Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Six saints!
The number Gaius finally uttered struck Cohen like a thunderbolt.

Even though he had expected it, hearing the number from Gaius's mouth still shocked him.

Cohen thought to himself, "As expected of the number one kingdom on the continent, its foundation of over a thousand years is truly extraordinary."

If these six saints were in normal circumstances, they would be able to easily overthrow the regimes of most kingdoms on the continent.

If it weren't for his chance encounter with Jialin... cough cough, and the close strategic cooperation he established with Jialin's aunt and the unfathomable Star Clan behind her.

This provides a strong and reliable guarantee for high-end combat power at the Saint level.

The fact that King Gaius has revealed these six saints as his trump card will likely cause him unimaginable trouble in his conquest plans.

It could even lead to devastating losses.

The bans of the five great empires had no effect on a king whose kingdom was on the verge of collapse!

Thinking of this, Cohen couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

Fortunately, history has no "what ifs".

His meticulously woven trap has forced the king to reveal his last trump card.

Now it's time to close the net!

A subtle, enigmatic glint flashed in Grace's eyes as she spoke slowly and deliberately:
“Your Majesty, empty promises are not enough to convince people.”

“I must see for myself that you do indeed possess the power of six saints.”

King Gaius's face was so grave it seemed to drip water. He took a deep breath and replied in a low voice:

"That's no problem at all, as long as Mr. Yann agrees to our battle plan."

I will let Your Highness witness firsthand the true essence and power of Ceylon!

After saying that, he turned his gaze back to Cohen and said in a deep voice:
“Mr. Yann, you wouldn’t want to see your fiancée, Princess Grace, lose out in the struggle for the throne with Prince Xiazuo, would you?”

"As long as you are willing to send troops to help..."

He swung his arm sharply in the air, as if depicting a grand future:

"The entire Kingdom of Ceylon will be your and Princess Grace's strongest support!"
A complete and powerful Ceylon will fully support you in resisting all pressure from Shazor!

This is an incredibly tempting promise!
Cohen showed just the right amount of hesitation, and remained silent for almost half a minute.

Finally, he slowly raised his head, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes, but his tone remained cautious and shrewd:
"If you really have such a trump card."

So it's not that we can't take a gamble.

Before that, tell me your specific battle plan.

I need to assess first whether the risks and rewards of this deal are truly worth betting my entire fortune.

A glimmer of hope instantly flashed in King Gaius's eyes, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope in his desperate situation.

He gestured to Prime Minister Merrick beside him.

The latter nodded slightly and began to elaborate on the battle plan that held the last hope of Quesaon's side.

Unbeknownst to Gaius, he was handing over his and the Kingdom of Ceylon's last secret to their most dangerous enemy.

"...It is tentatively scheduled that the full-scale attack on Emerald Harbor will officially begin in ten days."

This includes all three naval fleets of the Kingdom of Ceylon, as well as Mr. Yann's 'Crimson Raiders' fleet.

King Gaius then added:
"I believe that with the powerful support of the 'ghost ship', coupled with the fact that Effie's homeland already lacks a strong naval fleet, the situation will be much more favorable."

Three days!

Within three days at most, we will be able to crush the entire naval forces of Efein and set foot on Efein's territory.

"As soon as our troops approach their capital, the rebellions and unrest within their borders will surely be greatly alleviated!"

Cohen, playing the role of "Ya'en," listened quietly, his face showing no emotion whatsoever.

Only the fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, as if calculating something.

After a long silence, he slowly nodded.

"The plan sounds good, but before that..."

I need proof that the six saints you speak of truly exist.

King Gaius answered almost without hesitation:

"Okay, let's set a time!"

Cohen waved his hand casually and said:
"There's no need to go through all that trouble setting a time. Wasn't your battle plan scheduled to begin in ten days?"

Then in ten days, on the endless sea.

"As soon as I see with my own eyes that you have enough Saints, my 'Crimson Raiders' will immediately set sail and head straight for Emerald Harbor!"

Upon hearing this, King Gaius's face, which had been taut with long-term anxiety and pressure, finally broke into a relieved smile.

The long-standing gloom seemed to finally see the light of dawn dispelling it.

"it is good!

It's settled then!

That "It's settled" was like a heavy horn, heralding the start of the final high-stakes gamble for the Kingdom of Ceylon.

Like an invisible shackle, it completely locked King Gaius and his last strength within the intricate web woven by Cohen.

……

The afterglow of dusk shone through the glass window of the villa's kitchen, casting a warm golden hue over Grace's busy figure.

Her Highness the Princess was intently preparing a beautifully marbling steak, the sizzling sound and enticing aroma of melting butter filling the air.

He paused, looked up, and his voice reached Cohen's ears as he leaned against the kitchen doorframe:

"Six saints, are you really confident?"
"Or, should we send Koss back from Freya first?"

Koss, naturally, is Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound that ferociously bit and killed the saint at the Northwest Regional Exchange Conference.

When Freya decided to infiltrate Ceylon to carry out Cohen's strategic mission, Cohen sent Koss to her side as a last resort for security.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and Koss didn't have a chance to make a move.

Cohen slowly shook his head and said:
"Let's forget it. Kos's background is too sensitive."

The frequent appearance of Cerberus can easily attract unnecessary attention and associations.

It's best not to use it unless absolutely necessary.

Let's use the power of the Starburst Clan this time.

"Star Clan"!
A hint of worry flashed in Grace's eyes, and she continued:

“Saints are not so easy to deal with.”

Even with the power of the Star Clan, you couldn't possibly kill all six Saints in an instant.

Saints are a major dividing line on the path to transcendence. Each saint possesses near-divine power and unpredictable means of survival.

The risks and difficulties involved in simultaneously capturing six saints and ensuring that none of them escaped are beyond imagination.

A smile played on Cohen's lips as his gentle gaze fell on Grace's face, his voice steady:

"Don't worry, they've cultivated to the level of a Saint."

Their loyalty can no longer be attributed 100% to any one person.

What held them together with Gaius was nothing more than interests and contracts.

When they witnessed firsthand that even the power of the six saints could not reverse the inevitable demise of Gaius.

For the sake of their future path and development, they will certainly make the wisest choice that best serves their own interests.

Hearing Cohen's insightful analysis, the worry in Grace's eyes gradually dissipated, and she breathed a sigh of relief, a look of understanding appearing on her face.
"That's good. I was really afraid that you would kill all six saints in a fit of anger."

If things really escalate to that point, even the five great empires might not be able to sit still and intervene.

The simultaneous fall of six Saints is an event that will shake the entire continent, enough to disrupt the existing balance of power and bring about unpredictable consequences.

Upon hearing this, Cohen chuckled softly and gently ruffled Grace's hair.
"How could I kill them all? I have to think about Freya too."

A newly established kingdom needs a foundation and a solid foundation.

If she isn't left with some usable strength, how will she stabilize such a vast kingdom as Ceylon?
Moreover, rather than simply killing them, I would prefer to persuade them to 'set things right'.

As long as we let them witness firsthand the overwhelming power of the saints we possess, and let them see the inevitable trend of the times.

These intelligent people would never willingly commit suicide for a king who has already lost power!

Cohen had already calculated everything perfectly.

Killing is only the most basic means.

A true master is adept at turning the enemy's strength into his own.

And this is precisely his area of ​​expertise.

Grace fumbled around the bottles and jars on the stove, her brow furrowed slightly, clearly not very good at cooking.

But she still tried her best to maintain an expression of "everything is under control".

As she tried to sprinkle a spoonful of white granules into the pot, she continued talking about the important matter:

"Once the Star Clan officially makes its move, it will be tantamount to announcing their return to the entire continent."

This matter requires the tacit approval or even the recognition of the five great empires.

Cohen nodded:

"Yes, this is something we really need to consider."

Grace's lips curled into a sly smile:

"I'll try to persuade my father these next couple of days."

The Eastern Empire should be fine.

Upon hearing this, Cohen couldn't help but smile wryly, his gaze falling on Grace's "busy" hands, a hint of helplessness in his eyes:
"With your efforts, Emperor Eberron immediately guessed that 'Yan' and I are actually the same person, didn't he?"

Grace curled her lip indifferently and casually poured another spoonful of dark liquid into the pot:

According to my shrewd great-grandfather, my father probably already figured it out.

Since he chose not to say anything, I'll just pretend I don't know.

Well, I'll just say that Isabella begged me for help.

She promised to cede a portion of the core interests of the Kingdom of Ceylon to me after the war, and I agreed after weighing the pros and cons.

As for the Western Regions Empire and the Central Empire, I'll leave them to you.

If three out of the five great empires explicitly express their tacit approval, the emergence of the Starburst Race will be a natural consequence.

Cohen looked at the increasingly bizarre-colored "dish" in the pot, his lips twitched slightly, and he said:

"That's a plausible excuse."

"Your Highness, what you were holding just now was candy, wasn't it?" Grace paused, looked down at the candy jar in her hand, then at the suspiciously shiny meat patties in the pot, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face.

But he quickly regained his composure:
"Oh, I was so focused on talking to you that I grabbed the wrong one."

She reached for another bottle and, without even looking at it, was about to pour it into the pot.

Cohen's eye twitched again, and he couldn't help but speak up to remind her:

"Um... this is soy sauce, not sesame oil."

Seeing Grace's flustered state, Cohen finally couldn't help but sigh and rub his forehead:

"My Princess, have you really cooked?"

Grace's face, flushed with embarrassment and anger after being repeatedly exposed, finally lit up. She slammed the spoon into the pot, put her hands on her hips, and glared at Cohen.

"Alright, alright, it's a rare opportunity for me to cook you a meal, so don't be so demanding!"

A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes, and she spoke in a threatening tone:
"No matter what I make, you have to finish it!"

Cohen looked at the sticky "masterpiece" in the pot, which emitted a strange sweet and salty smell, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
The Queen's sister honed her skills by working alongside her mother in the kitchen since childhood.

Why are you comparing this with her?

But facing the princess who was clearly obsessed with the cultivation method, and her beautiful eyes that seemed to say, "You dare not eat it and see what happens."

Cohen could only swallow hard, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace, and nodded resignedly.

"Okay, okay, I'll eat it, I'll definitely eat it..."

……

The decisive moment for the Kingdom of Ceylon is approaching, and the air is thick with the tension of an impending storm.

Cohen began preparations, his mind racing as he calculated every ounce of power needed for the final battle.

Gaius has six saints in his possession; these are his last trump cards.

Then at least ten saints must appear on our side!
The ten saints, plus the invisible threat of Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound that everyone knows and that once killed a saint.

Even if Kos doesn't actually show up this time, it's enough to make Gaius and his saints extremely wary.

Only by creating such an absolutely overwhelming balance of power can their fighting spirit be completely crushed.

Only then can those wise sages see the situation clearly and abandon the foolish idea of ​​being buried with a dying dynasty.

He slowly closed his eyes, his mind racing as he quickly tallied every card he could play:

The Church of Light should be able to summon two saints.

The Pale Wings can field three players.

The remaining gaps can only be filled by the "Star Clan".

As for Garcia, let him remain in the capital.

Florence needs a powerful figure of sufficient stature to oversee the situation, in case of unforeseen circumstances.

As for the Church of Prophecy, he did not intend to use it.

There's a more important, longer-term deal between him and Atkinson.

Getting too caught up in the current conflict would be detrimental.

In other words, the Star Clan needs to send out five Star Lords who are equivalent to Saints.

With that in mind, Cohen no longer hesitated.

They immediately contacted Aunt Jialin, who was far away on the front lines, using encrypted communication magic.

As the saintess of the Starburst Clan, Garin is currently leading a newly formed force composed of Starburst Clan recruits and Efein officers, clearing out the last remaining resistance forces of the kingdom on the scorched earth of Ceylon.

It serves both as training grounds and as a means to continuously replenish troops during combat, accumulating resources for the future re-establishment of the Star Empire.

The communication was quickly established, and Jialin's holy face, radiant with starlight, appeared in the magical light and shadow.

Cohen succinctly stated his plans.

Tell Jialin to put down what she's doing and go to Asuna's camp to meet up.

There is an important matter that requires a face-to-face meeting.

Although Cohen didn't say it outright, Jialin had a premonition.

Such solemnity suggests that a decisive battle is about to begin.

After ending the communication, Cohen rushed to the camp of the Effie Expeditionary Force.

To be honest, it has been quite a long time since I've seen Asuna.

I recall her as equally unforgettable and aggressively passionate both on the battlefield and in bed.

A warm smile involuntarily curved the corners of Cohen's lips, and a glimmer of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

"It's time to properly 'comfort' my Grand Duke."

……

Ironforge, this northern behemoth forged from black magic stone and alchemical steel, stands majestically atop the last natural barrier leading to Quessaron.

The weathered city walls stand a hundred meters high, covered with countless marks from sword cuts, axe blows, and magical attacks.

Every scar tells a story of blood and fire.

Since ancient times, this place has been the most important and fortified military stronghold in the northern part of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

It is the last steel barrier protecting the capital city of Quesaon.

Legend has it that even during that great war between gods and demons that swept across the continent...

While countless cities were reduced to ruins under the iron heel of demons, Ironforge never fell.

Like a loyal giant, it stands tall and unyielding, guarding the city behind it, known as the "First Mighty City of the Northwest Continent," Quesaon.

However, today this fortress, a symbol of resilience and perseverance, has welcomed a new owner.

At the top of the main tower, the royal banner embroidered with the Ceylon lion that had flown for thousands of years is nowhere to be seen.

Instead, two brand-new flags fluttered in the cold northern winds.

One side features the golden eagle flag of Alfie, its wings outstretched and gleaming in the sunlight, as if ready to soar into the sky at any moment.

On the other side was a bright red flag, as vivid as blood, with a majestic and ferocious phantom of a dragon embroidered in the center.

The dragon's silhouette seemed to be drawn from burning flames, exuding a chilling sense of oppression.

Beside the phantom of the dragon was a small but exquisite dragon-shaped mark, exactly the same as the dragon mark on Cohen's wrist.

This is the banner of the Red Dragon Duchess.

The two flags flew side by side above Ironvein Fortress, silently announcing the change of ownership of this ancient fortress.

The main camp of the Effie expeditionary force was set up in the city lord's mansion in the center of the city.

This place was originally the residence of a duke or nobleman of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

The luxurious and imposing residence was now filled with the tense and efficient atmosphere of war.

Messengers carrying command flags and intelligence officers holding encrypted documents hurried in and out of the gate.

With a serious expression and swift movements, he was afraid of wasting even a second.

Despite their hurried expressions, a closer look reveals an undisguised joy and excitement in their eyes and brows.

It was a feeling of excitement and pride that came from the depths of my heart.

victory!

Victory after victory!

Moreover, they did not defeat any ordinary opponent, but the Kingdom of Ceylon, which had once been high above and suppressed Efein for generations, and was known as the "strongest country on the continent"!

The sense of accomplishment from trampling the former overlord underfoot, combined with the pleasure of revenge, created an extremely invigorating atmosphere that permeated the entire camp.

Every soldier and every officer seemed to have a sentence written on their face:

Times have changed!
A new hegemon is rising!

And they are the witnesses and creators of this historic moment!
……

Outside the city lord's mansion, the wide square was teeming with people, and the atmosphere was so lively it was almost boiling over.

Those officers in their crisp Effie uniforms, and the civilian staff accompanying them.

Whenever their gaze swept over the most luxurious palace in the mansion, their eyes would gleam with an undisguised, almost religious fervor.

It wasn't just because of the palace owner's stunning beauty, but also because of the artistic and captivating military talent she displayed on the battlefield.

For soldiers charging into battle, this is a more deadly attraction than beauty.

On the periphery of the crowd, a large group of elegantly dressed gentlemen, though looking apprehensive, had gathered.

They were high-ranking nobles and local officials who had just surrendered from various parts of northern Ceylon.

At this moment, they are racking their brains, trying to establish some kind of relationship through various roundabout connections.

Even just being able to say a single word to the now incredibly powerful Red Dragon Duchess would be enough to satisfy her.

Some have even found the Central Empire, the place where Asuna once lived.

However, amidst all this noise and commotion, the owner of the palace seemed to be in another world.

She coldly rejected all invitations, visiting cards, and invitations.

Her whole being was focused on every battle taking place on Ceylon.

Deep within the palace, in a spacious and solemn command room.

The air was filled with the scent of parchment, ink, and a hint of pine burning in the fireplace.

A huge military sand table occupied almost the entire center of the room, with the mountains, rivers, cities and passes of northern Ceylon meticulously depicted on it.

It was covered with small flags of various colors, representing the opposing sides.

A tall, slender figure stood quietly in front of the sand table.

She wore a long robe made of crimson velvet, the fabric of which was thick and draped smoothly, gleaming with a soft and noble luster in the indoor light.

A corset woven from silver and burgundy silk threads clung tightly to her body, perfectly outlining her voluptuous yet slender figure.

Her chestnut-brown hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, the ends slightly curled and gleaming with a healthy sheen.

What is most striking is the ferret trim that folds out at the cuffs of her robe; the fur is as white as snow and has a delicate texture.

This extreme whiteness blended almost seamlessly with the pale skin of her exposed wrists and neck, revealing an indescribable nobility.

Exquisite beauty, majestic presence, and unapproachable.

She stood there quietly, her gaze lowered, intently observing every subtle change on the sand table.

Asuna Iliad, the brain and soul of the entire expeditionary force, the uncrowned queen of this newly conquered land! (End of Chapter)