I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 868 - 868 867. Cleopatra

Chapter 868: 867. Cleopatra Chapter 868: 867. Cleopatra “Academy?”

Cleopatra slightly furrowed her brow.

This time, there were people from the academy participating in the election, but to other factions, the academy was seen as the least competitive force.

Utopia had been exploring the external relics for a long time, and the relics of past civilizations within a month’s journey nearby had been thoroughly scavenged. To venture further required exponentially more resources and supplies, and one couldn’t ensure the explorers’ loyalty. Therefore, the current state of Utopia, both among the upper echelons and the populace, was increasingly conservative.

At the dawn of Utopia’s establishment, the vast majority of people lived with the hope of returning to the past, to the glorious and resplendent civilization of the old age. Back then, people were more proactive, willing to face death generation after generation, tirelessly seeking what was lost.

But as the years went by, the bold ambitions of the past had been eroded by the relentless dust storms. After numerous generations, except for the fortunate few who had experienced the times of the Saints, the majority of people simply wished to live comfortably in the present. They were reluctant to pay the extra cost to search for those distant, unreachable things, which was reflected in the academy’s popularity, or lack thereof.

Now that the academy had come to her, what was their agenda?

She pondered for a moment, then beckoned the visitor in.

At the same time, the cloud of smoke gradually began to thin, blending into the environment as if it were melting away.

Cleopatra soon saw the visitor.

He was a handsome young man. Even by Cleopatra’s standards, he was quite striking, especially in the Wasteland, where the average person was in their turbulent teens, full of naivety and tenderness. His mature yet youthful appearance was enough to capture any young girl’s heart.

“Greetings, esteemed Lady Cleopatra. I am Lu Ban, a Traveler from beyond Utopia. I represent the academy and have come to discuss the future of Utopia with you.”

Lu Ban’s gaze swept over the room, and soon, in the air, he sensed something amiss.

“Named Mad Poison, from Misty City.”

“Most skilled in beguiling hearts and spreading toxins, each equally terrifying.”

“He is in every corner of the air, best not to harbor animosity towards him.”

“Luckily, he cannot utilize his most effective combat methods in this city.”

Clearly, the Chosen by Gods from Misty City was in this very room.

Lu Ban had once obtained a mask that allowed him to take on the form of a Misty City person. He knew that Misty City people could dilute themselves to hide in the air, and even now, this Misty City person was present in every corner of the room, even entering Lu Ban’s lungs with each breath, assimilating into his body. Such an ability was exceedingly convenient for administering poison.

Lu Ban wasn’t worried about Mad Poison drugging him. After all, such an act would clearly not be tolerated by Utopia, and even if Mad Poison was determined to take him down at all costs, Lu Ban himself could also undergo Melting, immune to the infiltration of the toxins.

This was why it was said that Mad Poison couldn’t use his preferred method of combat in Utopia.

“Your purpose here, let me think, you wish to align with us or seek resources for the academy to explore the relics in the future?”

Cleopatra looked at Lu Ban, leisurely sipping the pale red liquid from her glass.

Lu Ban glanced at her glass, thought of the wine made from honey bugs, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

Cleopatra’s frown deepened. This man, although handsome, didn’t have graceful manners; rather, he seemed crude. Now he laughed without any apparent reason. Was he mocking her or treating her as a fool?

“I was reminded of something pleasant.”

Lu Ban replied, restraining his imagination and composing his expression.

“What would that be?”

Cleopatra pressed on.

“Don’t worry about it, sir, it’s unrelated to my purpose here.”

Lu Ban answered, and then continued.

“I’m merely curious, with what strategy does the Yellow Sand Brotherhood plan to secure the victory in the election by collaborating with outsiders?”

“Outsiders? We, the Yellow Sand Brotherhood, have always taken care of traveling merchants, and these merchants bring resources to Utopia. We’ve also promised to foster business development.”

Cleopatra explained.

“No, I’m not referring to those traveling merchants, but to certain entities that come from beyond this world, utterly different from us.”

Lu Ban continued undisturbed.

Hearing Lu Ban’s words, Cleopatra raised an eyebrow.

Such direct statements were extremely rare in business dealings.

What made her even more curious was that he actually knew about the existence of beings from the Foreign Domain visiting the Yellow Sand Brotherhood—an incident even the people close to Cleopatra knew little about. How had this man come to know of it?

She originally intended to dodge the question, but just as she was about to speak, Cleopatra suddenly felt a surge of crisis.

This feeling was like the premonition of danger she experienced when facing a monster in the Wasteland before she became a Saint, as if targeted by something monstrous beyond human limits.

Suddenly, Cleopatra realized she had walked right into the “trap” that Lu Ban had just set.

The very first thing Lu Ban said to her, “to discuss the future of Utopia.”

That was just a simple courtesy that wouldn’t need any attention under normal circumstances, but this was Utopia, where everything had to follow proper rules.

In Utopia, the act of discussing symbolized business negotiation and carried the implication of a contract.

And in such negotiations, “deception” was not permitted.

If Cleopatra wanted to deceive Lu Ban, she would inevitably face corresponding sanctions.

She had nearly fallen into the trap.

Cleopatra had encountered such situations before, but her ability was what allowed her to become a Saint within the Yellow Sand Brotherhood.

Even if lying and deceiving during negotiations weren’t allowed, creating the effect of deceit didn’t only require lies.

Utilizing misinformation to create inequality, using partial truths to mislead others, it was a skill that every Yellow Sand Brotherhood merchant had to master in Utopia.

“These entities will not harm Utopia as long as I am here; the city will not fall into peril.”

Cleopatra answered.

What she said was the truth; even if the agreement they reached could pose a threat to the city in the distant future, at least for the moment, while Cleopatra was present, the Misty City people could not endanger the city.

“As for our methods, we naturally gather public support and gain the backing of the majority of the populace and the Senate.”

“By administering poison to them?”

Lu Ban pressed further.

His words left Cleopatra silent.

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