Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

The vast operations room was filled with generals, and the atmosphere was exceptionally enthusiastic.

The long, ebony conference table was filled with senior officers from various departments of the Effie Expeditionary Force.

The generals' stars on their shoulder insignia are shining brightly; each one is an outstanding individual who emerged from this war of national annihilation.

A huge military map of the northern part of the Kingdom of Ceylon hangs on the wall. The blue arrows on the map, representing the area controlled by Efein, are like a surging tide, completely submerging all the areas north of Ironvein Fortress.

Their forces are aimed directly at their final target—Quesaon!

This is a joint meeting of the command headquarters.

The meeting had only one purpose: to discuss the next step, which could also be the final step in the war's operational plan.

A burly army general with a booming voice:

"Ironvet Fortress has fallen, and Quesaon is now an isolated city. Our army should press on and pursue them in one fell swoop."

Surround Quessão completely, cutting off all his external support!

Soon, a chief of staff shook his head:

"Let's observe further. Not only are there heavy troops in Quesaon City, but what's even more terrifying is the power of those high-level extraordinary beings, especially the saints."

His words made the faces of many officers present turn serious.

Saint!
It was a terrifying existence that transcended ordinary armies; it was the last and strongest trump card of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

The general who spoke earlier said:
"With the prohibitions of the five great empires, do these saints dare to participate in military wars?"

"When the country is on the verge of extinction, do you think Gaius will still obey?"

"That's true..."

"I believe we should first clear out all remaining strongholds around Quessaon."

"Pinch off its wings, completely isolate this isolated city, and then proceed slowly and deliberately!"

The meeting room was immediately divided into two factions: the radicals and the moderates, each sticking to their own views and arguing heatedly.

Grand Duke Iliad, seated in the main seat, remained silent throughout.

Seems to be thinking about something.

Just as the debate reached its most intense moment—

"Squeak-"

With a soft sound, the heavy oak door of the operations room was gently pushed open.

A woman dressed in a simple maid's uniform walked in hurriedly with her head down.

Her appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention, because according to the rules, during the joint meeting, no one is allowed to disturb the proceedings unless there is something extremely important.

The maid's face was very pale, she was clutching a sealed document bag tightly in her hand, and her steps were even a little unsteady.

She walked straight to Grand Duchess Asuna and whispered:

"Your Excellency, this is an urgent document from the Military Discipline Department, classified as top secret."

Director Harvey instructed that you must review this as soon as possible.

The previously heated debate in the operations room suddenly subsided.

All the officers' gazes involuntarily shifted from the sand table and focused on the crimson figure in the main seat.

Although they had just been arguing heatedly about the attack strategy, most of their attention was actually focused on the Red Dragon Grand Duke.

At this moment, I heard the words "Military Discipline Department" and "Reviewed immediately".

His expression instantly turned serious.

Military Discipline Department!
The name itself carries a chilling, bloody aura.

It is the sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of every soldier in the expeditionary force, the most ruthless and merciless hound forged by His Excellency the Grand Duke himself.

She was directly under the Grand Duke of the Iliad, independent of all military systems, and responsible only to her.

Its duties are only two, but enough to make anyone tremble at the mere mention of them—to enforce military discipline and to investigate treason!
What's even more frightening is that over 70% of the members in the Military Discipline Department come from the Military Intelligence Bureau.

That legendary intelligence organization that was omnipresent and ruthless.

The style of the Military Discipline Department, composed of people from the Military Intelligence Bureau, is predictable.

Once you're targeted by the military discipline department, you might lose your job at best, or even be beheaded, and your entire family might be implicated.

At this critical moment, a document that required the Grand Duke's personal review was delivered directly to the joint meeting.

This can only mean one thing—something extremely serious has happened in the military.

When Asuna heard the words "Military Discipline Department," her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He then let out a barely audible sigh, tinged with an undisguised helplessness.

Military discipline matters have always been handled entirely by Melanie.

This meticulous sister always manages to keep everything in perfect order.

But once she left, this tedious and heavy burden inevitably fell on his shoulders.

The thought that Melantha might be enjoying leisure and pleasure in Cohen's arms right now, while he had to face this mountain of military affairs and sudden troubles, made him realize that Melantha was probably enjoying herself in Cohen's arms right now.

Asuna couldn't help but feel a childish complaint rising in her heart.

She turned around, walked slowly back to the head of the table, and sat down gracefully.

Then he extended a hand with distinct knuckles and calmly accepted the documents handed to him by the maid.

Her voice remained as cool and detached as ever.
"What serious incident could possibly occur in military discipline that would require my immediate approval?"

Could it be a large-scale desertion?

However, the maid's face turned even paler when she asked her question.

Her body even began to tremble slightly, and her lips quivered as she answered in a fearful voice:

"Yes... he is a major, a regimental commander."

"On the way into the city..."

Her words abruptly stopped there, as if she dared not continue.

The officers in the operations room quickly guessed what was going on from the maid's stammering expression, and their faces immediately changed.

Grand Duchess Asuna's previously indifferent gaze suddenly sharpened as she coldly stared at the maid.

The maid trembled, stung by that gaze, and finally managed to squeeze out the suffocating words in a voice trembling with tears:

"He raped and murdered a female civilian."

The operations room fell into a deathly silence.

Rape and murder of civilians!

This is the most unforgivable and absolutely "no mercy" iron rule in the Expeditionary Force's military discipline!

What's more, the person who committed this crime was a major, a regimental commander.

The entire operations room seemed frozen in an invisible frost.

Even though Grand Duchess Asuna had not yet shown any obvious anger, all the officers and staff present involuntarily stopped what they were doing.

She even subconsciously held her breath, afraid that the slightest sound might become a spark that ignited the Red Dragon Duchess's thunderous wrath.

As we all know, being a woman, especially a woman with unparalleled beauty and a noble status, is a privilege.

The Grand Duke of the Iliad had zero tolerance for crimes such as raping and abusing women.

Many of the senior commanders in the operations room are former subordinates of Asuna who have followed her since the Southern Territory.

They knew all too well that back in the Southern Territory, the Grand Duchess had always been exceptionally strict and decisive in dealing with any similar cases that occurred within her territory.

The one who committed such an outrageous crime was actually an officer in the Expeditionary Force, a major regimental commander!
They also brutally murdered their victims.

This is not merely a violation of military discipline, but a blatant provocation against the Grand Duke's personal beliefs and authority.

It is easy to imagine what a devastating storm is about to rage.

However, to everyone's surprise, after a moment of stunned silence, Asuna slowly curved her lips into a smile that could captivate all.

His gaze swept indifferently over the trembling maid, and he let out a chilling laugh that sent shivers down everyone's spine:
"Normally, you would try to quell the news before it reaches my ears."

They would usually be executed directly according to military regulations.

The fact that it was specifically sent to me this time means that even the head of the military discipline department is having trouble handling it.

These words struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

Everyone knows that the members of the Military Discipline Department are the elite of the elite from the Military Intelligence Bureau headquarters, and each of them is an incorruptible and ruthless individual.

And Fingel Harvey, the head of the military discipline department, was a student personally trained by His Majesty Cohen Corleone.

Even he found it troublesome and needed to directly present this "hot potato" to the Grand Duke!
what does this mean?
This means the perpetrator's background is probably terrifyingly deep!
Asuna leaned back slightly in her chair and calmly asked:
"Tell me, what's the background of this major?"

The maid trembled violently under Asuna's icy gaze.

She used all her strength to barely steady her voice and carefully began to speak:
"Grand Duke, his name is Basil Guéris."

But his mother… her last name was Corleone.

Corleone!
This surname, like a silent thunderclap, suddenly exploded in the deathly quiet operations room!
Corleone!
Clan members!

As Alfiein's victory on the Ceylon battlefield drew ever closer, many unavoidable negative phenomena began to quietly emerge.

Many members of the royal family and nobility in Efein began secretly sending their sons to the front lines.

They attempted to "gild their resumes" in this "war of national annihilation" to pave the way for their future careers.

However, they also knew that Her Highness Queen Angrain, who now ruled the capital, abhorred this kind of "reaping the benefits" behavior.

Therefore, these members of the royal family usually conceal their identities and act discreetly.

Few people dare to proactively reveal their background.

The major who committed this serious crime is probably facing the iron fist of the military discipline department.

Realizing that he would really lose his head if he didn't reveal his identity, he had no choice but to bring up his royal family background.

When Grand Duchess Asuna heard the surname "Corleone," a barely perceptible glint of cold light flashed in her eyes.

His face showed no emotion whatsoever, and his tone was chillingly calm.

"Go on, who is his mother?"

The maid swallowed hard, her voice almost trembling with exhaustion as she replied:

"Eleanor Corleone".

This name is not unfamiliar to the upper class in Florence.

All eyes were focused on the Grand Duke of Iliad's expressionless face, awaiting her judgment.

A massive storm concerning law, power, and royalty is about to break.

Asuna's gaze sharpened slightly as she searched her mind for a vague figure.

After a moment, he slowly opened his mouth:
"Elena?"

Is she the one who married into the Eastern Border?

The Eastern Territory is the birthplace of the Corleone royal family.

The nobles of the Eastern Territory have maintained close ties with the Corleone royal family through marriage for generations, forming a complex web of intertwined interests.

Eleanor Corleone's father, Gerald Corleone, was the late king's cousin. Strictly speaking, according to patriarchal and blood relations, Eleanor's kinship with the current king, Corleone, is actually quite distant.

But the key point is that Gerard Corleone is no ordinary man.

He had distinguished himself in many of Alfein’s foreign wars and was personally appointed a prince by the late king.

He wielded considerable influence and prestige within the royal family, the army, and among the nobles of the East.

Even in the current expeditionary force, many generals were once under Prince Gerald's command.

This is the fundamental reason why even Fingel Harvey, the head of the military discipline department, found it extremely difficult.

Ultimately, they had no choice but to hand this "hot potato" to Asuna intact.

This is no longer just a simple case of military discipline; it involves complex clan relations and political balance.

Upon hearing this, the maidservant quickly bowed and replied:

"Yes, Your Excellency, it is indeed him."

After hearing this, Asuna's lips slowly curled into a cold smile, and she said in a chilling voice:
"Where is he? Bring him here!"

"Yes!"

Soon, the door to the operations room was pushed open again.

Two stern-faced military police officers from the military discipline department escorted a young man in, one on each side.

The young man was wearing a wrinkled major's uniform, but the epaulets had been torn off.

His face was pale, like a crumpled piece of paper.

They have clearly suffered a lot.

Basil's eyes were unfocused, and his lips trembled incessantly.

His body was slightly hunched, as if he had been completely crushed by heavy fear and despair.

The air in the entire operations room froze completely at that moment.

All eyes were on the young major who had committed an unforgivable crime, awaiting Grand Duchess Asuna's final judgment.

When Basil Garys was escorted into the somber operations room, the first thing he saw was the crimson figure sitting in the main seat.

Despite being filled with fear and despair, Asuna's stunning beauty still made his heart flutter involuntarily.

The instinctive sense of amazement lasted only a moment before being completely overwhelmed by overwhelming fear.

He knew perfectly well the immense power of life and death held by the breathtakingly beautiful woman before him, and her zero-tolerance attitude towards crimes against women.

thump!
He practically tumbled and crawled to the ground, his voice hoarse and distorted with extreme fear:
"Your Excellency, it's...it's my fault! It's all my fault!"
It was because I was drunk and lost control of myself that I caused this disaster.

Please, for the sake of Prince Gerald and for the sake of my mother, forgive me this time!

My mother is on her way, and we are willing to compensate for all losses…

Faced with his tearful pleas, Asuna's face remained completely unmoved.

She looked down at him detachedly, her calm voice carrying a chilling coldness:
"If you still know that you have the blood of the Corleone royal family flowing through your veins."

Then you should seek out 'decency' for yourself!

decent!

These two words were like a death sentence, causing Basil to tremble violently.

He completely broke down, crying and pleading:

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I really know I was wrong! I didn't mean to!"

Please, please give me a chance! I beg you!

Amidst this desperate wailing, his eyes searched frantically among the crowd in the operations room, like a drowning man.

Suddenly, his gaze settled on a middle-aged military officer standing in the corner.

As if seeing a last straw, a near-mad light suddenly burst forth in his eyes.

He turned towards the officer and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Uncle Leam! Uncle Leam!"

Please say something for me!
My mother personally entrusted me to you!

When Basil's desperate cries, filled with her last hope, echoed in the operations room.

All the officers turned their gazes to the middle-aged officer whose name had been called, who was standing in the corner.

Major General Liam Richard, Deputy Director of the Expeditionary Force's Intelligence Department and Senior Intelligence Officer.

The intelligence chief, who was known for his composure and competence, suddenly turned extremely pale.

He could clearly feel the scrutinizing, amused, and even slightly gloating gazes cast by his colleagues.

It felt as if countless invisible needles were pricking his back.

He was both shocked and furious.

What shocked me was that this fool, oblivious to his own mortality, had dragged me into this mess at such a time; what angered me was that I had been implicated by such a good-for-nothing spoiled brat.

"Humph!"

Leam let out a cold snort, stepped forward, and pointed at Basil, who was kneeling on the ground.

Without concealing the disgust and indignation in his voice, he sternly rebuked:
Basil!
You scum! You piece of trash!

You have utterly disgraced your mother, Lady Eleanor!
Having committed such an unforgivable crime, how dare you even mention your mother's name here?

His gaze swept sternly across Basil's tear-streaked face, his tone growing heavier as he spoke with deep sorrow:

"The Grand Duke is absolutely right."

If someone like you has even a shred of conscience, you should immediately commit suicide to atone for your sins!

So as not to bring further stain upon your family, and your maternal grandfather, His Highness Prince Gerald!

This was a righteous and stern rebuke, a clear severance from basil.

Leam turned around, a smile spreading across his face.

He bowed slightly and spoke softly to Asuna in a cautious tone:
"Your Excellency, may I speak with you in private?"

The meaning behind this request is self-evident.

However, in response to his request...

Asuna's expression remained indifferent. She glanced at Leam indifferently and said calmly:

"Say it here."

Leam's expression darkened slightly.

He knew that the Grand Duke had no intention of leaving any room for maneuver; everything had to be laid bare.

Leam muttered a bitter sigh, frowned deeply, and whispered:
"Your Highness, Basil has violated military law, and the evidence is conclusive. He should indeed be severely punished."

However... it would be best if this execution order were not issued by you personally.

Although Basil was a good-for-nothing playboy, his mother, Eleanor, was a real royal princess.

His maternal grandfather, Prince Gerald, was an accomplished military leader and a veteran who had made significant contributions.

Their influence and entrenched power within the royal family and the military were simply too deep to contain.

At this point, Leam seemed to have made up his mind, and with a sudden grit of his teeth, he decided to spell it all out:

"This matter involves the royal family's background."

Your Highness is someone His Majesty values ​​and cherishes greatly.

It seems you shouldn't get involved yourself, lest it negatively impact your future situation.

It would be better to escort this person back to the country and hand him over to Her Majesty the Queen for disposal.

Given Her Majesty the Queen's unwavering and impartial style, she will certainly not let this scoundrel off the hook!

Leam has a good plan.

He knew that if he pleaded for Basil's life at this moment, it would only provoke Asuna's greater resentment and anger.

When things are urgent, take it slow; when things are slow, things will turn out smoothly.

This is a lesson he learned after years of navigating the power landscape.

The best course of action is to postpone the matter for the sake of Basil's family, especially his mother, who is a royal princess, and his maternal grandfather, whose students and associates are spread throughout the court.

To gain valuable time to maneuver and engage in activities within the royal family.

In his view, no matter how much the Grand Duke of the Iliad was favored by His Majesty, he was still a "secret lover," and his status was not legitimate.

Faced with the deeply entrenched power of the Corleone family, she would always have some reservations and could not be completely unconcerned.

Therefore, this hot potato was thrown back to the country and handed over to Queen Angrian, who was intolerant of any wrongdoing, to deal with.

This is undoubtedly the safest and most suitable choice.

In this way, a direct conflict with the royal family was avoided, and the Queen was able to punish criminals, achieving the best of both worlds.

As for whether Basil was severely punished after being escorted back to his country, or whether he was given a lenient sentence due to the power struggle among various parties.

That's beyond the control and concern of a frontline general like Leam.

He had done all he could, and he had given Princess Eleanor and Prince Gerald a satisfactory explanation.

However, he greatly underestimated the steely resolve hidden beneath Asuna's seemingly calm exterior.

He was even less aware of the extraordinary bond between Asuna and that supreme king, a bond that transcended ordinary monarchical relations and even romantic love.

A deep bond built on absolute trust and shared ideals.

Cohen gave Asuna not only affection, but also unreserved support and trust.

In the face of Asuna's principles, so-called royal background and political considerations are nothing more than stumbling blocks that can be kicked aside.

Under Leam's expectant gaze.

Asuna's gaze swept coldly over the trembling basil on the ground, her voice remaining steady:

"Her Royal Highness is in charge of the entire Effie and is extremely busy with state affairs every day."

There's no need to go through all that trouble to send it back and upset her.

She paused slightly, then suddenly raised her voice:
"Somebody come!"

Two military police officers from the military discipline department, wearing black breastplates and with expressionless faces, pushed open the door and entered.

"Drag this scoundrel out and court-martial him in front of all the soldiers and the victims' families!"

Upon hearing this, Leam Richard's expression changed instantly.

He opened his mouth, about to say something, but his familiar colleagues tugged at him and subtly shook their heads.

Basil's face also turned deathly pale.

He stared at Asuna in disbelief, as if she were an incomprehensible being!

She actually dared to do it!

She truly didn't care about her status or background at all! (End of Chapter)