Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy with Shanies's reply.

The subtext in Her Majesty the Empress's words was all too clear.

Do you have the right to speak to me on behalf of Effie and Cohen about this?

Although she was almost certain in her heart that Ada's contact this time, even if it was not directly authorized by Cohen, must have been tacitly approved or even supported by Cohen.

But Shanis just couldn't resist stabbing him.

It stemmed both from resentment towards Adele's self-righteous attitude and from a counterattack and provocation against the close, unspoken understanding between her and Cohen.

Despite Shanis's barbed and veiled response, implying that she had overstepped her authority, Adele's beautiful face remained completely expressionless.

He gazed calmly at Shanis, then spoke slowly in a tone as if stating a fact:

"Your Majesty Klein is overthinking it. This was something my husband asked me to inquire about, and besides..."

She paused slightly, her tone remaining calm and even, yet revealing a deep-seated confidence and certainty:
"Besides, even if I made this communication on my own initiative, my husband would agree with my actions and recognize my judgment if he found out afterwards."

Without raising his voice or emphasizing his tone, the powerful confidence stemming from absolute trust, deep understanding, and shared authority was clearly displayed before Shanis.

She wasn't showing off, but stating an undeniable fact about her relationship with Cohen.

However, it was this self-assured, seemingly natural confidence and intimacy that completely ignited the anger that had been suppressed in Shanis's heart.

She could accept political maneuvering, face the disparity in strength, and even barely tolerate the somewhat awkward identity of being a "fiancée," but she could not tolerate Adele's attitude of seemingly possessing Cohen completely, representing Cohen, and being absolutely certain of it.

Especially on major issues concerning the future direction of the two countries and the status of their empires!
Xenia's delicate body tensed slightly, and a layer of frost instantly enveloped her beautiful face, her purple eyes seeming to gather thunderclouds.

He gritted his teeth and replied, enunciating each word clearly:

"Then let your husband tell me himself!"

Don't forget, Your Highness Angryn, your husband is now also the Emperor Consort of my Central Empire.

He doesn't belong to you alone, Adel Angelion!

She practically spat out her last sentence through clenched teeth, imbued with intense emotion and a sense of asserting dominance.

The air in the palace seemed to freeze because of this sudden, private confrontation.

Only the halo of the communication array flickered slightly, illuminating the two stunningly beautiful yet equally gorgeous faces.

Despite Shanis's almost "defeated dog barking" provocation, Adele's beautiful face showed no anger whatsoever.

He simply shook his head slightly with a sigh, and replied calmly:
"Your Majesty Klein, I hope you can recognize one fact: I am not speaking to you now as the queen consort of your fiancé."

The person communicating with you at this moment is Adele Angrayn, Queen of Efein, one of the highest decision-makers of the regime that is about to, or is currently deciding whether to take that step and become the sixth empire on the human continent.

I stand here as the supreme ruler of an emerging power, a potential empire, to engage in dialogue with the ruler of the strongest existing empire on the continent on a major issue concerning the future of both countries and even the direction of the continental landscape.

Therefore, I sincerely hope that Your Majesty Klein can temporarily set aside those subjective emotional factors based on past personal competition or certain private relationships.

Let us consider ourselves as rulers who are responsible for the well-being of their respective nations' hundreds of millions of citizens and for history.

Let's discuss this issue calmly, objectively, and rationally.

This has nothing to do with past victories or defeats between us, nor with any emotional attachments; it only concerns our current interests and future survival.

Xenise's expression hardened. Instead of getting bogged down in personal titles and emotions like "Royal Consort" and "Empress," Yardelle, with an unquestionable stance, instantly elevated the conversation to the level of equal diplomacy and strategic competition between heads of state.

No wonder she could be so infatuated with Cohen; I underestimated her.

Xenise slowly sat up straight, as if her momentary lapse in composure had never occurred. She once again exuded the aura of an empress of the Central Empire, ruling over a vast territory and wielding boundless power, and spoke in a deep voice:
"Very well, I will answer you and ask you, as the ruler of the Central Empire, the most powerful and oldest existing empire on this continent—"

Do you believe that the strongest nation on the continent, with its territory dominating the center, its power surpassing all others, and its authority radiating in all directions, would easily tolerate the emergence of another ambitious new empire beside it, challenging its supreme position built over millennia, dividing its established territory, and shaking its unquestionable authority?

Despite Xenias's undisguised questioning, Adele's expression remained unchanged, as if she had already anticipated such a response.

She responded calmly:
"Your Majesty is able to take charge of such a vast empire at such a young age, so your ability, methods and wisdom are beyond doubt."

Your answer just now is undoubtedly correct under normal circumstances.

In times of peace and stability, not only the Central Empire, but also the other four great empires would never sit idly by and watch a new empire rise to carve up the established interests and challenge the existing power structure.

Containment, suppression, and even joint efforts to eradicate are the norm.

However, Your Majesty must know as well as I do that we are not in a time of peace.

Less than two months remain until the 'Covenant of the Gods' hangs over everyone's heads.

She mentioned that key word that kept all the top officials on the mainland up at night.

"Your Majesty is wise and should have foreseen more clearly than others that once the terms of the covenant led by the gods are fully laid out in the sunlight..."

What a disruptive impact this will have on the existing order of the entire continent! And the first to bear the brunt will likely be your seemingly invincible central empire.

The Central Empire, with its vast territory, numerous ethnic groups, and deeply entrenched power, was itself a product of the balance and compromise among various forces.

In times of peace, stability can be maintained by relying on strong central authority, inertia, and shared interests, ensuring that all parties submit to a young yet highly capable empress like yourself.

But what if the 'Covenant of the Gods' stirs up a monstrous wave, and the continent is about to enter a chaotic world of broken order, survival of the fittest, and warring nations?
Those ambitious individuals lurking within the empire's fabric, local tycoons, powerful families with ancient traditions, and even certain branches of the royal family who have long coveted the highest position...

Would they still be willing to remain subservient to a female monarch who is only in her early twenties?

When external pressures increase dramatically and internal interests are reshuffled, the old balance is broken. The first thing to burst from within is often not a small boat, but a massive, heavily corroborated vessel with too many seams.

Yardel bluntly exposed the fatal hidden danger beneath the glorious exterior of the Central Empire—its essence as a multi-ethnic and multi-power alliance, which, in times of peace, forms a vast and powerful foundation.

However, it can become the trigger for division during times of dramatic change.

However, Shanis's relatively young age and female identity, in the eyes of traditional forces and against the backdrop of impending chaos, are no longer an invincible advantage, but rather a reason to be challenged.

"Therefore, Your Majesty Shanes Klein, what you need now is a strong and reliable ally."

A partner who can provide you with the necessary support when external turmoil or internal instability arises.

She looked directly at Shanes and offered her final, and most attractive, proposal:
"And Effie, who is seeking to become an empire, is the most suitable choice for you right now!"

Shanis fell silent.

Rationally, she knew that Adele was right. Effie's rise was unstoppable, and rather than forcibly suppressing a nascent empire and causing unnecessary conflict, it was better to go with the flow and turn it into an asset for stabilizing her own backyard.

Even becoming partners who support each other in the face of future upheavals aligns with the long-term interests of the Central Empire and with her judgment as a ruler.

However, she couldn't accept it emotionally. She didn't want to admit, especially in front of this woman, that she and her empire had such a fatal weakness.

She didn't want to see Adele make this suggestion in such a calm, even slightly condescending manner.

She is the Empress of the Central Empire, the ruler of the most powerful nation on this continent. How could she be so easily seen through and manipulated by another woman, especially Adele?

Adele quietly observed Shanis's ever-changing expression, seemingly seeing right through Shanis's inner struggle.

He gave a cold laugh, his tone becoming much more arrogant, and said:

"Your Majesty, Shanes Klein, I thought that after so many years of political experience..."

As the emperor of the strongest empire in human history, you should be able to distinguish between what is important and what is urgent, and you should be able to see the general trend.

But it seems that you are still being blinded by some meaningless jealousy and childish sentimentality.

Your Majesty Klein, let's set aside these pointless squabbles and jealousies.

If we're really talking about jealousy, shouldn't I be the one feeling the most indignant and jealous?
I took care of his daily life and accompanied him as he grew up.

It was me who taught him to recognize characters, write, and read those obscure classics, step by step.

It was I who guided him to understand the mysteries of magic and unravel the threads of magical power.

It was I who stood by his side when he first came to power and faced immense pressure from both domestic and international sources, helping him stabilize the court, handle government affairs, and quell internal and external troubles.

It was I who looked after his homeland while he was away on campaign, managing Effie in an orderly and prosperous manner.

Adele’s words were spoken slowly and deliberately, yet each word carried immense weight, painting a picture of mutual support and shared growth over the long years.

Her relationship with Cohen was not only that of husband and wife, teacher and student, childhood sweethearts, but also like that of siblings.

This deep-seated bond is far beyond anything any later relationship could match.

Adele's gaze swept across the void, as if passing over the other outstanding women who had appeared in Cohen's life:
"And you, Shanis Klein, and others."

I admit that Cohen did receive a lot of help from you as he grew up, and your feelings for him were genuine, as were his feelings for you.

But please remember one thing clearly—

Adele's phantom seemed more solid, and an invisible majesty seemed to emanate from her.

Even though they were connected by magic across a vast distance, Xenias suddenly felt a pang of fear, as if she were being watched by some supreme being.

It wasn't the oppressive force of a supernatural level or magic, but a more fundamental, awe-inspiring quality stemming from the level of life or the essence of the soul. Pure, cold, and noble, as if it didn't belong to this mortal world.

Cohen is mine!

Do you think he could have so easily married one princess after another without my permission or tacit approval?
Including you, the fiancée of Her Majesty the Empress of the most powerful nation on the continent!

Shanis opened her mouth, only to find her throat dry. All her previous resentment, anger, and pride as Empress seemed to crumble under this captivating declaration of sovereignty.

She realized that, in her relationship with Cohen, she, and all those who came after her, were perhaps in a completely different position from the very beginning.

Ada said nothing more, her beautiful face regaining its icy calm, as if her dramatic declaration had simply stated a very simple fact.

She was waiting for Shanies to recover from the emotional and dignified shock.

With the rationality of an imperial ruler, he made the final answer.

Shanis took a deep breath, knowing this wasn't the time to be impulsive, and said:
“I understand this matter, and I also understand Cohen’s meaning. I will make preparations in advance. As for the other empires, it’s up to you.”

Adele's expression softened considerably, and she said with a smile:

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. I look forward to the day we can finally meet."

Shanis's expression turned serious, and she said earnestly:

"Don't think that just because you beat me more than ten years ago, you can beat me forever. Let's fight again when I break through to the legendary level."

Faced with Shanis's sudden challenge, Adele was slightly taken aback at first, then a breathtaking smile bloomed on her beautiful face as she slowly said:
"Ok, I will wait for you."

After ending her call with Shanis, Adele did not rest immediately, nor did she handle any other official business.

She sat quietly by herself for a moment, then got up and walked to the magnificent bed in her bedroom, where she took out a small, silver-framed hand mirror.

He then took out the communication stone and sent a message to Cohen.

……

The northern front, formerly occupied territory of the Demon Gold Empire, and the Demon Gold Empire's headquarters.

The war unfolded so rapidly that it left many people dizzy.

As the Demon Gold Empire suffered a series of crushing defeats in several key battles, the vast swathes of city-states and vassal states it had previously conquered like wildfire began to crumble and be lost in large swaths.

With the instigation of certain individuals, flames of resistance began to ignite in various occupied areas. Forces that had previously wavered or been forced to submit changed their stance, either raising the banner of their former masters again or simply establishing their own independent entities.

The seemingly invincible expansion of the Demon Gold Empire contracted at an alarming rate due to the resolute counterattack of the Anti-Demon Gold Alliance led by Effie and the combined attacks of various resistance forces.

However, Sal's reaction was somewhat unexpected by Cohen.

He stopped holding military conferences, stopped roaring orders to counterattack, and even his most trusted war chief of staff, Cohen, was repeatedly turned away by his guards with expressionless faces when he tried to meet with him.

The reason is always the same: "His Majesty needs to reflect."

Quiet contemplation?
Cohen stood in his tent, gazing at Thrall's tightly closed fortress in the distance, his brows furrowing slightly. Thrall was not the type to give up easily.

Based on his understanding of Sal, Sal was a man of steel, extremely skilled in patience and scheming.

Temporary setbacks may make him more cautious, but they will never make him admit defeat, much less make him hide away like a sulking child.

This unusual silence made Cohen more wary than the frenzied attacks.

He must be plotting something, something shady, or rather, a conspiracy he doesn't want me or anyone else to know about.

Is it a secret contact with some forces that have not yet surfaced, or is it preparing some forbidden method that comes at a huge cost but is terrifyingly powerful?

Or perhaps, deep within the lost lands, he still harbors some unknown trump card, enough to turn the tide?
Countless possibilities flashed through Cohen's mind.

However, Sal's refusal to meet gave Cohen a rare moment of peace.

He no longer needed to painstakingly play the role of a dedicated war chief of staff, nor did he need to rack his brains on military maps to find a non-existent chance of victory in battles destined to fail.

He could retreat to his own tent, where it was relatively quiet and convenient to receive special supplies.

The box delivered today was not large, and it was delivered through the most secretive channels of the Military Intelligence Bureau, bearing Yadel's unique code.

Seeing the familiar pattern, Cohen felt a warmth rise in his heart, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up slightly.

Although he and Adele rarely saw each other and each shouldered heavy responsibilities, their connection was never truly severed.

They frequently wrote to each other, discussing everything from major military and national affairs to interesting anecdotes from the front lines, from their opinions on a particular policy to the scenery they happened to see.

They also frequently exchanged gifts, which weren't necessarily very valuable. Sometimes it was a strange mineral he had captured from the battlefield, or a fragment of an ancient book from a lost civilization. Other times it was a calming spice she had personally prepared from Florence, or seeds of a newly discovered rare magical plant, or a personal item imbued with longing and protective magic.

This has become an unspoken understanding and warmth between them.

Cohen carefully inspected the intact seal on the box. After confirming that everything was in order, he used his unique technique to inject a trace of his own magic power. With the help of the protective magic circle that Adele had set up beforehand, the box opened with a soft click.

There was no magical glow or exotic fragrance as expected. The box was lined with deep blue velvet, and in the center lay an object—a mirror.

Cohen was slightly taken aback, a clear look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This mirror is small, just the right size to hold in the palm of your hand. The frame is made of white wood with natural wood grain, and the edges are inlaid with tiny silver crystal fragments. Its design is simple and elegant, and it is clear that it is made with great care.

But... this seems a little different from the gifts Adel usually gives.

She usually gives gifts that are either practical, meaningful souvenirs, or magical ornaments with powerful magic or unique effects.

A beautiful vanity mirror, which is not quite her style.

With a puzzled look, he reached out and took out the mirror.

It feels slightly cool to the touch, with an excellent tactile experience. The mirror-like surface is crystal clear, clearly reflecting his handsome face.

Cohen examined the mirror repeatedly, infusing it with magical energy and even using several detection spells, but the mirror showed no unusual reaction, as if it were just a well-made ordinary mirror.

"What does the Queen mean by this?"

Cohen muttered to himself, his fingers tracing the smooth frame of his glasses, his doubts deepening.

Given Adel's personality, she would never send a seemingly useless mirror for no reason.

There must be a deeper meaning behind this, but he couldn't figure it out for the time being.

Just as he was pondering in front of the mirror, his personal communication stone suddenly became slightly warm, transmitting a familiar magical fluctuation.

Cohen temporarily put down the mirror and took out the communication stone to activate it.

A message came from Adele, and it was very simple: she had spoken with Shanies, and Shanies had agreed to their plan.

Seeing this, Cohen felt certain.

The deal with Shanis is done; this is the most crucial step. The Central Empire's tacit approval will greatly reduce external resistance to Effie's ascension.

Cohen originally wanted to discuss this matter himself, but Adel's point was that Cohen was, after all, Shanies' fiancé.

Speaking in person inevitably involves personal feelings, or may cause misunderstandings or manipulation by the other party, which is not ideal.

National affairs should be discussed as national affairs; exchanges of interests and divisions of positions must be clear and unambiguous.

With her in charge, it becomes a purely diplomatic negotiation between nations, a dialogue between Queen Effie and the Empress of the Central Empire, which can set aside unnecessary emotional interference and make the discussion clean and efficient.

In retrospect, the Queen's sister's strategy was correct and extremely efficient.

Adele then asked:
Did you receive the gift I sent you?

Cohen picked up the mirror and chuckled softly at the other end of the communication stone:
“I received it. I’m just a little curious, why did my sister suddenly think of giving me a mirror?”
Do you think that I'm being exposed to the wind and sun here, neglecting my appearance, and that this is detrimental to the image of the husband of the most beautiful woman in mainland China?

When Adel, who was far away in the palace, heard Cohen's voice, her eyes rippled slightly, and she smiled without replying.

Instead, he held the mirror up to his face and whispered a few incantations.

At the same time, the mirror in Cohen's hand flashed with magic.

Immediately afterwards, the mirror that had been clearly reflecting his face suddenly began to ripple like water.

After the ripples subsided, a stunningly beautiful face that haunted his dreams clearly appeared in the mirror.

Cohen paused for a moment, then smiled. His tense nerves, which had been on edge for days, found indescribable comfort in that instant, and he blurted out:

"Wow, you can actually talk 'face-to-face' like this?"
"When did my sister incorporate the communication crystal's function into the mirror? This makes things much more convenient."

With great interest, Cohen pointed at Adaline's reflection in the mirror with his finger, as if he could actually touch her.

The gentle smile on Adel's lips deepened slightly in the mirror, and her voice came through the mirror, clearer than from the communication stone, as if it were right next to her ear:

"Fool, that's not all, watch closely!" (End of Chapter)