Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

After the matter was over, the devilish councilors did not linger and wisely left.

As the last devilish councilor disappeared, only Grand Duke Zariel and Cohen and Grace, standing side by side, remained in the empty hall.

After a brief silence, Zariel's voice finally broke the stillness:

"Your past life..."

Cohen understood; this wasn't the first person to question his origins.

As he demonstrates more and more extraordinary abilities, this issue will only become more numerous and acute in the future.

However, his face remained completely expressionless; he simply responded slowly in a calm tone:
"No matter who I was in my past life, in this life I am just Cohen Corleone."

He turned his head slightly to look at Grace beside him, his gaze softening considerably at that moment.
"He is the one who has decided to dedicate his life to protecting Grace."

Upon hearing this, Grace's eyes instantly lit up with an indescribable brilliance.

Her fingers intertwined tightly with Cohen's, their intense love and allure almost igniting the surrounding air like a tangible flame.

Grand Duke Zariel gave Cohen a deep look, his dignified face revealing neither joy nor anger. He finally gave up on pressing the matter and slowly nodded.

Then he said:

"What you did truly amazes me."

Even though I have overestimated you as much as possible, I still did not expect that you could kill a legendary war commander all by yourself.

You may not know how important a bargaining chip your kill earned me in the Supreme Joint Conference, and how much it helped me.

He paused slightly, then spoke in an almost oath-like tone:
"Since we'll all be family from now on, I won't bother with formalities."

From this day forward, all of Avernus will stand behind you and Grace!

Cohen gave a meaningful smile, bowed slightly, and said:

"Thank you for your support, Your Excellency."

However, this is not a loss for you.

After all, if your bloodline descendant could become the emperor of the human empire, it would greatly benefit your situation and plans within the Nine Hells.

Grand Duke Zariel did not deny it upon hearing this; instead, he nodded frankly.

"Indeed, this is a win-win deal."

His gaze sharpened again, and he leaned forward slightly, asking:

"Grace said you have something else you want to work with me on?"

Cohen nodded slowly, lowering his voice:
"Your Excellency, would you like to completely transform 'Dis' into your private arsenal?"

"Private Armory"!
The implications of this are self-evident!

That is to completely conquer the Dis Realm and break the Nine Hell King's restrictions and blockade on Aphonas!
This is something Zariel has always dreamed of!

An aura of shock, ambition, and intense desire emanated uncontrollably from Grand Duke Zariel!
……

Deep within the bronze fortress, in a private hall overlooking the flowing crimson lava.

Cohen and Grand Duke Zariel sat facing each other at a large table.

The flickering hellfire cast long shadows of the two men on the wall.

The negotiations between the two have reached their most critical point.

Cohen threw out a crucial bargaining chip:

Grand Duke Mammon of the third layer, the 'Greedy Realm'.

I'm confident I can persuade him; he will become a powerful ally.

Zariel's vertical pupils contracted slightly. As the richest "Greedy Grand Duke" Mammon in the entire Nine Hells plane.

His attitude is crucial to any scheme involving the Dis level.

Zariel, who had conducted a detailed investigation into Cohen, was also aware of Cohen's relationship with Mammon.

It was common knowledge that Mammon had betrayed the Black Tomb in full view of everyone.

Zariel nodded thoughtfully:

"There is hope if the two levels join forces, but that alone is not enough."

Dispart has been operating in the Dislayer Realm for tens of thousands of years; it's not something that can be easily shaken.

Cohen lowered his voice and continued:

"External attacks are one aspect, but we can also divide them from within."

The Dis Layer is certainly not a monolithic entity; those arms oligarchs and steel devils must have had enough of the oppression and rule of the arms tycoon.

Grand Duke Zariel nodded in agreement:

"That's a good idea, but we need intelligence!"

Cohen's lips curled slightly as he said:
"Coincidentally, there is also a very important 'intelligence merchant' who is willing to participate in this great adventure."

He can provide the most crucial and precise information about the movements and weaknesses of those around Grand Duke Dispart.

Upon hearing this, Grand Duke Zariel's expression shifted slightly, but a look of understanding quickly flashed across his face.

He recalled Cohen's previous actions, which were so precise they were almost unbelievable. Whether it was finding the hidden Berserker supply depot or tracking down the legendary Temptress, everything now made sense.

That precious "Blood War Badge" and "Abyss Essence" must have been obtained through this secret intelligence channel.

Could it be that the other party actually found that indescribable being in the "Festering Paradise"?

Grand Duke Zariel suppressed his astonishment and slowly leaned back.

The light in his pupils flickered uncertainly, as if he were weighing the final pros and cons.

After a long silence, he raised his eyes, looked at Cohen's young yet unfathomable face, and said in a deep voice:
"make a deal!"

A secret alliance that will shake up the Nine Hells' structure was officially formed in this simple word.

……

Late at night, in Grace's private bedroom.

A delicate fragrance filled the air, creating a captivating atmosphere.

Grace, who had just finished bathing, walked barefoot towards Cohen, wearing a dark red gauze dress as thin as a cicada's wing.

He held a crystal bottle filled with amber-colored liquor in his hands.

Her stunning face was flushed with a blush that was a mixture of love and allure, and her eyes seemed to have invisible hooks that were tugging at the heartstrings.

He poured a glass for Cohen and himself, and said lazily:
"Shall we celebrate?"

Cohen's breathing became heavy; Grace was so alluring today, every move she made could easily ignite the flames in his heart.

He forcibly suppressed his desire and accepted the wine glass.

The two began to drink together. The wine was warm, with a burning sensation unique to hell, and it slid down their throats as if igniting their blood.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere in the bedroom became increasingly ambiguous and heated.

Grace's eyes gradually became hazy as she gently leaned on Cohen's shoulder, her breath sweet and fragrant, carrying the scent of wine as it brushed against his ear.

She murmured softly about her childhood memories.

Cohen could clearly feel the warmth and slight trembling of the delicate body in his arms, and his gaze gradually deepened.

All the restraint he had maintained for so long seemed to transform into a more primal impulse at this moment.

He knew it was time.

He reached out and gently lifted Grace's chin, gazing into her eyes that seemed to overflow with tears, and said in a hoarse voice:

"I want to see your true form."

Grace paused slightly, a blush rising on her face, and a purple light flashed in her eyes.

The next second, her body began to change.

Faint dark red lines appeared on her smooth skin, and a pair of small, curved succubus horns slowly emerged from the hair on her forehead.

A heart-shaped tail also quietly appeared behind her, swaying restlessly in the air.

Her demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation at that moment, completely transforming from a noble princess back into a succubus exuding primal allure, capable of captivating all beings.

A burning glint flashed in Cohen's eyes as he slowly reached out his hand.

He reached straight for the pair of succubus horns that had just appeared on Grace's head.

It feels warm and smooth to the touch, yet has a slightly hard texture, like the finest black jade.

Cohen's lips curled into a wild and possessive smile as he said softly:

“I really like these armrests.”

His words were like a final signal.

Grace let out a suppressed sob that sounded like a mix of anger and joy, and her body completely softened in Cohen's arms.

The nights in hell are long, and some flames, once lit, are destined to burn until dawn...

……

When the crimson light from the Nine Hells plane pierced through the glass window and spilled onto the disheveled silk bed.

Grace lazily rolled over and let out a soft, satisfied moan.

The corners of her eyes and brows still bore traces of last night's frenzy, but what was even more striking was the feeling of being thoroughly moisturized.

A mature charm and breathtaking allure emanating from the depths of her soul.

Like a red spider lily that blooms even more enchantingly and beautifully after being engulfed in the flames of hell.

Cohen had already gotten up and was standing by the window, quietly gazing at the eternally blood-red sky of Avernus in the distance.

Sensing the movement behind him, he turned around and looked at Grace on the bed, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

Their eyes met, and without needing many words, they understood each other perfectly.

Although this trip to the Nine Hells was short, it was extremely fruitful.

They not only purchased a large amount of Hellfire weapons from the Dis Layer.

They also successfully obtained two crucial credentials: the "Blood War Badge" and the "Abyss Essence," gaining the recognition of the entire ruling class of Afonas and command of a "Heavenly Punishment Legion."

Furthermore, a solid alliance was established with Grand Duke Zariel. In summary, all objectives have been perfectly achieved, or even exceeded.

Cohen thought to himself, it's time to leave.

In the prime plane, the war in the Kingdom of Ceylon must have entered its final stages.

There were more important things waiting for him to deal with.

Cohen and Grace lingered for a while longer, then, after tidying their clothes, went to bid a final farewell to Grand Duke Zariel.

Grand Duke Zariel gave Cohen a deep look and slowly said:

“Treat Grace well, and remember, Avernus will always be your support.”

……

Cohen took out the "Book of Time and Space," and the ancient pages turned automatically, emitting a soft yet powerful spatial fluctuation.

A dazzling silver-white portal slowly formed before them. Cohen and Grace smiled at each other and stepped into the portal hand in hand.

The surrounding scenery blurred and distorted, and the unique sulfurous and bloody smell of the Nine Hells was quickly replaced by the fresh and vibrant air of the main plane.

In Florence, deep within the royal palace, in the king's bedroom.

Morning light streamed through the exquisite stained-glass windows onto the floor covered with a moon-white velvet carpet, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of silver leaves.

Dressed in a simple court dress, Yalder sat back in a rattan armchair, flipping through the ancient books that Cohen had collected for her from all over the continent.

She had naturally received news of their return today, so she did not hold a court assembly as usual.

We're waiting here for their return.

When Cohen and Grace appeared silently in the center of the palace through the teleportation portal, Adele breathed a sigh of relief without her noticing.

The Nine Hells were indeed dangerous, and their safe return put Adeline's mind at ease, as she had been worried about the two of them.

Her gaze lingered briefly on Cohen's face before shifting to Grace, whose cheeks were still slightly flushed.

As someone who had been through it all, Adele almost instantly and keenly sensed the mature charm in Grace that was completely different from before she left, as if she had been thoroughly nurtured and was becoming more and more beautiful.

Yadel gave a soft hum, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

She didn't get up, but said to Cohen:
"You've already 'ruined' the eldest princess of the Eastern Region Empire before the wedding has even officially taken place?"

Aren't you afraid that His Majesty Aberron will find out and personally come to settle accounts with you, sword in hand?

Upon hearing this, Cohen gave a slightly embarrassed smirk, without giving a direct answer.

The more you explain something, the worse it gets; silence is often the best response.

Grace lowered her head slightly, and the blush on her face seemed to deepen.

Yadel was just making a casual joke and didn't take it too seriously.

It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway.

Cohen's expression gradually became more serious, and he began to tell Adel in detail about his and Grace's experiences in the Nine Hells plane during this time.

From the arms purchase in the Disc region to the perilous journey to Afonas to obtain the military medal, and finally to the deep cooperation agreement reached with Grand Duke Zariel.

Adele listened quietly, her expression gradually shifting from relaxed to serious, and then to deep thought.

After listening, Adele said slowly:
"It seems we need to assign reliable personnel to be stationed at Nine Prisons to handle subsequent arms procurement and cooperation with Grand Duke Zariel."

Cohen responded in response:

"This matter does indeed need to be put on the agenda as soon as possible, as trade with the Nine Hells, especially the arms trade, is of great importance."

It must be handled by someone who is absolutely loyal and highly skilled in this field.

Adele tapped her slender fingertips lightly on the armrest of the rattan chair, pondered for a moment, and then a look of understanding flashed in her eyes.

She looked up at Cohen and suggested a suitable candidate:
"Since the war in the Kingdom of Ceylon has reached its final stage, you will be going there in person to take charge of the overall situation soon anyway."

Melantha probably doesn't have many things left for her to handle personally there.

Why not let her come back and take charge of this matter?

She has experience working in the 'Black Tomb' and often deals with all sorts of people.

They have a wealth of experience, especially in dealing with demons and devils.

"She's the most suitable person to handle the arms procurement with Nine Hells and the liaison with Grand Duke Zariel."

Upon hearing this, Cohen pondered for a moment and then nodded.

Melantha is indeed the person who knows the most about demons and devils that I can think of right now.
Adele leaned back in her chair and added in a low voice, with a hint of something unsettling in her tone:
"It's only at times like this that you can appreciate the benefits of having so many 'capable' women."

These words sound like a joke, yet they also subtly convey a sense of bitterness and helplessness that is hard to put into words.

Cohen gave another awkward, forced smile, but didn't reply.

No matter how you respond to this topic, it's easy to get into trouble; silence is golden.

With the candidate chosen, the next steps were immediately put on the agenda.

On one hand, Cohen used encrypted communication magic to contact Melantha, who was far away in the Kingdom of Ceylon, and asked her to hand over her work and return to Florence as soon as possible.

On the other hand, he also began preparations to set off for the Kingdom of Ceylon.

The final battle there is about to begin, and many important decisions and plans require his personal presence to make them.

A storm concerning the future of the continent is brewing on the land of Ceylon, and Cohen, the player in charge, will once again step into that fierce battlefield.

……

A few days later, Melantha returned to Florence, weary from the front lines of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

As soon as his figure appeared at the end of the palace corridor, Cohen, who was waiting there, pulled him into his arms.

Without many words, the longing and tension of several days apart transformed into a passionate and lingering kiss.

The two seemed to want to merge into each other's bodies.

After a long while, their lips parted, and Melanie breathed slightly, her cheeks flushed with a beautiful blush.

She reached out and gently stroked Cohen's chin, her eyes filled with a hint of playfulness and deep affection:
"You miss me that much?"
It seems he hasn't been bewitched by those alluring succubi back in the Nine Hells yet.

Cohen chuckled softly and leaned down to peck her lips again:
How can they compare to you?

After a brief moment of tenderness, the two quickly got down to business.

Melantha had no objections when she learned that she was to go to the Nine Hells plane to be in charge of arms trade and liaison with Aphrodite.

As expected of a high-ranking elite of "Black Tomb", the assassin quickly reviewed the preliminary agreement reached between Cohen and Grand Duke Zariel, as well as the personnel and supplies list prepared by Adele.

Several key revisions were proposed, and highly professional advice was given on the upcoming arms procurement plan.

After handling the initial matters of the Nine Hells Trade, Melantha's expression became slightly more serious, and she began to give Cohen a detailed report on the latest battle situation in the Kingdom of Ceylon:
"The Ceylon army has been basically decimated, and organized resistance has almost disappeared."

Only a few scattered soldiers remained, putting up a last-ditch resistance; it was only a matter of time before they were wiped out.

"However, their three main naval fleets are still intact and are currently holed up in the two major naval bases of 'Cape of Storms' and 'Black Coral'."

This is their last remaining force, and also their greatest hidden danger.

They must be completely annihilated within the port; they must not be allowed to escape into the endless sea.

Otherwise, these remnants of the navy will inevitably become a major threat to our coastal shipping routes in the future, with endless consequences.

Cohen listened quietly, without showing the slightest surprise on his face, as if everything was within his expectations.

He murmured to himself
"The Navy, huh? This is the day I've been waiting for."

It's been a long time since the identity of One Piece King Yann Hughes has been kept quiet; it's time for him to get back into action.

He could already guess that King Gaius, trapped in the capital, was anxiously awaiting news from the sea.

……

The capital of the Kingdom of Ceylon is Quessaon.

This magnificent capital city, once hailed as the "City of the Lion That Never Falls," was the former capital of the continent's most powerful nation.

At this moment, however, a suffocating and oppressive atmosphere prevailed.

Today, even ordinary people in cities and villages are aware of what is happening in their country.

Inside the towering council hall of the royal palace.

The dome, adorned with gold trim and gemstones, still shimmered brilliantly under the magical lights.

On either side of the council table, which was covered with a scarlet carpet, King Gaius of Ceylon and a group of core high-ranking officials sat silently.

Including Gaius's three bloodline heirs, Gaius, Orlando, and the "culprit" behind it all, the somewhat mentally unstable third prince Saxon.

King Gaius's usually impassive face was now etched with undisguised weariness.

Given the current situation, there's no need to pretend in front of the officials anymore.

His eyes were dark and unfathomable, as if he were staring at a future that was collapsing.

The ministers sitting around him had even more complicated expressions.

Some of the younger officials, or those who were less composed, couldn't help but show a look of bewilderment and a sorrow that seemed as if their dreams had been shattered.

Their gazes frequently drifted to the window, as if trying to see through the thick crystal glass to confirm whether the crumbling kingdom outside truly existed.

The air inside the hall was as heavy as lead, and every breath was accompanied by a burning sensation.

Even the most obtuse person could clearly sense at this moment that the fate of the Kingdom of Ceylon was sliding into the abyss at an irreversible and terrifying speed.

From a once powerful regional nation that dominated the continent and deterred neighboring countries from looking directly at it, it has now been reduced to a precarious situation where it can only huddle near the capital and barely maintain the defense of the core area of ​​the capital.

Even the most central and prosperous southeastern regions, which relied on the rebels the most, raised the banner of rebellion and joined the rebel army.

This series of blows, like heavy hammer blows, struck the hearts of everyone present.

"Going downhill!"
"Betrayed by everyone!"
These are terms that were once only found on the yellowed pages of history books, used to describe the end of dynasties.

Now, the bloody scene is laid bare before the highest ruling class of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

It has been less than a few years since they last boasted of being the "strongest nation on the continent".

The sheer magnitude of this fall from grace, from the clouds to the mire, and the harsh reality, still leave many present with a sense of unreality and disorientation.

King Gaius slowly raised his eyes, scanning his assembled ministers. A sense of bewilderment flashed through his mind. Had the fate of the Kingdom of Ceylon truly come to an end? (End of Chapter)