Chapter 270: Chapter 266 Small Meeting
After resolving the matter of the vassals, Perfikot did not keep the five individuals, signaling for them to leave, she casually began drinking tea, without regard for Duke Gloucester and Sir McIntock nearby.
These two naturally wouldn’t create any displeasure over such trivial matters with Perfikot. On the contrary, they relaxed similarly, sipping tea and chatting casually with Perfikot.
"Count Brandelis, do you have any plans for your itinerary? Sir McIntock and I plan to visit the Northern Industrial Center to check on the planning and construction there." Duke Gloucester inquired of Perfikot, while also revealing his own plans.
He and Sir McIntock came to the Northern Territory for the previously arranged factory migration, involving major businessmen and factory owners from Langton and the New Continent, which is crucial for implementing the entire Northern Territory plan, so it must be taken seriously.
However, in response to Duke Gloucester’s inquiry, Perfikot simply shook her head: "I’m afraid I don’t have time to join you, I need to receive the Seventeenth Guard Division, they’ve been in the New Continent for a winter, it’s time for them to move north."
The Seventeenth Guard Division, which was transferred under Perfikot’s command along with the White Bear Knight Order last year, was a legion once controlled by the Brandlis Clan. The current Colonel Richard is a distant relative of Perfikot, promoted by Perfikot’s grandfather personally.
This army was supposed to arrive in the Northern Territory under Perfikot’s command last year.
However, due to the Northern Territory’s impoverished state at the time, let alone a fortress to house such an army, there wasn’t even a proper place to build a barracks.
Coupled with winter’s fast arrival, Colonel Richard only brought Perfikot’s Guard Detachment to the Northern Territory, while the troop stayed in the New Continent over the winter.
After spring, they began moving north, but due to the extensive baggage of the entire Guard Division, and traveling via land, their march has been slow.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been a need to dispatch the Steam Knights to conquer various tribes in the Northern Territory earlier, the Seventeenth Guard Division alone could have resolved all battles.
Upon hearing Perfikot’s words, Duke Gloucester did not say much, he nodded and said, "The army is indeed more important, so we won’t trouble Count Brandelis. You can send an official familiar with relevant matters to accompany us.
The construction of the Northern Territory’s industrial system is related to whether the Empire can smoothly migrate to this land in the future, please understand our emphasis."
"No problem, this is as it should be, I just truly can’t spare the time, or I would join you." Perfikot expressed her apology to the pair, and then chatted about the end-time disaster issue: "Speaking of which, when does the Empire plan to disclose the end-time disaster externally? Considering the current situation, these emerging classes of the Empire have already caught a whiff of something, probing for information even from my side."
Hearing Perfikot say this, Duke Gloucester immediately felt anxious, hurriedly asking, "Count Brandelis, you didn’t reveal any information to them, did you?"
"Of course not, do you think I’m so careless?" Perfikot waved her hand, then seriously looked at Duke Gloucester: "These people may not truly know anything, but there’s no wall that is completely airtight, the Empire’s actions will also raise suspicions.
So I hope you, Duke, can bring this matter up at the Privy Council, discuss when the Empire should publicly announce the end-time disaster."
"This is not the right time..." Duke Gloucester maintained a cautious attitude towards this matter, he felt that now was not suitable for publicly announcing the end-time disaster.
"I know it’s not the right time, but the Empire must have a comprehensive plan and complete timeline." Perfikot was not brushed off by Duke Gloucester but rather pressed him assertively: "Our time has only two years left, this year I will complete all preparations in the Northern Territory, start experimental construction of the first underground shelter in the second half, verify that the technology and design are sound then fully rollout shelter construction next year.
If the Empire’s homeland cannot coordinate well, it will bring me many unnecessary troubles and inconveniences, and in that case, I would have to disclose this information myself.
So has the Empire decided when to disclose the end-time crisis externally? It can’t be at the last moment, when the apocalyptic winter begins to snow, that you tell the people spring will never come, right?"
"Uh, it wouldn’t come to that, it wouldn’t." Duke Gloucester was left speechless by Perfikot’s questioning, after an awkward pause, he said: "Regarding this issue, the Privy Council has discussed it, but currently there remains a significant division between the old and new noble factions.
The old nobles hope to delay the announcement as long as possible, while the new nobles don’t agree with them but also don’t want the matter disclosed too early.
Their thoughts are mainly..."
"Their thoughts are not important, nor do I care." Perfikot interrupted Duke Gloucester, although her expression remained casual, her tone was serious: "The reason they act this way is nothing but due to their own interests, that’s not my concern, what I need is people! People who can work for me! Not these parasites merely occupying positions!
If they don’t want their interests affected, I won’t care, but if they interfere with the entire Northern Territory plan, then don’t blame me for bathing the imperial capital with noble blood."
Perfikot’s words caused the faces of Duke Gloucester and Sir McIntock to lose color, they had to hurriedly calm Perfikot’s emotions and assure her that they would push for this matter at the Privy Council promptly.
Even though they knew Perfikot’s threat was merely a warning, given her current status, cherished by the military, if Perfikot truly wanted to bathe Langton with blood, kill those noble faction parasites hindering the Northern Territory plan, the military would gladly offer her the blade.
Especially since Perfikot had previously destroyed three rival capitals of the Victor Empire, Duke Gloucester and Sir McIntock had ample reason to believe that Perfikot indeed had the capability to ruin Langton.
So before antagonizing her, they must do their utmost to placate Perfikot, while both also firmly decided to bring up Perfikot at the Privy Council upon returning to Langton to exert pressure on both the old and new noble factions.