Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Although they had already learned about the situation in Florence through urgent messages from their respective factions before their arrival, and knew that Cohen had gathered a considerable number of allies.

But when they arrived at the scene in person and saw the powerful figures surrounding Cohen, they were still somewhat shocked.

Especially those saints who wore the robes of the Holy See and exuded a sacred and powerful aura, and the president of the Holy Healing Order, Mr. Buze.

They are indeed demigods standing at the pinnacle of the material world, transcending all things and above mortal empires and powers.

However, they were not without roots; Roosevelt Harper had intricate connections with the House of Lords of the Middle Empire.

Grenus Tang is the guardian deity of the Eastern Empire and a prince of the Eastern Royal Family.

Drummond Quinn was worshipped by the Southern Empire, and the Quinn family was an ancient noble family from the founding of the Southern Empire.

Tomb is the founder of Black Tomb.

Behind each of them are their own concerns, interests, and bases.

The Holy See of Light, the leading authority on faith on the continent, has long since permeated every corner of the continent with its influence. With hundreds of millions of believers, its faith network itself is an unimaginably vast force.

More importantly, the Church of Light is backed by the pantheon of light, which is the most powerful being even in the world of gods.

Within the Holy See, there are not only demigods in charge, but possibly more than one.

Even these veteran demigods harbored considerable apprehension towards the Church of Light.

This is not entirely due to fear of strength (although the demigods of the Holy See are equally powerful), but rather to concerns about the power of faith they represent.

Completely breaking ties with the Church of Light means becoming an enemy of the faith in Light across the entire continent. The consequences are so severe that even demigods must carefully consider them.

As for the Holy Healing Order, although its direct combat power may not be as great as that of the Holy See, its transcendent status and indispensability on the continent are equally troublesome.

Offending the Holy Healing Order is tantamount to severing an extremely important lifeline and a wide network of connections, a loss that no power can afford.

Cohen Corleone, a young emperor who has risen to power in just a few years, has managed to gain the full support of these two top-tier forces that have always been aloof from worldly affairs. They have even gone so far as to send their core forces and adopt a posture of being prepared to fight.

This completely exceeded their previous estimates.

I originally thought that suppressing a newly emerging empire and seizing a godhood that was unclaimed (or rather, had an owner but whose owner was still weak) would be a piece of cake.

But now it is suddenly discovered that behind the goal stands a colossal entity of two major systems: light and life!

Roosevelt Harper's deep eyes flickered slightly, as if he were quickly calculating the pros and cons.

Gnus Tang frowned almost imperceptibly, a hint of impatience and sharpness flashing in his eyes.

A flicker of interest crossed Drummond Quinn's eyes, which were as vast as the ocean and the starry sky. His gaze lingered for a moment longer on the saint of the Holy See and the president of the Holy Healing Order.

As for the tomb, his refined, pale face remained expressionless, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Four pairs of gazes, calm yet containing an invisible pressure, converged on Cohen.

Beneath the four skies, deathly silence continues to spread.

The air seemed to freeze, and time seemed to slow down.

Ultimately, it was Roosevelt Harper, who seemed to be the most shrewd politician, who broke the silence first.

His Excellency Roosevelt's deep gaze fell upon Cohen, without revealing any aggressive aura. Instead, it carried a gentle and composed quality, like an elder advising a younger person, as he slowly began to speak:
“Cohen Corleone…Your Highness the Emperor.”

The old politician even made a point of using this honorific title, which had close ties to the central empire.

Even with the discord between the House of Nobles and the Royal Family, this ancient demigod doesn't seem to intend to completely abandon this superficial facade:
"Now that things have come to this, Your Highness must understand that continuing the stalemate is not a wise move for Effie, for Florence, or for your friends behind you."

His gaze swept over the saints standing guard on the city wall, pausing slightly on the powerful figures from the Holy See and the Holy Healing Order. A subtle, complex emotion flickered in his eyes, but his tone remained calm:

"Since the four of us have come together, we have already made our stance clear."

"Divinity is desirable, but it is ultimately an external thing." He emphasized slightly, his gaze refocusing on Cohen's face, with a sincerity that seemed to be concerned for his well-being. "On behalf of the Central Empire's Noble Council, I hereby promise—"

If His Highness the Emperor can persuade Queen Angren to voluntarily hand over the divine spark, the four of us will immediately retreat and will never make things difficult for Effie again.

"All losses incurred by your country due to this incident today will be borne entirely by our House of Nobles, with additional compensation to satisfy Your Highness."

Roosevelt's words were clear and logical, seemingly offering a "decent" solution.

He really didn't want to escalate the situation completely.

On the one hand, he came here representing the will of the House of Nobles, acting against the Central Empire's royal family, which is related to Cohen by marriage.

Before the "Covenant of the Gods" was about to collapse and the continent truly entered a chaotic era of "warring nations," the House of Nobles was unwilling to completely break ties with the royal family. Maintaining a superficial balance and tacit understanding was beneficial to both sides.

On the other hand, the forces gathered around Cohen, especially the clear allegiance of the Holy See and the Order of Healing, made even this oldest demigod feel troubled.

Even if you win by taking a forceful action, the subsequent troubles will be endless.

Compared to the deep-seated hatred between Black Grave, Shazo, and Cohen, Roosevelt's motives were relatively pure.

If a peaceful resolution can be reached, and Cohen voluntarily relinquishes his divine status, it would undoubtedly be the option that best serves the interests of the House of Nobles.

Cohen looked up, meeting the ancient demigod's gentle yet imposing gaze without a trace of fear.

He tightened his grip on Adele's hand slightly, then released it, took a half step forward, and shielded his wife completely behind him.

The young emperor looked at Roosevelt, his voice equally steady, yet carrying an undeniable firmness:
"Your Excellency Roosevelt, you should know what forcibly stripping away a fused divine essence means for a superhuman."

Roosevelt Harper's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, seemingly surprised that Cohen would question him so directly.

However, he maintained a gentle tone and spoke slowly:
"The stripping away of the divine essence will damage the origin and cause the realm to fall."

However... Her Highness Queen Angelen is exceptionally talented and is already the youngest legend on the continent. Even if she has temporarily fallen in cultivation level, with her aptitude, it will not be difficult for her to return to the legendary status in time.

As for some of the original damage…

He paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping intentionally or unintentionally in the direction of Superintendent Buze of the Holy Healing Order:
"With the methods of the Holy Healing Order, supplemented by rare treasures, it is not irreparable."

In exchange for this temporary pain and setback, we can secure lasting peace for the Efein Empire, the friendship of the four demigods, and the generous compensation from the House of Nobles…

"Your Highness, you are a wise man; you should know that this is perhaps the most cost-effective option at present."

However, after listening, Cohen's face did not show the slightest wavering or hesitation; instead, he revealed an extremely cold smile.

He gently shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the four demigods in the sky in turn—Roosevelt's "gentleness," Gnus's domineering yet restrained nature, Drummond's aloof scrutiny, and the deathly silence of the tomb—then he withdrew his gaze and looked back at Roosevelt.

The voice was not loud, but exceptionally clear, carrying a resolute quality that pierced the soul, resounding between heaven and earth:
"A good deal?" Cohen repeated the word, his tone even more sarcastic.

He slightly raised his head, his spine remaining ramrod straight even as he faced four demigods who seemed to transcend all living beings, as if he could support the sky oppressed by the four-colored firmament:

"Your Excellency Roosevelt, and others."

Forgive my bluntness, but with just the four of you—"

He paused for a moment, and then, to everyone's disbelief, Cohen spoke in an extremely calm yet seemingly volcanic tone, uttering the words that silenced the heavens and earth:
"All four of you combined... are not as important as a single hair on my queen's head."

The moment the words left his mouth, all was silent.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

On the city wall, on Effie's side, although they had long known of their emperor's deep affection and protection for the queen, they still felt a chill run down their spines when they heard Cohen's direct, forceful, and even humiliating rejection of the four demigods.

Even with blood boiling! Your Majesty... truly Your Majesty!

Outside the city, everyone, from the leaders of the forces like Xia Zuo and Jonathan to the allied soldiers below, was stunned.

What did they hear?
Cohen Corleone, the emperor of a newly established empire, actually said in front of four demigods that all of them combined were not as important as a single hair of his queen.

This is blatant contempt, the ultimate provocation against the majesty of a demigod!
"Insanity!"

"act recklessly!"

"He's insane! He's absolutely insane!"

Roosevelt Harper's expression shifted from gentle to stiff, from stiff to cold, and finally settled into an almost absurd astonishment and a deep sense of offended anger.

He had lived for so long that he couldn't remember the last time anyone dared to speak to him like that—perhaps ever since he stepped into the realm of demigods and stood atop the continent.

Whether they were imperial monarchs or legendary saints, they all treated him with utmost respect. Even when there were conflicts, they were mostly games of weighing interests, and he always left room for maneuver in his words.

This is the first time I've seen someone mock me so mercilessly and almost humiliatingly.

He slowly shook his head, making no attempt to hide the disappointment on his face:
"I never expected... His Majesty Corleone to be such a... romantic."

Pity……"

The word "what a pity" carries a complex meaning. It seems to express regret for Cohen's "lack of awareness of the times," and it also seems to set the tone for what is about to happen.

After saying that, he stopped looking at Cohen and took a step back.

This simple step is actually quite meaningful.

This means that Roosevelt Harper, the ancient guardian of the House of Nobles of the Central Empire, has completely abandoned the last vestige of hope for a "peaceful resolution" and has also completely let go of his reservations about Cohen's status as the "Consort of the Central Empire." He has chosen to stand on the same side as Gnus Tang of the Eastern Empire, Drummond Quinn of the Southern Empire, and the Tomb of the Black Tomb.

Effie and Cohen have been categorized as his enemies.

If Roosevelt still retained a trace of the demeanor and subtle threat of a seasoned politician, then the tomb's reaction was much more direct and cold.

Almost simultaneously with Roosevelt's retreat, the Tomb, the founder of the Black Tomb, who was always shrouded in "eternal blackness" and possessed a refined yet deathly demeanor, stepped forward and said in a cold voice:

"You are Cohen."

I've heard that Black Tomb's many operations over the years have been repeatedly thwarted by you.

You are truly remarkable. In every era of the Demon Tide Continent, there will always be one or two 'protagonists' who leave a significant mark on the scroll of history.

It's obvious that you are the 'protagonist' of this era, even more dazzling and more... unsettling than the 'protagonists' of any previous era.

These comments, coming from a demigod, especially one representing death and end, carried such weight that they drew everyone's attention.

But upon closer reflection, it seems quite reasonable.

But then, Mu's tone shifted abruptly, his calm demeanor revealing a condescending judgment:

“But… you are not qualified yet.” His crimson gaze swept over Cohen, over Adel behind him, over the saints standing guard on the city wall, and finally seemed to pierce through space, casting his gaze into a deeper place. “Not qualified to step onto the true pinnacle stage of this continent, to face the continent’s most powerful forces.”

Here, you have no right to choose, only the obligation to accept.

This divine essence should have been handed over five years ago.

You should be grateful that you and your queen have been preserved for another five years.

This time, don't expect those high and mighty gods to descend and save you.

The details of the 'Covenant of the Gods' are about to be announced. These are fundamental rules that involve all pantheons. At this sensitive moment, no god can, and will never, risk violating the covenant by forcibly descending to the mortal realm to interfere in the affairs of the prime material plane.

Five years ago, the Ice Goddess Daphne, in league with the God of Memory, violated the tacit agreement among the gods and secretly sealed the memories of all living beings on the continent, which was a serious transgression.

Now that the alliance is about to be officially announced and its binding force is stronger, she is even less likely, and dares not, to come down and interfere again.

So, Cohen Corleone, give up your last shred of unrealistic fantasy.

No deity will descend upon this world to save you.

All you can rely on are these mundane forces behind you, and... your laughable self-confidence.

Upon hearing the tomb's words, especially his precise pointing out of the two key pieces of information—"the Ice Goddess Daphne joined forces with the God of Memory to seal memories" and "the Covenant of the Gods will be announced, and the gods will not be able to descend to the mortal realm to interfere"—he was deeply moved.

A barely perceptible ripple flickered in the depths of Cohen's calm eyes.

After the memory seal was broken, most people knew that a deity had intervened five years ago.

But knowing so clearly, even knowing that it was the Ice Goddess Daphne and the God of Memory Loshien who sealed it together, was something Cohen hadn't expected.

This indicates that the Black Tomb also has intelligence sources in the Divine Realm.

Behind the Black Tomb are not only the seventy-two demon gods of Solomon, but also an inside man among the gods of the divine realm.

Is it Erebus, the god of darkness? Or Veshalon, the lich god? Or perhaps some other deity associated with death and shadow?

As an agent of the demon god, it is not surprising that the tomb has connections with certain evil gods and demon gods, but the fact that it can so clearly grasp the movements of a powerful righteous god like the Ice God suggests that the level of its "insider" is probably not low.

The thought flashed through Cohen's mind, but now was not the time to delve into it.

He quickly composed himself, suppressing that slight fluctuation, and sneered:
"To deal with a mere four demigods like you... do we really need to rely on a god descending upon us?"

Upon hearing this, not only did the light in the tomb's crimson eyes freeze, but even Roosevelt Harper, who had retreated to the side, and Gnus Don and Drummond Quinn, who had been watching coldly, all showed a hint of coldness and anger in their eyes.

This Cohen is truly ignorant and arrogant! Just four demigods?
In the past ten thousand years of the mainland, has anyone ever dared to underestimate the combined forces of four demigods?
Even the Pope of the Holy See would never dare to make such a boast!
"Insanity!"

Finally, Grenus Tang couldn't hold back any longer and let out a cold snort. The violent elemental power around him was faintly surging, causing the "chaotic" sky in the north to begin to churn violently.

The tomb, however, did not get angry. Instead, it let out a very slight, cold laugh.

His gaze didn't linger on Cohen, but instead shifted slightly to a seemingly empty void above Florence. His voice remained calm:
“I know you still have something to rely on, Cohen Corleone. But even that won’t save you.”

"Come out, Dunprado."

"We're old friends. Since you're here, why hide yourselves?"

Five years ago, at the Northwest Regional Exchange Conference, we didn't get to fully enjoy ourselves. Today, it's the perfect time to settle those unfinished business.

The sound of the tomb wasn't particularly loud, but it possessed a strange penetrating power, as if it resonated directly deep within everyone's soul.

Dumbledore, the enigmatic demigod who almost never leaves the academy but is widely recognized as possessing unfathomable strength, has finally arrived.

The moment the words in the tomb fell—

Above Florence, in the sky that was originally divided by the four colors of the sky and appeared somewhat chaotic, a certain space seemed to ripple like water.

There was no earth-shattering spectacle, no dazzling wonders, only a pure white that quietly spread out.

That was not light, but a color that was closer to the origin, closer to the essence of "knowledge" and "soul".

This touch of "white" was not dazzling, but it gently and firmly dispelled the distortion and oppression brought about by the pressure of the four demigods.

It's as if, on a chaotic canvas, a territory of one's own has been gently sketched out.

Immediately afterwards, a figure stepped out from the pure white expanse.

He wore a simple gray robe that had faded slightly from washing, and his figure was somewhat thin, resembling a kind old man who had seen through the ways of the world.

He didn't even hold any weapon in his hand; it just hung naturally at his side.

However, this seemingly ordinary old man caused the four-colored sky to tremble slightly the moment he appeared.

A look of understanding and deep apprehension flashed in Roosevelt Harper's eyes, Gnus Tang frowned, and for the first time, a look of seriousness appeared in Drummond Quinn's starry eyes.

It was none other than the Dean of Cobalt Soul Academy, one of the most mysterious and knowledgeable demigods in the continent—Dumbledore!
After Dumbledore appeared, he first nodded slightly in the direction of Cohen and Adele.

Then, he slowly turned around and faced the direction where the tomb was located:

"Grave, it's been so many years, yet you're still so impatient."

Dunprado's gaze swept over Roosevelt, Gnus, and Drummond, finally returning to the tomb. "A hasty battle five years ago, not achieving complete success, is indeed a regret."

However, I have come here today not to reminisce or settle personal grudges.

He paused, his gaze becoming serious and resolute:
"Queen Angryn is the most outstanding graduate of my Cobalt Soul Academy, and His Majesty Corleone is also the honorary dean and permanent ally of my academy."

Anyone who attempts to harm Effie today will be considered an enemy of my Cobalt Soul Academy.

Dunprado's words were calm, yet carried an undeniable power.

Although he didn't say "I want to protect Cohen" directly, his meaning was crystal clear.

His appearance and his statement undoubtedly injected a powerful boost into Cohen and Effie under the terrifying pressure of the four demigods.

Another demigod!
Moreover, he was known as Dunprado, who was famous for his wisdom, extensive knowledge, and mystery!
He actually sided with Cohen.

The situation instantly became more complicated and delicate!
……

Just above Florence, five demigods were locked in combat, their terrifying auras locked and clashing, causing the heavens and earth to change color, space to tremble, and countless living beings below to tremble in fear—

In that supreme dimension, unknowable and invisible to mortals, at the source where laws intertwine and faith flows, in the divine realm where gods dwell, an unknown yet equally, or even more, storm has also been unleashed!

Such violent energy fluctuations occurred on the prime matter plane.

The simultaneous manifestation of the four demigods caused ripples in the laws and vibrations in the power of faith, which, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up waves throughout the divine realm.

In fact, some perceptive beings in the divine realm had already noticed the loosening of the seal within Adel's body.

The fact that Ice Goddess Daphne conspired with the God of Memory five years ago to secretly seal away memories related to the continent could no longer be concealed.

When the four demigods descended upon Florence, the gaze of the divine realm inevitably focused upon them.

Daphne could not possibly stand idly by while her "chosen one," Adel, was besieged by four demigods in the Material Plane.

She had already relayed the details of what was happening in the material world to the goddess of light, Aetheril.

Aetheril could not stand by and watch his beloved be besieged in the Material Plane.

Upon receiving Daphne's message, the two powerful elemental deities quickly reached an agreement.

He personally descended in his avatar to intervene in the human material world, at least to ensure the safety of Cohen and Yardel and prevent their divinity from being stolen.

However, just as Aetheril and Daphne's divine senses coalesced, their divine power surging, preparing to penetrate the barrier between the divine realm and the material world and descend in avatar, they were stopped! (End of Chapter)