Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

Seeing that Cohen's expression remained unchanged, Xia Zuo coughed lightly and continued:

"Although this matter may seem like a small thing, involving the transfer of equipment, it concerns the credibility of the alliance and the foundation of mutual trust between the two sides in the future."

Therefore, His Majesty and all the officials hope that you, sir, can provide a clear and transparent explanation in this matter to reassure the ministers.

Upon hearing this, Cohen's face showed a look of sudden realization, as if saying "I see," and with a hint of self-reproach and apology, he quickly said:

Oh! So that's what it was about!
Your Highness's reminder has truly confused me.

The situation was urgent, and cooperating with Effie to jointly attack Ceylon was the top priority.

In order to strengthen the coalition forces and quell the war as soon as possible, the considerations regarding equipment support were indeed somewhat inadequate.

I completely forgot about this crucial point! It was such a negligence of mine!

He spoke sincerely, with a proper attitude and a solemn expression, as he made his promise:
"Your Highness, rest assured, since this matter arose because of me, I, Yann Hughes, am by no means someone who shirks responsibility."

During the afternoon court assembly, I will certainly explain the cause and effect of this matter, as well as the reasons behind it, in front of His Majesty and all the civil and military officials.

To give His Majesty, and to the entire empire, a satisfactory explanation.

We will absolutely not let this matter affect our deep friendship and the beautiful marriage we are about to forge!

Upon hearing Cohen's readily agreed answer, Prince Xia Zuo's usual warm smile froze almost imperceptibly for a moment.

A fleeting look of astonishment and confusion flashed deep in his eyes.

He truly hadn't expected that the other party would so readily agree to publicly explain the "violation of the alliance" at the upcoming formal court assembly.

Xia Zuo's mind raced with thoughts.

His so-called "minor matter" and "no big deal" are nothing more than tacit polite words among politicians.

This is to leave room for maneuver and save face in the upcoming negotiations.

Once the accusation of "violating the covenant" is formally raised and confirmed in the solemn and respectful imperial court assembly.

The nature of this situation will become extremely serious, enough to shake the foundation of trust in the cooperation between the two parties, and could even become an excellent excuse for the opponent to launch an attack and demand huge compensation or important bargaining chips.

By then, it won't be so easy for "Pirate King" Yann Hughes to escape unscathed; he will inevitably have to pay a considerable price.

Xia Zuo chose to reveal this to Cohen at a private banquet, before the court assembly.

It was the prelude to a carefully planned test and transaction.

His real intention was to use this opportunity to reach a secret agreement with Cohen before the official showdown.

For example, Cohen could hand over something of great strategic value as "compensation".

For example, the core construction technology of the "ghost ship" that even the Imperial Navy coveted.

Therefore, Prime Ministers Chazar and Tiberius could manipulate the situation to instruct their respective factions to remain silent on the matter during court meetings and not mention it publicly again.

As long as no one brings it up in public, the matter can naturally be suppressed, and Cohen will not have to face the embarrassment and risk of having to explain himself publicly.

This should have been a tacit exchange of interests.

However, despite all his calculations, he never expected that Cohen's reaction would deviate completely from his expectations.

The other party showed no hesitation, difficulty, or attempt to bargain.

On the contrary, it was as if they had been waiting for this moment, and their exhilaration was startling.

He even vowed to "give everyone an explanation" at the court assembly.

This unusual openness and initiative did not make Xia Zuo feel at ease; instead, it felt like punching cotton, causing his carefully prepared negotiation strategy to instantly fail.

The situation suddenly became increasingly unpredictable.

Prime Minister Tiberius, who remained silent throughout, still had an expressionless face, but his slightly narrowed eyes also revealed his surprise at Cohen's answer.

Xia Zuo unconsciously rubbed the smooth glass with his fingertips, his smile unchanged, but his mind was already racing, and he had to reassess the depth and true intentions of the "Pirate King" in front of him.

Can you explain this clearly?

How exactly does he intend to "explain" this?
Xia Zuo's thoughts raced wildly.

It is an undeniable fact that the "Phantom Dragon Wing Cloak" has been widely deployed in the Effie army; countless eyes have witnessed it.

This is evidence that cannot be erased no matter how much you try to argue it out.

They handed over strategic resources such as the blueprints for divine and demonic equipment, which are crucial to the fate of the nation, to a country that is not a staunch ally and may even be a potential competitor.

This would be considered a serious act of betrayal under any country or alliance framework, and an inescapable deadlock.

No matter how eloquent Yann Hughes was, he could not turn black into white.

He simply cannot get past this hurdle.

If that's the case, why did he so readily, even voluntarily, jump into this situation that was clearly aimed at him?
Xia Zuo absolutely refused to believe that someone with the shrewdness and insight to navigate between various powerful forces would fail to see that his advance disclosure of information was clearly a signal of goodwill.

It gave both sides a tacit way out, a valuable opportunity to make a private deal and seek compromise before the situation became irreparable.

He could have taken the opportunity to propose conditions and seek a solution where both sides could save face and get what they wanted.

But it didn't happen.

Does he really want to fight to the death?
The idea was immediately rejected by Xia Zuo as soon as it came to mind.

Absolutely impossible!

Not to mention that he has now almost stepped into the Eastern Empire's royal family, becoming Grace's public fiancé and deeply intertwined with the empire's interests.

Judging from his past behavior, he is by no means the kind of reckless person who would take risks on a whim.

So what exactly is hidden behind his unusual, almost "walking into a trap" behavior?
Does it possess some kind of trump card that can completely turn the tide?

Or did he foresee this situation all along, or was it even part of his plan?
The more Xia Zuo thought about it, the more he felt that the seemingly lazy and smiling man in front of him was shrouded in an unfathomable fog.

A brief silence fell over the banquet hall.

The only sounds were the occasional soft, crisp clinking of silver cutlery against bone china plates and the barely audible footsteps of waiters in the distance.

The silence didn't last long, and Prince Xiazuo's warm smile returned to his face.

He raised his glass and gestured to Cohen, his tone relaxed and casual:

"If you, sir, are confident that you can explain the whole story to the ministers, that would be the best outcome."

To be honest, I, and Your Majesty, personally hold great goodwill and understanding towards you, sir.

It's not about being deliberately harsh.

However, this matter involves the core interests of the empire and the seriousness of the alliance.

In the imperial court, under the watchful eyes of countless people, even if His Majesty and I wanted to protect each other, we couldn't suppress the public opinion of the ministers too obviously.

We must give the world a plausible explanation.

I hope you can understand this difficulty.

Upon hearing this, Cohen nodded slowly with a look of deep agreement, as if he had completely accepted the explanation.

Sincere tone:

“His Highness is absolutely right. It concerns the national system and the alliance, and it is indeed no small matter. I fully understand His Majesty’s difficulties and everyone’s considerations.”

Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will do my utmost to explain the cause and effect of this matter to Your Majesty and all the officials at the court meeting this afternoon.

We strive to give everyone a satisfactory answer.

Cohen's answer remained impeccable.

There was never any indication that they intended to make a private deal or seek a compromise.

Seeing that Cohen remained unmoved and refused to accept the way out he offered, he realized that Cohen was still being unreasonable.

The last flicker of probing in Prince Xia Zuo's eyes was completely extinguished; he knew that any further verbal hints would be futile.

Without saying another word, he simply raised his glass with an unchanged smile and downed the remaining wine in one gulp, as if the tense conversation that had just taken place had never happened.

Grace lowered her eyelids, focusing intently on the delicacies on her plate, seemingly oblivious to the subtle exchanges between the men.

The atmosphere at the banquet miraculously returned to a seemingly harmonious calm, with toasts being exchanged and laughter filling the air, as if the brief tension just moments before had been an illusion.

However, just below the banquet hall, there are several hidden magical barriers and mechanisms.

In a secret room, Emperor Eberon, the ruler of the Eastern Empire, did not rest.

He was standing side by side with an elderly man dressed in a simple gray robe.

The old man was none other than Alfie Berry, the Hundred-Star Saint and Emperor Eberron's most trusted mentor.

Before them floated a smooth, water-like magic mirror, clearly reflecting the scene in the banquet hall above, even showing the slightest expression on Cohen's face.

Alfie Berry slowly shook his head and whispered to Emperor Eberron beside him:
"Your Majesty, I also observed you carefully from the shadows when I greeted you at the city gate."

This person's skill in disguise has reached an unparalleled level.

Even with my supposedly insightful eyes, I couldn't see through the slightest flaw in his illusion, nor could I sense any soul fluctuations or power aura belonging to Cohen Corleone.

It's exactly the same as that 'Pirate King' Yann Hughes who roams the world.

"If Your Majesty hadn't been so certain, I would never have believed that the person before me could be the powerful King Efein in disguise."

Emperor Eberron gazed at the image of Cohen calmly dining in the magic mirror, his hands behind his back, his figure appearing even more upright and majestic in the dim light of the secret room.

Deep voice:

"He dared to set foot in Dragon City in his true form, facing you and me directly. What he relied on was far more than just his unparalleled disguise skills."

I concluded that he must be carrying at least one high-grade stealth magic accessory.

It is highly likely that it came from one of the seventy-two demon gods.

Only the power of laws relating to the very origin of the gods can so perfectly distort reality and obscure perception.

Even a saint like you, teacher, who has already touched the threshold of demigodhood, finds it difficult to discern its true nature.

A flicker of understanding crossed Alfie Berry's eyes, followed by a new wave of doubt, and he said:

He rejected Prince Xia Zuo's almost explicit offer of a deal, insisting on facing questioning at the court assembly.

I really can't think of any excuse he could come up with to quell public anger and turn the tide in the face of irrefutable evidence.

Wouldn't this be putting ourselves in a dead end?

Emperor Eberron's lips curled slightly:
"Teacher, please don't forget his other identity—King of Effie, Cohen Corleone!"
For him, the leakage of a mere blueprint for a divine and demonic equipment was certainly giving others a handle to use against him, but it was by no means an unsolvable dead end.

With his methods and the resources he could mobilize, he had plenty of ways to silence his ministers.

Perhaps they're diverting attention by offering a more enticing collaboration project, or perhaps they're revealing a trump card that will silence all skeptics.

Alfie nodded thoughtfully, the wrinkles on his aged face smoothing out as if he had figured something out, then cautiously asked:

"Then...when does Your Majesty intend to have an open and honest talk with him?"

Eberron shook his head and said calmly:
"No, I won't look for him. I'll wait for him to come and talk to me!"

……

The luncheon ended in an eerie atmosphere.

The waiters quietly cleared away the leftovers and replaced them with fragrant tea.

After a short rest, it was time for the formal court assembly that Prince Xiazuo had previously informed them of.

Led by a captain of the royal guard in crisp silver armor, Cohen passed through several long corridors and archways protected by powerful barriers erected by royal mages.

Finally, they arrived at the Dragonheart Hall, the highest hall where Emperor Eberron summoned his ministers and decided on important matters of the empire.

The moment he stepped into the main hall, even with Cohen's seasoned experience, he couldn't help but feel a slight chill as his gaze swept across the entire room.

The grandeur of this palace is beyond imagination. The towering dome seems to reach the sky, and the massive pillars support the vast space, with lifelike dragon reliefs wrapped around the pillars.

The longan, inlaid with rare magical gems, seemed to come alive at any moment, casting a majestic gaze, illuminated by the soft yet brilliant light of the surrounding wall lamps and the magic circle on the dome.

On both sides of the main hall, a densely packed group of people stood solemnly according to a strict hierarchical order.

Looking around, it's almost a collection of people at the very top of the power pyramid in Dragon Continent.

There are ministers, marshals, and ministers who control the core departments of the empire, including finance, military, diplomacy, and domestic affairs.

They wore magnificent official robes symbolizing their respective authority, with gleaming medals on their chests; each had sharp eyes and an imposing presence.

Even more so were the representatives of those hereditary noble families whose history was almost as ancient as that of the Eastern Empire's royal family. Their family crests on their clothing were ancient and intricate, silently telling of the glory flowing in their blood and the power they had accumulated.

His demeanor carried an arrogance and composure honed by the passage of time.

Cohen's keen senses even detected several unusually subtle yet vast auras.

Those were clearly several extraordinary beings who had already entered the realm of saints.

They simply stood there quietly, as if they were one with the laws of the world around them, inspiring awe.

Cohen thought to himself, "No wonder it is the Eastern Empire that has been able to contend with the Central Empire for so long and stand on equal footing with it."

The court assembly officially began, with Emperor Eberron seated high on the Dragon Crystal Throne, his expression solemn and dignified.

Initially, it was a routine discussion of imperial political affairs.

The senior officials of each department stepped forward in turn, reporting on matters concerning the national economy and people's livelihood, such as border defense, tax reform, progress in magical research, and major projects.

In the imperial court, there were moments when calm reports were given and moments when heated debates broke out. The emperor would occasionally ask questions or make brief judgments.

The entire process was solemn and orderly, yet it also concealed the power struggles and compromises between factions.

As a distinguished guest of honor, Cohen was seated in a prominent position to the side of the throne, silently observing everything.

Like a calm observer, he quietly memorized the operating model of the Eastern Empire's power core.

Half a day passed quietly in this seemingly ordinary yet subtly turbulent political discussion.

A brief silence fell over the hall as the last minister who had delivered the report returned to his place.

All eyes, whether open or hidden, involuntarily turned to Cohen, who sat to the side, and Emperor Eberon on the throne.

It was as if an invisible string was slowly tightening in the air.

Everyone understood that the real highlight of this court assembly was about to begin.

A brief silence enveloped the magnificent Dragon Heart Palace, as if gathering strength for an important announcement to come.

Then, Prime Minister Tiberius Hawke, dressed in a dark blue heraldic robe, steadily stepped out from the front of the civil service line.

He bowed deeply to Emperor Eberon on the throne, then slowly turned to the assembled civil and military officials and hereditary nobles.

A clear and steady voice echoed in the hall, beginning to formally introduce the identity of today's special guest and his legendary experience to all those present.

"Colleagues, please allow me to formally introduce our distinguished guest to His Majesty and to all of you."

His Highness Princess Grace's personally chosen future partner—Lord Yann Hughes.

Cohen stood up at the opportune moment and bowed to the crowd.

Prime Minister Tiberio paused for a moment before continuing his narration.

He began by mentioning the battle that took place several years ago and shook the northwestern seas:
"His Excellency Ya'en's first remarkable achievement was leading his elite troops with extraordinary courage and strategy."

The 'Weeping Banshees' clan, which had long occupied the Weeping Trench and wreaked havoc for over a century, posing a huge threat and causing great losses to merchant ships from various countries traveling across the Endless Sea, was completely eradicated.

This battle cleared a key obstacle to the smooth passage of the Northwest Passage, and its achievements have long been praised by the coastal countries.

Subsequently, Lord Yaon, with his exceptional talent and courage, won the recognition and succession of the previous 'Pirate King' and was officially crowned as the new Pirate King.

They created a ghost ship that had been extinct for tens of thousands of years!

It further consolidated its scattered naval forces and, in a key naval conflict, successfully defeated a major naval fleet of the then-arrogant Kingdom of Ceylon, establishing its prestige in the northwestern seas.

Riding on the momentum of this battle, Lord Ya'en began to systematically integrate and conquer the vast northwestern region of the Endless Sea.

Under his leadership, the banner of the 'Crimson Raiders' was invincible, and many unruly pirate groups and independent city-states submitted to him.

After years of conquest, he finally brought this vast and chaotic sea area under unified order, becoming the undisputed uncrowned king who controlled the fate of the northwestern sea frontier.

Not long ago, His Excellency Ya'en, with his far-sighted strategic vision, planned and executed a classic battle, annihilating the remaining naval forces of the Kingdom of Ceylon in one fell swoop.

This battle not only completely dismantled Ceylon's naval power, but also paved the final way for Queen Freya's restoration cause.

Prime Minister Tiberius’s clear and detailed account unfolded like an epic scroll, revealing the name “Yan Hughes,” which was still somewhat unfamiliar to many inland nobles and civil servants.

It is closely linked to his series of illustrious achievements, which are filled with iron and blood.

Many ministers and hereditary nobles in the hall, who had only a superficial understanding of this suddenly appearing "Prince Consort," couldn't help but show expressions of surprise and astonishment.

They began to realize that this young man, who was about to be married into the royal family, was not merely relying on the favor of the princess; he was himself a powerful figure who had risen to prominence in the chaotic world through his outstanding military achievements.

Many people secretly compared the situation to that of King Cohen Corleone of Efein, who rose to prominence like a shooting star in the west of the continent, overshadowing the brilliance of many other outstanding figures of the same era.

The man before us, Lord "Yan Hughes," is remarkable solely for his achievements in eliminating maritime threats and ruling the vast oceans.

He might truly be hailed as one of the most outstanding young overlords in the last thousand years.

Soon after the introductions were completed, a nobleman inappropriately interrupted the court's atmosphere:

"Your Majesty, I have something I would like to ask Mr. Pirate King."

Emperor Eberron nodded slowly:
"Lord Zess, please ask."

Marquis Zess turned to look at Cohen and said slowly:
"Mr. Pirate King, the Prime Minister has just explained to us in detail your glorious achievements, especially mentioning that not long ago..."

You worked closely with His Majesty Cohen Corleone of Efein to annihilate the last remaining forces of the Kingdom of Ceylon.

This achievement is truly admirable.

He first offered a perfunctory compliment, then abruptly changed the subject, his gaze becoming aggressive:

"However, I would like to take the liberty of asking you about some details of the cooperation."

What specific aspects were involved in your joint operation with His Majesty Corleone?
Is it limited to strategic coordination and cooperation of naval forces?
In particular, I heard that in the crucial battle to capture the capital of Ceylon.

Among the 'King-level' legions deployed by Effie's side, a large number of divine and demonic equipment that should have been strictly kept secret by my Eastern Empire appeared—'Phantom Dragon Wing Cloak'.

As far as we know, the complete crafting technique for this cloak is known only to you, sir, across the entire continent, apart from the Imperial Treasury.

On behalf of many colleagues who have doubts, I would like to ask you, sir, to verify a crucial question.

Did the blueprints and technology for creating those 'Phantom Dragon Wing Cloaks' used by the Effie army originate from you?

With the Marquis of Zess taking the lead, it was like toppling the first domino.

The long-suppressed doubts and dissatisfaction in the main hall instantly found an outlet.

The nobles and officials who had previously maintained a facade of restraint could no longer contain themselves.

As if on cue, a chorus of questions—some sharp, some impassioned, some laced with anger—rose and fell, surging like a tide towards Cohen, who stood in the center of the hall! (End of Chapter)