Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

The Kingdom of Ceylon's representative Freya wins, with two points!

As the cold, mechanical voice of the bronze golem rang out, a few unusual emotions flickered in the eyes of those watching the match.

VIP area.

Lord Landon of the Temple of Battle gave it high praise:
"When I saw that my opponent was using secret techniques to forcibly control two magical beasts of the same level, I had already thought of a countermeasure."

Within five seconds, three traps were set up, accurately predicting the opponent's position.

Strong combat intuition and fighting instinct.

This princess's tactical skills and abilities far exceed the Bronze level.

I heard she's a student of the Lord of Sequences in the Lost Lands?
"It's truly remarkable that a Sequence Master could train such an excellent mechanical sorcerer."

Ysera, the leader of the Night's Watch, looked towards the Southern Empire and said:
“Prime Minister Winston, it seems Miss Woolf Smith has a rival.”

Prime Minister Winston Smith did not show any particular expression on his face.

Although Freya's performance in the match was amazing, it still did not exceed the level of Bronze rank.

His granddaughter once fought head-on against a fourth-tier superhuman and held her own.

Overall, he was still quite confident.

Compared to the atmosphere in the VIP area, the atmosphere in the Kingdom of Ceylon was much colder and more gloomy.

Prince Orlando's face instantly darkened; this beast tamer was a candidate he had carefully selected.

It took a huge price to master the secret technique that allowed him to control two magical beasts of the same level.

Although he knew that Freya was being trained by the Sequence Master, one of the five Oasis Lords of the Lost Lands, he didn't have much confidence that this Beastmaster could kill Freya with his own hands.

But such a quick defeat was still hard for Orlando to accept.

Prime Minister Merrick also looked rather grim.

Originally intended to demoralize the fake princess's side, the competition has now, as it progresses, actually boosted the fake princess's side.

Freya has won five consecutive victories, and the entire Kingdom of Ceylon is watching the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

If Freya really does end up winning...

Prime Minister Merrick found it increasingly alarming, and he suddenly wondered if His Majesty Gaius had been somewhat reckless in allowing Freya to participate in the competition.

He suppressed the emotions in his eyes and said in a deep voice:
"Even this beast tamer couldn't defeat Freya. Her strength far exceeded our expectations. The next one is probably in trouble too."

Tell that demon to get ready.

The self-destruction must be initiated immediately before the bronze golem on the arena can react.

Contestants in the Noble Martial Arts Festival are not allowed to bring magical equipment that exceeds their own level.

Freya wouldn't have any high-level defensive equipment on her; this is the perfect opportunity to strike!

Prince Orlando's lips curled into a sinister smile as he spoke in a deep voice:

"You should have done this a long time ago, Prime Minister. You let her steal the spotlight for nothing."

The competition continues, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye. The group stage of the Bronze Group is nearing its end.

Some players who fight quickly and win fast have already completed ten matches.

For example, Woolf Smith, the granddaughter of Winston Smith, the prime minister of the Southern Empire, is a third-tier "Light and Shadow Walker".

With her outstanding combat skills and unpredictable movements, no opponent could last more than a minute against her.

With an almost overwhelming dominance in every match, he achieved a ten-game winning streak, becoming the first player in the entire Bronze Group to complete the competition and advance with a perfect record.

While Woolf's performance was within everyone's expectations, another contestant who also achieved a ten-game winning streak and advanced undefeated caused a huge stir among everyone.

Nephthys, the "psychic" from Effie!
In all previous aristocratic martial arts festivals, no participant from outside the five great empires has ever achieved such a result.

The competition on the arena continued, and most people's attention was now focused on Princess Freya of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

Because Freya is the only player, besides Woolf of the Southern Empire and Nephthys of Effie, who still maintains an undefeated record.

Freya has achieved a nine-game winning streak, and all the Ceylon citizens who are watching this match are filled with excitement.

This is also the best result ever achieved by the Kingdom of Ceylon.

On the Ceylon side, Prince Orlando's face had turned as black as the bottom of a pot, as news from back home kept pouring in.

This put him under tremendous pressure.

The original intention was to use the Noble Martial Arts Festival to weaken the influence of the fake princess and take the opportunity to get rid of the culprit.

Unexpectedly, it brought her glory in the end.

Orlando was both shocked and furious; Freya's strength far exceeded his expectations.

Not only did the two contestants he had arranged in advance fail to stop her, but the other contestants from the Empire also failed to stop the young princess.

Even Prime Minister Merrick's mindset has changed.

Such an excellent and outstanding princess of the kingdom, how wonderful it would be if she could submit to the side of Quisaon.

Unfortunately, Merrick also felt a pang of regret at having to destroy such a genius.

He took a deep breath, a determined look appearing in his eyes.

As the prime minister of a country, one cannot be soft-hearted.

The more outstanding Freya is, the sooner she should be eliminated.

He glanced at the eldest prince, Orlando, who nodded slightly.

Soon, Freya's name began scrolling across the "Mirror of the Sky".

The final match has begun!

The contestant in this competition was none other than the demon arranged by the Kingdom of Ceylon.

Once Freya successfully steps onto the ring, her fate is sealed.

As the text on the "Mirror of the Sky" was updated, everyone's attention turned to the arena where Freya was.

Many people are curious to see if another player will emerge with a perfect record in the group stage.

However, upon seeing Freya's opponent, many people showed a strange expression.

It's people from the Kingdom of Ceylon again!

Fifty people are divided into groups, and each person plays ten matches by drawing lots.

Freya encountered three opponents from her own country; few would believe there wasn't something fishy going on.

To the uninformed, they might think these Ceylon Kingdom contestants were there to let Freya win.

However, anyone who knows the situation in Ceylon will understand the purpose of the Kingdom of Ceylon in arranging these people.

It's meant to demoralize Guimiancheng's side; ideally, they should defeat her in the group stage.

Regardless of what others think, the competition is about to begin.

Everyone watched the arena intently, waiting for the two contestants to appear.

Especially on the Ceylon side, Prince Orlando and Prime Minister Merrick almost held their breath.

The contestant disguised as a demon has already stepped through the underground passage and onto ring number seven.

To everyone's surprise, Freya did not appear for a long time.

According to the rules of the Noble Martial Arts Festival, failing to appear on the arena within five minutes constitutes a surrender.

The bronze golem beside the arena had already started keeping time.

Everyone stared at this bizarre scene, each with their own thoughts.

It's unclear why Freya, who has already achieved a nine-game winning streak, hasn't appeared in the ring yet.

Five minutes passed quickly, and with a short alarm, the mechanical voice of the bronze golem echoed across the arena:

"Freya, the representative of the Kingdom of Ceylon, abstains and is declared the loser."

Upon witnessing this scene, the people of Ceylon showed no joy on their faces; instead, their hearts sank.

Almost instantly, Prime Minister Merrick looked toward Cohen.

Upon seeing the other party's actions, the usually composed Prime Minister Merrick's expression changed drastically, and his pupils suddenly shrank to pinpoints—

Immediately after the match results were announced, King Cohen Corleone of Effie slowly rose to his feet and said in a deep voice:
"I disagree with the result of this match!"

The clear voice echoed throughout the arena, instantly quieting the previously noisy place.

As the aristocratic martial arts festival has evolved to this day, there have been instances where the results of the matches have been questioned.

This is the first time someone has ever raised questions and objected to the result of a match on the spot, always through official procedures after the game.

Isn't this a slap in the face to the organizer, the Central Empire?
In an instant, audience members from all districts turned to look in the direction of the sound, wanting to see who was so bold.

However, upon seeing who had spoken, they immediately fell silent, a cryptic expression on their faces.

King Effie, Cohen Corleone?
The person who was just confirmed as the Empress Consort of the Central Empire?

This……

In the VIP area, representatives from various empires and powers subtly glanced at the expressions on the faces of the Central Empire's people.

Judging from the astonished expression on the other party's face, the Central Empire was unaware of Cohen's actions.

This is a bit interesting.

In all the previous Noble Martial Arts Festivals, there has never been a case of questioning the outcome of a match on the spot.

Not to mention that one party voluntarily forfeited and was declared the loser, so what's there to question?

Chief Heisenberg turned to look at Joren, whose expression seemed somewhat off, and asked in a deep voice:
"what happened?"

Qiao Lun snapped out of his daze, suppressed his emotions, and calmly replied:

"It's nothing, Uncle. I was just thinking about why Cohen would suddenly jump out and question such an obvious result in the match."

Chief Heisenberg frowned and turned to discuss with the Imperial official in charge of the competition how to handle the matter.

However, Joren's heart was far from as calm as it appeared.

He knew perfectly well that the person standing on the arena was a demon planted by Pirate King Yann to deal with Freya.

He originally thought that the demon would self-destruct as soon as the two of them entered the arena.

Once a person dies, nothing can be found out.

But since Freya hasn't even appeared on stage, it means that her plan with Pirate King Yan has been exposed.

This is combined with Cohen's action.

A sudden tightness gripped Joren's heart. He stared in Cohen's direction, a deep fear in his eyes. What if Cohen accused him of colluding with a demon and harming other contestants…?

Qiao Lun couldn't help but shudder.

In addition to the bronze golems serving as referees, the Empire also appointed several legendary-rank transcendents as chief referees to oversee the matches on each arena.

If a party fails to appear within the allotted time, it will be considered a forfeit and automatically forfeit the match.

Such an obvious thing still has people questioning it. Under normal circumstances, the Central Empire would not have paid any attention to it and would have simply expelled the person who raised the question on the grounds of provoking trouble and challenging the imperial authority.

But that won't work now. Even if everyone with eyes can see what's going on, we can't handle it this way.

Because the person who raised the question was Her Majesty the Empress's chosen fiancé!
The chief referee in charge of all matches in the Bronze Group is the vice principal of Shenghui Academy.

Upon hearing Cohen's words, he first glanced at Her Majesty the Empress, who had descended from her throne and was sitting with representatives of the Winged Elves, Sea Clan, and Orcs.

Finding that the latter made no comment, as if she hadn't heard her fiancé's question, she looked at the person in charge of this year's Noble Martial Arts Festival, Foreign Minister Beren Windrunner.

Beren was also completely baffled, having no idea what Cohen was up to.

With such an obvious result, what's the point of questioning it?

As the person in charge of the Noble Martial Arts Festival, he couldn't show favoritism and protect his son-in-law in front of the nobles of all nations.

He gave the referee a look that suggested a normal course of action.

The referee nodded subtly, then approached Cohen and asked in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty Corleone, Freya from the Kingdom of Ceylon failed to arrive at the arena within five minutes of the start of the match. According to the rules, she has automatically forfeited."

Does Your Majesty have any questions or concerns?

Cohen first glanced in Joren's direction, revealing a smile that sent chills down the latter's spine, before loudly addressing the crowd:

"The Noble Martial Arts Festival is a competition established to commemorate the war between gods and demons."

On this sacred and glorious arena, if the forces of the demon god were to appear, would the chief referee still consider it fair?

Cohen's words immediately shocked the entire audience.

The forces on the side of the demon god?

Although the relationship between humans and demons/devils is not yet at the point where they fight to the death every time they meet, the great war between gods and demons that caused a huge catastrophe ten thousand years ago is still etched in human memory.

Especially for a noble martial arts festival held under the watchful eyes of the gods, it would be truly ironic if someone from the side of the demon gods were to participate.

The referee's expression tightened, and he immediately asked:

"What does His Majesty Corleone mean?"

Cohen pointed in the direction of the Ceylon Kingdom representative and said with a sneer:

"The usurpers of the Kingdom of Ceylon colluded with the demon race, disguising a silver-rank demon as a contestant in the Noble Martial Arts Festival, intending to harm the last bloodline left in the world by their lord!"

The entire arena erupted in uproar!
A demon has infiltrated the human nobles' martial arts festival?

The faces of the Central Empire's representatives, who were the organizers, immediately darkened, and countless gazes turned to the Ceylon Kingdom's contestants on the arena.

A deathly silence fell over the crowd in Ceylon. Prime Minister Merrick swayed, then forced himself to suppress his emotions and rose to speak:

"Your Majesty Corleone, this is a serious slander!"
We in Ceylon have never, and could never, collude with the devil!

At this point, Prime Minister Merrick had no choice but to stand firm.

Empress Sanes, who was talking with the chieftain of the winged elves, stopped and turned to look at Langdon, the master of the Temple of Battle, and Atkinson, the pope of the Church of Prophecy.

Among everyone present, these two were the strongest in terms of both their extraordinary level and their experience and insight.

These two are the most qualified to say whether someone is a demon or not.

A glint of gold flashed in Lord Landon's eyes as he glanced at the representative from the Kingdom of Ceylon.

He then exchanged a glance with Pope Atkinson, both of them revealing a solemn expression in their eyes.

Lord Langdon said in a deep voice:

"It is well hidden; it cannot be determined by its aura alone."

However, this person possesses a mysterious energy that far surpasses the Bronze rank.

Even if it's not a demon, there's still a problem.

Pope Atkinson's answer was more precise:
“It is indeed a demon. I confirmed it through divination. From its appearance and aura, it is no different from a normal human.”

Her Majesty the Empress waved her hand slightly, and the chief referee, receiving the signal, felt a surge of magic in his hand, and a large hand reached out to grab the arena.

The hidden demon could no longer remain hidden; its demonic energy surged, and it was about to flee off the field.

However, when captured by a legendary-level transcendent being, there was no room for resistance.

Finally, he let out a wild laugh and growled in a low voice:

"Humble human ants."

"Our lord will return to the continent sooner or later. Just wait, your end is nigh!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he frantically unleashed the magic within his body.

A golden chain pierced his heart in an instant, and the surrounding bronze golems emitted bursts of light, enveloping the entire arena.

After the aftershocks of the explosion subsided, the arena fell into a deathly silence.

Her Majesty the Empress coldly swept her gaze over the delegation from the Kingdom of Ceylon. Prime Minister Merrick's face paled slightly, but he forced himself to speak:

"This is a setup, a blatant setup!"

"Who, who planted the devil in the ranks of our Kingdom of Ceylon?"

Prince Orlando, having regained his senses, immediately jumped out and said:
"Yes, it was a setup."

"Your Majesty, even the Temple Master of the Battle Temple couldn't immediately confirm his demonic identity, so what makes Cohen so certain that he's a demon?"

Cohen smirked and waved his hand, and a screen of light appeared before everyone's eyes.

The scene playing was of Prince Orlando having a secret conversation with this demon.

When Cohen sent them the demon, he deliberately left a detection spell on it.

The purpose was to completely ruin Gaius's reputation today.

Orlando slumped into his chair, his face ashen, while Prime Minister Merrick shuddered, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Qiao Lun's face also turned extremely ugly. As the main person in charge of reviewing the contestants, he had an inescapable responsibility for the fact that a devil had infiltrated the team.

He was also under the scrutiny of countless gazes at that moment. After a moment of silence, he took the initiative to admit:
"Your Majesty, I am guilty."

I once owed King Gaius a favor by letting my guard down during the qualification review.

The saints of the Holy Temple were not allowed to conduct the investigation themselves.

Shanis said calmly:
"Grand Duke Ferdinand is the chairman of the disciplinary investigation committee, so you will be in charge of handling this matter."

Archduke Ferdinand accepted the task with a solemn expression.

After dealing with her own people from the Central Empire, Her Majesty the Empress looked coldly at Prime Minister Yod Merrick, the representative of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

Beren Windrunner, the Foreign Minister and head of the Noble Martial Arts Festival, publicly questioned Prime Minister Merrick:

"Ceylon actually dared to collude with demons to desecrate the sanctity of the Martial Arts Festival!"
According to Article 3 of the Sacred Covenant of the Noble Martial Arts Festival, any country that colludes with the forces of the Demon God will be disqualified from participating in the competition for three consecutive sessions.

The Kingdom of Ceylon must submit a written confession to the five great empires within three months and hand over the mastermind, Gaius Orlando; otherwise, the Central Empire will join forces with the other four nations to impose sanctions.

Beren's voice struck the hearts of Prime Minister Merrick and Prince Orlando like a hammer blow.

After Beren finished speaking, he glanced at the other four countries without leaving a trace.

Regardless of the internal conflicts among the five empires, they must unite against external threats at this time.

Grand Duke Roland of the Western Regions Empire was the first to express his support.

Following closely behind, Prince Violet of the Northern Empire, Prime Minister Winston of the Southern Empire, and Prince Quentin of the Eastern Empire also voiced their approval.

Prime Minister Merrick took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, his voice still trembling:
“Your Majesty, this, this is clearly Orlando’s personal behavior.”

His Majesty Gaius was completely unaware of this.

Our Kingdom of Ceylon would never collude with demons to tarnish the sanctity of the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

We are willing to immediately recall those involved to face trial. Please give us a chance, considering that Ceylon is a member of the Charter Allied Powers and that we both paid a heavy price in the war between gods and demons.

At this point, the only option was to sacrifice the pawn to save the king.

Even if it means losing a prince, we cannot allow the Kingdom of Ceylon to bear the stigma of colluding with demons and disrupting the noble martial arts festival.

Ceylon is already embroiled in civil war, and if it is further sanctioned by the five great empires, the Cromwell family will truly be doomed.

Prime Minister Merrick also wanted to expose the culprit behind all this, the Pirate King Yann Hughes.

That's simply impossible.

Ceylon is collaborating with Pirate King Yann to build a ghost ship and assemble a powerful navy to attack Eifine's homeland from the Endless Sea, thereby turning the tide of the war in their homeland.

Not to mention that Ya'en is the son-in-law of the Eastern Empire. With the Eastern Empire vouching for him, even if Ya'en is exposed, it won't have any effect. On the contrary, it will only arouse the Eastern Empire's hatred.

Orlando realized at that moment that he had to step up and take responsibility.

Orlando's face turned pale, and he said in a trembling voice:

"It's...it's my fault. I wanted to take the opportunity to eliminate the fake princess, so I reached a cooperation agreement with the demon leader I had previously wiped out."

Everything was my personal action and had nothing to do with Ceylon.

After a moment's thought, Shanis raised her hand to silence the murmurs and looked toward Cohen in the distance.

Cohen smiled slightly and revealed what he had planned long ago:
"I suggest that an international investigation team be established immediately, led by the five great empires, with the participation of the Holy See, the Church of Prophecy, and the Temple of Battle, to thoroughly investigate the connection between the Ceylon royal family and the demons!"

Furthermore, Princess Freya's ten-game winning streak must be restored, since she forfeited to avoid assassination!

Prime Minister Merrick trembled, a wave of fear washing over him.

Royal families around the world are bound to have some underhanded schemes, and once this so-called international investigation team is stationed there, Ceylon will certainly not be able to withstand the investigation.

What if something even more serious is discovered later...?

Merrick wanted to object, but looking into Empress Shanis's cold eyes, he felt a chill in his heart.

Upon hearing Cohen's words, everyone suddenly understood.

It turns out that all of this was planned by Cohen and Her Majesty the Empress, who wanted to use this incident to smear the Ceylon royal family and sever the relationship between the Kingdom of Ceylon and the League of Nations.

This would allow Effie to continue the war against Ceylon after the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

This couple is really good at putting on a show! (End of Chapter)