"Are we friends?" Zhang Heng asked in a daze.
"Of course, of course. We are all His Majesty's advisors. Of course, we are friends." Altrus's voice was very sincere, and Zhang Heng could not help but want to believe him. Coupled with the effect of the alkaloid in the scopolamine, another person would have opened up to him long ago.
In fact, Altrus was also very satisfied with Zhang Heng's current reaction. He continued to ask, "I heard that you came from a distant eastern country. There are rumors that you are a noble there. Why did you leave your hometown and come to Rome, thousands of miles away, instead of enjoying a good life?"
"Oh, it's a long story. My family was once prominent. My father was a general of the empire, but he was later framed and imprisoned. In the political struggle that followed, my family was defeated. I lost all the people and things I cared about. In the end, I was the only one left. I had to leave my country and keep going west. I don't know where I will end up. I just needed to … escape from that nightmarish past. At that time, I didn't know I would come to Rome, and I didn't want others to know about my previous experience."
Zhang Heng knew that Altrus could not falsify this story, so he could make it up without worry. At the same time, Zhang Heng also used this story to explain why he had such excellent skills and a considerable degree of political experience.
"Understandable," Altrus nodded. "Now you are a citizen of Rome. This city will be your new home in the future."
"I hope so."
"Let's continue to talk about what happened after you arrived in Rome. When did you first meet His Majesty?" Altrus asked.
"The first time I met His Majesty was at a banquet at Senator Dior's house," Zhang Heng said.
"I heard what happened that night. You provoked Sartonilos and attracted His Majesty's attention. Did you do this because someone asked you to?"
"No, I'm doing this because I want freedom and to enter the upper class," Zhang Heng's voice sounded a little drowsy. "Believe me, I'm no stranger to this kind of thing because of my background. If I want to find a backer, of course, I'll choose the highest and biggest one."
"A wise choice," Altrus paused, then threw out another question. "What do you think of Lucilla?"
"Who?"
"The Emperor's sister, Augusta Lucilla of the Roman Empire."
"She wants to sleep with me," Zhang Heng said without hesitation.
Altrus seemed to be amused, and he laughed out loud, "Yes, Lucilla's private life is the same as her mother's. All kinds of men are like her trophies. You are the gladiatorial champion of the Amphitheatrum Flavium, which is quite new to her. It's not surprising that she is interested in you. But I'm not asking about this kind of thing. I want to know what your opinion or impression of her is?"
"I can't see through her," Zhang Heng said honestly. "I've heard some rumors about her. It's said that her relationship with the emperor isn't as good as it seems. So, I've been trying my best to stay away from her. No one likes a two-timer."
"You are very smart, smarter than most people." Altrus raised his eyebrows. "One last question. Have you heard of the Balance Blade?"
"Balance Blade? What is that?" Zhang Heng wondered.
"It's an ancient assassin organization that believes in Kreis. The members of that organization believe that they have the responsibility to maintain the balance of the world."
"Kreis? I seem to have heard this name somewhere." Zhang Heng pondered for a while. "A person with the nickname 'Mouthpiece' seemed to have mentioned things like balance to me, but I don't care about that kind of thing. I just want to do my own thing, and I don't want to cause any trouble. Wait … did I get into trouble?"
"For now, no," Altrus said. Altrus said, "I'm quite satisfied with this conversation. I like honest people. I hope you can continue to maintain this valuable quality. In addition, please forgive my caution and offense. It's been a troubled time recently. As His Majesty the Emperor's most trusted advisor, I have the responsibility and obligation to find out everyone's background. However, this is the first time we have met. Let me give you a gift. "
"What gift?" Zhang Heng yawned.
"You will know soon." Altrus just smiled when he heard Zhang Heng's words. He did not elaborate. Instead, he said softly, "You are very tired tonight, and you drank too much. Why don't you have a good sleep?"
"You are right. I will sleep now," Zhang Heng muttered. He felt sleepy, and his eyelids became heavier and heavier. Finally, he leaned on the chair and fell asleep.
Altrus waited for a while before clapping his hands to let the waitress waiting outside in.
Altrus said, "Take care of him. When he wakes up a little, send him home safely."
"That's it? What if he remembers that we drugged him when he sobers up? What if he comes after us? "The maid frowned.
"No, he won't remember drinking that glass of wine," Altrus said firmly. Altrus said with certainty, "Besides, even if he remembers, he won't dare to settle the score with us because I know a lot of his secrets now."
"What about Clint? Clint has been dissatisfied with you for a long time. The two of you appeared beside Commodus almost at the same time, but you always suppressed him. Clint is jealous of you. The reason why he is willing to let this easterner become Commodus's consultant is to deal with you together with him. Don't you want to solve this problem? "
Altrus still looked indifferent when he heard what the maid said. "Clint is too narrow-minded. He regards me as his biggest competitor to climb up the ladder, but I don't regard him as an opponent. He is just a self-righteous fool. I have never worried about him."
The maid seemed to fall into silence when she heard what Altrus said. Altrus then said, "I will do my part. You guys better do your part too. Let's get rid of the Balance Blade first."
The maid snorted, "We are well prepared this time. It's time for those guys from the Balance Blade to pay for the blood debt they owed two hundred years ago. This time, we do not intend to let any of them go."
"Very well. Such an assassin organization is too dangerous. There is no need for them to exist. It's better to destroy them." Altrus also agreed, "They actually want to kill me. In that case, I can only solve this problem first."
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