Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Flint gently placed the mask on the table. He didn't avoid Garland's scrutinizing gaze, and meeting his old friend's complex eyes, he spoke frankly:
“I’m doing very well, at least much better than being a dog under the Alvis family.”

He paused, his grey eyes fixed on Garland, and said, word by word:

"I am now a member of the 'Crimson Raiders' and serve as the chief captain."

Upon hearing the words "Crimson Raiders," Garland's calm expression vanished instantly, and his clasped hands clenched involuntarily.

He even subconsciously straightened his back, as if to confirm whether he had misheard.

Scarlet Raiders!
That name was practically a taboo in the Southern Empire for the past few years.

It haunted the entire coastline of the Southern Empire like a nightmare, and its name appeared at almost every meeting of the Imperial Navy's high command.

It was a source of fear and gossip among the nobles of the capital, with everyone talking about this legendary pirate crew led by the Pirate King.

They were elusive and incredibly powerful, plundering merchant ships and warships of the Southern Empire with ease.

Even when facing an encirclement and suppression by the Imperial Navy, they could easily defeat them.

They caused incalculable economic losses to the Empire, humiliated the Imperial Navy, and became a glaring stain on the Empire's maritime hegemony.

The high-ranking officials of the Southern Empire seemed to recall the fear that the ancient pirate king had instilled in them when the empire was first established.

Especially the former heir to the empire, the First Prince Greg, whose most recent and most painful defeat was due to this pirate fleet!
Deep within the Endless Sea, the "Crimson Raiders" joined forces with the Merfolk to deliver a fatal blow to Greg, plunging him from his lofty position into the mire, leading to his current predicament of being confined to his quarters and suffering a significant loss of power.

That's it!

It turns out that one of the core leaders of the "Crimson Raiders," who caused Gregor's crushing defeat, heavy losses to the empire, and shocked the government and the public, was none other than his old friend who had been "dead" for many years, Flint Salgado!

It took Garland a few seconds to barely regain his composure and find his voice:

"So... you're now working for that 'Pirate King'?"

“Yes,” Flint answered without hesitation, without even trying to hide it.

“I serve him. Because when I was desperate and like a stray dog, he gave me shelter and the strength and opportunity to avenge the 317 innocent souls of the Salgado family.”

His voice was calm, but beneath that calm lay a bone-chilling hatred and resolve:
"He promised to help me get revenge, and he has indeed been doing so."

Greg's current fate is just the beginning.

"start?"

Garland's voice rose slightly: "Flint, wake up!"
Because of you... because of the Scarlet Raiders, Greg has paid a heavy price.

He was stripped of most of his powers by His Majesty, forced to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors, his influence greatly diminished, and his reputation ruined.

In a sense, isn't the revenge against the Salgado family a form of retribution?

Gregor has lost what he valued most—power and the emperor's favor.

This caused him more pain than death!
Now that you've returned to the Southern Empire, what else do you want to do?
Do we have to personally cut off his head and turn the entire capital upside down before we're satisfied?
Do you know how dangerous this is?

You will drag yourself, and... everyone connected to you, into an abyss of no return!

Garland was somewhat agitated. He leaned forward, placed his hands on the table, and stared intently at Flint.

He was genuinely worried about his old friend, and also about the Junen family, who might be drawn into the situation.

In his view, Greg had already been punished, and Flint should know when to quit while he was ahead and take his "revenge spoils" and fly away, rather than returning to this den of thieves to engage in an even more dangerous and unpredictable gamble.

Flint listened quietly to Garland's excited words.

He didn't immediately refute, but waited until Galan finished speaking and his breathing calmed down slightly before slowly opening his mouth:
No, Garland, you don't understand.

The punishment for Greg was far from enough. And…”

A cold glint flashed in Flint's gray eyes. "Who told you that my target for revenge is only Greg?"

The destruction of the Salgado family, the bloodshed, the stigma… how could Greg alone possibly bear all of this?

Garland stared in horror, wishing he had never been there at all.

Flint's lips curled into a cold, emotionless smile, tugging at the gruesome scar on his face, as he continued uttering words that Garland considered utterly blasphemous:
“Gregor, he deserves to die. He was the sharpest knife, the mad dog charging ahead.”

But Garland, neither of us are innocent children anymore.

Do you really think that a prince, no matter how favored or powerful he was at the time, could so easily bring down a family as deeply rooted and influential in the navy as the Salgado family?

"How could they mobilize such a massive force, fabricate such flawless 'evidence,' and get the entire empire's judicial and media machinery mobilized to utterly crush us, without even giving us a chance to appeal?"

He paused, his words laced with murderous intent:
"No, Greg is just a knife, an executor pushed to the forefront."

The true hand that wields the knife is hidden deeper, on that high and mighty throne.

Those who truly fear the Salgado family's prestige in the navy, those who truly fear we might slip out of their control, and those who truly need a bloody purge to deter other families and consolidate the monarchy's absolute control over the military…

Flint lowered his voice even further:

"It's Wilson Ilves!"
It was the current emperor of the Southern Region who tacitly approved of, or even pushed on by, Gregor, that emboldened him to act so recklessly.

Colluding with sirens? What a ridiculous charge. The Salgado family's real crime is their control of the navy, and our reputation among the sailors.

Garland's breath hitched, though Flint's guess wasn't entirely unexpected.

At the highest levels of imperial power, similar purges and checks and balances never ceased.

But he never imagined that Flint would so bluntly and definitively target the Emperor himself.

“You…” Garland’s voice was a little dry. He lowered his voice almost subconsciously, even though he knew that the soundproofing of this private room should be good. “Do you still want to… go against His Majesty the Emperor?”
"Flint, are you crazy? This is suicide!"

"Deal with the Emperor?" Flint repeated the word, his tone chillingly flat. "Yes and no."

He leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between himself and Garland:
"It's not 'I' who wants to deal with him. To be precise, it's the man I serve, the Pirate King, who wants to deal with the Southern Empire and Wilson Alvis, who sits on the throne."

Garland tried hard to control his emotions:
"Flint, I admit it, the one you serve... the Pirate King, he is very strong, extremely strong."

He can defeat Gregor and even receive some support from the Eastern Empire. But that doesn't mean he can challenge the entire Southern Empire!
You simply don't understand how terrifying the power of an empire that has lasted for tens of thousands of years is.

It's not just the army, but also countless nobles who depend on it, intricate networks of interests, unfathomable depths, and those forbidden forces hidden in the shadows!
Challenging imperial power? This...this is utterly delusional!

Garland's excitement was not without reason.

In his deeply ingrained belief, the empire was an unshakeable behemoth, and imperial power was an unpredictable force of heaven.

Individual bravery, even that of a powerful pirate fleet, appears insignificant and fragile before the colossal power of the empire.

Flint remained surprisingly calm in the face of Garland's fierce reaction:
"Galan, before I met the Pirate King, I also thought that taking revenge on Greg and demanding blood debts from those high and mighty figures was a pipe dream and an absolutely impossible thing."

But where is Greg now?

Is he currently in his magnificent palace, tasting the bitter fruit of lost power and feeling the pain of falling from the clouds?

Who did this?

Flint didn't wait for Garland's reply; he gave his answer, his voice low but carrying immense weight:

"It was the Pirate King. He gave me the opportunity, the power, and the direction."

He showed me that what seems 'impossible' is simply because you haven't stood high enough, haven't seen far enough, or... lack the courage and ability to break the rules.

Garland fell silent. He looked at Flint, at the almost religious light in his old friend's eyes, and he knew that Flint had embarked on a path of no return, and firmly believed that the end of this path was the ending he longed for.

Galan's back was completely soaked with cold.

He realized that Flint's return to him this time was not merely to reminisce or seek some insignificant help.

He intends to drag the Junen family into a massive storm that could annihilate them.

Garland stated his position almost immediately:
"Flint, we are friends, we are brothers, and I will never deny this friendship, no matter how many years have passed or who you have become."

But that's precisely why I must make things clear.

The June family will not, and cannot, participate in any form of treason.

My responsibility is to ensure the safety, continuation, and prosperity of this family.

I can't gamble the future of my entire family on... a crazy plan that seems to have no chance of winning.

I understand your hatred, but I'm sorry, I can't be on your side in this matter.

To Garland's surprise, Flint did not show anger, disappointment, or attempt to continue persuading him when he heard such a clear refusal.

On the contrary, Flint even had a smile on his face:

"Galan, you've misunderstood. I'm not here to ask you to raise the banner of rebellion now and openly oppose the Empire."

I'm not that naive, and I know that would drive you and the Junen family to the brink of despair.

What I need is not your army, nor your public support, at least not right now.

All I need is a little 'trivial' help, a little 'convenience' that's manageable for you but crucial for us.

Garland frowned, his eyes filled with wariness: "What convenience?"

“Two identities.” Flint held up two fingers, which stood out clearly in the dim light. “Two real, reliable identities that can withstand the most rigorous investigation.”

He glanced at the countless guesses and considerations that flashed across Garland's eyes and added:

"Your Excellency the Pirate King needs to come to the capital in person to see the situation here up close."

He needs a proper identity to move freely in the city without attracting any unnecessary attention.

This shouldn't be difficult for you or the June family.

Flint's words were calm, but the information they contained made Garland's heart pound again.

The Pirate King... is coming to the Imperial Capital in person?
That mysterious, powerful pirate leader, who has been a major headache for the Imperial Navy and has just severely injured the prince, is actually planning to infiltrate the heart of the Empire, Whirlpool Fortress.

And Flint so bluntly asked him, an imperial marquis, for identification that could cover this dangerous person's infiltration!
This demand itself has already dragged the Junen family into the mess.

Once discovered, this would be irrefutable evidence of treason!

Garland felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He looked at Flint, at those familiar yet unfamiliar eyes, filled with determination and expectation.

He knew he was standing at an extremely dangerous crossroads.

Garland June remained silent.

The crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace and the distant, faint sounds of bustling city life filtered through the thick walls outside the window were now exceptionally clear.

Time flowed slowly in the dim light, each second seemingly stretched out.

After a long while, he finally raised his head again, his gray eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the flickering firelight.

"Two identities... real, reliable, and can withstand scrutiny."

Garland slowly repeated Flint's request, speaking very slowly, as if he were savoring the weight of each word.

"Flint, if there's any trust left between us, don't try to fob me off with these vague excuses."

If he's just here to take a look, with the abilities of that Pirate King you mentioned, and with the capacity to push Greg to such a state, he has a hundred, a thousand ways to sneak into the capital undetected and observe everything he wants to observe.

No matter how long the empire's borders are, or how heavily guarded Vortex Fortress is, it is not an impregnable fortress for truly top-tier experts.

Tell me the truth, Flint, what exactly are you trying to do?
What exactly does that Pirate King want to achieve by personally venturing into Whirlpool Castle?
If you still consider me a friend, if you still hope for the Junen family, or rather, if you still hope that I can live to consider your request, then don't hide anything from me.

Otherwise, I'd rather leave now and pretend I never saw you tonight.

I must be responsible for the survival of the June family!

Flint didn't intend to hide anything and slowly began to speak:
“You’re right, Garland.”

It's definitely not just about 'looking'.

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, trying to articulate in the fewest possible words the plan that would shake anyone's sanity:
"The Pirate King's target is Prince Gregor."

It wasn't an assassination, nor a direct confrontation. Rather, it was... to infiltrate his inner circle, get as close to him as possible, influence him, guide him, and ultimately... persuade him to believe that waging war against the Sea Clan Alliance was the best option to resolve his current predicament, regain the emperor's favor, and even consolidate his future throne.

Then guide Gregor to fight the sea creatures!
When the colossal Southern Empire, driven by Gregor's ambition and despair, turned all its war machines to the Endless Sea, clashing in full-scale conflict with the equally formidable Sea Clan Alliance...

What a sight that would be!
The empire's power will be constrained and depleted, and internal rifts will form due to the war, making it more vulnerable.

That would be the best time for us to truly take action and deliver a fatal blow to this corrupt empire.

Chaos, division, internal and external troubles... that will be the best opportunity for us to avenge the Salgado family and all the wronged souls!

Flint's words stirred up a storm in Garland's heart.

Garland's facial muscles twitched suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply, and he even paused in breathing for a moment.

The private room fell into a deathly silence.

Garland June stared intently at Flint, his face first showing disbelief and astonishment, then breaking into an incredulous, dry laugh:
"Flint, my dear old friend, are you sure you're sober right now?"

Or has the torment of sea voyages and the torment of hatred over the years finally damaged your mind?

He leaned forward, his hands resting on the table, his gaze intense:

"To bewitch Gregor and get him to push the Empire and the Sea Clan Alliance into war?"
Do you know what you're saying?

There are indeed frictions, competitions, and inextricable entanglements of interests between the Southern Empire and the Sea Clan Alliance. However, maintaining a facade of peace and cooperation has been the empire's basic national policy for nearly a thousand years!
Do you know how much covert cooperation and overt agreement the two sides have in trade, resources, and even certain military technologies?
The reason Greg suffered such a terrible misfortune was not only because of the heavy losses, but more importantly, because his reckless actions severely damaged the fragile but vital illusion of 'unity' between the Empire and the Sea Clan.

This in itself is one of the key charges against him that led to his severe punishment!

Garland's tone grew increasingly agitated, as if he were trying to dispel this seemingly insane idea with his volume:

"Now you're telling me that you and that Pirate King plan to have Greg, a prince who just lost power for damaging relations between two nations (tribes), actively push for a full-scale war?"
What do we rely on?
Is it through a few empty, seductive words, or some kind of magic I don't know about?

Flint, Greg is arrogant and eager to turn the tide, but he's not stupid!
The emperor, the Senate, the military, and those shrewd nobles of the empire are no fools!

How could they allow such a war, which could shake the foundations of the nation and drag the empire into an abyss, to break out?
This is utterly a fantasy!

Garland's doubts are not entirely wrong.

The complex and delicate balance between the Southern Empire and the Sea Clan Alliance has been maintained for over a thousand years, a result of countless intertwined interests.

Breaking it requires more than just the ambition of a disillusioned prince; it also requires unimaginable impetus and a disruptive opportunity.

In Garland's view, Flint's plan was less audacious than a pipe dream, with a negligible chance of success, or even nonexistent.

Flint waited quietly; he knew Garland as well as Garland knew him.

The head of an ancient family with a history of ten thousand years, every decision he makes affects the life, death, honor, and disgrace of thousands of people.

To stake the fate of the entire family on a seemingly insane plan led by a group of pirates?
This requires not only courage, but also a crazy gamble on the future and an almost blind trust in the proposer.

Flint didn't expect that old friendships and hatred for Greg would be enough to get Garland to agree immediately.

He changed the subject and asked:

"Garland, do you want to know who the 'other person' that the Pirate King wants to bring into the Imperial Capital and infiltrate Greg's inner circle is?"

Garland was pulled back from his chaotic thoughts, not understanding why Flint had suddenly brought this up:
"The other person? Wasn't it you who accompanied that gentleman?"

Flint shook his head:
"Speaking of which, Garland, it's been... a long time since you've seen your niece, hasn't it?"

Garland was startled, almost instinctively straightening his body, leaning slightly forward, his sharp gaze locking onto Flint's eyes, his voice low with urgency, yet trembling noticeably:
"What...what do you mean by that?"
Flint, what exactly are you trying to say? Could it be that she…?

The guess that he was "not dead" was so terrifying that he couldn't quite bring himself to ask it.

The Salgado family was almost completely wiped out that year, and Flint's wife, who was also his sister, and his young niece were confirmed to have died.

This news was a wound that had been difficult for the Junen family to heal for a long time.

Flint stopped teasing and calmly said:

"Yes, my daughter, your niece doesn't have any silk, but she is no longer the timid little girl you remember."

Her current name and identity are—Claire, the ruler of the mermaid race of the Endless Sea, the Queen of the Tides.

"what?"

Garland gasped softly, his body involuntarily leaning back, bumping into the back of the chair with a dull thud.

His eyes were wide open, filled with a sense of absurdity and utter confusion.

Queen Claire of the Tides? The new leader of the sea race who recently stirred up trouble in the Endless Sea, joined forces with the Crimson Raiders to severely injure Gregor, and caused headaches for the entire Southern Empire's leadership?
The legendary, powerful, mysterious, and ruthless mermaid queen?

She...she was his frail niece who had "died" many years ago?
How can this be?

Flint seemed to see through the turbulent emotions churning within Garland, and he continued in a statement of fact:

“I know this sounds unbelievable, but it’s true.”

She was originally the Queen of the Merfolk, reincarnated into our Salgado family! (End of Chapter)