min-Ah's release. Any longer, and I believe she will start to expect our plan.

I must admit, the Japanese Empress is a very intelligent woman, however she is very unwise to say the least. I can't help but question many of her decisions since she had first assumed power in her homeland. What do you think, Hemma? Is Min-Ah ready to begin the operation?"

The deputy director of German imperial intelligence was in the process of sipping on a thermos filled with coffee when she heard her superior's question. She was quick to glance over the information before speaking her opinion on the matter. 

"In regards to espionage, the Joseon Princess has learned as much as she needs to complete the task. However, it would be dangerous for Min-Ah if we sent her to Japan now before her training is fully completed.

Itami Riyo is many things, but trustful is not one of them. The bitch is paranoid, and the moment her plans are leaked to her rival, she is going to know that someone close to her has committed a grave betrayal. It will only be a matter of time before she finds out Min-Ah is responsible, and when that happens, we will lose one of our greatest assets in this cold war."

Linde nodded her head in agreement with this assessment and sighed heavily as she sat back in her chair and stared at the documents in her hands. It was times like this, while her husband was away, that she often threw herself into her work as a coping mechanism.

In the past, she had tried praying for the man's safety, but after learning of the existence of the supernatural, the woman had no faith left in religion. For whatever the Abrahamic god might be, he was not all powerful, and all knowing like the Christians had always claimed. Hemma could tell her boss was distracted and tried to cheer the woman up. 

"Linde, you know what your worst trait is? Over worrying. I'm sure Berengar is fine. How many times has he encountered the supernatural before? And how many times has he returned to your loving arms in one piece?

The man isn't stupid, he doesn't take unecessary risks, especially not for the approval of a bunch of ancient pagan 'gods'. He will be fine, he always is. When was the last time the man did something needlessly stupid that put his own life at risk?"

The sentiment which Hemma expressed was greatly appreciated by Linde, who wore a bitter smile as she tried to pass the worries from her mind. Of course, if she knew that at this very moment, Berengar was wrestling a polar bear in a fight to the death, she would be livid at her man's sheer stupidity.

Luckily, she had no way of knowing such a thing, and thus, her mind was able to ease itself after some deep breaths. In the past, Hemma could not understand such worries, however after entering into a relationship with a man she deeply cared for, she too would feel nervous if her man were to go out onto an expedition into an icy wasteland for a reason as crazy as interacting with an ancient pagan deity. 

As the deputy director of German imperial intelligence, Hemma was one of the few individuals in this world who was aware of its hidden supernatural elements. A secret she dared not share with anyone for fear of being labeled insane.

After sitting in silence for some time, Linde sighed heavily, before shifting her attention to matters of importance.

"I'll give Friedrich a month to complete Min-Ah's training. If they're not finished by, then, we will have to begin the operation either way. I'm starting to run out of excuses to give to the Japanese Empress that she will believe."

Hemma nodded her head in understanding and agreed with the assessment. 

"I understand. I will let Friedrich know of your decision. Hopefully that psycho pretty-boy can get his act together by then. Is there anything else you need before I depart?"

Linde thought about it for a moment, before shaking her head. She had everything she needed at the moment, and would not hold up her deputy director any longer.

"You are dismissed."

With this said, Hemma bowed her head before departing from her superior's office, leaving Linde alone with her myriad of worries. 

---

Itami sat at her desk, while gazing upon a map of the known world which her agents had recovered from the markets of Anangpur. Though Germany had practically mapped out the entire world, they officially used maps that excluded their colonies as a means of counter intelligence. 

After all, Berengar did not want the world to know of just how large the new world was, or how much of it he had already settled. Still, as Itami gazed upon this map, she could only gain a sense of intense anxiety. So much had changed in this world, from the one she was used to.

In truth, the Japanese Empress did not know how much of this was the result of the butterfly effect caused by Berengar's actions, and how much of it was already in place before his reincarnation in this world. What she did know was that Europe was all wrong. 

Berengar had done what all others had failed to do in his previous life, and that was to unite the world's German speakers into a single, cohesive Empire, one which his dynasty sat upon as the ultimate rulers. 

From there he had forced the entirety of Europe, and the middle east to kneel before him, as the supreme Hegemon of the Western World. In contrast, Itami had brought all of Japan beneath her rule, yet she had struggled to establish an international empire.

If Berengar did not exist in this world, then perhaps she would have chosen a different path to gain hegemony over the east. However, the realization that another person like herself lie to the west, and was building an Empire. It caused the young woman to panic and make many foolish decisions. She had built an empire on sinking sand, while Berengar had built his on solid rock. 

No matter how Itami looked at the geopolitical situation, she had been outplayed. If her rival emerged victorious in this upcoming war, it was very likely that his Reich could truly last a thousand years. Meanwhile, Itami's empire was one step away from total collapse.

Though she sat upon the throne, those beneath her only tolerated her reign because it was still useful to their purposes. No matter how much she might regret her choices in life, Itami only had one move to play, and that was to continue her course full steam ahead. 

With a heavy sigh, she took a bite out of a chocolate bar which had been imported from the reich. Whether in this life, or her past, the young woman enjoyed the taste of chocolate, a treat which helped soothe her worries.

While munching on this treat, Itami gazed upon the portrait of Berengar which hung in her room, and suddenly halted her actions. It was only now that she realized what she was doing. Her eyes darted back and forth between the painting of Germany's emperor and the label on her candy bar, which was clearly written in the German language. 

A deep sense of shame overwhelmed Itami as she realized she was giving her enemy exactly what he wanted. Her first reaction was to toss the candy bar towards the portrait. When the chocolate impacted, it tore a hole in Berengar's handsome face, which caused Itami to cry out in agony as she rushed towards the painting. 

"Oh, no! What have I done?"

Tears streamed from the Itami's blood-red eyes as she gazed upon the damage she had caused. In the end she picked up the candy bar once more, and trembled as she ate what remained, as if she were some kind of junky, incapable of stopping herself from injecting heroin in to her veins, despite wanting nothing more than to be sober. 

Having finished the treat, and thrown away the wrapper in shame, Itami climbed into her bed, and cuddled with her Julian pillow while crying herself to sleep. She was completely and utterly done with politics. She hoped that when she woke up the next morning, it would not be in this luxurious palace, but in her old bed at Westpoint, where she would be able to meet Julian in the library once more. Unfortunately, wishes were seldom granted.

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