Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Xenise now finally understands why Adel, who once held the titles of the most beautiful woman on the continent and the strongest Silver, would return to her country to get married without hesitation.

With such a partner, such an ally, such a reliable support who can always shield you from the wind and rain and pave the way for you, who wouldn't be completely devoted to you?

Shanis lowered her eyes slightly, her thick eyelashes concealing the intense emotions surging within them.

When she looked up again, her eyes had returned to their usual calm, but deep within them, there seemed to be twinkling starlight, exceptionally bright.

She looked at Ambassador Erwin, who was respectfully holding the contract, and then slowly swept her gaze over the assembled officials with their varied expressions. Finally, her gaze lingered on Chief Heisenberg's complex and indescribable face before moving away.

"Bring it here."

A court attendant immediately stepped forward, took the silver-gray scroll box from Ambassador Erwin, checked it for any errors, and respectfully presented it to the emperor's desk.

Instead of opening it immediately, Xenia raised her eyes and looked at Ambassador Erwin, His Highness:
"Your Excellency Ambassador, I am already aware of His Majesty Corleone's intentions."

This agreement concerns the diplomatic relations and common interests of our two nations, and I will treat it with utmost care.

She paused briefly, her gaze sweeping across the room again, especially over the ministers who had just been arguing fiercely, before slowly speaking:
What you all said just now makes sense.

However, since Effie has already shown sincerity by proactively clarifying the ownership of rights through a contract.

I think the previous arguments can now be put to rest.

Chief Heisenberg's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, faced with Shanis's calm yet authoritative gaze, he simply took a deep breath, bowed slightly, and said in a deep voice:
"Your Majesty is wise. This old minister... has no objection."

This statement, though somewhat difficult to articulate, ultimately conveyed an attitude.

The traditional nobles behind him, seeing this, also expressed their agreement, either openly or covertly.

……

Eastern Empire, Imperial Capital Dragon City, Council Hall.

Unlike the magnificent and historically rich council hall of the Central Empire's palace, the Eastern Empire's court was more imposing and rugged, imbued with a strong martial spirit and the majesty of dragon totem worship.

The towering pillars are carved with dragons of various ethnic groups, and the walls are adorned with murals depicting emperors of past dynasties conquering all directions, symbolizing the soul of this empire that calls itself the "Land of Dragons".

However, at this moment, the atmosphere in this powerful court was unusually heavy, even more complex and difficult to describe than that in the Central Empire.

Detailed battle reports about the emergence of a well-organized dragon legion in the Northwest Continent and its devastating blow to the Demon Gold Empire were also quickly presented to Emperor Eberron Tang of the Eastern Region Empire and his court officials.

In the magical images, the sky-covering dragon wings, the breath that incinerates demons, the well-trained aerial combat formations... every frame is like a red-hot branding iron, searing into the hearts of every ruler and minister of the Eastern Empire who calls themselves "descendants of the dragon" and "bloodline of the dragon."

Pride, shock, fear, greed, regret, anxiety... a whole host of emotions were present.

Emperor Eberron sat on his majestic throne. Unlike the solemnity of most people in the court, deep in his eyes, besides shock, there was also an undisguised excitement, and even a proud smile.
This is not entirely difficult to understand.

After all, his most beloved eldest princess, the most dazzling pearl of the empire, had a very deep affection for Cohen Corleone, who stirred up trouble in the northwest and now single-handedly created the Dragon Legion.

This was no secret to his father, the emperor.

Although the two are not yet formally engaged, Eberron highly approves of and even admires his daughter's judgment and the ability and courage that Cohen has shown.

In his eyes, the more powerful and unexpected Cohen became, the more it proved that his daughter's choice was correct, and it also meant that the Eastern Empire might have an incredibly powerful ally in the future.

This also increases the likelihood that his daughter will succeed in seizing the throne.

How could this not secretly delight him?

However, the emperor's personal good mood seemed out of place with the overall atmosphere of the court.

The expressions on the faces of the faction led by Prince Xia Zuo were quite varied, ranging from pale to ashen, filled with surprise and uncertainty.

It also carried a subtle hint of regret and unease.

Prince Xia Zuo himself, the first prince of the continent who had clashed with Cohen several times and even tried to deal with Cohen in secret.

At that moment, I felt a chill down my back.

He initially viewed Cohen as a lucky, somewhat talented, and womanizing upstart.

A barbarian from the northwestern frontier, who doesn't know the rules.

A stumbling block who dared to covet the woman Xia Zuo had his eye on and who repeatedly thwarted his plans.

Who would have thought that the other party would come to this point?
Not only is his personal strength unfathomable, but he also commands a vast number of powerful figures. Behind him are the Star Clan, the Pale Wings, and the Supreme Council. Now, he even controls a dragon legion from another dimension that is enough to make the five great empires uneasy!
The thought of such an enemy sent chills down his spine.

Prince Xia Zuo managed to maintain a semblance of composure, but his slightly trembling fingertips and the fleeting panic deep in his eyes could not escape the notice of those who were paying attention.

The members of his faction behind him also looked grim; many were ashen-faced, exchanging terrified glances.

Amidst the complex and unspoken atmosphere of the imperial court, there were still a considerable number of important officials.

They were neither part of Prince Shazo's faction nor did they have any direct grudge against Cohen, but their feelings were more complicated, more difficult, and they felt more real pressure than the Shazo faction was in a state of panic.

These ministers were mostly pragmatic figures who were the backbone of the empire, royalists who had close ties with the royal family, or powerful figures who held a relatively neutral position within the empire.

They had no close relationship with Effin or Cohen Corleone himself. In fact, because of Queen Shanes' engagement to Cohen, they held a natural wariness and distance from Effin and Cohen from a geopolitical and traditional competitive perspective.

The appearance of the Dragon Legion completely disrupted the balance of power on the continent.

The rise of Efein and his "Northwest Free Alliance" was inevitable and unstoppable after defeating Serene, severely damaging the Magnum Empire, and acquiring such strategic power.

The core and soul of this emerging power—Cohen Corleone—has an incredibly complex network of relationships, which is a major headache for the diplomatic decision-makers of the Eastern Empire.

He is formally engaged to Empress Shanis Klein of the Central Empire, which means that Effie has an extremely close political bond with the most powerful empire on the continent.

He was married to Isabella, the daughter of the Golden Wing of the Pale Wings, which enabled him to obtain the strong support of the largest conglomerate on the continent.

He is also married to Windsordler, the princess of the winged elves and heir to the Elf Queen. This makes him blood-related to the highest power core of the Elf Holy Land, and the vast influence and profound heritage of the Elf race will become a solid backing for Effie.

Not to mention the Supreme Council he founded in the Lost Lands, and the thriving Effie, who now holds the trump card of the Dragon Legion, its brilliance fully revealed.

How should the Eastern Empire deal with such a powerful figure with multiple halos and a complex background?

Support Effie and strengthen ties with Cohen?

This seems to be going with the trend, and perhaps even benefiting from it.

But setting aside the traditional rivalry between the Empire and the Central Empire, just considering Cohen's own ambition and ability, who can guarantee that Effie will not threaten the interests of the Eastern Empire in the future?

How can we counter it and curb its development?

This idea flashed through the minds of some hardliners, but was quickly and ruthlessly extinguished by reality.

Witness how the elite demon legions of the Demon Gold Empire and the Kingdom of Serene were annihilated by the breath of the demon dragon!

How to directly clash with Effie, who commands a dragon legion, enjoys high morale, and has many allies?
In the coming, more turbulent period of the "Covenant of the Gods," this would be tantamount to suicide.

Moreover, the empire has no guarantee of victory; even if it wins a Pyrrhic victory, it will be severely weakened and end up benefiting others.

Maintain distance, observe cautiously, and preserve the status quo?

This may seem like the safest option.

However, on the eve of a dramatic shift in the mainland's political landscape, with the emergence of disruptive forces like the Demon Dragon Legion, remaining conservative and passively observing could very well mean missing out on opportunities.

They may even fall behind, become passive, or be marginalized in the future division of interests and the struggle for discourse power.

The "Covenant of the Gods" is likely to bring about a new round of reshuffling; to stagnate is to regress.

Just as this oppressive atmosphere, caught in a dilemma and unable to weigh the pros and cons, was about to reach its peak, a cold snort filled with obvious dissatisfaction and sarcasm broke the silence.

The one who spoke was Duke Hector Tiago, one of the Imperial Grand Councilors.

The tall, veteran general slammed the copy of the battle report he was holding heavily onto the jade railing beside him, his voice booming and filled with undisguised resentment:
"Hmph, what a dragon legion, what a fine Effin, what a Cohen Corleone!"

Our Eastern Region, since the founding emperor, has prided itself on being the "Land of the Dragon".

The soldiers of the empire are mostly blessed with dragon blood, which they are proud of.

The Imperial Army has countless units bearing the names 'Dragonblood Legion' and 'Dragonfang Knights'.

The imperial secrets of martial arts, magic, and alchemy—which one doesn't bear the mark of the 'dragon' and pursue the power of the 'dragon'?

But the result?

As a result, after nearly ten thousand years of tinkering, all we have are those few guardian dragons left by our ancestors, which are so old they're almost toothless and only know how to sleep all day.

And those dragons whose bloodlines are so thin as to be almost negligible, have they ever actually formed a complete dragon legion that can be deployed to the battlefield?

No, not a single one!

"But now!"

He almost growled, “That’s Alfie, a small northwestern country that has only risen to prominence in the last few decades, that Cohen Corleone.”

A kid who's not even as old as my grandson.

Without a word, they pulled out a well-trained and highly efficient 'Dragon Legion' from that so-called Dragon Realm.

Where does this leave the face of our 'Dragon Kingdom'?

Duke Hector's ruthless self-exposure was like pouring cold water into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting the long-suppressed emotions in the court.

Many ministers, who came from the military and also took pride in the imperial dragon's legacy, showed a deep sense of shared frustration and anger on their faces.

"What the Grand Councilor said was blunt, but it hit the nail on the head and struck at the heart of the matter!" "Indeed, our empire was founded on the dragon, but now it has been far surpassed by the emerging Eifine in terms of dragon power. Where is our face now?"

"As one side gains while the other loses, if this continues, the power of my empire on the continent will..."

"The Dragon Legion... if it could be used by the Empire..."

"Easy for you to say!"
How can we be used by the Empire? Don't forget, Cohen Corleone is the fiancé of the Empress of the Central Empire, and he's not exactly close to us.

Don't forget what Prince Xia Zuo did back then..."

"Be careful!"

Whispers rose like a tide, a mixture of emotions including worry, jealousy, longing, and scheming.

Finally, a marquis in charge of the empire's finances and trade spoke cautiously, his voice not loud, but it made many people prick up their ears:

"Your Majesty, gentlemen... the might of the Demon Dragon Legion has been witnessed today."

Following the covenant of the gods, the situation on the continent will inevitably be thrown into turmoil once again, with nations vying for supremacy and the strong reigning supreme.

Such a powerful aid, if my empire could obtain even a portion of it, combined with the bravery of my soldiers and the secret techniques of the Dragon Blood, would surely make us even more formidable and allow us to stand out from the crowd.

Is it possible to try to contact Effie and His Majesty Corleone through certain channels to discuss purchasing some dragons?

Or at least obtain some dragon eggs and baby dragons?

This suggestion immediately resonated with many people.

Purchasing or acquiring dragons, even in small quantities, can greatly enhance the Empire's high-end combat power.

More importantly, this could be an opportunity to ease tensions or even build closer ties with Cohen and Effie.

For a moment, many eyes were drawn to Eberon on the throne and Tiberius, the silent Prime Minister of the Empire.

Prime Minister Tiberius was the linchpin of the empire, known for his shrewd political acumen and ability to balance the power of various factions.

He had been listening quietly to the courtiers' discussions, his face expressionless, until now, when he felt the time was right, he slowly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Emperor Eberon on the throne.

"Your Majesty, the concerns of the Grand Councilors and our own worries are all based on the long-term considerations of the Empire."

It is an indisputable fact that Effie has gained the powerful support of this dragon legion.

The shift in the balance of power on the mainland will inevitably change the future landscape.

Before such dramatic changes, how our Empire conducts itself and how it deals with His Majesty Cohen Corleone and his Effie is a matter that requires utmost care and careful consideration, and should not be decided hastily.

As for obtaining the power of the dragon…

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Prince Xiazuo's somewhat unpleasant expression and the other eager ministers, before slowly saying:

"This matter is of great importance, involving the empire's national destiny and strategy for the next few centuries."

We must carefully consider its profound impact on our empire's existing military system, the legacy of our imperial lineage, and even the foundation of our nation and the hearts of our people. Whether it is icing on the cake or inviting trouble into our home requires careful deliberation.

Furthermore, this is an extremely sensitive matter concerning foreign relations.

What kind of person is His Majesty Cohen Corleone?

This person's unwavering will, profound strategies, and shrewd tactics can be discerned by observing his path to rise to power.

The fact that he could control such a terrifying dragon army so quietly shows that his ambitions are not small.

Dealing with him and discussing such transactions involving core military power is tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin.

What price could my empire pay to acquire a dragon of what caliber?

Is it ordinary wealth, a secret technique, or a territorial concession?

His Majesty Corleone is the fiancé of Empress Klein of the Central Empire.

If my empire were to make a grand show of engaging in a transaction involving such core military power, what would the Central Empire think?

How would Queen Klein view this? Would she see me as someone deliberately sowing discord, thus causing suspicion and even conflict between the two countries?

Therefore, how to make contact, what conditions to offer, and what level of cooperation to obtain require careful consideration and deliberation before taking action.

However... I've heard that Her Highness the Eldest Princess and His Majesty Corleone's Princess Issa have a very good relationship. The Eldest Princess's Fiery Red Lips Trading Company was founded with Princess Issa's support.

Your Majesty, colleagues.

Personal friendships can sometimes serve as bridges between nations.

Since formal and official channels involve many complexities and concerns, could we first leverage the rare personal friendship between Her Highness the Eldest Princess and Princess Isabella to communicate with Effie in a relatively gentle and unofficial manner?

How about testing the waters to gauge their intentions and reactions?
Perhaps we can glean some insight into His Majesty Corleone's true thoughts on this matter from Her Highness the Princess.

All eyes were once again focused on Emperor Eberron.

Compared to the anxiety, resentment, scheming, and heated debates among the people in the court, Emperor Eberon maintained an almost detached calm throughout.

Only he knew the amusement he felt when Tiberius mentioned Grace and Isabelle's "personal friendship."

Personal friendship, and more than just friendship.

His precious daughter, along with her heart and soul, and the entire "Flaming Red Lips" Chamber of Commerce, were all going to be given to that brat.

Eberron snorted inwardly.

The little "secret" between Grace and Cohen might be able to fool the old foxes in the court, but how could it possibly fool the emperor, who is her father and controls the empire's most secretive intelligence network?

He had long known that the "Pirate King" who stirred up storms in the Endless Sea and haunted Grace's dreams was Cohen.

However, this matter concerns his daughter's reputation and the empire's honor, and also involves Cohen's complex multiple identities and the situation on the continent, which is why he has kept it a secret and observed it in secret.

At this moment, upon hearing Tiberius's "tactful" suggestion to use Grace's relationship with Isa to test the waters, Emperor Eberlon couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

However, he also felt it was time to ask Cohen for some dowry. After all, he had been squandering his daughter without a word; how could he not pay a price?
Of course, these thoughts only flashed through Emperor Eberron's mind.

His face remained impassive, displaying imperial majesty. Seeing that the time was right, and that the court officials' attention was focused, they had fully expressed their various suggestions and concerns.

Especially since Tiberius provided a relatively safe way out, Emperor Eberon finally spoke slowly:

“My dear minister Tiberius is wise and experienced in governing the country, and his words are very good.”

He first affirmed the Prime Minister's opinion, then slowly swept his gaze over the assembled officials with their varied expressions. "The appearance of the Demon Dragon Legion has changed the landscape of the continent; this is the inevitable trend."

Our Eastern Empire should remain steadfast in the face of change, firmly establish its foundation, observe the situation calmly, and act only after careful planning. This is the best course of action.

The relationship with Effin and His Majesty Cohen Corleone certainly needs to be carefully reassessed, but we must not lose our composure, nor compromise the dignity and long-term interests of the Empire.

He abruptly changed the subject, temporarily ending the discussion about "how to obtain a dragon," while simultaneously seizing the upper hand:
"As for the suggestion made by Minister Tiberius to make preliminary contact and probe through the personal relationship with the Princess... This matter involves the royal family and is more related to the future strategy of the empire. It is not appropriate to discuss it casually in the court."

I will personally communicate with His Majesty Corleone about this matter in a private and appropriate manner.

The meaning of these words, spoken by the emperor, is self-evident: "private means," "appropriate communication," and so on.

This was both an endorsement and adoption of Tiberius's proposal, and also elevated the matter directly to the highest decision-making level, with the emperor himself taking charge.

This eliminates the possibility that other factions, especially Prince Xiazuo's faction, might take the opportunity to interfere or engage in underhanded tactics.

At the same time, it also implies that Princess Grace's influence in the country may be subtly increased through this "private" channel.

However, how to proceed in detail was a matter between the Emperor and Cohen, and court officials were not allowed to inquire about it or interfere.

Finally, Emperor Eberron's voice rose abruptly, setting the final tone for the court meeting:

"The date of the Covenant of the Gods is approaching. This is a matter of paramount importance concerning the future fate of our empire and even the entire Demon Tide Continent."

Everyone must perform their duties and make every effort to prepare, without making any mistakes.

"The Empire will handle the matter of the Dragon Legion itself. You should all focus your main efforts on preparing the alliance. Court adjourned!"

……

On the vast and scarred land of the Northwest Continent, the flames of war were not extinguished by the Dragon Legion's earth-shattering attack; instead, they continued to burn fiercely in an even more intense and brutal manner.

If the sudden emergence of the Dragon Legion was like a thunderbolt from the gods, shattering the invincible offensive of the Demon Gold Empire and the Serene Demon Alliance, and reversing the overall trend of the war.

Then, the other force displayed by the Effie Alliance completely shattered the will to resist of the allied forces of the Magic Gold Empire and the Kingdom of Serene.

They irreversibly tipped the scales of victory in their favor.

The source of this power does not come from dragons in another dimension, but from a seemingly insignificant but far-reaching transaction that took place much earlier—the war pact of Ares, the god of war.

Back when the World Martial Arts Festival came to a close, Cohen Corleone received the blessings of the gods under the watchful eyes of the world.

In that secret game and exchange with the gods, he successfully obtained a special gift from Ares, the god of war known for his bravery and authority over war, by virtue of his amazing performance and potential value.

A sacred contract containing the rules of the God of War's power, capable of mass-producing "war fanatics".

At the heart of this contract lies the fact that it allows Cohen to designate a certain number of soldiers to establish a deep connection with Ares, the god of war, beyond ordinary faith, and to become the god of war's "fanatics."

These fanatics were not irrational madmen, but ultimate warriors who could constantly bask in the glory of the god of war and receive his divine blessing on the battlefield. (End of Chapter)