However, Perfikot did not solely rely on a few Flying Airships to meet the needs of the Northern Territory. She deployed the Steam Knights of the White Bear Knight Order, who helped reopen roads blocked by snowfall while also having these Steam Knights return to their previous work of logging.

After all, the efficiency of Steam Knights in logging is exceptionally high, with one Steam Knight effectively equating to twenty professional lumberjacks.

With the assistance of the Steam Knights and the partial supply of coal brought by the Flying Airships, the settlements that were trapped didn't encounter significant issues during this sudden snowfall.

This was also partly because the snowfall didn't last long, melting mostly within a week after three days of snow.

The real emergency needed addressing was only in the initial days of the snowfall.

Nevertheless, even as the snow melted and temperatures rose, solving various problems in the process, Perfikot remained deeply concerned about the issues exposed in the Northern Territory during this snowfall.

Regarding road traffic, apart from ordering the construction of more railways to integrate settlements further into the rail network, the immediate priority was to develop a vehicle with excellent passability in snowy conditions.

Perfikot originally planned to create several snow vehicles. However, after she drew up the blueprints, Weir suggested modifying large engineering robots to use as transport robots.

"Your snow vehicle design is indeed good, with notable snow passability and transport capability. But it's not very practical for the Northern Territory's environment," Weir critiqued Perfikot's design, which received a favorable evaluation in the Jade Record.

On hearing Weir's "not very practical" evaluation, Perfikot wasn't angry or defensive; she simply asked Weir, "How so? I'm all ears."

"First, your tracks - although these metal tracks can enhance vehicle passability on snow, they are too prone to damage. The wear on these metal components will be substantial! Even if you use new wear-resistant materials," Weir was skeptical about the metal tracks.

This setup can provide good passability over terrains like snow or swamps, allowing vehicles to handle thick snow without issue.

But fundamentally, it is metal, and for metals of this era to have higher wear resistance, apart from improving metallurgy processes and formulas, one would have to consult an Alchemist.

However, such a move inevitably leads to skyrocketing production costs.

Moreover, the critical point is that vehicles of this era can only use steam engines, meaning that drivers need to know not only how to drive but also how to operate a boiler.

This raises the requirements for the drivers quite a bit.

Although training can teach them to drive steam cars and repair steam engines, there are indeed more urgent positions for this technical talent in the Northern Territory, so they can't just be relegated to steam car drivers.

In Weir's view, the large autonomous engineering robots that Perfikot designed earlier are still more practical.

These large machines have very long stride legs that allow them to step across deep snow without fear, no matter how deep the snow is.

Moreover, these machines have a certain level of intelligence; once programmed, they can walk to their destination without needing an operator.

As to why such large autonomous engineering robots used in construction need Engineers and Alchemists, it is mainly because they are applied in the construction industry. Engineers and Alchemists are required to troubleshoot any issues and adjust the robots to adapt to the construction environment continuously.

But if they are used for transportation on roads, it wouldn't be as troublesome. Their autonomous capabilities allow for unmanned operation.

"It's possible, but the cost of large autonomous robots is much higher than that of steam track vehicles, and fundamentally, it still requires Alchemists and Engineers to manage, unlike the steam cars that two workers familiar with steam engines can handle," after hearing Weir's suggestion, Perfikot still held her ground.

She invented both types and knew their respective strengths and weaknesses well; she naturally had her evaluation standards.

Evidently, a rift existed between Weir and her.

However, neither tried to persuade the other, and following some discussion, they went with a new idea Weir proposed.

"Modify an autonomous robot to create a large transport vehicle responsible for fixed-route transport," Weir explained her idea to Perfikot, with a trace of excitement on her face: "And your tracked vehicle design can serve as a supplement. After all, it is indeed cheaper than the large robots, and more lightweight and flexible, being able to handle short-distance transport or temporary needs.

I will take responsibility for modifying and designing the large robots, and you can perfect your tracked vehicle. Once completed, let's compare whose work is more excellent, okay?"

Obviously, Weir recognized Perfikot's level in Alchemy and wanted to challenge her.

"I have no objections. Then who will act as the judge?" Perfikot eagerly accepted the challenge, curious to see the legendary Alchemist's actual abilities.

However, finding someone to judge the two of them was not an easy task. Besides needing enough expertise in Alchemy, they must be fair and impartial, which was notoriously challenging in the current Northern Territory.

Yet, Weir was unconcerned, casually waving a hand, saying, "Who is qualified to judge you and me? Who has the capability to appraise our works? Let's score each other's works instead. I believe your pride would not allow you to falsify such matters."

"Indeed, mutual evaluation is the fairest method. Skills beneath another's are simply that, and no one can argue otherwise." Perfikot gladly adopted the suggestion, knowing finding a suitable judge in the Empire was indeed challenging considering her and Weir's caliber.

Moreover, their pride would never permit lying or cheating in evaluating their and each other's works.

Only the designer fully understands their own creation; any deficiencies or superior points are evident at a glance. Even without saying, both can discern the general outcome, making the victory or defeat naturally apparent.

Thus, mutual evaluation was indeed the best method to determine the winner, provided neither of them would blatantly lie.

Clearly, Weir and Perfikot were not such individuals.

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