Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

For a time, apart from the powerful Northern and Western Empires, no part of the entire Northwest Continent was spared from the ravages of war.

From the edge of the Lost Lands in the east to the border of Serene in the west, from the many independent city-states and duchies in the center to the mountain kingdoms in the south, everywhere were burning cities, rout armies, fleeing refugees, and the shouts and screams of soldiers from both sides in battle.

The demonized legions of the Demon Gold Empire, the highly organized demon legions of Serene, the allied forces of Efein and his allies, the hastily organized self-defense forces in various places, and even some bandits and mercenaries who took advantage of the chaos.

The various forces are intertwined and locked in a fierce battle.

Peaceful fields were reduced to scorched earth, prosperous trade routes were severed, and ancient towns were reduced to ruins under the bombardment of magic and evil energy.

The Northwest Continent, a land that once nurtured countless heroic legends and brilliant civilizations, has been plunged into endless bloodshed, chaos, and despair.

Civilization and order in the human world are collapsing at a visible rate.

The dark age of the jungle, where the law of the jungle prevails and demonic power runs rampant, has descended once again.

The facts have been coldly laid bare before all those who still possess rational observation:
The second large-scale invasion of the abyss demons is no longer a distant prophecy or a sensational rumor; it has officially begun!

Moreover, this time the invaders are no longer just barbaric forces from outside the civilized world, but are the vanguard and main force of two human kingdoms (the Demon Gold Empire and Serene) that have been corrupted and transformed from within by the power of the demon god.

The depth, breadth, and organization of this demonic invasion far exceed any previous upheaval in history.

However, just as the Northwest Continent was plunged into a blood-and-fire hell, and countless creatures cried out for help.

The five great empires, representing the true pinnacle of power on the human continent, have become embroiled in a different kind of war.

With less than a month to go before the rumored "Covenant of the Gods" is to be announced, this massive political game involving old gods, new gods, belief systems, continental order, and even the fundamental interests of various countries has entered its most intense and delicate sprint stage.

No one can predict where the continent will go after the announcement of the Covenant of the Gods; all they can do is make endless preparations!
Within the palaces of the five great empires, diplomatic envoys moved about in droves, engaging in secret talks day and night.

Top scholars, theologians, and legal experts were summoned to find justification for their respective positions and prepare to attach themselves to the descending deity.

Armies around the world entered a state of high alert early on, but there are no obvious signs of large-scale cross-regional mobilization.

Most of the elite forces were sent to guard key domestic locations or to deter neighboring countries, in order to prevent them from falling behind after the alliance was announced.

The five great empires and their high-ranking rulers had long since devoted enormous resources and attention to this issue concerning divine authority, faith, the reshaping of rules, and life and death.

The five empires are not oblivious to the tragedy unfolding in the Northwest Continent, nor are they entirely indifferent.

They issued a strongly worded joint statement of condemnation, exerted pressure on the Magnum Empire and Serene through diplomatic channels, and even secretly supported some civilian aid channels.

However, large-scale direct military intervention was indefinitely postponed in the face of the "Covenant of the Gods," a matter of paramount importance concerning the nation's fate and even its survival.

The empire's decision-makers generally believed that as long as the "Covenant of the Gods" could be successfully reached, the supreme rules and order framework of the continent would be re-established.

It will be much easier and the losses much smaller when we turn back to deal with these "rebels" and dregs of the abyss who have been bewitched by the demon god.

In short, the high command of the five great empires viewed the war in the northwest continent as a "minor ailment," while the "Covenant of the Gods" was a "major threat to their hearts."

At this moment, they simply lack the energy, will, and consensus to substantially save that land that is falling into enemy hands.

This undoubtedly gave the Magnum Empire and the Serene alliance the most valuable strategic window of opportunity.

As the supreme commander of the Demon Gold Empire, Cohen clearly felt the opportunities brought about by this indulgence.

Within this limited time, he must fulfill his duties as "Chief of Staff of Mayne," effectively coordinate with Serene's attack, and maintain Sal's trust.

He also secretly used his power to reduce the pressure on Effie and his allies as much as possible, disrupt the coalition's coordination, and lay the groundwork for the final counterattack.

The fate of the entire Northwest Continent is like walking a tightrope above a bottomless abyss, and Cohen is the dancer who must play multiple roles and maintain a delicate balance on that tightrope.

Every step is related to the life and death of countless people, as well as the future of the mainland, whether it will be bright or decline.

……

Just as Serene's demon legions and the Eastern Front Army of the Demon Gold Empire were like two iron pincers burning with evil fire, wreaking havoc and creating boundless panic and destruction on the Northwest Continent.

Under Cohen's instructions, Effie seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of chaos and began a rapid expansion.

Ardelle, who remained in Florence, along with Prime Minister Angus and others, launched a long-planned full-scale counterattack and expansion.

While Serene and the main forces of the Morgen Empire were preoccupied with their respective strategic objectives (one focused on the tug-of-war on the eastern front and internal integration, while the other was busy swallowing up neighboring small countries), they had no time to spare.

Effie and his allies are no longer content with passive defense or localized counterattacks. Instead, they are going to take the initiative and launch a full-scale war under the banner of "liberating the suffering nation and resisting the invasion of demons" to reclaim lost territory and greatly expand their influence and control.

Under Cohen's remote command and the on-site command of Adele and others, the highly efficient war machine, Effie, demonstrated remarkable multi-front warfare and long-range delivery capabilities.

Some elite units, which had been deliberately hidden by Cohen and scattered in strategic locations or secret training camps throughout the vast territory, received the highest order and were suddenly awakened like sleeping lions.

Under unified command, a swift and unexpected offensive was launched against those targets that had just fallen and were in a power vacuum or in extreme chaos.

Their goals were clear: to repel the invaders, reclaim the occupied territories, support a pro-Afiein provisional government or save the existing resistance forces, and bring these areas under Afiein's sphere of influence.

Eastern Front, Principality of Bia.

The once prosperous "granary" of the Northwest Continent is now a scene of desolation.

Serene's iron hooves trampled ruthlessly here, and the main force of the duchy was routed in the initial blitzkrieg. The elderly Grand Duke Bia, his family, and government officials were trapped and died in that ancient castle with a history of hundreds of years.

With only the last remaining loyal guards and hastily conscripted citizens, they waged a desperate resistance, relying on the solid magic array.

Outside the city, Serene's remaining troops, though few in number, were enough to block the passageways and constantly weaken the defenders' will with various spell scrolls and bewitching techniques. It seemed that the fall of the castle was only a matter of time.

However, hope arrived with the deafening sound of war drums and the resounding bugle calls.

On the horizon, a golden eagle flag proudly unfurls amidst the smoke of battle.

Immediately following was a neatly arranged formation advancing like a steel forest, a forest of spears and halberds reflecting a cold, sharp light, and a well-trained army whose silence concealed a terrifying killing intent.

General Alfie, and General Williams, known as "Iron Wall," personally led his "North Wind" Legion, renowned for its resilience, discipline, and powerful defensive and counter-attack capabilities, sweeping in like a true northern wind.

General Williams himself sat atop a tall warhorse, his armor dusty, his face as cold and unyielding as a rock.

His deep gray-blue eyes were fixed on the chaotic Demon Gold Empire military camp and the faint outline of the castle ahead.

He did not hesitate for a moment, nor did he conduct a long pre-battle pep talk—time was life, time was victory.

Upon receiving the highest order from Florence, General Williams stood up, his voice amplified by magic and resounding throughout the entire army:

"North Wind Legion, for Eifine, advance!"

"For Effie!"

A thunderous roar of battle responded to him.

The battle turned into a one-sided affair almost instantly upon contact.

Serene's remaining forces were relatively weak, and most of them were second-line troops or auxiliary troops. They were indulging in the dream of breaching the castle and looting at will.

They never expected that such an elite, well-equipped, and highly motivated enemy force would attack from behind.

Effie's infantry phalanx advanced steadily like a moving city wall, while the archers and accompanying mages delivered precise and deadly attacks.

It instantly tore apart Serene's hastily organized defenses.

General Williams' tactics were steady yet sharp. He dispatched an elite cavalry assault team, which, under the cover of infantry, pierced the enemy's command center like a sharp knife.

The commander left behind in Serren attempted to organize a counterattack, but the chaos within the troops and the sudden attack rendered them incapable of forming an effective resistance.

The demon cavalry, attempting to charge, crashed into the densely packed line of spearmen and halberdiers of Efein, suffering heavy losses.

The scattered fel magic spells were mostly blocked by the large protective barrier cast by Effie and the army's mage corps.

In just two hours, the camp of Serene outside the city was breached, most of the garrison was annihilated, and the remnants scattered.

General Williams didn't even spend time mopping up the remaining enemies. He personally led his elite guards, and with the help of the castle garrison's jubilant cheers and inside help, he smashed open the castle gates that were blocked by Serren soldiers.

In the dark and damp cellar, the almost desperate Grand Duke Bia was helped out by his guards, trembling as he walked out.

When I saw the golden eagle flag under the sunlight, and the figure beneath it, whose armor was stained with blood yet stood tall and imposing, tears streamed down my face.

The elderly Grand Duke was almost incoherent:
“General Williams… Effin… Thank the gods, thank you all…”

General Williams dismounted, saluted solemnly, his voice steady and powerful, carrying a reassuring strength:
"Your Excellency, you are safe. Effie has never forgotten any of our friends on the Northwest Continent."

The subsequent actions proceeded exactly as planned.

General Williams's legion did not linger, but quickly assisted the remaining forces of the Duke of Bia in stabilizing the city, extinguishing fires, treating the wounded, and clearing out the scattered Serene soldiers who had hidden.

Meanwhile, Effie's engineering corps began surveying strategic locations on the city's outskirts, planning the establishment of permanent or semi-permanent military bases, supply depots, and resupply depots. In his first public speech after being rescued, Grand Duke Bia tearfully denounced the atrocities of the Magma Empire and Serene, praising Effie's selfless aid.

He then announced on the spot that the Principality of Bia would fully support and formally apply to join the "Northwest Continent Free Alliance" headed by Effie, by all possible means.

He pledged that, with Effin's help, he would quickly reorganize the government and military, and contribute all his strength to the common cause of fighting evil.

General Williams, representing Effie and the Free Alliance, accepted the Principality of Bia's application to join and announced that he would send troops to assist in its defense until the Principality of Bia's new defense forces were in place.

At the same time, Effie pledged to provide much-needed food, medicine, weapons, and reconstruction loans.

A principality on the verge of complete collapse and devastation was quickly pulled back from the brink of destruction thanks to Effie's swift and effective military intervention and subsequent political and economic support.

It became a new foothold for the "Freedom Alliance" in its fight against the Magic Gold Empire on the Eastern Front.

In the south, facing the plague-like spread of the Serene demon army, Efein's response was more proactive and aggressive.

The Southern Theater Command adopted a highly targeted flexible strategy developed by Yardelle and Prime Minister Angus, which involved "mobile harassment, cutting off enemy supply lines, supporting resistance, and wedging into enemy territory."

The vanguard and sharpest weapon in executing this strategy was the young general Morgan Fielding, known as the "Red-Haired Griffin," and his "Dragonflame" heavy knights, renowned for their high-speed mobility and devastating assault capabilities.

Located in the southern part of the Northwest Continent, within the territory of the Black Creek Free City Alliance.

This area was once a loose alliance of dozens of independent city-states renowned for their commerce and handicrafts, which maintained their prosperity through a complex network of waterways and thriving trade.

Today, the iron hooves of the Serene demon legion have shattered the peace and prosperity of the past.

The Black Creek Alliance's army was divided and defeated in the initial raid, with many city-states surrendering without a fight, and the few that persisted in resistance were quickly devoured by the demon legions.

The demon soldiers of Serene are busy consolidating their occupation, establishing outposts, and continuously transporting the massive amounts of looted supplies and prisoners to the rear or the front lines.

Morgan received accurate intelligence from the Military Intelligence Bureau and local resistance organizations.

A convoy of approximately 500 demons from Serene was driving over 2,000 ragged prisoners, including several key councilors who had not been able to evacuate before the fall of the Black Creek Alliance and a young earl with a legitimate right to inherit the throne.

They escorted hundreds of wagons loaded with food, weapons, precious metals, and magical materials along a relatively remote ancient trade route, heading towards an important forward base of the Serene Demon Legion in the south.

This escort team consisted of about one hundred demon cavalry and four hundred demon infantry, making them quite powerful. However, compared to the long convoy they were guarding and the numerous prisoners, their forces appeared scattered, and their vigilance had decreased due to the success of the past few days.

Opportunities are fleeting.

A glint flashed in Morgan's eyes, and he didn't hesitate at all.

"Dragonflame Knights, mount up!"
Mixed forces, lightly equipped, advance to the pre-arranged ambush point at 'Ash Canyon,' full speed ahead!

The heavily armored knights silently mounted their warhorses, and the entire army, like a tightly wound machine, quietly left their hidden camp under the cover of night, embarking on a high-intensity, highly concealed forced march toward their target location a hundred miles away.

In the darkest hour before dawn, the army arrived at their designated location, Pogen Gorge.

The sky was just before dawn, and the east was beginning to show a pale, fish-belly white.

The canyon was filled with the morning mist and the smell of dust.

In the distance came the dull thud of wheels, the low, indistinct shouts of demons, and the suppressed weeping and weary footsteps of the prisoners.

The massive convoy, like an ugly giant python, slowly crawled into the canyon.

The demon cavalry lazily patrolled the front and back of the caravan, while the demon infantry mostly walked on the sides or behind the caravan, whipping the prisoners who had fallen behind.

They clearly did not expect to encounter a systematic attack in this "cleared" area.

It's now!

Morgan took a deep breath and suddenly raised the enchanted lance in his hand, its tip shining like a cold star in the dim morning light.

"Dragon Flame! Charge!!"

The long-suppressed battle cry erupted like a volcanic eruption, and hundreds of heavily armored knights were released like springs that had been holding back for a long time.

Iron hooves pounded the ground, creating a thunderous roar, and in a wedge-shaped assault formation, they charged towards the convoy along the slightly downhill valley.

Almost simultaneously, on the high ground on both sides of the canyon, the camouflage was removed, and dozens of light enchanted ballistae emitted a dense burst of mechanical vibrations.

The specially crafted armor-piercing arrows rained down like a storm, carrying a piercing shriek, covering the area where demon infantry were concentrated in the rear of the convoy.

"It's a trap! Enemy attack!" The demon officer's roar rang out in the convoy, but it was too late!

The heavily armed torrent of the "Dragonflame" Knights has already crashed into the flank of the demon army.

Morgan took the lead, his enchanted armor-piercing lance precisely piercing the neck of a demon cavalryman who was trying to lift a heavy axe. The "Fel-Breaking" rune on the tip of the lance lit up, easily tearing through the opponent's unstable fel energy defense.

The knights behind him were equally valiant, and with the boost of their charge, they tore through the demon's defenses like a hot knife through butter.

The battle turned into a one-sided massacre within the first minute.

The demon legion could barely mount an effective resistance against Efein's most elite heavily armored knights.

Morgan's goal was very clear.

He led his most elite guards straight into the middle of the convoy, past several seemingly ordinary but heavily guarded carriages equipped with cages.

"Clang!" The iron locks on the cage were severed by the enchanted longsword.

Several pale-faced, ragged people, but still maintaining a semblance of decorum, were huddled inside.

One of the elderly men, though exhausted, had an incredulous glint in his eyes as he looked at the young general before him, his red hair flowing and his armor stained with blood.

"I am Morgan Fielding of Effie, sent by the Liberty League to rescue you."

Excuse me, which of you is Speaker Gregory? Is Count Alain present?

Morgan spoke very quickly, his gaze sweeping over the group.

“I…I am Gregory…” the old man answered in a trembling voice, pointing to a similarly shocked young man beside him, “This is Count Alain…”

"No time for words, quick, mount up! My men will cover you!"

"Retreat! Follow the predetermined route and disengage at full speed!" Morgan brandished his lance, and the entire army moved with the same speed as when they arrived, carrying the rescued prisoners, especially several noble officials, and quickly retreated from the battlefield like the receding tide.

They disappeared into the dissipating morning mist and the hilly area on the other side of the canyon, leaving behind only a devastated battlefield, ablaze with flames, and littered with the corpses of demons and burning supplies.

In this battle, Morgan's mobile forces almost completely annihilated an important logistics escort team in Serren at minimal cost, and burned a large amount of strategic materials.

More importantly, they successfully rescued Gregory, the Speaker of the Black Creek Free City Alliance, several important members of parliament, and Earl Alan, who had a legitimate right to inherit the throne.

Morgan safely escorted these shaken but grateful nobles back to a secure rear base in Effie's southern territory.

Here, Effie's diplomats and intelligence personnel, who had already received the news, quickly took over and assisted Speaker Gregory and others in rapidly reorganizing the "Black Creek Free City Alliance Government-in-Exile and Resistance Committee" in the name of Earl Alan.

Speaker Gregory's prestige, Count Alain's legitimacy, and Effie's full support behind the scenes were all crucial factors.

This government-in-exile quickly gained the recognition and allegiance of many scattered guerrillas, defeated soldiers, and local nobles who were still resisting in the mountains, forests, and swamps of Black Creek.

In addition to military operations on the main battlefield, the Military Intelligence Bureau and its special operations forces were also extremely active.

The ace agent codenamed "Silver Fox," Yvette, leads an elite special operations team composed of humans, elves, halflings, and even a few orcs skilled in stealth.

They carried out a series of high-risk infiltration, sabotage, and rescue missions behind enemy lines.

Their most successful case was infiltrating the port city of White Sail, which had been occupied by the Serene demon army.

The city was an important maritime hub, and its lord was unable to evacuate in time when the city fell, and was trapped in a secret chamber within the city.

Yvette's team used the complex sewer system and disguises to infiltrate the city and pinpoint the old count who was under house arrest.

They then orchestrated an explosion and chaos targeting the Serren garrison command, successfully rescuing the old count and some of his family members from the city.

The old count's rescue gave the resistance movement in White Sail City and the entire coastal region a clear banner.

A large number of former garrison troops and civilians spontaneously organized guerrilla forces, which greatly tied down Serren's forces in the area.

Just as Effie was launching attacks on all sides and expanding its gains, in the northwest corner of the continent, the center of another storm was sweeping across northern Serene at an astonishing speed.

After being crowned in Ironrock and raising the banner of the "Righteous Kingdom of Serene," Queen Garlin did not, as many had predicted, hold fast to the city and consolidate her power.

After receiving a large amount of weapons, equipment, and supplies secretly supplied by Effie, and especially the strong support of the well-equipped, battle-tested orc legion trained with Cohen's help, they were able to achieve their goals.

Shortly after her ascension to the throne, Queen Garlin rallied her troops and launched a campaign against the puppet regime's controlled territories! (End of Chapter)