Perfikot didn't even have the capacity to rescue the homeless who froze to death on the streets of Langton City each winter, let alone save others in this disaster.
Because the former required power, not ability, while the latter required mobilizing more societal resources rather than how much technology she possessed.
As the Duke of Gloucester, the Speaker of the Victor Empire's House of Lords, he undoubtedly had the power that Perfikot needed, and according to the Duke's letter, this Crisis Response Committee had the ability to mobilize all the societal resources of the entire Empire.
If Perfikot wished to save more people, joining the Crisis Response Committee would undoubtedly achieve her goal.
Amid the expectant eyes of the young man, Perfikot gave her answer: "I'm sorry, I refuse."
"Miss Brandelis!" The young man was so surprised he stood up directly from the sofa, looking at Perfikot in disbelief, unable to accept what he had heard.
How could she refuse? Why would she refuse? The young man couldn't understand at all.
In his view, this was a great cause to save the Empire, a mission personally commissioned by Her Majesty the Empress, and furthermore, a direct invitation from the Duke, which for the vast majority of the Empire's people was an honor.
However, considering that Perfikot had previously been rejected and mocked by the people in parliament, the young man could understand how a lady might feel after suffering such blows.
It was like a lady confessing her feelings to a man, only to be cruelly rejected and even mocked and humiliated by him, which would be a huge blow to any woman.
Yet now, the same person turns around to pursue this woman, and from the young man's years of experience in romantic affairs, unless the woman were out of her mind, she would never agree to such a pursuit.
So he quickly adjusted his stance and emotion, bowing slightly to apologize to Perfikot: "I'm sorry, Miss Perfikot, I got emotional. But may I dare to ask what the reason for your refusal is?
Is it because of the mockery of your warnings by those 'lords' in parliament? If that's the case, I could propose to the Duke to have them apologize to you."
In the young man's view, if a little loss of face for a group of noble lords could bring this genius girl into the Crisis Response Committee, it would definitely be worth it.
Judging by the Duke of Gloucester's countless reminders before they arrived, this Miss Brandelis before him held a very important position in the Duke's heart, at least in the young man's view, her importance far exceeded those of the noble lords' faces.
"I don't deny that it does involve that aspect, but it is not the fundamental reason," Perfikot shook her head, looked at the young man in front of her and Major William who had remained silent beside him, thought for a while, and still explained: "Although I can foresee the arrival of the crisis, even I have no way to deal with this crisis; its scale is simply too vast!
This isn't merely about Langton or the Victor Empire, but a disaster that will engulf the entire world and plunge this planet into a white apocalypse.
Can you imagine a future scenario where even the oceans near the equator would be frozen over into ice? How terrifying would it be?
By then, the earth will be too frozen to farm, steel will become so brittle it shatters upon the slightest blow, people will tremble in the cold winter, eventually freezing and starving to death..."
Perfikot paused a bit, sipped the tea she had picked up from the table, and then continued: "This isn't a difficulty that one person or a few people can solve; it requires the full strength of everyone in the Empire! It requires all the countries of the world to work together!
Otherwise, we will all only waste time for various reasons, ultimately missing the best opportunity to address this crisis, leading to total failure.
Therefore, I do not have the time or the energy to play political games with a bunch of noble lords, nor do I wish to become the target of mockery as someone who is told 'What does a woman know?'
Time is already very pressing; for the Empire, and indeed for all of humanity, global destruction is already a foregone conclusion, like a burning fuse."
Perfikot said this, glanced at the two in front of her, and after waiting for them to digest her words, continued: "Alchemy follows the law of equivalence; besides the Philosopher's Stone I hold, there is nothing else or anyone that can break this iron rule.
For all that is obtained, something must be given, and all that is given shall be rewarded. This invitation you brought is a form of payment in my eyes, and I do not engage in matters without returns.
Convey my words to the Duke of Gloucester: summer is about to end, I need to prepare for winter. If possible, I would like to hunt brown bears in the New Continent during the last autumn, build a warm woodland cabin in a secluded valley, light a bonfire with gathered coal blocks—it would indeed be a delightful journey!"
After speaking, Perfikot placed the invitation letter on the coffee table in front of her, then picked up her teacup, saying to the two in front of her: "So please leave, gentlemen."
Faced with Perfikot, who had already issued a subtle dismissal, the young man and Major William next to him looked at each other, but they couldn't force Perfikot, and having failed to persuade her, they could only bid goodbye and leave.
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On the return carriage, Major William couldn't help but show his anxiety, both because of Perfikot's refusal and because of the seriousness of the crisis she described.
However, he was but a Navy major, not even qualified to command a destroyer, and there wasn't much he could do in this matter.
Perfikot, though his cousin, was a distant relative, valid only when Perfikot acknowledged him as her cousin; otherwise, there would be no relation between Major William and Perfikot.
So he couldn't say much about Perfikot's decision, as he knew well that after the incident three years ago, Perfikot's disposition changed drastically, becoming assertive and unyielding, taking no heed of anyone's persuasion.
While Major William was concerned, the young man beside him was frowning intently, seemingly pondering something.
"Equivalent exchange... input and reward, is she setting conditions?" the young man muttered to himself, grasping something and simultaneously finding some parts incomprehensible: "But hunting in the New Continent? Is this some sort of metaphor or an alchemy cipher?"