Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Consciousness projection!

These four words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Cohen's mental world, the aftershocks reverberating endlessly, leaving him somewhat dazed for a moment.

Queen... has she really been able to do this?
At this time, her memories of her past life have not been fully unlocked, and her powers have obviously not been fully restored.

The ability to project consciousness is a realm beyond the reach of ordinary legendary experts.

This requires near-absolute control over the essence of one's own soul, a soul essence strong and resilient enough to withstand division and long-distance maintenance, and an extraordinary and profound understanding of space, information, and the rules of existence itself.

This is already a sign that the power of God is about to be touched!

In fact, Adaline was already capable of doing this a long time ago.

Even before Cohen knew it, Adel had already used the semi-divine artifact "Heart of Dawn" that the goddess of light, Aetheril, had given him.

Because of the issue of "ownership" of Cohen, he projected his consciousness to the Plane of Light and confronted the Goddess of Light. (See Chapter 248, "The First Meeting of Adele and Aetheril!")

Countless thoughts raced and collided in Cohen's mind, eventually converging into an incredibly clear and exhilarating conclusion:
Indeed, Adel must have been a genuine deity in her previous life.

Only deities, in their current state where they have not yet fully returned to their rightful place and whose power has not yet been fully restored, can support such a near-miraculous ability as "consciousness projection."

If Adele can truly bypass Toringard's multiple defenses, evade the three tomb masters' saintly perceptions, and penetrate layers of binding magic arrays through "consciousness projection," she could directly establish a connection with King Peter's imprisoned soul.

Then all the problems that had previously troubled them—how to make contact, how to transmit information, and how to ensure secrecy—would be easily solved.

"Sister, you are..."

Cohen's voice was filled with barely suppressed shock.

He wanted to ask, but didn't know where to begin; a thousand words were stuck in his heart.

Adele's voice remains as gentle as water:

There are some things I didn't tell you before, for your own good.

Knowing too much can sometimes be a burden, and may even attract unnecessary attention.

Moreover, many of my memories remain hazy, and I have not been able to fully sort out many connections.

When the time is right, when everything is clearer, I will naturally tell you everything in detail.

Remember, Cohen, whoever I was in my past life, whatever my identity and power were, now and in the future, I am, and only, your wife, Adele Angraine.

This will never change.

This is a promise heavier than any vow.

Yes, she is Adele, his sister, and his lover. That's enough.

The rest is just background and the past.

Cohen stopped asking questions and stopped worrying, nodding slowly.

"I understand, sister. I'll wait for you."

After the call ended, Virekis's cough could be heard from the living room.

Cohen's expression shifted, and he returned to the living room.

Vilekis had somehow adopted a more languid and casual posture, her long silver hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, and a stunningly beautiful leg casually resting on the armrest of the soft couch.

Her skirt slipped down, revealing her smooth, alluring calves encased in delicate black stockings.

She seemed completely unconcerned about how alluring her posture was; her emerald eyes shone with a captivating light in the dim light, unabashedly releasing an astonishing charm that blended mature elegance, mysterious allure, and demigod majesty.

Like a bewitching flower blooming in the darkness, possessing a deadly allure.

Vireikis parted her red lips slightly, her voice languidly husky, and asked directly:

"What did your queen say?"

After a slight hesitation, considering that the subsequent operations would require Virekis's cooperation, and that given her level of expertise and keen insight, it would likely be impossible to keep it a secret, Cohen chose to tell her the truth:

“My sister has agreed. She will try to establish contact with King Peter through…consciousness projection.”

"Consciousness projection?"

Virekis's beautiful blue eyes widened slightly for a moment, a strange, playful glint in them.

She let out a soft "whoosh," and a captivating smile curved her lips.

"Interesting...this is getting more and more interesting."

Vireikis propped her chin up, looking at Cohen with great interest, her tone filled with undisguised teasing and inquiry.

"To be able to use 'consciousness projection' at the legendary level...tsk tsk, little man, your queen sister's past life must have been quite extraordinary."

This is not something that can be accomplished by the residual spirituality or divine ability of ordinary deities; it requires a very deep control and understanding of the essence of one's own existence.

At the very least, they must be a supreme god who once held significant power, or even higher.

She gently wagged her finger, a sly glint in her eyes:

"Even I'm starting to wonder what she must have been like in her prime."

To be honest... I'm starting to think I might as well latch onto this powerful figure.

"So, Your Majesty Corleone, would you like to act as an intermediary and introduce me to your Queen, perhaps even become sworn sisters?"

Cohen was both amused and exasperated by Virekis's straightforward yet alluring tone, and was also slightly taken aback by her speculation about Adele's past life's rank.

He composed himself and looked at the elven queen before him, who possessed unparalleled beauty, captivating charm, and unfathomable depths.

He sized up Virekis, his gaze lingering deliberately on her breathtaking curves for a moment, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Your Majesty is of unparalleled beauty and elegance. If you truly wish to address my Queen as sisters, there is no need for such trouble."

His words were vague, but the underlying sarcasm was quite clear.

Virekis instantly understood the audacious flirtatious intent in Cohen's words.

Far from being angry, a more intense interest flashed in her blue eyes.

Suddenly rising from the soft couch, her bare feet encased in black stockings moved silently like an elegant yet dangerous cat in the dark, walking up to Cohen.

The two instantly closed the distance, so close that Cohen could smell the cool yet strangely alluring fragrance emanating from her.

Virekis leaned down slightly, her stunningly beautiful face close to Cohen's ear, her warm breath gently brushing against his earlobe.

His voice was extremely low, like a lover's murmur, yet every word was clear, carrying a fatal allure and a touch of mockery:
"No need for that trouble?"
So you want me, your queen sister, and my silly apprentice Windsor...

She paused deliberately, feeling Cohen's body tense slightly at her approach and the content of her words. Her red lips almost touched his earlobe, her breath sweet as orchids.
"We, master and disciple, will sleep together in bed with you."

You wouldn't have been planning this all along, would you? Hmm? You little man?

That last address, drawn out in her languid, husky, and alluring tone, combined with her seductive posture so close to him and the explosive content of her words, was as powerful as legendary magic.

Cohen's breath hitched, his mind went blank for a moment from the impactful images and implications, his heart started pounding uncontrollably, and his blood seemed to rush in one direction.

Under the combined influence of beauty, fragrance, suggestive words, and the invisible charm of a demigod, his rational defenses faltered for a moment, and he subconsciously nodded.

It's purely a male instinctual, instantaneous physiological response to extreme temptation.

However, his maxed-out willpower attribute quickly brought him to his senses.

Damn it, I've been infected!

"No, I'm not, Your Majesty, please don't talk nonsense!"

Cohen quickly took a half step back, trying to create some distance. He tried to remain calm, but his ears turned a suspicious red. He blurted out three denials, but his tone sounded somewhat unconvinced.

Virekis, however, had already straightened up, a satisfied smile on her beautiful face like that of a fox who had successfully stolen a chicken.

He calmly stepped back, produced a shimmering magic memory stone from somewhere, and nimbly played with it between his fingers, his blue eyes full of mockery as he looked at Cohen.

"Oh, no?"

She shook the recording stone in her hand, which clearly showed the awkward moment when Cohen "subconsciously nodded." Although it was only one frame, it was enough to serve as irrefutable evidence.

She gently tossed the photo stone up and caught it, her smile growing even brighter:

"If you dare to speak rudely to me again, or secretly think unhealthy things, I'll give this photo stone to Windsor."

Cohen looked at the "conclusive evidence" photographic stone in Virekis's hand, and then at her smug smile of "successful scheme," and felt a headache and helplessness.

This Elf Queen is not only ridiculously powerful, but her ability to play tricks and her wicked sense of humor are also top-notch.

Cohen sighed, rubbed his temples, and spoke with a hint of helplessness and resignation:
"Your Majesty, this is... clearly a sting operation."

Virekis readily admitted it, even raising her chin with a rather smug air, and said in a matter-of-fact tone:
"Yeah, so what? You can call the police!"

Cohen: "..."

Seeing Cohen's speechless and helpless expression, Vireikis finally put away the recording stone with satisfaction, and resumed her languid yet dignified queenly demeanor. However, the lingering smile in her eyes and brows revealed that she was in a very good mood at the moment.

"Okay, no kidding."

She waved her hand, as if the "confrontation" that had just occurred—a confrontation that would make any normal man's blood boil and his heart pound with fear—was merely a minor incident:
"Since Your Majesty the Queen has a solution, let's discuss the specific details of our cooperation."

Her 'consciousness projection', though secretive, still requires suitable coordinates.

We must ensure that there are no unexpected interruptions during her spellcasting and communication with King Peter, especially... that we do not arouse the excessive vigilance of the three tomb masters.

The conversation finally got back on track, and Cohen immediately composed himself, temporarily putting aside his earlier embarrassment.

The two began to discuss in hushed tones in the living room…

Deep within the ancient dwarf ruins lies an underground prison that has been heavily modified and reinforced.

Here, the sun never shines; only the magic crystals embedded in the rock walls, emitting a cold, eerie blue light, provide dim illumination.

The air was damp and chilly, filled with the lingering dust and the gloomy aura unique to shadowy energy.

The layers upon layers of magical barriers acted like an invisible coffin, completely isolating the innermost cell from the outside world, making even the passage of time unclear.

The cells themselves were not simple; in fact, they were quite "decent."

A large, soft bed, a desk with simple stationery and a few books on the history of Serene, and even a separate washroom corner equipped with a basic cleansing magic circle.

Although the three meals a day were not lavish, they were delivered on time and were standard Serene aristocratic meals.

Aside from the lack of freedom, sunshine, and visitors, King Peter Thrann's material treatment did not seem to be too harsh despite his status as a prisoner.

After all, the third tomb owner still had a use for him.

The former king's mind was filled with too much valuable information and intelligence about the Kingdom of Serene, the situation on the continent, the secrets of various royal families, and even certain ancient traditions.

Violent interrogation may yield fragments, but it is far less complete and reliable than obtaining voluntary cooperation.

Not to mention that King Peter also had many loyal and secretive subordinates within the country.

Therefore, using both appeasement and deterrence to maintain his basic dignity and composure is a more efficient option.

However, physical favors could not alleviate the mental torture in the slightest.

King Peter sat back on the bed, his once majestic face now filled with haggardness and dejection. In his sunken eye sockets, his eyes, which were once as sharp as a hawk's, were now only the embers of his burning gaze, filled with anger and a deep-seated frustration.

He was not incapable of accepting the change of monarchy.

Serene has a history of political upheavals, and the victors are the ones who are remembered.

But what he could not accept was that the one who usurped his throne and imprisoned him here was the Black Tomb, who had sided with the Demon God and intended to drag the entire country and even the continent into the abyss!

This means that the glory of Seren, which has been passed down for hundreds of years, and the land and people that the Seren family has protected for generations, will be tied to the chariot of the demon god, become the enemy of the continent, and bear an infamy that can never be washed away for eternity.

Peter Thrann, as the last tyrant and a sinner who let the wolf into the house, will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame.

This caused him a thousand times more pain than killing him.

During his imprisonment, this despair and anger tormented his soul day and night.

He tried to starve himself, but the guards would forcibly keep him alive with magic.

He tried to provoke the guards to hasten his death, but all he got in return was tighter surveillance and magical confinement.

He even secretly tried to break the magical restraints within his body, hoping to trigger a backlash.

However, under the soul shackles and power seals personally set by the three tomb masters, even suicide became a luxury.

A saint's 24-hour watchful eye deprived him of even the right to end his own life.

This state of being unable to live and unable to die is the deepest form of despair.

He could only watch helplessly as his kingdom slid into the abyss, like an aging lion trapped in an exquisite cage, unable to even utter a complete roar of despair.

Just as he was once again engulfed by boundless anguish and powerlessness, almost driven mad by this eternal silence—

A sudden change has occurred!

King Peter shuddered violently, his cloudy eyes suddenly narrowing.

It wasn't any external sound or vibration, but rather it originated from the deepest part of his consciousness.

A cold yet vast power descended without warning, like the aurora sweeping across an ice field, instantly overwhelming all his senses and thoughts.

Before my eyes, the endless dark prison scene peeled away like shattered mirrors, replaced by an endless expanse of pure, breathtakingly clear, ice-blue light.

The light was not dazzling, but rather carried a sacred gentleness, yet it was filled with an indescribable majesty.

Immediately afterwards, he felt his consciousness being seized by an irresistible force and dragged into a vortex of ice crystals and light.

There was no dizziness or spinning sensation, only a strange feeling of detachment and falling.

When everything settled down again, Peter found himself "standing" in a strange, icy blue space.

Beneath our feet lies a smooth, mirror-like ice surface, reflecting mesmerizing light and shadow.

Strangely, there was no chill in the air; instead, there was a calming coolness that soothed the mind.

All around, the endless void was filled with soft, icy blue light. Countless tiny, crystalline snowflakes and ice crystals of various shapes seemed to have a life of their own, slowly drifting and swirling in this tranquil space, refracting a dreamlike brilliance.

There was no sound, no wind, only absolute tranquility and a transcendent ethereal quality.

"here it is……?"

King Peter looked around blankly, his heart filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Is it an illusion, or a new form of torture used by the three tomb masters?
Or... did I finally die, and my soul arrived in some unknown land of the dead?
No, that's not right.

He could clearly feel the activity in his mind; the anger, frustration, and despair were still there, only temporarily soothed by the tranquility of this space.

This place is so real, yet so bizarre.

Just as he was filled with doubt and suspicion, even beginning to wonder if this was yet another trick devised by the Third Tomb Master to try and break his will—

Not far ahead, icy blue light rippled out like water, and a figure slowly materialized from the ethereal.

She was a woman with an outstanding figure.

With her back to King Peter, her figure was tall and graceful; even just her back view seemed to embody all the world's imagination of "perfection".

Just by standing there, she exudes a sacred, serene, and tranquil aura, making the entire icy and snowy space seem like a mere backdrop to her presence.

She slowly turned around.

A face so beautiful it could eclipse the heavens and dim the stars came into King Peter's view.

Her skin was like jade, fair and translucent, almost transparent, and her features were so exquisite and perfect that they were as if they were the most meticulous carvings of the gods.

What's most unsettling are those eyes; they're not the usual pale blue.

Instead, it is a deeper, more translucent silver-purple, like an amethyst containing an endless galaxy, calm and undisturbed, yet seemingly able to see into the deepest secrets of the human heart.

Her beauty transcended worldly definitions, possessing a sublime and majestic quality that inspired awe and reverence.

King Peter's pupils suddenly shrank to the size of pinpoints, his heart seemed to stop beating for a moment, and then began to pound at an even more frantic pace.

He opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked by something, and he couldn't make a complete sound. He could only let out heavy, broken gasps of breath due to extreme shock and disbelief.

He was familiar with the person who had come!

Although her demeanor, her attire, and even the inhuman gleam in her eyes were quite different from her public appearances, King Peter could not possibly mistake that face—that unique countenance hailed as "the most beautiful woman on the continent."

Needless to say, because Cohen Corleone was often away from home, many of the internal and external affairs and international occasions of the Kingdom of Effie were long handled by this prince on his behalf.

King Peter, as the monarch of Serene, had met this de facto ruler of Efein on more than one occasion at various continental-level conferences, celebrations, and diplomatic events, and was deeply impressed by his extraordinary temperament!
"Ann... Your Highness Angrian?"

King Peter's voice was extremely hoarse, filled with deep astonishment, bewilderment, and a tremor he himself was unaware of, as if he had seen a glimmer of light in his desperate situation.

He almost thought he was having the most absurd hallucination ever!
How could Adel Angelion, the Queen of Efein and wife of Cohen Corleone, known as the Pearl of the Continent, possibly appear in this ancient dwarven prison, which is heavily sealed off by the three tomb masters at the level of a hundred-star saint and where not even a mosquito can fly in?
And it appeared in this...this completely incomprehensible way?!
Adele gazed at him silently, her silver-purple eyes devoid of joy or sorrow, only a bottomless calm that seemed to reflect all the turmoil deep within King Peter's soul.

She didn't immediately respond to Peter's exclamation, but calmly cut to the chase:

"King Peter, it's a pleasure to meet you."

I've come here to discuss a deal with you.

"trade?"

King Peter barely managed to regain some composure from his extreme shock, but the doubts in his heart only intensified.

He looked around at the strange, icy-blue space, feeling the tranquility that was so different from the prison, as if it existed outside of reality. His voice still trembled uncontrollably with urgency:

"Where...where exactly is this place?"

How...how did you end up here?

How did you break through the blockade of the Black Tomb and the Three Tomb Masters?

What... what exactly is going on?

He had so many questions to ask, and this mind-blowing scene left him completely confused.

Adele tilted her head slightly, her beautiful face still devoid of any extra expression, as if King Peter's shock and questions were entirely expected.

She gazed at him calmly, her silver-purple eyes seeming to swirl with ice crystals, her voice still cold and clear:

"Your Majesty Peter, shouldn't you be more concerned with these trivial matters right now?"

Her words were like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing most of the surprise and doubt churning in King Peter's heart, and cooling his feverish mind.

Yes, where this place is and how the other party got in are astonishing, but compared to his own situation, Serene's fate, and the conspiracy of the Black Tomb, these are indeed "minor details".

Queen Efein, who appeared suddenly and in an unbelievable way, said she wanted to make a deal with him.

At this time and place, the word "transaction" carries immense weight, potentially affecting his personal life and death, the survival of the Kingdom of Serene, and even the future of the continent! (End of Chapter)