Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

silence.

A deathly silence.

Mavis Tinuville?
How could it be her!
Admittedly, no one can deny that Mavis Tinuville is an exceptionally talented and capable woman.

She was once the most mysterious and top-ranking intelligence officer under the Demon Lord Thrall. Her deep infiltration and remarkable achievements made her a crucial figure in the war to overthrow Thrall, a fact that is widely known.

She possesses an unparalleled beauty that even elves marvel at, and is hailed as "the most beautiful woman in the Lost Lands." Her charm and influence are not to be underestimated.

Her coordination skills, calm mind, and political wisdom demonstrated in the Supreme Council were also impressive.

But—all of these combined are enough for her to become the emperor of a vast, complex new empire riddled with internal factions and surrounded by powerful external enemies?

No! That's far from enough!

In the eyes of most people, especially the five local giants, Mavis's qualifications were too thin!
She lacks a deep, ancient family background, has no powerful foundation of her own, and has no publicly recognized achievements that are enough to convince the public.

The credit for overthrowing Sal is largely attributed to Cohen's schemes and the result of his military force.

In fact, in many people's traditional perception, her close relationship with Cohen, while bringing her a certain influence, may also be a detriment to her independence and authority.

Could she just be Cohen's puppet, a decorative vase pushed to the forefront?
How could a woman with such "inexperience," "unstable foundation," and an ambiguous relationship with the powerful "outsider" Cohen be allowed to rise above these local giants who have been operating in their lost lands for hundreds or thousands of years and become their emperor?

This is absolutely absurd!
They considered that Cohen might support Belmody, the former ruler of the Mysterious Continent, and that Cohen might forcibly ascend the throne by absolute force.

But no matter how much they planned, they never expected that Cohen would so illogically and directly imply Mavis Tinuville!

What is he planning to do? Does he really intend to put his lovers on the throne one after another?
Xenise is the Empress of the Central Empire, Garlin is the Empress of the Star Empire, and Freya is the Queen of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

Now even Mavis is going to become the Queen of the Lost Lands?
Does Cohen Corleone want to be the "Queen's Collector," or does he want to indirectly control everything through this method?
The atmosphere in the council hall instantly shifted from fear of the "Covenant of the Gods" to fierce resistance and questioning of the "succession to the throne," with undercurrents surging and ready to erupt at any moment.

Faced with an almost overwhelming barrage of questions, Cohen smiled faintly and said:

"I have heard your questions and I understand them."

The sudden nomination of a woman, whom you all consider to have little experience, to be the monarch of this nascent empire is indeed surprising, even unacceptable.

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping across the faces below the stage—faces filled with anger, confusion, or anticipation of explanation—before finally settling on the five local tycoons whose expressions were the most unpleasant. The faint smile on his lips deepened.

"However, all the doubts and all the unacceptability stem from one point."

That is, you, or rather, the vast majority of people, do not really know who Commissioner Mephisto Tinuville is.

Now, I'm going to reveal a secret.

A secret that will answer all your questions, and even... make you wholeheartedly support Commissioner Mavis's coronation as emperor.

After I revealed Mavis Tinuvel's true identity, I believe that all doubts will now vanish.

You might even genuinely believe that she is the only and most deserving candidate for the throne of this new empire!
You will all be even more eager than I am to see her wear that crown!

Such a confident, even arrogant, assertion once again stunned everyone.

What kind of identity could possess such magic?

What could possibly make these shrewd and calculating giants and unruly powerhouses instantly change their attitudes and enthusiastically support a woman they had just vehemently opposed as empress?

Sebastian Conrad and the others looked even more somber, but a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.

They stared intently at Cohen, trying to discern any trace of joking or bluffing on his face, but found only unfathomable calm and certainty.

Instead of immediately revealing the answer, Cohen changed the subject and asked a question that seemed completely unrelated to the succession to the throne:
Before revealing Mavis's identity, please allow me to ask you a simple question.

Ladies and gentlemen, do you know where this vast, rich, yet chaotic and legendary...lost land beneath our feet came from?

This question was so basic that it surprised many people.

Arms magnate Gustav Nilsson frowned, seemingly feeling that Cohen was wasting his time, but still answered in his gruff voice, tinged with impatience:

"As everyone knows, the Lost Lands is the largest main site left behind after the fall and collapse of the Arcane Empire, whose magical civilization was unparalleled on the continent thousands of years ago!"

“Indeed,” Duke Adrian Solari, a veteran nobleman, took over, straightening his back and displaying the pride of his ancient lineage. “The Arcane Empire, a great empire to which our ancestors served and basked in its glory!”

Its territory, civilization, and power far surpass any country on the mainland today.

Many families and tribes in our Lost Lands can trace their origins back to the Arcane Empire era.

My Solari family are descendants of nobles who have served the Empire for generations!

His words resonated with many other representatives who were also descendants of the Arcane Empire, and they all nodded in agreement.

Cohen nodded slowly, acknowledging Nilsson and Duke Solari's answers, and continued, following their lead:
"Committee member Gustav is right. The Lost Lands are indeed the main ruins of the Arcane Empire."

Therefore, a self-evident legal principle can be deduced from this: every blade of grass, every tree, every mountain, every river on this land, all the city-states, floating islands, ruins, and even the myriad living beings that inhabit them.

Its ownership and rule should rightfully belong to the Arcane Empire, which once ruled this place and shaped the foundation of its civilization!
Am I right, gentlemen?

The council chamber fell silent as everyone exchanged bewildered glances, puzzled as to why Cohen was suddenly fixated on this "ancient legal principle."

Does this make sense? The Arcane Empire has long since vanished into the annals of history.

Duke Solari frowned. Although he found Cohen's words somewhat old-fashioned, based on his own adherence to ancient orthodoxy, he nodded and said in a deep voice:

"From the perspective of ancient legal principles and bloodline inheritance, this is indeed the case. Although the Arcane Empire no longer exists, its legitimacy is beyond question. However..."

He wanted to say that times have changed, the Arcane Empire has long since vanished, so what's the point of getting hung up on legal orthodoxy now?

Cohen didn't let him finish saying "just".

Cohen stepped forward abruptly and raised his voice:
"Then, please allow me to formally introduce to you all—"

He pointed at Mavis, each word carrying immense weight and resounding with conviction:

“Standing before you is Commissioner Mephisto Tinuville.”

Her true identity is the sole legitimate heir of the last direct line of the Arcane Empire's royal bloodline.

The ancient, legitimate, and undisputed mistress of the lost lands, the rightful princess flowing with the last royal blood of the empire!

After Cohen finished speaking, the entire conference room erupted in excitement.

Cohen's announcement was more direct, more concrete, and more... mind-blowing than the previous "Covenant of the Gods"!
Arcane Empire...Royal Bloodline...Righteous Heir...The Rightful Master of the Lost Lands...

These words, when put together, form a dizzying, almost suffocating truth!

Just moments ago, everyone who was questioning Mavis's "qualifications," "foundation," and "bloodline," especially Duke Adrian Solari, as well as those nobles and representatives of power who also claimed to be descendants of the Arcane Empire and held onto an obsession with ancient orthodoxy, were all questioning Mavis's "qualifications," "foundation," and "bloodline."

His mind went blank, he stared in disbelief at the stunningly beautiful woman who slowly stood up.

Is Mavis Tinuvel actually a descendant of the royal family of the Arcane Empire?
Are they the rightful legal owners of this land?!

How can this be?

The Arcane Empire's royal family has long been completely extinct, hasn't it?
But would Cohen make such a flimsy joke at this highest meeting that would decide the future fate of the Lost Lands?
Is it necessary for him?
What can he gain from this? Just to support a lover? The cost and risk are too high, too foolish!
Unless... it's true!
If Mavis Tinuvel is truly of Arcane Empire royal blood, then everything makes sense!

Why did Cohen support her so wholeheartedly?

It's not just because of personal relationships, but also because of her identity—she is the most "legally justified" and "charismatic" banner that unites the lost land, rallies people, and confronts future crises!

It is the only legitimate link connecting the lost lands, their shattered history, and a unified future!
Why was she able to join the Supreme Committee and be nominated at this moment, despite her seemingly "shallow foundation"?

Because what she possesses is not worldly power, but an irreplaceable "orthodoxy" that originates from her bloodline and from the deepest part of this land!
Despite all the speculations mentioned above, this news is still too astonishing and too revolutionary.

The vast expanse of time has buried the glory of the Arcane Empire in the dust of history and legends. Whether its royal bloodline has truly continued remains a mystery, and it is even widely believed that it has long since died out.

Even though Cohen is renowned, even though he has the Church of Prophecy and the Central Empire behind him, even though he has just revealed such a shocking secret as the "Covenant of the Gods"... the matter of the royal bloodline is too important, almost determining the legal foundation of the future regime of the Lost Lands. How can it be based solely on his words?

Many representatives of various factions who had recovered from their initial shock, especially those from tribes, floating islands, and emerging powerhouses who were not descendants of the Arcane Empire or who were not so attached to the ancient orthodoxy, had doubts resurfacing on their faces.

They exchanged glances and whispered among themselves, a silent skepticism filling the air.

Where is the evidence? Without any proof, how can anyone be convinced?

What if this is just a lie fabricated by Cohen to promote his own people to power?
Wouldn't they be fooled, handing over the future of the entire Lost Land to a "fake"?
Sebastian Conrad and others also calmed down from their initial shock, although they felt that given Cohen's vision and intelligence, it was unlikely that he would lie on such a fundamental issue.

But as politicians, they need solid evidence, irrefutable proof that can silence everyone, especially those who have doubts.

Their eyes were fixed on Cohen, waiting for him to continue, waiting for him to produce something that could prove Mavis's identity.

Cohen took in everyone's reactions, but remained calm, as if everything was expected.

He understood that a few words alone would not be enough to completely convince this group of shrewd and conflicting factions, especially when it came to such a fundamental matter as the succession to the throne. What he needed was proof that no one could question.

His gaze slowly swept across the audience, finally settling on Duke Adrian Solari.

"Your Excellency Duke Solari, I think that my word alone is not enough to completely dispel the doubts in some people's minds regarding Princess Mephisto's identity."

After all, the Arcane Empire has been gone for millennia, and its royal bloodline has long since become a legend. Mere words are insufficient; we need more compelling evidence.

And I believe that Your Grace, or rather the Solari family you represent, may have a way to provide us, and all those who harbor doubts, with irrefutable proof.”

"I?"

Duke Solari was even more confused, his brows furrowed. "What can I do? Verify royal blood... this..." Although his family was an ancient noble family, they were not royalty. How could he verify it?
However, he stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence as a long-forgotten family legend, a mystery that had troubled the Solari family for generations, suddenly came to mind.

Cohen turned to the crowd and said loudly:
"As you may know, Duke Solari's family is one of the oldest and most prestigious noble families in the Lost Lands, with a history that can be traced back to the Arcane Empire era."

They have been rooted here for generations, not only controlling vast lands and resources, but also conducting in-depth research and exploration of the various arcane empire ruins throughout the Lost Lands.

Many people nodded in agreement. The Solari family is known for its antiquity and erudition, and its obsession with the ruins of the Arcane Empire is a well-known fact.

Cohen changed the subject, turning his gaze back to Duke Solari, whose expression was shifting, and slowly said:
"Among the many sites that the Solari family has explored, studied, and even tried to control over throughout the ages, there is one that is the most special and the most... mysterious."

Located deep within the Solari family's territory, it is heavily protected by ancient magical barriers and spatial locks, and its scale far exceeds that of ordinary arcane imperial ruins.

The Solari family has guarded the area for generations, devoting all their resources to researching and attempting to enter and obtain the legendary imperial treasures and knowledge.

However, as millennia passed, the Solari family, through the efforts of countless generations of outstanding ancestors, expended enormous resources, and even lost many of their elite members, yet they were still unable to truly set foot in the core of that ruin.

That protective array, composed of pure starlight and spatial laws, separated the inside from the outside, like a wall of sighs, refusing entry to all unauthorized individuals.

Whether through forceful attacks, clever maneuvers, or attempts to resonate with the ancient aristocratic bloodline of the Solari family, all efforts failed.

He looked at Duke Solari, his voice softening, yet striking everyone's heart like a hammer blow:
"Your Grace, if I am not mistaken, the imperial ruins that your family has guarded for generations but has never been able to enter should be called the Crown of Stars in the ancient family secrets."

This is the very site of the former royal treasury of the Arcane Empire!

Upon hearing this name, the representatives of those forces in the audience who knew the secrets of the Solari family gasped and whispered in shock.

"The Crown of Stars, it really is there!"

"The forbidden grounds of the Solari family, one of the most important treasure troves of the Arcane Empire's royal family!"

"Could it be..."

Seeing everyone's reactions, Cohen knew the time was right.

He met Duke Solari's gaze and said firmly:

"Duke Solari, the reason why that imperial ruin called 'Crown of Stars' has refused all outsiders for ten thousand years, including the Solari family with deep ties to the empire, is for only one reason—"

Because it was the last legacy left by the Arcane Empire's royal family for their true bloodline descendants.

Its most crucial restriction is that it is only open to those who possess the purest imperial bloodline.

And now, the heir who carries the last royal blood of the Arcane Empire is right before us.

No further words are needed, nor is further speculation required.

Is it true or false, orthodox or illusory?

Duke Solari, please lead the way.

Lead us all to the 'Crown of Stars'.

Let the imperial secrets, silent for millennia, and the starlight archway that has rejected all imposters, personally verify whether Commissioner Mephis Tinuvel is truly the lost royal blood pearl of the Arcane Empire!

After he finished speaking, the council chamber was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All doubts, all discussions, all weighing of options, at this moment, all turned into a silent suffocation and an extreme anticipation.

verify!

Go to the "Crown of Stars" to verify!
If Mavis is truly a descendant of royalty, then she must be able to open that ruin that no one has been able to enter for ten thousand years!

If she can't open it... then everything will be self-evident!

This is the simplest, most direct, and most irrefutable way to prove it!
Duke Adrian Solari's heart pounded like a drum.

Why bring so many people to your own family's forbidden area?

He instinctively wanted to refuse.

But he simply couldn't refuse!

He had never considered it. Not only because it was Cohen Corleone who made the request.

Furthermore, the nearly one hundred gazes that instantly focused on him from below the stage made him clearly understand that this matter was no longer up to the Solari family to decide!

There was curiosity, scrutiny, and doubt in those eyes, but more than anything, there was an almost burning eagerness and greed.

If Mavis Tinuvel is truly of Arcane Empire royal blood... Good heavens! What does that mean?
This means that countless long-forgotten core sites, royal treasures, and ancient treasuries of the Arcane Empire, protected by powerful restrictions and where countless explorers and forces have perished, may be brought back to light because of the appearance of this "rightful master".

Those legendary magical artifacts, lost ancient knowledge, and mountains of magic crystal treasures... what an enormous fortune that would be!
What powerful assistance will it provide for the development of the entire Lost Lands and in dealing with the crisis of the "Covenant of the Gods"?

This is no longer a simple struggle for the throne; it concerns the future resource landscape and the enhancement of strength of the entire Lost Land.

Under the doomsday shadow of the "Covenant of the Gods," any opportunity to enhance overall strength is worth pursuing relentlessly.

"It must be verified!"

"Yes! Let's go to 'Crown of Stars'!"

"Whether it's true or false, you'll know at a glance!"

"If he is truly a descendant of royalty, then Heaven has blessed my lost land!"

Below the stage, excited discussions arose again, this time no longer filled with doubt, but with strong anticipation and urging.

Several representatives from ancient ruins-guarding families, who had the deepest understanding of the legacy of the Arcane Empire, were particularly excited.

One of the elderly men, wearing a gray robe embroidered with intricate star and moon runes, stood up shakily.

He is the current patriarch of the "Eye of the Stars" family and one of the most renowned scholars in the Lost Lands, recognized for his profound research into the ruins of the Arcane Empire. His name is Elon Snown.

Elon's voice was loud and clear:

"Duke Solari! 'Crown of the Stars'...that's one of the most important heirlooms in the Imperial Family's legends."

Its surrounding starlight maze and bloodline verification array represent the pinnacle of ancient magical techniques.

If this woman can truly unlock it, it will not only prove her lineage, but may also open a door to the true core secrets of the empire!
Please verify immediately!

Representatives from other factions echoed the sentiment, their eyes fixed intently on Duke Solari, their meaning all too clear—this matter must be resolved today.

Moreover, the sooner the better!
Faced with this overwhelming public opinion (or rather, the desire for profit) and Cohen's calm yet pressure-filled gaze, Duke Adrian Solari instantly understood his predicament.

His last shred of hesitation and any thought of bargaining vanished.

He was not a fool; on the contrary, as the head of an ancient noble family with a long and distinguished lineage, he was extremely shrewd and knew how to assess situations.

He quickly weighed the options: if Mavis's identity was fake, then naturally everything would be off the table, Cohen's prestige would be damaged, but for his Solari family, it would simply be a matter of maintaining the status quo.

But what if... what if Mavis's identity is real?
That will be a revolutionary change!

It's almost a certainty that a princess with the purest royal blood of the Arcane Empire will be crowned the Empress of the Lost Lands Unified Empire amidst the crisis of the "Covenant of the Gods" and with the full support of Cohen Corleone!

Its legitimacy and appeal will be unparalleled.

Those ancient remnant forces that might have initially opposed her will become her staunchest supporters.

At that time, she will be the legally indisputable owner of this land, and the "Crown of Stars," which her Solari family has "occupied" (though unable to access) for generations, is essentially royal property.

If they don't take a stand now, and things settle down, the Solari family may very well go from being "guardians" to "stubborn old nobles who are monopolizing the royal inheritance."

Moreover, this "princess" clearly has a close relationship with Cohen, and Cohen's domineering nature is obvious to all...

In a flash, Duke Solari made his decision! (End of Chapter)