Chapter 271: Chapter 267 Pignes Castle
Riding on the Flying Airship, Perfikot arrived at Pignes Castle, where the Seventeenth Guard Division is stationed.
This is a large military fortress built by the Empire during its conquest of the New Continent, located at the northernmost end of the New Continent, and already very close to the Northern Territory.
During the Empire’s colonial war against the New Continent, this place once served as an important strategic point against the northern indigenous tribes’ attacks. Even though the war ended decades ago, it remains well-preserved, with a colonial legion stationed here year-round, responsible for the daily maintenance of the fortress.
After all, before Perfikot took charge of the Northern Territory, the local indigenous tribes in the Northern Territory would occasionally harass the northern border areas of the New Continent, attempting to reclaim the land where their ancestors lived.
But this is doomed to be a futile delusion.
Decades ago, when the Empire’s army crushed the largest tribal alliance that the local indigenous people could form, they lost the chance to reclaim their ancestral lands.
Since the Empire entered the industrial age, the gap between them and the Empire only became larger and larger, until finally the Empire controlled the entire New Continent and Northern Territory, squeezing their living space until nothing remained, ultimately leading to their extinction.
The Northern Territory under Perfikot’s rule might still offer them a slight space for survival, as the tribes that have submitted to the Lord of the North are still living quite well.
Yet they are destined to be gradually influenced and assimilated by the Empire, and the culture passed down by their ancestors for generations will be affected, never to be the same as it once was.
Of course, perhaps they can still retain some of their ancestral living habits, but ultimately they will no longer exist as an independent race, merely a minority ethnic group under the Empire’s rule.
However, all this assumes that no unexpected situations occur in the future. When the world faces the threat of an apocalyptic crisis, these considerations become insignificant.
"Decades ago, our ancestors who conquered this land would never have imagined that one day all of this would become meaningless." Stepping off the Flying Airship, Perfikot looked at the city and fortress before him and revealed a mocking smile.
Pignes Castle is the Empire’s military fortress at the northernmost end of the New Continent, and also the largest military fortress in the northern part of the New Continent. Over the past few decades, it has gradually developed into a prosperous city, rather than just a simple military fortress.
To welcome the arrival of the Lord of the North, and also the true wielder of control over the Seventeenth Guard Division, the officers of this military fortress and the officers of the Seventeenth Guard Division arranged a rather grand welcome ceremony for Perfikot.
Lined-up soldiers, tidy honor guards, the military band playing music, everything looked so pleasing to the eye.
"Our ancestors probably never imagined the Empire would develop so swiftly, that our military strength would grow to crush three Old World powers simultaneously with ease." A military officer, hearing Perfikot’s earlier words, couldn’t help but respond from his understanding.
Naturally, Perfikot didn’t comment on this answer; what she said and the officer’s response were fundamentally different matters, yet his words weren’t entirely wrong.
After all, when this fortress was built decades ago, the Empire hadn’t entered the industrial era yet, nor had it imagined that one day the Empire’s military might could swell to such a degree.
Even without the Flying Airship, Steam Knights, and Thermobaric Bomb created by Perfikot, the Empire’s military power was already sufficient to crush the indigenous tribes throughout the Northern Territory and the New Continent.
This is the generational gap brought about by industrialization, and the only entities capable of opposing the Empire are other industrialized nations of the Old World.
However, the three nations most likely to oppose the Empire fell under Perfikot’s Thermobaric Bombs.
So from a certain perspective, what the officer said is correct, because the Empire is indeed unparalleled in military expansion now.
After such a long period, especially with the premise of three nations simultaneously declaring war on the Empire last time, several Knight Orders entirely equipped with steam armor have been established as the new military core of the Empire.
One regiment has already been designated to station on the New Continent, and the most suitable location for them to station naturally is Pignes Castle.
The reason is none other than the Northern Territory.
In this situation, the military officer naturally showed flattery and appeasement to Perfikot, the Lord of the Northern Territory.
Perfikot had no intention of commenting on this, simply walking into the interior of the fortress’s military camp, making her way to the pre-prepared meeting room amidst the welcome of the military band and honor guard.
"How is the preparation of the Seventeenth Guard Division? When can the march begin?" Perfikot asked about the topic she was most concerned with the moment she sat down.
By her side, Beifa was opening a delicate little suitcase, taking out the tea set to brew tea for Perfikot.
This was a habit she had recently developed; with so many daily tasks to manage, and her dislike for the bitter taste of coffee, she could only rely on black tea for energy.
As for the suitcase, it was crafted so she could conveniently enjoy freshly brewed hot tea whenever she wished.
Facing Perfikot’s inquiry, Colonel Richard, who had returned to the troops in early spring, quickly replied, "All departments have completed their preparations. I’ve already sent out the vanguard to scout the roads for the main force’s march and establish supply points."
A long-distance march of an army is a troublesome affair, not only needing to consider the marching route and logistical support issues but also having to account for various potential problems encountered during the march.
Such as diseases, such as water sources, such as camping...
If preparations aren’t made in advance for these issues, even the most elite troops will suffer non-combat casualties during the march.
Especially in this era, where logistical support is still at the level of sourcing food locally and soldiers have to camp outdoors, a logistic army at this level aiming for a long-distance march must prepare for at least a ten percent reduction in personnel.
And this is only the non-combat casualty brought by mere walking, without considering the reductions caused by adverse weather or other influences.
Losing a tenth or more of the troops even before the battle starts is unacceptable for any general.
So after entering the industrial era, the Empire improved the military’s logistics in many ways, enhancing the capacity for logistical support while also making the preparatory work prior to marching more complex.
Fortunately, the Seventeenth Guard Division is a complete military unit, with a thoroughly comprehensive logistical system. Apart from the unenlightened road to the Northern Territory from Pignes Castle, the challenge is that there are no established supply points, relying fully on back-end transportation.
These exact issues are what Perfikot came to resolve on this occasion.