CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 180 DISCUSSION · PART 1

"After the Assassin Brotherhood fell silent, your father did not abandon his revolutionary ideals. Instead, he delved into alchemy, hoping to use its power to change everything," the hooded man narrated to Perfikot, as he lifted his head for the first time, allowing Perfikot to see his eyes: "Your father was a man worthy of respect. After his revolutionary efforts within the Empire were suppressed, he believed the Assassin Brotherhood should seek new directions externally.

So he sent us, fractured, to various colonies to help the people resist the Empire’s rule, striving for independence and freedom, to unite more people, while also seeking new directions for change in the Empire through aiding the colonial peoples."

At this point, the hooded man’s eyes dimmed slightly, and he sighed, "Unfortunately, I returned too late, for he had already been gone for four years."

Listening to the hooded man’s words, Perfikot cared little for his remembrance and respect of her father, merely shaking her head and remarked, "Thank you for telling me this. I hadn’t realized my father was such an idealist; it’s just a pity that, in my view, his efforts were misguided."

"Misguided? Why would you say that?" The hooded man heard Perfikot did not agree with her father, yet showed no anger nor contempt for her, nor did he consider her too young to understand, but rather asked earnestly, wanting to hear her opinion.

Before arriving at Brandelis Manor, the hooded man had learned that Perfikot was now the Lord of the Northern Territory, one of the Empire’s highest-ranking nobles, and could attend conferences with the Royal Family.

Regarding the current political situation in the Victor Empire, Perfikot obviously had more authority to speak than he, who had left the Empire for five years.

Therefore, he was keen to know the views of this newly influential Northern Lord concerning revolution.

Facing the hooded man’s inquiry, Perfikot thought for a moment before speaking, "Granting people freedom, allowing them to be free from oppression, is right and great. But I am curious, what do you consider freedom?

Is it doing anything without constraint, without government or legal management and restraint?

Or is it having relatively equal laws as a basis, limiting people’s freedom to what the law permits?

If it’s the former, then I can only say you are too naive and unrealistic.

And if it’s the latter, how different is it from the current state of the Empire? It’s merely that your laws are more lenient, while the Empire’s are more stringent."

Perfikot’s words made the hooded man fall into contemplation. He did not immediately counter her words but organized his thoughts before saying, "Your argument isn’t quite right. While the form of democratic freedom laws and feudal autocratic laws may not differ, their essence and purpose are different.

Democratic freedom laws aim to protect the people, allowing them to lead happy lives, whereas feudal autocratic laws aim to oppress and exploit, solely for squeezing people to let the rulers indulge in luxury and excess.

So there is a difference! However, I also agree with you that unrestrained freedom is unrealistic."

For the hooded man, years of revolutionary experience and trials had made him fully recognize the world’s essence. Absolute freedom only brings disaster and chaos. Maintaining an order where most lead happy lives requires certain constraints and limits.

While responding to Perfikot, the hooded man also looked curiously at her, asking, "Your view indeed differs greatly from your father’s. What do you think of the revolution and the current state of the Victor Empire?"

After all, Perfikot is Mr. Brandelis’s daughter, the hooded man couldn’t help but wonder what expression Mr. Brandelis might have if he learned of his daughter’s thoughts.

"What do I think? That’s a good question." Perfikot leaned against her desk, holding the Golden Touching Rod in one hand and supporting the desk with the other: "The Empire’s current power structure is not problematic; the national leaders, government agencies, and parliament form a reasonable structure."

Perfikot spoke, no longer maintaining her Petrification Skill, but using the Golden Touching Rod to draw a triangle in front of her, explaining her views to the hooded man: "The separation of powers is the correct way to maintain the stability of national governance. Yet, the current three powers of the Victor Empire are the Royal Family, Noble Council, and military, which presents certain issues.

Firstly, monarchial rule is indeed unsuitable, as everything depends on the wisdom of the sovereign. A wise ruler brings joy to all, but a foolish successor spells disaster for the entire nation.

Therefore, the hereditary system must be broken, and the national leader must be a ruler with talent and capability."

"So do you also support democratic elections?" The hooded man asked Perfikot, yet did not exhibit the eagerness or excitement of finding a kindred spirit, as if he were simply inquiring calmly.

Perfikot merely shook her head at this, and immediately said, "No, I do not endorse democratic elections, as such elections result in the most influential being chosen, rather than the most capable. I imagine you understand my meaning."

"Because it’s a popular election, substantial influence among the populace is necessary, and those influential individuals may not excel at governing the nation." The hooded man nodded; he had witnessed this already.

Victor is currently attempting a certain degree of democratic election, and the popular assembly outside the Noble Council is such an existence.

Except their greatest authority is reflecting public and social opinions to the Noble Council, simultaneously discussing the reasonableness of new Empire laws and suggesting amendments.

Overall, it is a somewhat insignificant department but can play a certain role, where the council members do not wield significant power, merely enjoying the right to debate.

Yet, even so, many desire to join the popular assembly, including nobles hoping to enter politics through this method.

The Assassin Brotherhood has observed this and concluded that most gained council status through monetary bribery, mostly representing major capitalists, factory owners, or the emerging bourgeoisie.

What they do most within the popular assembly is striving for personal gain, rather than for the benefit of those voters who elected them.

So, as he told Perfikot, those elected may not excel at governing the nation.