Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

On the reviewing stand, many envoys and representatives could not hide their surprise when they heard these names, exchanging shocked glances with each other.

They realized that this was not only a manifestation of Effie's national strength, but also meant that the potential and influence of Cohen Corleone and the emerging empire he had built had been widely recognized and bet on by those ancient forces and secret organizations with keen eyes hidden in the shadows of history.

The meaning behind this is far deeper than the superficial congratulations.

Effie's current status speaks for itself, as evidenced by this guest list.

It is no longer a powerful kingdom that is confined to a corner of the world, but a newly born empire that has truly stepped into the center of the continental stage, possesses a pivotal voice, and can attract congratulations from all directions and even the attention of hidden forces!

After finishing his welcoming remarks, Prime Minister Angus changed the subject, his expression becoming even more solemn and respectful.

He raised his voice slightly and began to recount Cohen Corleone's legendary journey since his rise to power, listing the brilliant achievements of Effie.

This is not a simple praise, but a systematic declaration of achievements.

He began by recounting how Cohen, as the Lord of Shadows, first distinguished himself in the Extraordinary Arena in Florence.

Facing a high-level superhuman whose strength far surpasses his own, he triumphs against all odds, achieving a reversal of fortune and causing a sensation throughout the city.

The name "Lord of Shadows" thus became the beginning of indomitable spirit and miracles.

He then orchestrated the downfall of a legendary figure from the Black Tomb, the continent's premier assassination organization, through his own schemes.

The Black Tomb's Northwest Continent headquarters was destroyed, triggering the world-renowned War of the Saints.

Next, he entered the Lost Lands in the name of the Shadow Lord, not only establishing a foothold there, but also seizing the key Farmer City-State with extraordinary skill and power.

Based on this, he established the powerful Endless Alliance, becoming the first person in human history to successfully establish and maintain a stable rule over an oasis-level power in the Lost Lands.

They then assembled elite, special, and even king-level armies, creating an invincible orc legion that swept across the continent.

Prime Minister Angus's calm and clear voice echoed throughout the silent square. When he mentioned "going deep into the dwarf tribes," many representatives from forces that had long-standing ties with the dwarves unconsciously straightened their backs slightly and pricked up their ears.

The dwarves, an ancient race renowned throughout the continent for their forging skills and mining expertise, have always had their internal affairs captivating the attention of all.

Angus's voice carried a solemnity reminiscent of narrating history:

"Our Emperor, with his foresight, has long recognized the crucial role the dwarves will play in the future landscape of the continent."

Even at the very beginning of the empire's founding, capable generals were dispatched to venture deep into the dwarf mountain range.

Having successfully made contact with and supported Ironrock Orn of the Forging Tribe, and through his exceptional insight and profound understanding of dwarven traditions and future prospects, he won the trust and loyalty of Ironrock Orn and the core of his tribe.

With His Majesty's support, Ironrock Orn emerged victorious from the fierce internal competition and ultimately ascended to the throne of Chieftain of the Forging Horde.

Upon hearing this, some of the envoys who were familiar with the internal affairs of the dwarves changed color slightly.

The Forged Tribe is not the most powerful tribe among the dwarves, but Ironrock Ornn's rise to power is clearly not the result of a simple tribal infighting.

Angus's next words revealed a deeper scheme:

"This is just the beginning."

His Majesty did not stop at supporting a friendly chieftain. With His Majesty's authorization and the covert support of imperial resources, the Smelting Tribe was able to rapidly grow and expand, acquiring mining efficiency and sophisticated equipment far exceeding anything seen before.

All of this points to a grander goal—to unify the entire dwarf race and end their centuries-long tribal conflicts.

Although Angus spoke calmly, his words struck the assembled representatives like a thunderbolt.

Unification of the dwarves?

The dwarf tribe, known for its stubbornness, independence, and numerous tribes, actually achieved unification without making a sound.

And the one who orchestrated all of this was the young emperor on the stage, while he was still waging war in other parts of the mainland.
Angus, seemingly oblivious to the sudden surge of excitement in the audience, continued in his calm tone, revealing even more shocking details:
"This matter was mainly coordinated and executed by Princess Isabella, who also joined forces with the Bloodwing Clan and Darkwing Clan under the 'Pale Wings' to carry out a meticulous plan through multi-party cooperation."

Ultimately, he helped Chieftain Ironrock Orn successfully integrate the main forces of the dwarves, ending the long period of division and achieving the de facto unification of the dwarves.

The unified dwarves have become one of His Majesty Corleone's most steadfast and reliable allies, and one of the most steadfast and reliable allies of our Efein Empire.

Only now has the true mastermind and detailed process behind this momentous event, which is enough to change the landscape of resources and military equipment on the continent, been made public by the Efein Empire in such a formal manner!

Previously, while various parties on the mainland had speculated about the recent relative calm and increased internal coordination among the dwarves, most attributed it to the emergence of a strong leader within the dwarves themselves, or to some unknown external pressure.

Who would have thought that this was a hidden move that Emperor Effie had laid out many years ago!
Below the stage, many representatives of forces who originally coveted the resources of the dwarves, especially their unique forging techniques, all had drastically changed their expressions.

Those kingdoms or organizations that had secretly regarded the dwarves as an important strategic resource and had even begun to make private contact and plot against them were now experiencing a mix of emotions.

"So that's how it is... It was such a far-sighted plan!"

"What a brilliant move! While we were still planning how to win over the dwarf tribes, they had already helped them unify and become staunch allies!"

"The dwarven forges, rare mineral veins... no wonder the Eifine army is so well-equipped in recent years..."

"With the full support of the dwarves, Efein's war potential and equipment level probably far surpass those of ordinary empires..."

They finally understood why dealing with the dwarves had become increasingly difficult recently, and why attempts to sow discord among the dwarves or acquire exclusive technology had repeatedly failed.

It turns out that behind the dwarves stood the colossal Efein Empire!
Everything they secretly planned seemed so ridiculous and outdated, especially since the opponent had already made their moves.

Isabella led the Pale Wings to subjugate and unify the dwarves while the Magma Empire was invading in alliance with demons.

The reason for keeping it a secret in the past was for strategic considerations.

Now, the era of warring nations has begun, and the importance of the dwarves and their mineral resources and forging techniques to the struggle for supremacy on the continent is self-evident.

Continuing to conceal this alliance would not only be unfair to our dwarf friends, but could also lead to unnecessary misjudgments and conflicts.

Therefore, after discussing with everyone, Cohen decided to officially reveal Effie's relationship with the dwarves on the occasion of the newly established empire.

It also serves as a declaration to outsiders that the dwarves are the most steadfast allies of the Effie Empire, and that their independence, unity, and security are protected by the Empire.

Any malicious action against the dwarves is considered a provocation against the Efein Empire.

The gazes of the crowd below towards the young emperor on the high platform underwent another profound change.

He was no longer just a conqueror with a glorious military record, but also a strategic master who planned far ahead and acted only after careful consideration.

He was able to reach out to the seemingly distant dwarves many years ago, before the empire had fully risen, and in such a secretive and effective way, he bound them to his war machine, laying an incredibly solid foundation of resources and military industry for the empire.

Without giving the crowd much time to marvel, Angus continued to recount Cohen's epic achievements.

The Northwest Region Exchange Meeting, with the help of Queen Adel Angelien, shattered the siege of Florence organized by the major powers.

He lured Mammon, the legendary Lord of the third level of Hell and the Saint-level Garcia, the mastermind behind the continent's number one assassination organization, into betraying the organization and orchestrated the Saint's downfall.

She personally welcomed back the Princess of Ceylon, who had been living abroad and was burdened with the important task of restoring her country. She is now Her Majesty Queen Freya of Ceylon.

With overwhelming force, they overthrew the Gaius lineage, who had usurped the throne of the former Kingdom of Ceylon, and placed the rightful Princess Freya on the throne, thus rebuilding Ceylon.

On the Northwest Continent, they utterly crushed the combined forces of Prince Xiazuo of the Eastern Empire, the Noble Council of the Central Empire, and Prince Grego Alvis of the Southern Region, uprooting and destroying all their industries, strongholds, and clandestine forces on the Northwest Continent.

At the world-renowned International Nobles Martial Arts Festival, he personally took to the field and, with unparalleled skill, won the two highest-level championships in the Silver and Gold groups, creating an unprecedentedly glorious record in the history of the martial arts festival!
In the heat of battle, he broke through the enemy lines and comprehended his own power of rules. His talent and combat prowess overshadowed all the young talents on the continent, and the name of Aifein resounded throughout the continent's noble class.

He befriended and allied with Saintess Galin of the Starry Clan, established the Starry Empire, and destroyed the Kingdom of Serene, which colluded with demons.

He united all forces of justice to form a Supreme Council, and with his own strength at its core, he commanded the allied forces. After a bloody battle, he successfully crushed the demon invasion and saved millions of lives and many nations on the verge of extinction in the Northwest Continent and the Lost Lands.

Facing the infamous and legendary high-level transcendent demon lord Sal, who had occupied this place for many years, he used his peak Gold-rank strength to fight against him, and after an earth-shattering battle, he finally annihilated this legendary high-level demon lord.

After pacifying the Lost Lands, the supporters of the arcane civilization rebuilt the glorious arcane empire, achieving the first unification of the Lost Lands in history.

This was not merely a military conquest, but a revival of civilization, reigniting the flame of arcane civilization, which had once shone brightly in human history, in the lost land.

Each and every one of these events was either a thrilling move in a grand strategy or a profound arrangement in the details.

Many events that were originally thought to be coincidences, luck, or the work of others actually had the shadow of Cohen's planning and behind-the-scenes manipulation behind them!

Some of these deeds were even unheard of by some of the high-ranking officials of the empire present, and their faces showed a mixture of realization and deeper admiration.

In the square, the people listened with rapt attention, their admiration for the emperor growing spontaneously, and cheers rose in waves.

The envoys from all sides on the viewing platform gradually went from initial surprise to deep thought, and even shock.

They discovered that they, or rather the entire continent, might have greatly underestimated the mind, skill, and strategic acumen of this new emperor. He was not only a capable military commander, but also a top-tier chess player with profound strategic vision, a master of covert planning, and the ability to make crucial moves at critical moments, influencing and even shaping the course of events!

Prime Minister Angus's move was far-reaching.

He not only wanted to proclaim the strength of Effie and the achievements of Cohen to the entire continent, but also to systematically and profoundly shape Cohen Corleone's "almost sacred" leader image.

By revealing these hidden achievements, he elevates Cohen from a "successful conqueror and ruler" to an "extraordinary being who is shrewd, insightful, and capable of discerning the truth in silence, and who has long been secretly driving the course of history."

This was not only to solidify Cohen's supreme position in the hearts of the imperial subjects, but also to plant the seeds of "Cohen Corleone is extraordinary, and his achievements are almost miraculous" in the hearts of the representatives of the top powers on the continent on a broader scale.

This is a sophisticated foundation for faith.

When a person's achievements and wisdom are portrayed to a degree that is difficult for ordinary people to reach, awe and admiration arise spontaneously.

This emotion is the beginning of faith!

As Prime Minister Angus concluded the epic saga of Emperor Cohen Corleone's achievements with the restoration of the Arcane Empire and the unification of the Lost Lands, the coronation ceremony's eulogy segment came to a close amidst the awe and silence of the audience.

The escalating and breathtaking legendary experiences have etched an impression of near-inhuman awe in the hearts of every spectator regarding the new emperor.

Next came the most crucial part—the ceremony in which Cohen Corleone formally ascended the throne as emperor, receiving the homage of the people and the audience of envoys.

Amidst ancient and solemn ritual music and prayers, and witnessed by countless eyes, Cohen completed the final coronation ceremony, officially becoming the founding emperor of the Efein Empire.

Adele was crowned Empress, and the four royal consorts were also formally appointed.

The empire’s new flag slowly rose over the capital city of Florence, fluttering in the wind.

Following the ceremony was a grand celebration and exchange of ideas.

The new emperor is required to have a courtesy meeting and exchange of pleasantries with representatives of various factions who come to observe the ceremony. This is both a diplomatic courtesy and an occasion to demonstrate the grandeur of the empire.

Dressed in imperial robes and wearing an imperial crown, Cohen, accompanied by Empress Adele and four royal consorts—Issa, Windsor, May, and Neve—received congratulatory envoys in turn in the magnificent palace hall.

Prime Minister Hayes of the Central Empire, Prime Minister Tiberius of the Eastern Empire, Cardinal Dönitz of the Western Empire...

The meeting proceeded smoothly, and soon it was the turn of the delegation from the Sea Clan Alliance.

The representative sent by the Sea Clan Alliance this time, Cohen, was also a familiar face; he was the same representative who attended the Noble Martial Arts Festival.

The ancient sea monster, Wu Gou Saku, possesses the cultivation of a Saint and holds a pivotal position within the Sea Clan Alliance.

With a smile on his face, Cohen was about to talk to the sea creature representative, whose appearance was somewhat Cthulhu-esque, when his gaze suddenly froze as he inadvertently swept over the members of the delegation.

His gaze fell on a seemingly inconspicuous secretary in the delegation.

The "secretary" was dressed in a simple office uniform in the style of the sea people. She was looking down and holding a notepad, seemingly taking notes seriously.

However, the familiar silhouette and the unique aura that, despite clever disguise, could not be completely concealed, made Cohen's heart skip a beat.

Claire?
Cohen's formulaic smile instantly froze, and a hint of disbelief and surprise flashed in his eyes.

How did Claire end up here, especially in this disguised identity, mixed in with the Sea Clan Alliance's delegation?

Why didn't she give us a heads-up before coming over?

What happened in the South China Sea that made her need to leave her tribe so secretly, and even dare not show her true face?
Although Cohen's loss of composure was extremely brief, and he regained his composure almost in the blink of an eye, Princess Isabella, who had been by his side and paying close attention to any subtle changes in him, keenly noticed her husband's unusual behavior in that instant.

She looked in the direction Cohen had been looking and saw the "secretary" as well.

She leaned slightly closer to Cohen and asked in a low voice:

"My dearest Your Majesty, which family's daughter have you taken a fancy to this time, and are you thinking of adding a new imperial concubine to the palace?"

Upon hearing this, Cohen coughed lightly in exasperation, lowered his voice, and spoke slightly faster:

"It's Claire, the chieftain of the merfolk in the South China Sea."

Isabella raised a slight eyebrow, instantly understanding.

She had heard about this "Claire" from Queen Adele before, and knew that she was an important partner that Cohen met during his adventure in the Endless Sea.

The two had gone through thick and thin together and had a deep friendship. They even jointly obtained the Trident of the Sea God, a major artifact passed down through generations of the sea people.

This mermaid chieftain held considerable weight in Cohen's heart, and his presence was crucial to the vital interests of the South China Sea.

Isabella immediately grasped the key point, lowering her voice even further, with a hint of wariness:
"Since she came to see you, why didn't she do it openly and honestly, instead of disguising herself and blending into the delegation?"

Cohen's gaze had completely calmed down, regaining its usual depth and sharpness. While maintaining a polite smile and nodding slightly to the envoy of the Sea Clan Alliance, he spoke to Isabella in a voice so subtle that his lips barely moved:

"There must be some serious trouble in the South China Sea, and the situation is so complicated that she can't leave the merfolk openly and even needs to hide her tracks."

He made a quick decision:
"Alright, after the formal meeting with the sea creature delegation, find an excuse to bring her here alone, without attracting attention."

Isabella immediately understood and nodded slightly to indicate that she complied.

She knew that Claire's risky arrival at this moment must be for something earth-shattering, and that Cohen had intricate connections and interests with the South China Sea and the Merfolk, so this matter had to be handled with utmost care.

The exchange between the two was completed in the blink of an eye. Cohen showed no sign of anything amiss and continued to discuss topics such as sea and land trade and navigation safety with the sea creature representative, the ancient sea monster Ugo Saku.

Isabella, meanwhile, was already considering how to approach this friend from the deep sea in a natural and unsuspecting way.

After Cohen finished her polite conversation with Saint Saku, she naturally and gracefully walked towards the location of the sea tribe delegation.

"Your presence, having traveled from afar to attend my grand celebration, truly brings honor to Florence."

I've always been fascinated by the mystery and beauty of the sea since I was a child!

Isabella's voice was melodious and pleasant, carrying the dignified air befitting a royal consort, as she exchanged pleasantries with the members of the delegation.

During the conversation, Isabella subtly mentioned her longing for the exquisite handicrafts of the sea creatures and the legendary, magnificent underwater scenery, her words filled with curiosity and appreciation for marine culture:
"I have long yearned to see the many unique products and mysterious landscapes of the sea creatures, but unfortunately I have never had the chance to see them."

It's a rare treat to have so many friends from the deep sea here today. May I ask them a few questions?

Upon hearing this, the "secretary" in the delegation, who had been keeping her head down and holding the record board, trembled almost imperceptibly. She then raised her head, revealing a rather ordinary-looking face that had been disguised.

But for a fleeting moment, those eyes met Isabella's gaze.

Then the "secretary" took half a step forward, bowed slightly, and responded proactively:
"Your Highness is too kind. I have some knowledge of the products and landscapes of various sea tribes. If Your Highness does not mind my limited knowledge, I am willing to explain them to you."

Isabella's smile deepened, as if she had truly met a kindred spirit. She warmly reached out and gently took the "secretary's" wrist.

"That's wonderful. I'm also a bit tired and would like to rest in the side hall for a while."

Why don't you ask this young lady... um, I don't know how to address her, to accompany me over there for a short chat?

It also helped me learn more about the wonders of the ocean.

Her words were warm and natural, just like a noblewoman with a keen interest in exotic cultures inviting a newly acquainted friend.

The secretary nodded obediently: "As Your Highness commands, I, Lina, am willing to serve Your Highness."

"Alright, Miss Lina, come with me."

Isabella smiled, took Claire's hand, and, accompanied by several court ladies, gracefully left the noisy hall, heading towards a quieter and more comfortable side hall area inside the palace.

The whole process was smooth and natural, as if it were just a casual invitation from the imperial concubine, and did not attract much attention.

After all, the imperial concubine was curious about the sea people's culture, so it was not unusual for her to ask a messenger who looked like a clerk for details in private, especially in such a setting.

Cohen caught a glimpse of Isabella successfully taking Claire away, which calmed him down. He showed no extra emotion on his face and continued to talk calmly with the next representative of the faction who came to offer congratulations, as if the little incident had never happened.

……

Deep within the palace, in a quiet and elegant little living room.

Isabella dismissed the maids around her, her friendly smile unchanged, but her gaze toward Claire held a hint of scrutiny.

Claire removed some of her disguise, and her figure seemed to have grown a little taller, with a subtle change in her demeanor.

Although his attire remained unchanged, the air of authority and composure born of experience subtly emanated from him. (End of Chapter)