Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Silence fell once again inside the palace.

Only Daphne's slightly rapid breathing and Cohen's deep gaze shifted between the two women.

Adele listened quietly to all of Daphne's warnings, her expression remaining largely unchanged throughout.

After Daphne finished speaking, she slightly raised her chin and sneered:

"Ms. Hanbing, you keep saying you're thinking of me and the Empire, but is your plan really as comprehensive as you claim?"
Even if I do as you say and leave with you, hiding in your divine kingdom or some ice elemental plane.

Would those old monsters, drawn by the aura of divinity, simply let Effie go?
Do not!
They will only surround Florence and the Effie Empire like mad dogs that have smelled blood!
They will use every means possible to torture, torment, and slaughter!

They will use my husband's life, the blood of my people, and the ruins of this city to force me to show myself!

Don't think I don't know your true intentions.

In your heart, my husband's life or death, and Effie's survival, have never been your priority, and may not even have been a consideration at all!

This is my home, and every brick and stone here is imbued with the hard work and dedication of Cohen and me.

Cohen is my husband, the other half of my soul, and the person I'm willing to give everything to protect.

Eifine is our empire, a nation forged by the loyalty and sweat of millions of soldiers and citizens.

Divinity resides within me, and danger arises from me.

I will never leave my husband, my people, and my country alone in the eye of the storm that I caused, to suffer the greed and malice that should have been directed at me!

If I leave, I will be betraying you!

You betrayed the vow I made with Cohen before the sacred temple to live and die together!

Betrayed the duty to protect the Empire and its people that I made at the time of my coronation!
Betray all those who entrusted me with their trust and loyalty without reservation!

So you don't need to try to persuade me anymore. I will stay here and die with my husband!

As soon as he finished speaking, the palace fell into a deathly silence, as if time itself had frozen.

Adele's words left no room for negotiation; every syllable was imbued with a resolute determination to live and die with her lover and her country.

Cohen gazed intently at the Queen's resolute and holy profile.

A surge of emotion, like molten lava, roared within his chest.

He knew that this was his Adel, gentle on the outside but with a heart harder than ice and more unshakable than any vow.

Daphne was completely stunned, her icy blue pupils contracting slightly, as if she were seeing the woman in front of her for the first time.

She looked at Adele, at the undeniable light in those deep blue eyes, and a sense of unfamiliarity and... shock rose within her.

It wasn't just stubbornness; it was a pride, a responsibility, and...love deeply rooted in the soul.

She suddenly realized that, despite having looked down upon all living beings for billions of years, she had never truly understood the power that human emotions could unleash.

Is it foolish, reckless stubbornness?

Or is it fearless courage that shines with the light of humanity?

Daphne fell silent.

The bone-chilling cold that unconsciously emanated from his body seemed to have stagnated considerably because of the silence.

She found herself unable to immediately refute Adele's words.

Yes, if those who covet her are truly insane and ruthless enough, then it is entirely possible that they would use Effie and Cohen as hostages to force Adele to reveal herself.

When I proposed that plan, did I really place the safety of Cohen and Effie on the same level of importance as the safety of Adele herself?

Or is it subconsciously that they are indeed seen as something that can be weighed or even sacrificed?

She couldn't give an answer immediately.

This silence was a silent shock to Adele's determination, and also a silent questioning of her own divine mindset.

After a long while, Daphne slowly shifted her gaze from Adele's face and turned it to Cohen, who had been silent the whole time.

She knew she could no longer persuade Adele.

So now, perhaps only one person can change this seemingly hopeless situation.

Cohen understood Daphne's meaning, and holding Adele's hand, he said affectionately:

"What His Majesty Hanbing said is not without reason."

The matter of divinity is far too complex. Your presence here puts you in the most dangerous eye of the storm.

"Perhaps... you should seek refuge with Her Majesty Hanbing for the time being. Don't worry, I have a way to deal with those who covet it..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Adele stood on tiptoe and, to Cohen's slightly surprised look, kissed his lips without hesitation.

This kiss was not the usual tender and lingering one, but rather carried a resolute, fiery power capable of melting all ice.

With her lips and tongue, she silenced all his unspoken words that might have swayed her mind, and conveyed her unchangeable answer.

Cohen's body stiffened slightly, then he closed his eyes, instinctively tightened his arms, and held Adele firmly in his arms, returning her kiss deeply.

All worries, calculations, and heavy burdens seemed to be temporarily shut out by this kiss.

Only their breaths, their warmth, and their unspoken vows of life and death remained, mingling on their lips.

This is a declaration, an answer, a promise more powerful than any language.

Seeing the sudden, oblivious, passionate kiss that seemed to belong only to them, Daphne was first stunned, then speechless.

She, the dignified elemental goddess who wields ice and solitude, was actually forced to witness a display of affection between two mortals in front of her during such a serious, life-or-death discussion.
This strange and unfamiliar feeling made her feel somewhat lost, and she even felt that the air around her had become a little uncomfortable.

The couple before her, embracing tightly and kissing passionately, their posture as if they wanted to merge into each other's very bones, their unreserved trust and deep affection, once again strongly challenged her preconceived notions.

This scene seemed familiar to her, reminiscent of the life-and-death struggle between Cohen and Yardelle during the Northwest Regional Exchange Conference.

At that time, she couldn't understand such human emotions and only thought them foolish.

Witnessing this intense, almost tangible, bond of life and death once again, a cold corner of her heart seemed to be gently touched.

The two were deeply moved... until their breaths became unsteady, until the chill emanating from Daphne's body became slightly disordered due to the subtle fluctuations in her emotions, and she could barely maintain her detached demeanor, before they slowly separated.

As their lips parted... their foreheads touched, their breaths mingled, and they saw only each other in each other's eyes.

Cohen looked into Adele's eyes, which were so close to his own, and saw no wavering, only a clear and unwavering determination, like that of an icy lake.

The words of advice I wanted to say and the rational analysis in my mind vanished after that kiss.

He knew his queen sister all too well; she had always been like that since childhood. Once she made up her mind about something, not even a nine-headed dragon could pull her back.

He gave up.

No, perhaps he never really intended to force her to leave.

The so-called "persuasion" may simply be a rational choice that he, as a husband and emperor, had to try under extreme pressure.

But when his wife rejected this "rationality" in the most fervent way, he felt a sense of calm and heroism to face death side by side.

Cohen slowly exhaled, gently stroking Adele's slightly flushed cheeks, then turned to look at Daphne beside him, whose expression was complicated and who seemed to still be processing the impact of that "kiss".

He grasped Adele's hand, their fingers intertwined, and said solemnly:
"Ms. Hanbing, I respect and support any decision my wife makes."

Since she has chosen to stay and perish with the empire, then I will stay with her and with Effie.

We appreciate your kindness.

Looking at the couple clinging to each other as if no force could separate them, and seeing the same unwavering light in Cohen's eyes as in Yardelle's, Daphne knew that all her persuasion was in vain.

She was silent for a moment, then finally let out a long and complex sigh:

"Well, there are still three full days before the memory seal I placed completely collapses."

"Three days. This is your final preparation time."

Make the most of these three days, gather strength, and arrange every possible means.

When the storm comes, I won't stand idly by, but... I can't guarantee I can withstand it all.

She gave Adel a deep look, her gaze complex and unfathomable, before her figure slowly dissipated, turning into specks of icy light.

"Take care of yourself."

The last four words, along with the fading light, echoed softly in the palace before finally fading into complete silence.

Only a lingering chill in the air testifies that this goddess of ice and snow once graced this place.

With the immense pressure of the deity gone, only Cohen and Adel remained in the palace, along with the imminent three-day countdown.

Cohen took a deep breath, and in an instant, the sense of duty and urgency of being an emperor overwhelmed his previous tenderness.

He gently patted the back of Adele's hand and said in a deep voice:

"Time is of the essence. I need to gather everyone immediately to discuss this. There's so much to do. You rest first, I..."

His words came to an abrupt end.

Because Adel didn't let go of him; instead, she hugged his waist even tighter.

Moreover, while he was speaking, her other hand had already deftly untied the robe she had just put on. The silky fabric slid down her smooth shoulders, once again revealing her perfect, delicate body that could leave even the gods speechless.

She tiptoed, her warm breath brushing against his ear, her voice languidly husky, yet possessing an almost domineering tenderness:
"What's the rush? It's not even dawn yet."

Three days is enough time for you to make many arrangements.

There's no rush to do it all tonight; we can do those things tomorrow.

Now... you belong to me.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Her eyes, once so resolute and aloof, now shone with a gentle light.

All that remained was an intense, overwhelming tenderness and a deeply hidden unease, as if they were using this method to confirm each other's existence and draw courage to face the storm.

Cohen didn't speak again, but looked deeply into Adele's eyes, then suddenly lowered his head and sealed her speech with a kiss that was even more passionate and predatory than before.

He lifted her up in his arms, wanting nothing more than to melt into this gentle embrace, to confirm each other's existence in the most primal way, to draw strength from each other, and to welcome the approaching dawn.

……

The three-day period passed in the blink of an eye.

Before the morning light of the fourth day had completely dispelled the mist over Florence, an invisible ripple, like the waves stirred up by a boulder thrown into a calm lake, swept across every corner of the entire Demon Tide Continent in an instant, penetrating into the deepest recesses of the consciousness of every living being.

There was no earth-shattering explosion, no dazzling light.

But all living beings, whether they are legendary mages high above, demigods living in seclusion in the mountains, farmers working in the fields, busy commoners in the city, or even ignorant wild beasts and swaying grass and trees, felt, in that instant, a crisp "crack" sound, as if shackles had broken, coming from the depths of their souls.

Immediately afterwards, a long-forgotten fragment of memory clearly surfaced in the minds of all living beings on the continent.

Five years ago, in the Northwest region, there was an exchange meeting that shocked the entire mainland!
The fog of memory is dispelled, and the truth emerges:
The Hundred-Star Saint Grand Tomb Master of the Black Tomb, the demigod-level powerhouse "Tomb," a Saint under Prince Xia Zuo of the Central Empire's Noble Academy...

This group of extraordinary individuals, standing at the pinnacle of humanity, gathered in Florence not for the "fragment of the Charter of Gods and Demons".

Those seemingly righteous saints in the Central Empire's House of Nobles were not merely there to suppress newly rising kingdoms;
And then there's the mysterious and incredibly powerful demigod dean of the Cobalt Soul Academy, Dumbledore…

Their gathering in the Northwest, which unleashed a bloody storm, was not fundamentally caused by any of the rumored treasures or conflicts.

The source of everything, the focus of everything, the core of all the struggles—was that woman named Adele, who was then just the Queen of Efein!

Hidden within her is a complete divine spark, a spark powerful enough to drive any saint mad and make a demigod reckless—the Ice Elemental Divine Spark!

The mainland was shaken!
A true, soul-stirring experience!
Countless people were jolted awake from their sleep, pulled from their meditation, and stood frozen in shock from their busy lives, their faces filled with utter astonishment, bewilderment, and disbelief.

"A complete divine nature?"

"In Queen Effie's case, it's incredible; no wonder she became the youngest legendary figure on the continent!"

"My God! Five years ago, during the chaotic war in the Northwest, many of the continent's top powers gathered in Florence, all for this?"

"Yadell... that legendary, stunningly beautiful and powerful queen, she actually possesses a complete divine essence?"
Who exactly is she?

"Gods above, this is simply... simply a walking stairway to godhood!"

"No wonder! No wonder so many saints, even demigods, intervened back then! So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"

Shock swept across every corner of the continent like a tsunami.

In taverns, markets, noble salons, mage towers, military camps... everywhere was a frenzy of discussion about this revolutionary truth.

The name Adele Angelion, along with "complete divinity," instantly became the hottest and most unsettling topic across the entire continent.

Following the initial shock came a deeper sense of horror and awe.

"and many more!
Memory...has our memory been altered?

Sealed for five years?

"Which deity possesses such power to seal the memories of all living beings on the entire continent regarding this matter for five years?"

This discovery sent chills down the spines of countless powerful individuals.

Modifying the memories of a few individuals may not be difficult, but to silently modify and seal the memories of hundreds of millions of living beings across the entire continent for five whole years without being detected by any being—what a terrifying supernatural power that is!
This is something that ordinary gods could never achieve!
The one who made the move must be an extremely powerful being among the gods, and their desire to protect Adele is obvious.

A god of this caliber personally intervened to conceal the secret of a mortal queen's divine nature for five long years!
The implications behind this are self-evident.

In an instant, countless forces and powerful figures, after their initial shock and horror, fell into an eerie silence and a deeper sense of apprehension.

He carefully suppressed the greed in his heart.

Not to mention how powerful the Effiin Empire is now, the divine protection behind Yardel alone is enough to send chills down one's spine.

Who would dare to easily provoke a god who is clearly protecting Adel and possesses such terrifying power?

Isn't that just courting death?

However, greed is the most difficult flame to extinguish in the world, especially when the fuel for this flame is a complete "divine head" leading to a divine throne.

The silence that arose on the mainland due to the awe of the gods did not last long.

Soon, some long-established forces, hidden in the shadows of history and with terrifyingly deep foundations, emerged.

Some ancient beings, lurking in secluded and desolate places, nearing the end of their lifespan yet still harboring great ambitions.

And those powerful forces and individuals at the pinnacle of the continent began to learn about information from the divine realm through various clandestine channels.

Some of these messages stemmed from vague perceptions of changes in the rules of the divine realm, some from interpretations of ancient prophecies or taboo knowledge, and many more from well-informed channels that intentionally or unintentionally disseminated key information.
"The details of the Covenant of the Gods will soon be officially announced... At that time, the gods' direct interference in the mortal realm will be greatly limited..."

"During the transition between the old and new orders, even the gods are constrained and find it difficult to easily descend upon the material plane..."

"Although the deity behind Adele is powerful, she is not without rivals. Other gods may not be happy to see her 'favored one' easily obtain a complete high-level divine title..."

“An opportunity… a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… during the 'window of opportunity' before the covenant fully takes effect, when the gods are bound by the rules…”

Driven by burning greed and the allure of opportunity, the people's fear of the gods gradually dissipated.

A complete divine essence!

It is not merely a simple sublimation of power, but also the cornerstone for building a divine kingdom, igniting the divine fire, and ascending to the immortal throne!

It is the ultimate dream that countless brilliant minds have wasted thousands of years seeking but never attaining!

Especially during this sensitive period when the "Covenant of the Gods" is about to begin, the old and new orders are changing, and the boundary between gods and mortals may undergo drastic changes, the significance of the appearance of a masterless deity is amplified infinitely.

"The gods cannot easily interfere... then we..."

"Taking advantage of troubled waters... there might still be an opportunity..."

"Effie is newly established and her foundation is not yet stable. Although Cohen is strong, how much can she withstand?"

"Unite...we must unite!"

Undercurrents are surging across the mainland!
Deep within the Black Tomb, hoarse whispers echoed from the decaying coffin, and the eerie flames of the dead burned faintly.
In the secret chamber of the Central Empire's Noble Council, the ancient family patriarchs' eyes gleamed as they weighed the risks against the allure that could make their families immortal.

In the Eastern Empire, within the residence of Prince Xia Zuo, resentment and greed intertwine, and new conspiracies breed in the darkness.

The rulers of the Southern Empire, the Northern Empire, and other human kingdoms have also begun to re-examine their relationship with Effie.

Ancient caves in endless mountains, islands shrouded in overseas mists, dark kingdoms deep underground, and even some unknown demi-planes...

A multitude of gazes, some aged, some sinister, some fiery, were cast upon the Northwest Continent, upon the nation that had just been crowned an empire, yet now seemed to be placed on the edge of a volcano—Efein!

Beneath the calm surface, a raging undercurrent of greed surged, and countless eyes, both overt and covert, focused on Florence and on the stunningly beautiful queen who possessed a great treasure.

An invisible net is slowly unfolding over the entire continent, and at its center lies Florence, and Cohen and Adele.

……

After a brief period of shock and apprehension at the divine power, certain forces that had long coveted Effie or were determined to obtain the divine status finally could not restrain themselves and were the first to break through that fragile calm.

Black Tomb reacted the fastest and most directly.

This vast underground organization, composed of necromancers, demons, devils, and various dark beings rejected by the mainstream, never hides its desire for power and eternity.

A complete divine essence is an unparalleled temptation for them.

The person leading the team was none other than Cohen's "old acquaintance"—the original three tomb masters who had usurped the throne of the Kingdom of Serene.

Cohen's rise and Effie's growing power thwarted the Three Tomb Masters' plan and damaged their prestige within the Black Tomb.

When the deity appeared in the world, the three tomb owners volunteered almost without hesitation.

Amidst the swirling, decaying black mist, the three tomb occupants stared intently towards Florence, their hoarse, grating voices echoing through the deathly silence of the tomb:
"Cohen Corleone, this time, I will personally extract your soul!"
And that divine spark... it will surely belong to the Black Tomb!

In the Central Empire, Shanis naturally received Cohen's message in advance.

She exerted great effort to restrain various forces within the empire, especially the House of Nobles, which attempted to act in the name of the empire.

However, the Central Empire had a vast territory and deeply entrenched power. Although the imperial power was strong, it was difficult to completely control those powerful clans and local forces with deep roots and ancient leaders.

The House of Nobles, a behemoth that rivals the royal family, was the first to step forward.

With the approval of Chief Heisenberg, the House of Nobles quickly assembled a luxurious "observation group," which was in reality a treasure-hunting team.

The team was personally led by Heisenberg's uncle, Jonathan Wertheimer, a Hundred-Star Saint whose strength was unfathomable and who had long since retired from worldly affairs.

This observation group included several elders at the Saint level, as well as a group of legendary-level noble elites.

Under the guise of "maintaining order on the continent, protecting His Highness the Emperor, and preventing the divine essence from falling into the hands of evil," their target is none other than the divine essence within Adel! (End of Chapter)