Chapter 105: A Hero of Justice
Upon stepping foot into Vienna, Bruno was capable of seeing the land and its natural beauty. The Austrian people flooded the streets bustling and hustling about their peaceful daily lives. The ancient architecture, many of which were centuries older than the United States itself, stood proudly in the background.
It was a wondrous sight to behold, as if Bruno had stepped foot into a fairy tale. He, of course, was snapped back to attention by the guide provided to him and his men. The Bavarian dialect which was spoken in Austria was different enough from the German which Bruno knew in both of his lives that he had to pay an extra emphasis on what was being said to him.
Even so, he understood it well enough to properly communicate with the Austrian Military officers who led him across the city of Vienna to the palace which housed the Habsburg family. As a representative of the German Kaiser from the rival house of Hohenzollern, Bruno quite frankly did not know how he would be treated by his Austrian allies.
The German people were well known for holding their grudges. And though it had been close to forty years since the Austro-Prussian war was fought, the current Kaiser of the Osterreich was indeed old enough to have lived through it.
Hell, the man was quite literally in charge of the Austrian Empire when it began. Bruno, of course, was born of the newer generation, meaning that his entire life had been spent during a time where the German nation was unified under the banner of the Hohenzollerns. Thus, he did not know whether the old Kaiser of Austria would treat him better or worse because of this.
Either way, when Bruno stepped foot into the Hofburg he found that the elderly Kaiser was standing there waiting for him. Along with his sons, daughters, and grandchildren. The uniform which Bruno wore, while prestigious, was significantly less so than that which the Austrian Kaiser wore.
Even so, considering his age, rank, and the vast amount of awards Bruno wore, he definitely stood out. Catching the eye of several of the younger maidens in the Habsburg royal line. His distinctive mensur scar added to the man's character, especially when it was accompanied by his signature cold and callous expression.
Bruno provided a slightly and courtly bow before the Austrian monarch while expressing his gratitude for the invitation to the royal palace.
"Your Majesty, I am honored to stand here in the Hofburg before the legendary and ancient House of Habsburg. I assure you that my men and I look forward to the training exercises we will conduct together with the Austro-Hungarian army within the alps.
If there is anything you would like to request of me, please make it known, and so long as it is in my power, I will endeavor to make it a reality."