Extraordinary Rise: Starting Contract with the Silver Dragon Countess

“Your Highness, perhaps… it would be more appropriate to follow His Majesty’s arrangements.”

An aged yet remarkably calm voice rang out in the somewhat empty palace corridors, interrupting Grace's impending outburst of anger.

Grace turned her head sharply, and when she saw who it was, she swallowed back the stern rebuke that was already on the tip of her tongue.

The visitor was not only Grace's elder, but also Emperor Eberron's elder.

Alfie Berry, the Hundred-Star Saint, was Emperor Eberron's teacher and most trusted right-hand man.

He was dressed in a dark gray mage's robe and held a seemingly ordinary ancient wooden staff in his hand.

His eyes were calmly fixed on Grace, his face devoid of any superfluous expression, yet he exuded an undeniable air of authority.

Grace took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging restlessness and unease in her heart, and her voice became deep:

“Mr. Alfie, this is my private matter.”

I think it's more appropriate for me to arrange Yann's accommodations.

Alfie did not directly respond to Grace's sharp words, but slowly turned her gaze to Cohen, who had been standing quietly to the side as if he were an outsider.

He asked in a calm tone:
"Mr. Yann Hughes, what do you mean?"

His Majesty's arrangement is out of consideration for your distinguished guest status and to adhere to imperial etiquette.

Cohen remained silent, observing this sudden confrontation.

Deep down, he had absolute confidence in his ability to deal with potential dangers, and he didn't really take the methods of Prince Xia Zuo and his ilk seriously.

However, he also knew that deep within this palace, which was like a den of dragons and tigers, lay a deadly trap.

It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. No one can guarantee what kind of insidious traps those enemies hiding in the shadows might lay.

From a personal emotional and safety perspective, he naturally preferred to stay in Grace's palace, which was at least the safest haven he could be sure of at the moment.

But the instant Alfie threw the question at him, a flash of inspiration struck Cohen, like a lightning bolt piercing through the fog.

He suddenly understood the deeper meaning behind Emperor Eberron's move.

This may not be a simple accommodation arrangement issue at all, but rather a test.

The emperor did not issue a forceful order, but instead "persuaded" Alfie, a mentor of exceptional status, which in itself left room for maneuver.

What Eberlen was really waiting for was not whether he would comply with or rebel against the arrangement, but rather his reaction to the matter.

as well as……

Thinking of this, a hint of helplessness appeared on Cohen's lips.

His father-in-law, the emperor, was forcing him to pay a personal visit!
He coughed softly, met Alfie's gaze, and his tone became serious:
"Mr. Alfie, if I may ask, does His Majesty have some time now?"

Alfie smiled knowingly, clearly pleased with Cohen's sensible performance.

He nodded slightly, his voice remaining calm and even.
"His Majesty is currently reading in his study."

"Mr. Yann, is there anything I can help you with?"

Cohen turned to face Grace and gently patted the back of her hand, which was tightly gripping his sleeve.

Beneath the cool, delicate touch, you could feel the slight tension in her muscles caused by worry.

He then looked at Alfie again and said slowly:
"I have a small matter concerning future cooperation that I would like to report to Your Majesty in person. I wonder if Your Majesty has time to meet with me?"

Alfie Berry stood quietly to the side, his aged face expressionless, as if he had already anticipated Cohen's reaction.

He nodded slightly, his voice steady:
“Since you have something to discuss with His Majesty, I will take you there.”

Grace's heart clenched when she heard that Cohen was actually going to meet his father, the Emperor.

She knew all too well the unfathomable nature of her father, even though she guessed that Emperor Eberron already knew Cohen's true identity.

Grace still didn't want Cohen to go alone.

She almost instinctively took a step forward and spoke urgently:
“Wait! I’ll go too! I also have something to report to Father Emperor about… about recent palace expenditures.”

She quickly made up an excuse, staring intently at Alfie, then turned to Cohen.

This time, Cohen did not wait for Alfie's response.

He met Grace's anxious gaze and slowly shook his head:
"Your Highness, please rest in your bedchamber for a while. Let me speak with His Majesty alone this time."

Trust me, it'll only take a few simple words, and it'll be over quickly.

Seeing the unwavering composure and confidence in Cohen's eyes, Grace swallowed back the words of insistence that were on the tip of her tongue.

She knew Cohen; when he showed that expression, it usually meant he had given it careful consideration.

She pursed her lips, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes, but ultimately nodded reluctantly and whispered:

"...Okay. I'll do as you say."

However, just as Cohen was about to turn around and leave with Alfie, Grace suddenly reached out and grabbed his arm.

She tiptoed, disregarding the presence of others, and brought her warm lips close to his ear, whispering:
"Remember, I'm only giving you one hour."

If I don't see you return in an hour, I'll go straight to the study to demand your return.

After saying that, she kissed Cohen on the lips, quickly pulled away, and regained some of the poise of a princess.

Without even glancing at Alfie, he quickly left towards his own palace, surrounded by several personal maids.

A hint of a smile flashed in Alfie's eyes as he said calmly:

"Your Highness and the gentleman have such a good relationship."

Cohen smiled but didn't reply, and followed Alfie toward Eberron's study.

……

Alfie Berry led Cohen behind a large door carved from ebony and inlaid with silver runes.

He gestured for him to come in, then disappeared silently as if blending into the shadows.

Cohen stood alone outside the threshold. The study was unusually quiet, with only the faint hum of the magic device in operation.

He didn't rush in, but stood quietly outside the door, as if waiting for some signal.

Time ticked by, but there was still no sound of greeting from inside the study.

Cohen was not in a hurry, his gaze casually sweeping over the huge tapestries hanging on the walls on both sides of the porch.

It depicts the great achievements of the emperors of the Eastern Empire throughout history.

Cohen's thoughts raced; perhaps he should hang something similar in his palace in Florence.

I just don't know if the Queen will like it.

Her study was quite simple, with only some ancient books and no other decorations.

Cohen was secretly making plans in his mind, and before he knew it, a long time had passed.

It was getting so long that Cohen was starting to worry that an hour had passed and Grace might get impatient and come running over.

Just as Cohen hesitated about whether to greet him, a voice devoid of any emotion finally broke the silence from the depths of the study:
"come in."

Cohen then straightened his clothes, mustered his spirits, and stepped into the very core of the Eastern Empire's power core.

Eberlen's study was extremely spacious, with a high dome that enhanced the sense of space. The walls were lined with huge, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with ancient books and scrolls with leather covers.

The air was filled with the mixed scents of old paper, ink, and a peculiar sandalwood.

At the far end of the room, Emperor Eberron was not sitting behind the enormous desk, but rather with his back to the door.

Standing in front of a huge magical screen that covered the entire wall, shimmering with light and color.

Countless intricate runes and images scrolled rapidly like a waterfall, carrying real-time information from various provinces, important towns, border fortresses, and even overseas outposts of the empire.

Including government briefings, military updates, and economic data, it is the beating pulse of the entire vast empire.

Cohen did not make a sound to disturb him. He walked slowly to a spot about three steps away from Emperor Eberron and then stopped.

He didn't speak immediately, but instead raised his head and looked at the ever-changing magical light screen that contained a vast amount of information.

His expression was focused, as if he were truly studying the messages concerning the fate of the empire.

And so they quietly accompanied the ruler of the empire, "browsing" his land together.

After a long while, Emperor Eberron still didn't turn around, but simply asked in a flat, emotionless tone:
"What are you looking at?"

Upon hearing this, Cohen's lips curled up almost imperceptibly. Without the slightest hesitation or humble phrasing, he gave a response that, if overheard by outsiders, would cause a huge uproar:
"Look at my future land and my people, and see how they are doing now."

This statement is not questionable at all, but a pure statement, as if it were stating a given fact.

Emperor Eberron was thoroughly taken aback by Cohen's arrogant and presumptuous reply.

His fingers unconsciously tightened, and he suddenly turned around. For the first time, his deep, abyss-like eyes shot out a sharp light without any concealment, locking onto Cohen's face.

It was as if they wanted to pierce through that disguise and look directly into the depths of its soul.

During his decades-long reign, no one had ever dared to declare in his presence that the territory and people of the Eastern Empire would become his private property in such a matter-of-fact tone.

This is not just audacious, but also reveals a chilling ambition.

Eberron's voice turned serious: "You've got some nerve."

"You are the first person in decades to dare speak so presumptuously before me."

Faced with the sudden pressure exerted by Emperor Eberron, Cohen showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he chuckled and asked in return:
"Your Majesty, have I said something wrong?"
Princess Grace, as your eldest daughter, you possess noble blood and outstanding abilities.

It's only natural that she will eventually take control of the Eastern Empire.

As her fiancé, personally chosen and tacitly approved by you, I will naturally govern this country with her in the future.

So, is it wrong for me to regard this land and the people living on it as a responsibility and a treasure that I need to protect and manage in the future, and to pay attention to it in advance?

Emperor Eberron interrupted him sharply, his face covered with frost:
"Absurd! Who gave you the confidence to conclude that Grace will definitely ascend the throne in the future?"

Do you think governing an empire is child's play?
Do you think everyone is like Shanes Klein, the privileged princess of the Middle Kingdom?

He took a step forward, and the imperial aura emanating from his body enveloped him as if it were a tangible force:
"Even she, Xenise, would not have been able to survive without Prince Heinz's unwavering support and the winged elves as her solid backing."

In addition, the compromises and tacit approvals of the major powers within the Central Empire at critical moments.

Even with her father's will, she could not have ascended to the throne so easily!
What about you?

You keep saying that Grace will take over the empire, so tell me, what can you offer her?
They are a race as powerful as the Winged Elves, who swear to serve them to the death.

Or does it possess the prestige and power of Prince Heinz, whose word carries immense weight within the empire and is sufficient to suppress all dissenting voices?
"Do you really think you can rely on those few ghost ships drifting at sea and those one or two blueprints for divine and demonic equipment that you somehow obtained?"

Far from being deterred by Emperor Eberron's barrage of sharp questions, Cohen slightly raised his chin, his eyes flashing with undisguised sharpness:
"Oh? From what Your Majesty means, is it that as long as I, or rather, as long as Princess Grace's side can demonstrate the 'strength' you mentioned?"

For example, gaining the unwavering support of a powerful race, or accumulating prestige and power comparable to Prince Heinz.

Are you willing to seriously consider passing the throne of the Eastern Empire to Princess Grace?
May I take this as a promise from you?

Emperor Eberron's expression turned unusually cold, and his tone became extremely solemn as he stared intently at Cohen, clearly very concerned about Cohen's next answer:
"Then are you willing to give up the power and resources you possess, enough to shake the balance of power on the continent, for Grace?"

Did he truly and wholeheartedly dedicate himself to supporting her cause?

Would you like to?"

In Cohen's mind, this was a question that didn't actually require any thought.

Emperor Eberron worried that Cohen was only after his daughter's beauty and body and would not wholeheartedly support her.

But his feelings for Grace had long since transcended mere calculation of interests; they were a bond forged in blood, ingrained in his very being.

He was willing to pay any price for her.

However, he did not want to reveal his hand too easily. Revealing his hand too early would only make Eberron feel that he had him under control, putting him at a disadvantage in future games.

He couldn't let this shrewd emperor think that he could be easily controlled.

Cohen's eyes flickered slightly. Instead of answering the thorny question directly, he abruptly changed the subject, posing a seemingly unrelated but actually crucial question:
"Before answering Your Majesty's question, I would like to ask Your Majesty another question first."

I'm curious, in your heart, which is closer to you: your biological daughter, with whom you share royal blood, or your exceptionally capable nephew, who also has royal blood?

When Emperor Eberron saw that Cohen not only failed to respond directly but also steered the conversation toward the more sensitive issue of succession, his voice suddenly carried a hint of offended displeasure and coldness:
Before answering your question, I also want to ask you a question!
I'm also curious, in your heart, which one, Grace or Shanies, is more important?
If one day in the future, the Central Empire and the Eastern Empire clash with each other due to irreconcilable interests.

When the moment comes that you have to make a choice, which side will you stand on?
Will he protect Grace and her empire as the consort of the Eastern Empire, or will he defend Xenia and her kingdom as the imperial consort of the Central Empire?
Please answer me directly, Your Majesty Cohen Corleone!

Now that things have come to this point, there's no need to hide any of the probing, pretense, and tacit understanding.

The space around Cohen distorted slightly, and a soft magical glow rippled out like water.

The layer of weathered and unruly features belonging to "Pirate King" Yann Hughes slowly faded away, revealing a younger and more handsome face.

His brows conveyed a true sense of authority and sharpness.

Despite already having a strong belief in his heart, Emperor Eberron's eyes still couldn't help but show a deep shock and emotion upon witnessing this unbelievable truth.

A new generation of pirate king who roams the Northwest Sea of ​​the Endless Sea, striking fear into the hearts of merchant caravans from all nations, and even rivaling the long-established maritime power of Ceylon.

His true identity is none other than Cohen Corleone, who has already stirred up countless storms on the mainland!
If this secret were made public, it would be enough to unleash a massive, mind-blowing wave across the entire Demon Tide Continent.

The young man before me possesses remarkable courage, strategic acumen, and a profound and far-reaching vision.

This has gone beyond what can be understood by common sense.

Countless thoughts flashed through Eberron's mind in an instant, but they all turned into a silent gasp.

He quickly composed himself, his face regaining the coldness and majesty befitting an emperor, though his voice still carried a hint of anger:

You haven't answered my question yet.

Do you think that as long as Grace has decided on you and will marry no one but you, I am destined to compromise and do as she pleases?

Do you think that with just this romantic relationship, I can ignore the complex power struggles behind you, the messy accounts between you and the Central Empire, and the risk of dragging the Eastern Empire into the abyss in the future?
"Give my daughter to you in marriage?"

Cohen blinked, shrugged, and replied calmly:

"That's not entirely true."

However, His Excellency Grand Duke Zariel has already agreed to the marriage.

They even held a grand celebration ceremony for me at the first level, Aphrodite.

If Your Majesty insists on not granting my request, then I will have no choice but to take Grace to the Hell plane to hold the wedding.

The Zariel Guild would surely be delighted to host a grand ceremony for us.

A sharp glint suddenly flashed in Emperor Eberron's eyes, his body leaned forward almost imperceptibly, and his voice carried an unprecedented solemnity:
"Zaril?"

You've already seen him?

Cohen nodded calmly, his tone utterly unwavering:
"That's right, I went to the Hell dimension with Grace not long ago."

I had the pleasure of meeting with Grand Duke Zariel, and we had a very pleasant conversation. We reached a very friendly and in-depth cooperation agreement on some issues of common concern.

Your Majesty seems quite interested in this? Is there something you'd like to know?

Emperor Eberron's expression changed completely; his previous anger and doubts receded like a tide.

Instead, there was an extremely solemn and solemn atmosphere.

He scrutinized the young man before him, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if trying to see right through him.

At this moment, he no longer regarded Cohen as a junior who needed to be disciplined or a suspicious person who might abduct his daughter, but truly placed him on the position of an equal monarch to engage in dialogue.

With his mere Gold Rank cultivation, he was willing to accompany Grace to the perilous Hell Plane, and even dared to confront the Saint-level Demon Grand Duke.

Cohen's actions have already proven his feelings for Grace.

Emperor Eberron was silent for a moment before speaking in a deep voice:
"The Grand Duke of Hell, who resides in Aphrodite, is notoriously stubborn, cunning, and difficult to communicate with."

Moreover, he has always had a very high opinion of himself.

I'm very curious, what method did you use to convince him to cooperate with you?

This was no longer a father-in-law testing his son-in-law, but rather a negotiation between two monarchs about strategic cooperation.

Cohen met his scrutinizing gaze, his smile unchanged, but slowly revealed an even more earth-shattering plan:

"Persuasion is not the most appropriate approach."

Perhaps 'common interests' would be a more accurate description.

We've set our sights on the same piece of fat meat—the second level of the Nine Hells, the Dis Realm, and the Grand Duke Dispart who rules there.

We plan to join forces, remove him from that position, and seize the largest arms source in the entire multiverse!

Cohen spoke casually, but the bloodshed and ambition hidden in his words were chilling.

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and continued:

"How is it, Your Majesty?"

Is the Eastern Empire also interested in getting a piece of this grand feast?

You surely understand the value of Disi's layered area's resources and strategic location better than I do!

An undisguised look of shock flashed across Emperor Eberron's eyes as he stared intently at Cohen, his voice low and serious:
“That old guy Dispat has controlled the distribution of weapons in the Nine Hells for thousands of years. He has deep roots and his henchmen are spread throughout multiple layers of hell.”

Not to mention the support of Asmodeus, the King of Hell, behind him.

I simply can't fathom what you're relying on to make such a boast, believing you can swallow up his vast power that he's built up over so long?"

Despite the sharp questioning, Cohen maintained an enigmatic, calm smile and said:

"We have a large number of allies, and their strength is considerable."

Otherwise, Grand Duke Zariel would not have agreed so easily.

However, Your Majesty, please forgive me, as the specific details involve the alliance we have signed, and I cannot disclose more to you.

Emperor Eberron frowned, a hint of urgency flashing across his face, and said in a deep voice:
"Cohen, you should call me Father Emperor!"
"Such a crucial plan concerning the situation on the mainland, are you really going to keep it so secret from me, your future father-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Cohen couldn't help but smile helplessly, thinking to himself: Now he's suddenly remembered "Father"?

Where did that aggressive, interrogative air go?
He finally understood that His Majesty the Emperor was a master of negotiation, and that his previous harsh pressure was a preemptive strike.

Now that they see an opportunity to profit, they can immediately humble themselves and change their strategies! (End of Chapter)