Chapter 186: Capitol of The Elite
Every eye turned to Uhtred to see his reaction and response. He remained silent in deliberation for a beat again, his eyes on Glorious Eagle Vance the whole time, then he sighed.
"I really hate your kind... Always finding something to say to rile up everyone..."
Impulsive thoughts crossed Uhtred’s mind for several seconds. Thoughts about how he could just kill the General here and now and end any future troubles the man might bring...
But then, after doing that, there was sure to be another pesky person that’d pop up among the World Government officials again...
Which then meant the best case was to kill all of them now... But doing that would mean every other party present would fear him...
That was not the goal he was after. He didn’t wish to be a dictator. In fact, he didn’t wish to be doing any of this at all.
All these useless talks... Only if I hadn’t seen ’that’, Uhtred sighed inwardly, thinking about the Andronian Inheritance Shard briefly, and knowing the necessity of doing this.
He shook off all the intrusive thoughts, and his expression eased to a flat look, then he spoke:
"Yes, I did meet with the otherworlder General back in the trials. The leader of the Jotuniels. However, contrary to whatever terrible things you’re thinking I did, we only came to a ceasefire agreement," he explained. "For reasons I still do not know, their leader didn’t demand much of me, or humanity as a whole. He only asked for a ceasefire, and a space for his people to develop."
Glorious Eagle Vance wanted to interrupt, but Uhtred held up a finger.
"But I do know of one reason he was so reasonable..." he paused and looked at everyone. "The Jotuniel leader, an otherworlder leasing land on our planet, can contend for the position of Global Lord."
The moment Uhtred said it, murmurs rose immediately. Words of shock and disbelief. Questions about how it was possible for an otherworlder party to be allowed to interfere in a freshly integrated world’s development.
"Not even the Ancient Variants can contend for Global Lord," Uhtred continued, making everyone understand the severity of the situation. "They can only claim that title if they succeed in defeating us. Yet the otherworlders get the right to contend immediately."
"That defeats every purpose the System has displayed so far," Glorious Eagle Vance spoke with a frown on his face. "How are we to trust your words?"
"You don’t have to trust it," Uhtred shrugged. "In regards to the Ancient Variants, you will see the notice for yourself when you reach Level 35. However, for the matter of the Jotuniel otherworlders being able to compete for the Global Lord title... you’re just going to have to trust me on that one."
There was no way Uhtred was revealing the information he had learned from the Andronian Inheritance Shard to anyone here at all. Over the past month, he had come to know that it was only he and Zara who had gotten those shards as a reward for completing the second trial. Others like King Alexei, who eventually cleared the trial, did not receive the shard at all.
In a casual conversation, Black Sun had revealed that the shard he had received was a technique shard tailored to his affinity. He had thought Uhtred and Zara received the same and they were happy to play along that they did.
"Trust you?" Glorious Eagle Vance scoffed, wanting to keep pressing the matter. But it was obvious everyone had had enough of his shenanigans.
King Alexei cut him off sharply.
"The Global Lord position should naturally go to the strongest," he bellowed, having heard enough to form a clear picture of his own. "However, Uhtred. I have one condition."
"Speak."
"For the Global Lord position. The only way I’ll accept you is if that position is not permanent. Make it such that if for some reason you become lax, anyone can contend for the position against you," he grinned. "That position should always be for the strongest... always."
Uhtred smiled. He could see that King Alexei recognized the difference between them in terms of strength, but the giant man’s vigor still hadn’t diminished.
"Well, Alexei. I can assure you that I don’t intend to give up my number one position to anyone anytime soon... But I understand your terms. It is very logical. I accept."
That exchange between the two powerhouses sealed the matter. Right after Uhtred’s assent, everyone jumped in on the deal immediately. A System-enforced contract was created with all the details concluded. The parties present accepted Uhtred as the Global Lord, and in turn gained access to the Inert Crystals currently being held by Uhtred, Jolene Okafor, and the reluctant Golden Finger Chen.
While there was one more unknown owner of a regional dungeon who possessed Inert Crystals too, these three present were enough to control the trade of the resource. The factions who signed the contract would get direct access to these Crystals at a very discounted price, with first priority, and free movement of trade.
While they lacked the dungeons, they would get steady access to enough essence-full crystals to create the arrays and whatever else they wanted to use it for. They could choose to even sell if they wanted. That was the benefit of joining the free-trade alliance.
Even the World Government had no choice but to also accept Uhtred’s terms, though they made it obvious how much they disagreed with it. It was simply the logical choice... the only choice, even. They would fall behind if they chose not to.
However, their concessions only continued for the rest of the Summit. Several matters were raised, some where the World Government were on Uhtred’s side, particularly when it came to global humane laws to stop wanton killings and terrible acts of brutality. But other times — which was most of the time — they were at odds. But they ended up having to concede because Uhtred and Jolene Okafor now had the advantage.
No one seemed as opposed to many of the other ideas they posed after dealing with such a big issue at the start.
By the end of the first day of the Summit, while lots of people had smiles on their faces — most especially the smaller factions — the World Government were extremely gloomy.
Uhtred had ended the first day with a big announcement that made everyone eager for the next.
First of all, he had announced a name for his territory, which had always been unnamed:
Capitol of the Elite.
That was what Uhtred called his territory in Zone 1. Right after that, he explained the reason for such a name.
Everyone here was aware that the main powerhouses had grown larger than Zone 1 by far. In fact, Uhtred had started to hunt within Zone 2 already, where he could face off against Nascent Realm beasts. The same applied to everyone else. They knew Zone 1 was just a starting point.
Still, having a territory and controlling resources within Zone 1 was very vital.
With Uhtred naming his territory the Capitol of the Elite, he was acknowledging the Zone 1 territory wouldn’t be his base. Rather, it would be a forward point. A place that represented him. A place where the best of the best among the rest of the normal human population strove to be. A forge of a sort, where the true talents, the elites among the entire human population on the planet would develop.
To make that goal even more appealing, he made his announcement:
An academy was going to be created in his territory. A new force that would walk directly under the banner of the strongest. Forged and nurtured by his resources, his techniques... insights...
Hearing this announcement, the mid-tier and small factions went crazy.