Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Bathed in the blessings of the ancient warriors, Ash transformed into a battle avatar symbolizing the violent power of ancient nature.

Strength, speed, and defense are all increasing exponentially.

The ultimate move of the "Ancient Sage's Oath" style, "Holy Warrior," is the arrival of an ancient warrior!

Ash, now a warrior, roared like thunder as he swung his massive fist, crackling with emerald lightning and golden holy flames.

Asahi Sō slammed down, his fist covering the entire arena.

Xia Zuo immediately felt an unprecedented and deadly threat, and his golden vertical pupils almost shrank to their limit.

He knew that any defense against Ash in this form would be futile.

The only option is to attack instead of defend, and defeat them head-on!
Xia Zuo's eyes ignited with golden flames, completely igniting the last bit of power within him, the highest pride and protective will of the golden dragon deep within his bloodline.

The dragon scales all over its body were as bright as cracks in lava.

He bent over, gathering his strength, as if carrying an invisible giant mountain on his back.

Then, using his body as a bow and his strength as an arrow, he charged head-on into the giant fist that was falling from the sky.

At that moment, a huge golden dragon phantom, towering to the sky, roaring with its head raised and wings poised to take flight, clearly appeared behind him.

Xia Zuo seemed to transform into the tip of the charging golden dragon phantom.

On one side is a giant fist, a natural incarnation of emerald green and wreathed in holy fire and thunder!

On one side, a force field, gleaming with molten gold and imbued with an indomitable dragon spirit, charged forward!

boom--!
The impact of that strike is indescribable.

The blinding light instantly engulfed everything, and the entire arena seemed to fall silent at that moment.

The extreme light and heat are like the explosion at the beginning of creation.

The incredibly sturdy arena was completely reduced to dust, and the reinforced multi-layered barrier shattered in response.

A violent energy storm swept towards the audience seats, only to be stopped by a higher-level protective barrier.

As the blinding light finally began to fade, everyone involuntarily held their breath and looked toward the center of the arena.

In the center of the devastated ruins, two figures stood facing each other, both teetering on the brink of collapse.

Xia Zuo Tang's dragon vein patterns were dull and lifeless, and his deep red robe was torn in many places, revealing charred and bloodied skin.

Golden blood kept spilling from the corner of his mouth.

But he still held his head high, and the gold in his eyes, though tired, had not been extinguished.

Ash Lancelot's majestic ancient warrior form is rapidly fading.

The emerald green on its skin quickly faded, and the antlers and mane of the Lion of Light broke apart inch by inch, turning into specks of green light that dissipated into the air.

The protective aura around him shattered completely, and the phantom of the heroic spirit vanished without a trace.

His face was ashen, his body trembled violently, and he could barely stand.

Clearly, sustaining and driving that "ancient warrior's" ultimate strike had exhausted all his power.

The two stared at each other, the air thick with the lingering echoes of a fierce battle.

One second, two seconds... Finally, Ash's willpower to support his body seemed to be exhausted.

The holy light in his eyes flickered one last time, as if he wanted to gather some more power.

But her body involuntarily staggered backward, one step, then another...

Finally, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he could no longer stand, and collapsed heavily to one knee, supporting himself with one hand on the ground, breathing heavily.

Xia Zuo swayed slightly, but he held on and did not fall.

The referee's powerful voice slowly rang out:
"The victor—Xiazuo Tang of the Eastern Region Empire!"

……

Kuntandin, the royal palace.

Cohen followed closely behind a Rose Guard, traversing a quieter, more heavily guarded area within the Palace of Constantine.

After this period of communication, Cohen now knew that the female guard who often brought her to the palace was named Medea.

She is Shanis's most trusted confidante, and now she is the commander of the entire Rose Guard, which protects the Empress.

She was once Windsordler's most capable deputy, and after Windsordler married Cohen, this heavy responsibility inevitably fell on her shoulders.

Medea stood tall and walked with precise steps. Her signature rose-patterned gown shone with a cool and noble luster under the soft light of the crystals inlaid on the corridor walls.

Cohen took a half-step back, his gaze sweeping over the silently standing invisible golems on either side, and broke the silence:
"Medea, how is His Majesty's mood lately?"

He was thinking about setting up a secure spatial node in Shanis's palace, and he needed to find a suitable opportunity.

Medea did not pause, but a captivating smile curved her lips at just the right moment:

"Your Highness, His Majesty is in a very good mood lately."

She tilted her head slightly, glancing at Cohen out of the corner of her eye:
"You have defeated strong opponents in the Noble Martial Arts Festival and have now advanced to the top eight of the Gold Group."

This unparalleled and dazzling achievement greatly pleased His Majesty.

More importantly, after His Highness's triumph, those ministers and nobles who had previously expressed reservations about the marriage or even publicly opposed it were now in a state of discontent.

Now, they are coming in droves to privately pay their respects to Your Majesty, sincerely admitting their past shortsightedness and apologizing to Your Majesty.

Cohen felt much more at ease, and after careful consideration, he asked again:

"Is there something important that Your Majesty summoned me to discuss this time?"

He guessed it probably wasn't anything bad, otherwise Medea's tone wouldn't have been so calm.

It seems like today is a good opportunity to tell Shanies everything.

Medea didn't turn around this time, but lowered her voice to make sure only Cohen could hear her clearly:

"His Majesty is currently in his study secretly meeting with the Governor of the 'Golden Harvest District,' Mrs. Celine Carden."

At this point, Cohen instantly understood Shanes's intention.

He recalled his previous conversation with Shanis about the future of the continent.

Strategic grain reserve plan!

That massive food reserve strategy, proposed by Shanis, was secretly implemented to prepare for a potential catastrophe that could sweep across the continent in the future.

Governor Celine Carden was a key figure in pushing this plan to be implemented.

I imagine the next few days will be spent introducing the two parties to each other.

As their footsteps echoed on the smooth, mirror-like marble floor, Cohen followed Medea deep into the palace.

The further you go in, the more quiet and deserted the empty corridor becomes, with the magical lighting crystals embedded in the walls on both sides making the shadows cast by the pillars appear deep and long.

At first, a few female guards could be seen standing solemnly with their heads bowed like statues, but later only the sound of their footsteps could be heard in the air.

Medea stopped in front of a seemingly unremarkable oak door after turning a corner through a glass archway adorned with the imperial emblem.

This is neither Shanis's bedroom nor her Rose Study.

Medea tapped the door three times with her knuckles, the sound soft and clear:
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Imperial Consort has arrived."

A calm female voice came from inside the door:

"Let him in."

Medea stepped aside to make way for Cohen, giving him a look that said, "Please go in alone."

Cohen pushed open the door, revealing a spacious study.

The study was simply furnished.

The heavy curtains blocked out most of the natural light, and the main light source came from the old-fashioned magic lamp on the desk that emitted a warm yellow glow.

Shanis sat gracefully in a large, carved high-backed chair deep in the room, the light and shadow highlighting her exquisite beauty and exuding a touch of majesty.

Slightly forward below, stood a middle-aged woman wearing a gray-blue linen dress, her hair tied up with a simple wooden hairpin.

His face was the kind of ordinary that would be easily overlooked in a crowd, and it even bore the simple marks of years of hard work, which was out of place in the atmosphere of the deep palace.

Without a doubt, this must be Governor Celine.

If one were not here, if one were not standing before the Empress, who would have thought that this woman, who looked more like an ordinary peasant woman or a housekeeper, was actually the governor of the "Golden Harvest District" of the Central Empire—Governor Celine Carden.

As the highest-ranking official of one of the twelve administrative divisions of the Central Empire, the governor wields far greater influence than most kingdoms on the continent.

However, at this moment, she was not wearing any fancy clothes or ornaments that represented power; instead, she exuded a calm and steadfast aura, like the earth itself.

Upon seeing Cohen enter, the two stopped talking, and Shanis introduced them in a rather casual tone:

“Cohen, this is Governor Celine Carden, pastor of the Golden Harvest District, and also a highly respected cardinal of the Agricultural Church.”

Upon hearing this, Governor Celine bowed slightly, her movements swift and decisive.
"Your Highness, I have long admired you."

His Highness's brilliance at the Martial Arts Festival captivated the entire continent.

Her words didn't sound like flattery; they were more like a straightforward statement of facts.

Although Celine didn't make a public appearance during the recent aristocratic martial arts festival, she learned about the famous Royal Consort through various channels.

The brief greetings ended almost as soon as they began.

Shanis wasted no time and went straight to the point:
"Alright, time is precious."

Celine, reiterate the key points of this plan to Cohen.

Her finger lightly tapped a map spread out on the table, which precisely marked the complex rivers, farmland and towns of Jinshui District.

Governor Celine immediately stepped forward, her sharp gaze locking onto the location of Golden Harvest on the map, without uttering a word:
"The entire plan is divided into two parts."

Ostensibly, I will be in charge of promoting 'Abundant Seeds'—a new variety developed over ten years by the Church and the Royal Secret Agricultural College—across seven provinces and thirty-two counties within the Golden Harvest region. Its yield is at least 30% higher than the currently widely cultivated 'Golden Sprout Wheat,' and it is more drought- and pest-resistant, with a well-developed root system that prevents lodging.

She spoke slowly, but every word seemed precisely crafted, getting straight to the point:

"The promotion plan and the new warehouse construction plan have been drafted, and the first batch of pilot areas and grain warehouses will be located here and here,"

Her fingertips danced across the map:

"There will be resistance, from former landowners, local chambers of commerce, and even conservatives within the church..."

Governor Celine raised her eyes and looked directly at Cohen:
"The areas marked in red on this map are the territories of these people."

Those local nobles had been entrenched for generations, deeply rooted in the land.

Their lands are beyond the reach of imperial laws, and often those laws are enforced by the people themselves.

If I were to conduct the recycling openly, it would alarm every snake, insect, and rodent in the empire, as well as those outside the empire.

His Majesty's intention is that Your Highness, in your personal capacity, through various underhanded means, ensure that these lands return to imperial control as quietly as possible, or at least obtain long-term, stable rights to use them.

After a pause, Governor Celine took out a document and handed it to Cohen:

"This is a list of the main objectives:"

From the Earl of Mayfair, the most entrenched ruler who controlled the core black soil region, to the newly powerful Lord Hossman, who held multiple inland waterways and used grain as a weapon…

How exactly to 'persuade' them to give up, or 'cooperate,' depends on His Highness the Crown Prince's methods.

Celine's tone and expression remained completely unchanged, as if she were discussing yield data for farmland rather than a potentially bloody power struggle.

"understood."

Cohen took a deep look at the simply dressed woman in front of him who controlled the lifeline of the empire's granaries.

Cohen finally understood why this seemingly ordinary woman had gained the trust of two emperors in a row.

It was clear from the conversation that Governor Celine was very direct and did not follow any formalities.

Each time, they go straight to the point and hit the nail on the head.

Moreover, it is evident that this female governor must have conducted extensive on-site research and work at the grassroots level, possessing a wealth of work experience.

Some details were handled so well that even Cohen, a veteran player who had spent many years in the Central Empire in his previous life, was surprised.

The two finalized many specific details of the collaboration. When asked about the exact timing of the operation, Cohen glanced at Shanes and said:
"After the Noble Martial Arts Festival ends, I will probably need another six months to take care of things back home."

Six months from now, I will come to the Golden Harvest District to assist Governor Celine in dealing with these aristocratic forces.

Shanis nodded slowly:
"No rush, you go ahead and do your thing."

The royal family and the district authorities still hold a considerable amount of land; these should be cultivated first.

The matter is now considered closed.

Governor Celine, with her keen senses, noticed the subtle change in the air and decided not to disturb them any further, offering to take her leave.

The moment the heavy oak door closed behind Celine, an even more intimate and ambiguous atmosphere permeated the air, quietly seeping into every corner.

The events that happened between the two of them in Shanis's palace last time were still fresh in their minds.

Shanis's gaze slowly swept over the young man standing in front of the table.

The interplay of light and shadow sculpted his handsome profile, making it appear even more profound.

His stunning performance at the Noble Martial Arts Festival a few days ago earned her a lot of face, which made those old nobles who had been entrenched in the Noble Academy for many years and were deeply rooted in the society look bad.

One by one, whether forced or willing, they pledged their allegiance, and the stability of the empire took a giant leap forward in just a few days.

A warm feeling, mixed with emotions she herself might not understand, grew in her heart. She hadn't felt this sense of having someone to rely on for a long time since her father's death.

She wanted to reward the man who had done such a great service, but what should she give him?
Jewelry? Power? Territory? Beauty?
That would probably all seem cliché.

Cohen, however, was not so aware of this. He was thinking about when to bring up the matter of imprinting a spatial node on Shanis's palace.

How should I start the conversation?
To directly propose invading the Empress's most private space?
The risk is too great; there must be an absolutely reasonable reason, one that she cannot refuse.

Shanis saw that he was just standing there silently, his eyes lowered.

Oblivious to being stared at, the slight admiration in her heart was instantly replaced by a bit of inexplicable annoyance.

She, the most dazzling star in the Central Empire, whom countless talents and nobles yearn to see but cannot, is now standing clearly in front of him, yet he has no interest in even glancing up at her.
Shanis's voice had become much colder:
"I almost forgot that you have several beauties waiting in your room."

If you feel uncomfortable here, you can leave.

Cohen was jolted awake by these clearly barbed words.

He immediately caught the dissatisfaction in Shanis's words, raised his head, his deep black eyes meeting hers, and a slight, helpless yet deliberately pleading smile appeared on his lips:

"Sorry, I was lost in thought just now."

"Your Majesty, I have something I'd like to report to you, but I don't know how to begin."

Hearing that Cohen had important business to attend to, Shanies' anger subsided somewhat, but her pride as Empress prevented her from easily lowering her stance, and her tone remained cold:

“Just say what you mean. I already told you this last time. Are you this hesitant when you talk to Adele and Isabella?”

Cohen's tone softened:

"Your Majesty has misunderstood. It's just that this matter is too important, and I haven't figured out how to tell Your Majesty..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Shanis's beautifully curved collarbone, then seemingly just casually glancing at her slender waist encased in her elegant dress.

Finally, the focus returned to her stunningly beautiful face, which now held a scrutinizing look.

Cohen took a deep breath and told Shanes about the matter that had been lingering in his mind for a long time, concerning Governor Torger Chambers of the "Thousand Streams Court" and his plan to secretly build a ghost ship.

And the secret relationship between Governor Torg and the governors of the three administrative districts of "Rock Zone", "Fire Zone" and "Fujiguanze".

This implies that these four individuals will take actions that threaten the stability of the empire when things change on the continent in the future, allowing Shanis to take precautions in advance.

"...I have already met with Torger, and I have a feeling that there is a very hidden alliance of interests among these four governors."

I suspect that when the political landscape shifts on the mainland, they will form a powerful force stretching from the inland to the coast, connecting the north and south, seeking maximum autonomy and even separatist interests.

After Cohen finished speaking, the expected scene of the Empress being furious, slamming her fist on the table, and denouncing the ambitious and treacherous officials did not occur.

Instead, their first reaction was to care about Grace:

"In other words, that succubus doesn't have to do anything to get the full support of the governor of the richest administrative region in my Central Empire."
"Your Majesty Corleone, you are truly devoted to her and incredibly generous!"

The last phrase, "extremely generous," was almost squeezed out through gritted teeth, and anyone could hear the surging jealousy and dissatisfaction within it.

A look of helplessness instantly appeared on Cohen's face, his brows furrowed slightly, and his voice instinctively became even lower and hoarser:
"Your Majesty, I have a cooperative relationship with the Princess, and I will need her influence to help me deal with Xia Zuo in the future."

Moreover, Grace was a great support to me during my most difficult time, providing me with a large sum of money and connections to get started.

Without Grace's support, neither I, nor Effie behind me, nor the Endless Alliance could have developed so quickly..."

A strange emotion flickered in Shanes' eyes as she waved her hand, interrupting Cohen's explanation:

"Alright, I'm not in the mood to hear about your relationship stories."

As for that Torger…

She gave a dismissive snort, as if it had stirred up some unpleasant memory:

“The governors of ‘Thousand Streams’ and ‘Rock Zone’ have long since lost their loyalty to the royal family.”

When my father passed away, they were the ones who were the most vocal in their opposition to my ascension to the throne as a princess.

They supported my good-for-nothing older brothers the most.

Their betrayal was only a matter of time; it's not surprising!

A knowing glint flashed across Cohen's eyes as he continued:

"In addition, according to Torg, he has a rather ambiguous relationship with the intelligence agency established by the House of Nobles."

There's a very high probability they've planted their own informants, or even that he himself is a member of the intelligence agency.

A hint of surprise flashed in Nyss's eyes; this was the first time she had heard of such a thing. After a few seconds of thought, she replied:
"Then investigate this thoroughly. Didn't you try to use the opportunity of repairing weapons for Kazimir to plant spies in the intelligence agency? This is an opportunity."

Cohen nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, seemingly unintentionally:

"By the way, Your Majesty, after thinking it over, I have a secret I want to share with you."

Shanis's eyes flickered slightly, and she spoke:
"Go ahead."

Cohen organized his thoughts and told Shanis about his possession of the Book of Time and Space, including its functions.

Shanis sat upright in the armchair, her slender, straight back maintaining its usual elegance and dignity. After listening to Cohen's narration, her eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

The Book of Time and Space... a semi-divine artifact!

This word stirred up a storm in her heart. This was a semi-divine artifact! How many of them did the Central Empire have in total?
What stirred her heart even more was that Cohen chose to reveal to her, without reservation, this secret that was enough to attract the covetous eyes of the gods.

This profound sense of trust settled like a warm piece of jade into the depths of her heart. Even so, her face remained calm and serene, but the words she spoke unconsciously carried a gentleness she herself was unaware of:
"Don't tell anyone else about this. The semi-divine artifact is of great importance. If it gets exposed, it will cause you a lot of trouble."

Cohen then said:

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. However, for the sake of convenience for our future travels, we will..."

I'd like to set up a spatial node in our Juntanding so that we can come quickly if anything happens in the future.

what do you think? "

Shanis had actually had this idea when she heard that Cohen possessed this equipment.

To put it another way, this spatial node can be used as one's most secret and safest escape route.

Now that Cohen has brought it up himself, she naturally has no reason to refuse.

However, Cohen soon presented her with a condition that put her in a very difficult position.

He wanted to imprint the spatial node on his own palace! (End of Chapter)