Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Cohen fell into a long silence, his gaze seemingly piercing through the walls of the stone chamber, fixed on a possible future.

The news brought by Mavis stirred up ripples in his heart.

From the perspective of the most direct reason and righteousness, the wisest choice seems self-evident.

Immediately expose the insane plan of the Demon Lord Thrall and the Pillar Demon God Valak.

With his multiple identities as the King of Efein, the Son of Prophecy, and the Imperial Consort of the Central Empire, coupled with his good relationship with the God of Prophecy, the God of Ice, and even the Goddess of Light, he is fully capable of delivering this crucial information directly to the ears of the gods.

At that time, the gods who maintain order will absolutely not sit idly by and allow such a demon army to appear in the prime plane before the announcement of the covenant of the gods, thus having an unpredictable impact on the gods' plans.

They will inevitably head to the abyss to completely seal or even destroy these abyssal pillars from the outside, thus thwarting Thrall's ambitions.

He, Cohen, will become the hero who thwarts the abyss's conspiracy, saves the lost land and the human continent, and wins unparalleled fame and the favor of the gods.

This script sounds perfect.

But a realistic voice resonated deep within him: Is this really the choice that best serves his interests?
The halo of a savior is dazzling, but it often means the shackles of responsibility.

However, a potential army of demons can become the perfect tool.

Let the threat of evil deal with the enemy, let them weaken each other through mutual attrition, while he can sit back and wait for the crucial moment to clean up the mess as a savior.

While such operations carry enormous risks, the potential rewards are equally astonishing.

The situation on the mainland has long been like a volcano about to erupt.

The order of the gods is crumbling, and various forces are gearing up for battle. Future wars and catastrophes are almost a foregone conclusion.

In an era destined to be littered with corpses and rivers of blood, the addition of another demonic legion would only make this chaotic feast a little bloodier.

The death toll may rise, but the nature of the world will not fundamentally change as a result.

If I were to rashly step forward and play the role of "savior" at this moment, what would I gain besides some vague fame and the "favor" that the gods might bestow upon me?
The Lost Lands have been stained with chaos and bloodshed since their very inception.

Its order is based on the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, so what if it becomes a little more chaotic?
More importantly, chaos is the breeding ground for ambitious people and the best catalyst for breaking the old order.

The more chaotic the place, the more room and stage I have to perform.

More importantly, if he were to personally thwart Thrall's demon army plan right now...

He would then immediately become the mortal enemy of the Demon Lord Thrall and the Pillar Demon God Valak behind him, which would be tantamount to putting himself in opposition to an extremely powerful and insane enemy in advance.

Other oasis factions might thank him, but such gratitude is powerless in the face of self-interest.

At most, they owe him a favor that may never be repaid, but they will not willingly submit to him because of it.

Conversely, if he chooses to remain inactive for the time being, or even secretly encourages the Demon Lord Thrall to successfully "release" the demon army from the abyss.

So when the devil's iron hooves truly trample the land of the lost, bringing devastating panic, the situation will become extremely favorable to him.

At that time, the entire Lost Land will be plunged into unprecedented disaster and despair. Those oasis forces that usually control their own territory and are unruly will have no choice but to collapse or seek a powerful protector when faced with this demonic legion that cannot be fathomed by common sense.

At that time, Cohen will be able to rally his troops with his past record of defeating powerful enemies and his well-equipped and well-trained Effie army.

Faced with absolute fear and the need to survive, all the forces in the Lost Lands will have no choice but to rally under his banner; he will become their only hope!
He could naturally step forward as a "savior" to lead the war against the demons.

He will not only save this land, but also bring the entire Lost Land under his control without shedding a drop of blood!

Moreover, once news of a large-scale demonic army appearing in the Lost Lands reaches the ears of the surrounding human kingdoms, it will inevitably cause great panic and vigilance throughout the entire human world.

With border tensions high and countries preoccupied with their own problems, he can more easily use the pretext of "resisting the invasion of demons" to infiltrate the interiors of these countries and open a breakthrough for his future, larger-scale plans.

Thinking of this, Cohen's gaze involuntarily drifted toward Mavis.

He hadn't forgotten that Mavis and Melantha were remnants of the Arcane Empire's royal bloodline, possessing the legal authority to rule the entire "Lost Lands."

At that time, he will have the legitimate title of "orphan of the Arcane Empire" and the unparalleled achievement of "repelling demons and saving the world".

The combination of these two factors will provide him with impeccable legitimacy and powerful appeal for completely conquering and ruling this vast and chaotic land!

This is far more sophisticated and stable than simply relying on force for a bloody conquest.

Cohen took a deep breath and slowly told Mavis the strategic blueprint that had taken shape in his mind.

He deliberately concealed key information about the bloodline of the Arcane Empire, only recounting his plan to use the demon legions to create chaos and then integrate the lost lands as a savior.

Since Melantha has chosen to keep this secret from her sister, Cohen also chooses to respect her choice.

Mavis, after listening, did not express any objection, and said:

"That sounds good, let's do it that way."

How can I cooperate with you?

Cohen then asked:

"Based on your estimate, how long will it take for Sal's plan to be completed?"

After a moment's thought, Mavis said:
"It will probably take another month for these channels to be imprinted."

Once the passage is completely secured, Sal will then proceed with troop concentration, pre-battle mobilization, and other preparations. The actual military action is expected to take two to three months.

Cohen estimated the time, which was roughly the same as the time it would take him to deal with Ceylon.

Perfect timing! By the time Thrall officially unleashes the frenzy of the demon war in the Lost Lands, he should have already withdrawn from the Ceylon battlefield and can wholeheartedly shift his strategic focus to the comprehensive conquest of the "Lost Lands".

With the important business concluded, the tense atmosphere in the stone chamber immediately eased considerably.

The two couldn't help but embrace again, whispering sweet nothings. Feeling Mavis's soft body in his arms and the faint fragrance emanating from her hair, Cohen felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

If the time and place weren't so inappropriate, he would have loved to execute this noble and alluring "musician" right there in this humble stone chamber, and properly console himself for the pain of separation after so many days.

After a long and intimate moment, Cohen finally managed to suppress the romantic thoughts in his heart.

He took out a silver runestone that emitted a faint spatial fluctuation from his pocket and solemnly placed it in Mavis's palm.

"Be careful with everything. This runestone was specially made by me. It contains a trace of the power of the spatial origin and can forcefully break the spatial blockade set up by Sal at a critical moment."

Remember, if you encounter an emergency you cannot handle, do not hesitate, and forget about the covert mission. Activate the evacuation plan immediately. Your safety is the most important thing!

Mavis gripped the runestone, still warm from Cohen's touch, a surge of warmth welling up within her. She looked up to meet Cohen's concerned gaze and nodded gently.
"it is good."

……

When Cohen reappeared in the secret chamber on the top floor of the Emerald Wing, Jennings, who had been waiting there, immediately rushed to greet him.

Cohen skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, issuing his orders:
"Jennings, a momentous upheaval is likely to erupt in Chaotic Demon Continent within the next two months."

I will send the most elite intelligence personnel from headquarters to reinforce you as soon as possible.

Starting today, all intelligence from the Shanghai station will be upgraded to the highest level, and a comprehensive briefing must be prepared daily and submitted directly to the Military Intelligence Bureau headquarters through top-secret channels.

These briefings had to be reviewed by Nephthys personally.

In particular, it is necessary to closely monitor the flow of all strategic materials in Shanghai and even the entire chaotic continent.

This includes the procurement, transportation, and storage of food, medicine, weapons, equipment, magic crystals, and especially large-scale war machines.

This must be kept under close surveillance; any unusual large-scale mobilization must be reported immediately!

Jennings listened to this series of extremely specific and serious instructions, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

He could clearly sense an impending storm brewing. This was no ordinary turmoil, but rather a harbinger of a large-scale war that could sweep across the entire Lost Lands!
Jennings took a deep breath, straightened his back, and solemnly replied:
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, all personnel at the Shanghai station will do their utmost, sparing no expense, to ensure the efficiency and smooth operation of the intelligence network, and will absolutely not betray Your Majesty's trust!"

Having explained everything, Cohen nodded slightly and said no more.

To avoid worrying Bayonetta, he quickly left the Emerald Wings and appeared directly in the witch's tower in the mysterious continent of Belmody.

At that moment, Belmody was pacing back and forth on the top of the tower, her nerves finally relaxed a little when she saw Cohen appear in front of her unharmed.

Without any delay, Cohen succinctly recounted to Belmody everything he had seen and heard in the mine and his meeting with Mavis.

When they heard that Mavis had not suffered any mishap and was only temporarily isolated due to a mission.

A look of relief finally appeared on Belmody's alluring face; the anxiety and worry that had been building up for days had finally dissipated completely.

Belmody showed no surprise or opposition to Cohen's decision to let Thrall build the demon army.

It was just a reminder:
"Although this plan is feasible, we should prepare in advance."

To avoid the demon legion's appearance causing excessive impact or even uncontrollable losses on the spheres of influence of our Mysterious Continent and the Endless Alliance.

Cohen nodded in agreement. Of course, he wouldn't stand by and watch the demon army wreak havoc on ordinary people. He said:

"It is indeed necessary to plan ahead."

I will transfer a group of priests and priests from the Church of Light who are proficient in purification and exorcism from the human continent as soon as possible.

In addition, I will personally contact the high-ranking officials of the Holy See of Light to sign some cooperation agreements in advance, since they are the real experts when it comes to dealing with demons.

Establishing good relationships in advance will give us more initiative in future major battles.

After finishing his official business, Cohen was about to leave when Vermouth suddenly spoke softly, asking a seemingly insignificant question:
"Do you have any other important business in Florence?"

This seemingly casual question, when heard by Cohen, made him instantly understand its hidden meaning.

He stopped, turned around and looked at Belmody, a slight smile with a hint of mockery and understanding slowly curving his lips.

Seeing that her younger sister was safe and sound, Vermouth, who had been tense, relaxed. A strange emptiness and loneliness made her meet Cohen's gaze and whisper:

"If there's nothing urgent, I'll stay here for a few more days."

I... um, I kind of miss you.

The sudden confession sent a shiver down Cohen's spine. He stared into Vermouth's eyes and said slowly:

"There's nothing urgent. It's been a long time since I've been to the Endless Alliance."

I've spent the last couple of days with Bei Jie, wandering around the Lost Lands.

Before he finished speaking, he had already reached out and gently embraced Belmody's slender and supple waist.

Belmody did not resist at all; instead, she pressed herself against his chest.

A hint of alluring smile flashed in her eyes, and her fair fingertips gently traced the fabric of Cohen's clothes.

As if releasing a signal, Cohen's breathing suddenly became heavy.

The air in the secret chamber at the top of the witch's tower, filled with the scent of magical spices and ancient scrolls, seemed to instantly heat up, becoming ambiguous and enchanting.

Two figures, tightly embracing each other, slowly fell onto the bed covered with soft velvet, and a beautiful thing quietly unfolded.

...(End of chapter)