Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste

"Sounds good, but you must keep up. This snowfall is just winter's greeting to the Northern Territory. You must prepare for an even colder and more unexpected winter. This year's winter may come early, and all your preparations must be completed overtime starting now. I do not wish for the next snowfall to catch you unprepared for winter." Perfikot's tone was not heavy, but everyone could sense the meaning and will she wished to convey, along with the determined look in her eyes enforcing that will.

Perfikot's words made quite a few officials' faces turn bitter, as it meant their workload would become overwhelmingly vast.

Already affected by the sudden snow, all Northern Territory's administrative officials and clerks were busy non-stop, and now, amidst this disaster, they had to prepare for winter within days, which indeed seemed rather demanding.

But Perfikot paid no mind to this, only stressing to the Northern Territory bureaucrats before her: "Gentlemen, the Empire sent you to the Northern Territory not to retire, nor to be exiled.

You came to the Northern Territory to improve it, to allow its people to live more prosperous and comfortable lives, and to assist me in governing the Northern Territory. I do not want anyone among you to break down due to work pressure or environment issues, causing mistakes that affect the deadlines of tasks I've assigned.

I understand that time is tight this time, but sorry folks, I fear there's no time for you to rest or adjust, nor time to take things slowly.

This snowfall is just a beginning, this year's Northern Territory will be particularly cold, so everyone, please... work hard!"

As Perfikot was saying this, her left eye lit up with a blood-red glow.

All Northern Territory officials seemed affected by this radiance, their expressions became more solemn, and those with dissent or complaints found those thoughts all but vanished, their emotions transforming into seriousness and solemnity, with "work hard" being the only thing on their minds.

Soon, these people left Perfikot's office, while she covered her left eye with her hand, letting out a light sigh.

If not for this unexpected snowfall, she would not have easily used the ability of this eye.

This was not an ability from the Jade Record, but one Perfikot had as a perfect life form, originated from abilities added to her body by her parents.

Mental manipulation, everyone observed by Perfikot's eye would be influenced by this ability, from getting a mental suggestion to complete brainwash control, even implanting "nonexistent memories," performing personality remolding, and more, Perfikot could do it.

However, the higher the degree she manipulated, the more energy she needed to expend, and the number of people she could influence would change accordingly.

Previously, she had only attempted to use this ability to control small animals and had the old butler remove some disliked vegetables from her menu.

The only formal use of this ability was the previous session where she transmitted theoretical knowledge about workers' movements to Kallen.

After all, this knowledge was only known by Perfikot herself, and to pass it on she had few options besides writing texts; thus she opted for creating "nonexistent memories" for Kallen.

The reason Perfikot was reluctant to use this ability, besides its energy consumption, was a crucial factor that she disliked controlling others in this manner, finding it revolting.

But now, even though she inwardly resisted, to ensure her bureaucrats could maximize work efficiency and proactive initiative, Perfikot had no choice but to use this ability.

Just now, merely planting suggestions in a dozen officials caused Perfikot to feel a slight dull ache in her brain and needle-like pain in her left eye.

Perfikot composed herself for a moment to recover before turning to Beifa: "Give me a clean handkerchief."

Receiving the white handkerchief Beifa handed over, Perfikot paused, then moved her hand from her eye, using the white handkerchief to wipe away the blood tears from her left eye.

After cleaning the blood tears from her face, Perfikot removed the bloodstained glove from her left hand and tossed it together with the handkerchief into the nearby trash bin, before snapping her fingers, igniting a flame that burned the blood-stained glove and handkerchief into ashes.

"Inform Captain William, the entire White Bear Knight Order is to mobilize, all Steam Armor ready for combat status, patrol the entire Northern Territory, I do not wish for anyone to cause trouble at this time." Perfikot issued new orders to Beifa, while gazing at the burn scar on her hand left by the fire glue, her eyes turning exceptionally cold: "Hand over the White Bear Knight Order's original guard duties to the Iron Fire Knight Order, let them take over Chernobyl's city defense."

"Yes, master." Beifa replied with confirmation.

————————————————

Under Perfikot's coordination, the White Bear Knight Order soon completed the handover and defense shift with the Iron Fire Knight Order, all members donned the latest upgraded Steam Knight Armors, then took trains and Flying Airships to start executing Perfikot's order to patrol the Northern Territory.

The Iron Fire Knight Order also began fulfilling its duties, taking over Chernobyl's city defense, maintaining urban security.

As the capital of the Northern Territory, Chernobyl was relatively well-off, being a new city, there were no old neighborhoods nor slums, so there weren't particularly severe societal issues.

As for city heating and material supplies, if the capital Chernobyl faced problems, then likely few places in the Northern Territory wouldn't have issues.

Although the Northern Territory had limited resources, Chernobyl's markets could still guarantee basic material supplies and food provisions.

To curb hoarding and stockpiling, Perfikot issued orders to the city hall to limit material supplies and provide allocated distribution, commanding the Iron Fire Knight Order to maintain order at all supply points.

This somewhat impacted Chernobyl's residents' lives, but though there were minor complaints and dissatisfaction, there wasn't any significant backlash.

After all, as long as supplies remained normal, and residents could buy the needed materials at relatively stable prices, this was enough to stabilize residents' emotions, preventing any commotion.

Although this inconvenienced some residents, the problem wasn't truly severe.

People are like this, as long as life can persist, no one thinks about flipping the table and fiercely resisting, eventually resulting in catastrophe.

Of course, those with ambition or schemes are exceptions.

And in Chernobyl, indeed there existed some who didn't understand the situation, or mistakenly believed Perfikot was too elevated to notice them.

These individuals were from the Empire's Punishment Camp sent to the Northern Territory, some due to good performance gained a certain degree of freedom.

They had engaged in gang activities and smuggling before, and now many intended to resume their old trades.

In their view, Chernobyl's current condition provided a favorable opportunity; as long as they could acquire some supplies and sell them quietly, they could establish a foundation, then expand into channels, black markets, and gangs.

For Chernobyl now, this indeed constituted a market demand, as the limited and fixed supply allocation was hard to accept for some, with many willing to pay extra money and cost for more supplies and comforts.