Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Chapter 101: Miss, you don’t want Her Majesty the Empress to know about us, right?

Cohen seemed to be thinking about something. He turned to Ifilo and asked:

"Is there something wrong with the route I gave you?"

Ifilo forced himself to cheer up and said with a wry smile:
“No, there is nothing wrong with the route Mr. Commander gave us.

We followed Mr.'s route and arrived safely at several abandoned laboratories.

Although most of it was badly damaged, we still managed to retrieve some valuable items.”

Cohen raised his eyebrows slightly, pretending not to see Windsardler's expression, and continued to ask:
"Then how did you become like this?
It looks like there was an attack?"

Ifilo glanced at Windsardler next to him and whispered:

"On the way back, the Special Envoy sensed something and insisted on going deeper underground.

It was normal at first, but the further we went down, the lower the temperature became, and it seemed like some creature was watching us.

Until the way was blocked by a barrier.

Kulikov tried many ways but failed to open the barrier.

When he tried to break through it with brute force, he found that the barrier could absorb his attacks.

Not only that, this barrier will keep changing its shape, and eventually even turn into a powerful attacking magic circle.

Every attack launched is equivalent to Kulikov's full-strength attack.

If we didn't have a few life-saving items, the team would have been injured."

Cohen frowned slightly. It seemed that Windsardler had indeed received some important information in the last cycle of the Nightmare Mist Illusion.

He was actually able to find the route to the ancient elf tomb by himself.

Cohen was convinced that the so-called barrier must be the defense mechanism from the ancient tomb.

The gray-robed researcher said that without the "Book of Time and Space", it is impossible to get in by brute force.

He turned his gaze to Windsordler, who smiled charmingly at her red lips and gestured for her to follow him.

Cohen sighed. He really didn't know what this woman saw down there that made her so obsessed with the ancient tomb.

The two of them arrived at a secluded place. Windsordler waved his hand again to set up the barrier and asked with interest:

"You look so proud and happy. Tell me, what good stuff did you find?"

Cohen really wanted to say, I'm still wearing a mask, how can you tell that I'm so proud of myself?

But he wisely did not object, but simply said:
"Your Excellency, please speak directly. There's no need to tease me like this."

Windsordale quickly got to the point:

"Tell me how to enter the 'Sleeping Cave'?"

Cohen asked:

"I can tell you that, but we have to make a deal."

Windsordler nodded and said:
"Okay, tell me what deal you want."

Cohen said:

"I have mastered a spatial magic array that can break the barrier of the ancient tomb... the 'Sleeping Cave'.

However, some important materials are needed to complete the construction of the magic circle.

These materials are too precious, I can't gather them all by myself!"

Cohen directly put the idea of repairing the "Book of Time and Space" on Windsardler.

Anyway, I will need a partner from the elven royal family when I enter the ancient tomb in the future, so I must bring her with me.

It's a good opportunity to trick her into paying for the ticket.

Windsardler's eyes lit up, he took a step forward and asked:

"You really have a way! Tell me, what space array is it?"

Cohen took a few steps back and said softly:

"It's a magic circle from the Arcane Empire, which I obtained when I last entered that laboratory.

It's just that this is an ancient magic circle that requires enormous resources to construct successfully."

Windsardler obviously understood what Cohen meant and asked unhappily:

"Tell me, how huge is this huge resource you mentioned?"

Cohen took out a pen and paper and wrote down some important materials according to the instructions of the gray-robed researcher.

Windsardler took the note and couldn't help but exclaimed at the first glance:
"One hundred kilograms of space stone?

Are you crazy?
Even a legendary space storage item would not require more than a pound of space stone.

You want a hundred pounds?

Are you planning to construct some kind of divine formation?"

Cohen's face remained unchanged as he slowly said:
“That’s the protective barrier of the ancient elves’ cemetery.

You also heard it in the nightmare phantom at that time. The person sleeping down there is very likely the elf queen.

Do you think the protective barrier they left behind can be broken so easily?
Without so many space stones to construct a space array, it would be impossible to teleport there!"

There was a thoughtful glint in Windsardler's pupils.

Cohen smiled faintly, and his voice rang in Windsardler's ears:

“For the elven royal family, a hundred kilograms of space stone doesn’t seem too difficult.

Or does the Special Envoy have any other ideas?"

Windsardler narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice:
"You guessed right. I really don't plan to rely on the power of the elves to accomplish this, so a hundred kilograms of space stone is still very difficult for me."

Cohen raised his eyebrows slightly. It seemed that this winged elf lady had big plans.

He didn't care about the internal disputes among the elves, and gave Windsardler a suggestion he had already considered:

"I do know where there are a lot of space stones."

Although Windsardler knew that the other party was fishing, he couldn't help but take the bait.

There was no other way. The things in the "Sleeping Cave" were of great significance to her, and she had to find a way to get in.

"Where?"

Cohen said slowly:

“Dwarves!

The dwarves are famous forge masters on the continent, and their warehouses must have a large amount of space stones stored."

Windsardler said reluctantly:
"I'm not familiar with the dwarves."

Cohen snapped his fingers lightly:
“Coincidentally, I have some connection with the dwarves.

We're even planning to do a big business with them!"

Windsardler's eyes moved slightly, and his beautiful eyes stared at Cohen's mask for a long time, then he slowly said:

"You are not an imitator of the 'Shadow Lord', you are the 'Shadow Lord', right?"

Cohen did not respond to Windsardler's speculation, but simply said:

“I’ll be heading to the ‘Land of the Lost’ in a few months.

I want to build a base there to trade with the dwarves.

I still lack a strong helper.

If Your Excellency Windrunner is willing, there is a vacancy for a non-member in my Infinity Blade adventure group, which can be left to you."

Windsordale's face was tense, with a thoughtful look in his eyes:
"Is this the deal you mentioned? Letting a golden-rank Winged Elf royal be your thug?
Do you know that I am also His Majesty Klein's special envoy?"

Cohen said calmly:

"I just know that if you cooperate with me, you can get what you want."

Windsardler pondered for a long time, and finally slowly stretched out his hand and said:

"I hope you can keep your word!"

Cohen quickly shook it:

"Happy cooperation!"

Cohen suddenly asked again:
"By the way, I heard from Ifilo that the Special Envoy came to the Northwest Continent to investigate the 'Lord of Shadows'?"

Windsorder raised his eyebrows slightly and said:
"Yes, I wonder how Mr. Captain would like me to report to Her Majesty the Empress?"

Cohen raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said calmly:
"Miss Elf, you don't want Her Majesty the Empress to know what we are planning, do you?
My opinion is that everything should be kept low-key!"

Windsordale nodded calmly:

"As you wish!"...

"Mr. Commander, please leave me a name.

Are you really unwilling to reconsider this?

We can have equal employment agreements.

Our family will never make any unreasonable demands on your adventuring group."

It was already the second day since everyone left the "Star Valley".

Before leaving, Duke Gavin's eldest son, Ifiro, tried hard to keep Cohen and his group.

Cohen said helplessly:
"Master Gavin, the conditions you offer are generous enough, but I'm sorry, we have reasons why we have to leave."

A gloomy expression appeared on Ifilo's face, and he quickly continued:
“By the way, I’ve also heard about the past of Mr. Arnold Considine.

I have dealt with the noble who coveted his daughter.

Do you think there is anything else I can do for you?"

Cohen was slightly surprised. Although this young master was a little timid, he did not have any dandy habits.

He is very capable and a rare aristocrat.

Cohen thought for a moment, handed the other party a communication stone, and said meaningfully:
“Mr. Gavin, thank you for everything you do for my group.

Please keep this communication stone. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can contact me.

I might be able to provide you with some unexpected help."

Ifilo solemnly accepted the communication stone.

After the two parties exchanged greetings, they said goodbye to each other.

……

It was already the third day since Cohen returned to Florence. In the huge camp, Arnold was engraving the "Spell of Unity" on those orcs.

Following him was a tall and mighty orc, Tanga, the leader of the "Blood Tiger" tribe.

There was already a "heart seal" on Tanga's right arm, and the communication between the two people became much smoother.

He was learning how to engrave the seal from Arnold.

Looking at the scene before her, Asuna said with some emotion:

"A half-orc could actually learn how to engrave a curse?
It was a truly bizarre scene.”

With the help of the "Seal of Concentricity", Tanga's learning speed increased dramatically.

Before long, he was able to independently engrave curses on his own people.

With two people working together, the speed was obviously much faster.

By nightfall, a team of a hundred men, who had been successfully engraved with the curse, stood in front of Cohen in an orderly manner.

It was hard for the orcs to form a straight line of ten people, but now they could form teams of a hundred and practice various tactical moves in an orderly manner.

Not only were Asuna's beautiful eyes filled with shock, but even Arnold, who was in the middle of it, felt as if he were in another world and it was unreal.

Is this the notorious good-for-nothing orc on the continent?
It's simply unimaginable.

After the drill, Arnold's face was filled with excitement and passion, as if he saw himself leading this savage and powerful orcs to sweep through thousands of enemies in the future.

He quickly came to Cohen and said loudly:

"Captain, the blood of the Blood Tiger tribe is passed down through the Bloodthirsty Shadow Tiger bloodline, which, when activated, can cause them to enter a bloodthirsty state.

Both explosive power and movement speed will be greatly increased.

Unfortunately, once these orcs fall into their 'bloodthirst' state, they are difficult to control."

Cohen nodded and said:
“Don’t worry about that.

The ability of the 'Heart Seal' is definitely more than just allowing you to communicate with them normally.

With more training, the 'Spell of Concentricity' can change the physique of these orcs and improve their intelligence.

With more time, they will be able to understand instructions even when they are bloodthirsty."

He asked again:
"How long will it take to engrave the 'Spell of Unity' on all three thousand orcs?"

Arnold estimated the time and replied:

“About three days later, Tanga recommended a few more orcs.

It should save more time after I teach them.”

Cohen said:
"The army moves slowly, so after you finish engraving the curse and train for a month, you can set off first.

The destination is the northern mountains of the Western Region Empire.

After I finish dealing with matters in the royal capital, I will bring Asuna and the others to join you.

I will prepare identification and documents for you, and you will go out as a slave-hunting team."

Cohen looked at Asuna again and asked:
"Are all the food, horses, and logistical supplies ready?"

Asuna, acting like a secretary, replied meticulously:

“The supplies needed for three thousand people for half a year have all been prepared.

The Pale Wings Chambers of Commerce are located along the route from Florence to the northern mountains of the Western Empire.

This is a withdrawal certificate, you can withdraw it at any time."

Cohen asked Nephthys who was standing beside him:

"How much money do we have left?"

Nephthys immediately replied:

"Sir, the liquidity we received from Black Tomb last time included the funds that Pale Wings would use to replace the fixed assets they acquired.

This time, we spent about one-third of our money on purchasing supplies and materials for engraving the curse seal."

Cohen's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked Asuna again:

"How about the second batch of orcs?"

Asuna handed Cohen some proof and continued:

"I was just about to report to you, sir, that the second batch of orcs has almost been gathered. This time there are 5,000 of them. Where do you think it would be appropriate to send them?"

Cohen thought for a moment and said:
"Let's send it to the northern mountains as well.

As for the subsequent expenses, you should discuss with Nephthys and try to equip an army of 10,000 people."

Nephthys immediately made a bitter face and said:

"Didn't you say we need to get the 'Star Guardian Armor' later on? The remaining money is not enough.

Why doesn't sir use the money of the Effiin royal family?"

Cohen patted Nephthys' head:
“Every major expenditure of the royal family must be audited by the Senate, and even the queen cannot use large amounts of funds easily.

I'm afraid she is not as rich as I am now.

Can't we let the whole world know that their King is raising private soldiers?
Otherwise, if my position is exposed, those bastards in the Kingdom of Ceylon will probably instigate a rebellion in the south right away.

Well, you don't have to worry about the money.

When we get to the Land of the Lost, there will be plenty of money.”

When mentioning the second batch of orcs, Cohen realized that he indeed had too few trustworthy generals under his command.

There are only a few thousand people now, and Arnold can still take care of them.

Once a war breaks out in the future, the curtain will be raised on the struggle for hegemony among all nations.

There may be several wars to be fought at the same time, and Arnold alone may be unable to handle it.

We must find ways to train a group of loyal and reliable generals in advance.

How to do?
Do you want to follow Mr. Chang’s example and build an alien version of the Whampoa Military Academy in Aifeiyin?
In his memory, there were indeed several famous generals in his previous life.

But those people were not from Effiin, and they were different from Arnold.

They themselves are descendants of some great nobles, and there are complex political forces behind each of them.

Taking them as your subordinates would only bring trouble to yourself.

Anyway, there are still a few years before a full-scale war breaks out on the mainland, so there is still time to train a group of usable talents.

Although those famous generals cannot be directly recruited as subordinates, it is not a problem to trick them into becoming instructors.

How to carry out this plan? Cohen fell into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)