Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Stevens remained silent for a long time, as if he was digesting Victor's terms of the deal.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze shifting from the broken stone slabs of the hall floor to Victor's face, his voice extremely low:
"Mr. Victor, is your sudden need for such a massive amount of food because a large-scale war is about to break out in the Lost Lands?"

Where is the target...?

Viktor frowned, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

He took half a step forward, and the chilling aura emanating from him, disguised as a businessman, became even more intense. His voice also suddenly turned cold, carrying an undisguised warning:
"Baron Stevens, for the sake of our relatively pleasant cooperation in the past, I have a piece of advice for you."

Knowing too much about certain things will not do you any good, nor will it do your exiled emperor any good.

All you need to understand is that you should do what I tell you to do, and secure a decent place for you and your master to live in the new order.

I can also tell you something else: if things go well, we will help King Gaius return to the throne of Ceylon, and the restoration of the kingdom is not entirely impossible.

But the prerequisite is that you demonstrate sufficient value now, instead of asking inappropriate questions here!

However, Stevens' subsequent reaction completely exceeded Victor's expectations.

After hearing his words, which were half threat and half enticement, Stevens showed no fear or greed. Instead, it was as if the last sentence had completely ignited a long-suppressed anger.

He leaned forward slightly, his voice suddenly rising, questioning with barely suppressed anger:

"Restore the kingdom?"
Haha... What a brilliant 'restoration of the kingdom'!
"Lord Viktor, is your so-called 'restoration' to opening the portal to the abyss, allowing the demon legions sealed by the gods to once again set foot on the human continent, turning our ancestral homeland into a living hell with their flames and claws, reducing us all to slaves driven by demons, living a life worse than death?!"

"boom--!"

Viktor felt as if a thunderbolt had exploded in his mind!

The composure and strength he had carefully maintained on his face shattered instantly. His pupils contracted to pinpoints in shock, and a chilling coldness shot up his spine to the top of his head.

The suppressed magic power around him erupted like a dormant volcano!
Deep purple magic surged forth like a tidal wave, instantly filling the entire hall, making the air seem heavy and stagnant.

The already dim light in the hall was further consumed by this violent magic. Victor's figure appeared and disappeared in the churning shadow magic, his eyes shooting out a terrifying light as he locked onto Stevens.

His voice became hoarse with shock and anger:
"who?

Who told you this?!

Viktor was filled with horror.

The cooperation with the Abyss Demon Tribe was the most crucial and top-secret part of Thrall's plan, known to no one except Thrall himself and a few close confidants.

How could Stevens, a long-marginalized remnant of Ceylon, possibly know so much?
Faced with Victor's sudden burst of terrifying pressure and undisguised killing intent, Stevens seemed to have gone all out. Instead of retreating, he took a step forward to meet the suffocating pressure.

His face was no longer tinged with the previous humility and probing; instead, it revealed an almost resolute fierceness.

Ignoring the oppressive shadow magic that seemed to press down on him like a tangible force, he glared at Victor:
"You ask me who told me? I'd like to ask you all!"

'Lionheart Estate'! 'Lionheart Estate' is located on the western outskirts of the capital of Ceylon!
What kind of weird stuff did you set up there?

What were those stone pillars, covered in blasphemous runes and reeking of the abyss, used for?

Viktor! Demon Lord Thrall!

What do you want to do?
You also came from the human continent, and human blood flows in your veins!

Don't think that just because you bear the title of 'Demon Lord,' you can truly consider yourself a lackey of the abyss and forget your roots!

Victor's expression had become completely cold and sinister.

Stevens, however, continued to press on, each word striking at Victor's most sensitive nerves:

"I know everything you're planning to do!"

Now, tell me!

Besides Ceylon, what other noble lords or monarchs on the continent have made dirty deals or signed contracts to sell their souls with you, the traitors of humanity and lackeys of the abyss?

How many other kingdoms and cities harbor similar sinister arrangements as Lionheart Manor in Quesaon?

"Speak! Tell me everything you know!"

A look of seriousness flashed in Victor's eyes.

The other party not only knew about the existence of Lionheart Manor and the stone pillars inside, but also pointed out its abyssal attributes.

This means that the other party may have already obtained solid evidence, and may even have sent people to investigate.

Even more frightening was that the other party was actually interrogating him about the list of other collaborators, which was definitely not something a fugitive who only wanted to "restore his country" would care about.

"You...who are you!"

A terrible thought came to Viktor's mind.

trap!

This is a carefully designed trap!

Realizing he might have fallen into a carefully planned trap, Viktor's eyes flashed with a murderous glint, and he no longer harbored any thoughts of taking chances or investigating.

We must immediately eliminate Stevens, who knows too much and has clearly defected, and then evacuate as quickly as possible to send back news of the attack.

His reaction was swift; as he uttered the question, a ball of dark energy, constantly collapsing and rotating inside, condensed in his right palm.

This is his signature move, designed to break through energy shields and physical defenses. Touching it will trigger a chain of energy annihilation, enough to severely injure or even kill an unsuspecting expert of the same level in an instant.

Without the slightest hesitation, Victor flicked his wrist, and the energy ball shot towards Stevens, who was several steps away, like a black arrow released from a bowstring, at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow.

However, just as the black energy sphere, containing terrifying annihilation power, was about to touch Stevens' body, a sudden change occurred.

The air around Stevens, which had been empty, began to ripple violently like waves.

A tall, imposing figure seemed to emerge from nothingness, arriving first despite being behind, and positioned precisely between Stevens and the deadly black ball.

What made Victor's pupils shrink even more was that the figure did not dodge, nor did it cast any fancy defensive spells. It simply raised its right hand seemingly casually and grabbed straight at the energy ball that was enough to collapse half a mountain.

"Boom——"

The expected earth-shattering explosion did not occur.

The pitch-black energy sphere, radiating terrifying energy, vanished the moment it touched the palm, as if it had disappeared into thin air.

The violent energy fluctuations were forcibly calmed down by an even more domineering force, finally turning into a few wisps of black smoke that drifted away from between the man's fingers and completely disappeared without a trace.

Only then did Viktor get a clear look at the person's face.

He was a handsome young man with a calm demeanor that exuded extraordinary authority. He stood there, seemingly one with his surroundings, yet he also carried an undeniable sense of oppression.

The man wore a calm, almost mocking smile as he looked at Victor, as if what he had casually crushed was not a deadly ninth-tier killing move, but merely an insignificant trick.

The young man spoke slowly, his voice gentle:

“Mr. Victor, we were having a good talk, we hadn’t even finished speaking, why did you suddenly start fighting? This is not the way to treat a guest.”

Seeing this strange man who suddenly appeared and so easily deflected his deadly attack, Viktor's alarm bells went off, and an unprecedented chill instantly swept through his body.

How did this person appear? I didn't even notice! This person's strength is unfathomable, definitely above mine.

Without the slightest hesitation, Victor didn't even bother to consider the other party's identity. His instincts, honed by years of living on the edge, led him to make the most direct reaction—escape!
He had to leave this hellhole immediately! His figure suddenly swayed, and his whole body, like a melting wax figure, instantly turned into a thick, impenetrable shadow. He was about to use his best skill, "Shadow Traverse," to disappear into the deepest darkness in the corner of the hall and escape thousands of miles away.

However, the next moment, his movements froze.

The dissipated shadow seemed to have crashed into an invisible and intangible wall, and was forcefully "bounced" back. Viktor's true form re-condensed, his face filled with horror.

He suddenly looked up and around, only to discover that this seemingly ordinary, even somewhat dilapidated, abandoned outpost hall had been shrouded in an extremely subtle layer of law power at some point.

Holes in the walls, windows, and dome... all seemingly accessible places are as if coated with an invisible barrier.

His attempt to break through with his peak ninth-tier shadow power was like an ant trying to shake a tree; it didn't budge an inch.

This is no longer an abandoned outpost; it's clearly a perfectly set-up prison!
Viktor's heart sank completely, and his face turned extremely pale.

He was finally completely convinced that he had fallen into a meticulously designed, deadly trap set by someone far more powerful than he had ever imagined.

This "Stevens" was nothing more than bait to lure him into a trap!
The mysterious young man remained standing in the same spot, his faint smile unchanged, his tone even carrying a hint of mockery:

“Mr. Victor, now we can have a proper talk!”

Viktor forced himself to calm down quickly.

He knew that panic and fear were useless at this moment.

He slowly turned around, abandoning his futile attempts to escape, his eyes fixed on the composed young man, and asked, word by word:

"Who...are you?"

Facing Victor's venomous gaze, Cohen's smile deepened slightly. He calmly adjusted his cuffs and met his gaze with composure.

"What? The famous Mr. Victor has been operating and active in the human continent for so many years. His eyes and ears should be all over the place."

"Could it be... that you don't even recognize me?" In extreme shock and panic, Viktor forced himself to calm down, took a deep breath, and focused all his attention on the young man opposite him.

Soon, the expression in the person's eyes gradually overlapped with a face in his mind.

A thought flashed through Viktor's mind, and he gasped in shock:

“Cohen… Cohen Creon!”

The King of Effie?!
This is impossible!

How did you end up here?

How could you possibly know Stevens, know Lionheart, know...all of this?

Viktor was deeply shocked.

King Efein, the young monarch who has risen to power in the Northwest Continent in recent years, actually infiltrated the Lost Lands himself and precisely laid a trap for him!
A chill ran through him—had His Majesty Sal's plans already been discovered by the other side?

In fact, the other party may know more than you think!
Seeing that Victor had finally recognized him, Cohen stopped playing games and said with a cold smile:

"Alright, Mr. Victor."

Now that you've recognized me, I think we can skip the pointless probing and small talk and have a frank and open conversation.

Regarding your master, the Demon Lord Thrall, regarding those sordid deals from the abyss, regarding every malignant tumor you have meticulously planted on the human continent… I hope you will speak frankly and without reservation.

Sensing the undisguised interrogation in Cohen's words, and the unbreakable spatial confinement around them, the last glimmer of hope in Victor's eyes was completely extinguished.

He knew that if he fell into the hands of these two men today, there was absolutely no chance of a peaceful resolution.

Rather than being tortured and humiliated, it's better to...

A resolute glint flashed in his eyes, and the dormant magic within him suddenly erupted like a powder keg, surging wildly in a violent, chaotic, and almost self-destructive manner.

He was going to detonate his own magical core and commit the most devastating self-destruction!
Even if he cannot perish together with his opponent, he must be completely reduced to dust, so that his opponent will not obtain any valuable information from him, and he will not tolerate becoming a bargaining chip to blackmail His Majesty Sal!
However, just as the magic power within him was about to reach its critical point and he was about to self-destruct—

"laugh!"

A beam of deep purple magic, radiating mystery and profound power that seemed capable of freezing the soul, shot out from the void behind Viktor and pierced his body with perfect precision.

"Ugh—!"

Viktor's self-destruction abruptly stopped halfway through. He let out a painful groan, his body trembled violently, and the color drained from his face instantly, as if all his strength had been drained away.

The raging, impending burst of demonic power within his body was forcibly frozen by the invading deep purple demonic power, preventing it from making a ripple.

He tried to summon his magic again, but found that his whole body was as if it were shackled with heavy chains, and he could not even stir up the slightest ripple of magic.

Then, to Viktor's utter astonishment, the previously empty space behind him seemed to have its curtain slowly lifted by an invisible hand.

A mature, tall, and curvaceous figure, whose beauty could make any normal man's heart race, silently appeared.

The newcomer was extremely tall, even taller than an average man, and wore a deep purple mage robe that outlined her breathtaking curves. The robe was embroidered with intricate and ancient purple runes, which shimmered slightly as she appeared.

Every move she made carried a natural elegance and rhythm, and at the same time, an aura of dignified and unapproachable majesty spread out, instantly dispelling any fantasies brought about by her figure.

The only regret was that her face was shrouded in a thick, impenetrable layer of deep purple mist. Amidst the swirling mist, only the outline of her beautiful, fair chin could be vaguely seen, making it impossible to discern her true appearance.

However, based solely on her breathtaking figure, mysterious and noble demeanor, and the silent oppressive aura that could make even the most extraordinary beings below the legendary level tremble, it was enough to conclude that she was an absolutely stunning figure with unparalleled beauty.

However, this figure, which could make countless people fall in love, was seen by Victor as a deadly demon from the deepest depths of the netherworld.

He trembled uncontrollably, ten or even a hundred times more terrified than when he recognized Cohen!
Those eyes, which had been slightly unfocused due to the failed self-destruction, were now wide open to the limit, reflecting the purple figure in their pupils, filled with near-desperate horror!
His lips trembled as he spoke in fear:
"The Cursed Witch, the Lord of Sequences, Vermouth?"

Standing behind Viktor was the ruler of the "Mysterious Continent," a legendary being known for his mystery, power, and ruthlessness—Belmod Vineyard.

She seemed oblivious to Viktor's ghost-like, horrified reaction, and calmly said:

"Now that I've come in person, Viktor, you have no choice but to cooperate obediently with His Majesty Corleone's questioning today."

You should be aware of my capabilities.

The path of curses, manipulating souls and pain, is my area of ​​expertise.

If you don't want to experience all the extreme pain in the world, only to be consumed by eternal curses and torment until your consciousness completely dissipates, leaving you with no chance even to become the lowest of the dead...

"Then put away your pointless little schemes and answer His Majesty Corleone's questions properly!"

Viktor's face instantly turned ashen, his eyes filled with endless despair and gloom.

He knew all too well what the name "Cursed Witch" Belmody meant in the Lost Lands.

It is not only the pinnacle of power, but also the embodiment of mystery, eeriness, and the manipulation of souls.

In her presence, let alone self-destruction, one might not even be able to completely annihilate one's own soul.

Moreover, rumors suggest that she has an even more mysterious "Listener" under her command, who can directly peer into the deepest memories and secrets of living beings, rendering any concealment or resistance futile.

Victor knew that he had become a fish on a chopping board, with no room for further struggle.

He swallowed hard, his once straight back seeming to collapse under an invisible weight, and his voice became unusually low:
"What...do you want to know?"
I can only tell you what I know. There are some things that, even if I know them, I cannot say.

It's not that I don't want to, but that I can't say it.

You should understand that some contracts and prohibitions are etched into the very essence of the soul.

He was referring to the soul pact or demonic spell bondage that existed between him and Thrall, the Demon Lord, which, once triggered, could directly lead to soul collapse or even more terrible backlash.

Upon hearing this, Cohen's stern expression softened slightly. He stepped forward, looking down at Victor, who was slumped on the ground.

"Don't worry, Viktor. We may know far more than you think."

Now, I'll ask, and you'll answer.

The first question—

He paused slightly to make sure Viktor was focused before speaking clearly:

"As the most important liaison and 'white glove' of the Demon Lord Thrall on the human continent, over the years, in his name or to advance his plans, which specific human kingdoms' monarchs, powerful nobles, or important forces have you established secret contacts with, and reached deals or alliances with?"

Also, regarding the question Stevens just mentioned, besides the 'Lionheart Manor' in the capital of Ceylon, in which other countries and specific regions of the human continent have you secretly built or attempted to build 'Demon Pillars' used to draw upon the power of the abyss?
I need to know the location, the quantity, and the current progress!

Hearing these two core questions, Victor did not show much surprise.

He closed his eyes, seemingly engaged in a final psychological struggle, or perhaps sorting through a complex and dangerous collection of memories.

After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes and said:
"There are indeed quite a few human kings and nobles we have contacted."

There are a few small, resource-poor, yet ambitious rulers who are sandwiched between powerful nations and are relatively easy to win over.

Offer them rare magical ores unique to the Lost Lands, rare magical beast materials, or promise them a higher status and greater territory in the future 'New Order'.

They would easily fall for it, signing secret agreements that would allow our caravans or researchers to operate in their border areas.

He paused, seemingly recalling the list:

"But the more numerous and primary partners are the local nobles and border lords who are entrenched in the territories of the major empires and kingdoms."

These people are often far from the central government, acting as local tyrants in their own fiefdoms. They are ambitious but lack opportunities for advancement, or they harbor resentment towards the central government's rule.

They... are actually the easiest to bribe, and among them are even the strongest empires in human history, the Central Empire!

Cohen's eyes suddenly turned serious.

A subtle hint of sarcasm crept into Victor's tone:

"As long as you have what they dream of, whether it's forbidden knowledge to enhance personal strength or prolong life, rare magical materials, or minerals or slave trade channels that can bring huge wealth."

Even some 'rare items' that can satisfy their special fetishes.

They will pounce like sharks smelling blood, willingly giving up resources and manpower from their own territory, and even tacitly allowing us to build some facilities on their land.

For these people, the long-term risks of making a deal with the devil are far less important than the immediate benefits and the leverage they have to defy the central government.

He looked up at Cohen and added:
"The list of these people is very long and they are scattered."

Some are long-term collaborations, while others are just one-off deals.

I have a general outline in my mind, but I need time to recall and list each name and location in detail.

Some of them even require searching through old documents...

Cohen nodded, indicating his understanding:
"The list can be detailed later."

Now let's answer the second question: those who can summon the demon army to the Demon Pillar!

Besides Ceylon, where else have these things been built? (End of Chapter)