Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

This empire will be different from the demon realm Thrall attempted to establish, and also different from any loose alliance of city-states in the past.

It will end the endless plundering and war between the major powers in the Lost Lands, establish unified rules for trade and security, and discover and protect arcane heritage.

By leveraging the vast legacy of the Arcane Empire and the already exceptionally powerful native inhabitants of this land, they could become a formidable force capable of standing alongside the five great human empires and jointly maintaining the balance of the continent.

As the creator of the alliance and the hero who fought against the demons, Cohen naturally had enough say to decide who held the highest power in this new empire.

Of course, all of this needs to be considered in the long run.

Cohen was well aware of the difficulties involved; unifying the lost lands would affect the fundamental interests of countless small and medium-sized forces.

These large and small factions, which have survived in the Lost Lands for thousands of years, have become accustomed to independence and autonomy.

They find it difficult to accept being incorporated into a unified empire all at once.

How should power be distributed? How should benefits be shared? To whom should military command be exercised? How should the legitimacy and succession of the future empire be established?

These issues involve core interests from all sides and cannot be resolved by momentary passion or simply by military intimidation.

This requires extremely high political wisdom, ingenious institutional design, lengthy negotiation and maneuvering, and most importantly, the continuous accumulation of merit and authority in the process of fighting Thrall, the demon legion, and even the demon god.

Therefore, the upcoming war against the demons is extremely important!
We need to use the evidence of Thrall's collusion with the demon legions, and the terrifying plans revealed by Viktor, to create a sense of urgency and moral pressure that it's a matter of either uniting or facing annihilation.

Under this consensus, the alliance framework was gradually built, and he, who knew Thrall best and had the strongest external support (the Empire of Man) and internal power (the Endless Alliance and the Mysterious Continent), was given a core leadership position.

As for the ultimate vision of a unified empire, it should only be the deepest strategic goal in the early stages. It should not be rushed, lest it scare away allies or even force forces that could have been won over to side with Thrall.

You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to go step by step.

First, unite people's hearts with the great cause of fighting the demons, then guide the direction with the post-war order, and finally create a brand new unified empire!

Just as Cohen was pondering the intricate power structure of the Lost Lands, planning how to play the grand game of "forming alliances and counter-alliances,"...

His long-awaited right-hand man has finally arrived.

Windsordler's figure appeared silently before Cohen, like the bright moonlight shining through the mist.

Upon seeing Windsordale, Cohen's tense nerves immediately relaxed, as if the heavy burden on his shoulders had lessened, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

Miss Elf is his most trusted and capable wife.

With her by his side to help, the various complicated matters that followed, especially the negotiations and games with those cunning and shrewd leaders of the top powers in the Lost Lands, would undoubtedly be much smoother and more secure.

Windsordler was not only his closest companion, but also an indispensable assistant in his career.

Even in the early, difficult days of the Endless Alliance, Windsordler took on a crucial role in diplomatic liaison and internal coordination.

With her in charge of specific diplomatic communications, Cohen could focus more on strategic decision-making and power integration.

After a brief moment of intimacy with Windsordler, Cohen didn't waste any time and immediately got back to work.

He summoned Ryder Gallo, the head of the Lost Lands of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and solemnly instructed him:

"Ryder, immediately send the highest-level secret meeting invitations to those companies in my name."

The location will be our Endless Alliance's safe room number one, and the time will be three days from now, in the evening.

You will personally act as the messenger to ensure that the invitations are delivered directly to the true leaders of each company.

Tell them that the matter discussed at this invitation is of utmost importance, concerning the life and death of their respective forces, and even the entire Lost Lands.

They were required to have their respective top leaders attend the meeting in person to discuss important matters.

If you are unable to attend in person or can only send a representative, it will be considered as an automatic waiver of your participation in this crucial negotiation that will determine the future of the cooperation, and you will bear the consequences yourself!

Cohen's words were extremely strong, almost like an ultimatum.

He wanted to use this unquestionable, even threatening, assertive stance to send a clear and unambiguous signal to those forces.

A storm is brewing. This is no ordinary gathering that can be dealt with casually. It is a life-or-death decision about which side to take and what the future holds, with no room for negotiation!

Ryder Gallo understood perfectly, fully aware of the significance of this mission, and bowed to accept the order:
"Yes, Your Majesty! I understand and will convey your words verbatim."

Cohen's extremely forceful message was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a stir within those top-tier forces that had been entrenched in the Lost Lands for many years and possessed deep-rooted power.

This has stirred up a huge wave and attracted unprecedented attention.

The leaders of these forces are all shrewd and cunning individuals with keen business sense.

From these unusually harsh words, they immediately sensed an extremely dangerous atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing.

In fact, these forces did not sit idly by after Cohen reminded them about the Chaotic Demon Continent.

With their deep foundations and extensive intelligence networks, they also gathered a great deal of information about the Demon Lord Thrall and the unusual movements of the Chaotic Demon Continent.

The fact that Thrall, the Demon Lord, and Hextech, the Overlord of the Machine Continent, had formed a solid alliance and were preparing for war with ulterior motives was no secret at their level.

Faced with such a perilous situation, these forces have been secretly and actively working together to find reliable allies and band together for mutual support.

In order to prepare for the impending, massive waves that could sweep across the entire Lost Lands.

However, suitable allies are not easy to find.

Small factions are not capable of great things, and each has its own calculations and historical conflicts, making it difficult to fully trust them.

Just as they were getting anxious about this, Cohen's invitation arrived, and in such an irresistible way.

This is Cohen Corleone!

That King Aifein, who has become famous throughout the mainland in recent years and has repeatedly created miracles.

He is the "Lord of Shadows," rumored to be favored by the shadows and possessing unpredictable methods; he is the future consort publicly acknowledged by Empress Sanes Klein of the Central Empire; he is the "Queen Maker" who personally helped Freya Cromwell ascend the throne of Ceylon; and he is also the "Son of Prophecy," favored by the God of Prophecy and admired by the Alliance of Gods, and the "King of War," who displayed astonishing war arts on the battlefield of Ceylon!
This series of dazzling and even terrifying titles and achievements made Cohen's weight in the hearts of these people as heavy as a mountain.

Now that this "big shot" with countless accolades and real power, and with whom they have a history of successful cooperation, has taken the initiative to extend such an urgent and solemn joint invitation, what reason do they have not to come?
This is like a perfect pillow for someone who's sleepy!
It could even be said that if Cohen doesn't take the initiative to contact them soon, they will probably be unable to hold back and will send people to Effie to seek an audience with His Majesty Corleone for cooperation and protection.

After all, looking at the current power map of the Lost Lands, apart from Thrall of Chaos and Hextech, which is allied with him, there are no other powers besides the Lost Lands.

The only remaining top-tier forces with sufficient influence are the Endless Alliance, centered around Cohen, and the Mysterious Continent, a closely related and equally mysterious and powerful faction.

Since they were unwilling to submit to the demon lord Thrall, who clearly harbored malicious intentions, cooperating with or even forming an alliance with Cohen and his Endless Alliance, who had a good foundation of cooperation and were extremely powerful and well-connected, became their wisest, and almost only, option at the moment.

Therefore, when Ryder Gallo arrived at the six factions with Cohen's harsh words, the reactions he received were surprisingly consistent.

Almost none of the leaders made any excuses, all expressing their intention to personally attend the meeting and discuss a major plan to deal with the crisis.

At the appointed time, on the edge of the Endless Alliance controlled area, there was a small manor villa that looked ordinary but was actually heavily guarded, with understated interior decoration that exuded sophistication and seclusion.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the Lost Lands, this place is shrouded in layers of magical barriers, enough to keep out any uninvited prying eyes.

As dusk fell.

A luxurious carriage, pulled by four agile nightmare beasts, silently passed through a path concealed by a magic circle and slowly came to a stop in front of the villa's gate.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man wearing a dark brown short fur coat stepped out.

The man was lean and wiry, unlike the bloated and wealthy appearance of a typical merchant. Instead, he resembled a sharp blade sheathed in its sheath—capable, slender, and with a broad frame.

The muscle definition subtly reveals a sense of power beneath the well-fitting clothing.

His skin was a healthy bronze color from years of hard work, his face was angular, and his gaze swept across the surroundings with the sharpness of an eagle.

This man is none other than Sebastian Conrad, the supreme leader of "Unicorn Trading Company," the largest trading network in the Lost Lands.

Rather than a wealthy business leader, he was more like a seasoned veteran who had fought countless battles and survived countless life-and-death struggles.

Always maintain a high level of vigilance and initiative.

Unicorn Trading Company's footprint extends across the oases of the Lost Lands, and it even has clandestine trade relations with the human continent and certain neutral planes.

Their wealth and influence are enough to shake the economic lifeline of a region.

Upon seeing Conrad at the villa entrance, Ryder Gallo, who had been standing patiently waiting, immediately strode forward, stopped at just the right distance, and bowed respectfully.

"President Conrad, welcome to our Endless City!"

Conrad smiled gently, stepped forward, and patted Ryder on the shoulder affectionately.

"Gallo, it's been a long time."

You are now a capable lieutenant under His Majesty Corleone, and your future is bright.

"Come visit our Unicorn Trading Company more often when you have time, and try the Moonlight Tea I just got from the Elf Forest."

Ryder Gallo responded with a professional smile, polite yet tactful: "You flatter me, Your Excellency. I am honored by His Majesty's trust and will do my utmost. I have taken note of your invitation."

If I have the opportunity, I will certainly trouble you.

As he spoke, he turned to the side and gestured "please," leading Conrad into the villa, but his pace was slow, as if he knew there were still guests who had not yet arrived.

Sure enough, just as Conrad and Ryder were exchanging brief pleasantries...

In the open space of the small square in front of the villa, space slightly distorted, and a soft, pure white light suddenly shone.

The light flashed and disappeared in an instant, and a figure appeared in the same spot.

The newcomer was dressed in an immaculate white clergy robe, an ancient style with intricate runes embroidered in silver thread along the edges.

He held an ordinary-looking oak cane in his hand, but at the top was a milky-white gem that emitted a faint glow.

His silver-gray hair was meticulously combed, and he exuded a dignified aura that calmed the mind.

It is His Majesty Dominic Reed, the contemporary pope of the "Fallen Church".

The so-called "fallen church" does not worship evil; its core doctrine is "accepting imperfection and seeking salvation and sublimation in depravity."

In the Lost Land, a land filled with suffering, sin, and struggle, there are many believers, and their influence extends to all levels of society.

As a pope serving a minor deity, His Majesty Reed's strength is only at the high level of the legendary rank, and he may not be the top in terms of personal combat power.

However, the power of faith he represents, the vast base of believers, and the wealth and knowledge accumulated by the church are enough to make any force dare not underestimate him.

Normally, this pope keeps a low profile and rarely makes public appearances.

The fact that he came in person shows that the pressure from the Demon Lord Thrall has forced this religious leader to humble himself, step out of the sanctuary, and seek worldly cooperation.

After Pope Reed appeared, his gaze calmly swept over Conrad and Ryder at the door, and he nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Bank President Conrad and the Pope were clearly old acquaintances; Conrad's formulaic smile became more sincere, and he took two steps forward, his tone carrying appropriate respect.
"Your Majesty Reed, you have come in person. It seems that His Majesty Corleone has a grand purpose in convening this meeting."

Pope Reed's voice was calm and magnetic, seemingly possessing a soothing power:
"President Conrad, the situation is dire. It is truly a blessing for Lost Lands that His Majesty Corleone has stepped forward to summon us."

The two influential figures stood at the villa entrance and began to converse in hushed tones.

Ryder Gallo stood by, not disturbing the conversation, but occasionally glancing at the path leading to the manor.

Before long, the main figures of this meeting, which was destined to influence the future of the Lost Lands, arrived one after another at this villa that was destined to be recorded in history.

A luxurious magical carriage covered with anti-magic detection runes silently glided into the courtyard. The door opened, and a middle-aged gentleman dressed in a black tuxedo and wearing a gold-rimmed monocle stepped out gracefully.

He toyed with a gold coin that kept changing colors in his hand, his eyes sharp, and a half-smile playing on his lips.

It is Ilya Taiwo, the current head of the Taiwo family, a well-known financial tycoon in the Lost Lands.

Almost simultaneously, the crisp, rhythmic sound of horses' hooves came from the path on the other side.

Two magnificent white horses pulled a classic carriage slowly towards us.

The carriages are of an ancient style, and the family crests are solemn and elaborate.

The car door opened, and an elderly man dressed in traditional aristocratic hunting attire stepped out steadily. His face was dignified, his eyes piercing, and he exuded the air of a nobleman who had long held a high position and the composure of someone who had experienced the vicissitudes of life.

This is the patriarch of the Solari family, a long-established and deeply rooted noble family in the Lost Lands, Duke Adrian Solari.

Finally, a mechanical roar, utterly out of place with the tranquil atmosphere of the manor, approached from afar.

A rugged, heavily armored vehicle roughly rolled across the lawn and stopped in front of the villa.

The car door was pushed open from the inside with a "bang," and a bald, burly man with an unusually tall and robust build, resembling a brown bear, jumped out.

He had a fierce, fleshy face and wore a heavy leather coat that looked like it could be used as armor, with a bulging waist.

He grinned widely, revealing a set of teeth yellowed from tobacco, and his voice was as loud as a bell:

"Haha, looks like I'm not late."

This place is nice, but the roads are a bit effeminate!

This man is Gustav Nilsson, a notorious arms dealer and head of a private armed contractor in the Lost Lands and the surrounding area.

Their family's presence can be seen in almost every war in the Lost Lands.

Even many of the weapons and equipment used by human kingdoms are provided by the Nilsson family.

At this point, the leaders of the five most influential top forces in the Lost Lands, the former group of six investors, have all gathered in front of this seemingly inconspicuous villa.

Conrad of Unicorn Trading Company, Pope Reed of the Fallen Church, Ilya of Taivo Bank, Duke Adrian of the Solari family, arms magnate Nilsson, plus the intelligence forces behind Ryder Gallo.

They represent wealth, faith, finance, traditional nobility, intelligence, and violence, encompassing all aspects of the secular power in the Lost Lands.

At this moment, because of the threat from the Demon Lord Sal, and because of the forceful summons by Cohen Corleone, these important figures who usually kept to themselves finally stood under the same doorway.

Anyone with even a slight understanding of the power distribution in the Lost Lands would find this scene unbelievable upon witnessing it firsthand.

The five figures before us are: Conrad, who wields a vast commercial empire; Pope Reed, who commands millions of followers; Taiwo, who manipulates the finances of the Lost Lands; Duke Solari, who represents the glory of ancient nobility; and Nilsson, who controls the channels of deadly violence.

Each of them was a giant in their respective field or territory, whose mere presence could shake the entire region.

Even the five strongest oasis-level powers in the Lost Lands, nominally the most powerful, would not dare to underestimate the wealth, faith, finance, tradition, and military might represented by these five combined.

However, at this moment, these five important figures, who are usually elusive and each hold sway over their own territories, are gathered so discreetly outside this small villa.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Ryder Gallo took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in his heart.

He knew that the crucial moment that would determine the future of the Lost Lands would be in the next meeting.

Without saying another word, he stepped forward and gestured "please" to the five distinguished guests, his voice steady:
"Distinguished lords, His Majesty Corleone has been waiting for you in the living room for some time. Please follow me."

President Conrad, Pope Reed, Ilya Taiwo, Duke Adrian Solari, and Gustav Nilsson exchanged a knowing glance upon hearing this.

No one spoke, but they nodded slightly in tacit agreement, and then followed Ryder Gallo's steady steps, stepping into the villa's not-so-spacious gate one by one.

After passing through a short entrance hallway filled with shielding magical runes, the view suddenly opened up before me.

It is an elegantly decorated and tastefully furnished living room that is not overly luxurious.

The fireplace burned with a magical flame that exuded warmth and tranquility, while the soft light from the crystal chandelier illuminated the living room brightly.

Everyone's attention immediately focused on the main seat in the living room.

Cohen Corleone sat upright on the sofa, dressed in a simple dark casual suit, yet naturally exuding a calm and dignified air.

With a faint smile on his face, he calmly met the five people who walked in. His smile was neither overly enthusiastic nor arrogant, as if he were simply welcoming some long-lost old friends.

Beside Cohen sat a woman of exceptional beauty.

With her upright and elegant posture, wearing an elegant long dress in an elfin style, her stunning face was like a statue under the moonlight.

Without needing an introduction, the people present immediately recognized her identity.

Windsorwinder, the Elf Queen whom Cohen recently married, comes from the court of the Middle Empire and was formerly the Minister of the Interior for Empress Shanes Klein.

She is also the current Elf Queen's disciple and the designated successor to the Elf Queen.

However, to the slight surprise of these five well-traveled tycoons, another woman was sitting opposite Cohen and Windsordler at the main guest seat on the other side of the living room.

While both possess stunningly beautiful faces, their temperament is completely different from Windsordler's elegant and ethereal demeanor. Instead, Windsordler exudes a noble and aloof air, carrying the regal majesty of someone who has long held a position of power.

President Conrad, Pope Reed, and others were well-versed in the political landscape and important figures of the human continent. Their gazes lingered on the face of this unfamiliar and distinguished woman for a moment, and based on her demeanor and the reason for her presence here, they quickly determined her identity.

After a brief silence, President Conrad stepped forward first, his smile growing even warmer, and bowed to Cohen and Windsordler, who were seated at the head of the table, as well as the female guest.
“Sebastian Conrad greets His Majesty His Majesty Corleone and Her Highness Princess Windsor.”

He paused, then turned his gaze to the woman in the guest seat, his tone filled with respect:

"This beautiful lady must be the famous Princess Grace Tang of the Eastern Empire."

"I have long admired Your Highness's name and handsome appearance; it is a great honor to meet you today!"

The other four, including Pope Reed, also bowed to Cohen, Windsordler, and Grace, though their attitudes differed depending on their personalities and statuses.

But the basic etiquette and the respect shown to the three "important figures" present were consistent.

Cohen smiled and raised his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities.
"Gentlemen, you have come from afar. I apologize for not greeting you properly. Please have a seat!" (End of Chapter)