Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Chapter 351 The Touching Princess of Windsor

After finishing his communication with the three tomb owners, Cohen fell into deep thought.

"Black Tomb" is about to take action against the Wind's Breath Kingdom, and he is weighing the pros and cons of this news for Effie.

From an objective standpoint, the Windrise Kingdom is currently an ally of Effie, and Effie has an obligation to inform them of the impending danger.

Furthermore, the Windrider family has a close relationship with the Winged Elves, and Windsordler is a princess of the Winged Elves.

For both public and private reasons, Effie could not stand idly by and watch the Windbreak Kingdom's expeditionary force be ambushed by the combined forces of "Black Tomb" and Ceylon.

However, this would likely arouse suspicion from the Black Tomb, and Effie would lose her most important source of intelligence within the Black Tomb.

Cohen snapped out of his reverie, looked around, and asked:

Where is Windsor?

"Go find Freya to discuss the battle plan. She should be back around noon."

"What do you think? Should we consult with King Horn?"

Melantha rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment before replying:
"If the Windrise Kingdom's expedition fails, what impact will it have on our plans?"

Cohen shook his head and said:

"It won't have any impact."

The main role of the Windrise Kingdom is to cover our successful conquest of the Ceylon border legion and connect the southern border of Efein with the territory of Gavin.

In this respect, King Horn's expeditionary force has accomplished its mission, drawing away most of the forces within Ceylon. When we attack the border, we essentially don't need to consider other troops within Ceylon.

Melanie smiled slightly.
"If that's the case, why don't we let the Windrise Kingdom help us share the firepower of the 'Black Tomb'?"

The Windrise Kingdom is a powerful kingdom with a history of thousands of years. It can't be defeated by one or two failed expeditions.

I know very well what the three tomb masters are up to: they want to take advantage of the Windrise Kingdom's failed expedition to further seize Windrise's territory and political power.

In my opinion, it will be extremely difficult for them to accomplish this. When the crucial moment arrives, the Winged Elves will not stand idly by.

Melantha's words struck a chord with Cohen, who couldn't help but step forward, hug Melantha, and kiss her.

Informing King Horn in advance that the Black Tomb was preparing to ambush the expeditionary force would not cause him to harbor hatred towards the Black Tomb, but it would certainly not be as intense as the hatred he felt after the expeditionary force was wiped out.

When dealing with the "Black Tomb" in the future, the Windrise Kingdom, having experienced the betrayal by the "Black Tomb," will definitely be its most steadfast ally.

Moreover, Melantha's analysis makes a lot of sense; a kingdom as vast as Windrise would not fall just because of one or two defeats in war.

Cohen considered it for a moment and then said:
"When Windsor returns, we'll discuss it with her. After all, the Windrider family has such a deep historical connection with the Winged Elves."

It would be better to ask for her opinion.

I'll first talk to Adele and tell her not to worry so much.

After contacting Ada, Cohen shared the information he had obtained with his sister, the Queen.

Adel was also quite surprised when she learned the true purpose of Serene's troop deployment. She did not expect that the "Black Tomb" was actually targeting the Windrise Kingdom this time.

Adele analyzed:

"'Black Tomb' is preparing to use the Kingdom of Serene as its base to expand outwards."

This is completely different from their usual practices. Could it be related to the future turmoil you predicted on the mainland?

Cohen fully agreed with Adele's analysis and replied:
“It’s very likely, so even if we don’t inform the Windrise Kingdom in advance, we can’t let them win so easily. At the very least, we need to keep the Windrise Kingdom on the front lines for a while longer.”

Adele said softly:
"You should make your own decisions on military matters. It would be good to discuss it with the Queen. You should also take into account the feelings of the Winged Elves."

"Yes, I will be careful."

After ending the communication, Cohen continued to think about his plan. In any case, he could not let "Black Tomb" ambush the Windrise Kingdom's expeditionary force so easily. It would be best if both sides could suffer heavy losses.

Around noon, Windsordler finally returned from Freya's palace. After meeting Cohen, he handed him the finalized battle plan and said:

"This is the final plan, and Asuna has approved it. Take a look, and if it's acceptable, proceed with the plan."

Cohen took the plan and began to read it, while Melantha took the opportunity to tell Windsordler the information she had obtained from the "Black Tomb".

Unsurprisingly, Windsordler's face showed a look of astonishment.

Cohen had also finished reviewing the battle plan at this point and said:

"Proceed according to this plan, with one extra clause: tell Freya that all hereditary nobles of Guimian City must send troops to participate in this siege."

Furthermore, half of the military expenses will be paid by these nobles, and those who disagree will be dealt with by violence.

Make it clear to these speculators: if they continue to waver, they should leave Guimian City!

"it is good."

Cohen set aside the battle plan and looked at Windsordler:
Melantha has already told you about this. What's your opinion?

Windsordler said without even thinking:
“I have no objection. There’s no need to worry about the relationship between the Winged Elves and the Windrider family. Now that I am Queen of Effie, I must naturally prioritize Effie’s interests.”

Cohen was deeply moved by Windsor's words. If the occasion had been more appropriate, he would have loved to express his love to the princess.

He suppressed his emotions, thought for a moment, and then said:

"In that case, I'll briefly share my thoughts."

The news must remain confidential, but we can't let the people of 'Black Tomb' take down the Windrise Kingdom's expeditionary force so easily.

I spoke with King Horn and arranged for an army to be secretly deployed to help them in a critical moment.

Windsordler said:

"The number of people cannot be too large, otherwise the risk of exposure will be too great. In addition, there must be sufficient combat power."

Cohen said confidently:

"That's no problem. The 'Black Tomb' plan will have to be carried out no earlier than after the Noble Martial Arts Festival. By then, Effie will have trained a new army."

This army is lurking in the Ash Forest; they will surely deal a heavy blow to the Black Tomb when the time comes.

The orcs received from the Starburst Clan from the Dragon Continent have been put into training, and the country is building a "special forces" army of orcs with dragon blood.

Seeing Cohen's confidence, the two stopped talking and turned their attention to the upcoming border encirclement battle.

……

At the Ceylon Border Legion Command, all officers of regimental rank and above were present in the room, headed by Legion Commander Marcus Adler.

Marcus stared at the intelligence report on the table for a long time, lost in thought, until he heard his adjutant calling him softly, which brought him back to his senses.

His gaze swept over the group of officers below the stage, then he turned to his adjutant and asked:
"Is everyone here?"

"We're all here."

Marcus coughed lightly, his voice as deep and resonant as ever:
"We have just received intelligence from the front lines that Iliad Asuna, the Grand Duchess of the Southern Border and one of the lovers of that philandering king, is leading 50,000 soldiers and is slowly approaching our border outposts."

As soon as the words were spoken, a low murmur of discussion and a slight commotion arose in the command center.

However, due to the imposing presence of Commander Marcus Adler, no one showed any signs of losing their composure. Instead, they all displayed expressions of shared hatred and righteous indignation, staring intently at the commander on the platform.

Marcus was not surprised by the reaction of the officers below the stage. A slight smile appeared on his lips, his voice became much more relaxed, and he even made a risqué joke:

"Fifty thousand soldiers think they can break through our border? Could it be that this Grand Duchess really got her position by sleeping with the King, as rumored?"

There was a moment of silence in the command post, followed by a few overly affected laughs from the adjutant, which were then echoed by the officers below.

However, it just sounds a bit forced.

Marcus's smile gradually froze, and the atmosphere in the command center became heavy again.

No matter how much the superiors downplayed Effie's threat, the events that occurred in Florence three years ago still spread throughout the continent through the bards' mouths.

These lower-ranking officers naturally knew long ago that they were not dealing with some pretty face who had climbed to the position of Grand Duke by virtue of his physical prowess.

He was a dragon-riding warrior who only existed in legends!
Marcus's inspiring words not only failed to achieve their intended effect, but also added to the fear in the hearts of these officers.

If even the highest commander has to resort to such a low-level trick to boost morale, one can imagine the desperate situation they are facing.

The deathly silence was broken by a powerful voice:

"The commander is right!"
I've also heard that the Grand Duchess is indeed quite beautiful, and is probably that bastard king's bed partner or lover.

This kind of opponent poses no threat to us.

I have a suggestion: we don't need to stay within our defensive lines. To deal with a woman who has little combat experience, I'm willing to lead an army to launch an offensive.

First, engage the vanguard of the Grand Duke of the Southern Territory!

The one who spoke was Hughes Dean, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Border Corps.

Upon hearing that it was Division Commander Hughes who spoke up, a hint of disdain and understanding appeared on everyone's faces.

Hughes Dean was the kind of person who flattered his superiors and fawned over them, and he was also related to Commander Marcus.

He was not qualified to be a division commander, but his silver tongue made him one of the high-ranking officers in the border legion.

Although Hughes's statement drew disdain from his colleagues, it greatly pleased Commander Marcus on the platform, especially since the other party had volunteered to leave the defensive line and launch an attack.

This did provide Marcus with a new idea.

If Effie's southern border moves, Guimian City will definitely follow suit.

Being attacked from both sides, simply holding the defensive line will eventually lead to its collapse. It would be better to take advantage of the enemy's unstable foothold, launch a surprise attack, and repel the southern border's offensive. This might buy us some more time.

What they lack most right now is time. King Gaius had secretly told him that as long as they could hold out until the Noble Martial Arts Festival, everything would turn around.

Marcus tapped the table with his baton, and the murmurs in the command post immediately ceased. He then spoke:
"Commander Hughes's suggestion is very constructive. What do you all think?" The officers below the stage looked at each other.

They then all turned their attention to Hughes Dean, who was in the front row.

Commander Hughes's face was resolute, his fists clenched tightly, as if he could immediately lead his troops into attack at Marcus's command.

This demeanor actually made the officers, who had just shown disdain, feel a slight respect for him.

Regardless of what kind of person Hughes is, he really can step up in crucial moments.

Taking the initiative to attack carries far greater risks than relying on strong fortifications for defense.

No wonder Marcus has always admired him; his courage to take the initiative alone puts most of the people present to shame.

The staff officers exchanged views in hushed tones, and then one of the older officers stood up and said to Marcus:

“This plan is feasible. Yongshuang Pass is not far from the border. We can ambush an army there in advance, and when the army from the southern border of Efein attacks the border, we can outflank them from behind and attack from the rear.”

Marcus was very satisfied with the plan and said in a deep voice:
"Then it's settled. You will immediately draft a battle plan, which will be handed over to Commander Hughes for execution."

Furthermore, from this moment forward, all three independent brigades and one mage regiment directly under the command of headquarters will be placed under Hughes' command!
After the victory in the war, I personally petitioned His Majesty the King to award Commander Hughes a commendation!

Hughes Dean, his face filled with excitement, loudly declared:
"Yes, I promise to complete the mission!"

Marcus nodded in satisfaction and began to outline the specific defensive combat plan.

He hadn't forgotten that to their south, there was another force, Guimian City, eyeing them covetously, and even King Aifein himself was leading an expedition against them.

The entire Ceylon Border Corps knew about what had happened before.

King Efein led his army to ambush the elite forces of the Central Empire and the Eastern Empire. Such fierce fighting power forced the border legions to make the south their primary defensive position.

Faced with this king who had created countless epics and heroic deeds, no one this time possessed the courage of Hughes Dean and dared to confront King Alfiein's army head-on.

The military conference lasted until evening, and after Commander Marcus's final words of encouragement, the officers left the command post with their own thoughts.

It was easy to see from their somber expressions that they didn't have much confidence in the upcoming decisive battle.

The only one who was different from these people was Hughes Dean, the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, who had just made a name for himself at the war conference.

He deliberately slowed his pace, and when he had almost reached Marcus, he stood in front of him and reiterated his determination to complete the mission.

The confident expression on his face made Marcus feel a sense of emotion. It is only in times of national crisis that you can see the loyalty and good generals!

Previously, Hughes was just like those officers in his mind—a bureaucrat who only knew how to talk. But today, the other party's actions were completely unexpected.

Marcus patted Hughes on the shoulder with a sigh and said:
"You can bring the three independent brigades and the mage regiment back to the base tonight. Once the formal battle plan is ready, you can set off ahead of time."

Hughes said with a worried expression:

"Commander, if I take the directly subordinate brigade with me, what will happen to the command post?"
Who will protect the commander's safety?

Marcus waved his hand and said:
"Don't worry, besides being your commander, I'm also a legendary-level superhuman. I'm definitely safer in the command center than you are."

Remember, keep the plan a secret. I'll be waiting for your triumphant return!

Just two hours after Marcus reminded Hughes to be careful about secrecy, Cohen was presented with three detailed intelligence reports about Marcus holding a military meeting at headquarters.

The three documents came from three different officers.

With a major battle imminent, many people want to secure a way out for themselves.

Cohen put down the intelligence and whispered Hughes Dean's name.

Windsordler, standing to the side, frowned slightly and said:
"This name sounds familiar. Have I encountered it before?"

Cohen chuckled and said:

"That division commander who was secretly searching for the Military Intelligence Bureau station three months ago, wanting to secretly defect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Cohen received the latest intelligence from the Military Intelligence Bureau:
"Commander Hughes Dean of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Ceylon Border Corps wishes to meet with Number One to discuss surrender."

Number One naturally refers to Cohen.

Cohen looked at the intelligence report in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said in a low voice:

"A smart person, a really smart person, knows how to sell himself for a good price!"

……

Commander Hughes returned to his post with three headquarters-affiliated independent brigades and a mage regiment.

As night deepened, the moonlight was fragmented into mottled shadows by the dense forest.

Hughes Dean, who was in a deep sleep, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the message transmitted through the communication stone, unable to hide his excitement and agitation.

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself, then changed into hunter's attire and secretly left the military camp under the escort of two trusted men.

The three of them moved quickly and soon arrived at an abandoned watchtower outside the border.

Hughes clearly sensed two mysterious presences within the watchtower. A sense of vigilance rose within him, and he gave a wink to the guard beside him.

Just as one of the guards was about to push the door open, Cohen's cold, stern voice came from inside the watchtower:
"I remember the message the Military Intelligence Bureau gave you was that if the first person I met wasn't Hughes Dean, then the cooperation wouldn't be possible."

Hughes paused, a look of hesitation appearing on his face. After considering for a moment, he waved to his two bodyguards.

He pressed the magic scroll hidden at his waist, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door to go inside.

Upon entering the watchtower, a tall and handsome figure came into view. Cohen stood by the window with his back to the door, toying with a silver coin between his fingers.

Standing beside him was an elf of breathtaking beauty. Even without seeing Cohen's face, Hughes was already certain of the other's identity.

King Efein could only have such a beautiful elf by his side.

Division Commander Hughes paused only briefly before kneeling on one knee, his voice extremely low, but anyone could hear the obsequiousness in it:
“Your Majesty Corleone, Your Highness Princess Windsor, Hughes Dean, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Ceylon Border Regiment, is willing to offer you his unwavering loyalty!”

Windsordler let out an undisguised chuckle. Cohen didn't turn around; the silver coin came to a soft stop in his fingers, and a slightly mocking voice slowly rose:
"Marcus gave you three independent brigades and a mage order, and you chose to trade them for your future?"

Division Commander Hughes' eyes widened, a deep sense of astonishment rising within him. How did the other side know about this top-secret information?
But soon, a hint of contempt arose in his heart, a contempt for his colleagues.

It seems I'm not the only one planning to switch allegiances!

Cohen then slowly turned his head, a hint of mockery on his lips, and said calmly:

"General Hughes Dean, according to intelligence, the commander of the Ceylon Border Corps you are currently serving, General Marcus Adler, is your wife's cousin."

He was the one who promoted you from a junior officer to the position of division commander.

"Imagine, several years ago, did you also pledge to him with unwavering... loyalty, just as you do today?"

Cohen deliberately emphasized the last two syllables.

Division Commander Hughes looked up, showing no sign of embarrassment, and said:

"Yes, but General Marcus is no longer worthy of my loyalty."

Cohen smiled faintly and said:

"So, does that mean I'll have to risk not being worthy of your loyalty in the future?"

Division Commander Hughes subtly flattered him:

“I firmly believe that with His Majesty Corleone’s abilities, he will not let me wait for this opportunity.”

Cohen let out a hearty laugh:

“You’re right, Commander Hughes. You’re much smarter and more shameless than I thought. If all the bureaucrats in Ceylon were like you, then taking Ceylon would be much easier.”

Division Commander Hughes demonstrated his value at the opportune moment:
“Your Majesty Corleone, I can provide you with a similar list to ensure that you can more easily identify who your allies are.”

A list of "traitors"?
Cohen smiled and said:

"Tell me, my Commander Hughes, what do you intend to use to prove your loyalty?"

Three independent brigades and one mage regiment alone are not enough!

Without any hesitation, Commander Hughes pulled a roll of parchment from his pocket and said softly:
"The border defense legion's deployment map, the locations of magical heavy weapons, and the legion's three secret logistics supply lines!"

Windsordale waved her hand and took the parchment from Hughes. After glancing at it, she nodded slightly to Cohen.

The Military Intelligence Bureau had other informants in the border legion who had also obtained some information. By comparing the two, it was easy to tell whether the intelligence was true or false.

Cohen chuckled and flicked the silver coin in his hand to Commander Hughes with a "clink".

Hughes hurriedly caught it and saw the Corleone family's royal coat of arms engraved on the front of the silver coin, and his eyes lit up with ecstasy.

This represents King Alfie's promise!

Cohen looked down at Hughes Dean, who was still kneeling on one knee, and said with a faint smile:

"I have always been extremely generous to my collaborators."

You can state your conditions now.

Hughes licked his lips and whispered:

"I've had enough of the army. I hope that after Her Highness the Princess successfully restores her kingdom, I can get a relatively stable position."

Cohen's answer was quick, clearly indicating that he had considered it beforehand:

"Governor-General of the Ceylon Border, is that enough?"

Hughes immediately touched his forehead to the ground and shouted:
"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)