Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

After Baron Stevens revealed the secrets of Lionheart Manor and the details of his deal with the Demon Lord Thrall.

Without delay, Cohen and Saint Jialin set off immediately, arriving at Lionheart Manor, located in the western suburbs of the capital, which was tightly sealed off by high walls and layers of magical restrictions.

The manor was eerily silent; the once bustling courtyard was now overgrown with weeds and filled with an eerie atmosphere.

After scouting the area for a while, Jialin found nothing unusual.

Cohen then brought in the Military Intelligence Bureau's action team to conduct a thorough search of the manor, inside and out.

Soon, a very well-hidden underground altar was discovered deep within the manor.

Upon entering the altar, a colossal demonic pillar, its entire body wrapped in dark red, malevolent runes, stood prominently in the center.

The material of the demon pillar, the strange patterns carved on it, and even the force field that it emits that distorts space.

They are exactly the same as the demon pillars used to guide the demon legion that were previously discovered in the underground mine military camp in Shanghai!
Looking at the stone pillar before him, Cohen felt an uncontrollable chill run down his spine, straight to the top of his head.

He realized that he had far underestimated Thrall's ambition, the ruler of the chaotic continent.

Or more accurately, they underestimated the earth-shattering conspiracy plotted by Valak, the sixty-two demon gods hidden behind Thrall.

The demon god Valak's goal is far more than simply unleashing a chaotic catastrophe in the remote Lost Lands.

They intend to use the Lost Lands as a springboard to lead their terrifying and massive demon army directly into the heart of human civilization.

Thinking on a deeper level, if in the future the Covenant of the Gods is announced, and the various forces on the continent are caught up in a chaotic war for supremacy, fighting so fiercely that they have no time to attend to other matters.

These magic pillars, which had long been secretly buried beneath the core cities and important strongholds of various empires and kingdoms, were simultaneously activated.

The demon army swarmed out from the heart of the human world, attacking from both inside and outside...

That would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to the entire human civilization.

Thinking of this intricate and vicious scheme, even Cohen, with his composure, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

An unprecedented sense of urgency and heavy pressure welled up in my heart.

Even though he had a thousand and one thoughts in his mind that he did not want to interfere in the affairs of other countries, Cohen knew very well that...

If the demon god Valak's wicked scheme succeeds, the entire continent will become a purgatory ravaged by demons.

At that time, even if Effiin were able to rely on its powerful army to maintain a secluded corner of the world, it would be impossible for them to remain unscathed in the face of such a calamity that would sweep across the continent.

The key to breaking the deadlock now lies with Victor, the Demon Lord's contact person who was exposed by Stevens.

Only by finding a way to capture this agent who is deeply trusted by the Demon Lord Thrall can we pry him open and uncover the complete network of the demon legion's infiltration.

Perhaps there is still a chance to turn the tide.

This matter is of great importance, involving a deep-seated conspiracy at the level of a Pillar Demon God.

After much deliberation, Cohen felt that only by personally going to the Lost Land and meeting Victor could he ensure everything went smoothly.

However, there's no need to rush into action. After all, it will take time for Baron Stevens to re-establish contact with Victor and gain his trust.

What's more pressing right now is Freya's coronation ceremony.

If he dares to be absent at such a crucial moment, given that girl's temperament, she might really cause chaos throughout the entire palace, and he'll be in big trouble then!

……

The new Ceylon Royal Palace rises from the ruins of the old palace.

Its scale and grandeur far surpass any previous era.

The pure white boulders, quarried from beneath the northern glaciers, shimmer with a sacred and solemn light under the sun.

The towering tower pierced the clouds, as if announcing the start of a new era to the entire continent.

Finally, the day of the much-anticipated coronation ceremony arrived, and the heavy, gilded palace gates were flung open with a roar.

Important political figures and representatives of various forces from different countries on the mainland filed in.

The vast square in front of the palace gate, which could accommodate tens of thousands of people, was already packed with carriages of various ornate emblems and extremely luxurious decorations, as well as rare magical beast mounts.

The hushed conversations and exclamations created a buzzing background sound that echoed throughout the hall, a symbol of new life and power.

"when--"

A melodious and deep bell rang out, instantly drowning out all the noise.

The entire square fell silent instantly, and everyone's gaze turned to the towering coronation platform.

As the solemn music of the royal orchestra began, a stunningly beautiful figure, surrounded by several court ladies, slowly ascended the high platform.

The sole protagonist of today's story is Freya, the new queen of Ceylon!

Freya wore a deep purple velvet gown, the hem of which was decorated with tiny diamonds and sapphires, and the ancient emblem of the Kingdom of Ceylon was cleverly embroidered.

These gems shone brightly in the sunlight, exuding an unassailable and majestic radiance.

Her long, golden hair was meticulously braided into an elaborate and elegant updo, with a few strands falling to her ears, further accentuating her swan-like neck and snow-white skin.

She wore minimal jewelry, except for a pair of "Tears of the Stars" earrings on her earlobes, which shimmered with a mysterious light and possessed powerful magic.

Her stunningly beautiful face was solemn and calm, and her azure eyes, as they swept over the assembled guests below the stage, naturally revealed an innate air of authority.

At this moment, the absolute elegance she displayed astonished even those dignitaries and top experts from various countries who were accustomed to the world's most beautiful women and powerful figures.

He was momentarily stunned and lost in thought, and the shock did not come solely from her flawless appearance.

It is the unparalleled aura emanating from within, that of the ultimate victor and the new ruler, that is like a king reigning supreme, captivating all who behold it.

The enthronement ceremony was conducted solemnly according to ancient procedures.

The coronation ceremony was conducted solemnly according to the ancient and sacred procedures of Ceylon.

The oath, the prayer, the receipt of the scepter... Freya completed each step meticulously, with composure and poise.

Finally, the ceremony reached its most crucial moment—the coronation.

According to the long-standing practice of the Kingdom of Ceylon and indeed of all countries on the continent.

At this moment, the most virtuous and respected nobleman elected by the Senate, or His Holiness the Pope of the state religion, should represent the gods and place the crown symbolizing supreme power on the new monarch's head.

However, Ceylon has never had a state religion, so everyone present turned their attention to the new Speaker of the Senate, a white-haired, dignified old duke.

Head Lady Lucia stood respectfully to one side, holding the brand-new crown, painstakingly crafted by the best artisans and inlaid with the legendary gem "Heart of Ceylon," awaiting the momentous occasion of history.

Surprisingly, the old duke simply remained seated calmly and motionless.

They showed absolutely no intention of getting up and moving forward to fulfill this glorious duty.

A slight commotion and whispers arose among the crowd, but soon everyone present understood the Duke's intention in doing so.

Freya's gaze swept past the whispering dignitaries from various countries below the stage and landed steadily on that unique spot at the very front of the audience.

Seated there was a tall, distinguished man, dressed in only a simple dark casual outfit, not in elaborate court attire.

Yet it seemed to possess its own halo, making all the surrounding gorgeous clothes and decorations pale in comparison.

Freya's voice was clear and steady, reaching the ears of every dignitary present at the ceremony:

"Your Majesty Cohen Corleone, may I be granted the coronation?"

These words immediately caused a barely suppressed commotion in the audience.

Is one monarch crowning another?
This is an unprecedented and earth-shattering feat in the tens of thousands of years of history of the entire Demon Tide Continent.

Moreover, Ceylon was once the first kingdom to dominate the continent, and the weight of its crown was extraordinary.

Every observer present understood this perfectly.

King Cohen Corleone of Efein was Freya's most steadfast and important ally in her success in restoring her kingdom.

Without his strong support, the crown of Ceylon would never have fallen so easily on her head.

At this moment, the symbolic meaning of him personally placing this crown on her head has long surpassed the coronation ceremony itself.

This is more like a blatant political declaration, a silent warning to all potential adversaries.

Their undisguised intimacy once again confirmed to shrewd politicians the extraordinary and intriguing relationship between the two young monarchs.

This also made them realize more clearly that the newly formed Ceylon and the increasingly powerful Alfiein were already connected through the personal ties of these two rulers.

They formed a strategic alliance that is inseparable and unbreakable.

Of course, among all the political figures whose expressions changed, the representatives of the Central Empire had the most ashen and unpleasant looks.

Her eyes were practically spitting fire—after all, the man who was about to crown another country's queen was, in name only, the legitimate consort of their great Empress Shanes Klein!
This act of almost publicly "cuckolding" one's own supreme emperor is nothing short of an open provocation against the majesty of the central empire.

However, regardless of the undercurrents and differing thoughts in the audience, Cohen Corleone slowly stood up amidst a complex array of gazes.

To be honest, if Freya hadn't insisted, he would never have wanted to stand in the spotlight so prominently.

After all, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow. Putting aside everything else, just thinking about how to explain it to his sister, the Queen, is enough to give him a headache.

Suppressing his emotions, Cohen strode forward and steadily stepped onto the high platform covered with a deep red carpet.

He took the heavy crown from Lucia's hands.

With solemn and gentle movements, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he slowly placed the crown upon Freya's golden hair. He then announced in a clear voice:

"By the witness of the gods, in the name of our allies, we bless you, Queen Freya. May your reign be as eternal as the stars, and may the glory of Ceylon be with you!"

Then, he leaned down slightly and whispered in a gentle tone that only the two of them could hear:

"Congratulations, my queen!"

The moment the crown was set, the pent-up enthusiasm in the entire square erupted like a flood bursting its banks, transforming into a deafening wave of cheers:

Long live the Queen!
Long live Queen Freya!

The coronation ceremony concluded successfully amidst the jubilant cheers of the crowd.

The next segment was a more practical, yet subtly complex, meeting with the new government.

For this country, which has just undergone a change of regime and is in dire need of rebuilding, many diplomatic strategies, economic and military agreements need to be reshuffled and re-established.

However, only the representatives of the five most powerful empires on the continent, those capable of influencing the global landscape, are qualified to be personally received by Queen Freya for in-depth talks.

As for the envoys from other countries, they were received and entertained by Prime Minister Duke Gavin and several other senior cabinet ministers.

A tense diplomatic game concerning the future of New Ceylon began after the coronation ceremony.

After the grand and magnificent coronation ceremony and the solemn and rigorous diplomatic reception concluded,

The magnificent building, named "Hall of Stars," located in the west wing of the palace, has opened its doors to guests.

An extravagant celebration dinner and ball is about to begin.

This hall is a banquet hall newly built specifically for this celebration, and its design is exquisite, its materials are luxurious, and its concept is innovative.

Even the most knowledgeable and discerning guests were amazed and impressed.

The dome is high and wide, painted with a picture of the Ceylon starry sky.

What's even more amazing is that countless tiny magic crystals are cleverly embedded in the dome.

Driven by an invisible magical force, it is slowly flowing along a mysterious trajectory, vividly simulating the movement of real stars.

The dazzling starlight emanating from these crystals replaced traditional candlelight, enveloping the entire hall in a dreamlike glow.

Huge floor-to-ceiling crystal windows stand on the four walls, outside which is a meticulously designed courtyard night view, and a magic fountain changes the shape and color of its water jets in rhythm with the faintly audible music.

A large, mirror-like dance floor, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people dancing together, is reserved in the center of the hall.

On both sides of the dance floor were long dining tables covered with snow-white linen tablecloths.

The table was already laden with delicacies from land and sea, all kinds of rare and exquisite dishes, and aged wines from all over the mainland, all meticulously prepared by the imperial chefs.

The waiters, dressed in uniform and exquisite attire, moved silently and swiftly among the guests like fish, promptly serving wine and changing plates.

At this moment, dignitaries and high-ranking officials from various countries have all changed into their most formal evening attire and entered the venue.

They gathered in twos and threes, holding wine glasses, talking in hushed tones, with polite and reserved smiles on their faces.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of expensive perfumes, cigars, and food.

However, if you listen carefully to their conversation, you will find that the topic has long since shifted from praising the unparalleled beauty of the new Queen Freya.

They quietly shifted their focus to various speculations and probes about the future changes on the mainland.

The announcement of the "Covenant of the Gods," which is said to reshape the world order, is drawing ever closer.

Any country on the mainland with any power has already heard some unsettling rumors through various overt or covert channels.

Especially recently, sixteen saints who were already considered legends appeared in the world at the same time, followed by the shocking news that a saint had unexpectedly perished.

Furthermore, the reappearance of the ancient and powerful Starbringer race on Earth, along with this series of earth-shattering events, has greatly exacerbated the tense situation that is brewing like a storm.

Therefore, the dignitaries from various countries who came to attend the coronation ceremony of the Queen of Ceylon were doing so not only to give His Majesty Cohen Corleone face and maintain a semblance of courtesy, but also...

More than anything, they wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity for all forces to gather together to secretly clash and test each other's strengths and weaknesses.

They strive to secure the most advantageous position for their respective countries or forces in the impending upheaval, in order to fulfill their deeply hidden political demands and strategic plans.

……

Inside the brightly lit Star Palace, soft starlight filled the hall.

An elderly general, dressed in a crisp military uniform with epaulets adorning his shoulders with medals symbolizing his distinguished military achievements, slowly sipped the hot liquor in his glass.

His weathered face was deeply lined with wrinkles, and his hawk-like gaze swept across the dignitaries of various countries in the banquet hall. He then leaned slightly forward and whispered to a richly dressed representative of a business alliance beside him:
"It seems that the alliance between Ceylon and Efein is deeper and stronger than we previously thought."

Upon hearing this, the business representative's eyes flashed with shrewdness. He slowly set down the crystal glass in his hand, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and replied:
"Yes, His Majesty Corleone actually personally crowned Queen Freya."

This political signal couldn't be clearer.

In the future, Ceylon's abundant mineral resources and rare magic crystals will most likely flow into Effie's pocket first.

We need to reconsider our business strategy.

At this moment, another envoy, dressed in diplomatic attire, stepped closer, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy, and shook his head with a soft sigh:
"There is an even more crucial layer: from then on, the three strategic chokepoint ports of the Northwest Continent—Emerald Harbor, Golden Sail Harbor, and Pearl Harbor."

All of this came together in the hands of His Majesty Corleone alone.

Furthermore, the alliance between Pirate King Yann Hughes and Effie during the Battle of Ceylon...

The underlying maritime and trade hegemony is self-evident!

Before he could finish speaking, a young, impetuous nobleman pushed his way into the crowd, his eyes burning with an almost fanatical reverence for Queen Freya.

He waved excitedly and interjected in a clear voice:

Why are you all jumping to conclusions so early?
Her Majesty the Queen was able to restore the country with an iron fist, so how could she be a mediocre ruler who would willingly be controlled by others for a long time?
How long can such an alliance last? It's hard to say.

As soon as he finished speaking, several senior political figures and generals around him were taken aback and exchanged a knowing glance.

They immediately revealed a mocking expression as if they were looking at an innocent child, and some even couldn't help but cover their mouths with their sleeves and let out a barely audible sneer.

The old general who had spoken earlier suddenly felt embarrassed.

The subtle, almost imperceptible gazes around him seemed to carry a sharp edge, making him quite uncomfortable.

It's as if they're saying, "Is this the prince your Solandis Kingdom raised?"
The old general coughed lightly, using the gesture of raising his glass to drink to cover his embarrassment, and turned his head slightly to the side.

Lowering her voice, she advised the young prince Velma from the Kingdom of Solandis in the Land of Dragons beside her:

"Your Highness, please don't say such things in this setting."

Didn't His Majesty instruct you before he came to listen and observe more, and speak less?

The young prince from the Kingdom of Solandis, the Land of Dragons, suddenly changed his expression.

Although he was inexperienced in the ways of the world, he keenly caught a hint of mockery and pity in the meaningful glances cast by those around him, which were quickly averted.

Her fair cheeks flushed slightly, and she couldn't help but lean closer to the old general, her voice tinged with a mixture of grievance and stubborn incomprehension as she whispered:
"General Burn, I...Is there something wrong with what I said?"

Who is Her Majesty Queen Freya?

Despite bearing the burdens of national and personal vendettas, she managed to turn the tide and gloriously restore her kingdom under the intense pressure of the Gaius royal family!
Today, he holds the reins of the Kingdom of Ceylon, which was once the most powerful kingdom on the continent.

How could such a brilliant and ambitious monarch be willing to bow down to the ruler of a small country like Effie for long?
Such closeness right now is definitely just a temporary expedient, a temporary compromise!

There is absolutely no possibility that the relationship between Ceylon and Efine will remain as close as it is now forever!
Furthermore…

Prince Velma's voice was even lower, carrying the eagerness typical of youth, a self-assured belief in his foresight, and some unspoken thoughts as he spoke:
"Her Majesty the Queen will eventually have to choose a husband."

She will eventually choose a marriage partner from a powerful country and find a more powerful ally.

"Then they will be able to easily break free from Efein's control and regain full control over Ceylon's power..."

General Burns looked even more helpless after hearing this, and was about to explain further to his little prince.

A mocking young voice suddenly rang out from the side.

This small circle was instantly shattered:

“Velma, my little prince.”

I think you've probably had your brain ruined by being pampered in your Solantis palace greenhouse, haven't you?
Could you please open your eyes a little and take a look at the real world?

What kind of husband-recruiting strategy attracts powerful allies?

ha!"

The young nobleman, dressed in a stylishly tailored velvet gown, casually swirled his wine glass, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

As the eldest prince of the neighboring kingdom of Soren, Duke will not let go of any opportunity to suppress the other party!

Prince Velma's face flushed red and then turned pale, and he shouted angrily:
"Duke, you...you, I challenge you to a duel!"

Seeing Velma's shocked and furious reaction, Duke laughed until tears streamed down his face, pointing at Velma and saying:
"I was wondering how your old man could bear to let you out this time."

You came all this way today, surely you weren't just harboring some unrealistic fantasy, dreaming of being chosen as the Queen's consort?
Before you came out, didn't your elders explain the current situation on the mainland to you properly?
It's so...naive it's almost laughable!

He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze sweeping over Velma's instantly flushed face, and continued in that infuriating tone:

What will happen in the future?
I tell you, there is only one possibility in the future: His Majesty Corleone's son will rightfully become the new king of this land! (End of Chapter)