Tyranny of Steel

the crimson clad cleric showed his generosity with gifts, which his servants brought forth.

Hartman responded with a warm smile as he welcomed the representative of the Holy father into his home. Despite the defection of the German Cardinals towards the Reformation, there were still plenty of Catholics in the German World, mostly centralized within the Northern States. After all, the South and Eastern portions of Germany were under direct influence of the Kingdom of Austria, and Berengar would never allow the Catholic Church to thrive within his lands.

Still, in the North, many German noblemen still clung to the old traditions of the Catholic Church and looked towards Rome, and not Kufstein, as the capital of their religion. Hartman was one of these men, and his conflict with Berengar was not simply one of ambition, but religious duty. With a graceful expression, the Bastard of Luxembourg greeted the French Cardinal with all the civility he could muster.

”Cardinal Mahieu, it is a great honor for a man of such piety to visit me in my humble abode, let alone provide me with such generous gifts. Though I am a bit confused about your reasoning for visiting Luxembourg, especially during this time of crisis I am facing, surely the journey to my realm is a perilous one, what with the ongoing rebellion I am currently facing. ”