Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

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Another decisive blow!
Another instant kill!

Even with his Gold-tier combat power, Jinlunjia was as vulnerable as a child in the face of that breathtaking sword dance, utterly powerless to resist!

The stunning visuals were etched into the deepest recesses of the souls of every audience member present.

It also projects onto every location on the continent equipped with a receiving array through the "Mirror of the Sky" suspended high above the arena's dome—city squares, noble banquet halls, military fortresses, palaces, government offices, and more.

Nobles and common people in every corner of the continent witnessed this miraculous scene.

The Imperial Arena fell into a deathly silence, like a vacuum.

The shattered remains of the frost giant transformed into a cold, blue dust storm, which fell from mid-air.

In this icy rain that symbolizes destruction, the towering figure of King Cohen Corleone of Effie stands like a solitary peak that suddenly descends, suppressing all the clamor.

When Jinlunga transformed into a ten-meter-tall frost giant, the power and pressure he unleashed in that instant had already surpassed the limits of the "Silver" level, making him comparable to a powerhouse who had just entered the Gold level.

The shards of ice emanating from his body alone were enough to freeze the blood of an ordinary warrior—what terrifying power that was!

In fact, before the Noble Martial Arts Festival, Jinlunga's strength had already been unanimously recognized by everyone.

But in the face of Cohen’s elegant, dance-like “Blade Waltz”, they couldn’t even hold out for a few more seconds, let alone compete with him.

That dazzling, breathtaking storm of sword light easily shattered the giant frost fist capable of smashing city walls.

Then, like an invisible razor, it precisely and thoroughly dismembered this colossal statue, which combined the majesty of the Northern Empire with the power of the individual, from the inside out and from the surface to the core!
The capital of the Northern Empire, the Winter Palace.

The crystal-clear dome can no longer reflect the cold light of the past, leaving only a bleak replay of the "Mirror of the Sky" magic projection.

The ministers beside him wanted to suggest temporarily shutting down the "Mirror of the Sky," but they dared not take any action due to the emperor's majesty.

The atmosphere in the palace was oppressive and heavy. Emperor Abraham's brows were furrowed deeply, as if he could not quite comprehend the scene before him.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking:
"Can you discern what magic he used to dismantle Jinlunga's true form as a frost giant?"

Someone nearby spoke up:
"It seems to be a powerful sword technique. I wasn't there, so I can't see it clearly. I'll have to wait for Prince Violet to return and ask him."

Abraham let out a long sigh from deep in his throat:
"Effie...Effie..."

He repeated the name, which had suddenly become heavy, in a low voice:
"Efein's rise is unstoppable. After the Noble Martial Arts Festival, let Jinlunga go to Florence."

In the corner, Anthony Watts, the station chief of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Winter Court Station, a senior executive of Royal Industry known for his maturity and composure in the capital's Winter Court, also lost his composure for once.

His mouth was slightly open, and in the pupil behind his monocle, the image of the Dance of Destruction, which was repeatedly replayed on the "Mirror of the Sky," was reflected—the scene of Cohen Corleone gracefully sheathing his sword amidst the blue-white storm of collapsing frost giants.

As one of the core leaders of Royal Winter Industry Investment Group Co., Ltd., he is now qualified to be among the inner circle of imperial power.

He had originally come to cheer on his eldest prince with the other members of the royal family, but he never expected it to turn out like this.

He had personally witnessed how Prince Jinlunga had swept aside all opposition in previous matches and had a clear understanding of Jinlunga's strength.

That was the future pillar that the Northern Empire had poured countless resources into nurturing, yet in front of the monarch he served, he was as fragile as a child.

Anthony's breathing became somewhat hot.

He recalled how he had been infiltrating Winter City for years, in the heart of the empire, carefully passing on intelligence to a small northwestern country.

Today's events made everything he did meaningful—following this kind of person is the only way to have a future!

Upon hearing His Majesty the Emperor's words, he was instantly jolted awake from his secret ecstasy.

The initial shock faded quickly, replaced by the sharp, hawk-like vigilance characteristic of a high-ranking intelligence officer.

A deep thought arose in my mind:

"The Emperor is sending his most valued prince to Effie. Is it for an alliance, or for intelligence gathering...?"

……

At the moment the Frost Giant disintegrated, whether it was the capital square with its precisely projected imagery from the Arcane Crystals or the large mirrored magical light screen supported by the court mages.

The entire continent seemed to have been put on pause.

In the noisy tavern filled with mercenaries, the deafening clinking of glasses abruptly ceased, leaving only heavy breathing and the dripping of drinks from the astonished hands.

In the bustling market, vendors forgot to call out their wares, passersby forgot to walk, and everyone looked up, gazing at the breathtaking scene.

The spies planted by various intelligence agencies in various locations were already pale-faced and frantically writing emergency reports on the most expensive encrypted magical stationery.

panic!

incredible!

Then came the uproar that swept everything!

Kinlunga Cox, widely recognized as the strongest in the Silver Division and the future of the Northern Empire, was once again instantly killed by King Cohen Corleone of Eifine after activating his Frost Giant bloodline and transforming into a Frost Giant! He used a move that no one had ever heard of or seen before!

What's even more terrifying is that the two players who have advanced to the finals are both from Effie!

This means that, regardless of the outcome of the finals, Effie will win the Silver Rank championship and runner-up title on the Noble Martial Arts Festival, a stage of immense symbolic significance, for the first time in history!

A chill ran down everyone's spine.

For the first time in a true sense, this mysterious king, before the entire continent, on the highest stage symbolizing glory, fully demonstrated his ultimate personal power!

……

Constantine, the Imperial Arena.

After a brief period of deathly silence, the next second, an uncontrollable, tsunami-like uproar finally erupted.

It was not cheering, but rather a scream and roar born of instinctive fear, awe, and the collapse of cognition.

One move!
Another trick!

“Who is he anyway?

God?

"silver?
Absolutely ridiculous!
Which Silver-ranked individual could so easily annihilate someone unleashing Gold-level combat power?!

"Eifine...that remote little country in the northwest continent!"

The enormous roar nearly lifted the dome of the Imperial Arena.

VIP Seating

Representatives from the five great empires, envoys and princes from several powerful kingdoms, and even legendary figures and saints who are usually high above and rarely seen.

Their expressions at that moment were equally fascinating.

A chilling truth, like an invisible hammer, struck the hearts of every top-ranking official:

Effie is going to take both the top two spots in the Silver Group!
A small, remote northwestern country that is neither one of the five great empires, nor even a kingdom.

Two contestants from this country have surprisingly made it to the final round of the Noble Martial Arts Festival, a competition that symbolizes the highest level of strength among the younger generation and the future power of the nation.

They completely monopolized the top two positions, which symbolize the highest honor of the Silver Rank!

It was still with such an overwhelming and complete victory!
Everyone knew what the final Noble Martial Arts Festival meant on the eve of an unprecedented upheaval on the continent.

This is not just a match, but a duel that could change the power structure of the entire continent!

Yet, this martial arts festival, which was of extraordinary significance, actually allowed a small country to steal the spotlight in both the Bronze and Silver groups.

The five great empires didn't even manage to take the top two spots, let alone win the crown.

This is especially true given that the champion and runner-up of the Silver Group both came from the same country.

In the glorious history of the Martial Arts Festival spanning tens of thousands of years, even the most prosperous empires have never witnessed such a thing.

The man who quietly sheathed the Dragon Force Sword without even the slightest disturbance in his aura, Cohen Corleone, has done something so unexpected and shocking to the continent since his debut.

“Effie…”

Prince Xia Zuo of the Eastern Empire stared intently at the terrifyingly calm figure in the arena.

In an instant, all the past events concerning this young king connected in the face of this suffocating truth—

Astounding foundation and power, exaggerated speed of rise and expansion, endless trump cards and backing...

At this moment, the number one prince on the continent was already feeling a little regretful, as if he shouldn't have made an enemy of such a powerful figure!
In the VIP section, the old foxes who controlled the core of power no longer had arrogance and scrutiny in their eyes, only deep fear and cold soberness remained.

Everyone knew that after Cohen displayed incredible personal strength, and after a small country suppressed the five great empires at the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

Changes have already begun on the mainland—

In the most direct, bloody, and irrefutable way, a being named Cohen Corleone declared his existence on the stage atop the continent.

And the future he represents... named Effie!
……

The final day of the "Strongest Silver" tournament!

Beneath the dome of the Imperial Arena, the finals are about to begin.

However, just like the bronze group finals, the silver group finals were also much less exciting.

After all, this is the first time in history that the finalists have come from the same country.

The two figures representing the final battle for the Silver Pinnacle:

King Cohen Corleone of Efein stands opposite Duchess Asuna Iliad of Efein.

When the referee announced the start of the final, the noise in the stadium eerily subsided.

Tens of thousands of eyes were fixed on the two people on the stage, but there was no expected excitement, only an unsettling silence.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Asuna didn't even draw her sword from her waist; she merely straightened her back slightly, and her clear voice rang out exceptionally loudly in the otherwise silent arena.
“I am Asuna Iliad.”

We concede defeat.

It was decisive and efficient, without any hesitation.

The ending was predictable, yet entirely logical.

A suppressed, complex, and inexplicable commotion erupted in the room.

There were sighs of disappointment, dissatisfaction with the childish ending, and a silent lament over the terrifying rule displayed by the country called Effie.

A single nation monopolizing the Silver Group's top two spots, representing the pinnacle of future power, is a silent yet fierce trampling on the continental order that has lasted for millennia.

To say that the two didn't fight is also not true.

After all, the previous night, Cohen had already fought Asuna all night in another arena.

The outcome of the battle left Cohen impressed; he truly lived up to his reputation as a Dragonborn, his combat prowess second only to his legendary sister, the Queen, and Bayonetta. However, these matters were best left unsaid to outsiders.

With the conclusion of the finals, the title of "Strongest Silver" undoubtedly fell to Cohen.

The final has ended, and the moment of coronation has arrived.

The champion of "Strongest Bronze" is a delicate bronze trophy, while the champion of "Strongest Silver" is a silver crown.

The arena was quickly transformed into an awards podium, where the crown symbolizing the "strongest silver" was solemnly presented by the female official.

It is not the dazzling gold, but forged from the purest mithril.

The lines are cold and ancient, and the crown is inlaid with a deep star stone that seems to be frozen in the night sky, flowing with restrained brilliance.

The "Silver Crown" itself is a defensive legendary-tier magic weapon.

As the lady-in-waiting presented the laurel wreath, Heisenberg Wertheimer, the chief of the House of Nobles of the Central Empire and a tycoon at the top of the power pyramid of the Central Empire, also rose and adjusted his magnificent and exquisite formal attire.

As is customary, he will personally place this supreme honor on the victor's head.

Heisenberg wore a reserved smile, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he fixed on Cohen Corleone, who slowly walked to the center of the arena.

No matter what deep-seated hatred he may have for you, you must act like a kind old man at this moment.

Cohen returned the smile to Heisenberg.

He also wanted to take this opportunity to observe his biggest enemy at present.

Cohen maintained an impeccable kingly demeanor, even feeling a strange sense of pleasure from it.

What could be more ironic or exhilarating than having your mortal enemy personally crown you with the laurel that symbolizes the pinnacle of power on the continent's silver continent?

If so, it would be the most honorable woman on this continent who would personally crown you—

Just as Chief Heisenberg was about to rise, a court guard dressed in scarlet armor with a golden rose emblem on his shoulder appeared silently beside him.

He leaned slightly forward and, in a voice barely audible at very close range, quickly and clearly conveyed a few instructions.

The enigmatic smile that Heisenberg always wore on his face did not disappear; on the contrary, it deepened.

"Very well, since Your Majesty has this intention, that's fine too."

"This will also let the whole continent see that His Majesty Corleone is not only the King of Effiin, but also the Imperial Consort of our Central Empire!"

Chief Heisenberg did not suppress his voice, and Cohen, who was standing not far away, naturally heard it as well.

He understood Heisenberg's meaning: he wanted to subtly mock him for achieving his current success by living off the Empress.

Cohen just smiled and didn't seem to care.

He also understood what Shanes meant, worrying that Heisenberg might take advantage of the crowning ceremony to do something underhanded.

On the high platform, the eternal focus, the mistress of the Central Empire, the most noble woman on the continent, Shanis Klein gracefully rose and left her Thorn Throne.

Shinys, dressed in a magnificent gown trailing a long, star-studded dress adorned with gold thread, gracefully descended the steps.

Her toes descended from a high point to a low point, the hem of her skirt rippled gently around her ankles like waves, then tightened as she lifted it, revealing delicate shoe tips and a breathtaking glimpse of white.

His waist was taut, his shoulders were level like the silhouette of mountains, and his chin was slightly raised, yet he was so natural that he did not show any arrogance.

That wasn't a performance; it was an instinct ingrained in one's very being.

That was a radiance that did not belong to the mortal world, a noble demeanor that surpassed all nations, even the most brilliant sunlight seemed crude in front of her.

Cohen's gaze narrowed slightly as he watched Shanis slowly approach.

The Empress's unparalleled beauty caused him to be slightly captivated and momentarily lost in thought.

Shanis approached Cohen, the two standing very close.

She keenly caught the fleeting moment of confusion in the other person's eyes.

This rare moment of loss of composure caused a slight smile to appear on her flawless lips.

A daring idea, tinged with a hint of revenge, flashed through my mind in an instant.

Her gaze inadvertently swept over the "Mirror of the Sky" on the dome, which reflected the entire continent.

At this moment, the woman far away in the Northwest Continent, whom she regards as her lifelong enemy, must also be watching this place, right?
Shinys accepted the heavy laurel wreath, shimmering with silver starlight, from the maid of honor.

Everyone held their breath.

Under the gaze of countless awe and fervor, in the center of the arena that carries the honor of the continent, this glorious land is infinitely magnified by the "Mirror of the Sky".

Shanes Klein, the most noble woman on the continent, gently raised her jade arm and solemnly placed the silver crown on Cohen Corleone's head.

The cold metal edge touched his forehead, carrying a slight chill, yet instantly igniting a flame deep within his heart.

Even with Cohen's strong will, an indescribable sense of elation arose within him, a mixture of satisfaction, conquest, and even a feeling of looking down upon the world.

In that brief moment of distraction...

He saw that stunningly beautiful face suddenly magnify rapidly in his field of vision.

He could even see her slightly trembling eyelashes and smell her unique, cool yet rich fragrance, like that of an orchid.

The next second—

hum!
Time has stood still.

All sounds seemed to vanish in an instant.

Cohen felt an indescribable warm and soft touch on his lips.

Her Majesty the Empress of the Central Empire, Xenise Klein, kissed his lips gently amidst the gaze of countless people and the powerful and wealthy of the entire continent.

boom! ! !
After a brief, soul-freezing vacuum of silence—

The entire Imperial Arena erupted in uproar.

Cohen froze, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cave; his sense of elation was instantly shattered.

He could clearly feel countless gazes piercing him from behind, like red-hot steel needles.

Shock, jealousy, envy, ill will—a variety of complex gazes pierced my back.

But what was even more deadly were the several tangible, sharp gazes that sent chills down his spine.

From the direction of the Effie delegation, from the Eastern Empire, and from the spectator area.

And further afield... Northwest Continent, Effie, Florence, the Royal Palace!

That gaze seemed to traverse countless mountains and rivers, carrying a chill capable of freezing an eternal ice field... The raging anger, provoked, was precisely nailed to Cohen.

Cohen could clearly "hear" a buzzing in his mind, with only one thought exploding wildly:

"It's over..."

And indeed, things turned out exactly as Cohen had imagined.

……

Northwest Continent, Effie, Florence Royal Palace.

Adele sat on the throne, the chill emanating from her body almost freezing the air.

Adel sensed something was wrong when she saw Shanis preparing to crown Cohen herself.

She was initially disappointed that she, as the queen, couldn't be by her husband's side during this moment of supreme glory.

I never expected that this despicable woman would dare to kiss my man in front of the entire continent!
How dare she do that, with millions of eyes on her and the gaze of all the powerful and wealthy across the continent?

The brief moment of contact reflected in the mirror was stretched and magnified infinitely, imprinted deep in her pupils, igniting a raging fire of anger within Adael.

That was a provocation! That was a declaration of war! That was plunder to the extreme!

She could almost imagine what Shanies was thinking at that moment—

That despicable woman, with that utterly hypocritical and arrogant smile, must be thinking smugly:

Adele, can you see this?
Your manhood is a glory bestowed upon you by my own hands.

He is now branded from head to toe with the mark of His Majesty the Emperor of the Central Empire!

Adele took a deep breath, a cool smile curving her lips:

"Shanise, you will pay for what you did today!"

……

The noise in the arena gradually subsided, and many people then remembered that the King of Efein before them was also Her Majesty the Empress's fiancé and the Imperial Consort of the Central Empire.

Once I realized this, what had just happened suddenly made a lot of sense.

It's obvious that Her Majesty the Empress is showing affection for her fiancé.

On the awards stage, Cohen stared blankly at Shanies, and he could even see a fleeting hint of shyness and a sense of vengeful pleasure in her eyes.

Without a doubt, Xenise's sudden kiss was definitely revenge on Adele.

The grand awards ceremony eventually came to a slow close under the strange gazes of countless people.

After the ceremony, Cohen wanted to talk to Shanis, but she seemed to be feeling guilty and disappeared without a trace as soon as the event ended.

Cohen felt helpless and quickly returned to the viewing area in Effie. Facing the gazes of a group of beauties, he spread his hands and said helplessly:

"I am innocent."

Isabella raised an eyebrow and gave a cold laugh:
"innocent?
"Her Majesty the Empress personally crowned you and even gave you a sweet kiss. You must be so happy!"

Cohen sighed deeply and explained:

"You should know about the relationship between Adele and Shanies."

"Shanise is doing this purely to get revenge on Adele; don't let her use you."

Isabella snorted and led everyone away from the scene.

At the dinner party, Cohen used all his persuasive skills and finally managed to appease the several beautiful women.

However, because of his actions during the day, he was unable to enter any of the beauties' rooms at night.

Cohen sighed, carefully considered his words, and activated the communication stone to contact his queen sister, who was thousands of miles away. (End of Chapter)