Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

A ghostly green flame instantly ignited in the eyes of the Demon Lord Thrall. He no longer concealed his intentions, leaning forward with undisguised urgency in his voice:

“Miss Mavis, your ‘lover’… no, this ‘Mr. Mayne’ certainly sounds like a rare talent.”

You just said that because of your relationship, he trusts you completely and even, as an intelligence officer, proactively revealed his identity to you.

So, based on your understanding of him and your friendship, how confident do you think we are in getting him to come to our side?

Should we use him to our advantage and work together to achieve unification?

Sal's question hits the nail on the head: can this person be controlled?

Can it truly serve the chaotic Demon Continent?
How reliable was Mavis's relationship with him, and was it enough to make him betray his lord?

Everyone is waiting for Mavis's answer, which could very well be the key to the outcome of the entire Twilight Continent campaign.

Under the expectant and sharp gaze of the Demon Lord Sal, Mavis's exquisite face revealed a perfectly measured confidence. She slowly nodded and said with certainty:
"My Lord, the reason I am being frank about my relationship with Mayne in front of you all today is because I am quite confident that I can persuade Mayne to see the bigger picture and choose to serve our Chaotic Demon Continent."

"To contribute to Your Excellency's great cause of unification."

Upon hearing this, the demon lord Thrall's eerie green flames flickered, clearly indicating his extreme satisfaction with the answer.

He promised almost without thinking:

"Very well! Miss Mavis, if you can truly persuade Mr. Maine to abandon his evil ways and join my Chaotic Demon Continent, I hereby promise you—a title, land, wealth, power, status, and even the forbidden knowledge and power he craves..."

Everything I can give is negotiable!
He will become a founding hero of the new empire, enjoying all the honors commensurate with his talent and achievements!
In my chaotic Demon Continent, I never fail to reward true talent and meritorious service!

This promise was resounding and full of the ambition of a leader and the sincerity to attract talent.

For an intelligence agent who has been lying low and operating in the shadows for a long time, the opportunity to "launder" their identity, rise to the top in one step, wield real power, and even possibly come into contact with higher-level forces is undoubtedly extremely tempting.

Mavis smiled, as if relieved, and bowed slightly.

"With the Demon Lord's assurance, I have no more doubts."

However, Mayne's biggest concern wasn't about her treatment, but rather..." She hesitated slightly before finally saying, "After all, he once served the Mysterious Continent, and his identity is sensitive."

Your subordinate is worried that this might cause you and your colleagues to harbor doubts about him and find it difficult to fully trust him.

The Demon Lord Thrall seemed quite magnanimous about this; he waved his hand and said in a deep voice:
“Miss Mavis is overthinking it. It doesn’t matter who you served in the past. What matters is who you will serve in the future, and… whether you can prove that loyalty.”

As long as he sincerely pledges allegiance and has no disloyalty to me or to the great cause of the future of Chaotic Demon Continent, he can prove his value and loyalty through concrete actions.

Then, I will trust him and rely on him without reservation, just as I trust you!
In our Chaotic Demon Continent, we only ask for ability and loyalty, not for birth!

Upon hearing this, Mavis's face showed gratitude and relief. She said no more, and firmly stated:
"With your words, sir, I am at ease."

"Without delay, I will try to contact him in the next two days to convey your sincerity and invite him to the Chaotic Demon Continent to meet with you and your colleagues."

The Demon Lord Thrall slowly nodded, his voice regaining its composure:

"Very well, I'll leave this matter entirely to you. I look forward to meeting Mr. Maine."

The two days passed in the blink of an eye amidst the tense pre-war preparations and the undercurrents of various forces.

It was still that hidden palace deep beneath the Eternal Night Royal Court, filled with an oppressive and abyssal aura—"The Eye of the Abyss".

Thrall, the Demon Lord, still sat on the Shadow Throne, surrounded by his important city-state lords, tribal chiefs, core generals, and several mysterious "sleeper agents."

The atmosphere was even more somber than two days ago, with everyone's eyes filled with curiosity and scrutiny towards the upcoming "newcomer."

They were all waiting, waiting for the mysterious figure whom Mavis called "Chief Intelligence Officer of Twilight Continent," "Traitor of Mysterious Continent," and "Former Employee of Ryder Gallo"—"Maine."

Finally, a series of footsteps, not hurried but unusually clear, came from the corridor outside the door, growing louder as they approached.

The footsteps were steady and powerful, carrying a unique rhythm, as if they were treading on the heartstrings of everyone present.

The heavy stone door slowly opened inward with a low, grinding sound.

The first to enter was still the graceful and aloof Mavis.

Following half a step behind her, calmly stepping into this core area of ​​the highest power in the chaotic Demon Continent, was a handsome young man with a youthful face and a tall, well-proportioned figure.

The young man was dressed in a well-tailored dark gray traveler's outfit, with a dark hooded cloak over it, and a simple, antique-style longsword casually hanging at his waist.

His features were exquisitely perfect, with a high nose bridge and slightly thin lips. What was most striking was his slightly messy, yet unruly, short black hair.

And a unique temperament that naturally emanates from him, a blend of youthful vitality and a calm and detached demeanor that comes from having experienced the vicissitudes of life.

This person is none other than Cohen, who has been carefully disguised with the "devil mask".

In order to make the affair with Mavis more believable, Cohen did not hide his already top-notch charm while disguised. As a result, as soon as he entered the room, his appearance and temperament alone instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.

Upon seeing Cohen's outstanding appearance and demeanor, many people in the hall had subtle changes in their gazes.

The previous rumors about "Mavis keeping a gigolo" seem to have been confirmed to some extent.

This appearance certainly has the appeal to make any woman's heart flutter, even a "rose with thorns" like Mavis.

Many male generals had a strange look in their eyes, but they quickly suppressed these emotions.

As Mavis led Cohen to the center of the hall, all the prominent figures present, regardless of their true thoughts, made gestures of respect to this "newcomer."

They might cup their hands, bow slightly, nod in greeting, or perform their own clan's special etiquette.

Cohen remained calm, his gaze meeting all eyes with composure, finally settling on the chilling darkness above the throne and those eyes burning with eerie green flames.

He bowed slightly, performing a customary greeting common in the Lost Lands, and spoke in a clear, steady, and neither humble nor arrogant voice:

"Mayne, a former intelligence agent from the Mysterious Continent, has come to pay homage to the Demon Lord at the invitation of Miss Mavis."

May the glory of the great man shine upon the lost land.

After Cohen finished speaking, the Demon Lord Thrall actually stood up from the shadow throne that symbolized supreme power and walked down the steps one by one.

The dark magic swirling around him surged slightly with his movements. He stopped a short distance in front of Cohen, his gaze sweeping over him like a searchlight, and he uttered words of admiration:
"Mr. Maine is indeed a man of extraordinary bearing and handsome appearance."

Standing next to Miss Mavis, the jewel of our continent's intelligence agency, they are a match made in heaven, a perfect couple.

Cohen wore a polite smile, neither overly enthusiastic nor obsequious, and bowed slightly again, his voice clear and melodious:

"You flatter me, Lord Demon Lord. I am unworthy of such praise from you."

However, after this seemingly ordinary exchange of pleasantries, the Demon Lord Sal's eyes suddenly narrowed, his gaze sharp as a knife, fixed on Cohen, as if he had discovered something unusual.

A look of obvious surprise appeared on his face, and he couldn't help but say:
“Mavis,” Sal’s gaze shifted to Mavis beside him, but his attention was clearly still on Cohen, “this Mr. Mayne’s aura… seems somewhat… unusual.”

Although he concealed himself extremely well, appearing almost indistinguishable from an ordinary person, I have dealt with the power of the abyss for many years and am most sensitive to this primal aura. Could it be…?

He didn't finish his sentence, but the guess was already obvious.

Caught off guard, Cohen wore a perfectly timed expression of helplessness. He gave a wry smile, shook his head, met Sal's probing gaze, and frankly admitted it, his voice tinged with self-deprecation:
"As expected, the Demon Lord has keen insight and can see through even the smallest details."

I tried my best to hide it, but I still couldn't escape your notice.

He paused slightly, as if making up his mind, and then said clearly:
"Indeed, I do possess a trace of faint demonic blood from a distant ancestor."

Otherwise, perhaps they wouldn't have chosen to make a living in the Lost Lands. "Demon bloodline!"
Although Sal's guess was close to the truth, a suppressed gasp still rippled through the hall when Cohen admitted it himself.

The expressions on everyone's faces instantly became more complicated.

The eerie green flames in the eyes of the Demon Lord Sal suddenly leaped, revealing a blazing light as if he had discovered an "unexpected treasure"!
The newcomer was not only a top intelligence officer from the Mysterious Continent and a former subordinate of Ryder Gallo, but also had demonic blood flowing through his veins!
This is simply a "chosen one" bestowed upon the chaotic continent of Demonia and upon Thrall himself!
A hybrid with demonic blood is naturally closer to the power of the abyss, and may have unexpected advantages in controlling, commanding, and even fighting alongside the demonic legion in the future!

This instantly raised his assessment of Cohen's value to a new level, and most of his doubts dissipated—it was only natural for someone with demon blood to join the Chaotic Demon Continent, which was allied with demons.

"Hahaha!"

The Demon Lord Thrall let out a deep, hearty laugh, patted Cohen on the shoulder, and said:
"So that's how it is! No wonder I feel an extraordinary affinity with you! I've dealt with the allies of the Abyss for a long time, so I'm naturally more sensitive to this kind of aura."

"Mr. Mayne, please don't take it to heart. Possessing demonic blood means you have a natural affinity with my Demon Continent and with the future great empire!"

Anyone could see that the discovery of the demon bloodline had greatly increased his trust in and regard for Cohen.

However, the Demon Lord Thrall is, after all, a powerful figure who has ruled the chaotic Demon Continent for many years. Despite the surprise, the necessary procedures and reviews will certainly not be lacking.

Next, he asked Cohen several key questions, seemingly casually but in fact in a series of interconnected questions, thus beginning his formal examination of Cohen.

These questions include Cohen's specific missions in the Mysterious Continent as an intelligence officer, his past with Ryder Gallo, his understanding of the Twilight Continent, and his motivations and expectations for joining the Chaotic Continent.

At the same time, a magic circle emitting soul fluctuation detection energy quietly lit up on the palace floor. This was a high-level detection circle specifically used for lie detection and verifying the truthfulness of words.

Cohen had already gone through countless rehearsals and discussions with Mavis, Belmod, and others about every detail of the identity of "Main".

In addition, Cohen has already reached the top level of willpower, so ordinary monitoring arrays have no effect on him at all.

Cohen responded calmly and answered flawlessly, demonstrating his professional competence as a top intelligence officer and his in-depth understanding of the Twilight Continent (offering some "real" information, confirmed by Ryder Gallo, but not involving the core military intelligence network, as a sign of sincerity).

He cleverly attributed his motivation for seeking refuge to "seeing the future trends of the Lost Lands", "seeking a platform where he could better realize his value and aspirations", and... he subtly mentioned that "meeting Miss Mavis has given me much more to look forward to in the Chaotic Demon Continent".

His answer perfectly matched the feedback from the magic circle, without any flaws.

The last trace of scrutiny in the eyes of the Demon Lord Thrall completely transformed into appreciation and satisfaction.

With the review passed, the Demon Lord Thrall was in high spirits. He returned to his throne, but instead of sitting down, he announced in a loud voice, as if announcing an important appointment:
"Mr. Mayne is exceptionally talented and capable, and he knows the Twilight Continent inside and out."

At this critical juncture, I have decided to appoint Mr. Maine as the Chief of Staff for War on my Chaotic Demon Continent!

The position of "Chief of Staff" holds a prestigious position in the military system of the chaotic Demon Continent, usually second only to the commander-in-chief. The Chief of Staff is responsible for formulating specific combat plans, coordinating various armies, analyzing intelligence, and proposing strategic recommendations. He is one of the de facto brains of the campaign.

The fact that Sal appointed Cohen, who was new to the job, demonstrates his recognition and appreciation of Cohen's abilities, and is also a key step in quickly integrating him into the core decision-making circle.

After everyone had processed the news, Thrall continued:
"Chief of Staff Maine, your primary task is to assist me and the frontline commander in formulating and refining the final operational plan for the conquest of Twilight Continent."

You have the right to access all military intelligence regarding Twilight Continent, participate in all relevant military meetings, and offer your opinions.

Once the Twilight Continent is conquered, you will be the most meritorious! At that time, I will reward you according to your merits, bestowing upon you the title, fiefdom, and glory you deserve!

Cohen performed a formal bow and said in a deep voice:
"Mayne obeys. I will certainly live up to your trust and do my utmost for the great cause of unifying the Chaotic Demon Continent!"

Thus, under the name "Maine," Cohen, with his meticulously crafted "perfect identity" and the crucial bargaining chip of "demon bloodline," successfully infiltrated the core of the Demon Lord Sal's camp.

He then secured the crucial position of "Chief of Staff for War".

And he and Mavis, the lovers who had been separated for a long time, finally stood "side by side" again in the depths of the demon cave in this special way.

……

The investigation and interactions at the Eternal Night Royal Court were like a silent battle that lasted for an entire day.

With his impeccable handling of the situation and his accurate grasp of the intelligence on Twilight Continent, Cohen successfully established a foothold in the inner circle of the Demon Lord Thrall.

His seamless collaboration with Mavis, one playing the role of introducer and "lover," and the other the role of a top intelligence officer with lofty ambitions who came to join him, was impeccable.

At Mavis's introduction, Cohen had a brief exchange with several powerful figures, including "Blood Axe" Balzac, "Shadow Whisperer" Morena, and General Secretary Nax.

He demonstrated both professionalism and the caution and respect for his seniors expected of a newcomer, leaving everyone with a reliable and trustworthy initial impression.

As per Thrall's plan, the war command for the conquest of Twilight Continent will be located in the core area of ​​the Night Royal Court, so that the Demon Lord can personally oversee the operation and ensure absolute security and secrecy in communication with allies in the Abyss.

However, the actual setup and activation of the command post would take several days, so Sal gave everyone three days to handle their final personal matters and prepare the troops.

Therefore, after his initial appearance and receiving his mission, Cohen naturally followed Mavis and left the oppressive atmosphere of the Eternal Night Royal Court, returning to Mavis's territory—the Potion City-State, the Castle of the God of Music.

Unlike the oppressive atmosphere of the Chaotic Demon Continent, the Castle of Music God has its own unique character.

The castle's interior is spacious, and its decoration blends elegance, mystery, and artistry.

Exquisite carvings, hanging exotic musical instruments, fragrant magical plants, and murals depicting complex musical scores and mysterious symbols can be seen everywhere.

A delightful, subtle fragrance permeates the air; this is the realm of Mavis, the palace of the "musician."

Stepping into the deepest part of the castle, into Mavis's private bedroom, the heavy, enchanted door closed silently behind her, isolating her from all outside prying eyes and noise.

There are only two of them here.

Cohen's disguise faded away gently, like ripples on water.

It revealed the face beneath, a face that Mavis knew all too well, a face she longed for day and night—handsome, with well-defined features, eyes as deep as the starry sky, and brows that carried the majesty of someone who had long held a high position and the composure of someone who had weathered many storms.

At this moment, however, having shed all pretense and defenses, she reveals her undisguised longing and love.

No words.

The tension that had been building up under dangerous conditions crumbled at that moment.

Cohen stepped forward and embraced Mavis tightly.

The force was so great that it seemed as if he wanted to meld her into his own body, to make up for every single moment they had been forced to separate.

Mavis let out a soft moan that was almost a sigh, wrapped her arms around his neck without hesitation, tilted her head back, and took the initiative to meet his kiss, which carried endless longing and burning heat.

Suppressed emotions, like a burst dam, instantly overwhelmed the banks of reason.

Cohen scooped her up in his arms; Mavis was so light she seemed weightless. Instead of heading towards the large, ornate bed in the palace, they went to a corner of the palace.

There, a grand piano, crafted entirely from dark magic wood and mithril and inlaid with tiny moonstone fragments, stands quietly, its elegant and mysterious design captivating.

This is one of Mavis's most beloved instruments, and an extension and symbol of her "Player" sequence abilities. Normally, no one but herself can touch it.

Cohen gently placed Mavis on the cool, smooth piano lid. The latter leaned back slightly, her eyes misty and shimmering, carrying a hint of provocation and irresistible allure...

His voice was low and husky, yet filled with an unprecedented tenderness: "Welcome back, my king..."

Cohen chuckled softly, his chest vibrating:
"Am I doing a good job as a 'pretty boy,' Commander Mavis?"

Mavis couldn't help but smile, gently punching him, then hugging him even tighter, burying her face in his neck, and whispering:

"Stop talking... Just like that, let's hug a little longer. In three days... it will be the Eternal Night Royal Court again, Thrall again, and war again."

Cohen tightened his grip, responding silently... (End of Chapter)