Chapter 250: Chapter 246: Visit in Person
A valley emitting flammable toxic gas? This immediately piqued Perfikot’s interest.
After detailed inquiries, Perfikot roughly understood the situation in that valley.
According to Perfikot’s judgment, that valley was likely a naturally formed gas leak point, possibly associated with an oil field.
In other words, beneath the so-called Valley of Death that Lili mentioned, there might be an oil field.
However, a definitive conclusion requires an on-site geologic survey, making it very necessary and logical to organize one.
For the Northern Territory now, assembling a surveying team is quite simple.
The surveying team that came with Perfikot to the Northern Territory didn’t return to the Empire’s homeland; although they hadn’t worked through winter, they resumed their fieldwork as the spring thawed.
Now that Perfikot needed them again, gathering them was just a command from the Lord of the North.
Just as the team was ready to set off, with Ancestor Warriors from the local tribes as guides, they were surprised to find that Perfikot would join them.
"No, this is too risky, Count!" the team leader urgently objected; he couldn’t bear this responsibility.
This expedition wasn’t like when they first came—then, they surveyed areas that other teams had previously explored. The team leader was aware of any dangers.
So, even having a noble lady on the team wasn’t a problem then, especially as Perfikot, despite holding a commission as the Empress’s envoy, was only a Baroness.
Frankly, that didn’t count for much; in the Empire’s homeland, there were nobles in abundance ranked higher than Perfikot.
But now the situation was entirely different, not just because they were heading to the Valley of Death, a place notorious for danger. According to local lore, nothing survives entering there, and it’s said to be a gateway to hell.
In such a scenario, Perfikot, the Lord of the Northern Territory, an Imperial Count, and the Empire’s finest Alchemist, intends to go herself. This is too dangerous; even if Perfikot merely sustains a minor injury, the team leader cannot bear the responsibility.
To put it bluntly, if anything happens to Perfikot, his whole family wouldn’t suffice for the Military Department’s wrath.
But Perfikot was firm, confidently stating, "The Valley of Death is more complex than you imagine, and the resources potentially hidden there are crucial for the Northern Territory and the Empire. Only by going myself can I effectively handle these dangers; you alone are not sufficient."
Perfikot’s insistence wasn’t without reason; this world’s people knew little about natural gas and oil, and were similarly unprepared for their dangers.
At least Perfikot noticed that the ready-to-depart survey team hadn’t brought gas masks or related equipment.
Though gas masks might not have been invented yet in this era, bird-beaked masks like those used during the Black Death were available, yet they hadn’t even prepared those.
This was mainly why Perfikot insisted on going in person, as she genuinely didn’t trust these surveyors; should their oversight lead to the demise of the whole team, it would deeply trouble Perfikot.
Not that the deaths would bother her, but because the Northern Territory only had this skilled surveying team; losing them would delay many matters.
Moreover, in the Northern Territory, no one could really restrict Perfikot from doing what she wanted.
Even the old butler Foster could only advise Perfikot instead of stopping her.
Ultimately, under Perfikot’s persistence, the old butler arranged for two squads of White Bear Knights and a company of guard soldiers to accompany Perfikot, preventing any possible accidents.
After all, the old butler believed the Northern Territory wasn’t as safe as it seemed.
Though most local tribes had submitted to Northern Territory rule, some still dared to challenge its authority, especially with the Lord of the North away from the stronghold, in a relatively vulnerable position.
However, the old butler doubted anyone could pose a threat to Perfikot with two squads of White Bear Knights guarding her, especially in their steam knight armor.
In all, what was originally a compact survey team was expanded to nearly two hundred people due to Perfikot accompanying them.
This wasn’t without benefit; at least, with more people, the road hazards were no longer threats.
They ventured into the dense forest, facing obstacles that the White Bear Knights and Perfikot’s guards easily cleared. Even the bears they encountered ended up as extra meals and fur contributions for Perfikot.
After collecting about seven or eight bearskins and dozens of wolf pelts, Perfikot considered giving each White Bear Knight a wolfskin rug just before they finally arrived at the Valley of Death mentioned by the locals.
Perfikot didn’t recklessly send her people into the valley; instead, she set up camp about five kilometers away and then advanced to a spot with a clear view, observing the Valley of Death through binoculars.
Indeed, the valley lived up to its name—just by watching from afar through binoculars, one could see scattered bones on the valley floor, indicating many animals had perished there.
Nonetheless, the valley was lush with water and plants and already in bloom during this season, a deadly lure for animals.
At least during Perfikot’s observation, she saw multiple animals enter the valley and collapse within her line of sight.
Seeing this, the accompanying White Bear Knights looked grim, resolved to prevent Perfikot from entering the valley at all costs.
However, Perfikot seemingly had no intention of entering the valley; she just moved slightly nearer, smelled the faint scent of rotten eggs in the air, and retreated.