Chapter 272: Chapter 268 Reunion with Kallen
"Instruct the legion to advance along the coastline. I’ll have people prepare ships and set up supply points for you along the way." Perfikot glanced at the marching route plan proposed by the Seventeenth Guards Division’s Staff and made some adjustments after thinking it over.
Hearing Perfikot, several staff members studied the map and didn’t offer much opposition, but they raised a concern: "But my lord, if we march along the coastline, we are unfamiliar with the local environment and would need the assistance of local guides."
It’s not that these staff members were being finicky or that they wouldn’t need local guides while traveling by land, but rather that the Northern Territory’s coastline is extremely fragmented, filled with fjords and mountain foothills.
Marching along the coastline is basically like traversing mountains and ridges, with terrain several times more rugged and complex compared to an inland route.
Perfikot naturally considered this and said, "I’ll have local tribes from the Northern Territory assist you in marching. As for the rugged terrain issue, don’t worry about it.
Also, you don’t need to follow the coastline strictly. I’m just setting up supply points in the coastal areas. You only need to consider these supply points when planning your route."
Perfikot’s explanation put the staff at ease. They were worried that Perfikot would insist they march along the coastline, which would significantly drain the soldiers’ stamina and morale.
After all, by the sea at night, the cold and damp sea wind filled with salt can be deadly, even though the temperature is no longer very cold.
If marching inland, at least this issue wouldn’t need consideration.
Not having to follow the coastline strictly makes planning the march and the soldiers’ experience much more manageable.
"Since the direction is set, I’ll leave the specific matters to you. Plan the route well, and once the supply points are confirmed, I’ll have supplies sent according to your specifications." Seeing that the staff accepted the plan, Perfikot said nothing more. She just asked Beifa to put away the teacup and then stood up to leave the camp.
However, as she rose, an officer from Pignes Castle hurried over, attempting to persuade her to stay: "Count, we’ve prepared a banquet, you..."
"The banquet is for the evening, and it’s still early. I plan to explore Pignes Castle, arrange a guide for me," Perfikot dismissed his words, merely requesting a guide.
The officer quickly shut his mouth and hastily called over a young lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Kevin Ordesia of the Fourth Militia Regiment at Pignes Castle reporting!" The young lieutenant had a tall stature and a handsome appearance, giving off a very competent and sunny vibe, which made a good first impression on Perfikot.
"Hello, Lieutenant. I intend to visit Pignes Castle this afternoon, and I’ll trouble you to be my guide." Perfikot looked at the lieutenant in front of her and suddenly asked, "Lieutenant, have I met you before?"
"When you first returned to the New Continent, there was an exhibition held in New Shaker City. My grandmother was invited but didn’t wish to attend, so my sister and I went. I believe you saw me then," Kevin explained to Perfikot.
Upon hearing this, Perfikot’s expression became slightly peculiar, and she immediately asked, "I suppose your sister’s name isn’t Kallen?"
"Yes, my sister’s name is indeed Kallen. Have you met her, Count?" Kevin looked surprised, not appearing to fake it.
Confirming her guess was correct, Perfikot felt an impulse between tears and laughter but did not show this emotion. She just asked Kevin, "Then where is your sister now? I had a pleasant conversation with her last time in New Shaker City, and I would like to see her."
Last time, Perfikot ensured that Kallen was "executed," although she had Claudia arrange for Kallen to be taken away without making a big fuss. Everyone only knew that Perfikot had captured a thief and executed them.
As to whether it was a man or woman who was executed and what their name was, few people knew.
So Kallen returning to her identity wasn’t surprising to Perfikot.
Unexpectedly encountering Kallen’s brother here made Perfikot sigh, and she wished to see Kallen again to find out if she had gained any insights from the knowledge imparted to her.
However, Kevin responded with a slightly embarrassed expression: "I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, Count. Since returning from New Shaker City, Kallen has taken to traveling and isn’t currently in Pignes Castle."
Upon hearing this, Perfikot was not disappointed but rather felt a delightful surprise.
In her view, Kallen’s traveling was likely a cover for other activities.
So Perfikot was not disheartened and simply said to Kevin, "In that case, I will trouble you, Lieutenant Kevin, to be my guide today and show me around Pignes Castle."
"It would be my honor." Naturally, Kevin could not refuse this task.
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While Perfikot was touring Pignes Castle, Kallen was holding a gathering with workers near a factory in a pub in the city.
Disguised and using the pretense of traveling, Kallen was here in the pub, disseminating the knowledge taught by Perfikot to the workers.
This was something she began doing after returning to Pignes Castle from New Shaker City. She didn’t organize any movements or attempt to assert claims through theft as she had before.
She merely organized the workers and imparted basic but enlightening knowledge to them.
Through such dissemination, Kallen discovered that explaining to workers the true source of their hardships and what they needed was far more effective than her previous actions.
As Kallen was informing the workers of what they truly needed, a child who looked like a street newsboy suddenly rushed in, dove to Kallen’s side, and whispered to her, "Elder sister, I just got word, that Northern Territory Count has arrived at Pignes Castle!"