Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

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The visitor paused, then continued:

"Furthermore, according to the merchant guild that rented the lizard car, this Viscount Ian himself possesses the strength of a seventh-tier superhuman."

As for his female companion, she was indeed outstanding in appearance, and it is speculated that she might be his lover or a lady accompanying him.

In summary, these two people seem to be relatively wealthy noble tourists from a foreign country, and it is even very likely that they came here to experience exotic customs after watching the International Nobles Martial Arts Festival.

The other person's behavior patterns are also more consistent with those of upper-class, thrill-seeking aristocratic youths.

Upon hearing that they were from the Eastern Empire, Walter's expression softened considerably.

The saying goes, "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake." No matter how illustrious the background and power of "Viscount Ian" may be within the Eastern Empire, this is ultimately the territory of the Central Empire, the Lahasa Desert.

This is the territory that the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group has cultivated for many years, and outsiders must ultimately follow the local "rules".

Walter lowered his eyelids, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the wooden armrest of the chair, lost in a brief moment of contemplation and weighing of options.

A moment later, he looked up at the middle-aged man who had just handed him the intelligence:
"Faust, Hahn wants to pull off a heist, what do you think?"

The middle-aged man named Faust showed obvious hesitation on his face.

He adjusted his glasses, hesitated for a moment, and then cautiously answered:
"Commander, 'Flaming Red Lips' is recognized as the number one luxury goods giant on the continent. It is rumored that the real controller behind it has a very deep connection with the royal family of the Eastern Empire, and may even be one of the royal family's businesses."

This Viscount Ian is able to get involved with 'Flaming Lips' and even hold shares in it.

Therefore, he or his family may have some unknown close ties with members of the Eastern Empire's royal family.

Taking action against such a person carries a much higher risk factor than taking action against an ordinary wealthy merchant or nobleman.

Walter's eyes darkened.

"To put it bluntly, it's just a trading company. This is the Central Empire, not a place where these Eastern Region people can run wild!"

Upon hearing the vice-commander's clearly biased words, Faust's expression shifted slightly, and he said in a deep voice:

"But the people over there have given us a strict order, requiring us to maintain the highest level of vigilance in the near future and to strictly prohibit any unexpected complications, especially actions that might attract the attention of the authorities..."

He didn’t explicitly say who “the other side” was referring to, but Walter and even Hahn, who was kneeling on the ground, knew perfectly well.

After hearing Faust's reminder about the "deadly orders from above," Walter, far from showing the slightest fear or restraint, instead let out a cold laugh filled with deep resentment:
"Hmph, those pampered nobles and officials sitting in their offices, what do they know!"

With a mere flick of the upper lip and a casual "strictly prohibited" or "wait and see," they want us to stop everything indefinitely.

They make it sound so easy for them. We have so many brothers and so many mouths to feed, who will take care of us?

And then there's the monthly dividends and gifts that I have to hand over to them without fail; they should at least stop asking for them.

Besides, when has the Lahasa Desert ever truly been peaceful? What good is it to expect our Blazing Fire Mercenary Group to stop?

There are also many other forces, large and small, that are not subject to control in the desert, as well as bandit gangs.

They won't give the Governor's Mansion any face; they'll still rob us if they want to!

In the end, they'll reap the benefits, but we'll have to take the blame.

There's no such logic in the world!

After venting his anger with a string of muttered curses, Walter took a few deep breaths, glanced at Faust and Hahn kneeling on the ground, and lowered his voice:

"To put it another way, His Highness the Imperial Consort's carriage is still parked safely in the official residence in the provincial capital, and he hasn't even left the palace yet, has he?"

Faust intended to strongly dissuade this risky undertaking, especially at such a sensitive time.

However, after hearing Walter's words, he understood that the deputy commander's mind was made up, and any further persuasion would be futile and might even backfire.

He then stopped insisting on his own idea and changed his tune, saying:

"Yes, according to reports from our informants in the Governor's Office, His Highness the Emperor seems to have indeed been delayed by some personal matters."

It is expected that they will stay for some time before the actual inspection begins.

If the leader is indeed willing to do this job, then the action must be swift, and the matter must be resolved quickly before the enemy ventures deep into the desert and comes into contact with other forces.

Moreover, we must be discreet and leave no survivors or any evidence that could point to us.

Most importantly, the number of people who are informed and implement the directives must be kept to a minimum.

Walter nodded slowly, clearly having made his final decision.

Without further hesitation, he began issuing specific instructions:

"Faust, you'll be in charge of arranging and coordinating this matter. Call in the leaders of the 'Ember Fang Brotherhood' and 'Sand Shadow Blade'."

Walter reported two notorious bandit gangs in the Lahasa Desert.

"Two seventh-tier members plus you, an eighth-tier member, along with a group of quicksand snakes, are enough to ensure a foolproof victory against a noble scion who is only seventh-tier."

Remember, that pilot can't be spared either; he can be disguised as a magical beast for an attack.

The quicksand serpent is one of the most feared apex predator monsters in the Lahasa Desert. They usually live in groups, can manipulate quicksand, and are adept at sneaking and ambushing their prey from beneath the sand, dragging them into the deep sand to suffocate and devour them.

It is a nightmare for all desert travelers and one of the main causes of missing persons and deaths.

If you were to encounter a medium-sized or larger swarm of quicksand snakes, unless you possess legendary-level strength, it would be difficult to escape unscathed.

The Blazing Fire Mercenary Group secretly kept many quicksand snakes, using their "attacks" to take the blame—it was a perfect cover-up.

Faust nodded slowly, indicating that he had fully understood the vice-commander's intentions.

Hahn, who had been kneeling on the ground and listening intently, suddenly brightened up upon hearing this and volunteered:

“I know that convoy, and I’ve seen the driver and the lizard car. Let me go with them.”

I can help them find their target faster, and I'm more familiar with the terrain in that area.

Walter was a shrewd and experienced man; how could he not see through his nephew's despicable thoughts?

The cold gaze lingered on Hahn's face for a moment, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes, but he ultimately did not speak out.

Fine, since he's in the know, let this good-for-nothing nephew participate and make a contribution; that will at least salvage some of the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group's lost face.

He snorted coldly:
"Remember, all actions must be absolutely in accordance with Faust's arrangements and commands."

Hahn's face immediately lit up with joy, and he said repeatedly:
"Yes, yes, I will definitely be obedient!"

Faust bowed slightly, glanced expressionlessly at the ecstatic Hahn, and turned to walk out of the hall first.

Hahn quickly got up from the ground, not even bothering to brush the dust off his knees, and followed closely behind, already fantasizing about the exhilarating scene of revenge that would soon follow.

……

Amidst the endless golden sea of ​​yellow sand, the magnificent lizard-drawn carriage, pulled by a gold-tier fire-armored lizard, stands out like a mobile treasure trove, long since becoming the focus of countless greedy eyes in the desert.

Since officially entering the core area of ​​the Lahasa Desert five days ago, Cohen and his group have encountered three waves of sand bandit attacks of different sizes.

However, most of these attacking bandits were just a rabble, with the strongest being at the peak of the Silver Rank, and not even a single Gold Rank transcendent appeared.

Cohen had no interest in personally dealing with this level of harassment.

This provided a good opportunity to give Nephthys a chance to practice in real combat. The sorceress had recently broken through to the Silver rank and needed a lot of real combat to consolidate her level and become familiar with her new powers and spells.

These reckless bandits became the perfect sparring partners.

As the sun sets, it paints the boundless sand dunes with a magnificent yet desolate golden-red hue.

The temperature in the desert began to drop rapidly, and the howling wind carried a chill.

Cohen glanced at the darkening sky, raised his voice slightly, and asked Lanris, the driver of the Fire Armored Lizard, through the front window of the carriage:
How far are we from the next oasis supply point?

Upon hearing the voice, Lanris, who was completely focused on driving the lizard-shaped chariot, quickly turned around and respectfully replied:
"Replying to your question, sir, it's estimated to be another half-day's journey."

Cohen hesitated for a moment, then quickly made a decision:

"Let's call it a day then. Find a relatively sheltered spot on the back of a sand dune and prepare to set up camp for the night." "Yes, sir."

Lanris responded, his voice seemingly tinged with relief.

He then skillfully maneuvered the reins, guiding the Fire Armored Reptile to slowly turn and find a suitable campsite.

The lizard car that Cohen rented was much more spacious and comfortable inside than it looked from the outside. It had obviously been specially modified by the Chamber of Commerce at great expense, making it a veritable mobile mini-luxury palace.

The interior of the carriage is divided into two sections: the front section is an area for short meetings and rest, while the rear section is a more private bedroom.

The interior of the vehicle is covered with thick, soft carpets, and the walls are inlaid with magic arrays that provide constant temperature and sound insulation. There are even small refrigerators and heating magic devices for storing and preparing simple foods.

The resourceful Nefertis quickly used the ingredients and utensils available in the car to prepare several exquisite and delicious snacks and a pot of fragrant herbal tea, which were neatly arranged on a fixed small table.

These snacks, though not as elaborate and luxurious as imperial cuisine, are refreshing and delicious, making them more suitable for consumption during a dry desert journey.
Outside the vehicle, the driver, Lanris, very conscientiously took out some coarse grain cakes and a small piece of salted dried meat that he had prepared in advance from his bag. He found a relatively clean and flat sandy spot and began to eat them silently with the water from his water bag.

At the beginning of the journey, Cohen, out of courtesy, invited Lanlis to join him for a meal in the carriage.

But Lanris was a sensible man; he knew his place very well and politely and firmly declined the offer.

He preferred to maintain this clear master-servant distance, as it was easier for both of them.

As the journey progressed, especially after experiencing the various ups and downs before and after entering the desert, Lanris's heart was filled with an indescribable sense of awe for his two unfathomable employers.

Initially at the supply oasis, this "Viscount Ian" dared to attack without hesitation when faced with the strong coercion of the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group. With a single blow, he severely injured and forced back two notorious elite mercenaries. The gold-rank strength and decisive style he displayed had already shocked Lanris.

What terrified and even baffled him even more was the scene of being attacked by sand bandits in the desert in the following days.

He originally thought the Viscount was impressive enough, but he never expected that the "Viscountess," who had remained quietly in the carriage for most of the journey and whose beauty was breathtaking, would be even more formidable.

Once they start fighting, their methods are so bizarre and their power so terrifying that they seem even more unpredictable than that old man!

Among the attacking bandits were some fierce and cunning desperados.

However, they were no match for this seemingly weak lady, and some of them inexplicably went mad and began to attack their own companions.

Some people seemed to have their souls ripped out in an instant, standing there blankly, at the mercy of others. Others even seemed to see extremely terrifying hallucinations, screaming and turning to flee into the depths of the desert, where they eventually died of thirst.

Various bizarre and incomprehensible phenomena have emerged one after another.

This terrifying ability to kill silently and manipulate people's hearts brought Lanlis a shock and fear far more profound than the overwhelming force that directly crushed the enemy.

Now, whenever he looks at that quiet carriage, his eyes are filled with undisguised awe and fear, and his words and actions have become more cautious and respectful.

He was certain that these two employers were the most mysterious, terrifying, and untouchable passengers he had ever driven in his life. He only hoped to complete the mission safely and then get far away from these two menacing figures.

Lanris mechanically chewed the dry, tasteless coarse grain biscuit in his mouth, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with worry and unease. He muttered to himself, as if trying to relieve the immense pressure in his heart:
"That Hahn is the nephew of a vice-captain of the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group. This time, he lost face in front of so many people and was seriously injured."

Given their mercenary group's vengeful nature, this matter will absolutely not be left unresolved; they will definitely find a way to retaliate.

He swallowed the food in his mouth with difficulty, his gaze unconsciously drifting to the luxurious lizard-shaped carriage gleaming in the afterglow of the setting sun, his expression becoming more complicated:

"But these two in the carriage are clearly not good people either. The master is ruthless and decisive, and the madam's methods are even more unpredictable. I really don't know whether taking on this job is a blessing or a curse. It's like dancing on the edge of a knife."

Lanris felt like an ant caught between two enormous forces, about to be crushed to pieces at any moment.

After talking to himself for a while, Lanris felt his throat was a little dry.

He shook his head, as if trying to shake off these annoying thoughts, picked up the leather water pouch lying on the ground beside him, uncorked it, tilted his head back, and prepared to drink a few mouthfuls of water to catch his breath.

Suddenly, he smelled an unusually familiar, slightly fishy odor.

"Ok?"

Lanris froze abruptly; that smell…

The next second, the hairs on his body stood on end, and a chilling coldness shot from his tailbone straight to the top of his head like lightning.

This unique, earthy, and bloody stench was, for Lanris, a seasoned driver who had spent years traversing the Lahasa Desert and witnessed countless life-or-death situations, an ingrained signal of death and disaster.

"It's...it's a quicksand snake!"
And it was a quicksand snake that had just hunted, still smelling of fresh blood!

The terrifying thought exploded in his mind like a thunderclap.

He was all too familiar with this smell. Only quicksand snakes that had just finished hunting from beneath the sand and whose bodies were stained with the blood of their prey would emit such a distinctly fishy odor when they were moving at high speed.

Moreover, judging from the concentration of the odor and the direction it was coming from... there was more than one enemy, and they were rapidly approaching their vehicle from downwind!

Lanlis no longer cared about the dry rations or water pouches. As if his buttocks had been burned by a red-hot iron, he suddenly leaped up from the ground.

They scrambled and stumbled as they frantically rushed toward the lizard-shaped vehicle.

Inside the carriage, Cohen, who was leisurely enjoying his snacks and talking quietly with Nephthys, keenly sensed the commotion outside almost at the same time that Lanris suddenly erupted.

He frowned slightly, put down the silver teacup in his hand, raised his hand to lift the silk curtain of the car window next to him, and looked outside.

Just then, they saw the usually honest and unassuming driver, Lanris, now looking as if he had seen a ghost, scrambling and crawling towards the carriage, shouting incoherently.

Cohen looked out the car window at Lanris's panicked expression, raised an eyebrow, and asked:
"What, have we been attacked by sand bandits again?"

Lanlis had already scrambled to the car, clinging desperately to the edge of the window. He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, and his face was deathly pale from extreme fear and frantic running.

"No, not sand bandits, but quicksand snakes, quicksand snakes."

"Sir, it looks like a swarm of quicksand snakes is heading straight for us!"

When Cohen heard the words "Quicksand Snake," his expression turned serious.

Before deciding to venture deep into the Lahasa Desert, he naturally did his homework, gaining a deep understanding of the various deadly creatures in this sea of ​​death, especially the infamous quicksand snake.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked a crucial question:

"Lanris, you're a veteran driver who's driven this road hundreds of times."

You should know exactly which areas in the Lahasa Desert are the dens where the quicksand snakes usually hide and frequently appear.

"This route we've chosen was carefully planned by you. Will it pass through such high-risk areas?"

Lanris's violently fluctuating emotions seemed to calm down a little. He paused for a moment, then subconsciously replied:
"Absolutely not, sir."

This route is one of the most familiar and safest trade routes I take.

I've traveled this route at least a hundred times, and I know the terrain, water sources, and potential risks along the way very well.

The area we are in now is not in the traditional range of the Sand Snake.

The geology and prey distribution here are also unsuitable for them to establish nests.

"I've been running this route for so many years, and I've never encountered a quicksand snake before."

A playful smile flashed in Cohen's eyes as he said:
"Alright, don't worry. Just stay near the car and don't move. I guarantee you'll be safe and sound!"

Lanris was immediately alarmed when he heard Cohen's nonchalant response, which showed that he didn't care about the quicksand snake at all.

He assumed that this nobleman was used to a life of luxury and had only heard about the horrors of the quicksand snakes from books or rumors, but had never personally experienced their true terror.

He no longer cared about hierarchy or etiquette, gripping the edge of the car window tightly with both hands, and explained in an almost tearful voice:
"Master! Master!"

You...you probably really don't understand.

While individual Sand Serpents may not be top-tier in terms of average level, their most terrifying aspect is that they live in groups.

And then there's their elusive, manipulative sand-controlling ability.

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his face filled with despair and a desperate plea:
"Once a medium-sized or larger quicksand snake swarm is mobilized, they can even instantly change the terrain and create quicksand traps that devour everything."

"At that time, no matter how strong you are personally, once you are surrounded by endless quicksand and swarms of snakes, even a Gold-rank expert might not be able to escape unscathed!"

Lanris had one more thing he didn't say: "You're a Gold-rank expert, but I'm not. If an attack comes, I won't even last a minute!" (End of Chapter)