Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

The castle lord's words resonated with many.

Soon another general added:

"Don't forget, everyone, this Cohen Corleone of the Endless Alliance is also the monarch of the human continent, the imperial consort of the Central Empire, the strongest nation on the continent, and a prophetic son."

Even Thrall would have to think twice about this amount!
Moreover, according to intelligence, he also has a good relationship with the Holy See.

The Church of Light possesses many effective means to suppress demons.

If we can cooperate with them and obtain their support in this area, it will have a remarkable effect on our current battle situation.

As everyone spoke, their positions gradually became clearer.

Cooperation with Nightmoon Continent might guarantee combat strength, but deep-seated historical hatred makes it difficult to build trust, and there is a risk of being betrayed.

After another round of heated debate, most of the vampire nobles, especially the ancient nobles who held the dominant power in deliberations, gradually tipped their scales in favor of the Supreme Council.

One of the elders summarized:

"Werewolves... are ultimately beasts, and one should not try to make plans with them."

How could I, an elegant and noble vampire, condescend to truly join hands with beasts who eat raw meat and drink blood and are ignorant of etiquette?

Even if they unite temporarily, conflicts are bound to arise.

Although the Supreme Council has a mixed background, it is at least a legitimate human civilization.

I heard that Cohen has an elven queen, and that this elven queen is in charge of the diplomatic affairs of the entire Supreme Council.

In that case, cooperating with them wouldn't tarnish the honor of our vampire clan.

Vampires have always held themselves in high regard, and there are very few races with whom they can maintain goodwill, with elves being one of the few exceptions.

Of course, this is also because the vampires and elves had a long honeymoon period in history, especially the blood elves, who had a deep relationship with the vampires.

These remarks, which were rife with racial prejudice, surprisingly received tacit approval and even nods of agreement from many people.

For many old-school vampires, they would rather pay a greater price than compromise on "dignity" and "blood purity".

Even if such a compromise seems so ridiculous in the face of the threat of annihilation.

Lucius saw all this and understood it all—the so-called "elegance and nobility" and "disdain for associating with beasts."

It was merely an excuse to maintain the last shred of pitiful self-respect; the real reason was extreme distrust of their sworn enemy and an unwillingness to be inferior to the werewolves.

However, internal opinions seem to be converging in all directions.

Lucius no longer hesitated, turning his gaze to Keshram, and made the final decision:
"In that case, the partner will be the Supreme Council, Keshram!"

The young prince, whose name was called, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Father."

Lucius said in a deep voice:
"You are the heir of my clan, of noble status, and can represent the will of the vampires."

This time, you will personally go on a mission to the Endless City, as it concerns the survival of our race and carries a heavy responsibility.

You will lead the delegation and be fully responsible for negotiations with the Supreme Council.

We must be cautious, neither arrogant nor servile, striving for maximum assistance while also safeguarding the fundamental interests and dignity of our people.

With a solemn and determined expression on his handsome, pale face, Keshuram bowed his head and replied:
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your command and will certainly live up to the trust placed in me by my father and the people."

After selecting partners and negotiation envoys, the next step is to discuss more specific negotiation terms.

When it comes to practical interests, the elders, who had just barely reached an agreement, quickly entered a state of "defending the interests of the ethnic group."

An elder in charge of the law solemnly said:

"Since it's a collaboration, it should naturally be an equal alliance."

My vampire clan is an ancient and powerful clan from the lost lands, with a long history and profound heritage.

Even if they suffer a temporary setback, they are by no means someone to be easily humiliated. Cooperation with the Supreme Council should be an equal alliance between the two major powers, based on a shared threat, mutual benefit, and mutual support.

Another military elder immediately chimed in, his face darkened by the unfavorable battle, but his tone remained firm:

"That's exactly right. My vampire clan is gone. Do you think they can stand up to Thrall and the demon legion on their own with just their cobbled-together Supreme Council?"

As the saying goes, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," they need our strength, just as we need their support.

"Your Highness, during negotiations, you must represent our vampire clan and maintain an equal footing!"

"That's right, cooperation is possible, but the control, distribution of spoils, and post-war structure all need to be clarified beforehand, based on equality."

“Our tribe can open some border crossings, share some intelligence, and even provide some resources.”

But in return, they must provide substantial military assistance, especially methods or equipment to combat the demons' insidious methods!

"Furthermore, the command of the coalition forces must be jointly managed through consultation; it cannot be decided by one party alone!"

"Yes, that's the key point!"

The elders quickly sketched out their ideal blueprint for cooperation—an alliance based on equal status, equal power, and shared benefits.

It was as if the vampires were not seeking help at a critical moment of life and death, but rather engaging in a powerful alliance of equal strength.

Lucius listened quietly without interrupting.

He knew the mindset of these elders well—thousands of years of pride were not so easy to let go of, especially in front of a group of "rising stars".

They need this illusion of equality to maintain their inner balance, even though they know that they are suffering repeated defeats on the battlefield and desperately need external assistance.

How fragile is the so-called equal negotiating position?

However, he does not intend to expose this at this time. Some gestures are necessary bargaining chips at the negotiating table and psychological pillars for maintaining internal unity.

Once the murmurs subsided, Lucius slowly nodded, following the crowd's lead, and set the official tone for this mission:
“What you all say are all mature and insightful views on governing the country.”

Cooperation should be based on equality and common interests.

Kashuram, on your journey to the Endless City, take this as your principle and deal with the Supreme Council accordingly.

Tell them that the ambitions of the Demon Empire are endless, and that the threat of demons concerns all living beings.

If the barrier of Twilight Continent falls, the next to face Thrall's onslaught will be their Endless City!
Our people are willing to dedicate our due sincerity to the cause of fighting the demons, opening channels, sharing intelligence, and cooperating in combat.

At this point, he paused slightly, his tone suddenly turning cold, carrying an undeniable warning. This was both an explanation to Keshuram and a message he hoped to convey to any negotiating opponents who might harbor ulterior motives:

"However, we also need to make them understand that although our vampire clan is currently at a disadvantage, we still have thousands of years of heritage and are not easy targets to be manipulated."

Cooperation is based on equality and common interests, not charity.

If anyone thinks they can take advantage of the situation and kick someone when they're down.

I, Lucius Aragell, wouldn't mind making certain delusional individuals pay a bloody price before my destruction!

This combination of soft and hard tactics, employing both a cooperative stance and subtly threatening words, set the tone for this round of negotiations seeking assistance.

Vampires come to find allies to fight their enemies, not to beg for mercy. They acknowledge the crisis and are willing to pay the price, but they will never allow themselves to be treated as easy prey.

Kashuram nodded deeply.

He understood his father's unspoken message: while striving for the best possible conditions, it was imperative to uphold the bottom line and dignity of the tribe, even if that dignity was already teetering on the brink of collapse in the face of an absolute disparity in strength.

After the agenda was set, preparations for the mission to the Endless City began rapidly.

In less than a day, the Twilight Continent assembled a high-level delegation representing the highest decision-making authority of the vampires.

The delegation was personally led by Keshram Aragell, the eldest son of the Blood Lord, a prince of the vampire clan, and the future heir. Its members included seasoned diplomatic veterans, military strategists, deacons familiar with resources and logistics, and elite vampire guards.

It also carries a handwritten letter from Blood Lord Lucius Aragell, as well as an ancient seal representing the highest authority of the vampires.

After all preparations were completed, in order to maintain secrecy, the vampire delegation disguised themselves as a caravan of an ordinary merchant guild and secretly left the capital shrouded in eternal twilight, heading towards the unknown emerging center of power—the Endless City, which was also the location of the Supreme Council.

……

During wartime, amidst heightened tensions, the vampire delegation's itinerary was classified as top secret.

They shed their luxurious clothing and family crests, symbols of status and honor, and disguised themselves as a medium-sized intercontinental caravan.

The convoy consisted of specially modified cargo vehicles, and the members were disguised as managers, guards, and employees of the trading company.

Prince Keshuram disguised himself as a young "young master" in charge of escorting important goods.

They chose the most secluded and inconspicuous route, hiding during the day and emerging at night, using the vampires' natural affinity for shadows to avoid potential spies.

They encountered no major setbacks along the way and quietly arrived at the outskirts of the Endless City.

As dusk deepened, the outline of the Endless City gradually came into view.

Unlike the eternal twilight of Twilight Isles, this city exudes a vibrant atmosphere.

Towering magic towers coexist with rugged industrial buildings, and people of all races throng the wide streets.

The city walls were tall and sturdy, shimmering with the faint light of new defensive runes. The patrolling guards were well-equipped and vigilant.

All of this demonstrates the formidable strength and control of this city and its rulers.

According to the original plan, after entering the city, the delegation would stay at the "Grey Pigeon Inn," a medium-sized commercial hotel with secret ties to the vampires.

Then, through the vampires' deepest "spy" in the Endless City—a veteran informant who has been lurking for many years, disguised as an antique dealer—Kashuram will attempt to secretly contact the middle and upper echelons of the Supreme Council to sound out their intentions.

They also conducted an initial assessment of the internal situation, true strength, and determination of this emerging alliance to fight against the Demon Gold Empire.

This was another important task assigned by Lucius the Blood Lord: to find out as much as possible about potential "allies" before formal negotiations.

However, before Keshuram could contact the informant using special methods, and even before the group had settled in and were discussing their next steps in a suite, there was a knock on the door.

The accompanying head guard cautiously opened the door, and a man dressed in a dark gray suit stood outside. The man's hair was meticulously combed, and he exuded an air of composure befitting someone accustomed to a position of power.

A flawless, formulaic smile graced his face, his gaze calm as he fixed his eyes on Keshram.

Good afternoon, distinguished guest.

Welcome, Your Highness Prince Keshram Aragell, the First Prince of the Vampires, to the Endless City. You must be tired from your journey.

"I am Curtis Frost, Senior Advisor of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Supreme Council. It is a pleasure to meet you, distinguished guests of the vampires."

!!!

Keshuram and the rest of the delegation behind him all showed expressions of shock.

The other party not only accurately stated his identity, but also knew exactly that he had "just arrived"!
This mission is a top secret of the vampire clan!
Those who knew the truth were limited to his father, Blood Lord Lucius, and a few of the most trusted elders in the Senate, totaling no more than five people.

The itinerary was changed multiple times, the disguise was flawless, and the entry into the Endless City was carried out with extreme caution.

How did the other party find out?

Could there be a mole within the highest echelons of the vampire clan? Or... has their intelligence network become so terrifyingly pervasive that it can even grasp the vampire clan's most core secret operations in real time?

Either possibility sent a chill down Kaishuram's spine.

This means that from the moment they stepped into the Endless City, or perhaps even as they left the borders of Twilight Continent, their every move was already under surveillance.

The other side's grasp of the internal dynamics of the vampire clan far exceeded their expectations.

Curtis seemed oblivious to the shock on the other person's face, maintaining his polite smile and slightly turning to gesture for them to proceed.

"Our lords took the news of His Highness's personal arrival very seriously."

A simple banquet has been prepared at the City Lord's Mansion to welcome Your Highness and to invite you to join us for a chat. We sincerely request that Your Highness proceed.

Keshram quickly suppressed his shock, and the calm and arrogance of a vampire prince returned to his handsome, pale face.

He slowly stood up, his posture upright, his dark red eyes calmly fixed on the envoy:

"Your information network is quite impressive. May I ask which esteemed person extended the invitation, and what brings it here?"

The middle-aged man remained impassive, his smile unchanged.
"This matter is of great importance and is not suitable for discussion here. Your Highness will find out when you go to the City Lord's Mansion."

The other party refused to reveal their specific identity, but the titles "City Lord's Mansion" and "Sir" undoubtedly pointed to the core of the Supreme Council.

Since their whereabouts have been exposed and the other party has "invited" them to come over, avoiding them would only make them seem cowardly and would also deprive them of the opportunity to investigate the other party's true strength.

Kashuram's mind raced, and he made a decision in an instant, nodding slightly:
"In that case, I'll trouble you to lead the way."

He gestured for several important accompanying officials and generals in the delegation to follow.

However, the middle-aged man took a half step forward, still smiling, but his tone carried an undeniable firmness:

"Your Highness, in order to ensure absolute secrecy and a smooth meeting, only Your Highness may attend this meeting. Your entourage may rest here, and we will ensure their safety and needs are met."

"What?! No!"

Before he could finish speaking, a vampire guard captain who had been protecting Keshram like a shadow suddenly stepped forward and stood between the prince and the middle-aged man.

His hand was already on the hilt of the sword at his waist, disguised as ordinary luggage, and his voice was resolute:

"Your Highness is of noble birth, how can you travel to an unfamiliar place alone? I must be responsible for Your Highness's safety!"

The other vampire guards and accompanying officials also looked wary, subtly adopting a protective stance.

Sending the future heir of the vampire clan to act alone in the enemy's core territory is too risky.

Faced with the unyielding stance of the vampire guard captain, Curtis's perfunctory polite smile faded slightly, and he said coldly:

"This is the safest place in the entire Lost Lands!"

The vampire guard captain immediately replied:

"That won't do either. At least let me go with him. I need to ensure the Prince's safety!"

Curtis glanced at the vampire guard captain, who looked like he was facing a formidable enemy, a disdainful smile playing on his lips. His words, once polite, became much more direct:
"Ensure His Highness's safety?"

What guarantee do you have? Your sword, which may never have even tasted the blood of a real demon? Or your meticulously planned scheme that nearly led you to Thrall's clutches along the way?

These words shocked and angered everyone present.

Curtis shook his head slightly, his tone carrying an almost pitying sharpness:
"Gentlemen, put away your outdated pride and ridiculous vigilance."

If it weren't for the possibility that we might have some common interests, and if it weren't for someone instructing us to ensure that the negotiations could proceed...

Do you really think you can so easily traverse half of the Lost Lands and safely step into this Endless City?

"Saar sent several groups to attack you along the way. If it weren't for our covert protection, you would have been surrounded and killed countless times!"

These words were like ice water poured into boiling oil, causing an uproar among the vampire delegation members!
Shock, anger, doubt, and disbelief were mixed on every pale face.

The vampire guard captain could no longer contain himself; his hair and beard bristled, and he roared:
"You're talking nonsense!"

Our clan's journey was top secret, the route constantly changing, and the disguise flawless. How could Thrall have known? And how could he…?

"Top Secret? Flawless?"

Curtis scoffed, interrupting the elder, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he coldly said:

"Excuse me, is there a deacon among you named 'De Anton'?"

The person named was a middle-aged vampire man who had been standing silently at the back of the delegation and looked inconspicuous.

He was in charge of the mission's logistics and paperwork. He came from a small family that was dependent on a certain elder, had a clean background, and kept a low profile.

Being suddenly called out at this moment, a hint of undisguised panic flashed across his face. Although he quickly suppressed it, how could such a subtle change escape Curtis's watchful eye?

And Keshram and the others, whose attention was suddenly drawn to Curtis's words?
Kashuram's heart sank, a sense of foreboding gripping him instantly. His gaze fixed on his kinsman, whose expression was beginning to turn unnatural, and he asked in a low voice:

"Deacon Deandong?"

De Andong, trying to remain calm, stepped forward half a step and bowed, saying:

"Your Highness, I am here."

Curtis said nothing more, but simply raised his hand slightly.

Everyone felt a blur before their eyes as a blurry black shadow emerged from the shadows in the corner of the room.

It was incredibly fast, silent, and ghostly!

The shadowy figure's target was crystal clear—it was none other than Deacon Deandon!

Before Deandong could even react effectively, he felt a chill on the back of his neck as a cold energy instantly invaded his body, sealing off his bloodline power and mobility.

The next instant, his hands were bound behind his back by the dark figure, and he was firmly restrained, unable to move!

The person who restrained him was completely covered in an inconspicuous black bodysuit, with only a pair of emotionless eyes showing, as if he himself was part of the shadows.

The one who made the move was a top assassin from the Darkwing family!
"presumptuous!"

"Let him go!"

"What do you want to do?!"

The vampire delegation was both shocked and furious, shouting and cursing. Several guards instinctively drew their weapons, and the atmosphere on the scene instantly became tense.

Kaishuram was also filled with shock and anger. He stepped forward, a blood-red light flickering in his dark red eyes, and the pressure of a ninth-tier powerhouse faintly radiated outwards.

“Mr. Curtis! What do you mean by this? Openly detaining members of my vampire delegation in front of me? Release De Anton immediately! Otherwise…”

Curtis ignored the surrounding swords and the fury of Keshram, calmly looking at the restrained De'Andon, then at the shocked and enraged vampires, and said indifferently:
"What do you mean? Your Highness, and all of you, don't you understand?"
Your supposedly monolithic and unwaveringly loyal mission has long been infiltrated and riddled with sieves!
They can't even tell if the people around them are human or ghosts, yet they're talking about top-secret whereabouts and being flawless.
Isn't that utterly ridiculous?

A vampire official who was on good terms with the De'anton family retorted sharply:
"You are so slanderous!"

Deandong, who had been subdued, initially struggled to explain himself:

"Your Highness! We're innocent! They're framing us! They're trying to sow discord between us! Ah—!"

However, his explanation came to an abrupt end.

Curtis then said to the man in black, "Make him reveal himself."

Upon hearing this, the man in black gently pressed his finger on a spot on the back of Deandong's neck, and a strange energy flowed into it.

De Anton's body stiffened abruptly, and then his face contorted in extreme pain and ferocity, as if something within him had been forcibly activated!
"Uhhhhh-!"

Amidst the piercing screams, wisps of black flame suddenly erupted from beneath Deandre's skin!
The demonic fire spread rapidly, engulfing him. Deandon's original pale skin and elegant demeanor, characteristic of vampires, vanished, and his eyes turned a murky, dark yellow, filled with madness.

"Demonic fire! It's demonic energy from the abyss!"

The knowledgeable vampire elders gasped in shock, their faces turning deathly pale.

“He…he’s been corrupted! He’s become a demon’s minion?!” Another vampire general’s voice trembled.

The scene before them shattered the last vestiges of hope for the vampires.

This member of their delegation, whom they "carefully selected" and who had a "clean background," had actually been corrupted and transformed by the power of the abyss, becoming a lurking demonic spy!

Having revealed some demonic features, "De Anton" knew his disguise had been completely exposed. He no longer concealed himself; a sinister smile appeared on his twisted face, and his hoarse voice carried the whispers of the abyss:
"Heh heh... Good! Well done, Cohen Corleone!"

What a Supreme Council!

You've got some skills! You actually managed to see through my disguise! But your smugness won't last long!
Once His Majesty has dealt with this bunch of rotten long-eared bats, the next one to be dealt with will be you ignorant and arrogant Endless City!
The glory of the abyss will surely envelop the entire lost land!

You... and all those cowards hiding behind you, you'll all die! Just you wait! Hahahahaha…" (End of Chapter)