"What? The Northern Count wants to negotiate peace with us? This must be some kind of conspiracy, right? How could that Scarlet Count ever want to negotiate!" Inside Pignes Castle, the representatives of the Revolutionary Army were having a meeting, with one of them loudly expressing his opinion.

His emotions were extremely agitated, and his expression was somewhat ferocious: "That damned demon, my brother was killed by her..."

"Calm down, Xiurke!" Kallen shouted at him but didn’t try to persuade him further.

Xiurke and his brother used to live in New Shaker City, originally participants in the New Continent independence movement. However, during the bloody massacre orchestrated by Perfikot three years ago, his brother was turned into a living statue by Perfikot for participating in the independence movement, and it still stands at the docks of New Shaker City to this day.

For Perfikot at that time, it was a necessary evil, but for the people of the New Continent, she was an undeniable terror and demon.

The title of the Scarlet Count was built upon countless corpses and massacres, and precisely because of this, no one was willing to believe that this terrifying Scarlet Count wanted peace talks and not to kill them all.

"This is definitely a trap. The Scarlet Count wants to lure us there and then kill all the leaders of the Revolutionary Army at the negotiation table, causing us to collapse without a fight!" Another representative voiced the same opinion, clearly distrusting Perfikot.

Kallen understood their thoughts and feelings since she initially shared the same doubts about Perfikot.

But now, having understood Perfikot, she was willing to believe that this time, Perfikot truly wanted peace.

Because Kallen knows that Perfikot is not someone who deigns to play tricks and lies; if she really wanted to kill all the Revolutionary Army’s leadership and defeat them, she wouldn’t need to use such tactics at all.

"However, with the Scarlet Count’s style, if she truly wants to crush the Revolutionary Army, she would just need to deploy more Steam Knights to crush us, wouldn’t she? The Northern Territory has two Steam Knight Orders." Kevin interjected at this moment, being someone who had actually fought against the Steam Knights, he clearly knew how terrifying they were.

If the two Steam Knight Orders truly appeared on the battlefield, he feared he would be scared awake even in his dreams.

"Tch, are you frightened to death by the Steam Knights? If you’re afraid, just surrender to that woman and beg for mercy!" Someone sneered at Kevin.

Since Kevin lost that battle against the Steam Knights, there has always been someone using this matter to strip him of his military command.

It can only be said that although the Revolutionary Army bore the name of revolution, the internal factional struggles were no less than others, and even now when facing a formidable enemy, there were still individuals vying for power and profit.

"Bastard, what did you say?!" Kevin slammed the table, his face filled with fury.

Kallen, looking at the quarreling in front of her, shouted angrily: "Enough, all of you, shut up! Do you want the Imperial Army to laugh at us with such bickering? I’ve decided, whether the Northern Count’s proposal is a conspiracy or a genuine move for peace talks, we must respond positively!"

Her shout broke the quarreling among the attendees.

With Kallen’s prestige, she was the only one who could hold the representatives in line and make critical strategic decisions for the Revolutionary Army.

"Kafka..." Seeing Kallen’s decision, someone still wanted to persuade her.

But Kallen raised her hand to stop them: "Enough, respond publicly under my name, say that the Revolutionary Army is willing to negotiate, and I hope to meet with the Northern Count in Stansol City to discuss matters related to peace talks."

"Kafka, even if you want to negotiate, personally going is too dangerous! That Scarlet Count is an Alchemist, if she means harm to you... it’s truly too risky!" Jon, who had gone to the Northern Territory with Kallen before, strongly objected, standing up and saying: "Let me represent you instead! Even if something happens, my death doesn’t matter! But Kafka, you are our leader; the Revolutionary Army’s current great situation relies entirely on your ability to unite all of us!

If anything happens to you, the Revolutionary Army would instantly fall apart, you must not take such risk! So let me go!"

"No, my mind is made up; since we’re negotiating, we need to show enough sincerity." Kallen shook her head, believing that Perfikot wouldn’t harm her: "Moreover, I’m not defenseless; if the Northern Count really intends harm, isn’t this also a chance to get close to her? It’s settled then, Kevin, you’ll go to Stansol City with me."

Although the decision to negotiate was made, the defense construction of Stansol City cannot be relaxed. The Northern Army’s offensive is too fierce; we need a strong line of defense to hold them back."

"Rest assured, Kafka, we will certainly build a strong line of defense, causing the Northern Army to be bloodied in front of it!" Jon responded loudly, his eyes filled with fervor.

"Excellent, that’s the spirit we need!" Kallen praised with satisfaction, discussing some other matters with those present before finally adjourning the meeting.

Once everyone had left, Kallen slumped onto the table in front of her, shoulders dropping.

She was truly exhausted; the Revolutionary Army’s various affairs weighed heavily upon her shoulders, leaving her overwhelmed.

But as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Kallen couldn’t show the slightest weakness in front of others, as she had to set an example; she couldn’t afford the slightest lapse.

Only in such moments of solitude could she slightly relax her tense nerves to give herself a brief rest.

However, Kevin returned to her side, placing his hand on her shoulder: "If you’re feeling tired, you can rely on me a little more."

"You’ve helped enough. Otherwise, with your talents, brother, you should be soaring high now, right? I’ve dragged you down." Kallen had great confidence in her brother; if she hadn’t brought Kevin into the Revolutionary Army, by now, Kevin, as an Imperial officer, ought to have made his mark in this war.

"What nonsense, I’m your brother, if I don’t help you, who will?" Kevin said nonchalantly, then asked, "Are you really going yourself? That Northern Count... although I’ve met her and think she’s not a despicable person who toys with schemes, your current status is different from the past, and personally going is indeed dangerous."

"I must go, brother. It’s my responsibility, one I cannot evade." Kallen’s eyes reflected determination.