Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Cohen left the palace and stood on the streets of the capital under the night sky. He took a deep breath of the cool air to calm the still somewhat restless blood in his body.

He checked the time and realized it was almost time to meet with his sister, the Queen. Before heading to Mosa Province to find the Black Rose Key, he needed to return to Florence.

Let's discuss the matter of the Dragon Plane with Adel and Isabella in more detail.

Without further delay, he opened the "Book of Time and Space" with a thought, and accompanied by a faint spatial fluctuation, his figure quietly disappeared from the streets of the capital. The next moment, he appeared directly in the warm and familiar Royal Palace of Florence.

Adel already knew that Cohen was coming back. When he entered the inner hall of the palace, he immediately saw two stunningly beautiful women, each with a different air about them, sitting in the hall waiting for him.

His suppressed desire surged again, and he opened his arms and embraced the two beauties passionately.

Seeing that Cohen was preparing to fight on two fronts, Adele's eyes flashed with a hint of fierceness:
"What are you doing? Let's get down to business!"

"Mmm, let's talk while we work, it'll save time..."

……

……

……

After a brief moment of tender intimacy, Cohen composed himself and his expression turned serious.

Maintaining an intimate posture, he whispered to Adele and Isabella about his experiences in the Dragon Plane, the secret agreement he reached with the Shadow Dragonborn and the Mourning Dragonborn, and some of his plans and ideas for the future.

Adele and Isabella also added their own opinions from time to time, eventually forming a complete battle plan for the Dragon Plane.

Isabella was in charge of the entire plan, with the Darkwing and Bloodwing families providing the main manpower.

Effie was responsible for intelligence gathering, analysis, and infiltration support for the Military Intelligence Bureau.

The main role of Shanis is logistical support, and when necessary, it provides some military and high-end force support.

All coordination, resource allocation, and progress control will ultimately come down to Isabella, who will then give unified command and make decisions.

After finalizing the plan, Cohen looked at the two stunning beauties beside him, and the lustful fire in his heart stirred again. He was preparing to regroup and start a new round of "second battle" to reward himself and also "comfort" his two hardworking confidantes.

But considering that a top-tier witch was waiting for him in King's Palace, he couldn't linger too long.

He had no choice but to suppress the erotic thoughts in his heart and reluctantly withdrew from the warm and soft embrace of her.

She stood up nimbly, quickly straightened her slightly disheveled robes, kissed Adele and Isabella on the lips, and left Florence.

Without lingering, he once again connected with the power of the Book of Time and Space, and his figure instantly disappeared from the warm and spring-like Florence Palace.

The next moment, his figure had already silently reappeared in Her Majesty the Empress's palace.

The palace was dimly lit, with only a few magic lamps emitting a soft glow.

Shanis seemed to have fallen asleep; her exquisite face appeared serene and gentle in her sleep, her long eyelashes drooping like butterfly wings, and her breathing even.

But the moment Cohen appeared, her delicate eyebrows seemed to furrow slightly unconsciously, and she turned over, facing away from Cohen, as if she could sense his arrival even in her sleep.

Cohen tiptoed to Shanis's bedside, kissed her, and then left the palace.

Upon returning to the state guesthouse, without the slightest hesitation, he went straight to the room where Belmotti was.

As he entered, Belmody, dressed in a silk robe, was preparing to rest. She sat at her dressing table combing her long purple hair. When she saw Cohen enter, her eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.
Looks like you're very busy tonight!

Cohen closed and locked the door behind him, then walked up to Belmody without saying a word.

He simply reached out, his fingertips gently tracing her smooth chin, his eyes filled with an undeniable fervor.

Belmody tilted her head slightly to meet his gaze, a faint yet alluring smile playing on her lips. Instead of backing down, she reached out and hooked her arm around Cohen's neck.

The next moment, without any words, a lively, friendly, and in-depth exchange unfolded in the quiet guest room.

……

Cohen's destination, Mosha Province, is located in a very special and important region on the map of the Central Empire, known as the "Blazing Fire Zone".

The "Fire Zone" is located on the southern frontier of the empire and is known for its extremely harsh and severe natural environment.

This place is hot and dry all year round, with very little rainfall, as if it were being perpetually scorched by the sun god.

Nearly one-third of the country's area is dotted with volcanoes of varying sizes, some active and some dormant.

More than half of the remaining land is a vast desert covered by endless yellow sand.

Among them, the "Lahasa Desert," which stretches across the southwest of the region and occupies a vast area, is recognized as the largest and most treacherous desert in the entire Demon Tide Main Plane. Known as the "Sea of ​​Death," it has swallowed the lives of countless adventurers.

However, despite such formidable natural barriers, the "Fire Zone" is not a desolate and barren wasteland.

On the contrary, it guards the vital passage from the many southern vassal races and the vast undeveloped wilderness into the heart of the central empire, making it the most important land gateway in the south of the empire.

For this reason, even with such a harsh environment, the "Blazing Fire District" is still one of the top five most populous districts in the Central Empire.

Every day, tens of thousands of merchants, adventurers, gold prospectors, and laborers, like migratory birds, continuously cross the challenges of deserts and volcanoes.

They flocked to the empire seeking opportunities, returning south with the empire's goods and wealth.

This place is brimming with opportunity, danger, wealth, and ambition.

Its extremely important strategic location and enormous flowing wealth naturally made it the focus of covetousness and struggle among various forces.

The future ambitious advocate of the Southeast Mutual Protection Alliance, Governor Torg Chambers of "Thousand Streams Court", had long regarded "Blazing Fire District" as a crucial piece of the puzzle in his future alliance map, and had been secretly courting and infiltrating it.

Governor Calvin Freeman of the "Blazing Fire District" was a local strongman who had been entrenched in the area for thirty years.

After thirty years of management, he had long since turned this land into an impregnable fortress, almost his own independent kingdom, with his power deeply entrenched and impenetrable.

Of particular note is that Governor Calvin, taking advantage of the vastness and difficulty in monitoring the La Harsa Desert, secretly fostered several powerful mercenary groups and desert bandits that obeyed only his personal orders.

These armed forces became his sharp claws for plundering passing caravans, eliminating dissidents, accumulating private wealth, and cultivating a private army unrestrained by the empire. They were also the source of his greatest confidence in openly complying with the empire while secretly defying it.

It has been three days since they left Constantine, and Cohen and Nephthys have embarked on their journey to find the "Key to the Black Rose".

Of course, in addition to helping Nephthys find the key to unlocking her family's ancient treasure, the "Black Rose Key," Cohen also had another, more important and secretive political mission on this trip.

Knowing in advance that Governor Calvin Freeman of the "Blazing Fire District" was very likely to follow Governor Torg in the future and participate in the rebellion plot of the Southeast Mutual Protection Alliance, Cohen, as the Imperial Consort, naturally could not sit idly by.

His deliberate low-key trip to the "Blazing Fire Zone" was partly motivated by a desire to personally infiltrate this area, which could potentially become a breeding ground for rebellion.

Secretly assess the true situation in the region—including Governor Calvin's actual control, public sentiment, military deployments, economic conditions, and signs of activity from the rumored desert bandits—to gather crucial first-hand intelligence for any potential future counterinsurgency operations for the Empire.

According to intelligence from the Military Intelligence Bureau's Special Investigation Team, the location of the "Key to the Black Rose" is in an ancient ruin called the Temple of Akolaan in the Mosa Province of the "Blazing Fire Division".

This temple is said to be hidden deep in a dangerous place in the desert or volcanic region, and its exact location is extremely secretive.

In order to arrive as quickly as possible, Cohen and Nefertis chose to travel by the extremely fast royal griffins.

This powerful magical creature possesses exceptional stamina and flight speed, making it an ideal mount for long journeys.

After three days and three nights of non-stop flight, they had traversed a long journey and were gradually approaching the "Fire Zone," a border area shrouded in heat waves and sandstorms.

Looking out from high above, the landscape where the sky meets the earth has changed dramatically.

The scorching air distorted the distant view, giving the land a scorched yellow and dark red hue, with the outline of a huge volcanic cone emitting wisps of smoke faintly visible on the distant horizon.

The land below also began to gradually transition from lush greenery to sparse vegetation and mottled sand.

Just then, Cohen's gaze caught several unusual "black dots" on the distant horizon.

These black dots are rising and circling rhythmically in the high sky, clearly not birds, but some kind of intelligent creature capable of flight.

Soon, as the griffins rapidly approached, the black dots in their field of vision grew larger and their outlines became clearer.

As he got closer, Cohen finally saw clearly that the black dots were actually five mages dressed in uniform robes, levitating in the air using flight spells or magic carpets.

Judging from the energy fluctuations emanating from them, their average strength has reached the Gold rank level, clearly indicating that this is an extremely elite mage squad.

The mage squad had also spotted the distinctive royal griffin that Cohen was riding.

One of the mages, who appeared to be the leader, quickly made several complex hand gestures in a direction towards the desert below. Immediately afterward, the mage activated his magic and flew at incredible speed directly towards the griffin carrying Cohen and Nephthys.

The mage steadied himself ten meters in the air, his voice carrying clearly through the howling wind:
"Excuse me, are you His Highness the Emperor and Lady Nephthys?"

Cohen narrowed his eyes, a hint of surprise rising in his heart.

Although he did not deliberately maintain the highest level of secrecy for this trip, very few people knew the specific itinerary and destination.

Unexpectedly, their whereabouts had already been so accurately tracked by the other party just as they reached the boundary of the "Blazing Fire Zone".

The other party accurately called out his and Nephthys's identities and names, clearly indicating that they were waiting there specifically, rather than it being a chance encounter during a border patrol.

While his mind raced, Cohen remained outwardly calm, responding in a steady and authoritative voice:

"Yes, come on up."

At the same time, signal the griffin to slow down and maintain a steady speed.

Upon hearing Cohen's confirmation and permission, the mage's tense expression visibly relaxed considerably.

He once again displayed his exquisite flying skills, and with a few elegant and swift aerial maneuvers, he landed lightly and steadily on the broad saddle of the Royal Griffin, standing in front of Cohen and Nephthys.

Upon landing, he immediately straightened his robes and then bowed deeply to Cohen and Nephthys with utmost respect.

He then straightened up slightly, but still maintained a humble posture, and said softly in a respectful tone:

“Brendan Hari, President of the Mage Association of the 'Blazing Fire Zone,' pays his respects to His Highness the Royal Consort and to Lady Nephthys.”

"Welcome, Your Highness and Madam, to the Liuhuo District."

As expected, they were officials from the "Blazing Fire Zone," and the president of the Mage Association, who held a high position, personally came to greet them.

Governor Calvin's intelligence network and response speed were indeed not to be underestimated.

They were likely discovered by the enemy's surveillance array or spies as soon as they entered the zone's airspace.

Cohen's expression remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
How did you know I would pass by here?

Upon hearing this, President Brendan Harley became even more respectful and cautious. He lowered his head slightly and answered carefully:
"Your Highness, the high-altitude route you are flying on is one of the officially designated exclusive routes for members of the Imperial Family and distinguished guests holding special permits to travel to and from the southern part of the Empire."

Your Highness, the royal griffin you are riding is indeed magnificent, but it is quite a long-distance inter-regional flight.

We also usually need to replenish our magic and rest at the 'Sky Station,' which is located not far ahead and is maintained by our Mage Association.

"Therefore, after the division detected the magical fluctuations of His Highness's carriage entering the division's boundary, it sent me to greet him."

To ensure Your Highness's smooth and safe journey, we have absolutely no intention of spying on Your Highness's whereabouts. We hope Your Highness will understand.

Upon hearing Brendan's explanation, Cohen subtly glanced downwards and, sure enough, saw a large, dark mass of figures standing and waiting at the boundary between the desert and the Gobi below.

Seeing this, President Brendan Harley quickly bowed and added an explanation:
"Your Highness, Governor Calvin Freeman of the 'Fire Zone' is leading all the registered senior officials under his command, awaiting Your Highness's inspection and review."

Cohen nodded slowly and said in a calm tone:

"Thanks for your hard work."

He then patted the griffin, and the griffin began to slowly flap its giant wings, lower its altitude, and smoothly descend towards the dark mass of welcoming party below.

As soon as he landed on the scorching sandy ground, a middle-aged bureaucrat in a governor's uniform, with a slightly thin build, immediately jogged up to him with a broad smile.

Before the person even arrived, sycophantic words brimming with flattery had already begun to circulate:

"His Highness the Emperor is indeed exceptionally brave and imposing."

Your Highness's astonishing feat of defeating all rivals and demonstrating our nation's prestige at the All Nations Martial Arts Festival some time ago has already spread to every corner of the empire.

Every citizen of the empire sings praises of your great achievements!

These words were perfectly crafted, praising Cohen's abilities and enhancing the Empire's prestige, demonstrating the utmost skill in flattery.

The balance is just right, making it easy for people to like you.

Then, his expression turned serious, he abruptly brought his legs together, straightened his back, and, with a powerful Imperial military salute, faced Cohen, gathering his strength, and reported loudly:

"Governor Calvin Freeman of the 'Fire District' is here with all 783 senior officers and staff under his command."

We respectfully invite His Highness the Imperial Consort to tour the palace and receive His Highness's instructions!

The large group of officials behind him, dressed in various official robes, also bowed in unison.

Faced with this elaborate welcome, Cohen's face showed a gentle smile.

He casually waved his hand and, in a tone that was neither distant nor overly affectionate, said a few polite words of appreciation for their hard work, such as "Thank you all for your hard work" and "The stability of the empire's borders cannot be achieved without your dedicated efforts."

For a moment, the scene appeared to be one of great joy and harmony, as if a popular imperial consort were inspecting his loyal and efficient frontier province.

After exchanging pleasantries, led and accompanied by Calvin, Cohen and Nephthys boarded a riding beast with distinctive local characteristics of the "Fireflow Zone"—a huge lizard-like creature adapted to the hot desert climate, covered with thick scales, and with a steady gait.

The group entered the province closest to the division boundary in a grand procession.

The provincial capital also received the news early and made preparations.

Another grand and meticulously prepared welcoming ceremony awaits them.

Amidst the enthusiastic crowds, formally dressed officials, boisterous song and dance performances, and lavish local feasts, Cohen and Nephthys had to once again brace themselves and deal with the entire tedious official process with smiles on their faces.

By the time all the ceremonies and banquets finally ended, it was already quite late.

Governor Calvin then led several key personnel, including the head of the government of Mosa Province and Brendan Hari, the president of the Mage Guild who had previously welcomed Cohen, to a relatively private reception room to discuss the "real business" of their trip with Cohen.

Governor Calvin, his face still bearing that warm, welcoming smile, gestured to a shrewd-looking middle-aged official beside him and introduced him to Cohen:

"Your Highness, this is Baron Edwin Stevens, the governor of Mosa Province. He is in charge of all the daily affairs of Mosa Province and has a great understanding of the local customs, geography and historical sites."

Then, the conversation smoothly shifted to the main topic:

"I heard that Your Highness's inspection of the 'Liuhuo District' this time is to search for an ancient site in the province of Mosha."

If it is convenient for Your Highness, you may provide Baron Stevens with the specific address or clues.

He could personally lead the team, dispatching local guides and guards familiar with the terrain to accompany His Highness and Lady Nephthys on their expedition, ensuring everything went smoothly and saving His Highness considerable time and energy.

Cohen smiled slightly and said:

"Your Excellency is very kind, but I'm not really sure about the exact location of the ruins."

It was only from some ancient books that we accidentally obtained some vague clues pointing to the Mosa Province, and it was hard to tell whether they were true or false.

Once we arrive at the destination, it will probably take quite some time to explore, search, and confirm.

This is such a small matter; there's no need for the local government to make such a fuss.

The governor is extremely busy managing such a large district; I can explore it myself at my own pace.”

Cohen's refusal was understandable, but Calvin clearly had no intention of giving up this opportunity for close "accompaniment".

He waved his hands repeatedly and said sincerely:

"Your Highness, what are you saying? Serving you and ensuring your smooth and safe journey within the zone is my most important and core task at the moment."

Everything else can give way to this.

Seeing the other party's "loyal and devoted" attitude, Cohen did not insist and readily agreed.
"Since Your Excellency is so hospitable, then I will trouble you to make the arrangements."

Seeing that Cohen had finally relented, Calvin's face immediately lit up with an extremely happy and honored smile, as if he had received a great favor, and he quickly said:
"No trouble at all! No trouble at all!"

It is the greatest honor of my life, Calvin Freeman, to have the opportunity to serve Your Highness and to listen to Your Highness's teachings at close range.

Your Highness, please rest assured that all arrangements will be made to your satisfaction! (End of Chapter)