That kind of thing where a line of maids stands by your side for no reason, apart from aristocrats showing off, is mostly liked by the nouveau riche.

In the traditions of the Victor Empire, maids must be able to accomplish everything silently and efficiently to be considered excellent.

However, compared to the maids at the Lord's mansion, Kallen is more concerned about those Steam Knights guarding key positions like statues.

Due to her occupational habit as a phantom thief, even when strolling casually down the corridor, Kallen habitually observes if there are any flaws in the mansion's defenses and where she would enter if she wanted to invade.

However, the defenses of Perfikot's mansion seem deliberately targeted, and Kallen can hardly find any design flaws. Even if she could enter with her Extraordinary skills, she'd be discovered by those Steam Knights with their nearly seamless arrangement.

"Do these Steam Knights never rest?" Although Kallen could sense that these Steam Knights weren't human, she still curiously asked Perfikot after meeting him.

Perfikot merely laughed and replied to Kallen's question: "Although they are autonomous puppets, they do change shifts on time, go for maintenance and refuel, which is considered a form of rest."

"I see! I thought they never rested at all—wouldn't that be quite frightening?" Kallen casually remarked.

Perfikot knew that Kallen was still a bit fearful of these Steam Knights due to last time, but she didn't express anything and quickly moved away from the topic, introducing the dishes on the table instead: "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I ordered the kitchen to prepare according to my usual diet, just some home-cooked dishes I like. I hope you don't mind."

Since there were only two people dining, Perfikot didn't have too much food prepared, nor did they use the long table nearby that was over ten meters long.

Instead, a smaller table was specially prepared, with just her and Kallen sitting opposite each other.

Nonetheless, there were still at least seven or eight dishes on the table, each one tempting the appetite greatly.

"How could I mind! These foods smell so good! They must be delicious!" Kallen's compliment came from the heart, and she humorously added, "I thought you would host a banquet! Didn't expect a grand Lord of the Northern Territory to eat so simply!"

In Kallen's perception, aristocrats always go hand in hand with banquets, and she assumed Perfikot would be the same.

However, Perfikot simply shook her head and said: "I originally planned to hold a banquet but decided not to after some thought; neither of us are fond of banquets, and a simple meal seems more suitable for the mood."

"You're right! With this simple dining atmosphere, we can chat about topics we're interested in." Kallen agreed, then extended her spoon toward a dish that caught her interest.

After tasting, Kallen couldn't help but praise: "How are these meatballs made? They're so delicious! Much better than Aunt Susan's! You must tell me the recipe, I want her to make them for me when I return!"

"You mean these? Use pork belly cut into meat cubes the size of a pinky nail, chop some seasonal vegetables to mix with the meat cubes to form balls, and stew them in a broth made from cured ham, fresh wild chicken, and pig leg bones. You'll naturally end up with such meatballs." Perfikot casually explained the preparation without thinking it remarkable.

Yet Kallen showed a surprised expression, tasted the clear-looking soup in her bowl again, and exclaimed: "How can this soup be so tasty?! No wonder, the ingredients you use for the broth could make Aunt Susan a lavish dinner."

In this era, the New Continent colonies are like a desert in terms of cuisine, thus facing the sumptuous feast prepared by Perfikot, Kallen couldn't find any adjectives to express her amazement, resorting to constantly stuffing her mouth with the food she fancied, soon eating to the point of fullness.

"Ah! I really can't eat anymore! It's just too good!" Kallen's face showed a look of reluctance but helplessness as she continued to rub her now bloated belly without any trace of a lady-like demeanor, feeling regret for the uneaten food: "Can I pack the leftovers to go? Throwing them away would be such a waste..."

According to aristocratic customs of this era, uneaten food is usually discarded; no aristocrat would continue eating what's left, as it would be beneath them.

"Don't worry, the maids will handle the food afterward; they won't waste it." Perfikot showed Kallen a pampering smile, explaining that the food would be divided among the maids, thus eliminating concerns about wastage.

Only then did Kallen feel relieved, and she said: "Perfikot, you're so good to the maids! If only all the aristocrats were like you!"

"It's not good to be like me; otherwise, the people wouldn't resist." Seeing that Kallen was full, Perfikot waved to dismiss everyone and cleared away the leftovers, leaving Beifa to brew tea nearby. Then she shared her true thoughts with Kallen.

Upon hearing this, Kallen's expression immediately changed, but seeing no one else was around, she relaxed again, saying: "You nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought you would prepare a more private setting for our talk! But you're right; if aristocrats and capitalists didn't exploit and oppress the people so severely, there wouldn't be such desperate resistance!"

At this point, Kallen's face suddenly showed excitement and she spoke passionately to Perfikot: "Perfikot, do you know? Our Workers' Federation has already spread across the New Continent colonies, and everyone is fervently enthusiastic about joining the revolutionary cause!

Before I came here, plans for a New Continent-wide protest YX were already underway, aiming to force the colonial authorities to concede by setting workers' minimum standards and maximum work hours!

I came this time to ask for your opinion; do you think we should start this parade?"

This was also Kallen's main purpose for coming to the Northern Territory; as the Workers' Federation grew, their demands began to surface; thus, some worker representatives were planning a huge protest to achieve some tangible results.

But Kallen was uncertain; she wasn't sure if now was the right time.

After all, Perfikot once told her that the world was about to end, and Perfikot was the Empire's appointed individual to lead the world-saving plan. If she initiated a large parade, disrupting Perfikot's plan, this was not what Kallen wanted.

Moreover, Kallen was fully aware of the forces Perfikot held; if the protest YD spread too widely and drew her suppression, things would turn very bad, completely ruining everything they've achieved.

Facing Kallen's inquiry, Perfikot pondered and then said: "You're missing the right timing; though now it's a good opportunity, you lack a trigger to spark the conflict!

I should have told you: launching a parade or worker YD isn't just a spur of the moment thing, or because you feel powerful enough; it requires numerous conditions and a crucial trigger…"

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