CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 205: CLARIFYING IDENTITY

Perfikot’s words left Kallen speechless. Although she did not agree with Perfikot, deep down she knew that what Perfikot said was true.

It is like the New Continent colonies seeking independence. At first glance, those who seem indifferent to opposing Empire’s rule or who don’t care who governs the New Continent appear innocent, but when the wave of independence truly sweeps through the entire New Continent, who can remain untouched?

If independence succeeds, even those who do not support it will be affected by the independence of the colony.

There are good parts, naturally, there are also bad parts, which can be said to be closely related to everyone, and no one can remain uninvolved.

Just as Perfikot said, during the war, they are the source of troops, the source of logistical supplies, and the foundation for the war to continue.

When the avalanche falls, no snowflake is innocent.

Those so-called innocent people, they may not deliberately influence all this, but when colonial independence occurs, their past choices have actually invisibly influenced the outcome of the entire event.

Even those who passively accept, as long as they are people of the New Continent, cannot remain unaffected, let alone talk about innocence.

When Kallen realized this, she suddenly understood why Perfikot has such an attitude.

Because for an Empire noble like Perfikot, the New Continent is Empire’s territory, all who participate in or support independence are enemies of the Empire, and between them there is only a life-and-death relationship, no innocence exists.

[Maybe what I’m dissatisfied with is merely her choice of means being so cruel?]

Kallen thought this in her heart, but looking at Perfikot, who is a few years younger than her, she found it hard to associate this beautiful girl with the bloody Countess who turns people into statues in conversation.

Thinking of this, Kallen couldn’t help but ask Perfikot, "Countess, through our conversation I feel you are not a cruel person, so why use such means to treat those independence movement supporters you captured?

Even according to Empire’s law, they shouldn’t be... I mean, treated so cruelly, don’t you have a better method?"

In Kallen’s view, even if supporting colonial independence, legally they should be sentenced to imprisonment or exile, at worst executed by hanging, but Perfikot’s punishment of those people has obviously exceeded the maximum legal penalty, and can even be said to be very cruel.

If in the past feudal era, noble lords could treat their subjects in whatever way they wanted, but even so, it was rare for nobles to adopt such cruel methods.

So Kallen very much wanted to know why this young noble lady Perfikot, who seemed to be a kind person, would make such a decision.

Facing this question, Perfikot looked at Kallen with interest but did not directly answer.

She simply touched her gloved left hand, sighed helplessly: "Ignorant people may question my decision to kill them, but if understood, it will be clear that I have no right to let them live.

Regarding this matter, I don’t want to explain, it is the responsibility I must bear."

Saying this, Perfikot turned to Kallen, speaking earnestly: "I cannot explain too much to you, you just need to know that within the next three years, Empire needs stability in the New Continent colonies, to ensure this Empire will spare no cost, including dropping Thermobaric Bombs on the New Continent."

Perfikot’s words sent a chill straight from Kallen’s spine to her head, her entire scalp tingled.

She certainly knew what Thermobaric Bomb was; it was the superweapon invented by Perfikot, and reportedly during its first combat, just a few dropped destroyed the capitals of France and two other countries, causing millions of casualties.

The newspapers reported extensively at the time, with journalists using exaggerated techniques to depict the cities after the Thermobaric Bombs were dropped, describing them as hell on earth, and the bombs as weapons opening the gates of hell.

From a certain perspective, Perfikot’s reputation became extremely polarized, primarily due to the appearance of the Thermobaric Bomb.

Supporters believed it to be a manifestation of Empire’s military might, an efficient means Perfikot provided to quickly end the war.

They also thought that with the deterrent of the Thermobaric Bomb, other countries would not dare easily provoke conflict with Empire, bringing long-term peace and prosperity to Empire.

But when there is support, there is also opposition, just like within the Empire some opposed Perfikot, likewise, in the New Continent there was a faction that thought the bomb too cruel, branding Perfikot as a Demon from hell, using evil Witchcraft to kill the father’s citizens, sacrificing their souls to hell.

Some even rumored that the souls of those killed by the Thermobaric Bomb never reach heaven, only being dragged into endless hell, suffering the torment of flames forever.

In a certain sense, this rumor further augmented the deterrence of the Thermobaric Bomb, after all, religious beliefs were still quite prevalent at the time, and most people firmly believed in religion.

Therefore, the threat of not being able to ascend to heaven was quite severe for many.

"What does Empire genuinely want to do? Why use the Thermobaric Bomb on the New Continent?" Kallen did not doubt Perfikot’s words; she could clearly sense the honesty and seriousness emanating from Perfikot and her internal unwillingness to act, yet everything was beyond her will.

"Who knows? Perhaps they just wish to develop the Northern Territory? Or maybe this world is about to perish?" Perfikot joked, not providing Kallen an answer, but leaving an implication: "If you can observe carefully, you will discover hidden truths below the surface, cruel to the point you refuse to believe."

After finishing, Perfikot felt it was almost time, so stop hedging with Kallen, and instead revealed her identity: "Alright, Miss Phantom Thief, the casual chat ends here, I now need to arrest you."

"What are you saying? How could I be the Phantom Thief!" Kallen quickly refuted, but without much surprise, after all, Perfikot’s various unusual actions all indicated she had indeed discovered her identity, her denial was merely stubbornness.