Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Prime Minister Avery paused, then continued:
"The crux of the problem actually lies in Garlin's so-called royal status."

The old minister was utterly baffled by those self-proclaimed shrewd old nobles in the north, and those stubborn, loyal dogs left behind by King Peter.

Why are they so obsessed with this suddenly appearing Starman woman, insisting that she is of Thran royal blood?
They were even willing to risk their ancestral heritage and family fate to support her.

This is tantamount to handing over the crown that has been guarded for generations to foreigners.

This is one example.

Secondly, and this is what worries the old minister the most... those contingency plans that King Peter secretly laid out back then, those absolutely trusted confidants and hidden forces who were only responsible to him.

Their names, contact information, and code words were all top secret, and even the old ministers could not obtain them despite their extensive investigations.

How did this Jialin, an outsider with no prior public connection to the Serene royal family, find out about this?

How did they manage to accurately locate them, gain their trust, and quickly gather this scattered and lurking force into such a large-scale operation in such a short time?
This efficiency is truly astounding!

Prime Minister Avery did not spell out his meaning explicitly, but his intention was already quite clear.

He strongly suspected that Garin and Cohen behind her might have made some kind of contact with King Peter himself, who was imprisoned in a top-secret place.

Otherwise, none of this can be reasonably explained.

After all, King Peter was the only one who held all the secret keys.

When Cohen Corleone was mentioned, Avery's eyes showed even greater apprehension:

"Your Majesty, that Cohen has always been elusive and cunning."

Even when his strength was low, he was able to manipulate events right under the noses of legends and saints, repeatedly escaping capture. According to reliable intelligence, he likely possesses a mature and hidden personal sub-plane, into which he can enter at any time to evade pursuit.

If he were to use this sub-plane as a transit point or barrier to attempt to contact Peter…

This was the only way Avery could think of that might bypass the numerous blockades and communicate with King Peter.

However, faced with Avery's reasonable, even fearful, conjecture, the three tomb lords on the Shadow Throne let out a cold, dismissive laugh:

“I know what you’re worried about, Avery.”

You suspect that Peter, that prisoner, may have sent messages to the outside world through some means unknown to us, or even made a deal with Cohen Corleone.

However, I can tell you definitively—it's impossible.

His tone was resolute, carrying the absolute arrogance of a hundred-star Saint-level being regarding his own power and control:

"On this continent, under my perception and the protection of my barrier, there is no one, whether it is Cohen Corleone or whatever may exist behind him, who can do so without alerting me."

Establish any form of effective contact with Peter Thrann.

The place where Peter was imprisoned not only had countless magical barriers and physical isolation, but more importantly, it contained the imprint of my core law, 'Shadow of Silence'.

Any attempt to probe, contact, or transmit information about his soul or consciousness will inevitably cause subtle ripples at the level of laws.

As soon as there is the slightest abnormality, I can immediately sense the source and lock onto the target.

As for Cohen Corleone's sub-plane... it was indeed a troublesome turtle shell, allowing him to escape on numerous occasions.

However, entering and exiting the sub-plane will also cause spatial fluctuations.

More importantly, if he wants to communicate with Peter, whether it's by passing on objects or information, or even just exchanging glances, it involves any interaction of energy or information.

Even the faintest trace would inevitably leave a clear mark on the law-enclosed environment surrounding Peter, which was as solid as an iron barrel. In fact…

The voice of the third tomb owner turned somewhat cold:

"Ever since Peter was imprisoned, I've been waiting for him to walk right into my trap!"

As Avery listened to the three tomb masters' confident words and felt the absolute control that permeated the air belonging to the saints, his doubts lessened slightly.

But that unease hadn't completely dissipated, and he bowed his head in response:

"Your Majesty's divine might and flawless strategies have proven your overthinking. However... if we rule out the possibility that King Peter directly transmitted the information, how do we explain the Northern rebels' identification of Garlin's identity and their ability to quickly integrate their old troops?"
Is there some hidden secret behind this that we haven't yet discovered?

The three tomb occupants leaned back on their thrones, their gazes from the shadows once more fixed on the north. After a moment of silence, they slowly spoke:
"Cohen Corleone is a man who cannot be judged by common sense."

Especially his military intelligence unit, which is ubiquitous, may have already infiltrated Serene deeply, and may even have turned or replaced some of Peter's former subordinates.

Or perhaps, Cohen possesses some absolute secrets about the Thranan royal family that even we don't know, enough to convince us.

Hearing the three tomb owners speak with such certainty, Avery didn't say anything more and continued:

"Your Majesty is wise; this old minister was overthinking things."

However, the rebels in Iron Rock City are gaining momentum. If we ignore them and allow them to consolidate the forces in the north that already harbor ulterior motives and outwardly comply with the capital's orders but inwardly defy them, they may become a major threat.

Once they gain a foothold and establish connections with the outside world…

The three tomb owners raised their hands, stopping Avery's incessant advice.

Avery fell silent instantly, bowing his head and standing respectfully.

Silence returned to the council chamber, with only the cold light of the magic crystal flowing in the shadows.

The three tomb owners seemed to have become part of the shadows, remaining motionless for a long time.

After a long period of contemplation, he slowly began to speak:
“Avery, I understand your concerns.”

But right now, the most important thing is the alliance with the Demon Gold Empire. This is a decree from a higher will, and it is the only way for us to break the deadlock and seize the greatest benefits.

This is of paramount importance and cannot be compromised; it must be executed with all our might.

As for Iron Rock City... its minor ailments are not enough to shake its fundamental nature.

Send my order to Edmund, the governor of the northern provinces, to keep a close watch on the rebels in Ironrock. I need to know the movements of every army, the whereabouts of every important figure, and the source of every batch of supplies.

Strengthen all passes and fortresses leading to the north, especially Hanlu Pass and Baihe Ferry Bridge, which must not be lost.

Organize elite squads to continuously harass the rebels' supply lines, outlying villages, and mines, damaging their economy and morale.

However, it is crucial to remember not to be greedy for quick success and rush into large-scale decisive battles.

Serene's primary task at present is to ensure the absolute stability of the royal capital, Toringard, and to maintain order and output in the southern grain-producing region and the eastern mining and military industrial region.

Ensure that the Eastern and Southern Legions, which are fighting in conjunction with the Demon Gold Empire, can complete their assembly on schedule and head to the designated battlefield.

All resources and efforts must be prioritized to ensure the smooth progress of the eastern and southern strategic fronts.

When we join forces with the Demon Gold Empire on the eastern front, inflicting heavy losses on Effie and its allies, and expand our territory and consolidate our front lines on the southern front, the overall situation will be initially settled and our rear will be secure.

We'll mobilize more troops and turn back to deal with these ignorant ants.

"At that time, I will make Ironrock City a monument to warn all rebels."

The gazes of the three tomb owners seemed to pierce through the thick walls of the palace and the vast distance, directed towards the southeast.

That place is the scorched earth where the Demon Gold Empire and the Allied Forces of Effie are locked in fierce battle, and where the long-sharpened military might of the Kingdom of Serene is about to be stained with blood.

There lies a wider battlefield, richer spoils, and the opportunity to utterly crush one's most formidable enemy.

He withdrew his gaze, his tone carrying a cruel and mocking quality, like a cat catching a mouse:
"Let those rebels linger on for a few more days."

Let them think they have a chance, let them gather, let them expose themselves, just in time, use them as bait to lure out more 'loyal subjects' hidden beneath the surface.

We can settle everything at once in the future.

Prime Minister Avery opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something more.

The rebellion in Iron Rock City was like a poisonous thorn in his heart, making him restless and unable to eat or sleep.

He could almost see the dying embers in the eyes of the suppressed old nobles, and hear the increasingly uncontrollable whispers in the streets and alleys.

However, the unquestionable command from the Third Tomb Master forced him to suppress his lingering unease and bow in acceptance:
"Yes, Your Majesty, this old minister will go and convey your will immediately."

"The situation in the north will be handled properly, and we will not allow the rebels to affect our plans on the eastern front."

……

The will of the three tomb masters quickly transformed into encrypted commands, which rapidly spread to every corner of the Kingdom of Serene.

This kingdom, which had joined forces with the Demon Gold Empire in evil, has finally torn off its last shred of pretense.

It completely exposed its terrifying fangs, which it had kept hidden for many years, to the entire continent.

The people, including many native Serene who were kept in the dark and continued to live seemingly ordinary lives, were suddenly awakened from their boundless fear and despair when the flames of war reached their doorstep.

Their ancestral homeland, under the Black Tomb's decades-long infiltration, corruption, and covert management, had undergone a far more systematic, thorough, and chilling "demonic" transformation than the Demon Gold Empire.

Within the Kingdom of Serene, deep in the remote and desolate mountains, beneath the ruins of ancient ruins rarely visited by humans, and even in the secret training grounds, mines, or castle cellars of some great nobles who have long sworn allegiance to the Black Tomb.

In the hidden regions of Serene, which has been controlled for many years by coercion, enticement, or direct conquest of vassal states and city-states.

Towering, columnar structures, some tens of meters high, have quietly sprung up like poisonous mushrooms growing from the depths of hell, taking deep root in the earth.

These pillars are dark red or purplish-black in color, their surfaces engraved with constantly writhing blasphemous runes. Pillars of the Devil!
Unlike the crude versions hastily established by the Demon Empire in the Lost Lands, these Demon Pillars within Serene are crafted with greater sophistication, have higher energy conversion efficiency, cover a wider area, and seem to form some kind of malevolent energy network that reinforces each other.

They are not only "barracks" and "enhancers" for hatching and strengthening demon soldiers, but also terrifying crystallizations of the deep integration of Black Tomb technology, abyssal magic and the original enchanting industrial system of Serene.

What sent chills down the spines of military observers and intelligence agencies across the continent was that those emerging from these demonic pillars were none other than elite human soldiers who originally belonged to the army of the Kingdom of Serene.

Their combat power far surpasses that of ordinary soldiers in the Lost Lands.

This is a terrifying product that forcibly combines the organization and discipline of the human kingdom's millennia-old military system with the individual combat power and evil abilities of the abyss demons; it is a true "demon legion"!
When the Demon Gold Empire was embroiled in a fierce and bloody tug-of-war with the coalition forces of Effie and his allies on the eastern front, attracting the attention and military pressure of most of the continent.

The massive war machine of the Kingdom of Serene, which had long since undergone a "demonization" transformation, was finally set in motion with a roar, supported by the dense network of "demon pillars" energy within its territory and its vassal states.

It bared its sharpened fangs at its unsuspecting neighbors.

There was no declaration of war, no warning.

Serene's demonic legions, like a steel torrent pouring from the gates of hell, simultaneously attacked several small and medium-sized human nations bordering it from multiple directions.

From the very beginning, the battle was a one-sided and overwhelming affair.

The demon soldiers of Thereon charged in complete silence, their heavy armor groaning under the influence of fel energy, rendering arrows and low-level magic ineffective against them.

Once they engaged the enemy, they unleashed a demonic surge of power and speed, and with their exquisite battle formations, they easily tore apart the hastily assembled human defenses.

Unlike the early days of the Demon Empire, which relied mainly on sheer numbers and individual demonic prowess, Serene's demonic legions displayed a chillingly "modern" warfare model.

They possessed a well-developed logistical supply system and, by utilizing the resources of their tightly controlled vassal states, rapidly established stable forward bases and supply depots in the occupied territories.

The Black Tomb's pervasive intelligence network provided the military with battlefield information that was terrifyingly accurate.

Serene's demon assault teams and infiltration units can always cut into the enemy's most fatal weaknesses with surgical precision.

Many human nations' armies hadn't even had time to assemble before their command posts and logistical hubs were destroyed and infiltrated by elite demon commandos.

Within just a few days, the flames of war spread throughout the area surrounding Serene.

One after another, human towns, fortresses, and even small cities fell under the iron heel of the demonic legion.

Countless civilians fled in despair, the roads crowded with wailing crowds, with billowing black smoke and fel flames rising behind them, and the chilling growls of demon soldiers.

The news spread across the continent like the most terrible plague, faster than the defeated army.

The world was shocked!

If the demonization of the Demon Empire previously carried a sense of barbarity...

The impact and terror brought by the highly organized, industrialized, and deeply integrated demon legions of the Kingdom of Serene, a human kingdom with a long history and clear laws, are devastating.

……

Just as the terrifying demon legion of the Kingdom of Serene tore off its disguise and swept across neighboring countries with overwhelming force, spreading a plague of fear and destruction throughout the entire northwestern continent.

Cohen has quietly ended his dangerous mission in Toringard and returned to his headquarters on the front lines of the Magnum Empire.

Queen Vilekis, who accompanied him, naturally returned to Florence as well.

Emperor Thrall was overjoyed with the results of Cohen's trip.

At the darkest hour when the Empire suffered repeated setbacks on the Eastern Front, morale was low, and it was beset by internal and external troubles, "Chief of Staff Mayne" not only brought back a military alliance treaty with the Kingdom of Serene.

More importantly, the chief of staff's diplomatic skills, adaptability, and accurate grasp of the situation made the beleaguered Sarr feel as if he had grasped a solid lifeline.

In Sal's eyes, Mayne was not only his most reliable right-hand man, but also the key figure who could secure the strongest external support for him at this critical moment for the empire's survival.

He even privately lamented that if it weren't for Mayne's assistance during the Lost Lands and his recent series of miraculous turns of events, the Empire would probably have already fallen apart.

Upon returning to headquarters, Cohen immediately met with Sal and delivered a near-perfect "report."

The language was concise and to the point, fully demonstrating the hard work and achievements of the negotiations while cleverly concealing any details that might arouse suspicion.

His loyalty and competence earned him an unprecedented level of trust and reliance from Thrall, who even privately rewarded him with a batch of precious magical materials and a legendary item for self-preservation.

After the report, Cohen did not immediately throw himself into the heavy military duties.

He returned to his camp immediately to let Mavis know he was safe.

As soon as they entered the tent, Mavis rushed into Cohen's arms like a purple whirlwind.

Her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, so tightly that it seemed she wanted to pull him into her body. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of fear, worry, relief, and intense emotion.

These days, she maintained a calm demeanor on the surface and assisted in processing intelligence, but in her heart she was constantly worried that Cohen would be exposed by that terrible Saint Three Tomb Master in the dragon's den of Toringard, and that he would meet with misfortune.

"You're finally back... I'm so glad you're alright... I'm so glad you're alright..."

Mavis's voice trembled with a barely perceptible sob as she buried her face in his neck, greedily inhaling his familiar scent, as if only then could she confirm his real presence.

Cohen could clearly feel her slight trembling and her undisguised concern.

A warm feeling welled up inside him, and he hugged her back tightly, gently stroking her slightly trembling back, whispering comforting words in her ear:

"I'm back, Mei. Everything's fine, don't worry."

Mavis, her voice husky, licked her slightly dry yet still luscious red lips, adding a touch of alluring charm:
"Husband, I want you..."

Cohen's breath hitched slightly, and a deep glint flashed in his eyes.

No need for further words; all language seems inadequate at this moment.

He suddenly lowered his head, seized those slightly parted red lips, and sealed all her worries and fears with a deep, almost predatory kiss.

Meanwhile, his hands had already nimbly stripped Mavis completely naked.

The time that followed was a private and comforting time for the two of them.

Long-suppressed worries and longings were transformed into the most direct and intense body language.

All tension, fear, scheming, and pretense are temporarily cast aside, leaving only the most primal attachment and possessiveness.

It was as if they wanted to imprint each other firmly in the depths of their souls in this way, dispelling the unease and shadows brought about by separation.

After an unknown amount of time, the passion subsided like a receding tide, leaving behind an atmosphere of romance and tranquility.

Mavis, like a lazy cat, with a charming pink blush all over her body, curled up in Cohen's firm and warm embrace, her smooth back pressed against his chest.

Her hand unconsciously traced circles on his muscular chest:
"Where is Her Majesty the Queen?"

Did anything special happen between you and her during this business trip?

Cohen's arm around her slender waist stiffened slightly, and then the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily:
"Mei'er, you think too highly of your husband. He's a demigod, an ancient being who has lived for countless years, the Queen of the Elves."

"I'm just a lowly Gold Rank cultivator, practically an ant in their eyes. What kind of story could possibly unfold between me!"

Mavis snorted softly:
"Don't give me that. You dared to sleep with a Legendary when you were Silver, now that you're almost Legendary, what's a little sleep with a Demigod?"

Cohen said helplessly:

"No, I really didn't. Even if we take a step back, Her Majesty the Queen is still Windsor's teacher. How could I possibly do something so treasonous?"

"is it?"

Mavis drew out her words, clearly disbelieving, her eyes gleaming with even more cunning, "And what about this newly crowned, rising star, Queen Garin?"

I remember... wasn't she Princess Isabella's aunt?
This relationship isn't far off, you know. I heard that someone is now the legitimate Holy Son of the Starry Clan, and is nominally engaged to that Holy Maiden.
"How could you accept this relationship so readily?"

Cohen quickly explained:
"Nominal, only nominal, is for the purpose of facilitating cooperation between the two parties and increasing the foundation of trust."

"Hmph, sooner or later you'll turn that title into reality..."

"It seems you haven't had enough yet, my little vixen. You still have the mind to think about these things. It seems I'll have to put in more effort..."

"Ugh...you...stop it...um..."

Mavis's remaining teasing was swallowed back, turning into a muffled protest and increasingly rapid breathing...

……

Not long after, Cohen received a formal appointment from the Emperor's headquarters.

"Maine" is appointed as the supreme commander of the eastern battlefield of the Demon Gold Empire and the front-line area in cooperation with Serene, with full authority over campaign coordination, troop deployment, and offensive planning with the Serene Demon Legion, and the right to make on-the-spot decisions.

This means that Cohen has been officially placed in the front-line command position against Efein and his allies by Sal, and is also a key executor of the evil alliance between the Magnum Empire and Serene.

With greater power comes greater responsibility and higher risk.

But this is exactly what Cohen needs, so that he can directly influence or even control the course of this war that is sweeping across the Northwest.

Cohen took office immediately without any hesitation.

Subsequently, they efficiently integrated the remaining elite troops of the Demon Gold Empire on the eastern front that were still capable of fighting.

Following the "east-west advance" strategy agreed upon with the three tomb masters, and in coordination with the Serene Demon Legion's fierce offensive on the western front, a new and even more intense offensive was launched against the remaining countries of the northwestern continent. (End of Chapter)