Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

After Cohen swiftly dealt with the Blazing Mercenary Group and successfully recruited Faust to his side, laying a trap for him, the rest of the journey proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

For the remainder of their journey, Cohen and Nephthys encountered no further large-scale bandit attacks.

Occasionally, a few groups of petty thieves would appear, but they were easily dealt with by Nephthys's casual mind illusions without Cohen even having to lift a finger.

The group successfully traversed the vast and dangerous Lahasa Desert and officially entered their destination—the Mosa Province, located in the southeastern part of the "Blazing Fire Zone".

Upon entering the territory of the Mosa province, the surrounding scenery becomes significantly different from that in the heart of the desert.

Although the climate remains dry and hot, more drought-resistant vegetation and scattered oases are beginning to appear on the land, and the outlines of undulating mountains can even be seen in the distance.

Signs of human activity have increased significantly, and villages and post stations of varying sizes have begun to appear along the route.

Outside a relatively bustling border town, Cohen signaled to Miyako Lanris to stop the lizard carriage.

After getting off the bus, he casually tossed the other person a bag of gold coins and said in a calm tone:
"You've had a tough journey. This is your reward, enough for you to live comfortably for a while."

Seeing Lanlis's somewhat bewildered and helpless expression, he continued:
"Things might get turbulent in the Lahasa Desert soon. If you stay here, you'll likely be targeted by certain people and could end up dead."

I have arranged a job for you in the capital, Constantinople. Take this bag of gold coins and set off for the capital immediately.

Once you arrive, someone will be there to meet you and arrange everything for you.

Having traveled all over the country for so many years, Lanlis, though taciturn and silent, was not truly a fool, and naturally understood Cohen's intentions in making this arrangement.

He did not refuse, especially since he could leave this place of trouble and go to the most prosperous and safest capital of the empire.

And he also had a promising job, which was an incredible blessing that he never dared to dream of.

He hurriedly took the money bag with trembling hands, then knelt down with a thud, so excited he was incoherent:

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you for your great kindness!"
The villain must be…

Cohen casually waved his hand, interrupting his expression of gratitude:
"Go."

After saying that, he said no more and turned back to his car.

Lanlis kowtowed several more times before carefully putting away his money bag and leaving with profuse thanks.

He knew that his ordinary life was about to undergo a dramatic change because of this extraordinary encounter.

After parting ways with Lanlis, Cohen made a brief stop in the town.

He personally rode the docile golden-tier fire-armored lizard, carrying Nephthys, and steadily advanced towards the area deep within the Mosha Province marked as the possible location of the "Akauran Temple," guided by intelligence provided by the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Meanwhile, at the official residence in the provincial capital, Governor Calvin Freeman, having received the Rose Guard's statement that "His Highness left last night," also began his operation.

Although Rose Guardian said that Cohen had only been gone for one night, Calvin certainly wouldn't believe it. He strongly suspected that the so-called injury to Nephthys was just a smokescreen.

That shrewd and calculating Prince Consort has most likely already left the capital quietly, and may even be secretly conducting an investigation into Calvin Freeman.

He personally led a small team of trusted elites under the pretext of "patrolling the border" and sped toward the border between Mosa Province and the Lahasa Desert.

On one hand, they secretly mobilized their long-established intelligence network and issued the highest priority order:
At all costs, a secret investigation is being conducted into all suspicious travelers or caravans that have recently entered Mosa province from the capital, especially those heading into its interior and southern border regions.

The key target of the investigation is a young woman with stunning looks and extraordinary temperament.

Calvin dared not openly use the portrait of the Emperor Consort to investigate, but he had far fewer concerns about Nephthys, given her striking features.

Calvin's judgment was undoubtedly correct.

Nephthys's stunning beauty and unique charisma made her stand out wherever she went, like a jewel in the night, and she was extremely difficult to completely conceal.

Sure enough, not long after, an urgent secret report was delivered to Calvin, who was on his way to Mosa Province, through a special communication channel.

The source of the intelligence was the "Sand Boat Chamber of Commerce," a well-known and sizable chamber of commerce located in "Sandstone City," a major town on the border of the Lahasa Desert, which specializes in desert animal rentals and high-end guide services.

The president of the "Shazhou Chamber of Commerce" is a well-known and influential figure in the town.

At this moment, however, he looked like a primary school student who had made a mistake, leaning slightly forward, his hands nervously clasped in front of him, standing awkwardly in the center of the room.

My forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, and I didn't even dare to raise my hand to wipe it away.

He couldn't understand how his ordinary merchant guild and his ordinary business of renting high-level magical beast vehicles could have alarmed the highest ruler of the "Blazing Fire Division"—Governor Calvin Freeman—who personally came and so sternly questioned him about the details.

Under Calvin's intimidating gaze, the chairman dared not conceal or exaggerate anything, revealing everything he knew.

He recounted in great detail how the extraordinary "Viscount and Viscount Ian" arrived at the Chamber of Commerce, how they chose their vehicle and driver, how they conversed, and even some of their subtle gestures and the impressions they gave him.

Calvin listened expressionlessly until the chairman finished speaking, then fell into a brief silence, seemingly digesting and confirming the information.

After a moment, Calvin slowly raised his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at the guild master, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger:
"So, according to you, the people who came to rent the car were a middle-aged nobleman who claimed to be from the Eastern Empire, with an ordinary appearance and a calm demeanor, and this..."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over a portrait spread out on the table, meticulously painted by an artist, bearing a striking resemblance to Nephthys.

"And this young lady whose face is veiled?"

The president quickly bowed and replied cautiously:

"Yes, Your Excellency the Governor."

Calvin pointed to the portrait again and repeated:
"Are you sure the woman you saw was the person in the portrait?"

Upon hearing this, the president answered with almost no hesitation and with unusual certainty:

“Your Excellency, I think any man who has seen a woman of this caliber once would find it hard to forget her for the rest of his life.”

Although the young lady initially concealed most of her face with a light veil, the contours of her eyes and the expression in her brows were exactly the same as in the portrait. I am certain it is the same person.

Calvin frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

A middle-aged nobleman?

This seems inconsistent with His Highness the Emperor's true image of being young. Is it some kind of disguise?

He then asked:

"Has the driver returned?"

The president quickly shook his head, a hint of confusion on his face:
"Your Excellency, not yet."

Lanris is one of our guild's most experienced drivers. Logically, after traveling for so long, he should have contacted us along the way. But this time it's been unusual; we haven't received any news at all..."

He seemed to sense that something was wrong as well.

A glint flashed in Calvin's eyes; this was undoubtedly another suspicious sign.

Calvin immediately said:
"When he returns, immediately have him come to the Governor's Mansion to see me."

"Yes, my lord."

After Calvin waved away the guild master, only he and Brendan Harley, the guild master of the Favorite Mage Guild, remained in the room.

Brendan, standing to the side, whispered:
"My lord, for His Highness the Emperor, it is not difficult to temporarily change one's appearance, physique, or even age using magic or other special means."

I tend to believe that the 'middle-aged nobleman, Viscount Ian' mentioned by the Chamber of Commerce president is very likely His Highness the Emperor himself in disguise.

Governor Calvin sighed:

"Of course I know that. What I don't understand is why His Highness would get rid of us without saying a word."

Is it simply a dislike of pomp and circumstance, an aversion to being monitored and disturbed, or has he already sensed something...?

Brendan was well aware of Calvin's concerns.

That young royal consort didn't become famous by being a kept man.

His rise to power was itself full of legend and ruthless struggle.

Before his performance at the Noble Martial Arts Festival shocked the continent, he already had a terrifying record of directly confronting two great empires and shattering the Noble Council and Prince Xia Zuo of the Eastern Region Empire's elaborate schemes with thunderous force.

His deep scheming, ruthless methods, and formidable strength have long been known throughout high-level circles.

If they were truly targeted by such a powerful figure, they would definitely not have a good ending.

Calvin pondered for a moment and said:
"We still need to find out the exact whereabouts and final destination of His Highness and the others in the two days after they left the capital."

Brendan suppressed his thoughts and replied in a deep voice:
"Based on the timeline, they should have already entered the Lahasa Desert."

At this point, Brendan's brow furrowed deeply, his face showing intense unease and worry: "What I'm most worried about right now is that their high-profile entry into the desert will easily attract the attention of various forces within it. What if..."

Upon hearing this, Calvin's expression changed drastically; he suddenly realized Cohen's purpose in doing so.

Hiring the top-tier magical beast mounts, plus Nephthys's stunning beauty that wasn't concealed much.

How could those lawless, greedy desert bandits and mercenaries not be attracted?

How could I not have covetous thoughts?

Without a doubt, this was Cohen's deliberate bait to lure those bandits into a trap!
After instantly realizing the true intentions behind Cohen's high-profile actions, Governor Calvin was struck dumb.

His voice changed, and he asked urgently:

"Brendan, didn't you already give a death order?"

Brendan was startled by the governor's almost out-of-control questioning and quickly replied:

"The subordinates of the forces we directly control and can contact have indeed conveyed your strict orders, and they dare not openly disobey them."

But the Lahasa Desert is vast and boundless, teeming with bandit gangs of all sizes, and many are lone wolves, desperate outlaws. What if they…”

In fact, Brendan harbored a deeper, more unspoken worry:

Even though he had given a death order, he was still faced with the bait that Cohen had laid out.

That luxurious lizard carriage, pulled by a gold-tier magical beast and symbolizing immense wealth, especially the beautiful Miss Nephthys, who seemed almost otherworldly.

This was too tempting for those ruthless bandits who spent years in the desert, living on the edge, greedy and lawless.

It was so great that it could drive people to take risks and even make them temporarily forget the governor's strict orders.

If some fool, blinded by the astonishing wealth and beauty, were to recklessly pounce on her, the consequences would be...

Brendan didn't dare to think any further.

Governor Calvin, now in a state of utter confusion, failed to notice Brendan's subtle reaction of fear and gave an almost roaring order:
"Quickly, go and check if there have been any large-scale battles or conflicts in the Lahasa Desert recently, or if any large bandit gangs have been attacked. Report any unusual activity to me immediately."

His intuition told him that something terrible must have happened.

The governor's orders were quickly carried out, and before long, he received intelligence that left him utterly devastated.

The person who came to deliver the intelligence was none other than Walter, the vice-leader of the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group and Hahn's uncle, who had just received the devastating news.

Walter's face showed lingering fear and "immense grief" at the loss of his loved ones.

Rather than reporting on the situation, he was more likely there to complain.

He certainly wouldn't dare say that his nephew had been blinded by lust and greed, disobeying the governor's death order and actively pursuing that stunning woman and her wealth, which led to his utter destruction.

He claimed he would provide protection for the other party, but upon arrival, the other party refused to pay and instead murdered his nephew and members of the mercenary group.

Walter is still making accusations:

"My lord, those scum from the Eastern Empire... they're too arrogant! Too vicious! They've gone too far!"

Out of consideration for their status as foreign nobles, our Blazing Fire Mercenary Group kindly dispatched an elite squad to escort them across the dangerous desert.

But who knew! Once they reached safety, they...they turned on them and refused to acknowledge their relationship!

Not only did they refuse to pay the huge commission they had previously agreed upon, but they also suddenly launched an attack!
They murdered my nephew Hahn and several of our loyal brothers in an extremely cruel manner.

You must do me justice!

However, how could his flawed and evasive explanation possibly fool the cunning Calvin and the meticulous Brendan?
Brendan was furious. He knew that Walter's lies couldn't fool him. It must have been the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group who were lusting after him and trying to force him to buy something.

In the end, they were all captured by Cohen.

He couldn't hold back any longer. He jumped up from his chair, rushed to Walter, kicked him to the ground, and cursed loudly:
"Damn it, what did I tell you back then!"

Didn't I repeatedly warn you all to stay put and not cause trouble?
You bastard!

You yourselves are blinded by greed and have become incredibly audacious.

He can't resist beautiful women and money.

If you're looking to die, why drag the entire "Blazing Fire Division" down with you?

This final roar struck Walter like a thunderbolt.

Will the entire "Blazing Fire Zone" be dragged down with it?
This statement reveals a lot of information; could it be that...?

Only then did he realize that he might have made a fatal mistake.

Could the other party's identity be far more complex than simply being a "noble of the Eastern Empire"?
Brendan's words, filled with chilling fear and the word "to be buried with," instantly reminded him of a supreme being he would never dare to touch or even imagine.

Walter's heart clenched suddenly, and before he could explain, a chilling voice rang out:

"killed!"

As soon as Governor Calvin finished speaking, an invisible wave suddenly shot out from the shadows behind Walter, piercing his heart with perfect precision.

The latter felt a sharp pain in his heart, and the look of fear and attempt to explain on his face instantly froze.

The next moment, the light in his eyes completely dimmed, his body slumped forward, and he fell heavily onto the cold floor.

A vice-leader of a mercenary group who had dominated the Lahasa Desert for many years was easily wiped out like an ant.

Governor Calvin slowly closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently as if he were trying his best to suppress the turbulent waves and overwhelming killing intent surging within him.

A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes and commanded decisively:
"The Blazing Fire Mercenary Group cannot be allowed to live. Kill them all."

Brendan, who was standing nearby, changed his expression instantly upon hearing this crazy and extreme order.

He hurriedly stepped forward and urgently tried to dissuade him:

"No, sir, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting guilt without being asked?"
The Blazing Fire Mercenary Group has been entrenched in the Lahasa Desert for many years, with deep-rooted influence and numerous connections with various parties.

If someone were to suddenly uproot them all, or if all the top executives were to mysteriously disappear or be silenced, that would be a huge commotion.

This will inevitably attract great attention and speculation from all sides.

No matter how clean we are at that time, it's hard to guarantee that we won't leave any clues.

If someone with ulterior motives discovers that we were the ones who did it, wouldn't that be blatantly telling them that we have a guilty conscience, that the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group has close ties to us, and that we are killing them to cover our tracks?

Brendan's shout finally calmed Calvin's mind, which had been clouded by panic and anger.

He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to regain his composure.

Admittedly, Brendan's concerns were very valid. At such a sensitive time, a large-scale purge of forces secretly connected to him would indeed be too conspicuous and extremely risky.

"Now what?"

Brendan breathed a slight sigh of relief when he saw that the governor had heeded his advice.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly offered his suggestion:

"My lord, since His Highness the Emperor has never publicly revealed his true royal identity from beginning to end, and has always acted under the false identity of 'Viscount Ian, a nobleman of the Eastern Empire'."

So let's just go with the flow and pretend we don't know anything about his real identity.

What is happening now can be explained as a group of noble tourists from the Eastern Empire, who are of considerable status and power, encountering the covetousness and attack of a notorious bandit gang and a small group of the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group while crossing the Lahasa Desert.

In the end, the nobles, with their superior strength and guards, turned the tables and killed the foolish bandits.

This explanation, while not exactly flattering for our district's reputation for law and order, is at most just a routine security incident involving a conflict between foreign nobles and local gangsters.

No matter how much we investigate, it won't involve the Governor-General's Office or you personally, sir.

Our most urgent and core task now is no longer dealing with the mess left by the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group.

Instead, we must hurry and find His Highness the Emperor's whereabouts, intercepting him before he discovers any more information!

Calvin took a deep breath, composed himself, and followed Cohen's footsteps to the province of Mosa.

...(End of chapter)