Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste-Chapter 747 - 700 Persuading Perfikot

Faced with Perfikot's taunts or sarcasm, neither the Duke of Gloucester nor Prime Minister Wellington knew what to say.

After all, what Perfikot said was true; they indeed wanted everything and still expected Perfikot to give up power and diligently work.

If Perfikot had not spoken, they might not have felt anything, but when Perfikot said it, it immediately uncovered the veil the two had always tried to maintain, making everything awkward.

"Count Brandelis, if you have any demands, feel free to speak. We will try our best to satisfy them as long as we can." The Duke of Gloucester made a promise.

And Prime Minister Wellington on the side expressed that the cabinet fully supports it.

Faced with their attitude, Perfikot merely smirked and then said, "I neither want power nor anything else. I just want to live my carefree life without anyone bothering me.

As for your demands and the administrative pressure the cabinet is facing? Sorry, I am not in a position of power, and I have resigned from all posts. These things have nothing to do with me."

"Count, saying such things is meaningless. Please be sincere, wouldn't it be better for everyone if we were open and honest?" Prime Minister Wellington tried to persuade Perfikot to change his mind.

Although he was elected as the representative of the Northern Faction, upon becoming Prime Minister, Wellington's inner desire for power started to sprout, and he couldn't remain a minor figure from the past anymore. A faction centered around him was forming.

It's just that, for now, time is still short, and his foundation isn't deep, thus making his influence seem inadequate.

But to underestimate this Prime Minister would be to overlook the impact associated with the position itself.

"Open and honest? Alright, then give you two choices: either make those fools shut up and legally ensure my power is uninfluenced by anyone; or just get out of my house and solve all problems yourselves." Perfikot was blunt, presenting an uncompromising two-choice ultimatum.

Faced with the two choices Perfikot offered, Prime Minister Wellington and Duke of Gloucester exchanged glances, knowing well they couldn't choose either.

Choosing to endorse the power Perfikot sought would be admitting that Perfikot would become the real ruler of the Victor Empire, paving the way for her dictatorship.

Though they wanted to invite Perfikot back to continue managing affairs, it didn't mean they desired Perfikot's dictatorship.

These are entirely different concepts. The former could still be constrained through various political means, as shown in the past where Perfikot adhered to rules when others did.

But the latter... might as well let Perfikot become Prime Minister and acknowledge her hereditary rule over the Empire!

Despite Perfikot having legitimate royal succession rights and her becoming emperor would likely lead the Empire to glory, things aren't calculated this way.

After all, Eldest Princess Annie, the legitimate heir of the Royal Family is still present! Supporting Perfikot's dictatorship is no different from supporting a usurpation.

So the Duke of Gloucester probingly remarked, "Count Brandelis, if you want the reformists to shut up, that's easy. A decree by the national assembly would deem them illegal.

But you want power without interference, which is beyond what we can agree to.

Surely you understand, the Empire will not accept the emergence of a dictator, no matter how talented you are or how much glory you bring to the Empire, the people won't accept a dictator."

"No no no, Duke of Gloucester, you've misunderstood one thing. The public doesn't really care whether they're ruled by an emperor, a prime minister, or someone with another title." Perfikot shook his finger and then sneered, "Democracy isn't what the populace truly desires. They want security! Not to be treated like cattle or disposable livestock by rulers, but to live as dignified human beings.

In the past, nobles had ruling powers, and could arbitrarily deal with the residents of their territories, making ordinary civilians and slaves nothing more than lambs to be slaughtered, merely breathing property.

Under such circumstances, once exposed to the so-called ideas of freedom and democracy, it was only reasonable that they sought to overthrow their rulers.

Because only then could they live like people and gain the security they desired.

And when a dictator comes to power, they fear being treated as livestock and property again, which is why they oppose dictators.

What the people really want is simple: a ruler who can manage and constrain society as a whole and provide protection to the populace is a good ruler. If he is also willing to offer even more goodwill to the people, giving them more benefits, they would willingly follow him."

"But right now, not everyone will willingly follow you, right?" The Duke of Gloucester attempted to salvage the situation.

Yet Perfikot evidently wasn't going to give him that chance, she merely put down the teacup, speaking coldly, "I don't actually need your consent. If I wish, I can obtain everything I desire purely through military force."

Perfikot spoke simply, and the tea cup before her transformed into a Steam Knight dressed in golden armor, holding a longsword.

Upon seeing this Steam Knight, the Duke of Gloucester and Prime Minister Wellington couldn't help but tense, clearly understanding the subtext of Perfikot, but lacked many effective countermeasures.

The forces under Perfikot might not realistically conquer the entire nation, but just blitzing Beloburg, overthrowing the Empire's ruling group and sitting herself as a dictator would be no difficulty for Perfikot and her Steam Knights.

Hence, agreeing would merely make the issue look better on the surface.

"Count, are you set on becoming a dictator?" Prime Minister Wellington asked Perfikot sternly, and meanwhile, he was already tensely calculating his future if this truly happened.

"No no no, it is you pleading for me to manage you all, allowing you to eat and sleep without worry, instead of what you're doing now, working over 30% more each day, not to mention being mocked by everyone." Perfikot disdainfully responded to Wellington's inquiry, leaving him successfully covering his face in self-closure.