Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

These ultimate warriors enjoy buffs far exceeding those of ordinary followers of the God of War:

First, there's a permanent morale boost of up to 30%.

For an army, morale is always the most important attribute that reflects its combat effectiveness.

Even the best-equipped army is no different from a flock of lambs to the slaughter once its morale collapses.

This boost in morale enables them to fight to the death even in dire straits, displaying an unstoppable momentum.

The saying "when two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave shall prevail" illustrates this principle.

In addition, there is also a terrifying 30% stamina recovery rate.

The ability to restore stamina without any side effects is comparable to the innate skills of ordinary minority ethnic armies.

This gives it amazing stamina in fierce battles, enabling it to fight continuously.

The dual attribute bonuses of morale and stamina recovery are tantamount to injecting the army with an iron will and an almost inexhaustible source of stamina.

This undoubtedly elevated the strength of the entire army to a new level.

However, the divine power contained in the contract is limited, and it can only transform a maximum of 50,000 soldiers into such "war fanatics".

These 50,000 spots are an extremely valuable trump card in Cohen's hands.

In a pivotal battle that determined the fate of the Northwest campaign, Cohen transformed 10,000 soldiers into a small but extremely elite vanguard legion of "War God Fanatics".

These 10,000 men were selected from the best of the best among the veterans of the Efein Alliance who had survived countless battles and the elite warriors of various races; they were truly the best of the best.

What Cohen wants to do is to push this already powerful army to the theoretical pinnacle of mortal armies, and even... surpass the limits!
He made multiple preparations for this.

First, there's the blessing of divine and demonic weaponry; Cohen equipped each of these ten thousand soldiers with three pieces of divine and demonic equipment.

The Star Guardian Armor provides protection, the Phantom Dragon Wing Cloak enhances speed, and the Shadow Annihilation Crossbow serves as a powerful offensive weapon.

This gave it top-tier abilities, building upon its status as a war god.

In addition, the orc warriors already present in the army, with their innate berserk bloodline, strong physique, and fanatical belief in the God of War, created a wonderful chemical reaction, causing their combat power to increase exponentially in a short period of time.

Cohen himself, as the supreme commander of this legion and the holder of the "War Pact", activated his unique enhanced commander rune - "Banner of Command" at a critical moment.

The unfurling of this invisible banner not only amplified the effects of the God of War's blessing, but also temporarily shared and infused some of Cohen's personal attributes, combat experience, and even a trace of his domain power into these ten thousand fanatical followers.

This allows them to quickly form a unified war effort with a high degree of unity in will, strength, and perception.

The superposition of multiple epic-level buffs resulted in a qualitative change.

When these ten thousand "War God Fanatics" appeared in formation on the battlefield, their bodies faintly emitted the blood aura symbolizing the glory of the War God, and their eyes burned with fanatical fighting spirit.

Their morale was as high as the blazing sun that never sets, and their physical strength was like an inexhaustible spring.

Each of their charges was like a landslide and a tsunami, each strike contained the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, and their coordination was so perfect that they seemed like one person.

With multiple enhancements, their individual strength was elevated to a level that ordinary armies could hardly reach—"King-level"!
This is not just one or two geniuses, but an iron torrent composed of ten thousand well-trained, well-equipped, unified-willed, and buff-sharing "king-level" warriors!

When such an army is deployed to the battlefield, the destructive power it brings is devastating.

They were no longer just soldiers, but mobile war fortresses, death machines with a killing efficiency so high it was despair-inducing.

The terrifying corrosive attacks and fearless charges of the Serene Demon Legion appeared pale and powerless before the "War God Fanatics".

The steel golems meticulously crafted by the Demon Gold Empire and the unpredictable sea of ​​the dead were shattered and purified like paper under the impact of this golden torrent.

The battle was a one-sided massacre.

The battle formation composed of 10,000 "King-level" warriors, like the sharpest spearhead, easily pierced through the enemy's thickest defenses and tore apart any army formation that tried to stop them.

Wherever they went, corpses littered the ground, the remains of demons and the black smoke of the dead drifted everywhere, and the enemy's morale collapsed at a visible speed.

Even the most elite Imperial Guard under the Demon Lord Thrall, or the top elite troops of the Black Tomb under the three tomb masters, could only delay their defeat for a short while in the face of this terrifying army.

The army was defeated like a mountain.

The final force assembled by the Demon Lord Thrall and the three tomb lords of the Black Tomb suffered a devastating blow under the all-out attack of this invincible legion and the Effie alliance that followed closely behind.

Thrall's demon army suffered heavy losses, with the remnants fleeing in disarray and ultimately forced to retreat deep into their stronghold, the Lost Lands.

They cling to life and put up a last-ditch resistance, relying on the last two or three advanced city-states that have been developed over many years and have relatively complete defense systems.

The demonic horde that once swept across the Northwest is now reduced to a few isolated outposts.

Serena's situation was equally dire.

The main force of the three tomb masters was almost completely annihilated, and they lost large swathes of the territory they controlled. Now they can only barely hold onto some core areas of the Toringard region.

They made a last-ditch effort, relying on the complex terrain and ancient fortifications.

The once invincible demon army is now in its twilight years.

The news that Effie had mobilized 10,000 "King-level" troops to completely destroy the allied forces of the Demon Gold Empire and the Kingdom of Serene spread swiftly to every corner of the Demon Tide Continent, accompanied by magical communications and messengers on horseback.

Whether it's the heated debate in the courts of the Central Empire and the Eastern Empire, the prosperous commercial city-states of the South, the ancient hermit kingdoms of the East, or even the overseas islands.

After being shocked by the Demon Dragon Legion, all forces were once again utterly stunned by the appearance of this "ten thousand king-level" army.

This time, it was no longer just shock and fear, but a deeper level of cognitive upheaval and premonition of fate.

Regardless of their motives, all factions on the mainland are now acutely aware that the war in the Northwest has entered its final stage.

The destruction of Serene and the Magnet Empire seems inevitable.

When everything settled down, a new empire was already taking shape, forged in blood and fire.

The power structure on the mainland will inevitably undergo a major transformation unprecedented in millennia.

Whether they are allies, competitors, or potential enemies, they must begin to seriously consider how to deal with this rising new hegemon that is destined to change everything!

……

The defeat of the Demon Gold Empire is like an avalanche, irreversible.

Facing the overwhelming dragon legion in the sky, and the ten thousand "king-level" death torrents on the ground, shrouded in the glory of war gods and seemingly tireless.

Even the ruthless and violent Demon Lord Thrall felt a chill that penetrated to his very bones and a sense of powerlessness.

His most elite Abyss Legion melted away like snow under the sun, and his strongholds, built up over many years, fell one after another. Now he can only huddle in the last few sturdy but isolated city-states in the Lost Lands.

They watched helplessly as their territory was gradually eroded, and the shadow of defeat loomed over the entire Demon Gold Empire.

Even when praying to the sixty-two demon gods Valak, the only response was the four meaningless words, "Hold fast."

"The main battlefield... is over."

In his temporary palace, Sal, facing his confidants and himself, despairingly acknowledged this cruel reality.

His scarlet pupils burned with the flames of resentment, but even more so with the madness and desperation of someone at their wit's end.

Even a cornered beast will fight back, let alone a ruler who has dominated the five Order oases of the Lost Lands for many years.
He was absolutely unwilling to admit defeat and submit to execution.

On the edge of this abyss of despair, a crazy and ruthless thought slithered into Thrall's mind like a venomous snake—decapitation!
To catch the thief, first catch the king. As long as Cohen Corleone, the core of the Alfein Alliance and the creator of all miracles, is dead.

Even the most powerful army and the most terrifying dragon will inevitably fall into chaos and even disintegrate.

This is the only, and last, chance in this desperate situation.

He turned his gaze to the war chief of staff, Maine, who was always taciturn but whose advice always hit the nail on the head.

At this moment, Thrall desperately needs a "wise man" who can perfect this "decapitation" plan and help him contact his equally bewildered allies.

Without a doubt, Mayne is the best choice.

After hearing what Sal meant, Cohen was both amused and exasperated.

However, he soon realized that this was an excellent opportunity to wipe out the Demon Gold Empire and the high-ranking officials of Serene.

Soon after, the three parties met in a secluded, desolate valley at the border of the Lost Lands and the Toringard region.

On one side was the Demon Lord Thrall, who was at his wit's end, and his few elite guards; on the other side was Cohen, disguised as the chief of staff; and on the other side was one of the actual rulers of Serene, the Three Tomb Lords, who had come as promised.

The three tomb masters were in almost the same condition as Thrall.

The offensive of the Effie alliance, especially the "War God Fanatics" legion, dealt a devastating blow to his demon army.

Demons are not afraid of death, but under the terrifying attack that contained the glory of the god of war and seemed to be able to purify all the souls of the dead, organized demon legions were reduced to nothingness in large swathes, like snow covered by the scorching sun.

His territory has shrunk dramatically, and now he can only hold onto a portion of the core areas of Toringard. (War)
The sudden turn of events completely disrupted his and the Black Tomb's initial plans. The idea of ​​a war of attrition and reaping the benefits became a joke in the face of absolute power.

The voices of the three tomb owners were dry and hoarse:

"Saly, you didn't call me here just to admire each other's misfortunes, did you?"

“Of course not,” Sal grinned, revealing sharp white teeth, his eyes gleaming with madness.
"I'm here to discuss how to fight our way out of this damned predicament."

At the very least... we should drag that damned human down to hell with us!

Shared predicaments and a deep-seated hatred for Cohen Corleone led the three tomb masters to quickly reach a consensus with Sal.

Meanwhile, under Cohen's well-timed guidance and supplementation, an extremely bold and risky "decapitation" plan gradually took shape. The core of the plan was very straightforward: abandon all conventional means of warfare and concentrate the most elite superhuman forces that both sides could currently mobilize.

With lightning speed, launch a decapitation strike against Cohen Corleone himself, regardless of the cost!

Thrall pointed to the location of the Efein Alliance's headquarters on the rough map and growled in a low voice:
"Cohen is currently on the front lines, directing the overall situation."

This is his strength, but also his greatest weakness.

He was far from the rear, and even with the saints protecting Florence, he was out of reach.

"As long as we act quickly, secretly, and ruthlessly enough, we will succeed!"

The flames of the soul burned fiercely in the eye sockets of the three tomb owners:
"It must be a fatal blow; I will personally take action!"

The words of the three tomb masters startled even Thrall slightly, but then his expression turned even more sinister.

At a Northwest regional exchange meeting, Dean Deng Prado of the Cobalt Soul Academy set an unspoken rule.

Those who are above the legendary level cannot attack Cohen and his subordinates unless it involves the survival of their own forces or the opposing saint makes the first move.

Now that the three tomb masters have clearly stated that they will personally violate this prohibition, it means that the Black Tomb will completely break off relations and is willing to provoke a full-scale confrontation at the level of saints.

"Good, that's bold."

I will also gather my strongest subordinates and select a group of the most fearless and skilled assassins and raiders.

We'll assemble a pure 'decapitation squad,' without a large army, and use the highest level of stealth to appear directly above Cohen's command post and launch a fatal attack!

The three tomb owners pressed for answers:

When would be a good time?

A venomous glint flashed in Thrall's eyes:
"The next time the Effie coalition launches a large-scale offensive, when the frontline attention is most focused, and when Cohen is most likely to personally oversee the battle."

To catch him off guard.

As soon as Cohen dies, Effie will be thrown into chaos.

No one can fully control the dragon legion, and that terrifying human army will also lose its core.

That will be the moment for us to counterattack, and even turn defeat into victory.

The three tomb owners nodded slowly:
“Yes, I will have the legendary assassins from the Black Tomb fully cooperate.”

This operation is codenamed Annihilation Light.

"Make sure Cohen Corleone is completely annihilated!"

Two desperate tycoons, driven to despair, are plotting the most insane and vicious scheme.

They believed their plan was flawless, exploiting Cohen's vulnerability at the front lines, and were determined to launch a swift and decisive attack by breaking the rules.

However, they never dreamed that the war chief of staff, Maine, who always stood respectfully by their side and occasionally offered one or two key supplementary suggestions to help them improve their plans, was Cohen himself!

All their plans, all their trump cards, all their madness and ruthlessness were heard and remembered by Cohen Corleone himself, word for word.

Cohen was also considering the time factor; he didn't want to drag the war out any longer.

The official announcement of the Covenant of the Gods is drawing ever closer, marking the beginning of a new, more magnificent, and more brutal era of continental conquest.

He must, with overwhelming force, eliminate the cancerous tumors of the Northwest Continent—the Demon Gold Empire and the Kingdom of Serene—before the alliance is announced and the continental landscape is completely reshaped.

It's not just about crushing their army, but also about destroying their core command structure, pulling out their top fangs, and finishing them off in one fell swoop.

To clear away any worries for the Effie Alliance and for the coming new era, and to establish an unparalleled reputation.

In Cohen's view, Sal and the three tomb masters' "decapitation" plan was not a threat, but rather a golden opportunity.

They proactively gathered together the most elite and core extraordinary forces from both sides, forces that would normally be difficult to capture in one fell swoop.

This is the perfect trap to lure them into a pre-arranged battlefield and annihilate them in one fell swoop.

A chill flashed in Cohen's eyes:

"Perfect! Let your fall serve as the best sacrifice for the birth of the Efein Empire!"

……

The atmosphere at the Allied front was somber and tense.

The massive army, like an iron torrent, continued to exert unprecedented pressure on Thoringard, the last stronghold of Serene.

At the very forefront of the allied forces' advance, a medium-sized city-state, which had recently been captured from Serene, was temporarily converted into the forward command post.

This is where "Cohen Corleone" commands the forces, and it is also the core of the morale and will of the entire coalition.

The royal banner of Efein and the flags of the various Alliance races fluttered atop the city walls. Patrolling soldiers had sharp eyes, sentry posts stood in rows, and the light of magical detection arrays flickered in the night.

However, only a very few core members knew that His Majesty Corleone, who sat there issuing orders every day and even occasionally went to the front lines to boost morale, was actually Melantha in perfect disguise.

Just like how she plotted against Prince Xiazuo of the Eastern Empire and Prince Greg of the Southern Empire in the Northwest Continent, Melantha is now quite adept at impersonating Cohen.

Not only his appearance, voice, and posture, but also some magical props and a wisp of aura left by Cohen beforehand were used to simulate his unique commanding aura and oppressive presence.

Apart from the few women who regularly slept with Cohen, outsiders couldn't tell the difference at all.

Meanwhile, the real Cohen had already slipped away, posing as "Chief of Staff Mayne," and was infiltrating deep into the enemy camp, directing another grand drama.

When Cohen relayed the entire "decapitation" plan devised by Sal and the three tomb masters back to his side.

While the entire Effie and the highest levels of the alliance were shocked by the enemy's frenzied counterattack, they also instantly realized that this was an excellent opportunity.

Melantha, Grace, and Asuna at the front lines, along with Adel, Isabella, Nephthys, and others stationed at the rear, quickly devised a counter-decapitation plan.

The core of this plan is to use Melantha's disguise as "Cohen" as bait, and the city-state where the frontline command post is located as the stage, to wipe out the Demon Lord Thrall, the three Tomb Lords, and the strongest forces they can mobilize.

Yadel personally visited the front-line command post and secretly adjusted some of the city-state's defensive magic arrays, transforming them into cages to trap the enemy.

Melantha became even more engrossed in playing "Cohen," even deliberately revealing certain flaws in some "unintentional" situations to further lull the enemy's spies around her into a false sense of security.

Grace and Isabella mobilized the Pale Wings and some of the Supreme Council's clandestine forces to lay a tight net around the perimeter, preventing any from escaping, and were prepared to deal with any possible Saint-level intervention.

everything's ready!
……

It was late at night, the moon was dark and the wind was high, and dark clouds obscured the starlight.

The city of Bius was brightly lit; this was the location of the front-line command post of the Effiin allied forces.

The command post was located in a huge castle, brightly lit inside, where Cohen's figure could be vaguely seen pacing behind the window.

suddenly!

The night sky directly above the city-state was like water with a stone thrown in, violently distorted and rippling.

Immediately afterwards, a dazzling golden light, containing immense spatial laws, descended from the sky.

This light was not an offensive spell, but rather like a giant inverted glass bowl, instantly enveloping the entire city-state and its surrounding area of ​​dozens of miles.

The golden light quickly condensed and solidified, forming an incredibly thick and radiant spatial barrier.

Above the barrier, countless mysterious spatial runes flowed and leaped like living things, emanating a chilling aura of stability and isolation.

The spatial connection between the city-state and the outside world was forcibly severed, teleportation spells failed, spatial jumps were blocked, and even magical communications were severely interfered with.

At this moment, the entire city-state has become a spatial prison isolated from the world!

Immediately afterwards, a vast and unfathomable Saint-level pressure descended, enveloping the entire sealed space.

It was none other than the supreme ruler of Serene, the Hundred Star Saint—the Third Master of the Black Tomb.

The three tomb masters personally took action, using their profound understanding of the laws of space and their formidable strength to construct this incredibly sturdy barrier, cutting off all possibility of Cohen's escape.

"Cohen Corleone, no matter how cunning you are or how formidable your fighting prowess, you will find yourself unable to escape today!"

The voices of the three tomb owners were filled with the exhilaration and ferocity of finally avenging their great grudge:
"I will personally stabilize this spatial barrier and see what means you can use to escape."

Sal, what are you waiting for?
Cohen is currently in the city, but he's merely a ninth-tier transcendent; taking him down would be a piece of cake!

At the command of the three tomb masters, several nodes of the spatial barrier rippled slightly, and several figures exuding powerful auras pierced through the barrier like ghosts and descended into the city-state.

The leader was none other than the Demon Lord Sal, who exuded the aura of a high-level legendary figure.

Following closely behind were his most trusted elite troops.

On the other side, Serene also dispatched a formidable assassination squad.

Three legendary death knight lords, shrouded in jet-black undead armor and with ghostly blue soulfire burning in their eye sockets, were once fallen commanders of an ancient kingdom, transformed by the Black Tomb into the most loyal and powerful killing machines.

The other two legendary Shadow Assassin Masters, whose figures are elusive and unpredictable, are the Black Tomb's top assassins.

In addition, there are more than ten half-step legendary and ninth-tier peak individuals, and hundreds of gold-tier individuals.

Such a force, if it were to suddenly attack the frontline command post of any empire on the continent, would be enough to cause devastating damage, not to mention that their target, according to intelligence, is merely a ninth-tier transcendent being.

Thrall's crimson eyes swept across the city-state below, which was somewhat "restless" due to the sudden turn of events, finally locking onto the command castle, which was still lit up. A cruel and bloodthirsty smile appeared on his face:
“Cohen Corleone…I’ll take your head!”
"Gentlemen, follow me and kill! A swift and decisive battle, leave no survivors!" (End of Chapter)