Chapter 745 City of Light
While Berengar was off on another colonial campaign, things were progressing smoothly back home. The city was undergoing modification to make use of power lines and electricity in every building. However, the first notable addition to the city had already begun to take shape in the Palace district. Where streetlights were now embedded around every corner. Though at the moment they were not lit, instead there was a gathering of citizens beneath the statue of the Kaiser.
Currently, there was a celebration taking place, with Adela as the head Empress taking the stage for this monumental occasion. Though she was still undergoing a spiritual crisis after hearing from her husband that he was a man from another world, and that the Pagan G.o.ds existed. She did not let it impede her obligations. As the Minister of Propaganda, it was her job to ensure public events like this went smoothly. She wore a pretty smile on her face as she addressed the crowd with the dignity of an empress.
"People of Kufstein, and citizens of the Reich. Today marks a monumental occasion for all of humanity. Where, thanks to the efforts of our Kaiser and his engineers; we, as Germans, have for the first time in the world"s history conquered the night!
For eons, humanity has struggled in the darkness. The only illumination we could find was through fire. However, on this day, I show to you, the good people of Germany, that we have evolved beyond such primitive means. No longer will the night impede our progress. Today marks the day where Kufstein shall become a city, s.h.i.+ning in the world"s darkness!"
After saying this, Adela nodded her head, and the city"s engineers turned on the street lights, to the overwhelming awe of the German people. Among these people who were stunned beyond belief was the Indian Princess Priya, and her older brother Dharya, who were being chaperoned by Henrietta.
Henrietta"s azure eyes s.h.i.+ned brightly as she gazed upon the scene in front of her. The Statue of Berengar that acted as a place where the citizens of Kufstein would often pay tribute, faced eastward towards the rising sun. Representing the glorious tomorrow that Berengar had paved the way for. In the utter darkness of the winter months in Kufstein, a series of powerful street lights illuminated the sky whose yellow glow s.h.i.+ned on the surface of the magnificent bronze statue, creating an ethereal s.h.i.+mmer.
Not only was Henrietta overwhelmed by the sight of this marvel, but so too were the citizens of Kufstein, many of which bent their knee to the glowing visage of their Kaiser. Among the crowd, only Henrietta and the two Indian exiles stood standing, something that n.o.body commented on because of Henrietta"s status as an Imperial Princess, and the Indians acting as the Kaiser"s guests. Priya"s emerald eyes glistened with excitement as she gazed upon the miracle of electricity and, after a long silence, pulled on her brother"s sleeve with much enthusiasm.
"Dharya, isn"t it beautiful? I"ve never seen anything like it! It"s as if we have entered the city of the G.o.ds!"
Dharya was astonished by the fact that there was a light in the darkness, and it was neither the poor illumination provided by a candle, nor the flames of an oil lamp burning bright. He could hardly fathom what he was seeing. He was not the only one. The streetlamps and the artificial illumination they provided had truly shocked the people of Kufstein to the core.
Adela"s words rang through their minds, and the propaganda about the German people conquering the darkness became a sentiment of pride among the citizens of the empire"s capital. A single veteran in the crowd rose up and saluted the statue while shouting a modified version of the Army"s battle cry.
"Hail the new dawn!"
The reason the man said this was because the powerful streetlights had illuminated the snowy night sky, causing an artificial dawn effect, as if the sky itself surrounding the imperial palace had become golden. Quickly, the other veterans in the crowd followed suit, eventually leading to every member of the crowd saluting the glowing statue and shouting the same words.
"Hail the new dawn!"
Even Priya was caught up in the moment, and followed the actions of the German citizens with a wide smile on her face. The only member of the crowd who had not acted in this manner was the exiled emperor Dharya, who gazed around him in astonishment.
Even Adela had not expected the sudden chant, but upon seeing so many people loyally following Berengar"s vision for a better tomorrow, she suddenly looked up at the bronze statue of her husband and smiled, coming to a conclusion about her troubled emotions.
In that moment, she did not care what deities may or may not exist, or how Berengar came into this world. All she knew was that her husband was a man she truly admired and loved. Thus, she could not care less whether the G.o.d she was raised to wors.h.i.+p and submit to was real. For even he could not create light in the darkness.
After the ceremony was over, people continued to watch and observe the light, and even play on the snowy streets. It was the first time in history that humanity could stay up late, and behave as if it were daytime. Priya was no exception. Upon seeing the other children who were gathered in the streets form b.a.l.l.s of snow and throw them at each other, she too took part in this game.
She carefully packed a ball of snow in her hands before tossing it at Henrietta, who was in the middle of a conversation with her cousin. Henrietta gasped in shock as the wet s...o...b..ll collided against her long golden hair, before turning around and gazing at the mischievous little girl who had attacked her. She smiled before forming a s...o...b..ll of her own and throwing it at Priya, completely ignoring the conversation she was just having with Adela.
"You little brat! If you want a s...o...b..ll fight, I will give you one!"
As Henrietta played in the snow with Priya as if she were a little girl, Dharya had a bitter smile on his face. He was happy to see that his sister was living a good life, and was no longer locked away from society, being slowly starved and poisoned to death by their uncle. Adela gazed at the boy"s expression and questioned him about it.
"Is everything alright, Dharya?"
The exiled emperor nodded his head before wiping a single tear from his eye. It took him a few moments, but he eventually expressed his thoughts.
"I"ve never seen Priya so happy before. Back at home, she did not live in the best circ.u.mstances, and I"m glad to see she is having fun here in Kufstein."
Adela smiled when she heard this before asking the next question on her mind.
"What about you, Dharya? Are you having fun?"
The young emperor was astonished to hear this. He did not know the answer to such a question. He had to admit his life was more enjoyable here in Kufstein, as he was no longer a puppet struggling to survive. However, he could not help but question how lacking his home country was compared to the German Empire every time he stepped out of the Palace.
It would appear that the German people, under Berengar"s leaders.h.i.+p, were progressing as a civilization at an unnatural pace, and he did not know how his Empire would ever compete. He may be an emperor in exile, but he worried about his people dearly.
Dharya had spent enough time around Berengar to know he was not the type of man to a.s.sist other countries out of the goodness of his heart. He even suspected that Berengar would backstab his allies in secret if it meant progressing his own agenda. Thus, he could not rely on Berengar to aid him and his people without making certain concessions. Adela gazed upon the complex expression the boy had before patting his shoulder and rea.s.suring him.
"I can tell you have a lot on your mind, and you most likely have something you want to ask Berengar. Allow me to give you some advice. If you never ask him the question on your mind, he can never give you an answer. For all his brilliance, the man is not a mind reader. I am certain your question has something to do with your homeland. Just know that there is a price to pay for everything. Whether you are willing to pay that price is another question entirely."
Dharya reflected on Adela"s words for a few moments while watching Henrietta and his sister wrestle in the snow, and smiled before nodding his head. The exiled emperor understood what he needed to do, but now was not the proper time. The truth was that he was still young, and so was his sister. If he could abuse Berengar"s generosity for a few more years, he was sure he would be capable of getting what it was that he desired. He could only thank Adela for her advice.
"Thanks, Adela, but I think I will wait a while before speaking to the Kaiser about what it is that troubles me. After all, it would be cruel of me to take away the happiness Priya has achieved here in Kufstein so soon after obtaining it."
Adela smiled and pet the boy"s hair before accepting his response.
"Very well. If you need any help to approach Berengar, just let me know."
With that said, the four royals would spend some more time in the Palace District enjoying the new streetlights before returning to the Palace. As for the streetlights themselves, word would soon spread across Europe about the City of Light that could illuminate the darkness of the night. When the Pope found out about this, he would be outraged, and enviable at the same time.