Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Prime Minister Avery and Nactor also raised their glasses and took a symbolic sip.

The atmosphere seemed to have returned to harmony between allies.

But Cohen had already quickly organized the information he had received in his mind.

King Peter is indeed still alive and is imprisoned somewhere in the Kingdom of Serene, under the personal control of the three tomb masters. It is heavily guarded and has special isolation measures.

Nactor seems to have some knowledge of this, and may even be a direct participant, which is a potential breakthrough.

Avery's attitude was more cautious; the veteran politician's silence and scrutinizing gaze indicated that he was more prudent than Nactor.

There are deeper doubts about Cohen's motives for suddenly showing concern for King Peter, making it more difficult to get a breakthrough from him.

"It seems that finding and contacting King Peter is more difficult than he had anticipated."

The three tomb owners are personally guarding the place... This means that the place of imprisonment is likely in Toringard, or even in some hidden place in this palace, or in some top-secret stronghold operated by the Black Tomb in Thereon.

No matter where you are, it will inevitably be a den of dragons and tigers.

Cohen pondered to himself, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the still quiet Vireikis beside him.

This demigod-level "bodyguard" is his biggest variable and reliance on this trip.

However, how to achieve the goal with her help without revealing her true identity and purpose requires careful consideration.

Subsequent negotiations continued for some time, mainly concerning the handover of the first batch of supplies, methods of intelligence transmission, and preliminary coordination mechanisms.

By the time everything was initially settled, it was already late at night.

Prime Minister Avery arranged for Cohen and his deputy to rest in an elegant annex within the palace grounds, with further discussions to follow tomorrow.

The annex was located on the side of the palace. It was ornately decorated but had the cold, hard style that Serene had. There were not many guards, but Cohen could sense at least a few hidden and powerful auras flowing in the shadows.

Clearly, the villa where Cohen was staying was under close surveillance, but this was to be expected.

Once inside, Cohen carefully inspected the living room, bedroom, and even the bathroom, only relaxing his tense nerves slightly after confirming that there were no hidden surveillance arrays, eavesdropping spells, or physical spying devices.

With a wave of his hand, he set up several layers of silence and interference barriers, removing the composed and capable diplomatic mask of "Chief of Staff Mayne." Cohen rubbed his throbbing temples, revealing a genuine weariness on his face.

Acting in front of a saint with whom you have a blood feud is an extremely mentally taxing task.

He walked to the window, gazing at the Toringard Palace outside, illuminated by magical lights that made it appear like an inverted starry sky, and spoke softly:
"Your Majesty, you have seen this Third Tomb Master today as well... He is unfathomable."

"If you were to secretly strike up a conversation with the imprisoned King Peter right under his nose, pass on a message, or even manage to meet him, how confident would you be?"

Villegitimate had long since shed her composed and reserved facade, and was now lounging lazily in a high-backed chair in the living room, her delicate brows furrowing slightly at the words.

She shook her head, her emerald eyes gleaming brilliantly in the dim indoor light:

"Unlikely."

You underestimate the existence of Saints.

Moreover, this third tomb master was a Hundred-Star Saint, whose perception, integration with the surrounding environment, and insight into anomalies within his own domain far surpassed that of ordinary people.

I am confident that I can infiltrate most of the palace without alerting too many people, and if I go all out, killing him would be a piece of cake.

However, to completely shield his senses from his perception within the core area where he is alert or his power is present, and to conduct 'remote' communication or secretly contact a person he is closely guarding... is extremely difficult.

Just like moving slightly beneath calm water, even the slightest movement will create ripples. Unless…

She paused, looking at Cohen:

"Unless we know the exact location where Peter is being held, and at the same time create an accident or crisis large enough to capture his full attention, briefly disrupting or diverting his perception."

Even so, the risks are extremely high.

Cohen sighed. He wasn't surprised by the answer, but hearing Virekis confirm it herself still made him feel a little uneasy.

"Creating chaos to divert attention" is an alternative, but it is a last resort and is extremely easy to get out of control, which could ruin the entire undercover mission.

"It is indeed difficult... but that's a story for another time."

Cohen shook off his temporary frustration and returned to the present, "The most crucial thing right now is to find out exactly where King Peter is being held."

Only after the location is determined can we assess the risks and develop follow-up plans.

Otherwise, it's all just empty talk.

Vilekis raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at him:

"Do you need me to secretly 'stroll' around Toringard, or this palace, and do some research for you?"

If it's just peripheral reconnaissance, avoiding a few key areas, the three tomb masters won't notice, and they should be able to gain some results.

Cohen pondered for a moment, then shook his head:
"Not for now. Your Majesty, once you use your power, no matter how secretly you do so, there is still a risk that it will be detected."

This is the lair of the Black Tomb. Besides the three tomb masters, there are bound to be other hidden powerful figures or unique monitoring methods.

Since we are new here, it is not advisable to reveal any unconventional abilities too early.

That Nactus Warren, the student of the three tomb masters, was quite 'positive' about King Peter's topic during today's negotiations. He seemed to know some inside information, and he looked... a bit easier to deal with than that old fox Avery.

Over the next two days, I will take the opportunity to discuss the details of military cooperation and try to subtly probe him to see if I can find any clues.

He is a dark mage, and may have some knowledge of certain special imprisonment locations and magical confinement techniques, and may even have participated in the related magical arrangements.

Virekis nodded, agreeing with Cohen's assessment.

Without another word, his gaze swept across the lavishly decorated suite, and he immediately noticed something. His slender eyebrows rose again, and a hint of amusement crept into his voice:
"How come this huge guesthouse only has one bedroom?"

Cohen followed her gaze and saw that the living room was indeed connected to only one carved bedroom door.

He paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile:

"I'm afraid...the people of Serene have mistaken Your Majesty's disguised identity for my...well, companion or lover."

In such aristocratic circles, it was not uncommon for someone to travel on a diplomatic mission with a beautiful female companion.

They probably felt that this arrangement was more convenient and made more sense.

Then, he changed the subject, looking at Virekis with a hint of curiosity and teasing:

"However, Your Majesty, with your current level and life form, you have long since transcended the mortal realm."

Do I... still need to sleep and rest like a normal person?

In his mind, for a demigod-level being, meditation and energy absorption might be the only ways to recover and improve, and sleep, a physiological need of mortals, should have been abandoned long ago.

Upon hearing this, Vireikis gave a noncommittal "hmm," gracefully rose from the high-backed chair, and lazily stretched.

This simple movement revealed the astonishing curves of her body hidden beneath her luxurious dress.

The combination of a mature woman's charm and a demigod's perfect physique creates a breathtaking allure.

After performing this action that made Cohen's gaze involuntarily want to shift but then forcibly fix itself on, Virekis lowered her arm, her tone flat:

"The most effective way for women to maintain their beauty is to get enough sleep."

This has nothing to do with power levels, but rather with a respect for and enjoyment of life itself.

so……"

She glanced sideways at Cohen, a hint of "you rough men wouldn't understand" flashing in her eyes, before walking with the lightness of a cat towards the only bedroom and pushing open the door.

He glanced back at Cohen, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"The bedroom is mine now."

You can sleep in the living room.

After she finished speaking, she prepared to turn around and go into the bedroom, but paused for a moment before completely closing the door.

She turned her head slightly, and her stunning profile seemed to glow softly in the gentle light of the wall lamp by the door.

A moment later, a languid voice, tinged with a hint of ambiguous magnetism, drifted out from inside the door, like a feather gently brushing against the tip of one's heart:

"Oh, right, little man..."

She deliberately dragged out the words, her voice filled with seduction, "The night is long, feel free to raid me tonight~"

As she spoke, she slowly raised one leg, revealing her delicate foot encased in fine black stockings from under her skirt. Her ankle was slender and gracefully curved.

She gently lifted her toes and casually flicked off one of her crystal high heels. The shoe traced a small arc in the air and landed with a soft "tap" on the soft carpet by the bedroom door.

After making this suggestive and provocative little gesture, he chuckled as if he had finished a prank, and his figure disappeared completely into the darkness of the bedroom.

Immediately afterwards, the bedroom door closed gently, and a soft click of the lock was heard, though the lock was useless to the two people inside.

Cohen: "..."

Cohen stood there, feeling as if his heart had been gripped tightly by that last glance and that hooking motion, and it skipped a beat.

His heart began to pound uncontrollably, a surge of heat rushing to his head, only to be forcibly suppressed by his powerful willpower. A night raid on a demigod-level elven queen, who was once the most beautiful woman on the continent?

Cohen was very suspicious that if he barged in, Villegise would broadcast it live to Windsordler.

He walked to the sofa in the living room, which looked fairly large and soft, sighed, and lay down fully clothed.

The sofa was comfortable, much better than a cot, but it was clearly far inferior to the luxurious bed in the bedroom.

However, Cohen had no time to dwell on these matters. His mind was replaying the details of the negotiations during the day, Nactus's reaction, Avery's silence, the unfathomable aura of the three tomb masters, and how to extract clues about King Peter's whereabouts from Nactus without arousing suspicion...

As night deepened, the Toringard Palace fell silent, with only the occasional sound of patrolling guards' regular footsteps drifting from afar.

In the living room, Cohen tossed and turned on the sofa, pondering his next plan.

Inside the bedroom, Virekis lay on the soft, comfortable bed. A mischievous smile flickered in her emerald eyes in the darkness before she slowly closed them, her breathing becoming even and long, as if she had truly drifted into a dream.

However, a hint of a triumphant smile lingered at the corner of his mouth.

……

In the following days, Cohen, in his capacity as "Chief of Staff to Mayne," frequently met with Prime Minister Avery, and especially Nactor Warren.

The specific details of the joint action plan were repeatedly discussed.

From the selection of troop assembly areas and attack routes to the coordination methods of different branches of the armed forces, to the covert setup of logistics supply lines, the encryption and frequency of intelligence transmission, and emergency plans for unexpected situations... every detail needs to be finalized one by one.

The negotiating table has become a battlefield without gunpowder, where every detail hides a struggle for interests and uncertainties about the future.

During this period, due to Cohen's outstanding performance, the three tomb masters showed an increasingly strong interest in this "Chief of Staff Mayne" from the Demon Gold Empire.

Through some of the Black Tomb's own secret channels in the Magma Empire and even the Lost Lands, the three tomb masters quickly obtained more detailed information about "Chief of Staff Mayne".

This veteran intelligence officer from the Lost Lands repeatedly offered brilliant strategies under Thrall, whether it was stabilizing the front lines, reforming internal affairs, or opening up new sources of revenue for the Empire in the face of resource scarcity.

All these deeds demonstrate that this person not only possesses excellent military skills, but also outstanding strategic vision and domestic political acumen, making him a rare all-rounder.

It is no exaggeration to say that Cohen's existence is one of the key reasons why Sal's Magnet Empire has been able to survive the turmoil to this day.

Comparing the interior of the Black Tomb, the three tomb owners couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings).

The Black Tomb is teeming with experts, including legendary assassins, unpredictable liches, and cunning and cruel demons and devils.

However, most of them are good at sabotage, conspiracy, or personal power enhancement, while top-notch think tank talents who are truly good at macro strategy, overall planning, and internal governance are extremely rare.

In contrast, their arch-rival Alfion not only had the monstrous Cohen Corleone, but its queen, Adele Angrain, was also renowned for her exceptional political acumen and domestic management skills, keeping Alfion in perfect order.

There was also Windsordler, the former Minister of the Interior from the Middle Empire, who was also an expert in handling complex political affairs and coordinating relationships between various parties.

Not to mention Jin Yi's daughter from the Jin Yi family, who is already a top financial expert.

In addition, it has a variety of professional talents under its command... This comprehensive talent advantage is something that Black Tomb simply cannot match, and it is also one of the important reasons why Black Tomb has repeatedly suffered losses in its struggle against Effie.

"If we could recruit him..."

A flicker of longing flashed in the eyes of the three tomb owners.

Talented individuals are rare, especially leaders who can take charge independently and coordinate the overall situation; they are even rarer to find.

He figured that what Black Tomb could offer might not be less than what Thrall, the "emperor" who was on his last legs, could offer. Moreover, with the future of the Magisterium Empire uncertain, it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

So he secretly instructed his student Nactor to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss joint matters and make more contact with this "Chief of Staff Mayne".

On the one hand, we need to continue learning and observing their style of doing things and their way of thinking; on the other hand, we need to look for opportunities to try to win them over.

In the instructions given to Narctos, the three tomb lords even hinted that he could offer great profits and high positions.

Cohen keenly noticed this change.

When Nactor discussed the matter with him, although he remained unyielding on the specific terms, his attitude was noticeably more conciliatory than initially. He would even occasionally ask Cohen for his views on certain strategic issues or discuss the situation on the continent in a consultative tone.

Cohen knew perfectly well that this was a signal released by the three tomb masters, which surprised and delighted him.

With this as a prelude, it will be much easier to extract information from Nactus.

Korn seized the opportunity and, in the ensuing interactions, intentionally or unintentionally revealed that he was not only proficient in military and political affairs, but also possessed remarkable insights into magic, especially certain ancient and unorthodox knowledge, even knowledge with a taboo connotation.

During a discussion about how to use special terrain and magical environments for covert marches, Cohen "casually" mentioned the principles of rune arrays left behind in an ancient ruin deep in the Lost Lands.

Its precise descriptions and unique insights even impressed Narctos, the legendary dark mage.

Nactus was obsessed with magic, especially dark and mystical magic, which was the source of his power and one of his greatest pursuits.

Cohen's "erudition" immediately piqued his interest, and their conversation gradually shifted from business to the realm of magic.

Cohen skillfully steered the conversation toward the glory and fall of the ancient arcane empire, revealing his boundless longing for the magical achievements of that era.

He also expressed his "regret" that much profound arcane knowledge has been lost, leaving only fragments that inspire imagination.

"...especially theories concerning the imprisonment of the soul, spatial folding, and the essential transformation of negative energy."

It is said that the Arcane Empire made groundbreaking progress in its later period. If these research materials could be obtained, they would be an immeasurable treasure for mages who are studying related fields.

Unfortunately, most of these research findings were lost with the destruction of the empire.

I once had the misfortune of seeing a few words on a broken stone tablet at some ruin; they were incredibly profound and I still haven't been able to decipher them.

His words, though seemingly plausible, struck Nactus precisely where it hurt most.

Soul, space, negative energy—these are the core areas of dark magic, and also the main focus of Narctos's attacks.

The Arcane Empire's achievements in this area have always been legendary treasures!

Nactus's breathing quickened almost imperceptibly for a moment, though he quickly regained control, but the fleeting, burning light in his eyes did not escape Cohen's notice.

Cohen chuckled inwardly; the fish had taken the bait.

In the following days, Cohen's relationship with Nactor quickly warmed up.

In addition to formal negotiations, the two had more private conversations, and their topics increasingly revolved around magic, especially lost and mysterious arcane knowledge.

With his memories of his past life and his knowledge of this life, Cohen can always throw out some profound and captivating "knowledge points" and "ruins clues" that are left ambiguous and suspenseful, keeping Naxtos's appetite firmly in suspense.

He plays the role of a fellow magic enthusiast, knowledgeable but lacking a complete lineage, and quickly wins the favor and recognition of Naxtos, an academic (or rather, obsessive) mage.

As the conversation deepened, Cohen steered the topic toward the imprisonment magic circle.

During an in-depth discussion of the principles of a complex soul-binding magic array, Narctos remarked:
"Such an exquisite yet dangerous magic array has extremely high requirements for the casting environment and the state of the bound person. If it is not controlled properly, it can easily backfire."

It can even lead to the complete annihilation of the bound soul, rendering all previous efforts futile.

Just like when we deal with some... well, special prisoners, we must be extremely careful to ensure the absolute stability and isolation of the magic circle.

Cohen's heart skipped a beat; he had finally reached a crucial point.

He remained expressionless and sighed, following the lead of the conversation:

"Indeed, for high-end constraints, especially for powerful individuals or those requiring long-term maintenance, the location and energy source of the magic array are crucial."

I recall seeing a theory called 'Shadow Resonance of the Earth Veins' in a fragment of an ancient book, which might perfectly solve the long-term stability problem of high-level soul-binding arrays in non-demon-slaying areas, but unfortunately the record is incomplete..."

He spoke of seemingly profound magical theories while carefully observing Naxtos's reactions.

A thoughtful look flashed in Nactus's eyes, and he even nodded slightly unconsciously, as if to confirm something.

Taking the opportunity, Cohen asked in a consultative tone:

“Master Warren is an expert in this field. In your opinion, if we were to imprison someone who is quite powerful and we need to ensure that they cannot have any contact with the outside world, and even block out any special sensations that their bloodline might trigger.”

Aside from the usual magical cages and soul shackles, what are your insights on site selection?
Is it necessary to find a natural, forbidden area, or can it be modified using powerful magic arrays?

Nactor was now quite impressed with Cohen's academic abilities, and their pleasant conversations over the past few days had lowered his guard to a minimum.

He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said:
"Natural wilderness areas are hard to find, and they are often in harsh environments that are difficult to control."

The more common method is to modify the terrain and energy nodes to construct composite shielding and confinement arrays.

"For example..." He paused, seemingly hesitant, but seeing Cohen's inquisitive eyes, and considering that the other was a high-ranking representative of an ally and so obsessed with magic, perhaps he could obtain more clues about the Arcane Empire from him in the future, so he revealed a little:

"...Near Toringard, there is an ancient fire dwarf ruin located deep underground."

The geological structure there is unique, permeated with dense shadow energy, which naturally interferes with most prophecy and detection spells.

If it is extensively modified, with multiple layers of superimposed confinement arrays constructed, and then the energy of the earth's ley lines is extracted to maintain it, it can be considered foolproof.

Even for a Saint-level expert, unless they know the exact location and method of entry beforehand, it is extremely difficult to sense or break through from the outside.

Nactus's words also carried a hint of pride in his masterpiece.

Cohen's heart pounded, but his face showed admiration:

"A grand undertaking, truly an amazing concept!" (End of Chapter)