Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Bloody revenge!
The three tomb owners bluntly stated that they needed revenge!
The destruction of the Black Tomb's Northwest headquarters, which was uprooted, marked the beginning of a series of events that wiped out countless elite troops, years of hard work, and meticulous planning.

From the moment Cohen repeatedly thwarted Black Tomb's plans, causing Black Tomb to suffer heavy losses and lose face, Black Tomb and Effie, as well as Cohen, have been locked in an irreconcilable conflict.

Black Tomb has always seemed to be at a disadvantage and constantly restrained by Cohen.

Taking the initiative only resulted in failure, humiliation, and even greater losses.

Therefore, they learned to wait and to lie in wait.

They sheathed their claws and retreated into the shadows, watching Cohen, watching Effin, watching them enjoy their glory, watching them unite with their so-called allies.

Black Tomb had been waiting, waiting for the perfect moment, waiting for them to reveal a weakness, and then delivering a fatal blow!

Cohen listened calmly, but his heart was ice-cold.

He could sense the overwhelming hatred in the words of the Third Tomb Master, which was absolutely genuine.

Black Tomb's hatred for Effie, especially for "Cohen Corleone" himself, has reached a terrifying level.

This is not merely a conflict of interests, but a comprehensive clash of dignity, prestige, and even a sense of organizational survival.

The other party sees this cooperation not only as an opportunity for expansion, but also as a revenge war that requires all their strength!
This will undoubtedly make Black Tomb even more reckless and insane in its subsequent operations.

Cohen nodded slowly and continued the conversation:
"On behalf of His Majesty Sal, I fully agree with what the Lord of the Three Tombs said."

Effie's rapid rise, Cohen's personal prestige, and the strong network of allies they have woven have seriously threatened the old balance of power on the continent.

More importantly, they are direct obstacles standing in our way, and mortal enemies of our survival and development.

The three tomb owners nodded in agreement.

Cohen continued:

"Your Majesty believes that rather than fighting individually and being defeated one by one, it would be better to join forces to exert pressure, attack from both the east and the west, disrupt their plans, and even strike at their heart."

"Straight to the heart of the enemy?"

Prime Minister Avery, standing to the side, raised an eyebrow slightly, his voice steady:

"Chief of Staff Mayne means to attack Effie's homeland?"

"Yes."

Cohen unfolded the simple map he carried with him and pointed to several key areas in the heart of the Kingdom of Efein:

"Although Effie's forces are strong, their battle lines are stretched thin. They have to deal with the resistance of the remnants of my empire, and also send troops to support their allies in the Lost Lands and surrounding areas."

Its homeland defenses appear solid, but in reality, they are not impenetrable.

If our two sides can reach an agreement, your side will deploy the openly deployed troops of the Kingdom of Serene from the western front, as well as…”

He glanced at the three tomb masters, his words carrying a hidden meaning, "The power of your organization is crucial to several of Effie's key allies, especially the Pale Wings!"
Launch a sudden and fierce attack, ideally achieving a breakthrough and threatening or even invading their homeland.

For example, here, in the fertile northern plains, or in its important port city, Golden Sail Port.

At the same time, my empire will launch a diversionary offensive on the eastern front, and may even attempt a counterattack in a specific direction to draw Effie's main force back to reinforce.

Beset on two fronts, its alliance system will inevitably crumble, and at that time…

He didn't finish speaking, but the meaning was already clear: this was a typical "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao" strategy combined with a central attack strategy.

Taking advantage of the sudden attack by the Serene and Black Tomb alliance, with their forces aimed directly at the heart of Efein, they could force Efein to withdraw troops from the front lines of the Magnum Empire to defend its territory, thereby relieving the pressure on the Magnum Empire and potentially creating an opportunity for a local counter-offensive.

At the same time, if they can successfully create chaos or seize key locations in Efein's homeland, it will be a heavy blow to Efein's prestige and international influence, and could very likely trigger internal instability and a loosening of its alliance system.

A brief silence fell over the council chamber.

Prime Minister Avery frowned, his fingers unconsciously tracing patterns on the table, clearly calculating the feasibility of the plan, the required troops and supplies, and the potential risks.

Nactus, however, looked intently at the bold attack plan.

The third tomb master remained as calm as ever, only his murky eyes lingered on Cohen's face for a little longer.

After a long while, the third tomb owner finally spoke slowly:
"The plan sounds good, but there are two problems."

First, Effie had been operating in the local area for several years and had a well-developed defense system. Cohen Corleone was a cunning strategist, and his generals were no mediocre men.

Furthermore, he is supported by an incredibly efficient military and administrative system established by his Queen Angraine, something your Demon Gold Empire has experienced firsthand in its war against Effie.

In addition, as far as I know, Queen Cohen is also a top-notch array master, and powerful arrays must cover all the important strategic points in the country.

Therefore, achieving the strategic goal of 'invading the homeland' or even threatening its heartland is by no means easy. The forces required, whether elite troops, special forces, strategic resources or high-level combat power, will be astronomical.

The Kingdom of Serene... or rather, we of the Black Tomb, are certainly willing to pay the price for a common goal.

However, we also need to see the sincerity and strength of the Demon Gold Empire.

Aside from continuing to draw away and contain the main forces of Efein and his allies on the eastern front, how much substantial leverage does His Majesty Sal have left to support this joint offensive that could reshape the continent's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or landscape)?

The three tomb masters' questions were very pointed, directly addressing the current state of the Demon Gold Empire—its outward strength masking its inner weakness and its precarious battle lines.

This is the basis of cooperation: how much more resources does Sal have to support this joint operation?

Cohen remained unfazed, clearly prepared.
“Your concerns, Lord of the Three Tombs, are absolutely correct.”

Your Majesty is well aware that empty talk about cooperation without substance is tantamount to trying to catch fish by climbing a tree.

In addition to the Eastern Front, where we will spare no effort to launch the most intense offensive to firmly tie down the main force of Efein and his allies, preventing them from turning west, we have also prepared the following sincere measures.

First, intelligence sharing.

We are willing to provide detailed information on Effie’s latest military organization, main battle equipment performance, combat characteristics of each corps, and command styles of its major generals, especially the coordination patterns, command chains, and potential weaknesses exposed when it operates jointly with the so-called “Supreme Council” member states.

This intelligence comes partly from our long-term battlefield engagements and intelligence gathering, and partly from certain special channels; it is of extremely high value.

Secondly, strategic channels and resource points.

Deep within the Lost Lands and in some disputed areas to the northeast bordering Effie, the Demon Gold Empire still controls several hidden resource production points and relatively well-preserved short-distance teleportation nodes.

During the cooperation period, we are willing to secretly grant you access to certain nodes and resource points, which can be used for elite squad infiltration, critical material transportation, or to carry out certain special operations requiring rapid response.

Thirdly, and also a manifestation of His Majesty's utmost sincerity, is the preferential treatment in the distribution of post-war benefits.

His Majesty made it clear that as long as this joint operation can achieve the strategic goal of severely damaging or even dismantling Effie, it will have the right to decide on the division of spheres of influence, resource allocation, and even the future order of the continent.

The Demon Gold Empire is willing to make significant concessions, prioritizing the interests of the Kingdom of Serene and the Black Tomb.

Specific terms can be drafted in detail within this framework to ensure fairness and your advantage.

The three tomb owners remained noncommittal and continued to ask:

"Secondly, and more importantly."

How can we believe that this isn't a bait thrown to us by His Majesty Sal, so that we might fight Efein head-on while he takes the opportunity to recuperate and even... reap the benefits?
After all, trust is the scarcest thing in a collaboration like ours.

Throughout history, how many examples of betrayal and abandonment of those who have served their purpose are there?

Cohen took a deep breath, knowing that the real test was about to begin.

He must provide a reason that will allow the other party to temporarily set aside their doubts, even if that reason itself is fraught with risk.

He raised his head, his gaze intense, meeting the Third Tomb Master's eyes—eyes that seemed to devour all light—without flinching.

"Your concerns, Third Tomb Master, are perfectly reasonable. From your position, it is only natural to have such worries."

But please allow me to be frank: the situation facing the Demon Gold Empire today cannot be described by the word 'dilemma'; it has truly reached the edge of a life-or-death precipice.

His Majesty knows better than anyone that with the Empire's current strength, there is absolutely no way it can survive the continued siege by Effie and the 'Supreme Council' coalition forces he has assembled.

Every retreat on the Eastern Front, every inch of land lost, weakened the empire's last remaining strength.

Partnering with you is not just an option, but the only way out we can see right now.

In such dire circumstances, any short-sighted act of betrayal, any foolish idea of ​​pushing allies into the fire to save oneself, is tantamount to digging one's own grave and hastening the empire's demise.

Our Emperor was able to rise from the harsh environment of the Lost Lands and establish the Demon Gold Empire; he is by no means a fool who cannot see the situation clearly.

He understands better than anyone that only by sincerely joining hands and cooperating with you can we deal a heavy blow to Effie and his alliance system, and even shake its foundations.

Only then will the Demon Gold Empire have a glimmer of hope to continue or even turn the tide in the future.

We are not taking advantage of you, but seeking symbiosis!
As for trust... indeed, words alone are insufficient.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally settling on the unfathomable eyes of the Third Tomb Master:
"We can establish a practical and effective monitoring and close communication mechanism."

For example, in key theaters of mutual interest, both sides will exchange senior liaison officers with certain authority to share some military action plans and progress in real time, ensuring coordinated action and avoiding misunderstandings.

It's even possible to agree to exchange some influential personnel as a guarantee of sincerity.

Or, going a step further, we could plan and jointly execute one or two clandestine decapitation or sabotage operations against senior executives of Effie or key figures in its core allies.

The operation involved personnel from both sides, who shared intelligence and shared the risks and consequences.

In this way, we are firmly bound together on the same chariot, sharing both glory and ruin. Ultimately, mutual benefit is the strongest bond of the alliance.

Now, we share the most pressing and fundamental common interest—survival, and the destruction of our most dangerous common enemy, Cohen Corleone, and everything he represents!

The council chamber fell silent again, with only the faint buzzing of the magic crystal.

Prime Minister Avery was quickly taking notes and thinking, while Nactor's eyes gleamed with calculation.

The three tomb masters remained expressionless, but the fingers that had been tapping the table had stopped at some point.

A silence fell over the room.

This silence lasted for quite some time, long enough to make ordinary people uneasy.

After a long while, the Third Tomb Master slowly stood up. His not-so-tall body seemed to instantly fill the entire room with shadow.

An invisible pressure, heavy as a mountain, naturally emanated from him. Although it wasn't intentionally targeted, it made Cohen feel a slight tightness in his chest.

The voice of the third tomb owner finally rang out, his tone seemingly undergoing a very subtle change, less cold and more carrying an indescribable meaning, like appreciation, yet also like regret:
"Chief of Staff Maine, you have excellent speaking skills, clear thinking, appropriate responses, and are quite frank."

No wonder Thrall values ​​you so much, entrusting you with such a life-or-death mission.

Then, he abruptly changed the subject, saying something that made Cohen's heart skip a beat:
"If you were in the Kingdom of Serene, serving the Black Tomb, I would still value you highly."

Your talents shouldn't be confined to a crumbling palace.

Poaching someone?
Cohen's mind raced, but his face remained impassive, revealing only a subtle hint of surprise that quickly transformed into calm and determination.

He bowed slightly, his voice steady and clear, carrying an unquestionable loyalty:
"Thank you for your kindness, Third Tomb Master. I am unworthy of such praise."

However, everything I have now is due to His Majesty Sal's recognition and trust.

"The Demon Gold Empire may be in dire straits for now, but His Majesty possesses great talent and vision, and the foundation of the empire remains. Mayne is willing to live and die with the empire, and will do everything in my power to turn the tide."

A hint of regret flashed in the eyes of the three tomb owners, who said:

"Well, everyone has their own ambitions."

The specific details of the cooperation, resource allocation, attack routes, intelligence sharing, and the 'monitoring mechanism' you mentioned, will be discussed in detail by Prime Minister Avery and Warren..."

After the three tomb owners left, the heavy atmosphere in the council hall eased, but the invisible pressure did not completely dissipate.

The absolute pressure from the Saint-level has transformed into a more subtle atmosphere of negotiation and bargaining.

On either side of the long table, the figures representing the specific implementation levels of both sides began a truly meticulous and detailed negotiation.

Prime Minister Avery, the seasoned politician, began to scrutinize the cooperation terms proposed by Cohen, one by one.

From the details of the intelligence list promised to be shared by the Demon Gold Empire, the specific coordinates and usage rights of the teleportation nodes, and the output and distribution ratio of resource points, to the vague definition of post-war spheres of influence and the proportion of discourse power under the future "new order"...

They scrutinized and debated every word and every number repeatedly.

Nactus Warren, on the other hand, raised more questions and demands from the perspectives of supernatural power and specific tactics, such as how many high-level magical items or special alchemical materials the Magma Empire could provide, and the specific timetable and intensity commitment for the Eastern Front offensive.

And a plan to contain Effie's high-level combat forces (especially Cohen Corleone himself and the powerful men around him).

Cohen plays the role of a dutiful chief of staff who strives to secure benefits for the Magic Gold Empire.

He sometimes argued forcefully and refused to yield an inch, while at other times he made concessions on insignificant details in exchange for the other party's leniency on key terms.

They sometimes cleverly cite the special rules of the Lost Lands or the current difficulties faced by the Magnet Empire to explain the "limitations" of some of their promises.

Virekis, disguised as an assistant, sat quietly to the side, occasionally taking out a secret document or map from her file box at Cohen's prompting.

He added a few words in a low voice, "According to our intelligence...", perfectly portraying the role of an intelligence officer's assistant with exceptional knowledge and memory.

The lengthy bargaining lasted for several hours. By the time the final provisional agreement was finalized and the initial agreement was stamped with a magical mark, it was already dark outside the window.

The servants silently served refreshing drinks and simple refreshments, and during the brief break, the atmosphere in the council chamber eased slightly.

Cohen knew that his opportunity had arrived.

The reason he ventured alone this time was not only to find out the alliance plan between the Magnum Empire and the Kingdom of Serene, but more importantly, to find out the exact location of King Peter Serene, who was imprisoned by the Three Tomb Masters.

He needed to obtain something crucial from King Peter to advance his next plans.

Cohen picked up his delicate teacup, took a small sip of the slightly bitter, invigorating herbal tea, and casually glanced at Prime Minister Avery and Nactor across the table before remarking:

"This joint operation is of great importance and cannot afford to fail."

In addition to our close cooperation, external interference factors must also be minimized.

Before I left the Empire, His Majesty specifically instructed me to be mindful of potential instability within the Kingdom of Serene.

He put down his teacup, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and lowered his voice:

"For example, your country's King Peter Thrann, who is still nominally alive, but is said to have been 'properly settled'."

Prime Minister Avery paused slightly as he flipped through the documents, and raised his eyelids.

Nactus also put down the scroll in his hand, turning his gaze to Cohen with an ambiguous expression.

Cohen, seemingly oblivious to their subtle reactions, continued in a calm, analytical tone:
"King Peter has ruled Serren for decades, and although he has lost power, he is still a centipede even when it is dead."

He may have had hidden supporters and informants throughout the kingdom, especially among some of the old nobles, local garrisons, and even within the court.

Now that we are about to launch a large-scale joint military operation with your side, internal stability is of paramount importance.

He paused, then his gaze sharpened:
"What if... I mean, what if, with the help of certain forces, His Majesty the King manages to escape, or worse, manages to flee to Eifine, or finds a way to seek help from certain forces among the five great empires."

Given his status as the 'legitimate King of Serene,' what a fatal blow this would be to our cooperation, to the Kingdom of Serene, and even to the secrecy and surprise of the entire plan?
I suspect this is not something His Excellency the Third Tomb Master and the other two would like to see.

Prime Minister Avery remained silent for a moment, his sharp, hawk-like eyes lingering on Cohen's face for a few seconds, as if judging whether his words were purely strategic or if he had ulterior motives.

Finally, he slowly spoke:
Chief of Staff Maine's concerns are not without merit.

However, the handling of former King Peter Thranduil was an internal affair of the Kingdom of Thranduil, and also an important matter personally overseen by the Three Tomb Masters.

Rest assured, everything he does is under absolute control, and there is absolutely no possibility of it interfering with the outside world.

This answer was very official and cautious, without revealing any specific information.

Cohen nodded in understanding, but his brow furrowed slightly, as if he still had some concerns.
"Your Excellency, please don't take offense."

I'm not questioning your capabilities, it's just... this matter is extremely important.

His Majesty specifically instructed that a definite guarantee must be obtained.

After all, we are about to invest countless resources and the lives of soldiers from both countries, and any potential hidden danger could be magnified into a disaster.

Would it be possible for our liaison officer to learn about the relevant security measures at an appropriate level?

Even if it's just a confirmation of principle, it will give me more confidence to report back to His Majesty that our chosen allies are a united and unbreakable force.

Nactor then spoke up, his tone more casual than Avery's, but still carrying an undeniable certainty:

"Chief of Staff Maine is overthinking it. The teacher attaches great importance to the placement of that former king and has personally arranged a special place for his detention."

Its location is impregnable, completely isolated from the outside world, with special measures in place to ensure that it can neither transmit messages nor be detected or located by the outside world.

Forget about escaping; even a specific magical messenger wouldn't be able to fly out of there.

"I can assure the Chief of Staff of that."

Nactus's words revealed more information: the three tomb owners personally oversaw the project, it was specially guarded, completely isolated from the outside world, and had special measures to prevent detection and communication.

This aligns with Cohen's understanding of the Black Tomb's modus operandi and suggests that King Peter's place of imprisonment is definitely not ordinary; it is likely one of the core forbidden areas operated by the Black Tomb in Serene.

A hint of relief appeared on Cohen's face, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart:

"With the arrangements made personally by the three tomb masters and the guarantee from Master Warren, I am at ease."

I just wonder... how is this former king doing now?
After all, a living 'former king' might be more valuable than a corpse at times, such as when dealing with certain old powers who still harbor illusions in the future.

He cleverly shifted the topic from "whether they will escape" to "status and value," attempting to extract more information.

Prime Minister Avery was clearly more cautious, and he said in a low voice:
"His Majesty Peter Thrann is currently safe and quiet."

His condition is nothing to worry about.

As for whether it will be useful in the future, and when it will be useful, that depends on the decision of the Third Tomb Master.

He once again vetoed the topic, implying that this was the absolute authority of the highest level of the Black Tomb, and that outsiders were not allowed to inquire about it.

Cohen knew when to stop, realizing that pressing further might arouse unnecessary suspicion.

He gave an understanding smile and raised his glass in a gesture of respect:
"I have spoken too much. With the Prime Minister and Master Warren's words, I will certainly be able to report to His Majesty in detail when I return, so as to relieve His Majesty's worries."

Come, let us raise a glass to our upcoming cooperation and to our impending victory, in place of wine. (End of Chapter)