Facing Perfikot’s conditions, Duke of Gloucester suddenly felt a turn of tide, and confidently expressed, "Please speak, no matter what the request, as long as I can do it, I can promise you."
"Don’t speak too hastily, Duke. I suggest you listen to my terms first," Perfikot glanced deeply at Duke of Gloucester before stating her terms, "Firstly, for me to take over the Northern Territory development plan, a title of Count of Exploration is not enough; I want to be the Northern Guardian, with all military and administrative powers in the North under my command!
Secondly, I need an army, at least a Knight Order and a Guardian Division, fully equipped and manned.
Once the news of impending disaster spreads, the entire world will descend into chaos, and the North will be no exception! I must have sufficient military power to suppress any possible unrest!"
"As for the Northern Guardian, I cannot make a decision; this requires consultation with Her Majesty the Empress, but I assure you that I will mobilize all my connections to make this happen," Duke of Gloucester agreed readily to Perfikot’s request.
After all, he knew that Perfikot would not accept being hindered, even as Count of Exploration, she would still be constrained from all sides.
Moreover, the so-called Northern Territory is currently just a primitive undeveloped land. Only when Perfikot undertakes this task and truly begins the development and construction of the North will this land be meaningful to the Empire.
So, a title of Northern Guardian seemed an acceptable condition to Duke of Gloucester.
As for the military forces Perfikot requested, Duke of Gloucester, after a little consideration, nodded in agreement.
He understood that what Perfikot was about to do couldn’t be done without an army. Providing her with strong enough military power was a guarantee for the smooth progress of the Northern Territory development plan.
"Besides these two points, do you have any other demands, Count Brandelis?" Duke of Gloucester had now changed the way he addressed Perfikot.
This was both a probe and a reminder, a reminder of the responsibilities she was shouldering.
"Other demands..." Perfikot hesitated for a moment, but soon resolutely said, "Regarding the Crisis Management Committee, they can only cooperate with my work, with no authority to interfere with me, I am only answerable to the Empress herself. I will ignore interference or doubts from others.
And should they affect my work, I can use any means I deem necessary to eliminate these disturbances and influences." Read complete version only at novel[f]ire.net
"This..." Duke of Gloucester hesitated.
It wasn’t that he wanted to interfere with Perfikot, or felt that the Crisis Management Committee should override her.
Duke of Gloucester also clearly understood what kind of pests made up the Crisis Management Committee and the Noble Council, and expected no positive effect from them unless he periodically shocked them with fear, otherwise, they wouldn’t be effective.
In the past, he was able to align the interests of the nobles through a series of compromises and concessions, but in the face of an apocalyptic disaster, all that means nothing.
No one would consider interests at the brink of life and death; survival is the greatest interest! Nothing else matters beyond that.
At this moment, these pests would do anything to survive.
Perfikot demanded that they couldn’t interfere or hinder her, fully considering this point.
But using any necessary means to eliminate interference implies something frightening.
Duke of Gloucester knew clearly that once this opening was made, Perfikot would use the blood of those nobles to warn anyone attempting to interfere or influence her.
This could spark conflicts amongst the nobles, and could inadvertently cause irrevocable damage.
But the issue was that Perfikot already showed vast disgust and hatred towards those noble pests, and if they truly obstructed her, she would certainly resort to the most straightforward and brutal methods to solve problems.
Which was something no one wished to see.
"For this point... I can only say I will try my best to ensure the Crisis Management Committee and the Noble Council do not hinder you," Duke of Gloucester instinctively didn’t want Perfikot to use extreme measures, advising her, "I understand your aversion to those pests among the nobility, but all necessary means are a bit overboard. Once the nobles’ blood flows, there’s no going back.
By then, it would be a disaster for the entire Empire! So, I can only urge you to think twice before acting."
Duke of Gloucester’s attitude was sincere and earnest; he sincerely hoped Perfikot wouldn’t use extreme measures to handle problems.
Facing Duke of Gloucester’s earnest words, Perfikot closed her eyes and thought for a long time. After reopening them, she solemnly said, "I can promise you, unless absolutely necessary, I will not resort to the most extreme measures.
But please, Duke, keep those people in check, don’t cause trouble for me at this time! If the end-day matters are delayed, everyone will die by then!"
"I understand, but I still hope that when you are about to take extreme measures, you can discuss with me to avoid the worst-case scenario as much as possible," Duke of Gloucester was almost pleading with Perfikot, making every possible concession.
Because he knew clearly, there was truly only Perfikot who could undertake all this, and she was the only one who truly had the means to deal with the impending disaster.
So even though making more compromises and concessions, as long as the Empire could get through this crisis, everything was worth it in Duke of Gloucester’s eyes.
Facing Duke of Gloucester’s immense compromise and concession, Perfikot wasn’t insensitive; she nodded and agreed to his request.
Then, she did not forget to ask for something more practical beyond these political matters.
"Duke, I hope after you return to the mainland, to urge the Royal Shipyard to complete my order as soon as possible and finish building the large Flying Airship," Perfikot made her final request to Duke of Gloucester, stating, "Flying Airships will be the vital means of transportation between the mainland and the Northern Territory after the oceans freeze, so the more, the better.
After the large Flying Airship I ordered arrives, I will return to the Empire to hand over the larger cruiser-class Flying Airship designs to the Navy Shipyard. You will need to produce as many large Flying Airships as possible, the more the better!"