My queen is rebelling!

Chapter 252: In the Office with Asuna…

The smile on Senice's lips was almost impossible to suppress. She cleared her throat lightly, steadied her voice, and said:

"Reward?

What reward can you offer this Empress?

You must understand that this time, it's not just the Chief of the Noble Academy who has their eyes on you, but also Prince Heinz, representing the military, and Prime Minister Hayes, representing the cabinet.

If these three parties are determined to target you, even if I want to protect you, I will have to pay a considerable price. Is your reward worth that price?"

Cohen fell into deep thought after hearing Senice's words.

He had to admit that the conditions of this Demon Dragon Plane were hitting him right where it hurt.

The allure of building a dragon legion was too great for him. He had to find every possible way to seize this opportunity.

The five-year limit agreed upon with Daphne Iceveins, the [Ice Element and Snow Goddess], was getting closer and closer. He had to find every possible way to enhance Effiein and his own strength, and building a dragon legion was the best choice.

But all of this was predicated on his safe arrival in the Central Empire and successful participation in the [Noble Martial Arts Festival], winning at least one championship title among "Strongest Bronze," "Strongest Silver," "Strongest Gold," and "Strongest Legend."

From Senice's words, he could tell that the various forces of the Central Empire suspected that he possessed accurate prophecies about the future changes in the continent's situation, and that was why they wanted to communicate with him.

The so-called communication was based on the premise of equal status between the two parties. Otherwise, communication was likely to turn into coercion and intimidation.

Cohen didn't dare to trust the Central Empire's credibility at all.

Therefore, this trip to the Central Empire was bound to be full of danger.

Even if Cohen was confident, he wasn't confident enough to confront the most powerful empire of mankind right now.

His only reliance now was this Empress who shared common interests with him and had formed an alliance.

Even if this Empress's power within the Central Empire was subject to certain constraints, if she wanted to protect someone with all her might, it would certainly not be a problem.

After thinking for a long time, he said:

"Your Majesty, as long as you can provide an absolute guarantee for my personal safety in the Central Empire, I can tell you a secret about the future of the continent.

This is the prophecy that those people want to obtain!"

He wanted to exchange this for her protection of him?

Senice narrowed her eyes slightly and said slowly:

"You speak first. If this secret is important enough, I will do my best to provide you with security to come to the Central Empire to participate in the [Noble Martial Arts Festival]."

Cohen was silent for a moment, then said:

"I believe Your Majesty also has a premonition about the future situation. Well, I can tell you clearly that within five to ten years, a catastrophe and turmoil that will sweep through the entire human race will occur on the continent.

Countless countries will be destroyed in this catastrophe and turmoil.

At the end of the catastrophe, a supreme being will descend and end everything.

Your Majesty, I can tell you without exaggeration that when that day comes, even the lofty Five Great Empires may be destroyed!"

Senice's face completely turned serious. She didn't question Cohen's words, frowned, and fell into deep thought. After a long time, she said:

"My uncle and the others suspect that you traded this prophecy with 'Cobalt Soul Academy,' is that right?"

Cohen replied:

"Yes, Dean Dumbledore also knows about this prophecy."

Senice fell into silent contemplation again.

That meant that Cobalt Soul Academy also recognized Cohen's prophecy!

Cobalt Soul Academy, the most mysterious and ancient existence in the Pan-Human Continent, had recognized Cohen's prophecy. What this meant was self-evident.

A chill crept into Senice's heart.

Although she had been mentally prepared, hearing the exact content of this prophecy still caught her off guard.

It was too fast, too short. There were only a few years left. Even though she had already begun to prepare, it was far from enough.

Even the gods would come down to the arena. What a shocking change this would be.

Especially when the situation fell into unknown darkness and turmoil, could her throne still be secure?

Senice Klein was able to ascend to the throne of the Central Empire as a young woman in her twenties, originally as a result of compromise among various forces.

During a period of stable development, the demands of all parties could be met, and everyone would default to the Empress's existence.

But when the situation fell into unknown darkness and turmoil, when development was hindered, and when the interests of some forces could not be satisfied, this fragile balance of compromise would be easily broken.

At that time, a peerless Empress and the imperial interests behind her would become a piece of fat in everyone's eyes.

She wasn't sure if she could still protect the foundation left by her ancestors.

Suddenly, Senice felt a chill emanating from the depths of her bone marrow.

This chill was familiar. The last time she had this feeling was when she was being hunted down by the other imperial heirs and was on the verge of death and despair.

At that time, a powerful woman saved her. This time, would someone save her again?

Senice took out the marriage contract. It was after that despair that the powerful and mysterious woman had forced her to accept a fiancé she had never met.

Senice opened the marriage contract. Cohen Corleone's name still shone brightly on it. Seeing this name, complex thoughts arose in the Empress's heart.

She couldn't help but think that if she had him by her side to help, would the situation improve a lot?

If she could face the future with him, would there be a better chance of winning?

Unfortunately, this man already belonged to someone else, and that person was her lifelong enemy!

The youngest Legendary Rank on the continent!

This title made the proud Empress Senice Klein feel a deep sense of powerlessness.

She was afraid that she would never have the chance to avenge the humiliation of that year!

Senice fell into a daze of sorrow until Cohen's voice rang out again from the opposite side:

"Your Majesty, is my secret worth it?"

Senice came back to her senses, looked at the marriage contract in her hand, and hooked her red lips lightly. Suddenly, she had a win-win idea—she could both provide Cohen with a guarantee of personal safety in the Central Empire and severely retaliate against her hateful "enemy"!

Senice made a decision. She would wait for Cohen to come to participate in the [Noble Martial Arts Festival] and announce this marriage contract!

This marriage contract could completely serve as Cohen's amulet.

As long as he had the identity of the Empress's fiancé, even if the King's uncle and the Prime Minister were very interested in Cohen, Prince Heinz and Prime Minister Hayes, who had always protected the orthodoxy, would not take any coercive measures against Cohen.

They even wished that a young king with such outstanding talent would become the Empress's consort of the Central Empire.

As for Chief Heisenberg, if it was just his faction alone, the Empress was confident that she could deal with it.

Of course, what Senice was most satisfied with was that she could also use this marriage contract to severely attack Adelle's arrogant arrogance.

Calculating the time, she was Cohen's earliest wife in name. Adelle would have to be ranked behind.

With a decision in her heart, Senice quickly replied:

"Yes, I will provide you with security at that time, but it may bring you some trouble. You must be mentally prepared."

Cohen didn't think much about it. As long as he had the Empress's full protection, some small troubles were not a problem.

After the two parties finished negotiating, they both ended the communication with satisfaction.

…

Cohen stayed in the Southern Territory for a few more days. He was waiting for Gillywoss to return from the Ceylon Kingdom so that he could control the "Scarlet Plunderer" pirate group through him.

During these days, Cohen and Asuna seriously discussed many positions.

The Dragonewt young lady was very eager to learn, and she was full of energy. Every time, she drank her fill, which made Cohen sigh. The difference in physique between humans and dragons really couldn't be generalized.

On this day, Cohen was playing some fun games with Asuna in the Archduke's office when a maid's voice came from outside the door:

"Archduke, the Baron named Gillywoss Gian, whom you instructed us to wait for, has arrived in the Southern County."

After a while, Asuna's steady voice rang out:

"Okay, have someone arrange him to the guesthouse. I'll go there later."

After the maid left, Asuna couldn't help it anymore. A faint tremor came from her throat as she slumped on the chair.

Cohen raised his head, pursed his lips, and said:

"After I finish talking with Gillywoss, I will leave the Southern Territory directly. It may be a while before I can come back. Take care of yourself.

Report any situation to me in time."

Asuna nodded. Cohen got up to leave, but Asuna quickly grabbed him and said shyly:

"Give me the things. Where else are you planning to take them?"

Cohen cleared his throat lightly, took out two black silk little items, and handed them to Asuna.

Asuna quickly put them away, turned around, dressed neatly, and the blush on her face gradually subsided.

She came to Cohen, approached his arms, and whispered:

"Sir, please be careful too. I'll be waiting for you in the Southern Territory."

"Okay."

…

Perhaps it was because he had let go of the burden that had been suppressing him for a long time, or perhaps it was because he had a way to get rid of the shackles of the fifty-eighth pillar demon god, Ami.

Gillywoss Gian's spirit was obviously much better than the last time Cohen saw him.

The two met in the safe house of the Military Intelligence Southern Territory Station. After a brief greeting, Cohen asked:

"How are your demon servants being handled?"

Gillywoss replied:

"They have been placed in Duke Gavin's territory. So far, no major accidents have occurred. They are all dormant, waiting for His Majesty's instructions."

Cohen nodded and said:

"Very good. Let them scout some situations on the periphery first. Sooner or later, there will be times when we need them.

There's no hurry about this. First, tell me briefly about your pirate group, the 'Scarlet Plunderers'."

Gillywoss thought slightly, organized his words, and said slowly:

"The Scarlet Plunderers were created by the pillar demon god Ami's incarnation, the 'Scarlet One,' more than a thousand years ago.

Having developed to the present, it has a scale of more than 100,000 people."

Hearing this number, Cohen's eyes twitched slightly. They had already developed over ten thousand people. No wonder the Duke of the Southern Border didn't dare to touch Gillywoss's mother, even though he knew he was being cuckolded.

A pirate group with such a scale and strength posed a significant threat to coastal areas.

It was understandable that the Duke of the Southern Border chose to swallow his anger.

Gillywoss paused for a moment, waiting for Cohen to digest the news, and then continued:

"The core leadership of the pirate group consists of five people.

I am the leader. Besides me, there is also a Grand Captain and three Vice Captains.

The Grand Captain has Legendary-tier cultivation, and the three Vice Captains all have Gold-tier peak cultivation."

Cohen looked surprised and asked:

"What is the position of Grand Captain? Is it higher than the level of Vice Captain?"

Gillywoss gave a wry smile and said:

"Originally, there was no such position as Grand Captain, but later... well, Grand Captain Flint Blacktooth is actually the previous leader of the 'Crimson Plunderers'.

It wasn't until I awakened my memories in Silvermoon Shoal and learned of my identity.

And I obtained the magic equipment symbolizing the authority of the 'Crimson Plunderers' leader, the Crimson Skull Flag, from the inheritance left by the Fifty-Eight Pillar Demon God, Amy, in the seabed.

The newest novels are all first published on 6_9_shu_ba.

With this collective magic equipment that can enhance the combat power of the pirate group's members, plus a few loyal old men in the group, and the Pillar Demon God's avatar briefly showing its face in the pirate group after... my mother.

Revealing my existence to a few core members and clearly stating that I would come to replace him as the leader when I came of age.

Only then did I nominally become the supreme leader of the Crimson Plunderers.

But Flint himself has a great influence and is the only Legendary-tier powerhouse in the pirate group, so he was given the position of Grand Captain, which can be regarded as a compromise between the two sides."

Flint Blacktooth. Hearing this name, a gleam of light appeared in Cohen's eyes.

This person was also very famous in the game in his previous life. Later, when the continent fell into great turmoil, Flint took the opportunity to unify all the pirate groups in the near seas of the Northwest Continent, becoming a veritable Pirate King.

In the end, he even led people to attack the Northwest Continent, briefly establishing a pirate kingdom.

It's just that, in the later period, due to his poor talent, he was never able to advance to the Saint tier, and gradually left the stage of the continent's peak.

In Cohen's view, Flint Blacktooth was a genuine grassroots hero.

He was also a rare and excellent subordinate.

Cohen suppressed his thoughts and asked:

"What is the Crimson Skull Flag?

You just said that it can amplify the combat power of the army. What level of magic weapon is it?"

Cohen's understanding of the pirate group in his previous life was very limited. Flint only gained some fame later after becoming the Pirate King, so Cohen had heard of him. If Gillywoss hadn't introduced him, Cohen wouldn't even have known his origins very well.

Gillywoss replied:

"It is a magic weapon personally forged by the Fifty-Eight Pillar Demon God, Amy!

The current level of the Crimson Skull Flag is Gold-tier peak. It's not too high, but its growth potential is very good. If conditions permit, it can continuously improve its own level."

A magic weapon that can grow?

Cohen's expression shook, and a look of excitement immediately appeared in his eyes, and he asked:

"Tell me more about it."

Gillywoss said:

"The core of the Crimson Skull Flag is the soul of the skeleton monster imprisoned in the flag. The higher the number and level of souls, the stronger the power of the flag.

Currently, the Crimson Skull Flag imprisons the souls of three ninth-tier peak 'Skeleton Mages', which can instantly enhance the combat power of an army of 30,000 people to a 'Regular' level.

According to Amy's memory inheritance, if it can imprison the soul of a Legendary-tier 'Giant Skeleton', the Crimson Skull Flag will reach the Legendary tier, which can enhance the army's combat power to an 'Elite' level."

Cohen's eyes suddenly became much deeper, and his voice became low:

"What if it could imprison a Saint-level 'Skeleton Lord'?

Would it be possible to upgrade the Crimson Skull Flag to the level of a Sacred Artifact, thereby enhancing the army to a 'Special' level?"

Gillywoss nodded:

"Theoretically, yes, but imprisoning the soul of a Saint...

This difficulty is no different from re-forging a Sacred Artifact."

Cohen temporarily suppressed this idea in his heart. In fact, he had one more question he didn't ask. He really wanted to know if this flag could imprison a god-level existence like the "Skeleton King".

If that were the case, would this flag directly evolve to the level of a Divine Artifact?

Cohen suddenly asked:

"Besides you, does anyone else know the true details of this flag?"

Gillywoss shook his head:

"They only know that this flag can increase the combat power of 30,000 people to a 'Regular' level. They don't know that this is equipment left by a deity."

Cohen breathed a sigh of relief imperceptibly.

Gillywoss paused, then continued from what he had just said:

"This flag is the foundation of my standing in the 'Crimson Plunderers'.

With 30,000 'Regular' troops, plus the help of some ninth-tier elders and the righteousness of my name, I temporarily became the leader.

In addition to my forces, there are about 80,000 organized combat personnel in the group.

Grand Captain Flint Blacktooth has a flagship, ten battleships, three supply ships, two landing ships, two stealth ships, and one magic ship under his command.

He has a main base and ten branch bases in the Endless Sea area.

The total number of people is about 50,000."

Surprise appeared in Cohen's eyes. Flint's power was indeed not to be underestimated.

Gillywoss continued:

"In addition to Grand Captain Flint, the remaining three Vice Captains each have a flagship, and varying numbers of battleships, supply ships, landing ships, and stealth ships, but no magic ships.

Flint's greatest reliance is his magic ship, which has mages that he has plundered or cultivated over the years, and the scale is not much inferior to the court mage group of an ordinary country."

Cohen pondered silently for a while and said:

"That is to say, the 'Crimson Plunderers' already have more than 100,000 combat personnel?"

Gillywoss nodded in reply:

"In addition to that, there are some craftsmen, technicians, and some alien members with special abilities or skills.

There are also a considerable number of slaves and prisoners.

The population has never been counted, but I conservatively estimate that it is nearly 200,000."

Cohen clicked his tongue lightly and said:

"With such a large force, why didn't you join in during the Southern Border Rebellion?"

Gillywoss narrowed his eyes slightly:

"As I said before, I don't think this little bit of power can have any impact on a God-Demon Charter signatory country.

No matter how down on my luck I am, I am still a Son of God. I can see that Her Majesty the Queen has the potential to become a god. People of this level will not fall because of one or two rebellions.

What's more, overthrowing Effien and establishing another national regime is the plan of the Fifty-Eight Pillar Demon God, Amy, not my plan.

My plan is only one, and that is to get rid of this demon's control!

Before I can do that, any power and influence is meaningless to me.

This is also why Flint Blacktooth can default to my existence as the leader, because I have never shown any ambition, and I rarely interfere in the affairs of the pirate group, only occasionally bringing a few confidants to the Southern Border to solve some troubles. Other than that, I never interfere in the activities of the four of them..."

Gillywoss stopped talking here, looking at Cohen with a meaningful look.

Cohen raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a light smile:

"Mr. Gillywoss doesn't think highly of my ability to smoothly control the 'Crimson Plunderers'?"

Gillywoss nodded without hesitation and said:

"Yes, since the avatar of the Fifty-Eight Pillar Demon God, the 'Crimson One', left the human continent, the 'Crimson Plunderers' have been operating according to their own system for hundreds of years and have their own rules of the game, which is difficult for any external force to change.

Even I, it is because of my non-interference that they have defaulted to my existence.

If Your Majesty wants them to submit, I can only say that the difficulty is very high."

Cohen smiled and said:

"I understand your kindness, sir, but such a large force hovering in the near seas of the Northwest Continent is also a hidden danger for Effien, which relies on maritime trade.

Now, in peacetime, they are just extorting some protection fees, and we can't see any major harm.

But once it comes to a time of turmoil, if these pirates directly block our ports, then the harm to Effien will be too great.

In any case, I have to try first to see if I can subdue them."

Gillywoss did not try to persuade him any further. He took out a black flag and a strangely shaped mask from his space storage equipment.

The front of the flag was embroidered with a crimson skull, and there were three faint but powerful soul auras trembling on it.

The mask was completely decorated with demons, with horns, fangs, and flame-like ornaments, making it look extremely ferocious.

Gillywoss handed the things to Cohen and said:

"I will subsequently give Your Majesty a list. The people on it are some of the confidants I have developed in the pirate group over the years.

In addition, this demon mask was also left by the Pillar Demon God, Amy. It can completely change a person's aura, even a Saint-tier cannot see through it. It was specially prepared to protect my true identity.

I used to appear in front of them wearing the mask. Your Majesty is about the same size as me. As long as you deliberately change your accent, they won't be able to see the difference.

This is all the help I can give Your Majesty."

Cohen took the flag and the mask and said solemnly:

"No matter what the final result is, Mr. Gillywoss, I am very grateful for the help you have provided me."

Gillywoss shook his head:

"This is already part of our deal. I wish Your Majesty all the best!"

......