Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Cohen quickly and deftly put his scattered clothes back on, his movements still carrying the composure of an emperor, but his face had darkened.

No one would be happy if they were forcibly intruded into such a private moment, even if the intruder was a god.

In contrast, Adele appeared unusually calm.

She first rose gracefully and calmly from in front of Cohen, showing no sign of panic, and even took a silk handkerchief to gently wipe away the traces remaining on the corner of her lips.

Instead of getting dressed immediately, she tidied her slightly disheveled long hair, calmly meeting Daphne's complex and indescribable gaze, as if she weren't the one who had just been "caught in the act," her tone as indifferent as water:
"Your Majesty, the Ice Emperor, what brings you here so late at night, forcibly breaking through the boundary?"

Daphne's icy blue eyes were fixed on Adele.

The woman before me was completely naked, her exquisitely beautiful body exuding an unparalleled alluring charm in the dim light.

That breathtaking beauty even stirred a flicker of jealousy within her, a feeling she herself was unwilling to admit, in a way that she herself was not willing to acknowledge.

What she found even more absurd was that Adele's expression at that moment—the languor and satisfaction that had not yet completely faded, mixed with her innate nobility and tranquility, created an indescribable charm.

She couldn't imagine that this being, who should have been aloof and looked down on all living beings, would show such... almost humble obedience and enthusiasm under a mortal man.

She would never have believed it if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to forcefully dispel the intensely impactful image in her mind.

When she opened her eyes again, her gaze had returned to a cold clarity, but a trace of emotion still lingered deep within them.

She no longer looked at Adele's captivating figure, but instead turned her gaze to Cohen, who was already dressed, but spoke to Adele in a low, serious voice:
“I came here in the middle of the night not to watch you and your husband having sex in your bedroom.”

To make a long story short—the memory seal I placed deep within the consciousness of all living beings on this continent to conceal and confuse the complete divine fluctuations within you is about to expire!
At that time, all beings on the continent, whether reclusive saints or demigods, will clearly perceive that at the heart of the Efein Empire, specifically within you, Adele, lies a complete ice elemental divine core!

The air in the palace seemed to drop to freezing point instantly after Daphne spoke.

The previous pleasant and awkward atmosphere was completely overwhelmed by this sudden and shocking news.

Cohen's pupils suddenly contracted. Even with his composure and shrewdness, he was shaken to his core by the news!
The memory seal is about to expire!

This means that Adel will instantly transform from a highly respected imperial empress and a favorite of the Goddess of Ice into a coveted "ticket to godhood"!
A complete divine spark is enough to drive any peak powerhouse mad and make ancient beings disregard everything.

Cohen quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice:
"In other words, it won't be long before Florence becomes the focal point of all ambition, greed, and malice on the entire continent, a vortex center radiating the allure of godhood!"

Daphne nodded slightly:
"You can understand it this way. The newly established Effie Empire has already attracted much attention due to the 'Covenant of the Gods' and its rapid rise, and there are undercurrents surging within it."

Now, in addition to the leak of news that a complete divine essence resides within your queen...

At that time, all the forces that have old grudges against you, including the Black Tomb, Xia Zuo of the Eastern Empire who hates you to the bone, the Central Empire's Noble House, and even the Southern Empire and the seemingly neutral Northern Empire, will not let this opportunity pass.

This was not merely hatred, but an irresistible temptation—a complete divine spark meant the key to the throne, the possibility of immortality!

"In addition, there are those ancient powerhouses who have stagnated at the Hundred Star Saint realm for thousands of years and yearn to advance further."

Those demigod remnants, hiding in secret realms and ruins, clinging to life yet yearning to regain their power.

Even other gods or their messengers who are interested in the authority of the ice element itself... will gather in Florence from all directions, openly and secretly, like sharks smelling blood.

Cohen Corleone, such immense pressure has gathered in the capital of a nation, and is aimed directly at your queen.

"Can you, and your newly established Efein Empire, withstand this?"

Cohen's lips moved slightly, but before he could answer, Adele spoke first.

Adele remained calm throughout, facing Daphne directly, and said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, you expended your divine power to forcibly break into my and His Majesty's bedroom in the dead of night, interrupting my intimacy with my husband."

"Could it be that this was all just to send this message?"

Daphne was being stared at by Adele with such directness and even a hint of questioning, and her eternally frozen face seemed to show a very subtle change.

She remained silent for a moment, and the icy mist surrounding her seemed to freeze for a second.

Looking at Yardel, the coldness in his eyes seemed to melt away slightly, revealing an extremely complex emotion that could almost be described as "soft," which was extremely rare for a god of the main god level.

She took a small half-step forward, ignoring Cohen's furrowed brow beside her, and focused intently on Adele, her voice unconsciously lowering considerably:
“Adel, there is some kind of connection between us.”

The reasons for this are far-reaching, involving ancient secrets and rules, which I cannot, and should not, explain to you at this juncture.

She paused, as if carefully choosing her words, and then she did something that made Cohen take notice.

She raised a hand that seemed to be sculpted from the purest ice crystal and gently pressed it against her chest, where a faint, icy blue light seemed to emanate.

His expression became extremely solemn, and he spoke clearly and slowly, word by word:

"But I, Daphne Ice, am the Goddess who wields the elements of ice and the divine authority of snow and ice."

Hereby, I swear by my divine office, my divine status, and the very source of my existence—I will absolutely, absolutely not do anything to harm you.

Conversely, in the coming storm, after my divine nature is exposed, I will do everything in my power, within the rules and limits I am permitted to provide you with the greatest possible protection and assistance.

Therefore, you don't need to be so suspicious of me, nor do you need to be so hostile towards me.

You can trust me completely.

Our position has remained completely consistent from beginning to end.

Cohen was taken aback when he heard Daphne's pleading, even somewhat obsequious tone.

This elemental god, who wields ice and stands aloof above all living beings, actually made a promise to Adele that left no room for retreat—a promise made with her divine authority.

His tone even revealed an almost "humble" sincerity.

This completely overturned Cohen's understanding of gods, especially gods like Daphne who were known for their indifference.

What kind of unknown bond exists between her and Adeline?
It's far more than a simple relationship between a deity and his followers!
Adael's past life... Cohen had long noticed Adael's special nature. Her wisdom beyond her years, the ancient aura she occasionally exuded, and her almost primal affinity for the laws of ice all pointed to her extraordinary past.

But he never imagined that her background was so great that an elemental god would treat her like this!
The seven elemental gods are beings that stand at the pinnacle of the gods, holding a revered position even within the divine realm.

Daphne's attitude at this moment is hardly that of someone treating an outstanding mortal being.
It's clearly as if we're dealing with something...something that must be carefully protected, and even carries a special responsibility!
Many guesses flashed through Cohen's mind in an instant: Was Adel's past life a fallen ancient god?
Or perhaps she has a very deep connection with Daphne, or even a sister or closer relationship?
Regardless of the reason, it means that Adel's origins are far more astonishing than imagined, and the origin of the divine essence on her body is probably not the simple one that Daphne casually placed on her.

This pool of water was even more unfathomable than he had anticipated.

What alarmed Cohen even more was Adele's reaction at that moment.

Faced with a solemn promise sworn by a god and an almost "heart-to-heart" explanation, Adele's expression remained largely unmoved.

She showed no sign of being flattered, no confusion, and didn't even ask any further questions.

Her beautiful face was calm, almost indifferent, as if everything Daphne said was nothing out of her expectations.

Or... subconsciously, she felt that she deserved to be treated this way?

Although she was completely naked, her exquisite body radiated breathtaking beauty under the soft, magical lights of the bedroom, but at this moment, a completely different aura emanated from her.

It was no longer the allure of passion, nor the usual grace of an empress, but a sacred, awe-inspiring purity and majesty.

Her eyes were clear and deep, her azure pupils seemingly reflecting the ancient ice plains and an immortal vow, carrying a nobility and detachment from the depths of her soul, making one momentarily forget her nakedness and only feel a heart-pounding sense of oppression.

She didn't even bother to grab some clothes to cover herself; she simply stood there naturally, her gaze calmly meeting Daphne's icy blue eyes, which held complex emotions. Her red lips parted slightly:
"Lady Frost, I have heard your vow."

But in this world, the only person I can trust wholeheartedly and who I am willing to give everything for without reservation is my husband.

As for what you call contact, secrecy, or shelter…

Ada gently shook her head, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, making her skin appear even more radiant and fair.
"I will not accept or make any promises lightly until I remember everything I should remember, until I figure out for myself what our connection is."

If Ms. Hanbing has nothing else of greater importance, please leave.

It's late at night, and my husband and I need to rest.

Adele spoke calmly, as if the earth-shattering conversation that had just taken place, involving the exposure of her divine status and the upheaval of the continent, was less important than the intimate moments she shared with Cohen.

Daphne clearly hadn't expected Adele to react this way.

Looking at Adele's calm yet distant gaze, which even hinted at a "why aren't you leaving yet?", a complex mix of emotions surfaced on her icy face: helplessness, disappointment, a sense of being misunderstood, and even a faint trace of grievance. Ultimately, all of this dissolved into a deeper chill and a barely audible sigh.

A brief silence filled the palace, with only the faint echoes of the celebration and the soft hum of the magical lights coming from outside the window.

A layer of divine frost covered Daphne's exquisite face once again, but a knowing complexity flashed deep in her eyes.

Her gaze lingered on Cohen for a moment, as if piercing through time and retracing back to that fateful exchange in the Northwest.

She understood that the root of Adele's coldness and distrust at this moment lay in the past—when she had used Cohen's life as a bargaining chip to force Adele to make a choice.

For this empress who regarded her husband as her life, it was undoubtedly a grudge that was hard to let go of.

Daphne sighed softly, turning to Cohen. Her icy blue eyes held less of their usual indifferent gaze and more of a direct confrontation. Her cool voice echoed in the silent palace:
“Your Majesty Corleone, I admit that I was prejudiced against you in the past. My actions at the time were indeed somewhat inappropriate.”

But that was for Adel's own good.

To be precise, I never expected that someone like her... would one day willingly submit to a mortal man, become his queen, and even..." Her words paused almost imperceptibly, without looking at the scene before her, but the meaning was self-evident.

"Therefore, when I first learned that she had become your queen, I thought she was forced to harbor resentment towards you and even do inappropriate things."

Looking back, my mistake was being prejudiced and acting impulsively.

Since everyone is here today, I might as well speak frankly.

I, Daphne Ice, hereby formally apologize, in front of Adele, for threatening your life during the Northwest Exchange Meeting and for the prejudice I developed towards you as a result.

It is unheard of in the long history of the gods for an elemental god who wields ice and solitude to personally apologize to a mortal emperor.

Upon hearing this, even with his resolute will and experience of many trials, Cohen was taken aback and almost couldn't sit still.

A being of elemental god caliber apologized in person?
He subconsciously turned his head to look at Yalder beside him, only to see that his wife's expression remained calm, but a very faint ripple seemed to pass through the depths of her azure eyes.

Cohen quickly composed himself, coughed lightly, and said to Adele:

"I don't think Lady Hanbing would be a threat to us."

Just five years ago, she expended so much divine power to help us seal away the memories of the entire continent; that alone shows she meant us no harm.

Upon hearing Cohen's words, Adele's tightly clenched lips seemed to soften almost imperceptibly.

Seeing that Cohen offered a way out and did not dwell on past grievances, but instead affirmed her past contributions, the complex look in Daphne's eyes eased slightly.

And it seems that, because of her husband's attitude, Adaline finally stopped showing her distance and guardedness.

She sat up straight from Cohen's side with an extremely graceful posture, then stood up, her arms naturally outstretched.

This simple movement perfectly showcased her already breathtakingly perfect figure.

The perfect balance of fullness and delicacy creates a breathtaking proportion. Under the warm light of the bedroom, the skin shimmers with an ivory-like luster. Every curve seems to be the most generous gift from the Creator, possessing both the sacred charm of a divinely favored person and the ultimate allure of a mature woman.

Exaggerated yet harmonious, it's almost too much to look at directly.

Cohen, perfectly in sync with her, reached out and gently took Adele's underwear and silk robe from the side.

He considerately helped her get dressed, and Adele gently raised her hand and turned around, her expression calm, letting her husband serve her.

With Cohen's considerate assistance, Adel gracefully tied the last silk outer robe, concealing her breathtakingly beautiful body beneath the magnificent garment. The subtle tension and ambiguity that permeated the palace were slightly replaced by solemnity.

Cohen and Adele were finally properly dressed, and the three of them could finally have a serious talk.

Seeing that although Adele still looked aloof, at least she no longer showed the direct resistance and aloofness she had shown before, Daphne's expression softened considerably, and she inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

Without further hesitation, she laid out her long-considered plan:
"My plan is to have Adel leave with me immediately before the memory seal completely fails and the divine fluctuations are exposed."

As long as Adel herself is not in Effie or Florence, even if the memory seal is broken, the primary target of all forces will not be this imperial capital, but rather they will try every means to find her whereabouts.

In this way, I can place Adele in a relatively safe place under my personal protection, and also prevent the Effiin Empire from directly bearing the most intense impact.

This seems to be the best solution at present, one that can protect both of you and buy time for your nascent empire.

This suggestion is simple and direct, and seems quite reasonable.

The protection of an elemental god is undoubtedly an absolute safety zone that mortals can hardly reach.

By removing Ydell, the "eye of the storm," Florence's pressure will naturally be greatly reduced.

"I agree!"

The moment Daphne finished speaking, a steady male voice rang out almost simultaneously—it was Cohen.

He hesitated little; from the perspective of the emperor and the husband's desire for his wife's absolute safety, the offer seemed irresistibly attractive.

Sending Adel away from the center of this vortex that is about to become the target of everyone's attacks, and having her personally protected by a chief god, does indeed sound like the safest option.

As for the pain of separation and the issue of trust, these seem to be temporarily set aside in the face of absolute security.

But just as Cohen's voice had barely faded, and even as a glimmer of relief flashed in Daphne's eyes upon hearing his agreement—

"No."

Another voice rang out, clear, decisive, and without the slightest hesitation.

It's Adaline.

She answered faster than Cohen, her tone calm yet conveying an undeniable resolve.

The fleeting relief on Daphne's face froze instantly. She turned her head sharply, her icy blue eyes fixed on Adele, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Cohen agrees, but she disagrees?
"Adel!"

Daphne's voice unconsciously rose a little:
"Don't let your emotions get the better of you! And don't underestimate what you're about to face!"
You simply don't understand what a complete divine spark, especially a high-ranking elemental divine spark like the ice element, means to those dormant old monsters on this continent!
More than ten thousand years! Since the end of antiquity, and the establishment of a new pantheon, no new gods have been born on this continent for more than ten thousand years!
How many ancient demigods are stuck at the bottleneck of the divine fire just before it ignites, barely surviving in the dust of time, yearning for a wisp of divinity, a fragment of divine essence to ignite the divine fire, forge a divine kingdom, and ascend to the divine throne?

Not to mention those terrifying beings hidden deep in the shadows of history, long forgotten by the world, and those ancient wills that would stop at nothing to prolong their existence!
Now, the 'Covenant of the Gods' is about to begin, the rules of heaven and earth are in turmoil, the old order is about to change but has not yet changed, and the new pattern is about to be established but has not yet been established. This is the most sensitive, the most chaotic, and the period when ambitious people are most restless!
Once they know that you possess the aura of a complete god.

I'm telling you, they'll definitely come!

No matter the cost, no matter the means!
In the open and in the dark, in the known and in the unknown... countless ancient beings and forbidden powerhouses beyond your imagination will crawl out of their coffins, emerge from their secret realms, and rise from the shadows!

Their only goal is—the divinity within you!

Finally, her gaze shifted to Cohen, then back to Adele, her tone sharp:

"Yes, your husband, Cohen Corleone, is powerful, one of the most outstanding humans on this continent, and he owns a thriving empire."

But do you think that these alone can withstand the greed and madness that the entire continent has accumulated over thousands of years?
Can it protect you, protect this divine essence that can drive demigods mad and even tempt the agents of gods?

Adele, wake up!
Staying here will not only put you in grave danger, but you will also drag your husband and the empire you have painstakingly built into an abyss of no return!

Do you want to see Florence reduced to ruins?

Do you want to see the imperial banner that Effie has just raised burned to ashes under the iron hooves of countless greedy people?

Do you want your people, your loved ones, to perish with you because of your stubbornness?!

Her questions grew more urgent and heavier with each one, carrying the divine foresight of mortal calamities and a kind of anxious frustration akin to "disappointment in someone who is not living up to their potential."

In her view, the solution she proposed was the only rational choice, the path that minimized sacrifice and maximized preservation.

In her eyes, Adele's rejection was undoubtedly an emotional decision, a self-destructive act, and a burden on everyone.

As Cohen listened to Daphne's fierce and even somewhat harsh words, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

He wasn't unaware of the danger Daphne spoke of; in fact, he knew better than anyone what a terrifying storm it would be.

He agreed to Daphne's plan, however, Adele's crisp "No" and her calm yet unwavering gaze made him swallow the words of agreement he was about to utter.

He understood Adele; his sister, the Queen, was so resolute—there must be a reason! (End of Chapter)