Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Claire's tone grew increasingly heavy:

"The Tide Royal Court has a protective array passed down from our ancestors, which, combined with the power of the Trident of the Sea God, makes it extremely strong in defense."

They may not be able to break through in a short time.

However, the opponent is the Southern Empire, one of the five great empires of mankind. If we are determined, we can mobilize more fleets, or even deploy national-level strategic weapons or top experts to launch a strong attack regardless of the cost.

With the Royal Court's grand formation alone, we absolutely cannot hold out for long; it's only a matter of time before we fall.

I know you've just been crowned emperor and have a lot on your mind.

Moreover, your identity as the 'Pirate King' makes you a mortal enemy of the Southern Empire. If the outside world discovers your true identity, it will not only disrupt your plans, but also cause the Southern Empire to unleash its hatred for the Pirate King even more frantically on Effie.

Therefore, I chose this method to disguise my identity and secretly come in the sea creature observation group.

Cohen listened quietly to Claire's story, then without hesitation, stepped forward, reached out, and firmly grasped Claire's somewhat cold hand.
"I understand. Don't worry, leave this to me."

Hearing Cohen's calm and powerful promise, Claire felt a weight lift from her shoulders, as if the boulder that had been pressing down on her was finally being loosened.

An indescribable sense of peace and warmth welled up in my heart, dispelling the anxiety and fatigue of the past few days.

At the same time, another, more complex emotion, like a warm current quietly surging in the deep sea, rippled in the depths of her heart.

Claire stared intently at the young, handsome man before her.

At this moment, the newly crowned emperor, for her sake and for her people, did not hesitate to mobilize the power of a vast empire to confront the threat of another established empire.

This courage and this affection made Claire feel an unprecedented sense of excitement and dependence in her desperate situation.

Cohen was also staring at Claire.

Once she shed her disguise, her beauty was unparalleled. Her ethereal mystery, a blend of the unique aura of the sea creatures and the dignified and resilient temperament of the mermaid chieftain, combined with a touch of weariness and worry, revealed a breathtaking allure and vulnerability.

Perhaps it was the release of some of his suppressed emotions, perhaps it was the emotional surge of a long-awaited reunion in a special situation, or perhaps it was simply because the person in front of him was too dazzling. As Cohen gazed into her deep blue eyes, a certain string in his heart was gently plucked.

He involuntarily took a step forward, and the distance between them instantly shortened.

He slowly lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against Claire's smooth forehead.

Claire tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and her long, curled eyelashes trembled slightly like the wings of a startled butterfly.

The next moment, their lips met.

The kiss, which began with a slight sense of probing and uncertainty, quickly transformed into a deep and passionate entanglement.

The unspoken but deeply rooted feelings between them were completely ignited at this moment.

Cohen's arms naturally wrapped around Claire's slender waist, pulling her closer to him.

Claire's body stiffened slightly at first, then softened, and her arm unconsciously climbed onto Cohen's shoulder.

I don't know how much time passed; perhaps it was just a moment, or perhaps a century.

Claire's mind only snapped out of the soft, dreamlike haze when she felt herself struggling to breathe.

She snapped back to her senses, realizing what she was doing. A beautiful blush instantly spread across her face, reaching down to her ears and neck. In a flustered manner, she reached out and pressed her hand against Cohen's firm chest, gently pushing herself away from his intoxicating aura.

Cohen also came to his senses at the same time and realized his loss of composure.

He released his arm, but the sensation of that slender waist seemed to linger on his fingertips.

He coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment, but his gaze remained fixed on Claire's charmingly flushed cheeks, his voice slightly lower than usual:
"I lost my composure."

He quickly adjusted his breathing, steer the conversation back on track, and in doing so, eased the delicate atmosphere between them:

"There is less than a month left before the 'Covenant of the Gods' is officially announced to the entire continent."

This alliance has far-reaching implications, concerning the future power structure and the division of divine authority on the continent. In the period leading up to its announcement, as a major participant and emerging hegemon, I must remain in Florence to stabilize the situation and deal with any possible reactions or tests.

I cannot easily leave the imperial center and go to the South China Sea within this month, so you need to hold on for another month.

Once the 'Covenant of the Gods' is announced, the overall situation on the continent becomes clearer, and the reactions from all sides stabilize, I can temporarily withdraw and personally go to the Endless Sea.

"At that time, I will stand with you as the Pirate King to confront the Southern Empire's provocations in the South China Sea."

Claire, still flushed from their earlier intimacy, suddenly brightened with undisguised delight upon hearing Cohen's words, especially his promise to personally travel to the Endless Sea in a month.
"You...you're going in person?"

Cohen nodded slowly, his gaze deep and thoughtful:
"I don't trust anyone else to deal with the Southern Empire, especially that Crown Prince Greg and his deeply entrenched maritime expansionist forces."

Their obsession and hatred towards me and the legacy of the 'Pirate King' run run too deep. Ordinary negotiations or intimidation will likely be ineffective; a decisive and swift strike is necessary to completely shatter their delusions.

He paused, then added, his tone carrying a hint of meaning:
"Moreover, I also have some other things to take care of when I go to the Endless Sea."

Some things should be retrieved.

The Arcane Empire's backup civilization is located in the Sea of ​​Miracles at the southernmost tip of the Endless Sea, not far from the South China Sea where the Merfolk reside.

The environment there is extreme and fraught with danger, but it also contains arcane knowledge and power that transcends time.

The turmoil in the South China Sea might present an opportunity—both to relieve the Tideborn's siege and to allow them to explore that unknown sea further south—a double benefit. Therefore, Cohen decided to personally travel to the Endless Sea after the Covenant of the Gods was announced.

It's time to let the name of the Pirate King resound across the continent once again!

After receiving Cohen's clear and firm promise, Claire's tense nerves finally relaxed.

Since her reincarnation and awakening, Claire has been shouldering the heavy responsibility of reviving the Tideborn. Now, she finally feels a long-lost sense of ease and peace.

She parted her red lips slightly, her voice regaining its usual calm:

"With one or two months of support, relying on the power of the Royal Court Formation and the Trident of the Sea God, plus the support you provided, we are confident that we can hold our ground."

Moreover, I judge that the Southern Empire at this stage may not immediately launch a full-scale offensive regardless of the cost.

No matter how many high-sounding reasons they come up with, we merfolk are ultimately one of the official members of the 'Sea Clan Alliance'.

As a human empire, the Southern Domain Empire would not openly and aggressively invade and attempt to annex the territory of a major branch of the sea race.

This would cause a huge uproar both legally and morally, and could very likely provoke a collective counterattack from other powerful races in the Sea Clan Alliance, or even give other human empires an excuse to intervene.

I suspect their strategy is 'gradual encroachment' and 'internal disintegration'.

The current high-pressure stance, military deterrence, support for insurgency, and small-scale special operations and blockades are all preparations for eventual annexation.

They are waiting for a more 'suitable' time—for example,

She looked at Cohen, their eyes met, and they understood each other perfectly: "After the 'Covenant of the Gods' was announced."

At that time, the situation on the mainland will inevitably fall into unprecedented turmoil due to the new pantheon division and the reshuffling of spheres of influence.

The Southern Empire may want to take advantage of the fact that the other parties on the continent are preoccupied with other matters to further increase its intervention and ultimately achieve de facto annexation.

The current actions seem more like preliminary preparations and strategic planning.

Upon hearing this, Cohen's eyes revealed approval.

Claire's analysis coincided with his previous judgment.

He nodded in agreement:

"Your judgment is very reasonable. The Southern Empire may seem arrogant, but it is actually very cunning."

They want to obtain the greatest benefit with the least cost and risk.

However, they miscalculated.

Since they've reached out and are trying to play dirty tricks, we don't need to be polite to them anymore.

I will immediately issue clear instructions to Fan Ze: all forces of the 'Crimson Raiders' shall, from this day forward, fully transition to a wartime state and cooperate with all defensive and counter-offensive actions of the Tide Clan.

Now that the Southern Empire has dropped its pretense and begun direct military containment and special operations, we no longer need to worry about exposing the connection between the 'Pirate King' and the Tide Clan.

Claire did not object and nodded obediently.

……

Claire ultimately cared about the safety of her people.

As the leader of the Tide Clan and wielding the supreme power of the Trident of the Sea God, she could not stay in Florence for long.

After finalizing the general strategy with Cohen, she disregarded Cohen's subtle attempts to persuade her to stay and decided to immediately set off back to the perilous South China Sea.

Time waits for no one; every moment of delay increases the danger to the Tide Royal Court.

Cohen understood her urgency. Although he wanted her to rest in the relatively safe interior of the empire, he also understood the responsibility and anxiety of being a leader, so he had to suppress his worries and reluctance.

Claire had thought that it was only proper and emotional to bid farewell to Queen Adele, Princess Isabella, and others from Cohen, but the thought of her intimate contact with Cohen in the living room made her cheeks flush and her heart feel inexplicably uneasy.

In the end, she chose to leave without saying goodbye, only leaving behind sea creature gifts prepared for the women of Cohen, before disappearing silently into the sea creature delegation's return journey.

After seeing Claire off, Cohen composed himself and turned his attention back to the mountain of government affairs and the intelligence that urgently needed to be processed.

In particular, regarding the secret reports about the recent movements of the Southern Empire, he had to make the most thorough preparations for the impending turmoil.

Just as he was engrossed in reviewing the files, the study door was gently pushed open.

Queen Adele, who had just finished a series of demanding diplomatic meetings, walked in gracefully.

She still carried the distinctive incense and solemn aura of the Imperial Hall, but her gaze was already fixed on her husband. Her slender hand picked up a string of scalloped necklaces left by Claire, and she looked at Cohen with a half-smile:

"What? That stunningly beautiful sea clan chief has left so soon?"

I thought that, given the affection between you old lovers, she would at least stay in Florence for a few more days.

Upon hearing this, Cohen couldn't help but let out a helpless, bitter smile.

He put down the intelligence report in his hand, stood up, and naturally reached out to pull Adele into his arms. The familiar, delicate fragrance emanating from his wife dispelled the slight unease he had felt due to Claire's arrival.

"My Queen, you have truly wronged me."

He whispered with a hint of flattery in Yadel's ear, "Chief Claire has come to discuss a matter of life and death concerning her clan. It's a matter of life and death, and she has no time to linger."

Immediately afterwards, Cohen succinctly informed Adel of Claire's account of the internal strife among the mermaids, the powerful intervention of the Southern Empire, the imminent danger of the Tide Clan, and his initial contingency plan:

"The Southern Empire harbors wolfish ambitions, coveting the Endless Sea for more than a day, and also has an old grudge against the 'Pirate King'."

The situation on the mainland is about to undergo dramatic changes due to the 'Covenant of the Gods'. Their decision to take action in the South China Sea at this time is both a test and a strategic move.

Rather than waiting for them to grow too powerful and become a major threat to my southward expansion across the ocean, it's better to seize this opportunity to join forces with the Merfolk, cut off one of their claws first, and deliver a heavy blow to the Southern Empire in the maritime direction.

Adele nestled in her husband's arms, listening quietly without much surprise on her face.

As the de facto ruler of Effie, Adele also has a deep understanding of the various situations facing the empire.

She had no objection to Cohen's decision, simply nodding slightly in a steady voice:
"The Southern Empire has indeed been making frequent moves in the Endless Sea in recent years, and its eldest prince, Greg, is particularly ambitious."

Rather than engaging in a direct confrontation at sea in the future, it would be a wise move to weaken their naval power in advance by taking advantage of the mermaid race.

An alliance with the merfolk would provide my empire with an excellent foothold and ally for its future expansion into the southward oceans.

She tilted her head slightly, looked at Cohen's sharply defined profile, and asked the crucial question:
"This matter involves a wide range of issues, and the opponent is an old empire, so we must plan carefully."

Whom does Your Majesty intend to appoint to lead this matter?
Although Commander Fan Ze is skilled in naval warfare, in the face of imperial-level power struggles and potential direct conflict, he will likely need a high-ranking official who can oversee the overall situation and whose status is sufficient to intimidate the enemy.

Cohen paused briefly, tightened his grip on her, and pulled Adel closer to himself. He looked out the window at the deep night, as if he could already see the endless, turbulent sea.

He pretended not to see the deeper smile and understanding in Adele's eyes, and said:
"This matter is of great importance, and the Southern Empire is deeply obsessed with my identity as the 'Pirate King.' If an ordinary general were to go, it would be difficult to deal with the top experts they might send and the complex situation."

After much thought, I decided that it would be safest for me to go myself.

Operating at sea as the 'Pirate King' makes things much easier, and it's time to settle many old scores.

Moreover, according to reliable clues, the lost core civilization backup of the Arcane Empire may be located in the 'Sea of ​​Miracles' at the southernmost tip of the Endless Sea.

That place isn't too far from the South China Sea where the merfolk reside. This southward journey might allow us to explore it as well; if we find anything, it would be of great significance to the future development of the empire.

Adele extended her slender hand, her fingertips gently lifting Cohen's chin, making him look at her. A playful smile curved her lips, her voice soft yet mischievous:

"Oh? With His Majesty personally taking charge, there's no chance of anything going wrong."

However... this trip to the South China Sea involves both helping allies defend against powerful enemies and settling old grudges, as well as exploring ancient relics, making it a very busy trip.

I wonder if Your Majesty has mixed any personal matters with this official business?

For example, could we also comfort that terrified, helpless, and pitiful beauty, the most beautiful woman of the sea tribe?

Should we bestow another title upon you, and add this most beautiful woman of the sea tribe to our harem?

Cohen blushed at Adele's teasing, pulled her tightly into his arms, lowered his head, and lightly bit her earlobe. Feeling the slight tremor in her body, he whispered:

"With the most beautiful woman on the mainland in my arms, I don't want anyone else..."

……

The grand coronation ceremony has finally come to a close.

During the dinner, Cohen specifically instructed that he would not make any public appearances that night, and that all royal receptions and foreign affairs would be handled entirely by Prime Minister Duke Angus.

This hardworking emperor was finally able to temporarily set aside his burdens and enjoy a rare period of private time with his family.

Deep within the palace, in a cozy yet luxurious side hall, a long table is laden with exquisite dishes and fine wines.

This was the first time Cohen Corleone had dinner so together with his family, especially his beloved women.

Queen Adele, naturally the hostess, sat gracefully beside Cohen.

Princess Isabella, Windsordler, Melantha, Nephthys, the Red Dragon Queen Asuna, and Grace and Freya who came in secret.

Even Belmody was half-dragged and half-persuaded by her sisters Mavis and Melantha under the pretext that "elder sister must attend the family gathering."

For a time, the hall was filled with the most beautiful women on the continent.

Even with his exceptional composure, Cohen couldn't help but feel a little dazzled and captivated by the sight. He felt both warm and content, and secretly wondered what he had done to deserve such a beautiful woman by his side.

The dinner was relaxed and enjoyable. National affairs and power struggles were set aside, and everyone chatted about interesting things, appreciated the food, and occasionally reminisced about the past.

Looking at the scene before him, Cohen felt much of his fatigue from the past few days dissipate. Although the imperial cause was heavy, having this family by his side was the greatest fortune in life.

The banquet ended, and everyone returned to their respective palaces to rest.

Cohen naturally returned to the palace with Adele.

No one had any objections to this.

Adele was the queen whom he married through thick and thin, and with whom he ruled the harem. Whether in terms of status, affection, or contributions, she deserved this special status.

Moreover, today is Cohen's coronation day, and it is only right and proper that he should be by the Queen's side.

In the stillness of the night, a warm fragrance wafted through the palace.

Behind the heavy curtains was a private space belonging only to the emperor and empress.

The day's celebration and family dinner did not exhaust their enthusiasm; instead, their time alone together fostered an even deeper sense of romance.

Cohen and Adele lay in each other's arms, deeply in love.

Adaline shed the dignified composure she displayed during the day, her eyes now brimming with alluring tenderness. She leaned down, offering her lips with the utmost gentleness.

However, just as she was getting into the mood and feeling completely absorbed in the moment, Adeline suddenly stopped without warning, her body stiffened slightly, and her mouth tightened a little.

"hiss--",

Cohen was engrossed in his work when he was suddenly struck by a slight stinging pain. He let out a soft groan and looked down in surprise.

His eyes still held lust, yet were tinged with a hint of doubt.

Adael had already released her red lips and raised her head. Her beautiful face was still flushed with passion, but deep in her azure eyes, a superhuman icy blue light flashed, as if she had instantly switched to some other state.

A hint of seriousness and coldness crept into her voice:

"Someone... is trying to forcibly break into the palace's protective barrier!"

Cohen's expression suddenly tightened, all his romantic thoughts vanished instantly, and his eyes sharpened like knives:

"Who could have silently breached the palace's outer defenses and reached this place without a sound?"

The Florence Royal Palace is protected by multiple magical barriers and secret guards. The fact that it was touched so quickly and that Adele reacted in such a way indicates that the visitor was no ordinary person.

The icy blue light in Adel's eyes flickered uncertainly, as if she were sensing something.

Her expression turned somewhat strange. After a moment of silence, she whispered, "It's... Daphne!"

"Daphne? The Goddess of Ice?"

Cohen was also taken aback.

How could this ice goddess, who has a complicated relationship with Adel and rarely ventures into the mortal world, suddenly barge into his palace in such a violent manner?
Even at a time like this?
Before he could think it through, the palace doors opened silently to both sides amidst a chilling gust of air.

There were no signs of damage, as if the door was meant to be open for her.

A tall, aloof, and exquisitely beautiful figure, shrouded in a faint mist of ice, seemingly not of this world, walked straight in, stepping on the invisible frost.

It was none other than Daphne, the Ice Goddess.

She still wore that magnificent divine robe that seemed to be woven from eternal ice crystals and moonlight. Her beauty was unparalleled, and her temperament was aloof and cold, like an eternally unchanging snow lotus.

However, the expression on this ice goddess's face at this moment was somewhat inconsistent with her temperament.

She immediately spotted Cohen and Adaline on the dragon bed, their clothes disheveled, their posture intimate, clearly deeply in the throes of passion.

Especially seeing Adele now kneeling beneath Cohen in such a submissive, even proactive, posture, with a face no less alluring than hers, and slightly swollen lips...

Daphne's seemingly unchanging, aloof face visibly froze for a moment, a hint of near bewilderment flashing in her icy blue eyes.

She seemed unprepared for this situation, or rather, although she knew that Cohen and Adel were husband and wife, she was still shocked to see someone like Adel being treated like this by a mere mortal man...

This was somewhat unacceptable to Ms. Hanbing.

Cohen looked at Daphne, who had suddenly barged in and interrupted his good time. After the initial shock, he felt annoyed and embarrassed by the interruption.

Furthermore, since the other party barged in without any prior notice, their tone inevitably carried a hint of hostility:
"Your Majesty, what are you up to?"
Breaking into my palace in the dead of night, could it be... that you have a penchant for eavesdropping? (End of Chapter)