Chapter 6: Isabella

“Is the life of your young lady worth it?”

Cohen’s words struck like a thunderclap, and Modo’s expression immediately darkened.

Isabella spoke in a low voice, “With just that one sentence, it’s not worth it!”

Cohen looked at Isabella, gathered his thoughts, and asked, “Miss Wenze secretly came to Florence to discuss a business deal with Roland, the Duke of the Western Empire?”

Isabella’s pupils trembled slightly. She hadn’t even told Modo beside her this secret! Yet this mysterious young man before her actually knew!

Her beautiful eyes narrowed, her gaze suddenly cold. Reason told her to silence him immediately, but seeing his confident demeanor, she suppressed the impulse to act.

After a moment of contemplation, Isabella nodded slightly and said to Modo, “She was going to tell you in person today. It’s a matter of great importance; any remote communication is unsafe.”

Modo nodded in understanding, then looked at Cohen. This young man even knew about the lady’s mission—who exactly was he? The incarnation of the prophesied Madra?

Cohen then turned to Modo and asked, “After learning this, you must arrange the negotiations quickly. Who will you entrust with this task?”

Modo glanced at Isabella, who gave a slight nod. Modo responded stiffly, “Viserel. He has several properties in the outskirts of Florence.”

Cohen smiled softly and said slowly, “Viserel Adam, head of the ‘Pale Wings’ in the Principality of Efion… Mr. Modo’s… nephew!”

Modo’s face soured. But since this young man already knew so many secrets, it wasn’t surprising he knew about Modo’s relationship with Viserel.

Cohen continued, “Will you inform Viserel about Miss Wenze’s arrival in Florence?”

“Of course not…”

“Don’t be hasty. Think carefully before answering—lives depend on it!”

Cohen stared intently at Modo.

Modo’s face turned ashen. After a few seconds of hesitation, he reluctantly nodded and explained, “Miss, Viserel is my own nephew, absolutely reliable…”

Cohen interrupted, “Yes, he’s your nephew. When your young and beautiful superior makes a rare visit, wouldn’t it be natural for her to have her nephew show up at the docks and make an appearance? It’s only human. No need to be shy, Mr. Modo!”

Modo’s expression twitched repeatedly as he impatiently said, “What does that have to do with what you just said?”

Cohen took a sip of water and calmly uttered a shocking statement:

“Viserel is with the ‘Black Tomb’!”

This was an outright accusation. Modo had to clarify his stance before his superiors.

He suddenly stood up and shouted, “Nonsense! I think you’re the real traitor from ‘Black Tomb,’ here to sow discord!”

Isabella furrowed her delicate brows and said, “Do you have any proof of that? Uncle Modo has watched me grow up; I have absolute trust in him. His own nephew… would betray him?”

Cohen glanced at the furious Modo, folding his arms and leaning back slightly, eyes half-closed.

Isabella lowered her eyelids, silent for a moment, then lowered her voice:

“The intelligence you wanted before… I can give it to you.”

Cohen slowly opened his eyes, radiating a solemn aura, and said in a deep voice:

“Modo’s nephew certainly wouldn’t betray him. But if his nephew has already been replaced by someone else, that’s another matter.”

Cohen’s words sent a chill rising behind both of them.

Modo quickly asked, “What do you mean? What’s wrong with Viserel?”

Cohen said gravely, “‘The Phantom Corpse,’ the seventh councilor of ‘Black Tomb,’ replaced Viserel three years ago.”

Modo exclaimed, “Impossible!”

Cohen explained, “Didn’t Viserel take a long trip to the Northern Empire three years ago? You can check. The Phantom Corpse was active nearby at that time. And in the last three years, Viserel’s activity logs show he visits the national cemetery once every three months… The Phantom Corpse is a corpse demon that needs corpse qi to maintain its form.”

Isabella’s face turned icy. These facts were easy to verify. Cohen had no reason to lie, and she almost believed him.

There was actually a mole from ‘Black Tomb’ among her close circle. Not to mention how much this news would affect her family if it got out, she might not even survive the ‘Black Tomb’s’ schemes!

Isabella’s usually proud eyes flickered with a cold sharpness. This time, she had truly been careless.

Yet, such top-secret information coming from this mysterious young man made Isabella suddenly feel that the greatest gain from this trip to Efion might not be the business with the Western Empire after all.

Modo’s face showed a trace of sorrow. He stepped forward and grasped Cohen’s arms, trembling as he said:

“Then… what about Viserel…”

Cohen shrugged off his hands with a displeased tone:

“He’s not dead. The Phantom Corpse relies on your nephew impersonating Viserel, so they won’t kill him easily… but the longer this drags on, the higher the chances of death.”

Modo’s expression brightened slightly.

Cohen then turned to Isabella and said:

“So, how about it? Would you say I saved your life? If the ‘Black Tomb’ knew the Golden Winged Lady was here, they wouldn’t hesitate to send a demigod to wipe me out! Under a surprise attack and space lockdown, do you think Miss Wenze could escape?”

Cohen’s words were somewhat exaggerated. Even without his warning, Isabella wouldn’t have died—after all, as the Golden Winged Lady, she had many life-saving trump cards.

But this didn’t stop Cohen from emphasizing the severity of the situation. The graver it seemed, the more valuable his intelligence appeared!

In the previous life’s game, this event was called the “Tragedy of the Golden Wing.” Three of Isabella’s legendary subordinates, several Gold-rank warriors, and a squad of Golden Wing guards all perished in Florence.

Even Isabella herself lost half her life. Despite being Gold rank, her “Golden Body” was shattered and it took immense effort to repair.

Suddenly, Isabella smiled radiantly, her beauty dazzling beyond words. She extended her delicate hand to Cohen and said:

“Thank you for saving my life. From now on, we are friends!”

Cohen grasped her hand but quickly released it.

“Rather than some superficial friendship, I’m more interested in benefits.”

Isabella blinked, her eyes sparkling mischievously:

“You really don’t want to take off your mask?”

Cohen replied calmly:

“Forget it. I’m afraid you’d be shocked if you saw my face.”

Isabella gave him a coquettish eye-roll, clearly unconvinced that his face could surprise her.

Her ring gleamed, and a golden card embossed with wing patterns appeared.

“My life is far more valuable than any intelligence. This card is for you. It grants a ten percent discount at all ‘Pale Wings’ guild halls, auction houses, and black markets across the continent.”

Cohen’s eyes brightened. This was tangible profit. He reached out and took it.

Playing with the golden card, Cohen suddenly said:

“I have a cooperation opportunity here. Miss Wenze, would you be interested?”

Isabella smiled faintly, “I’m interested in anything about you now.”

Cohen said:

“Help you eliminate the ‘Black Tomb’s’ influence in the Northwest Continent. With some luck, I might even help Uncle Modo retrieve his nephew. How does that sound?”

Isabella’s expression stiffened. She slowly said:

“You mean…”

Cohen’s eyes flashed with fierce determination:

“To turn the tables and strike at the ‘Black Tomb’!”