Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Cohen could read Grace's doubts and displeasure from her slightly narrowed eyes and unconsciously pursed lips, and couldn't help but sigh helplessly in his heart.

He explained sincerely:
“My dear prince, I already have such stunning beauties by my side, how could I possibly be interested in the ordinary women from that place?”
Even the most beautiful courtesan in the Eternal Night City couldn't compare to one ten-thousandth of your charm, so why should I bother making a fool of myself?"

Grace gave a soft snort and glanced sideways at Cohen:
"I haven't said anything yet, why are you in such a hurry to explain?"

Cohen gave an even more helpless, bitter smile, knowing that the more he explained, the more guilty he would appear.

Without saying anything more, he went to the ticket office and bought two first-class tickets to the Eternal Night City. Then he and Grace boarded a luxury ferry moored on the banks of the Blood Sulphur River.

This ferry has a distinctly hellish character, with its hull constructed from jet-black hell iron and dark red cast stone.

The sides of the ship were carved with hideous demon reliefs, and the sails were made from the wing membranes of some huge creature, which looked both luxurious and eerie in the blood-red river and the dim light of the sky.

As expected, Grace's stunning beauty and the alluring aura naturally exuded by a high-ranking succubus immediately attracted the attention of almost all the passengers as soon as she boarded the ship.

Unlike the ordinary merchants and arms dealers coming and going at the Painful Shipyard, those who are qualified and willing to pay a high price to ride this luxury ferry are all truly important figures in the Nine Hells Plane.

They could be devilish nobles who control a mine, powerful arms dealers with deep connections, or even envoys from other realms who come to discuss important matters.

Moreover, the destination of this voyage is the infamous "Eternal Night City," a place of bliss and indulgence renowned throughout all planes.

Therefore, most of the passengers on this luxury ferry were nobles from the Nine Prisons who came specifically for leisure, as well as prominent figures from the upper class.

When Grace's unparalleled beauty and the unique charm of a succubus noble appeared on the deck, it naturally aroused the restless desires of many young devil nobles who considered themselves of high status.

Their eyes gleamed with greed and desire, believing that their family background and status were enough to approach and strike up a conversation with this stunning "compatriot" who appeared to have come alone.

However, when the berserker demon guard that Cohen was disguised as unleashed a terrifying pressure far exceeding that of an ordinary peak gold-tier warrior, all the restlessness and delusions of those with ill intentions came to an abrupt halt.

It was a tremor that seemed to originate from the depths of their souls, making these spoiled young men immediately realize that the succubus before them was someone they could not afford to provoke.

They all lowered their heads or looked away, completely abandoning all unrealistic ideas.

Of course, there are also truly great figures, whose vision is deeper and more aggressive, but who are also better at assessing situations.

Upon seeing the berserker guard beside Grace, exuding the aura of a peak Gold rank, and the extraordinary demeanor of the two, he...

Most of them only cast an inquiring glance before politely looking away, but in their hearts they were all pondering the origins and purpose of this pair.

The little incident passed quickly.

With a deep whistle, the ferry slowly departed from the dock, heading along the ever-flowing Blood-Sulfur River towards the eternal night capital, a place of both allure and danger.

The rest of the voyage became unusually calm.

Propelled by the ceaseless crimson waves of the Blood-Sulfur River, the journey lasted three days and three nights.

A brightly lit city gradually appeared on the distant horizon.

The entire city radiates a dazzling light, like a giant jewel embedded in the dark earth, exuding an ultimate sense of luxury and magnificence even from a distance.

The towering spires shimmered like crystals, and neon-like magical light flowed through the wide streets. The outlines of countless palaces and entertainment venues appeared and disappeared in the light, as if beckoning to visitors from afar.

It's hard to imagine that such a luxurious city, similar to the human world, exists in the chaotic and insane Nine Hells plane.

When the eternal night, so full of endless charm, came into clear view, the entire ferry erupted in waves of enthusiastic cheers.

For most of the devilish nobles on the ship, this was the paradise they had always dreamed of.

In the eternal night city, they can indulge themselves to the fullest, enjoying all the desires built from the most extreme pain, the most psychedelic sensory stimulation, and the purest soul energy.

This is their refuge from the harsh rules of daily life in hell, a paradise where they can truly do whatever they want!
……

The heavy gangway sank with a crash, and the passengers disembarked, stepping onto this legendary land.

An unprecedented city rose like a behemoth from the vast steel plain, piercing the dark sky with an almost vertical posture.

The city's architectural style is an extremely exaggerated and distorted demonic Baroque style.

Everywhere you look, there are jagged, sharp steel spikes, like the fangs of a giant beast protruding menacingly from the building's surface.

The huge, intricate gears and drive shafts are not just decorative; they also rotate slowly, emitting a deep metallic rumble.

Man-made ditches run through the city, but instead of clear water, they flow with thick, pungent blood, turning the entire city a blood red.

The city was completely enveloped by a massive, dark red dome powered by magic.

The dome simulates a breathtaking, exhilarating vision of eternal night.

The dark red sky was dotted with blood-red stars and a huge, ominous purple moon, radiating an ominous glow.

There is no day in eternal night, only an endless night of revelry.

The most breathtaking feature is the countless holographic images that are constantly flashing and changing, embedded in the inner wall of the magic dome.

They depict the brutal battles of the most popular gladiators in the Eternal Night City amidst flying blood and gore in the arena, the alluring charm of succubi singing girls twisting their bodies on stage, and the mountains of soul coins piled up in the casino, with gamblers' frenzied and twisted expressions as they instantly become rich or go bankrupt.

Almost the instant they set foot on this land, all the visitors' senses and emotions were ignited by this overwhelming stimulation.

The scent of high-end spices and a frenzied atmosphere permeated the air, acting like the most potent medicine, directly affecting the depths of the soul.

Cheers, screams, and wild laughter instantly surged from all directions, drawing everyone into this eternal feast.

……

Upon entering the Eternal Night City, the first thing that catches the eye is the main thoroughfare famous throughout all planes—"Soul Rift Street".

The entire street was paved with a deep, dark glass, smooth as a mirror yet with faint blood-red patterns.

Every so often, the streets were marked with scarlet, glowing tracks, and multi-carriage trains, entirely crimson red, sped along these tracks, bringing with them gusts of scorching, bloody wind.

These red trains are the most common form of public transportation in Eternal Night City.

They are forged from hard hellfire iron, their bodies covered with sharp metal barbs, and they glide at high speeds on pre-set tracks.

The train's power source is a raging fire elemental core bound to the engine, and the constantly roaring elemental power propels the train tirelessly through every corner of this city that never sleeps.

Besides this most common form of public transportation, the mercenaries, demon knights, and nouveau riche of Eternal Night City prefer something called the Demon Soul Motorbike.

These two- or three-wheeled steel beasts are driven by captured elemental souls, their exhaust pipes spewing sulfurous flames and roaring like war behemoths.

Wherever they go, they inevitably attract attention and create a commotion, making them the undisputed street-shocking group of Eternal Night City.

Cohen and Grace's main purpose in coming to Eternal Night City was to find a key broker who could get them into contact with the upper echelons of Forge City.

In this city where money talks, to get in touch with truly influential middlemen, you must first demonstrate substantial financial resources and power; otherwise, no one will pay you any attention.

Therefore, they did not choose to take the noisy public red train, nor did they rent those seemingly cool but somewhat frivolous Demon Soul Motorcycles.

Cohen walked straight to a huge, luxuriously decorated and eerie trading house next to the Rift Street. This place rented out the most expensive and prestigious "Pleasure Carriage" in the "Eternal Night City".

The so-called "pleasure cabin" is itself a sight to behold.

It is not an inanimate object, but a sentient living cage, cultivated by some rare alien organism.

Even more surprisingly, it can communicate with passengers in a flattering voice, providing not only detailed city guide services, but also playing different music or releasing relaxing fragrances according to the passengers' mood.

The bearers carrying this living sedan chair were no ordinary creatures; they were a branch of the demon race called "Terror Demons." These powerful demons, known for their ferocity, stood obediently at this moment, their broad, scaled shoulders bearing the sedan chair, awaiting their master's commands.

The lobby of the rental car rental shop was already packed with customers.

Those who can come here are all people with prominent status and wealth in the Dis Layer or even a wider plane.

After completing arms deals or political maneuvering, they often choose to spend their time in Eternal Night City.

Renting a Pleasant sedan is the preferred way to showcase one's status.

The diverse figures in the hall created a bizarre and fantastical scene:

The demon bureaucrats from other realms of the Nine Hells, dressed in sharp black suits, were special envoys representing a demon lord from the Abyss, exuding a strong aura of bloodlust.

There was also ambition from the material plane; the man wore expensive enchanted robes, his face full of calculation.

You can even see rogue angels with dull wings and gray dwarf arms dealers covered in jewels.

Beings of different races, skin colors, and even from different dimensions gather here, immersing themselves in the luxurious atmosphere of this sinful city.

Cohen rented a top-of-the-line pleasure sedan driven by a Gold-tier demon palanquin bearer.

As he and Grace stepped into the living carriage, the interior walls immediately emitted a pleasant sound, greeting the distinguished guests in the most obsequious tone.

Cohen ignored the flattery from the sedan chair bearers and directly told them their destination:

“Go to the ‘Final Agreement’ casino.”

……

The "Final Agreement" casino stands majestically at the deepest part of Rift Soul Street, its twisted spire constructed of solidified darkness and contract runes, exuding a chilling pressure.

As the undisputed premier casino in Eternal Night City, it offers far more than ordinary gambling entertainment. In particular, it features three unique and deadly games that are enough to drive madmen from all dimensions into a frenzy.

Soul Roulette, Blood Pact Blackjack, and War Simulation Table.

The stakes in the Soul Roulette are simple: your own soul or someone else's.

The "Final Agreement" casino has witnessed countless gamblers wagering their souls.

Many people say that the mastermind behind the Soul Roulette is the third-level master, the greedy Grand Duke Mammon.

Countless gamblers who lost everything here eventually had their souls flow into his endless treasure trove.

In the Blood Pact of Twelve, each card requires a drop of blood to pay for it. The player who overdraws the card not only cannot get the blood back, but also has to suffer real pain as a backlash.

Finally, there's the war simulation table. There are no traditional cards here, only a huge magical sandbox. The mountains, rivers, and cities in the sandbox are incredibly lifelike. Guests can use miniature armies to strategize and influence the outcome of the war.

The most bizarre thing about this project is that all the wars that occur are real.

Every decision a gambler makes, every troop deployment, will have a real-time impact on the outcome and course of the real war in the distance.

The bookmakers behind the scenes will wage a real war for this bet, and the survival of countless lives depends solely on the ever-changing strategies and luck at the gambling table.

These three games are like three bloody maws, devouring the gamblers' souls, blood, and conscience.

This also made the "Final Agreement" the deepest nightmare and temptation in the Eternal Night City.

Human and elven explorers from various prime planes, tifflin con artists, dwarven weapons experts, and orc mercenaries are all regulars at the casino.

Like many casinos, "Final Agreement" offers extremely "generous" credit services to lure gamblers who have lost everything into continuing their descent into despair.

However, the repayment methods here are far more complex than simply using money.

In addition to exorbitant interest rates, gamblers can also choose to use a portion of their soul as collateral.

Or sign a "job" contract.

These assignments might involve assassinating a target, infiltrating a heavily guarded dimension to steal items, or even becoming a "living test subject" for a new weapon in one of Dis's military factories, often with a fate more tragic than death.

Eternal Night City itself is a huge money pit, filled with all kinds of high-end consumption venues and extravagant nightclubs.

Adventurers or gamblers can instantly convert the treasures, soul crystals, and even magical items they have just won at the casino into cash at these places.

Then they immediately plunge into the next round of frenzied consumption and gambling, forming an endless cycle of depravity.

The most famous of these is the "Seventh Desire" nightclub.

Located at the deepest part of Rift Soul Street, it resembles a black datura flower, constantly emitting a mesmerizing fragrance and seductive music.

This nightclub is run by a succubus queen of unfathomable power, who is said to be able to see the deepest desires of every guest.

The "Seventh Desire" nightclub offers more than just simple physical pleasure; the enjoyment it provides transcends the five senses of mortals, directly stimulating the most hidden corners of the soul.

Here, you can "taste" the memories of others and feel those sweet or bitter moments of life flowing through your consciousness.

It can also "touch" pure emotions, such as the thrill of first love, the sting of betrayal, or the ecstasy of successful revenge.

You can even briefly "rent" the perspective of a legendary hero and personally experience the most glorious moment of their life.

It was as if he himself was the one wielding a sword to slay dragons or roaring amidst a vast army.

Of course, all of these services come at an unimaginably high cost.

This is the heart of the eternal night's vortex of desire, and the final destination of countless riches and souls.

In summary, Eternal Night City serves as a pressure relief valve and a mirror of desire for Dis's vast and ruthless military factory.

It transforms the bloody profits of war—the gold coins and soul crystals stained with countless lives—into the most direct, depraved, and addictive sensory and spiritual stimulation in a distorted and efficient way.

Here, you lose far more than just chips and money.

When you step out of the door of the "Final Agreement" or the "Seventh Desire," you may have already sacrificed a part of your soul and overdrawn all your future happiness.

Even a casual decision you make on the "war simulation table" has quietly altered the fate of a distant dimension.

You have plunged thousands of lives into war and disaster because of your gambling.

This is the eternal night capital, a paradise of desire and a graveyard for souls!
……

As the tall, golden-tiered demon palanquin bearers steadily brought the Pleasure Carriage to a stop in front of the "Final Agreement" casino, a figure who had been waiting there swayed gracefully as she approached.

She is a beautiful, high-ranking succubus.

She wore a black off-shoulder tulle dress, the hem of which was adorned with tiny rubies, like drops of congealed blood.

Her eyes exude a captivating allure.

They had clearly been waiting for quite some time, yet their faces showed no impatience, only just the right amount of enthusiasm and respect.

As the ultimate mode of transportation in Eternal Night City, the "Pleasure Cabin" has a hidden, real-time connection between its internal living consciousness and major core locations throughout the city.

When a customer rents a sedan chair driven by a Gold Tier demon palanquin, the information is instantly transmitted to top-tier establishments like "Final Agreement."

A client who can spend money so lavishly must be someone of extraordinary status and wealth, and the casino will certainly not neglect them.

Therefore, they sent senior executives at the business manager level or above to personally greet the client and serve as their escort and entertainment consultant throughout the trip.

The succubus said softly:

"Distinguished guest, welcome to the 'Final Agreement'."

I am Flora, the business manager of this casino. It is my pleasure to serve you.

Please let me know what services you need.

Flora couldn't hide her surprise when she saw Grace.

When her gaze finally took in Grace's appearance and demeanor, even with her composure as a high-ranking succubus, a hint of surprise and shock flashed in her eyes.

She had only been notified that a high-ranking succubus noble was coming, and as a member of the same race and the business manager, it was only natural that she was sent to receive him.

But seeing Grace in person now, she suddenly realized that the casino executives had seriously underestimated the importance of this guest.

As a high-ranking succubus who had spent many years navigating the complex and chaotic world of Eternal Night City, Flora's eyesight and perception had been honed to an exceptionally sharp level.

The nobility and charm emanating from this fellow clansman, originating from the depths of his bloodline, was as if the legendary succubus queen had personally descended upon him.

It was a kind of majesty that made her soul want to kneel down.

The criteria for judging the rank and status of a succubus in the Nine Hells are actually very simple.

The most important factors are appearance and temperament, which are directly related to the purity and nobility of one's bloodline.

Secondly, there is the level of strength, which relates to one's potential and influence.

At this moment, everything Grace displayed was absolutely overwhelming.

Her appearance had reached a near-perfect level, and her temperament was both elegant and noble, with an air of inviolable majesty—an aura that only those who had long held extremely high positions could cultivate.

Coupled with the undisguised powerful aura of a peak Gold rank emanating from her, everything pointed to one conclusion with absolute clarity—the nobility of this kin's bloodline far surpassed that of any succubus noble she had ever seen before.

Even in terms of appearance alone, Grace is several levels above the legendary succubus queen who runs the "Seventh Desire" nightclub.

Then, considering that this noble being was accompanied by a berserker demon guard whose strength had reached the peak of the Gold rank and whose aura was terrifying.

Flora had no more doubts.

The other party's identity must be of unimaginable nobility, possibly from a reclusive ancient succubus royal family, or have a deep connection with the top figures of the Nine Hells.

Thinking of this, Flora's posture became even more humble, even carrying a hint of reverent piety.

She knew that the two guests she was hosting tonight might be the most important people she had ever encountered in her career, and the ones she could not afford to be negligent in the slightest.

Following Cohen's prior instructions, Grace maintained her natural elegance and languidness, her gaze sweeping lightly over Flora, and asked in a calm voice devoid of emotion:

"How many types of attractions does your 'Final Agreement' casino currently offer?"

Flora immediately suppressed the myriad thoughts in her mind, her face blossoming into the most professional and sweetest smile, as she answered respectfully, as if reciting a familiar story:
"Your Excellency, our casino currently offers a total of 133 unique entertainment options."

These include the three signature games: the most classic 'Soul Roulette', 'Blood Pact Blackjack', and 'War Simulation Table'.

There are also real-time life-or-death betting games like 'Abyss Gladiator'.

A 'Memory Auction House' where you can bid on precious fragments of other people's memories.

Oh, and the most interesting thing is the 'Dice of Fate,' the number rolled will be directly related to a random event in the real world…" (End of Chapter)