CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 204: GENIUS OR TYRANT?

Claudia quickly brought over a fragrant drink and placed it in front of Kallen.

This unexpected gesture of goodwill from Perfikot seemed to make Kallen somewhat apprehensive, but facing Perfikot’s enthusiasm, she still picked up the cup, carefully sniffed it, and took a small sip.

Judging by the subtlety of her actions, it’s hard to say whether she actually drank it or not.

Perfikot did not delve into this, instead chatting casually with Kallen: "Miss Kallen, where are you from? Did you come to this gathering alone, without anyone accompanying you? How can such a delicate flower like you not have a Guardian to protect you?"

Samantha, standing behind Perfikot, couldn’t help but find her expression hard to maintain. Perfikot’s behavior today was markedly different from her usual self, a surprising change for Samantha, who knew her well.

However, she said nothing and showed no abnormal reaction, merely tightened her grip on her sword and prepared to be fully alert.

Though she did not understand what was happening, she could sense that the noble lady calling herself Kallen was not simple. Otherwise, Perfikot wouldn’t be exhibiting such a peculiar attitude.

Facing Perfikot’s inquiry, despite still appearing meek, Kallen answered her question: "I came from Pignes Castle. My brother and I are visiting our grandmother who lives in New Shaker City.

Grandmother received an invitation, but she is too old and didn’t want to come, so my brother and I came together.

However, my brother met some familiar friends and started talking business with them. I wasn’t interested in his affairs, so I came over by myself to view the exhibition. Suddenly, I felt a bit breathless and had to seek your help."

At this point, Kallen could not help but change her tone and expressed gratitude to Perfikot.

For Kallen’s thanks, Perfikot showed no particular emotion or expression, only casting a meaningful glance at Kallen and then smiling slightly, "A beautiful flower like you always makes people want to care for it; no one could stand by idly."

Kallen didn’t quite understand what Perfikot was thinking; she only felt that if Perfikot were male, such words would undoubtedly be flirtatious.

Yet she was a woman, even more beautiful than Kallen herself, so these words could only be categorized as odd, as the concept of women flirting with women wasn’t yet so avant-garde in this era.

But even so, Kallen still felt a bit uneasy, especially when Perfikot’s gaze focused on her, making her feel as if something was crawling on her.

Still, Kallen did not rise to leave but endured the discomfort and asked Perfikot: "Count Brandelis, I’ve heard people mention you, but their evaluations are mostly polarized. One opinion believes that you are exceptionally talented, a genius unparalleled in a hundred years of the Empire, while another believes you are a reckless and brutal person, criticizing you for having orchestrated a dreadful atrocity in New Shaker City.

What is your opinion on these evaluations? Do you consider yourself a genius or a tyrant? Do you feel guilt or regret for those you executed in New Shaker City?"

This was the first time someone had directly asked Perfikot such a question, and it was a novel experience for her.

So when Perfikot heard the question, she was momentarily stunned, but then laughed and in a profoundly insightful manner, retorted: "Why can’t it be both? There’s no conflict between whether I’m a genius and whether I’m brutal, is there? No law states that a genius must be compassionate and kind, nor that a brutal person must be foolish, isn’t that so?"

Perfikot’s retort left Kallen speechless; she hadn’t expected Perfikot would so candidly admit to being a brutal person.

However, before she could ask again, Perfikot shifted the conversation and said: "But I don’t consider myself a genius, although I am indeed smarter than most people. My inventions and creations are something even the dullards of the Empire wouldn’t manage to produce with a hundred years, yet I still don’t see myself as a genius.

I’m merely not like them, whose souls are fettered by worldly disturbances, unable to see further into the future.

As for being brutal? I never thought of myself as a kind person; I’m simply more resolute in my convictions than others and able to adhere to them firmly to the end.

My heart and deeds are clear as a mirror; even if I leave behind mountains of corpses and seas of blood, as long as I do not stray from my goals, why should I regret?

Regret and guilt are mere excuses for those with unsteady wills to console themselves. If a person cannot confront and uphold his own actions openly, how can he achieve greatness?"

Perfikot’s words shocked Kallen; she never imagined Perfikot’s answer would be like this.

She wanted to argue, but despite racking her mind, she couldn’t come up with any rebuttal or counterargument, so she could only lift her cup to conceal her awkwardness.

Ultimately, she still asked Perfikot one question: "But having killed so many people, and having done it with your own hands, do you truly have no thoughts on the matter? What if some among them were innocent?"

The previous incident in New Shaker City resulted in numerous casualties, and its aftermath continues to this day, making it inevitable that Kallen would be impacted.

"What is innocence? When two countries go to war, do you think the people are innocent?" Perfikot looked at Kallen, suddenly finding her naive and immature: "The benefits and interests acquired when a country wages war are enjoyed by every citizen in the nation, even if those newfound riches may not be divided among everyone individually. When the nation prospers, every ordinary person still indirectly enjoys its advantages.

And every tax paid and every task completed by them contributes to the war effort, doesn’t it? Innocent? Innocent how? Just because they didn’t wield weapons on the battlefield?

No, every one of them is closely tied to the war; men are the reserve soldiers, conscripted to the battlefield when the country calls; women are wartime laborers, able to produce munitions and provide logistical support for the war.

The elderly and children are also part of a nation’s wartime potential, though they contribute less than adults.

So, innocent? What counts as innocence, then? When an avalanche falls, not a single snowflake is innocent."