Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

However, this was quite different from what I had encountered on the ordinary luxury ferry to the Eternal Night City.

The passengers on the "Eternal Pleasure" were clearly several levels above others in terms of both their personal qualities and their discernment.

While their gazes toward Grace were filled with undisguised amazement, they could also clearly sense the unassailable majesty emanating from her.

And the invisible pressure emanating from the silent berserker bodyguard behind her.

Therefore, although Grace was like a dazzling pearl suddenly thrown into a dark pool, attracting everyone's attention.

However, not many people dared to approach them rashly to harass or flirt.

Most passengers simply kept a polite distance and spoke in hushed tones.

They wondered who this stunningly beautiful succubus who had suddenly appeared was, and what powerful force she represented.

After all, a succubus like Grace, whose appearance, temperament, and the subtle aura of her bloodline all reached such a pinnacle.

Even in the Dis Layer Domain, which gathers many beauties from the Nine Hells, such a being is extremely rare.

It is not surprising that her appearance has attracted this restrained yet undercurrent of attention.

The Eternal Delight sails at an extremely high speed.

It seemed not to be traveling on the ordinary waters of the River Styx, but rather gliding along some kind of solidified spatial network.

The unchanging dark red scene outside the window swept past rapidly like a flowing scroll painting.

In less than five days, the luxury cruise ship had traversed most of the Disc Realm and arrived at its destination, Furnace City.

As Grace and Cohen stepped onto the docks of Forge City, an atmosphere completely different from that of Eternal Night City washed over them.

Compared to that "city that never sleeps," which upholds "amusing ourselves to death" as its guiding principle and is filled with endless desires and indulgence.

The Forge City seemed incredibly "boring" and "serious".

Here, there are no dazzling neon lights and hustle and bustle of the eternal night city, no cloying scents of desire permeating the air, and no endless streams of thrill-seeking crowds.

There is only one eternal, unchanging dark red flame.

That was the backdrop of hellish lava and industrial flames gushing from the depths of the city’s underground and from countless towering chimneys.

The entire sky was dyed a somber orange-red.

The entire city was shrouded in red and black vortex clouds formed by trillions of tons of industrial waste gas.

Instead of lightning, the clouds were filled with giant, flashing arcs of energy, providing extra power to the entire city.

The city’s main streets are actually giant tracks for various transportation platforms to glide along.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of molten metal, and the air was filled with the incessant, monotonous, and heavy rumble of steel, as well as the roar of energy pipes flowing through them.

These sounds converge into a cold and grand industrial symphony, as if declaring that no noise unrelated to "production" can be tolerated here.

Looking around, the city’s buildings are almost entirely constructed of steel, rock, and some kind of dark alloy.

The lines are sharp and the angles are distinct.

It is full of a cold, mechanical aesthetic and an extreme functionalist style.

Blast furnaces stand tall like a forest, and thick energy pipelines meander through the city like blood vessels, delivering surging energy to every corner.

As the true heart and brain of the second level of the Nine Hells, Furnace City is not like a city, but more like a super machine of imperial scale.

A steel behemoth that exists solely for "production" and "war," constantly self-replicating and never ceasing.

Walking on the wide, hard metal streets of Forge City, one can clearly feel the strict hierarchical structure and operating mode of this steel metropolis.

As the ruling class's steel devils and contract demons, their figures are rarely seen.

But every time he appears, he carries a profound sense of oppression.

This body, constructed entirely of dark metal, is over three meters tall, and its joints emit a dull, grinding sound.

Contract demons are even more secretive; they wear impeccably tailored black suits and always carry a scroll of parchment shimmering with magical light.

The backbone of the city consists of a vast number of artisans.

They are the true "engineers" and "artists" of Forge City, possessing amazing forging and enchanting skills.

With metal-inlaid prosthetic hands, she holds a hammer and carving knife that shimmer with magical light, and she is busy all day long at various workshops and assembly lines.

He directed lower-ranking demons to perform precise operations.

What truly forms the flesh and blood of this city are the mortal souls, cowardly demons, inferior demons, and other low-level demons that surge like a tide through the streets and workshops.

They are the lowest-level laborers, porters, and assembly line workers, moving about in this steel city like worker ants.

However, no expression could be seen on anyone's face; only a deep-seated numbness and exhaustion remained.

Their movements were mechanical, their expressions blank, as if they had been completely assimilated by this steel city, becoming moving parts within its massive body.

It rigidly executes the pre-set instructions until it is completely worn out or scrapped.

As your gaze moves past these busy figures and toward the very heart of the city, an incredibly magnificent building instantly captures everyone's attention.

This is an unimaginably huge vertical well, like a dark scar torn open the earth, piercing straight into the sky.

Even standing on the edge of the city, the wellhead, emitting a dark red glow, can be clearly seen.

This is the symbol of Forge City, the Central Forge.

This deep well leads directly to the Earth's core and is the location of the "Pain Engine," which can transform soul energy into power.

This place is also the final place for forging the most powerful artifacts and weapons of war in the Nine Hells Plane. Only weapons that have been tempered in the central furnace can be called "Hell Artifacts".

Surrounding this central furnace is another iconic wonder of Furnace City: the endless assembly line, with countless layers spiraling upwards in an intricate pattern.

These massive systems, composed of giant gears, conveyor belts, and robotic arms, resemble giant steel pythons.

It coiled around the central furnace, emitting a deafening roar.

From the most basic melting and casting of metal blanks, to the quenching and shaping of weapons, and then to the incredibly precise enchanting and engraving.

Finally, the entire process, from product inspection to packaging, is completed on these never-ending conveyor belts.

The time required for each weapon to go from a pile of ore to a deadly killing machine has been compressed to an astonishing degree.

It perfectly embodies the ruthlessness and efficiency of hellish industry.

Cohen's destination was the tallest building in the northwest of the city.

This is a towering black obelisk that reaches into the clouds, its height even surpassing that of most of the furnace chimneys in the city.

Like a silent giant sword, it pierced straight towards the sky reddened by the firelight.

The entire structure is made of a dull, black stone.

Its surface is as smooth as a mirror, yet it is covered with countless fine and intricate magical runes.

Most remarkably, an invisible barrier seems to exist within a radius of several hundred meters centered on this black obelisk.

It completely shut out the ceaseless noise and roar of Forge City.

There was no sound to be heard, only a deathly silence, and a solemn sense of awe that made one involuntarily hold their breath.

This is the Tower of Contracts.

It is the main base of the Contract Demon race in the entire Dis Layer Domain, and even in the entire Nine Hells Plane.

It is also the holy land where all large transactions involving huge interests and complex terms are finally finalized and notarized.

Here, countless contracts that can influence the dimensional order are drafted, signed, and given inviolable legal force every day.

It can be said that the power controlled by this silent black tower is in no way inferior to that roaring central furnace.

Cohen and Grace's ultimate goal for this trip, the meeting place with the mysterious underground arms tycoon Victor Reynolds, was set in the Contract Tower, a symbol of absolute order and the spirit of contracts.

This is because both sides are aware that the transaction involved in this meeting will be an astronomical figure, requiring the core power of the Contract Tower to witness and bind it.

……

When Cohen and his companion arrived at the Contract Tower, Mephisto, who had been waiting there, immediately greeted them with a beaming smile, accompanied by his capable female assistant.

As if he had met the most distinguished guest, he performed a standard Hell Merchant salute, his voice loud yet not harsh:
"Your Highness has had a long journey. Mr. Reynolds has been waiting inside the tower for quite some time."

After a few brief pleasantries, Mephisto turned to the side and gestured for him to enter.

Upon entering the Contract Tower, even Cohen and Grace, with their extensive experience, couldn't help but pause slightly in surprise.

Compared to its solemn and mysterious appearance and its renowned reputation as the "core of the Nine Prisons' bulk trading center".

The environment inside the tower was rather austere, even rudimentary.

This stands in stark contrast to the extreme luxury and high-end atmosphere of the Eternal Night City.

Looking around, there is almost no trace of "renovation" in the lobby and corridors.

It has a completely rough, industrial, raw style.

The massive, unadorned steel structure is exposed to the air, its cold metal beams crisscrossing and supporting the towering dome.

Beneath their feet were black stone slabs that were not perfectly smooth, and only the most basic reinforcement runes on the ground and walls were shimmering faintly.

It gives one the illusion of walking into a large, unfinished construction site.

It doesn't look like a top-level negotiation venue that determines the flow of resources in countless interdimensional wars at all; instead, it looks more like a giant factory workshop where functionality is paramount.

Mephisto clearly noticed the fleeting surprise in Cohen and Grace's eyes, and he led the way while keeping his voice down.

With a hint of helplessness mixed with a sense of explanation, he said:
"The environment is indeed a bit poor. In fact, the higher-ups in Forge City have proposed many times to give the Contract Tower a proper renovation."

Everyone felt that even if they didn't pursue the luxury of an eternal night capital, it wouldn't be so bad.

At the very least, the decorations should be worthy of our Forge City's status as the heart of the Nine Hells' military industry; we can't afford to lose face.

However, the proposal was shelved as soon as it was submitted to Grand Duke Dispart.

The Grand Duke believes that the Contract Tower is fine as it is. This pure, unadorned industrial style truly highlights the pragmatic, efficient, and production- and contract-centric nature of Forge City.

The Grand Duke said that Forge City was never meant to be a place for pleasure and recreation.

If you really want to relax and enjoy yourself, you can go straight to the Eternal Night City. Why waste resources here on these flashy but impractical things?

After saying this, Mephisto gave Cohen and Grace a slightly apologetic smile:

"That's the situation. Please forgive me."

With a heavy, rhythmic clanging of gears and the scraping of metal chains, the transmission cabin carrying Cohen and his group smoothly arrived at the upper levels of the Contract Tower.

It finally stopped after a slight tremor.

The heavy steel gate slid slowly to one side, emitting a dull thud.

Behind the door was not the open space one had expected, but a much larger and tightly closed double metal door.

The gate was cast entirely from hellish black steel, and its surface was engraved with intricate and enormous runes, exuding an awe-inspiring and solemn aura.

What's even more striking are the two towering figures standing like sculptures on either side of the gate—two real steel devils!
They are nearly three meters tall and covered in thick, dark metal armor.

What's exposed at the joints isn't flesh and blood, but rather intricate gears and transmission structures that emit an extremely subtle hum.

Just standing there exudes a sense of oppressive weight, as heavy as a mountain.

Because the Grand Duke Dispat, who rules this realm, is himself an incomparably powerful Saint-level Iron Demon.

Therefore, in the Dis Realm, the Steel Demon holds an extremely superior position.

This race is almost born to be the ruling class of Forge City, usually holding important positions such as military commanders and masters of core workshops.

The fact that two steel demons were serving as gatekeepers at this moment was enough to demonstrate the noble and illustrious status of the person behind the door.

When the door to the transmission compartment opened, the two steel demon guards, who had been frozen like rocks, changed their posture slightly.

The red eyes beneath the helmet all focused on Mephisto as he stepped out of the compartment.

After recognizing the individuals, their fierce and imposing aura noticeably softened.

Mephisto familiarly stepped forward and whispered a few words, then turned to Grace and Cohen behind him and introduced them:

"These are the two extremely distinguished guests I mentioned to the general earlier."

Upon hearing this, the two Iron Demon guards slightly turned their helmets.

The cold red gaze lingered on Grace and Cohen for a moment, especially on Grace's innate noble air.

Then one of the guards slowly nodded and stepped aside:
"The general is working inside. Please come in."

The door opened, revealing the entire scene inside to Cohen and Grace.

Compared to the rough and even somewhat rudimentary corridors outside, this hall on the top floor of the Contract Tower appears much more spacious and solemn.

The hall was very spacious, but the interior furnishings were extremely simple, even monotonous.

The focus of the entire hall was on the innermost part, where only an enormous, somewhat exaggerated desk was placed.

And in front of the table were two heavy-looking, but aesthetically unappealing, metal-framed sofas.

There was nothing else there, making it seem unusually empty and desolate.

Behind the large desk, a tall and imposing figure stood with his back to the door, seemingly gazing out the window at the city scene that was constantly spewing flames and thick smoke.

Almost the instant the door opened, the burly figure turned around swiftly.

This is a human male who appears to be around forty years old, at least outwardly.

He was extremely tall and strong, wearing a very simple dark gray military uniform.

There were no elaborate epaulettes on the shoulders, only a few simple silver piping stripes.

His face had strong features, and his deep gray eyes were so sharp they seemed to pierce through people's hearts.

His hair was an almost steely gray-white, neatly combed back.

Reynolds did not sit behind the desk that symbolized power and wait for the guests to come forward.

Instead, he strode forward to meet them, his steps steady and powerful, exuding the decisive and efficient aura unique to soldiers.

When his gaze fell on Grace and Cohen, a hearty smile immediately bloomed on his serious face, softening his naturally cold and hard demeanor.

He stopped three steps away from Grace, bowed slightly, and gave a simple yet powerful greeting.

Loud and clear voice:

"As is customary, I should personally go outside the tower to welcome Your Highness."

However, I heard from Mephisto that His Highness wishes to keep a low profile on this trip and does not want to be too ostentatious.

Therefore, I can only rudely wait here, and I hope Your Highness will not take offense.

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Victor Reynolds, and in the arms circles of Forge City and Nine Hells, my friends prefer to call me 'General'.

Of course, in Your Highness's presence, these empty titles are not worth mentioning.

"Your Highness, you can just call me by my name."

Upon learning that Mephisto had secured a major client for him with unfathomable background and wealth, Reynolds, the underground arms tycoon, naturally couldn't remain inactive.

In fact, he himself owned a considerable percentage of the shares in the "Eternal Pleasure" luxury cruise ship.

From senior stewards to ordinary sailors, and even some seemingly insignificant servants, many of them were his spies.

Therefore, this was the first formal meeting between the two sides.

But Reynolds had already obtained a great deal of information about Cohen and Grace through his own channels.

After analysis by his think tank, which consisted of top-notch contract demons, intelligence analysts, and risk assessors.

Mephisto's deduction is largely accepted; the backgrounds of these two individuals are unfathomable.

The financial resources and potential power it represents are absolutely the most outstanding that Reynolds has encountered in all his years in the industry.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a major client that cannot be missed.

This is why Reynolds, an arms tycoon who usually doesn't even personally negotiate orders from the Devil Duke, is such a figure.

That's why he made an exception and chose to personally greet these two guests in his office on the top floor of the Contract Tower.

Especially when Reynolds saw Grace in person, the last trace of doubt in his heart completely disappeared.

Given his position, he has seen far too many so-called "peerless beauties".

Whether it's a succubus noble or an abyss enchantress.

But this was the first time he had ever seen someone like Grace, who possessed such captivating beauty and an innate, deeply ingrained noble dignity.

This kind of temperament cannot be cultivated by ordinary nouveau riche or local warlords; it requires the accumulation of many years and the immersion in supreme power.

A man who can make a woman who is top-notch in appearance, temperament, and strength willingly devote herself to him.

His background and influence are absolutely those of a true "top figure".

Thinking of this, Reynolds' smile became even more genuine.

The importance I place on this deal has increased to a whole new level.

With Mephisto, the experienced middleman, facilitating the meeting, the two sides quickly got down to business without much small talk.

Negotiations began on the specific details of the weapons and equipment deal.

At first, Reynolds maintained a composed and at ease demeanor.

But when Grace stated the specific quantity of equipment needed, this seasoned arms tycoon was taken aback.

Even with his unwavering resolve honed by countless huge orders, he couldn't help but gasp inwardly.

Grace sat gracefully on the cold metal sofa, her red lips slightly parted:

"Standard individual equipment: Hellsword, Soulsteel Spear, and Painful Flail."

Enchant special weapons: Soul Eater Dagger and Blood Curse Crossbow.

Fifty thousand of each weapon are needed.

Delivery within three months.

As for biological weapons and giant siege engines, one hundred of each are required.

Upon hearing the specific figures from Grace, Reynolds's sharp, deep gray eyes flashed with intense shock.

Even that face, which was usually impassive at the negotiating table, showed a slight stiffness at this moment.

He was completely stunned by the succubus lady's "generosity"!

If it weren't for the detailed analysis by his think tank and the intelligence relayed back by his own spies, he would have been completely different.

Having basically ascertained the other party's unfathomable background and strength, he would genuinely believe that the elegant lady before him was sent by some hostile force to deliberately torment him.

Those standard individual soldier equipment and enchanted special weapons are fine, although Reynolds may not have that many in stock right now.

But thanks to Forge City's powerful, perpetual motion-like industrial production capacity.

As long as all relevant production lines are immediately put into full operation, running day and night.

We also coordinated with several other affiliated workshops to expedite the work.

So, they managed to gather the goods within three months.

Although time will be very tight, other orders will also be affected.

But it's not an impossible task.

However, the number of biological weapons and giant siege engines proposed by Grace was an astronomical figure that was utterly terrifying! (End of Chapter)