Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Duke Solari took a deep breath, no longer looking at Cohen, but turning to Mavis, who had been standing silently.

With his right hand on his chest, he bowed deeply in a more respectful, ancient aristocratic gesture than before, his voice booming:

“Commissioner Tinuville… no, Your Highness.”

"If this trip proves it true, Your Highness is indeed the lost royal bloodline of my Arcane Empire, the descendant of the monarch my Solari family has waited for and sworn to serve for generations..." He paused, as if making a great decision, his voice rising even higher, making sure everyone present could hear him clearly:

“Then I, Adrian Solari, swear by the honor of my ancestors and the authority of the current patriarch—the Imperial treasure ‘Crown of the Stars,’ which the Solari family has guarded for generations, will no longer belong to the Solari family from this day forward!”
I would like to bestow upon you, Your Highness, the ruins of the 'Crown of Stars' and its surrounding territories free of charge.

"Returning this item to its rightful owner is to demonstrate the Solari family's loyalty to the legitimacy of the Empire and our full support for your future rule!"

These words caused another small commotion.

The Duke of Solari's move was undeniably brilliant.

This not only demonstrated its stance in full view of the public and seized the political opportunity to be the first to pledge allegiance to the royal bloodline and offer a gift, but also cleverly resolved the potential embarrassment or even disaster that might arise from seizing the royal inheritance in the future.

Whether or not Mavis can actually open the "Crown of Stars," his statement at least won't be a loss—if he can't open it, the donation will naturally be forfeited.

If he can break through, he is a wise and capable leader who understands the times and is a meritorious official.

Faced with this unexpected "generous gift," Mavis remained calm, nodded slightly, and spoke in a clear, melodious voice:
"Your Excellency is very kind. The Empire will never forget the Solari family's generations of dedication to protecting the country."

Cohen's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, quite pleased with Duke Solari's "sensible" behavior.

He said no more, his gaze sweeping over the restless crowd, and said in a deep voice:

"In that case, we should not delay."

Duke Solari, please lead the way. All of you are welcome to come and witness. The truth will soon be revealed.

Without further hesitation, Duke Solari immediately stepped aside to lead the way.

At this moment, he was filled with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. The long-cherished wish of the Wanzai family and the future of the Lost Land might all be revealed today, before the dusty "Crown of Stars".

The remaining members of the Supreme Council and representatives of various forces below the stage, regardless of their own thoughts, all stood up at this moment.

Following Duke Solari, they left the Supreme Council Hall in a grand procession.

……

Deep within the Solari family's territory lies a secluded valley hidden by ancient magic.

When the massive procession, led by Cohen and Mavis and including ten Supreme Council members and dozens of representatives of important forces, finally arrived at their destination after traversing layers of illusionary barriers and spatial folds under the guidance of Duke Adrian Solari.

Even the most experienced and powerful individuals couldn't help but hold their breath at the sight before them.

It was not the ruins one might imagine, but a magnificent palace that seemed to have grown naturally from the mountain.

The building material is neither gold nor stone, presenting a deep dark blue color, with a silver halo flowing across its surface like a living thing, outlining intricate and dazzling star and magical rune patterns.

At the entrance, a crystal archway formed entirely of pure starlight stands silently. Inside the archway is not a solid object, but a rotating cosmic star map.

Countless points of light were created and destroyed within it, emanating ancient, vast, and awe-inspiring magical fluctuations.

Simply standing in front of the door, one can feel the immense and boundless magical pressure that has endured for thousands of years.

Duke Solari pointed to the crystal archway and said to Cohen and Mavis:
"This is the entrance to the Crown of Stars, the Starlight Arch."

Since the discovery of this ruin, the Solari family ancestors have tried countless methods, including using holy-level scrolls to break the taboo.

They invited great scholars who were proficient in ancient runes, and even tried to resonate with an ancient token bestowed by a prince of the empire... but all to no avail.

According to the speculations of the ancients, this gate only recognizes the purest blood of the Arcane Empire's royal family.

After hearing Duke Solari's explanation, everyone's attention once again focused on Mavis.

Mavis remained calm.

She slightly raised her head, her beautiful eyes gazing at the flowing starlight archway, and deep within her eyes, it seemed as if the same starlight was faintly echoing her gaze.

Without the slightest hesitation, under the watchful eyes of countless people, she slowly walked forward toward the barrier that had rejected the Solari family for thousands of years.

He stopped in front of the archway and extended his right hand.

Without chanting any incantations or performing any complicated rituals, he simply placed his palm gently on the surface of the flowing starlight.

The instant her palm touched the starlight—

"Buzz—!!!"

A deep and resonant hum seemed to come from the depths of the earth, and the entire mountain seemed to tremble slightly in response.

On the starry arch, the cosmic star map that was originally flowing slowly suddenly accelerated.

Countless points of starlight spun and converged wildly, eventually forming a crystal-clear and complex emblem in the center of the archway—a royal crest interwoven with scepters, stars, and magical circuits.

The moment the emblem was formed, it seemed to resonate with Mavis, suddenly bursting forth with dazzling light.

At the same time, a faint purple halo naturally appeared on Mavis's body.

An ancient, noble, and majestic aura of bloodline was released without reservation!
The aura was not violent, but it carried a kind of pressure originating from the deepest part of the soul and bloodline, causing everyone present to tremble involuntarily and feel an urge to worship.

Duke Adrian Solari was deeply moved—this aura was so similar to that of the royal family members during the empire's golden age, as described in the family's ancient murals and books!

"Rumble..."

The flowing starlight parted to both sides, revealing a passageway leading to the depths behind it.

"It's open! It's really open!"

Elon, the patriarch of the Starry Sky family, was so excited that his beard trembled and he pounded the ground with his wooden staff.

"Royal blood! It really is royal blood!"

Sebastian Conrad took a deep breath, and the last trace of doubt in his eyes vanished completely.

Mavis withdrew her hand, and the purple bloodline aura around her slowly faded away.

She turned around, looked at Cohen, and then at the crowd behind her with their varied expressions. Without saying anything, she simply nodded slightly.

Then, he took the lead and stepped into the open starlight gate, entering the glowing passageway.

Cohen smiled slightly and followed without hesitation.

Seeing this, the others could not contain their excitement and curiosity and followed suit, filing in one after another.

After passing through a passageway that wasn't too long but was filled with mysterious runes, the view suddenly opened up before us.

What came into view was not a mountain of gold and silver treasures, but an incredibly vast and magnificent palace.

The dome of the hall is hundreds of meters high and is inlaid with countless magical crystals that emit a soft light, simulating the movement of the stars in the sky, which is beautiful and magnificent.

The four walls are not made of rock, but rather of some kind of crystalline wall formed by solidified energy, with flowing light and shadow seemingly sealed inside.

The most eye-catching part is the center of the hall.

It wasn't a real object, but a dynamic, illusory image created by countless tiny beams of light.

These images are not static, but rather slowly flowing and changing, as if silently telling a story of a long-forgotten history.

"This is... the Arcane Empire's 'Echoes of Civilization'?"
The legendary memory projection array?

The learned Chief Elon exclaimed in surprise again, so excited that he almost lunged at the walls of light and shadow.

The crowd stared in awe at the phantoms: towering floating cities, entirely powered by magic.
There is a massive astral ark that blots out the sun and travels through the sea of ​​stars;

Countless arcane sorcerers joined forces to cast spells in magnificent halls, constructing a magical network that spanned the continent.

There is a prosperous scene of strange constructs, elemental life, and various races living in harmony;
There are also magnificent coronation ceremonies, grand celebrations and parades... Every scene is vivid and full of the boundless imagination and supreme glory of that lost civilization.

This is the Arcane Empire!
That once glorious magical civilization!

That powerful empire that represents the pinnacle of human achievement!
Mavis stood quietly in the center of the hall, and the shifting light and shadow seemed to resonate with her in some strange way.

The flow of light quickened slightly, and the light enveloped her more gently, as if welcoming her master's return.

Just then, the light and shadow on a huge crystal wall on one side of the hall suddenly changed.

The other illusory images of imperial grandeur slowly faded away, replaced by an incomparably vast, turbulent blue sea.

At the edge of the sea, where the water meets the sky, strange lights seem to shimmer, and shadows that defy logic drift across the surface. The clouds in the sky also display a dreamlike and magnificent color.

In the scene, several enormous ships with a style completely different from the present era and full of arcane beauty can be vaguely seen sailing into the depths of that strange sea.

"Sea of ​​Miracles!"

Cohen's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light. Just as he expected!

Mavis's grandfather was right!
The Arcane Empire had indeed left a contingency plan in the westernmost part of the Endless Sea, in a region known as the "Sea of ​​Miracles"! (See Chapter 98: The Arcane Empire's Civilization Backup!)
A decision flashed through Cohen's mind: after resolving the issue of establishing a nation in the Lost Lands and achieving initial stability, he had to find an opportunity to visit the Endless Sea.

Uncover the immense secrets that hold true significance for the Arcane Empire's legacy!
At this moment, the others in the hall were still immersed in the shock brought by the phantom of the Arcane Empire, and the excitement of Mavis successfully activating the "Crown of Stars" and triggering the legacy of the empire.

Duke Adrian Solari was overcome with emotion. He walked up to Mavis, bowed deeply once more, his voice choked with emotion:
"Your Highness! It really is you! The glory of the Empire... the glory of the Empire has finally... finally shone again!"

Whether it's true or not, at least Cohen was quite pleased with the Duke of Solari's actions.

His actions seemed to be a signal.

Immediately afterwards, the descendants of the Arcane Empire and the representatives of the families that guarded the ruins knelt down excitedly, shouting oaths of respect and loyalty to the empire and the royal bloodline.

Even the originally neutral forces were now shocked and overwhelmed by this undeniable fact and the magnificent phantom of the imperial civilization before them.

Mavis Tinuvel's identity as the last member of the Arcane Empire's royal bloodline was now undeniable and deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Sebastian Conrad, Dominic Reed, and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the understanding and resolve in each other's eyes.

Facts speak louder than words. The legitimacy of the bloodline has been proven, and there is the potential support of the imperial legacy that may exist within the "Crown of Stars." In addition, there is Cohen's absolute military strength and support, as well as the enormous external pressure brought by the "Covenant of the Gods"...

Mavis becoming the empress of the new empire in the Lost Lands is the will of the people and an inevitable trend; there is no reason or power to stop it.

Moreover, the political significance and symbolic value behind the identity of being a descendant of the Arcane Empire's royal family, as well as its appeal to the ancient inhabitants, guardians of ruins, and even ordinary people in the Lost Lands, are simply immeasurable wealth.

President Conrad stepped forward first, bowed slightly to Mavis and Cohen, and smiled sincerely.

"Her Highness is of noble blood, of impeccable lineage, and is recognized by the legacy of the Empire."

It is both the will of Heaven and the hope of the people that you will lead the newly established empire and unite the forces of the lost lands to resist the future catastrophe.

Unicorn Trading Company is willing to fully support His Highness's coronation and will do everything in its power to achieve this.

Pope Reed, Patriarch Taiwo, and others stepped forward to express similar support.

Faced with absolute legitimacy and a shared existential crisis, personal ambition and calculation must temporarily give way.

Below the stage, the nearly one hundred representatives from various factions were in an uproar.

Exclamations, whispers, and incredulous murmurs rose and fell.

Many representatives from the Order City-States, Ancient Tribes, and Ruins Guardian Families showed expressions of excitement, ecstasy, and even tears on their eyes!

The royal bloodline of the Arcane Empire. To them, this is not a ruler, but a banner, a hope, a core that can reunite their shattered history and scattered heritage.

In the shadow of the world-ending crisis brought about by the "Covenant of the Gods," a leader with ancient legal traditions and the ability to evoke shared historical memories of lost lands is far more significant than any powerful individual or emerging force.

Cohen took in everyone's reactions and knew that the time was ripe.

He stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Mavis. His gaze swept over the various expressions on the faces of the people in the hall. His voice was steady and powerful, delivering the final verdict in this test of bloodline and in the struggle for the throne:

"The bloodline has been verified, the legitimacy has been established. The last glory of the Arcane Empire will be restored in the hands of its successor. Under the shadow of the 'Covenant of the Gods,' at the critical juncture of life and death in the Lost Lands..."

He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, as if declaring, as if making a vow:

"Who else is more suitable than her, the legitimate royal descendant of the Arcane Empire and the rightful owner of the Lost Lands, to unite all the forces of this land and lead us to build a new empire strong enough to withstand the storm and strive for the future?"

Who else is more qualified than her to be crowned Empress, to rule this ancient land and bear the last glory and hope of the Arcane Empire?

Inside the hall, all was silent.

Only the illusory images of those arcane empires silently shone and flowed around.

It was as if it were silently witnessing this reunion and inheritance after ten thousand years.

No one answered.

All doubts and objections vanished at this moment, faced with the irrefutable proof of bloodline and the glorious legacy of the empire, and in the face of the imminent crisis of survival.

The Queen of the Lost Lands has now been crowned in the hearts of the people.

Duke Adrian Solari was the first to react.

This old nobleman, who prided himself on his ancient lineage and legitimacy, took a deep breath and, to everyone's astonishment, knelt on one knee in the direction of Mavis, lowering his once proud head with the highest honor a nobleman could bestow upon royalty.

"Adrian Solari, the current patriarch of the Solari family, pays his respects to His Majesty the Emperor."

The Solari family vows to serve the Empire and the Imperial bloodline for generations to come!

This kneeling acted as a signal, igniting a wildfire.

Immediately afterwards, the ancient nobles, representatives of the orderly city-states, and guardians of the ruins who also considered themselves descendants of the Arcane Empire seemed to awaken from a dream. They bowed or even knelt down in the direction of Mavis, using the most solemn etiquette of their respective families or traditions.

"The city of Thornbirds is willing to serve Your Highness as our lord!"

"The Ancient Vine Clan pays homage to the descendants of the royal bloodline!"

"Guardians of the Starfall Tower, uphold the ancient oath and pledge allegiance to the legitimate dynasty!"

"..."

The shouts of loyalty rose and fell like a tide, quickly engulfing the entire hall.

The rest of the process became straightforward.

Especially those descendants of the Arcane Empire and families that guard ancient ruins, they see the appearance of Mavis as the dawn of a lost civilization's revival and the glorious return of their bloodline, and their support is the most fervent.

Under the leadership of Duke Adrian Solari, President Conrad, Pope Reed, and others, and with Cohen's tacit approval, an unprecedented yet highly efficient founding and coronation ceremony was being prepared intensively in the Endless City.

Despite the need to rebuild everything, the presence of powerful external enemies, and the challenges of internal integration, all obstacles were swept away at an astonishing speed, driven by both the pursuit of "orthodoxy" and the crisis of survival.

In the shortest possible time, the various forces reached a preliminary framework for the distribution and checks and balances of power—a rudimentary centralized empire with Empress Mephisto as the supreme head of state, the remaining members transformed into the Imperial Supreme Council (with slight adjustments to the members, incorporating representatives of some important forces), and various departments under it, integrating military, political, economic, religious, and diplomatic affairs, was rapidly taking shape.

The name of the nation was, without any doubt, chosen as the Arcane Empire.

This is not only a commemoration and inheritance of history, but also a declaration of the legitimate source of the new imperial legal system and the ambition to revive the glory of the past.

When Mavis Tinuvel, dressed in a magnificent royal robe that blended the classical style of the Arcane Empire with contemporary aesthetics and wearing a crown, stood before representatives from all sides of the Lost Lands and countless citizens (via magical projections).

On the high platform in the central square of the Endless City, when she was officially crowned "the first empress of the Arcane Empire, Mephisto I", the wheels of history turned dramatically at that moment.

The coronation ceremony was exceptionally grand, and Mephisto's declaration of ascension was clear and powerful: to unite all forces, revive the glory of the empire, confront unknown crises, and lead the lost lands toward unification and prosperity.

The inspiring declaration, coupled with her unparalleled beauty and newly confirmed noble bloodline, left a deep imprint on the hearts of countless creatures in the lost lands.

The news also spread beyond the newly unified Lost Lands (Arcane Empire), reaching every corner of the vast continent of the Magic Tide.

The mainland is shaken!

With the fall of the Demon Lord Thrall, a power vacuum has been created in the Lost Lands. How will Cohen Corleone deal with this vast and chaotic land?

Is it to cultivate a proxy, to annex directly, or to establish a vassal state?

This is an issue that intelligence agencies of various forces in mainland China have been focusing on analyzing and speculating about over the past period.

Most predictions lean towards Cohen using his power to establish a pro-Efein regime in the Lost Lands, or simply bring it under Efein's sphere of influence.

However, when the news of "the restoration of the Arcane Empire" and "the coronation of Mephisto Tinuvel as Empress" came, almost everyone who heard it was stunned for a moment, thinking that they had misheard or that the information was wrong.

A woman became the emperor of a land known for its chaos, barbarity, and the supremacy of the strong.
Even with Cohen's support, this is simply too absurd!
Would those unruly tribal chiefs, city lords, and ruin guardians of the Lost Lands willingly submit to a woman?
In particular, this woman was previously known more as "Cohen's lover," "former top intelligence officer," and "the most beautiful woman in the Lost Lands," rather than as a competent ruler.

For a time, all over the continent, especially in the courts of the major empires, the strongholds of secret organizations, and the gatherings of the powerful, were filled with all kinds of doubts, ridicule, and even malicious speculation.

"Has Cohen Corleone been blinded by beauty? He's given the throne as a gift to his woman?"

"Using public office for private gain! This is utterly ridiculous! The lost lands were finally unified, and now they're letting some pretty face sit on the throne?"

"Hmph, he's just a puppet controlled by Cohen. The real emperor is probably still himself."

"A woman as empress, and in a lost land at that? I think this so-called arcane empire will soon fall apart due to internal strife!"

"Cohen is a man of martial prowess but lacks foresight and is obsessed with women. He is not a threat."

Such comments are rampant.

Many people, especially those who were wary of Cohen's rise or had ambitions for the Lost Lands, were happy to see Cohen "make such a foolish mistake."

They even secretly fueled the flames, spreading the argument that "the empress is incompetent and the empire is doomed," attempting to shake the foundations of the newly established arcane empire or create an excuse for their future interference.

However, before these doubts could fester, another, even more shocking piece of news followed.

Mavis Tinuvel's true identity—the last direct descendant of the Arcane Empire's royal bloodline!
In the presence of representatives from almost all the major powers in the Lost Lands, she opened the legendary core treasure of the Arcane Empire, the "Crown of the Stars," which was said to be accessible only to those of royal blood, resonating with the legacy of the empire! (End of Chapter)