Der Ochsenkrieg

Upon returning from Prague to Berchtesgaden, Lampert Someiner finds himself entangled in a conflict when he discovers local peasants grazing their cattle in a restricted area, enraging his father, the prince's administrator. The clash escalates as Lampert tries to warn Jula's father about the impending trouble, setting the stage for a confrontation over long-standing peasant privileges.

Mallimes, a returning war veteran, is betrayed by his brother Marimpfel, the prince's guard commander, and joins forces with Runotter to protect peasant rights. Meanwhile, tensions escalate as spear-bearers attempt to seize cattle, leading to a deadly confrontation between peasants and soldiers.

Peasants, fleeing the Berchtesgaden estate to avoid the prince's reprisals, seek refuge despite warnings from Runotter. A strategic alliance forms against Pienzenhauer as Mallimes, Runotter, and Jula join different factions in the escalating conflict.