Sir! Don't close the net!

Dante was taken aback, then realized what was happening and stared intently at Li Yili. "You seem to want me to use some kind of mineral to isolate the legacy of these ancient gods that have unleashed their true power."

“It’s scarlet leaf ore,” Anne added.

“Well…” Li Yili leaned back slightly.

Li Yili hesitated. If the backers of the Jurassic Circle gang were Galar Horn or the Black Gate and the Celestials, he wouldn't be so conflicted. But the backer was the Old Ones, who were connected to humanity and were now on the verge of 2012.

He didn't know how the previous 2012 had been used to clean up the mess, but now the old regime was taking action, and unlike the previous clandestine transport of pollutants, this time it was directly funding and inciting war.

He himself wouldn't care, but Anne and Dante are different. The more they know, the clearer their intentions will be. If the Old Ones realize that Anne and Dante know a lot of things that they shouldn't normally know, what actions will they take? Will they accelerate their actions to bring 2012 to an early date?

Will this cause Anne and Dante's plans to come to nothing?

“Because I’ve dealt with these things before,” Li Yili shrugged, “you know, smuggling all sorts of illegal things.”

"What have you been doing all these years?" Annie's eyes widened.

阿卡姆

The university's most outstanding graduate in history, a genius who single-handedly disrupted the millennium situation in the capital, disappeared without a trace after graduation. Everyone thought that this outstanding graduate had either become a secret researcher for the Cult of Steam and Steel or a high-ranking member of another organization. But in any case, this outstanding graduate would surely make unimaginable contributions to the world.

As a result... this top graduate became a smuggler.

Chapter 85 The Shadow of the Businessman Behind the Thugs

"That's right, society is cruel. Being excellent in school doesn't mean you'll be excellent in society."

Faced with Li Yili's explanation, Dante suddenly understood, raised his hand and patted Li Yili on the shoulder, sighing, "The first thing you do when you enter society is get beaten up by it, and then you clearly realize how incompetent you are, you know, you know."

Annie glanced at Dante with some surprise. She really wanted to point her finger at Li Yili and shout, "Where did you get the idea that this guy has been beaten up by society?! It looks like he's the one beating up others!"

After mentally complaining for a moment, Annie began to think that Li Yili was definitely not a simple smuggler and was definitely hiding something in this matter. And what she was hiding was probably related to the reason why Li Yili came to the wasteland.

After figuring it out, Annie wasn't so conflicted anymore. As for why Li Yili had kept it from them, Annie wasn't curious. Everyone has secrets, and she had many secrets too.

"So even if you don't know who's smuggling these things, you should at least know how they'd smuggle the legacy of these ancient gods that unleashed true power, right?" After his remark, Dante quickly returned to the main topic.

“Well…” Li Yili pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Generally, they’re mixed in with the cargo, but I don’t recommend investigating the Jurassic Circle from that direction.”

"why?"

“The prerequisite for using tricks to hide the real goods is that those in power prohibit the trading and transportation of such goods,” Li Yili said, raising her finger.

“I see,” Anne said, raising an eyebrow as she rested her chin on her hand. “The protection from those in power is really troublesome.”

Dante realized, "Then we simply can't find the legacy of those ancient gods who unleashed true power."

“Even if you find it, there’s nothing you can do. Are you planning to use this shotgun to attack the Jurassic Circle gang’s warehouse? Or are you planning to use this knife to take on a hundred or a thousand enemies by yourself?” Li Yili raised her hand and patted Dante’s shoulder.

Dante's lips twitched. "Then I'm powerless to do anything but wait for the war to begin?"

Li Yili and Annie exchanged a glance, then simultaneously lowered their heads and let out a long sigh.

"Did I say something wrong?" Dante's expression froze.

“Ahem—Mr. Dante, why can’t we find the legacy of those ancient gods who unleashed their true power within the Jurassic Circle?” Anne coughed lightly.

"Uh... because the Jurassic Circle gangs want those things?"

“Yes, it’s the Jurassic Circle’s gangs that want it, but only the Jurassic Circle’s gangs,” Anne emphasized. “And only within the Jurassic Circle are those things…invisible.”

Dante paused for a moment, then suddenly realized, "So that's how it is! The legacies of those ancient gods who unleashed their true power were all transported from outside the wasteland. The Wasteland royal family would never allow the Jurassic Circle's gangs to obtain these things. So, as long as some information is released, both the Wasteland royal family and the Cult of Steam and Steel will strictly control the trade routes! Even if they can't make the Jurassic Circle's gangs give up their idea of ​​starting a war, they can at least delay the outbreak of war as much as possible. As long as time goes on, the Wasteland royal family's preparations for dealing with the war started by the Jurassic Circle's gangs will become more and more thorough—"

Dante's eyes widened.

"The Jurassic Circle gangs are unlikely to start a war while the Wasteland royal family is fully prepared, so this war... will be delayed indefinitely!"

Li Yili tilted her head slightly. "That's roughly the idea."

"Wow! I feel like the impossible is becoming possible!" Dante excitedly pumped his fist.

Seeing Dante so happy, Annie hesitated. She glanced at Li Yili, who was smiling meaningfully, and sighed helplessly, "Mr. Dante, I want to remind you of something."

"Eh? Is there any other question?"

"Now, the Jurassic Circle gangs have a certain amount of the legacy of the ancient gods that have unleashed true power."

“Yes, they gave me one each, and most of the other officers probably have one too, but that amount is definitely not enough,” Dante nodded with his arms crossed. “The Jurassic Circle gangs will only start a war if the main force has one for each of them.”

Dante paused, then frowned. "However, the backers behind this must have demonstrated their ability to provide a continuous supply of goods, which is why the Jurassic Circle gangs are seriously considering launching a war."

“That’s right—the Jurassic Circle gangs have secured the source of the goods, and the transportation routes are very reliable,” Anne drawled.

Dante suddenly felt unwell.

“Those things could only have been brought in from outside the wasteland,” Li Yili said quietly.

Dante was taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening, and his expression gradually froze.

A highly reliable transport route brought the goods in from outside the wasteland, convincing the Jurassic Circle gangs that both tasks could be accomplished simultaneously.

"You're not trying to say... that the Cretaceous region was involved in this, are you?"

“Who knows…” Li Yili shrugged somewhat irresponsibly. “This is your own guess, but I think your reasoning makes a lot of sense. There must be capitalists behind every war.”

Anne interlaced her fingers and held them in front of her nose without saying a word.

Dante, scratching the back of his head, paced back and forth in the inn with some agitation. After walking for about two or three minutes, Dante raised his right hand towards Li Yili, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. After pausing for a while, he lowered his head and continued pacing.

"Can't figure it out?"

Dante paused, his scratching of the back of his head becoming increasingly violent. "Of course I understand—or rather, this is normal. The Cretaceous Circle, responsible for trade, can naturally bring things from outside the wasteland in."

Dante sat back down, extremely annoyed, and piled the envelopes on the table together.

"The Cretaceous zone... also has the motivation to coordinate with the Jurassic zone."

Anne narrowed her eyes slightly. "The corporatization of the Cult of Steam and Steel. Although the industries in the Cretaceous Zone haven't been taken over by the Cult of Steam and Steel, the Cult of Steam and Steel has already put a knife to their throats. If they so desire, all the industries in the Cretaceous Zone will be taken over by the Cult of Steam and Steel. And the Wasteland Royal Family hasn't provided any... assistance to the merchants in the Cretaceous Zone in this matter."

“So the merchants in the Cretaceous Circle also want to rebel,” Li Yili spread her hands. “Mr. Dante, that’s great. If that’s the case, then there won’t be a war between the Jurassic Circle and the Cretaceous Circle, or at least, there won’t be a real war.”

“This is not good at all!” Dante raised his voice. “The war will still reach Miss Ashley’s garden and ruin her life!”

Chapter 86 A Society That Is Completely Different, Yet Equally Monotonous

"But your beloved Miss Ashley's life is built on this."

Li Yili understood Dante's excitement, but understanding was one thing, and reality was another.

"The garden where your beloved Miss Ashley lives is so peaceful that she can hold tea parties and chat freely 24 hours a day. All of this comes from her father. If the Chalk Circle really gets involved, it's only a matter of time before the flames of war reach your beloved Miss Ashley's garden."

Dante's face was very grim, but he did not refute it. He wanted to say that perhaps Ashley's father was an exception, a kind person who had not been involved in the city of Gianni, but he couldn't bring himself to say such self-deception. Just as gangs in the Jurassic Circle were constantly clashing and trying to swallow each other's power, businessmen in the Cretaceous Circle were also engaging in various competitions, attempting to swallow each other's businesses.

But as long as the interests of the entire circle are involved, no matter how serious the previous infighting was, they will unite and rush in the same direction.

Just as this war was not a decision made by the Mafia, but by all the gangs.

If the Cretaceous Circle was indeed involved in this matter, it must have been a joint decision by all the merchants, and Ashley's father must have been involved as well.

But this is actually a good thing. At least he no longer has to struggle with which side to stand on. The Cretaceous and Jurassic are allies. If he actively participates in this war, his chances of inheriting the Godfather position and gaining popular support will greatly increase. If the war is won, no one can stop him from becoming the Mafia Godfather, or from being with Ashley because of his outstanding performance in this war.

Dante's eyes wavered for a moment before he raised his fist and slammed it heavily into his own face.

“If you’re feeling down, you don’t have to hurt yourself,” Li Yili raised an eyebrow, rolled up her sleeves, and said with a very serious expression, “I can help you.”

“How could I be so pessimistic? I’ve thought it through very clearly. This is indeed good news, but for Dante, the righteous partner in the Jurassic Circle, it’s incredibly bad news because he has more evil to fight, and his beloved princess is being kept in the dark.”

Dante raised his hand and touched his hair.

Anne paused for a moment, then stared wide-eyed at Dante with disbelief. “Mr. Dante, it may sound strange for me to say this, but if you want to be with Miss Ashley, participating in this war is the best option. Overthrowing the wasteland royal family alongside the Jurassic Circle and the Cretaceous Circle is the only way for you to be with Ashley under their blessing.”

"I refuse—" Dante crossed his arms and forcefully raised his head.

Annie opened her mouth, placed her hands on the armrests of the wheelchair, and leaned forward, but before she could speak, Li Yili reached out and stopped her.

“Good—that’s ambitious,” Li Yili said, holding Annie with her left hand and giving Dante a thumbs up with her right. “But the situation isn’t that bad. There’s also the possibility that the Cretaceous Circle didn’t get involved. Cretaceous Circle businessmen spend their whole lives scheming; they wouldn’t risk their lives so easily.”

“But it’s very low, right?” Dante remarked.

“Ahem—anything is possible, and no one can say for sure until it is confirmed,” Li Yili said, raising her finger and waving it from side to side. “So, Mr. Dante, I have a suggestion.”

Dante instinctively became wary, but the thought that he had already fallen into an even bigger pit made him less concerned about whether Li Yili would dig another one for him.

"Tell me about it."

"Ahem—Mr. Dante, you can continue your work in the Jurassic zone, while we go into the Cretaceous zone to investigate."

"Investigate and see what the situation is with the merchants from the Cretaceous region. If they weren't involved, that's good news. Also, spread the word about the Jurassic region's intentions. If the Cretaceous merchants do get involved, the Jurassic gangs and their backers won't be able to bring in goods as easily as before."

Dante nodded, chin in hand, then raised an eyebrow. "What if they get involved?"

"Then spread rumors near the capital, Millennium, that the Jurassic Circle intends to repeat the revolution of that year, and that the Cretaceous Circle is involved. Even if the news doesn't only reach the ears of the Wasteland royal family, as long as such information circulates, the merchants of the Cretaceous Circle will have some reservations. While it's impossible to make them give up, it can at least make them restrain their actions a little and slow down the progress, and then—"

Li Yili snapped her fingers, and Dante immediately reacted, gently tapping his left palm with his right fist. "These messages will reach the capital, Millennium, sooner or later. Once the Wasteland Royal Family and the Nobles begin to act, unless the Cretaceous Circle takes a desperate gamble, they will have no choice but to obey the Wasteland Royal Family's wishes. Even if it's just for show, the operation will be greatly delayed."

"Are you already planning to leave the Jurassic Circle?" Annie's eyes narrowed slightly.

“Hmm? Of course, because the Jurassic Circle, like the Triassic Circle, is no longer interesting,” Li Yili said, putting her hands behind her head. “Although it’s a completely different society, it’s just as monotonous, and you can see everything at a glance.”

"Hey, hey, hey—people living in this kind of society are still here," Dante couldn't help but complain. "Speaking of which, what's with that tone? Are you some rich young master who's here to experience rural life?"

Li Yili shrugged, neither admitting nor denying.

Anne frowned, recalling what she had seen and heard in the Jurassic Circle over the past few days. Although she was unable to move freely within the Jurassic Circle due to her physical limitations, the events that occurred just in front of this not-so-large hotel were enough for her to understand the situation in the entire Jurassic Circle. The newspapers in the Jurassic Circle filled in many details.

Just as Li Yili said, seemingly completely different societies are equally monotonous. If the Triassic Circle is the society of the lower class, then the Jurassic Circle is the society of thugs. The lower class exploits each other, and the thugs exploit each other. It's that simple.

"Huh? Wait a minute! What will happen to my letter if you leave!" Dante blinked, remembering something crucial.

"Given this situation, you still plan to write stories to please Miss Ashley?" Li Yili couldn't help but complain.

"How can making someone you like happy be called pleasing them?!" Dante coughed heavily, raised his hand and shook Li Yili's shoulders back and forth forcefully. "I just want her life to have more new things, to let her know that the world is big."

“Okay, okay—I’ll leave you plenty of stories to use to please Ashley before I leave,” Li Yili rolled her eyes.

"You're so kind?" Dante immediately jumped back.

“Of course, you have to do something for me,” Li Yili said, raising her finger and bending it towards Dante.

Chapter 87 Everyone's Ruthless

Dante initially refused, after all, Li Yili was a ruthless person who asked him to help rule the Jurassic Circle, and who knew how much he would have to pay to get this "enough" story. But Dante thought about it again and realized that he and Li Yili were in the same boat. What he wanted to do was no less than, and even more outrageous than, ruling the Jurassic Circle.

From this perspective... he, Dante, is a ruthless person above Li Yili. They are both ruthless people, so why would he scare Li Yili, who is not as ruthless as him?

After figuring things out, Dante immediately felt refreshed and readily agreed to Li Yili's request. However, when he arrived at the Church of the God of Steam and Steel with Li Yili, Dante became a little timid. He had a feeling that Li Yili was going to do something even more ruthless and bad.

However, Dante still indulged in polytheism.