Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste-Chapter 937 - 159: Shadows Over the Empire

Perfikot's large-scale operations in France and the Desert Kingdom quickly reached the heartland and the Northern Territory of the Empire.

Like a stone cast into a tranquil lake, the news stirred ripples among the Empire's upper echelons and Northern nobles.

The Empire had long anticipated that the iron-willed Regent, with her thunderous methods, would suppress the colonial rebellion.

After all, when Perfikot piloted the sky-obscuring Floating City away from the Northern Territory, any discerning individual knew she would use this airborne fortress's terrifying power to reassert the Empire's authority.

The executed rebels and the scorched earth left by the Floating City's artillery all declared to the colonies: any challenge to the Empire's rule would be met with severe consequences.

As for the corrupt governors she dealt with along the way, the Empire's nobility considered it a trivial matter.

Being the Empire's Regent, Perfikot's life-and-death power was second only to the Empress herself.

Those publicly executed pests didn't even draw a glance from the Parliament's members.

However, when news from the Desert Kingdom reported Perfikot's large-scale infrastructure undertakings, the Empire's officials furrowed their brows collectively.

To the Empire's upper ranks, that barren desert was always just a pathway to the prosperous southern colonies; Perfikot's extensive actions truly puzzled them.

Only a few high-ranking cabinet members privy to the divine warfare secret eerily contemplated maps in their midnight chambers.

The dim light reflected their grave expressions, with Perfikot's movements in the Desert Kingdom and potential hidden threats to all parts of the Empire marked on weighty maps.

They understood better than anyone the heavy burdens the young Regent was shouldering alone,

Not only suppressing the rebellion, but also facing the shadow of Ancient Gods—a slight misstep, and the Empire could plunge into an abyss of irreparable ruin.

The Finance Minister had already secretly mobilized the national treasury reserves, covertly allocating cherished alchemical materials, ample industrial raw materials, and war-sustaining resources to secret warehouses, and assembled a fleet of large Flying Airships ready to transport supplies to the Desert Kingdom, ensuring Perfikot wouldn't become passive from supply shortages during critical moments.

Meanwhile, the Military Department elders selected the most loyal and fearless warriors from the Empire's elite corps, mixing in the Empire's finest Steam Knights to form a special elite unit, prepared to rush to the frontline whenever Perfikot needed.

Unexpectedly for the cabinet, Perfikot had not requested any reinforcements from them.

On the contrary, she clearly stated in her communications from the Northern Territory—"The Northern Territory must not be left vacant."

During this time, the Northern Territory, relying on Sanderion's remaining students and the Alchemy Faction's technical accumulations, managed to piece together a rudimentary Floating City module.

The cabinet originally intended to dispatch it under Perfikot's command to enhance her combat power.

Yet her response was categorical: "Let it remain in the Northern Territory."

Her reasoning was simple—Ancient Gods' pawns are pervasive, and if the Empire's homeland defenses were vacant, those lurking enemies might seize the opportunity.

She would rather bear the pressure of frontline warfare alone than expose the Empire's heartland to danger.

The cabinet ministers remained silent for a long time, ultimately having to comply with her wishes.

They understood Perfikot didn't reject reinforcements due to lack of need; she was more aware than anyone of the Empire's vulnerabilities.

Should Perfikot fail, the Empire might still have a fighting chance with the Northern Territory, but if the Northern Territory were susceptible to infiltration by the gods, then even achievements by Perfikot at the front would leave humanity passive.

Neither the cabinet nor the Empress herself could help but worry about Perfikot.

Coincidentally, a new Floating Battleship had recently been launched in the Northern Territory, so after discussions with the cabinet, the Empress ordered this Floating Battleship and several Flying Airships to form a small fleet, by a royal envoy carrying supplies and a Steam Knight Order to the Desert Kingdom.

This was both a gesture of concern and care for Perfikot, as well as support.

Although Perfikot hadn't requested reinforcements, the cabinet couldn't truly refrain from deploying any aid.

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While the cabinet took action, Sanderion on the Empire's homeland was also contemplating how to provide support to Perfikot.

Her vision was far more profound than those cabinet ministers, for she understood the brutal essence of divine warfare better than anyone.

Ordinary mortal armies? The more there are, the more casualties they incur.

Sanderion clearly remembered Perfikot battling the divine in Langton City—in that showdown surpassing mortal comprehension, even the Empire's well-trained elite were but dust in the wind, scattered in an instant.

Extraordinary individuals below Grand Knights couldn't even approach the battlefield's core, and even those clad in Steam Armor, capable of combatting a hundred, struggled momentarily against the divine's might as expendable.

No, what Perfikot needs is not warriors of flesh and blood, but war machines capable of shaking the divine—Floating Battleships, Alchemical Giants, and even complete Floating Cities!

Only these colossal creations embodying the pinnacle of the Empire's alchemy and industrial technology can truly contribute in divine warfare.

Yet, Sanderion equally understands that Perfikot will never accept any military drawing from the Empire's homeland and Northern Territory.