Tyranny of Steel

In the center of Vienna's city hall, there was a large gathering of monarchs from across the globe. From the petty kingdoms of Europe, who bent the knee to the mighty German Empire, to the North African and near eastern sultanates, all the way to India, and beyond. If you were a monarch in this world who had even the smallest amount of respect from your peers, you were invited to this meeting. All except for one. 

What was noticeable to everyone was the distinctive lack of representation from the Japanese Empire. A statement which spoke to the host's true intentions. Berengar had personally greeted all of his so-called peers and shook their hands. Welcoming them to the first ever international peace conference, which would go down in history as the Vienna Accords.

Among these guests was one High King Alvar of the Kalmar Union. As if following the previous trend, the man had grown even more rotund than his last visit to the Reich. Evidently, life was good for the man, as his realm prospered from the overwhelming amount of trade which flowed from Germany into his lands.  Alvar stood in front of Berengar and greeted the man who was once his lesser, with a wide smile on his face.

"To think in less than two decades you could accomplish so much. When I first met you, you were nothing more than a minor upstart. One who had a target on his back from the almighty Vatican. Yet here you are, having the entire world's many leaders answering to your beck and call. I am so glad I decided to align myself with you, rather than listen to the poisonous whispers of the church."

Berengar smiled at what he could only describe as the distant past, even if it were not been too terribly long ago. He had indeed accomplished much during this time. Perhaps in all of human history there was only one man who was his equal, and that was Alexander. 

No, that would not be right to say, for Alexander did not have the benefit of having future knowledge to build his Empire. Nor did he have the military advantage of overwhelming superior technology. Perhaps Alexander the Great had no equal in history, nor would he ever. Still, that was not a point of contention to Berengar, and thus, he could only smile and nod his head before expressing his thanks to Alvar for coming to this event.

"I am glad to see you here, old friend. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the food and beverages that I have provided. Soon enough, the meeting will commence."

Alvar had a hearty expression on his face as he bellowed in laughter while grabbing hold of his massive gut. 

"I am sure I will take you up on that offer. Until we speak again, Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein..."

After saying this, Alvar walked off towards the food table where a bountiful assortment of treats were arranged for the guests. 

Over the next hour, Berengar greeted every guest who entered through the gates of the city hall before finally leading them into the conference room where the meeting would take place. Once everyone had sat down in their assigned seats, Berengar took his own, which was at the head of the room, where he spoke into his microphone, and introduced himself to his guests.

"I am sure you are all aware by now, but I am Berengar von Kufstein, Kaiser of the German Empire. I want to take this time to thank all of you for visiting today. I look forward to engaging in a civil discussion with all of you about the future of our world and how we conduct ourselves in warfare. 

Recent events in the Indian Subcontinent have shown us the atrocities that those in possession of more modern weapons can commit. Without some form of strict, international guidelines, it is entirely possible for the most heinous of crimes to be committed against those who are the most defenseless. I'm talking, of course, about civilians, and unarmed prisoners of war. 

Yes, that is correct. This meeting will not be a discussion about limiting the type of weaponry that we all use in warfare. I am sure you all have your own opinions regarding this, instead our conference will be about protecting civilians, and prisoners of war, from the disastrous consequences of conflict. 

Some of you may be more aware of this than others. However, I would like to say that for the most part, I have always had a policy of conducting warfare in the most civil of manner. Since my first campaign against the Barony of Kitzbühel thirteen years ago. I have specifically outlawed things which I find reprehensible, such as the rape and murder of civilians and prisoners.

So the first topic I would like to debate is outlawing the rape and murder of civilians and prisoners. I am opening up the floor to whoever wishes to contest this point. Simply press the button at the base of your microphone and speak clearly into it. Thank you."

Berengar knew that this stipulation would definitely catch the ire of those who were not directly under his control. After all, this was still for the large part a medieval world, with medieval notions of morality, justice, and especially warfare. To convince everyone here to unanimously agree on the prohibition of rape and murder in war itself would be a difficult task. Or so one would think.

The first to speak up against Berengar's demands was the Sultan of Tlemcen, who had yet to have the honor of witnessing the wrath of the Reich in person. One of the many translators who existed in this room translated his words. Just like Berengar's speech had been done to his guests. 

"For centuries, rape has been a natural part of warfare. It is the right of every victorious army to treat the defeated as they wish. Are you suggesting I tell my soldiers not to ravage the women and girls of the conquered territory, as is their right as warriors?"

Berengar wore a smiling facade when he heard this, but was quick to contest it in the most ruthless manner possible. 

"I am not only saying you are to command your soldiers to behave themselves while engaging in warfare, but you as a monarch are to punish them with death should they break the law, as I have done to my soldiers in the past who have fallen out of line. If you fail to do so, you will be held responsible should you be defeated.

Discipline is the backbone of any modern military, and if your soldiers violate the rules of war, then they are not warriors, as you say, but are in fact nothing more than wild beasts. Regardless of how warfare has been conducted in the past, we are in a new era. One where new laws and regulations must come into play in order to limit the devastation that wars can cause. If you do not wish to sign these accords, that is your choice.

However, I assure you, if you refuse to sign and ratify these accords, then you and your entire realm will not protect by them. Meaning, that any nation here who does sign them is free to behave however they wish to your Kingdom should they find themselves at war with you. 

Imagine, if you will, a scenario where you have chosen not to agree to this stipulation and you find yourself at odds with the Reich. In this proposed scenario, I, for whatever reason, decide to order a full scale invasion of your country.

If my soldiers were to act out of line while invading your lands, and say forcefully put a German baby in the womb of every woman and girl who is capable of bearing offspring within your realm. While killing every man and boy who draws breath, I would not be obligated to punish them. Despite having signed these accords myself. 

Now would I punish them? Absolutely. However, I would not be obligated to do so, and nor would anyone else here who signs and ratifies these accords into international law. I am proposing an end to the rape of civilians in warfare, and you should be grateful that your people will no longer have to suffer such a heinous act. Because I assure you, if I wanted to, I could make this proposed scenario a reality."

The Sultan of Tlemcen, along with every other world leader who had initially planned to object to this stipulation, was now covered in a cold sweat. The mere prospect of a foreign military coming into their lands, and annihilating every man and boy, while forcefully impregnating every woman and girl, had silenced them completely.

To do such a thing would be the destruction of their very civilization, hell it would mean the complete and total eradication of their people as a whole. This was something that everybody in this room knew for a fact that Germany was capable of. For their leader to voluntarily come forward, and make this illegal in warfare, they could count their lucky stars that Berengar was such a benevolent person. 

Thus, after a brief speech about the virtues of this rule and how these accords would function, not a single monarch dared disagree with the stipulation prohibiting the rape and murder of civilians and prisoners in a time of war. How this would be defined would be their next subject of discussion. 

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