Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

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Just as Cohen was speaking eloquently and calmly guiding the Magic Gold Empire into the trap he had meticulously designed,

Mavis, standing to his side and slightly behind, was staring intently at his profile.

Mavis looked at her lover, even though they were in a den of wolves and surrounded by the high-ranking officials of the Demon Gold Empire, who claimed to be the new rulers of the Lost Lands—fierce demon overseers, gloomy alchemists, cunning strategists, and even the Demon Lord Thrall himself, who exuded a terrifying aura.

He remained calm and composed, speaking with ease, skillfully guiding the course of the entire battle and even the thoughts of these formidable enemies in the direction he had predetermined.

This composure and wisdom in dancing in dire straits and scheming on the edge of a knife, and the magnanimity in treating everyone as mere pawns, stirred Mavis's heart.

A surge of heat, a mixture of pride, love, and intense attraction, welled up within her.

An uncontrollable, trembling desire rose within him to be utterly conquered by the other party.

Cohen was completely absorbed in explaining and persuading others about the plan, and didn't notice Mavis's almost tearful look. He continued:

"Given the vampires' arrogance and their confidence in the strength of their legendary warriors, coupled with their extreme desire to turn the tide of battle, they will absolutely not let this opportunity slip by."

After verifying the intelligence, they will definitely send top-tier superhumans to attack.

Sal's eyes gleamed as he listened, and he leaned forward slightly, clearly attracted by this daring plan to lure the enemy.

But he soon realized the crux of the problem:

"The plan sounds good, but how can we get this intelligence out smoothly without arousing the suspicion of those old foxes?"

Cohen nodded, clearly having given it considerable thought:
"Your Majesty's concerns are absolutely correct. This intelligence must not leak out of any of our military or official channels, and it must not even be linked to anyone we have any overt connections with."

My suggestion is to use intelligence intermediaries who have no direct interest in either side of the conflict.

In the vast lost lands, especially in war-torn areas, there are always some big-time intelligence dealers who operate in the gray area and make a living by selling all sorts of secrets.

They have their own intelligence networks, communication channels, and client base, and the information they provide is often highly independent and valuable for reference.

Coincidentally, I had come into contact with several such intelligence brokers in my past work and established a certain level of trust with them.

They are currently unaware of my true identity and stance.

I can arrange a secret meeting and sell this information for a high price.

These intermediaries then sell it to the customers who most urgently need it—the Twilight Continent, especially the high-ranking officials of the Eternal Night City-State, who are trapped in their isolated city and desperately seeking a way out.

After hearing Cohen's entire plan, Sal's eyes gleamed, and he slammed his hand on the table in front of him:

"Good! Excellent! Mayne, you truly are a pillar of the empire!"
"That's settled then. This matter is entrusted to you and Mavis. Get started preparing immediately!"

With the emperor's decision made, the entire war machine of the Demon Gold Empire began to operate efficiently around this plan.

Without a doubt, the primary target this time is Simmons, the legendary-level powerhouse and lord of the Eternal Night City-State.

As one of the oldest powers in the Lost Lands, the Twilight Continent benefits from the advantages granted to it by the Immortals, allowing it to accumulate a greater number of Legendary Rank members over the long course of time.

Simmons, the lord of the Eternal Night City-State, is a vampire powerhouse who has been at the legendary level (low stage) for over two hundred years, and his strength should not be underestimated.

Against legendary-level enemies, especially vampire legends who have lived for an unknown amount of time and have numerous ways to survive, conventional armies are of little use.

It must be encircled and annihilated by forces of the same or even higher rank.

According to conventional estimates, to reliably surround and kill a legendary-level opponent, at least three powerful individuals of the same level would need to join forces to form a blockade.

Thrall quickly used a special magical communication method to issue top-secret orders to his two legendary confidants who were in the rear, ordering them to assemble at the front line as soon as possible.

With a clear direction for selecting high-level combat personnel, the next step is to make this "bait" appear realistic and credible enough.

That is, how to fake that crucial military base.

Once the Eternal Night City-State receives the intelligence, it will definitely send its top experts to confirm it, so this military base must be authentic and credible.

After some discussion, Thrall finally decided to have the top alchemists and magic craftsmen of the Mechanical Continent carry out this task.

The location was chosen to be an abandoned mine about two days' march from the Eternal Night City-State. The terrain there was complex, making it easy to ambush, and it also fit the logic of choosing a location for a secret military facility.

Of course, to make the effect realistic, we would have to bring in a few real demon pillars, otherwise we wouldn't be able to fool the other side.

Finally, the key to whether the whole scam can be launched is how to deliver this "deadly bait" intelligence to the decision-makers of the Eternal Night City in the most natural and credible way.

This matter naturally required Cohen to handle personally.

……

Following the contact information provided by Ryder Gallo, Cohen made contact with Owen Hunter, a notorious intelligence tycoon in the Lost Lands' underworld.

This person is renowned for being an "absolutely neutral" merchant who has no fixed stance and only values ​​gold coins and rare information.

His reputation is built on the principle of "paying for services and maintaining absolute confidentiality." As for whether the two parties to a transaction are mortal enemies or relatives and friends, or how much conspiracy is involved, he doesn't care as long as the price is high enough.

There are even rumors that even if you stabbed him in the back the day before, as long as you can offer him something he can't refuse the next day, he can still sit down and chat with you.

After learning about Hunter's situation from Ryder, Cohen couldn't help but think of a character from a TV series in his previous life—Xie Ruolin.

That character who also took the intelligence business to the extreme, believed in "talking about principles but thinking about business," and could maneuver between various parties without any psychological burden for the sake of profit.

Irving Hunt and he were almost the same kind of people.

While collaborating with such a person requires constant vigilance against being betrayed, it also has its advantages—as long as your "goods" are strong enough and your offer is high enough, you almost don't need to worry about him refusing to trade due to faction, beliefs, or personal likes and dislikes.

Or you could leak the information to someone you don't want to be informed, unless they offer a higher price.

But Cohen was confident that the bait he had thrown out would be enough to make Hunter make the right choice.

After agreeing on the specific time and place for the meeting, Cohen put down the communication stone and let out a soft sigh of relief.

The plan has begun, and the key to luring out the legendary vampires lies in his meeting with Hunter.

Everything seemed to be developing in the direction he had anticipated.

Just as he was concentrating on his words for the meeting and the possible unexpected events, a faint fragrance quietly wafted from behind him.

The fragrance wasn't strong, but it was subtle and alluring, carrying a sweet warmth that instantly invaded his senses.

Immediately afterwards, a warm, soft, and completely naked body pressed against his back, and two fair, lotus-root-like arms wrapped around his neck like serpents.

Cohen's muscles tensed instantly, and a jolt of electricity shot from his tailbone to the top of his head:
"Woman, do you know what you're doing? You're playing with fire."

A soft chuckle came from behind him, and warm breath brushed against his ear. Mavis's voice was as soft and seductive as water:

"My Majesty is so devoted to his work, day and night."

As the 'adjutant,' I naturally have to assume the responsibilities of a mistress on behalf of the Queen and the princesses, so as to reward you..."

Mavis's fingertips began to wander restlessly.

Reason told Cohen that there were still important matters to plan at the moment, and that he needed to be even more cautious being in enemy territory.

He turned around abruptly, easily slipping his hands under Mavis's legs and lifting her light body into his arms.

The sudden suspension and the dark fire that ignited in the man's eyes made Mavis gasp and tighten her arms around Cohen's neck.

Cohen gazed closely at her exquisitely beautiful face, flushed with passion, his hoarse voice suppressing a surging desire:
"Mei'er, my pianist, wouldn't you like to be Your Majesty too?"

"Wha...what?"

Mavis was completely taken aback by his sudden question, and a look of bewilderment flashed in her eyes.

That rare, absent-minded look of hers formed a fatal contrast to her alluring, curvaceous state at that moment.

This contrast completely ignited the violent flames of lust and conquest within Cohen's heart.

……

A few days later, in the eastern part of Twilight Continent, in a city-state that had just been conquered by the Demon Gold Empire.

Although the fighting has temporarily ceased, order has not yet been restored. The streets are desolate, with few pedestrians. Only the imperial patrols and the still-unrecovered ruins indicate that this place has changed hands.

In an inconspicuous café on a corner of the city, Cohen had already donned a more ordinary businessman's persona and sat alone by the window.

A cup of coffee, long since cold, sits before him, his gaze calmly fixed on the desolate streets outside the window.

Just as the appointed time arrived, the door of the coffee shop was gently pushed open, and a middle-aged gentleman with an exceptionally fair complexion and meticulously combed hair walked in.

Wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with sharp and cautious eyes, he quickly scanned the few customers in the café before finally fixing his gaze on Cohen, who was sitting alone.

The visitor was Owen Hunter, a well-known and influential middleman in the Lost Lands' underground intelligence network.

Owen Hunt walked to Cohen's table, said nothing, and simply nodded slightly.

Cohen raised his eyes and tapped the table lightly in a specific rhythm.

A knowing glint flashed in Irving's eyes, and he leaned his cane against the table in the same manner.

The code was correct.

The two got up and walked into a small private room at the back of the coffee shop, one after the other.

Inside the private room, there was only a small table and two chairs.

Owen Hunter did not sit down immediately. Maintaining the caution typical of a seasoned intelligence officer, he once again sized Cohen up from head to toe.

The dim lighting in the café's private room cast a faint shadow on his fair face, making his expression even more enigmatic.

After a moment, he spoke slowly:
"You are the Mr. Mayne that Mr. Ryder Gallo once mentioned?"

Cohen smiled slightly and nodded slowly: "That's right, I am Mayne. Mr. Gallo recommended me to come find you. He said you are the most discerning person in the Lost Lands."

I happen to have some very valuable information here, quite significant, but I don't know if Mr. Hunter would be interested."

Owen Hunter shrugged, sat down opposite Cohen, gently rested his silver-handled cane against his leg, and said with a faint smile:

"Mr. Maine, in this day and age, news is flying everywhere, and it's hard to tell what's true and what's false."

The Twilight Continent is in turmoil, while the Demon Gold Empire is at the height of its military power. News about both sides comes in at least eight hundred or a thousand every day.

There aren't many valuable items!

Cohen's smile deepened, and he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice:
"Coincidentally, what I'm selling is exactly the intelligence about the Demon Gold Empire, and... the most crucial kind."

He paused deliberately, observing the subtle changes in Owen Hunter's expression, before speaking in an almost whispered voice:
"Mr. Hunter, aren't you curious about the true origin of the invincible Magic Gold Legion of the Magic Gold Empire, which strikes fear into the hearts of the Twilight Continent?"

"you know?!"

As soon as Cohen finished speaking, Owen Hunter's composed expression vanished instantly.

His body leaned forward almost instinctively, his breathing quickened imperceptibly, and a sharp glint suddenly flashed in his gray eyes, like a hunting dog smelling blood.

But he was a seasoned veteran, and he immediately regained his composure, his eyes fixed on Cohen, his voice even lower:
"Mr. Maine, this kind of joke is not to be taken lightly."

The Demon Gold Empire kept this secret even tighter than the dragons' treasure. Countless top spies, prophets, and even necromancers skilled in soul interrogation have perished because of it, without even digging out a single useful scrap.

"You... really have connections?"

Cohen leaned back in his chair with a leisurely air:
"Of course, and my connections are beyond your imagination."

As he spoke, he looked towards the door of the private room.

Hunter immediately understood:

"As expected of someone recommended by Mr. Ryder, he's even brought his connections. Let's meet him!"

Cohen clapped his hands lightly, and Mavis walked in.

Mavis wore a figure-hugging deep purple dress, over which she wore a matching thin woolen shawl. Her pale golden hair was loosely tied up, with a few stray strands hanging lazily down her neck.

Her face was expressionless, yet it perfectly highlighted the depth of her eyes and the fullness of her red lips.

Without deliberately striking a seductive pose, she simply stood there quietly, her breathtaking beauty and aloof yet mysterious aura like a star suddenly shining in the darkness, enough to attract anyone's attention.

Even Owen Hunt, a man accustomed to the ways of the world and having seen countless people, was momentarily stunned at this moment.

A flicker of amazement and astonishment at the ultimate beauty flashed in his eyes.

But then, as if remembering something, he abruptly stood up from his seat, his movements even somewhat hasty, his face showing even greater shock than when he had just heard about the origins of the Demon Gold Empire soldiers:
“You…you are Miss ‘Musician’? No, Madam ‘Musician’?”

Irving's voice trembled with uncertainty as his gaze darted rapidly between Mavis's stunning face and Cohen's.

He recognized her—or rather, he recognized the profile that had once caught his eye in the upper echelons of social life in the Lost Lands, leaving behind countless legends and fantasies.

The most mysterious intelligence officer under the Demon Lord, and the city lord of the advanced city-state, the Potions City.

A legendary "musician" renowned for both her artistic talent and beauty, a mysterious woman whose beauty was longed for by countless nobles and powerful figures but could never be seen.

Mavis walked slowly to Cohen's side, reached out and took Cohen's arm naturally, then turned her head slightly and gently rested her cheek on Cohen's shoulder.

The gestures were intimate and submissive, conveying an unspoken sense of belonging.

Everything is self-evident.

Owen Hunter opened his mouth, looking at the pair of people in front of him who had very different temperaments but were inexplicably harmonious.

Especially that mysterious and unpredictable "musician," sought after by countless people, was now leaning against the man who called himself "Maine" like a little bird...

He finally realized why the other party was so confident in uncovering the deepest secrets of the Demon Gold Empire.

It turns out they actually managed to hook up with the intelligence chief of the Demon Gold Empire!
At the same time, Hunter began to take Mr. Maine, who was standing in front of him, more and more seriously.

The man who can embrace a "musician" and indulge in wanton debauchery must possess a background and power far beyond imagination.

He quickly composed himself, sat down again, and his eyes held a newfound seriousness.

He coughed lightly and said in a complicated tone:
"Mr. Maine... truly, he has an unparalleled good fortune with women, it's breathtaking."

"I never imagined you could pluck what's considered the most enchanting flower in our Lost Lands. That skill is probably more intriguing than the information you're offering me."

These words were half flattery, half a test, and also carried a touch of genuine emotion.

Cohen smiled, gently patted Mavis's arm as she held his, gesturing for her to sit down, and then steered the conversation back on track:

"Mr. Hunter is too kind. It's just a trivial private matter, nothing to be concerned about."

Let's get down to business. After all, time is money, especially in times like these.

Hunter nodded immediately, leaning forward to listen attentively.
“Of course, Mr. Maine, please go ahead. You just mentioned that you know the origin of those…special soldiers of the Demon Gold Empire?”

Cohen nodded, his expression turning serious:
"The Demon Gold Empire has indeed mastered an extraordinary method of replenishing its 'military forces'."

It was not a traditional form of conscription, training, or puppet creation.

According to Miss Musician's investigation, the Magic Gold Empire has a special military base somewhere.

This military base is able to continuously produce those powerful soldiers in a way that we do not yet fully understand.

This is Emperor Thrall's and Lord Hex's top secret.

Owen Hunter's breathing quickened again, and his gray eyes narrowed.
"Secret military base?"
Where is it?

A slight smile appeared on Cohen's lips.

Hunter snapped out of his daze and smiled apologetically:

“It was my fault for not following the rules, Mr. Maine. The information you provided is very interesting and has great potential.”

But as you know, unverified information is far less valuable.

"Um... just say it, what do you want from this deal?"

Cohen leaned forward, placing his hands crossed on the table, adopting a posture of frank negotiation:
“Mr. Hunter is a sensible man. I don’t have much use for this information, but I believe it is invaluable to certain forces that are currently locked in a life-or-death struggle with the Demon Gold Empire.”

I'm neither able nor comfortable with the process of thoroughly verifying or utilizing it myself. Therefore, I'd like to sell it to you.

The premise is that I have two conditions.

"please say."

"First, no matter how much profit you ultimately make from this intelligence, I will take 30%. This is not a one-time buyout, but 30% of all subsequent trading profits based on this intelligence."

"That's fair, continue."

Henry pointed out that while this profit-sharing model would take a cut of the profits for intelligence brokers, it also meant sharing the risks and binding intelligence providers to their cause.

"Secondly, no matter who you ultimately sell this information to, the source of this information, as well as my and Ms. 'The Performer''s' involvement in this matter, must be kept absolutely confidential."

You could say that you purchased this from an anonymous high-ranking defector or dissident within the Magic Gold Empire through special channels at great expense, or simply fabricate an untraceable ghost source.

But I and those around me must completely sever ties with this.

The musician will be working in the Magic Gold Empire, and I don't want her to be suspected or exposed too early.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be good for us, for you, and especially for this business itself.

Making a fortune quietly is what people like us like best, isn't it?

Hunter nodded repeatedly:

"Of course, of course! Mr. Maine, please rest assured that I, Owen Hunter, have survived in this business for so long because of my reputation and prudence."

Customer information security is an ironclad rule in this industry, and it is also the foundation of my livelihood.

I assure you that after the transaction was completed, neither you nor this distinguished lady ever appeared here, and we never had this meeting.

This intelligence is nothing more than a gift from a ghost.

To increase credibility and to provide an extra layer of insurance for both parties, they directly signed a soul contract.

Bound by the power of the contract, any party that discloses the other party's identity information in this transaction will suffer the consequences of the contract.

This is also a common practice in high-value transactions within the intelligence community.

After all the security work was completed, Cohen finally gave his answer:
"Without a precise location, Sal doesn't trust anyone."

The musician's deduction was made by chance, based on some incomplete transportation routes.

This military base is likely located on the eastern frontier of the Empire's current controlled territory, near an abandoned mine at the border of Blackrock Hills and Rotten Swamp.

The terrain there is complex and sparsely populated, and recently, unusual, strictly sealed-off energy fluctuations have been detected.

Of course, this is just speculation.

Hunter nodded slowly:

"That's enough. I'll pay you the deposit once I've verified the authenticity of this message!"
It's a pleasure working with you! (End of Chapter)