Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Bafumie stared grimly at the corpse of his powerful subordinate, a sharp pain shooting through his chest.

A near-legendary figure! This is a near-legendary figure!
In the Lost Lands where even saints cannot appear, the Legendary rank is already the pinnacle of combat power.

And a half-legend who has the potential to break through to the legendary level is undoubtedly the backbone of their respective forces.

Even in the Demon Gold Empire, losing just one person is enough to cause immense pain.

He took a deep breath, his gaze falling on Elder Pollak's corpse, and his expression softened considerably.

All the sacrifices will be worthwhile as long as we can successfully take over this city-state, open the city gates, and welcome the imperial army!
He could almost see the banner of the Magma Empire flying over the Crimson City-State, the approving gaze of His Majesty Thrall, and the immense merits and resources that would allow him to further enhance his power.

Baphomet wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, looked at Adrian, and said in a deep voice:
"Mr. Adrian, hurry, proceed according to plan!"

Time is of the essence right now; we must seize control of the situation before the other high-ranking officials of the city-state can react.

Baphomet signaled to his only remaining half-legendary subordinate to join Adrian in quickly cleaning up the scene, erasing all traces of the battle, and temporarily hiding Cyril's body.

Adrian then found the crimson seal ring, representing the city lord's highest authority, and several emergency troop deployment tokens engraved with intricate runes, in Cyril's inner pocket. He then turned to Cohen and Baphomet and said:
"According to the plan, I will first go to the emergency command center and use these tokens and my authority to try to take over the command system, at least to control two or three urban areas first."

You all remain still and hide here, waiting for my signal.

Once I have the situation under control, I will immediately inform you, and then we will cooperate to open the city gates and welcome His Majesty's army into the city.

Baphomme nodded; this was a procedure agreed upon beforehand.

The most efficient way is for Yadriyan, the "mole," to use his identity and tokens to trick people into taking control.

However, just as Adrian turned to leave, the image of the glittering treasure mountain that Cohen had mentioned before—the Crimson Treasury—suddenly flashed through Baphomet's mind!
Then he suddenly called out to Adrian:
"Wait, Mr. Adrian, where exactly is the Crimson Treasury you mentioned earlier, which is stockpiled with countless resources?"
Now that we've captured Cyril, why not strike while the iron is hot and seize control of the treasury as well? It'll prevent any unforeseen complications!

Adrian chuckled and said:

"If the intelligence is correct, the Crimson Treasury should be located deep underground in the 'Crimson Temple' in the central region of the city-state."

It was not only a crucial place for storing supplies, but also an important magical node and symbolic building of the city-state.

However, it's probably not that simple for Lord Baphomet to control the Crimson Treasury.

The Crimson Temple and its underground vault are not guarded by ordinary city defense troops, but by the 'Twilight Guards', which are independent of the Crimson City-State's command system and directly under the Twilight Continent's Supreme Council.

They only recognize the orders of the Supreme Council and specific bloodline seals. Even if Lord Cyril himself came, he could not easily mobilize them, let alone enter the core of the treasury.

Not only were there elite guards, but the area was also surrounded by countless powerful magical barriers connected to the earth's veins, making it incredibly sturdy.

Their duty is to guard the treasury; even if the city-state falls and foreign enemies invade, they will defend the temple to the death, fighting to the last man.

Baphomet's brows furrowed, the fervor in his eyes cooled slightly, and he pondered:
"Twilight Guard...an independent unit? So, the city lord's warrant we obtained is also invalid against them?"

Adrian nodded slightly:

“Those guards are more like supervisors and safety nets planted by the Twilight Continent to ensure that the most important resources are not lost due to changes in the city-state's rulers or accidents.”

Baphomet looked at his only remaining half-legendary subordinate, then at his own wounded state, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, and said:
"I only have this one capable subordinate left, and I myself am injured. In your opinion, with the two of us at the half-step legendary level, plus some of my methods, is it possible for us to forcefully break through the Crimson Temple and take the treasure vault?"

Adrian shook his head decisively almost without hesitation, his voice becoming more serious:
"Absolutely impossible. The Twilight Guard's combat strength is comparable to that of the elite legions of various countries on the human continent. Moreover, they have the advantage of terrain and rely on the temple's own defensive fortifications and powerful fixed magic arrays, which is enough to resist enemies several times their size."

With only two wounded, half-legendary warriors… forgive my bluntness, but a direct assault would be tantamount to throwing eggs against rocks. Not only would we fail to capture the treasure vault, but we would also prematurely expose our operations, alerting the enemy and causing the entire plan to fail.”

Just then, Cohen, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke, saying:

“My view is the same as Yardrian’s. The most urgent task is to help him take control of the entire Crimson City’s conventional defense system and administrative center, open the city gates, and welcome His Majesty’s army into the city.”

Once the city-state falls into our hands, the Crimson Temple and the Treasury will be sitting ducks.

"At that time, with the combined strength of our army, are we afraid we won't be able to breach a small temple?"

That's the logic, and Baphomet was also aware of the risks of a direct assault.

But once the army arrives, how much of the treasure in that vault will end up in Baphomet's pocket?
His Majesty Sal may reward those who have contributed, but the lion's share will definitely be confiscated. How much will he actually get?
Why is he working so hard, even at the cost of losing a valuable half-step legendary subordinate?
Isn't it just about reaping the greatest benefits for oneself in this first merit and occupying a more advantageous position in the future power landscape of the empire?
The treasure trove before him, so close at hand, was like a poisoned apple emitting an alluring aroma, making him itch with desire.

His eyes flickered, and he was struggling internally.

No, we can't wait! This is a golden opportunity, and it won't come again!

We must find a way to get our hands on the treasure vault before the army arrives, or at least get the most crucial and precious part!

Even if he hands over a portion, the amount he keeps for himself will be enough to make him incredibly wealthy.

A daring and adventurous idea popped into his mind. He looked at Cohen and slowly said:

"Mr. Maine is absolutely right; a direct assault would indeed be unwise."

However, while waiting for the main army is a safer option, it may also give the temple guards time to react and strengthen their defenses, and even give them the opportunity to move or destroy some of the treasures.

To be honest, in order to ensure the success of this operation, His Majesty secretly dispatched an elite guard to accompany the main army, as a surprise force and a trump card, which I directly command.

This guard is small in number, but consists of battle-hardened elites who excel at raids and small-scale special operations.

They were currently lying in ambush at a pre-arranged location not far outside the city.

How about this? Let's not rush into a full-scale launch; that would be too much of a commotion.

Perhaps we should have Mr. Adrian use his warrant and authority to find a way to control the east gate and quietly open a gap to let my elite guard in.

They were few in number, had a small target, and acted quickly.

Then, I will personally lead this guard, along with myself, and we will concentrate our forces to launch a swift surprise attack on the Crimson Temple, catching them completely off guard!
We don't need to wipe out all the guards. We just need to break through the defenses quickly, rush into the core area of ​​the treasure vault, grab the most important items, and leave.

Then immediately a signal was sent, and Adrian launched a full-scale attack, opening all the city gates to welcome His Majesty's army.

In this way, we can seize the key resources of the treasure trove first without affecting the overall situation!

As Baphomet spoke, he became increasingly convinced of the plan's feasibility, and his voice took on a seductive tone:

“Mr. Maine, what do you think? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

If we act quickly and ruthlessly enough, we can succeed before the garrison and temple guards can react.

When the time comes, the primary credit will be for conquering the city-state, and the extra reward for the treasure trove... hehe, you'll naturally get a share too!

Cohen listened quietly to Baphomet's "brilliant plan," his brows visibly furrowed.

“Mr. Baphomet, this may differ from His Majesty Sarr’s established battle strategy.”

His Majesty's decree is clear: to take over the Crimson City-State at the lowest cost and fastest speed, open the southeastern gateway, and intimidate the Twilight Continent.

Our core objective is to control the entire city, ensuring the smooth entry and establishment of our army.

If we divide our forces now to launch a strong attack on the Crimson Temple, and the battle with the Crimson Temple's guards becomes a stalemate, making it impossible to achieve a quick victory, the commotion of the battle will inevitably be impossible to conceal.

Once the entire city-state is alerted, our advantage of surprise will vanish.

Don't forget that in addition to Cyril, the Crimson City-State also has a deputy city lord and several core generals with real power stationed in various places.

Once they detect anything amiss, they can immediately activate the city-state's self-defense system!
You may not have a deep enough understanding of the vampire city-state's defense system.

As far as I know, the core areas of important border city-states under the Twilight Continent are often shrouded in a large, complex defensive array called the 'Blood Moon Veil' or something similar.

This magic array not only provides powerful regional protection, but more importantly, when fully activated, it has the ability to automatically divide urban areas and form independent defense units.

At that time, various blocks and important buildings may be separated by temporary magical barriers, and our people will be divided, isolated, and forced to fight their own battles.

Yadrian's most important task now, besides using the warrants to control the administration and part of the military, is to find a way to control the core control node of the magic circle.

"If we launch a large-scale attack on the temple now and alert the garrison, they might immediately activate the core of the magic array. Even if it's only partially activated, it would be enough to cause us a huge problem in taking over the entire city!" Cohen's words were reasonable, pointing out the risk of unauthorized action disrupting the overall strategy and hinting at the serious consequences of greed for personal gain.

The worry on his face was acted out perfectly, giving him the image of a loyal and dedicated staff officer who put the overall situation first.

However, at this point, Bhavamsa had already been blinded by the enormous greed of "monopolizing the treasure trove," which clouded his mind and judgment.

He knew perfectly well that what the other party said was right, but if they followed Cohen's "safe" plan, once the army arrived, he wouldn't get much of the Crimson Treasury!

Baphomet waved his hand dismissively:

“Mr. Maine, you are overthinking it! The elite force under my command is a sharp blade personally selected by His Majesty, and its greatest strength lies in rapid raids and targeted eliminations!”
No matter how strong the Crimson Guardians are, they can't withstand a close-range attack from my elite troops when they're caught off guard.

Besides, we don't need to annihilate them all. We just need to open a gap, rush in, grab the core treasures, and then retreat!
"A quick in and out won't waste much time, and it certainly won't interfere with His Majesty's overall plans!"

He patted his chest, making a solemn vow:
"Don't worry, Mr. Maine! I know what I'm doing! Once we succeed, we'll send the signal, and then Adrien can launch a full-scale attack from within and without. Perhaps the chaos caused by the attack on the treasury will further panic the defenders and accelerate the collapse of the city-state!"

Cohen said helplessly:

"I still think it's best to inform His Majesty to bring the army into the city first."

Baphomet waved his hand, decisively ending the matter:
"Alright, that's settled then! I, Baphomet, will bear all the consequences! I will absolutely not make things difficult for you, sir!"

Seeing Baffom's "I've made up my mind" look, Cohen compromised and said:

"Alas... Since Lord Baphomet is so determined and so confident, I have no choice but to comply."

I urge you, sir, to be extremely careful, to finish this quickly, and not to linger in the battle.

Baphomet smiled with satisfaction and patted Cohen on the shoulder:

"That's more like it! Mr. Mayne, just wait for my good news! Once we take over the treasure vault, you'll definitely get your share!"

Yadrian, who was standing to the side, was not too surprised by Baphomet's choice, and immediately carried out the order as he had instructed.

He first used the seal and token of Lord Cyril, along with his understanding of the city's defense system and some prior arrangements, to successfully control the East Gate and a small area around it under the pretext that "the Lord has an urgent secret mission and needs to mobilize a special team to carry it out."

Under the cover of a seemingly calm and uneventful shift change and routine inspection, the heavily guarded east gate was opened.

Meanwhile, Baphomet's "trump card"—a thousand elite warriors, rigorously selected, well-equipped, and at least at the fourth-tier transcendent level, who had been anxiously waiting in the dense forest outside the city, silently slipped through the gaps in the city gates and infiltrated the Crimson City-State.

Then, led by Baphomet and his only remaining half-legendary subordinate, they headed straight for the "Crimson Temple" in the center of the city, which faintly emitted a dark red glow.

However, from the very beginning, the battle completely deviated from Baphomet's fantasy of a "quick victory and easy success".

The Crimson Temple's guards reacted much faster than Baphomet had anticipated.

As soon as the attack began, a fierce killing intent suddenly erupted from behind the seemingly peaceful corridors, pillars, and statues surrounding the temple.

Immediately afterwards, well-trained Twilight Guardians emerged from various concealed defensive nodes. Clad in dark red runic armor, they moved swiftly and coordinated perfectly, instantly forming a solid defensive line.

Even more troublesome was the temple itself. This ancient building seemed to have come alive, with the reliefs on the walls flashing with a blood-red light, complex magical patterns appearing on the ground, and powerful magical fluctuations permeating the air.

Blood-red barriers instantly rose up, firmly blocking Baphomet's army. The entire Crimson Temple was transformed into a three-dimensional fortress filled with death traps.

Baphomet's elite guards were indeed formidable, with individual combat strength even slightly surpassing that of ordinary guards. However, they were caught off guard by the sudden engagement, unfamiliar with the mechanisms and array layouts inside the temple, and they did not expect the enemy to resist so resolutely and coordinate so skillfully.

From the very first clash, they were plunged into a bitter battle, with every step forward costing them blood.

Screams, the clash of weapons, and the explosions of magic shattered the tranquility of the night. Intense energy fluctuations and battle sounds, like boulders thrown into a calm lake, spread wildly outwards from the Crimson Temple.

"What's going on? From the direction of the temple!"

"Enemy attack! It's an enemy attack! Such a strong energy fluctuation!"

"Quickly! Notify the deputy city lord! Notify all legion commanders!"

"Activate emergency plan! All neighborhoods on alert!"

The Crimson City, this sleeping behemoth, had its alarm system and communication network, which had been suppressed by Adrian's covert influence, reactivated under the impact of the battle fluctuations that far exceeded the threshold.

A piercing magical alarm rang out in multiple areas, and warning magical flares whistled as they rose into the night sky and exploded.

Lights shone in countless places, including the deputy city lord's mansion, the headquarters of various legions, the magic tower, and the emergency command center, accompanied by hurried footsteps and roars.

Yadrian is using his authority and power to try to control the central government and interfere with the core nodes of the magic array. The process was initially slow but relatively smooth.

However, the sudden outbreak of a fierce battle in the direction of the Crimson Temple, far exceeding expectations, was like a thunderclap, completely disrupting his plans.

Baphomet was now also in shock and rage.

He wielded his battle axe, which burned with demonic flames, and cleaved a charging Crimson Guard in two, armor and all, but more guards and more troublesome traps followed.

His elite troops were dwindling at an alarming rate, and they hadn't even managed to breach the temple's outer defenses, let alone enter the underground vault.

Baphomet was both shocked and furious, a strong sense of unease and regret welling up within him for the first time. He had underestimated the Crimson Temple's defensive strength and the vampires' determination to protect their treasure. His plan for a swift victory had become a joke; now they were stuck here, unable to advance or retreat.

They had personally sounded the alarm throughout the city, and it was foreseeable that more vampire armies and experts were pouring in.

His attempt to steal a chicken backfired, potentially dragging the entire "secret city-seizing" plan into a quagmire. All of this seems to stem from his uncontrollable greed.

Baphomet's heart sank. He dared not think any further and could only vent his anger on the enemy before him, roaring and ordering his men to attack fiercely, trying to fight their way out.

Whether advancing to seize the treasure vault or retreating, it is essential to establish a foothold as quickly as possible.

Cohen stood high above the city, gazing at the chaotic magical light soaring into the sky from the direction of the Crimson Temple, listening to the alarms and clamor that were rapidly spreading.

A slight smile played on his lips; everything was going as expected!
In the time that followed, the situation spiraled out of control, completely deviating from its intended course and turning into a bloody, city-wide chaos.

Adrian did his utmost, using Cyril's orders, his own authority, and some pre-planted agents, to barely manage to control part of the situation amidst the city-wide chaos caused by the attack on the Crimson Temple.

Having secured the eastern district and ensured control of this crucial military passage, they then used the pretext of "suppressing the rebellion" to rapidly infiltrate the main military and political nodes in the eastern district.

Thanks to his position as the deputy captain of the Crimson Guard and his familiarity with the city's defense system, coupled with the brief command vacuum and panic caused by Cyril's disappearance, he quickly gained a certain degree of control in the East District, suppressed some of the garrison troops loyal to the original city lord system, and won over and coerced some mid-level officers.

However, that's all.

After the initial chaos and shock, the West District quickly regained order under the strong suppression of a seasoned vampire noble deputy city lord.

This deputy city lord was no mediocre man; he immediately sensed the unusual mobilization of Adrian and the possible huge conspiracy behind the "suppression" operation in the East District.

Combining the sudden attack on the Crimson Temple with Adrian's "half-blood" status, which had been criticized by some pure-blood nobles, the deputy city lord almost instantly pieced together the picture closest to the truth:
Adrian betrayed the city, colluded with foreign enemies, assassinated the city lord, and intended to surrender the city!
Without any hesitation, the deputy city lord made the most correct and decisive decision at that moment.

He did not attempt to send troops to engage in a protracted street battle with Yardrian in the East District, nor did he rashly send his main force to rescue the Crimson Temple, which was already embroiled in a fierce struggle.

Instead, it directly activated one of the ultimate trump cards of the Crimson City-State defense system, which is also the core check and balance mechanism for the Twilight Continent to control important city-states under its command and prevent the lord of a city from completely losing control—the city-state division barrier.

As the deputy city lord activated his authority in the control tower, he consumed a massive amount of stored magic crystals and ley line energy.

A massive, heavy magical barrier, radiating intense blood-red light and magical energy, rose from the ground like a crimson curtain rising from the depths of the earth, in the center of the city-state's main east-west thoroughfare.

This barrier is not a simple wall; it is a translucent dark red with complex runes flowing across its surface. It reaches the sky and seems to be connected to the great array that covers the entire city-state.

It is the Blood Moon Veil, a key magic array that every important city-state in Twilight Continent is equipped with!
The Blood Moon Veil not only physically separated the eastern and western districts, but also emitted powerful energy interference, blocking most magical communications and spying, forming an almost insurmountable chasm.

In each important vampire border city-state, control of the Blood Moon Veil is usually divided in two, with the city lord and deputy city lord each holding a portion of the highest authority.

This serves both as a check and balance to prevent one person from acting arbitrarily, and as a way to prevent the city-state from falling into complete collapse immediately in emergency situations, such as when the city lord rebels, is controlled, or dies suddenly.

At this moment, the raising of this barrier signifies that the Crimson City-State's defense system has been forcibly divided, and the West District, under the leadership of the Deputy City Lord, has entered a state of highest combat readiness.

This also means that Cohen and Baffrom's plan to successfully control the entire city-state has failed; now they can only control half of the city-state at most! (End of Chapter)