CHAPTER 337: CHAPTER 333: TWO STRAY DOGS

Although partially a joke and partially a prank, naming her city Chernobyl, Perfikot never truly intended for this city to become a second Chernobyl.

She placed great importance on the inauguration ceremony of this city, dressing up in elaborate attire today for the first time and allocating substantial funds for the celebration.

Apart from the main ceremonial site, Perfikot also set up stalls on the main streets of Chernobyl, distributing food and drinks to its residents.

Despite only providing each person with a portion of bread, meat, and a cup of light beer, and not offering unlimited supply, it was still something the people of Chernobyl were delighted about.

After all, who doesn’t like free food?

Of course, in addition to the free food, the main streets were decorated with ribbons, banners, and other ornaments, filling the entire city with a festive atmosphere.

However, the most conspicuous were the banners bearing the Brandlis Clan emblem, hung in prominent places throughout Chernobyl, with the Brandlis Clan’s symbol also displayed on major buildings in the city.

This was to declare to everyone the Brandlis Clan’s status as the ruler of this city.

Yet, in the eyes of some, this was blatant flaunting and insult, for they always believed this land belonged to them.

Don’t misunderstand; it’s not the local natives. These natives are quite reasonable and clearly understand that the Northern Territory is not the land where they have lived for generations; they were only driven to this land.

Moreover, after surrendering to Perfikot, the local tribal people lived much more comfortably than before, and they were not resentful towards Perfikot.

Many indigenous people from the native tribes attended today’s ceremonial celebration. Not only were they not displeased with the Brandlis Clan emblem seen everywhere, but they also believed it was the treatment the Northern Territory’s Great Chieftain deserved.

After Perfikot conquered all the indigenous people in the Northern Territory, the chieftains of tribes like the Wild Mane Tribe took the lead, and all tribes in the Northern Territory collectively honored her as the Great Chieftain, meaning the chieftain of all the Northern Territory tribes.

Therefore, for the indigenous people of the Northern Territory, this land is their home, and above them, the Great Chieftain of the Northern Territory rules everything.

The Great Chieftain marking her territory with the emblem of her "tribe" is seen as perfectly normal by them.

In fact, those who truly believe that their land has been encroached upon, that this land rightfully belongs to them, and feel that Perfikot’s display of family emblems is a form of flaunting and insulting them, are precisely the Independents of the New Continent colonies.

They believe that the New Continent colonies were built by their own hands and that the Empire is just an evil presence exploiting and oppressing them, with the natives being pests not yet eradicated, and this land should rightfully belong to them—they are the indisputable rulers of this land.

As for Perfikot? Just a young girl who, emboldened by her army, recklessly slaughtered their compatriots—a complete demon and clown.

However, they must also admit that although Perfikot’s methods were cruel, they were extremely effective.

The impending independence movement in the New Continent colonies, which had reached a critical point, was abruptly halted by her. Not only were many Independents imprisoned and executed, but even those sympathetic to or assisting the Independents were heavily implicated.

The New Shaker City massacre is a painful memory that all people of the New Continent are reluctant to discuss.

So they want to resist and completely kill that female demon, believing that slaying her would destroy the terror she instilled, awaken the spirit of resistance among the people of the New Continent, and reignite the hope of independence.

Thus, they have been seeking opportunities to assassinate Perfikot, not just for the independence movement. For many of them, the independence movement might even be secondary; more so, it’s for avenging those she killed in New Shaker City.

After all, compared to ideals, the blood feud of family and companions being mercilessly slaughtered might be more searing and unforgettable.

Of course, those who share this mindset include the remnants of the Old World’s three countries whose capitals were destroyed by Perfikot.

These people are extreme revenge seekers within the Old World’s three countries who oppose the Empire’s rule and blame Perfikot entirely for their defeat and the destruction of their capitals.

They believe that during the Seventeen-Day War, the vast armies and fleets of the three countries should have given them the upper hand, allowing them to win the war. But because of Perfikot’s unexpected emergence, they were defeated and lost their capitals, causing their entire nations to fall under the Empire’s tyrannical rule.

So they also want to take revenge on Perfikot.

Before, France had some connections with the Independents of the New Continent colonies, and they quickly used this connection to reach out to the Independents, and both sides quickly agreed to orchestrate a major event in the Northern Territory.

Initially, they wanted to overthrow Perfikot and the Empire’s rule through uprisings, but the presence of the Steam Knights made them realize this was a pipe dream.

After all, a whole Steam Knight Order is not something this band of exiles can contend with.

Even when the Old World’s three countries were in full strength, confronting a complete Steam Knight Order would have been extremely costly.

Deep down, they all understand that just one Steam Knight Order from Perfikot already makes them too afraid to rebel, and the Empire can undoubtedly deploy even more Steam Knight Orders.

Their rebellion has no hope.

If there were any hope, the Old World’s three countries wouldn’t have united to declare war on the Empire before.

They recognized the Steam Knights’ power and invincibility and chose war out of despair.

Not to mention the Empire’s subsequent deployment of the Thermobaric Bomb and the Flying Airship, which hung like a sword of Damocles over everyone’s heads. No one wanted to be enjoying a hot pot and singing only to be obliterated along with their city by the Empire.

So they could only resort to assassinating Perfikot, hoping to achieve revenge and simultaneously undermine the Empire’s rule in the Northern Territory.

Moreover, the Old World’s three countries secretly harbored thoughts of resolving Perfikot to prevent the Empire from becoming stronger.

They even believe the Imperial Center is utterly foolish, and a genius like Perfikot should be kept in the safest place, protected firmly to contribute to the country.

Rather than letting her roam freely in the Northern Territory—a place far from safe—posing as a lord and exposed to danger at any moment.

This time, they intend to teach the Empire a lesson, titled: "How to Protect Talents."