My queen is rebelling!

Chapter 101: Miss, you wouldn't want Her Majesty the Empress to know about us, would you...?

Cohen pondered, then turned to Ipherio and asked:

"Could there be a problem with the route I gave you?"

Ipherio forced himself to perk up, forcing a wry smile as he said:

"No, Mr. Cohen, there's nothing wrong with the route you gave us.

We followed your route and safely arrived at several abandoned research labs.

Although most were severely damaged, we still managed to obtain some valuable items."

Cohen raised an eyebrow slightly, pretending not to notice Windsor Della's expression, and continued to ask:

"Then how did you end up like this?

It looks like you were attacked by something?"

Ipherio glanced at Windsor Della beside him and said in a low voice:

"On the way back, Her Excellency the Special Envoy sensed something and insisted on going deep underground.

At first, it was normal, but the further down we went, the lower the temperature became, and it seemed like some creature was lurking around us.

Until we were blocked by a barrier.

Kulikoff tried many methods but couldn't open the barrier.

When he wanted to break it open by force, he discovered that the barrier could absorb his attacks.

Not only that, but the barrier would also constantly change its shape, eventually turning into a powerful attack magic array.

Each attack it launched was equivalent to Kulikoff's full-strength strike.

If we didn't all have some life-saving items, the team would probably have suffered casualties."

Cohen frowned slightly, it seemed that Windsor Della had indeed obtained some important information in the last cycle of the Nightmare Mist Illusion.

She was actually able to find her way to the ancient elven tomb on her own.

Cohen was certain that the so-called barrier was the defense mechanism from the ancient tomb.

The gray-robed researcher had said that without the "Book of Time and Space", it was impossible to enter by force.

He turned his gaze to Windsor Della, who curled her red lips into a charming smile and gestured for him to follow her.

Cohen sighed. He really didn't know what this woman had seen down there that made her so obsessed with the ancient tomb.

The two came to a secluded place, and Windsor Della waved her hand again to set up a barrier, asking with interest:

"Seeing you looking so smug and pleased, tell me, what good stuff did you find?"

Cohen really wanted to say, I'm still wearing a mask, how can you tell that I'm smug and pleased?

However, he wisely didn't retort, and only said:

"Your Excellency the Special Envoy, please speak directly, there's no need to tease me like this."

Windsor Della quickly got to the point:

"Tell me how to enter the 'Slumbering Cave'?"

Cohen asked:

"I can tell you, but we need to make a deal."

Windsor Della nodded and said:

"Okay, tell me, what kind of deal do you want?"

Cohen said:

"I have mastered a spatial magic array that can break the barrier of the ancient tomb... the 'Slumbering Cave'.

But it requires some important materials to complete the construction of the magic array.

These materials are too precious, I can't gather them all by myself!"

Cohen directly set his sights on Windsor Della for repairing the "Book of Time and Space".

Anyway, he would need a partner from the elven royal family to enter the ancient tomb in the future, so bringing her along was a must.

He might as well trick her into paying the admission fee first.

Windsor Della's eyes lit up, she took a step forward and asked:

"You really have a way! Tell me quickly, what spatial magic array is it?"

Cohen took a few steps back slightly and said softly:

"It's a magic array from the Arcane Empire, I obtained it when I last entered that research lab.

"Tell me, how huge is this huge amount of resources you're talking about?"

Cohen took out paper and pen and wrote down several important materials according to the gray-robed researcher's instructions.

Windsor Della took the note, and couldn't help but exclaim as soon as she saw the first item:

"One hundred pounds of space stones?

Are you crazy?

Even a legendary-grade space storage item doesn't need one pound of space stones.

You want one hundred pounds?

Are you planning to build some kind of god-level magic array?"

Cohen remained expressionless and said slowly:

"That's the protective barrier of the ancient elven tomb.

You heard it in the Nightmare Mist Illusion back then, the one sleeping down there is likely to be a generation of elven queen.

Do you think the protective barrier they left behind can be broken so easily?

Without so many space stones to build the spatial magic array, we can't teleport over at all!"

Windsor Della's pupils flickered with thoughtful light.

Cohen smiled faintly, and his voice sounded in Windsor Della's ear:

"For the elven royal family, one hundred pounds of space stones doesn't seem too difficult.

Or does Her Excellency the Special Envoy have other ideas?"

Windsor Della narrowed her eyes slightly and said in a deep voice:

"You guessed right, I'm indeed not planning to rely on the power of the elves to accomplish this, so one hundred pounds of space stones is still very difficult for me."

Cohen raised an eyebrow slightly, it seemed that this Winged Elf lady had great ambitions.

He had no intention of interfering in the internal strife of the elves, and offered Windsor Della a suggestion that he had already considered:

"I do know a place where there are a large number of space stones."

Although Windsor Della knew that the other party was fishing, she couldn't help but take the bait.

There was no way, the things inside the "Slumbering Cave" were of great importance to her, and she had to find a way to get in.

"Where is it?"

Cohen said slowly:

"The dwarves!

The dwarves are famous forging masters on the continent, and they must have a large reserve of space stones in their warehouses."

Windsor Della reluctantly said:

"I'm not familiar with the dwarves."

Cohen snapped his fingers lightly:

"Coincidentally, I have some connections with the dwarves.

I'm even planning to do a big business with them!"

Windsor Della's eyes flickered, and her beautiful eyes stared at Cohen's mask for a long time, and then she slowly said:

"You are not an imitator of the 'Lord of Shadows', you are the 'Lord of Shadows', right?"

Cohen did not respond to Windsor Della's guess, but said lightly:

"I will be going to the 'Lost Land' in a few months.

I want to build a base there that can conduct trade with the dwarves.

I'm still short of a powerful helper.

If Her Excellency Windrunner is willing, my 'Endless Blade' adventurer group has a vacancy for an external member that can be reserved for you."

Windsor Della kept a straight face, her eyes flashing with thoughtful expression:

"This is the deal you're talking about, letting a gold-level Winged Elf royal family member be your thug?

Do you know that I'm also Her Majesty Klein's special envoy?"

Cohen said calmly:

"I only know that if you cooperate with me, you can get what you want."

Windsor Della pondered for a long time, and finally slowly reached out her hand and said:

"I hope you can do what you say!"

Cohen quickly shook her hand:

"Happy cooperation!"

Cohen suddenly asked again:

"By the way, I heard Ipherio say that Her Excellency the Special Envoy came to the Northwest Continent to investigate the 'Lord of Shadows'?"

Windsor Della raised her eyebrows slightly and said:

"That's right, I wonder how Mr. Cohen wants me to report to Her Majesty the Empress?"

Cohen curled the corners of his mouth slightly and said calmly:

"Miss Elf, you wouldn't want Her Majesty the Empress to know about what we two are planning, would you!

My opinion is, everything should be kept low-key!"

Windsor Della nodded calmly:

"As you wish!"

......

"Mr. Cohen, you should at least leave me a name.

Don't you really want to consider it again?

We can sign an equal employment agreement.

"Our family will absolutely not make any unreasonable demands on your adventure group."

It was already the second day since everyone left "Starfall Valley."

Before leaving, Duke Gavin's eldest son, Iiffel, earnestly tried to persuade Cohen and his party to stay.

Cohen said helplessly:

"Young Master Gavin, the conditions you've offered are generous enough, but I'm truly sorry, we have reasons why we must leave."

Iiffel's face showed sadness, but he quickly continued:

"By the way, I've also heard about the past of this Mr. Arnold Constantin.

The noble who coveted his daughter has already been dealt with by me.

What else can I do for you?"

Cohen was slightly surprised; although this young master was a bit timid and afraid of trouble, he didn't have the habits of a spoiled son.

He was very capable, a rare nobleman indeed.

Cohen thought for a moment, handed the other party a communication stone, and said meaningfully:

"Mr. Gavin, thank you for everything you've done for my team members.

Please keep this communication stone. If you encounter any difficulties in the future that are hard to overcome, you can contact me.

I might be able to provide you with some help you wouldn't expect."

Iiffel solemnly accepted the communication stone.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two groups bid farewell.

…

It was already the third day since Cohen returned to Florence. In the huge camp, Arnold was imprinting the "Concentric Curse Mark" on the beastmen.

Beside him was a tall and mighty beastman, Tanga, the leader of the "Blood Tiger" tribe.

Tanga already had a "Concentric Curse Mark" on his right arm, and their communication was much smoother.

He was following Arnold, learning how to inscribe the curse mark.

Looking at the scene before her, Asuna said with some emotion:

"A beastman can actually learn how to inscribe curse marks?

It's simply an absurd and bizarre scene."

With the help of the "Concentric Curse Mark", Tanga's learning speed increased sharply.

Before long, he could independently inscribe curse marks on his own tribe.

Together, their speed obviously accelerated a lot.

By the time it got dark, a hundred-man squad that had successfully been inscribed with the curse mark stood neatly in front of Cohen.

Seeing the beastmen, who originally had difficulty even getting ten people to stand in a straight line, now able to form a hundred-man team and practice various tactical movements in a uniform manner,

not only was Asuna's beautiful eyes full of shock, but even Arnold, who was among them, had a dreamlike feeling of unreality.

Were these the infamous good-for-nothing beastmen on the continent?

It was simply unimaginable.

After the drill, Arnold's face was full of excitement and fervor, as if he saw himself leading this savage and powerful beastman army to sweep across the battlefield in the future.

He quickly came to Cohen and said loudly:

"Boss, the 'Blood Tiger' tribe has the 'Bloodthirsty Shadow Tiger' bloodline. When activated, it can put them into a 'Bloodthirsty' state.

Both explosive power and movement speed will be greatly increased.

Unfortunately, once these beastmen fall into the 'Bloodthirsty' state, they become difficult to control again."

Cohen nodded:

"Don't worry about that.

The power of the 'Concentric Curse Mark' is definitely more than just allowing you to communicate with them normally.

With more training, the 'Concentric Curse Mark' can change the physique of these beastmen and improve their intelligence.

After a while, even in a bloodthirsty state, they will be able to understand commands."

He asked again:

"About how long will it take to inscribe all three thousand beastmen with the 'Concentric Curse Mark'?"

Arnold estimated the time and replied:

"About three days, Tanga has recommended a few more beastmen.

After I teach them, it should save even more time."

Cohen said:

"The army moves relatively slowly. After you finish inscribing the curse marks and train for a month, set off first.

The destination is the northern mountains of the Western Region Empire.

After I finish dealing with the matters in the royal capital, I will bring Asuna and the others to meet you.

I will prepare identification and documents for you by then, and you will travel as a slave-catching team."

Cohen looked at Asuna and asked:

"Have the food, horses, and other logistical supplies been prepared?"

Asuna, looking like a secretary, replied meticulously:

"The supplies needed for three thousand people for half a year have all been prepared.

They are distributed among the various 'Pale Wings' chambers of commerce along the route from Florence to the northern mountains of the Western Region Empire.

This is the withdrawal certificate, which can be withdrawn at any time."

Cohen asked Nephthys, who was on the side:

"How much money do we have left?"

Nephthys immediately replied:

"Sir, the circulating funds obtained from 'Black Tomb' last time, including the funds exchanged after 'Pale Wings' acquired those fixed assets later.

This time, purchasing supplies and materials for inscribing the curse marks has consumed about one-third."

Cohen's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked Asuna again:

"How is the second batch of beastmen coming along?"

Asuna handed Cohen several certificates and continued:

"I was just about to report to you, sir. The second batch of beastmen has almost been collected. This time there are five thousand people. Where do you think it's suitable to send them?"

Cohen thought for a moment and said:

"Send them to the northern mountains as well.

As for the subsequent expenses, you and Nephthys discuss it and try to arm an army of ten thousand people."

Nephthys immediately wore a bitter face and said:

"Didn't you say that you still need to get that 'Star Guardian Armor' later? There's not enough money left.

Why don't you use the Effiein royal family's money?"

Cohen patted Nephthys on the head:

"Every large expenditure of the royal family has to be audited by the Senate. Even the Queen cannot easily use large amounts of funds.

She's probably not as rich as I am now.

We can't let the whole world know that their King is raising private soldiers, can we?

Otherwise, once my side is exposed, that group of bastards from the Ceylon Kingdom will probably immediately instigate a rebellion in the Southern Border.

Alright, you don't have to worry about the money.

When we get to the 'Lost Land', there will be plenty of money."

Mentioning the second batch of beastmen, Cohen realized that he indeed had too few trustworthy generals under his command.

Now it's just a few thousand people, and Arnold can still handle it.

Once there are wars in the future, and the prelude to the battle for hegemony begins,

it may be necessary to conduct several wars at the same time, and relying on Arnold alone will be somewhat overwhelming.

He had to find a way to cultivate a group of loyal and reliable generals in advance.

What should he do?

Should he also learn from someone and set up an otherworld version of the Whampoa Military Academy in Effiein?

In his memory, there were indeed several famous generals in his previous life.

But those people were not Effiein people, and they were different from Arnold.

They were themselves descendants of some great nobles, each involving complex political forces behind them.

Taking them as subordinates would be asking for trouble for himself.

Anyway, there are still a few years before the full-scale war on the continent, and there is still time to cultivate a batch of usable talents.

Although those famous generals cannot be directly taken as subordinates, it is still no problem to trick them into becoming instructors.

How to start this plan? Cohen fell into deep thought.