Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste
Chapter 73: Bloody Dock

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Bloody Dock

On this day, New Shaker City experienced a night that was difficult to sleep through.

Carrying out Perfikot’s orders, the old butler executed her will flawlessly, unleashing a terrible massacre in New Shaker City.

Arthur led his squad in cooperation with the old butler, and the roar of the Steam Knights echoed across the land for the first time, declaring their arrival with iron and blood.

The colonial authorities in New Shaker City initially intended to intervene, as the Steam Knights’ rampant hunting of the Independent Faction was a massive blow to the city.

But when the old butler, donned in Steam Knight armor, presented Perfikot’s special full-authority mandate and threatened them with his Chain-Saw Sword, these colonial officials dared not utter a word.

The assassination attempt on the Empress’s envoy in New Shaker City was a grave matter.

If they wished not to be implicated now or later, nor to be swiftly executed by Foster, they had no choice but to comply.

Thus, all the police in New Shaker City were mobilized to assist Foster in hunting down the Independent Faction, and even the stationed troops entered the city after receiving orders from an Imperial Guard Knight, enforcing a blockade on the streets.

Upon learning of these events, James immediately contacted his colleagues at the intelligence bureau in New Shaker City, obtaining a large amount of information about the Independent Faction, and then led Foster in a targeted search.

As the sun rose, every lamp post at the dock where the White Gem was moored had a body hanging from it.

In last night’s hunt, hundreds were implicated, including around a hundred killed, their bodies hanging from the street lamps at the dock, while most of the others were thrown into prison.

A large number of buildings were damaged during the search operation last night, many ordinary citizens were affected, and even two streets caught fire, burning down many houses, with numerous people suffering unforeseen disasters.

But the military blockade and the bodies hanging across the dock rendered everyone silent as a mouse, with no one daring to speak recklessly, fearing they might be the next to be hanged from a lamp post.

The officials of New Shaker City also anxiously came to the White Gem to seek an audience with Perfikot, hoping to clear themselves of ties to the massacre and wishing for the matter to end quickly.

Most of these officials had become colonized, entangled in significant interests with the colony, and this white terror caused them enormous losses.

To them, it was necessary to hunt and investigate thoroughly, but sending troops for suppression like Perfikot did seemed excessively harsh.

The losses resulting from such actions were critical, and just one night yesterday had already incurred thousands of pounds in losses, a substantial portion of which involved their personal interests.

However, Perfikot did not meet them, only sending Samantha to convey her notice of not receiving guests due to the fright she received yesterday, and stating that the lamp posts at the dock were still too empty.

Upon hearing this, the officials of New Shaker City felt their heads swell, clearly indicating that Lady Baron was deeply dissatisfied with the assassination attempt and unhappy with the current outcome.

With Perfikot’s stance, Foster, executing the hunt, naturally understood his young lady’s intentions, further expanding the scope of the hunt.

Many who had merely interacted with the Independent Faction were arrested, and those who had expressed support or made related remarks were also implicated.

More bodies were brought back to the dock, even overwhelming the lamp posts.

Following new orders, they erected a gallows at the dock, where any captured Independent Faction members were to be hanged and then beheaded, with their heads stacked at the dock.

Thus, hundreds of Independent Faction members and associates were executed, blood staining the port’s seas, and the knights temporarily appointed by Perfikot even hacked to the point of cramping.

A wave of intense fear swept over New Shaker City, leaving everyone in trepidation, and even the city’s officials were worried about whether their heads would remain safely on their necks.

They sought audiences with Perfikot several times in vain, blocked by the Imperial Guard Knights, with no one able to meet the Lady Baron who was rampaging the city.

Finally, when the colonial governor sent by the Imperial Faction to the New Continent visited personally, Samantha allowed him onto the White Gem with Perfikot’s permission.

In the meeting room of the White Gem, the governor first expressed sympathy and concern to Perfikot before voicing dissatisfaction with the massacre she incited in New Shaker City and suggesting it was inappropriate to enact such a large-scale carnage.

"Miss Perfikot, your special full-authority appointment is to preside over the Empire’s Arctic expedition. Though the assassination attempt against you is outrageously infuriating, is such extensive collateral damage overstepping bounds?" The governor frowned at Perfikot, who had deliberately changed into a red-bottom black dress today, feeling as though he were observing a capricious and unruly child wielding immense power.

However, Perfikot merely questioned the governor: "Governor, are you loyal to the Empire? Loyal to Her Majesty the Empress?"

Facing this inquiry, the governor felt a sense of helplessness but still patiently replied, "I am indeed loyal to the Empire, and to Her Majesty the Empress, but..."

"I understand your intent. You believe I’m acting recklessly due to holding special full-authority, correct?" Perfikot unconcernedly exposed the governor’s meaning, yet displayed no dissatisfaction or other emotion, only handing him a letter: "Governor, please take a look at this letter. It’s from Her Highness the Eldest Princess before my departure."

The governor took the letter, puzzled but obligated, as the correspondence from Her Highness was not to be taken lightly, regardless of his views on Perfikot.

Yet upon reading it, his face showed intense disbelief.

He looked up at Perfikot, shocked, and asked with trembling, "Is this true? The Empire truly..."

"Why else do you think I committed such a massacre? Do you suppose I enjoy watching heads roll?" Perfikot’s complexion was pale, having vomited thrice that morning due to the thick scent of blood wafting from the dock, yet she forced herself to persist: "The Empire requires a stable New Continent. If an independence uprising breaks out now, it will severely jeopardize the Empire’s upcoming plans!

I have no choice but to use their heads and blood to deter the entire colony, conveying the Empire’s resolve to maintain control and to prevent them from creating chaos at this crucial juncture!"

At this point, Perfikot solemnly gazed at the governor and stressed, "Governor, if you remain loyal to the Empire, then cooperate with me in the following efforts! By any means necessary, at least for the next three years, the New Continent must remain secure!"

"I understand." The governor felt a moment of powerlessness, yet simultaneously straightened his posture, steadfastly agreeing with Perfikot.