However, things did not reach the worst scenario. Just as Perfikot was preparing to return to Langton, three cargo ships arrived at the fjord camp.
Having received the news, Perfikot took the Flying Airship from Eagle’s Beak Cliff to the fjord to find out what had happened as soon as possible.
What she saw were the three cargo ships loaded with supplies and soldiers, lined up in a straight line, slowly unloading goods, supplies, and personnel from the bow of the first ship.
Perfikot, who had landed, was somewhat perplexed, but soon a group of people came to her upon learning of her arrival.
"Count, I am Her Majesty the Empress’s envoy, ordered to convey Her Majesty’s decree to you, appointing you as the Northern Guardian." A well-dressed middle-aged gentleman, exuding a "noble demeanor," began to speak, introducing himself and his purpose to Perfikot with a slightly reserved yet humble tone: "Please gather everyone so that I may read Her Majesty’s decree aloud and hand you the appointment document for Northern Guardian along with the related items."
Upon hearing the words of this court envoy, Perfikot nodded slightly in surprise but said to him, "Please wait, this is a matter that requires serious attention. Please follow my steward to rest for a while, after which I will discuss it with you in detail."
"As you wish, Count." The court envoy didn’t say much more, as there were other groups waiting to speak with Perfikot, and he naturally wouldn’t be so inconsiderate.
With Foster’s proactive reception, the court envoy followed him and left.
The remaining groups looked at each other after the court envoy stepped down, seemingly trying to assess each other’s identities. In the end, two officers stood out and first introduced themselves to Perfikot.
One of them saluted Perfikot with a knightly gesture and then said, "Hello, esteemed Count, I am William Richard, former vice-captain of the Fourth Army Knight Order, holder of the Grand Knight Medal.
I, along with forty knights and thirty attendants, have been assigned to your command to form a new knight order. I am temporarily leading this knight order as captain, although it hasn’t been named yet. Here is the current list of officers for the knight order, please inform me if you wish to make adjustments."
As he spoke, William handed a list to Perfikot.
The other officer also gave a similar introduction, except that he was from the Seventeenth Guards Division and was the colonel commander of this division.
"Hello, Miss Brandelis, I am Richard Brandelis, your grandfather’s distant cousin, whom you probably haven’t met." The colonel commander named Richard highlighted his identity after his introduction, attempting to build a connection.
However, Perfikot had no special reaction to this, only politely expressing her welcome and then saying, "Sorry, Grandpa Fu never mentioned you to me. You can come and talk to me privately later.
For now, you should settle your troops first, although it seems you didn’t bring many people?"
Although three cargo ships had arrived, it was evident that they mainly carried various supplies, with not many soldiers. Perfikot had estimated from the air that there were only about one regiment in number.
"This is your personal guard, assembled by generals from the military department. Previously, only one company accompanied you to the Northern Territory, while the others have been stationed at Brandelis Manor, responsible for guarding your manor." Colonel Richard explained the reason for this guard’s presence, "After Her Majesty the Empress appointed you as Northern Guardian and allocated the Seventeenth Guards Division to your command, I deliberately redeployed an infantry regiment and exchanged positions with your personal guard, which is why they arrived here with me in the Northern Territory.
As for the rest of the Seventeenth Guards Division, they are still in the colony and will remain there for the entire winter. In spring, they will arrive here via land route.
If you have new arrangements for them, the Seventeenth Guards Division will obey your will."
"Just let them stay in the colony for now; even if they come here, there’s no place to settle them." Perfikot thought for a while and felt it was unnecessary to have the Seventeenth Guards Division risk traveling through the Northern Territory in winter snow.
On the one hand, they would have to traverse the Northern Territory on foot, a place still in a state of wilderness, during the approach of winter, potentially encountering snowstorms that could lead to non-combat casualties.
This is something Perfikot does not wish to see or bother with, as it’s genuinely unnecessary.
On the other hand, the current location genuinely does not have the capacity to accommodate a Guards Division.
According to the Empire’s military reforms, a division usually consists of six to eight thousand people, equipped with one to two artillery companies, with the requirement that a Guards Division must have a cavalry regiment.
Such a large-scale force is clearly not something that the forward base Perfikot has established can accommodate.
Even if she expanded the forward base into a sanctuary, accommodating nearly ten thousand people from a Guards Division would be challenging.
Therefore, Perfikot decided to keep this force in the colony initially, and then consider transferring them after the Northern Territory’s construction reaches a certain level.
Colonel Richard certainly wouldn’t go against Perfikot’s wishes, offering her a military salute before voluntarily stepping aside.
Although Captain William hoped Perfikot could name the knight order soon, he also knew it wasn’t a decision that could be easily made, so he said nothing further and stood with Colonel Richard.
As for the military affairs Perfikot delegated, they both had assistants, capable of handling such matters.
Perfikot paid no heed, turning her attention to the remaining individuals.
The remaining individuals were roughly divided into two groups: one seemed to be a group of alchemists, and the other consisted of Andrew and James.
Behind them, Oliver gestured to Perfikot but did not come forward. Latest content published on Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
Observing these two groups, Perfikot had a general understanding of who these people were.
Towards the group of alchemists, Perfikot casually asked them a few questions, instructing them to think about their responses, then approached Andrew and James, asking them, "Gentlemen, I hope you’ve brought me the news I wish to hear, since you are nearly half a month late compared to the expected schedule."
"Sorry, Lady Chancellor! We actually completed the task you assigned on time, but the cargo ship we hired encountered severe weather en route, which caused the delay." Andrew quickly explained, also inquiring from Perfikot, "Seventy sets of parts you need have been transported here, do you need to inspect them?"