The Abandoned Prince’s Ghost Bride - Chapter 154

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Forsaken Prince’s Spirit Bride
Side Story, Episode 4: The Dragon’s Discipline (4)

“Ador doesn’t seem inclined to attend. So be it. We’ll begin the Grand Council.”
The council chamber was packed, save for the Red Dragon Elder’s seat.
The White Dragon Elder took the floor to open proceedings.
“Sin-ryong Kaiser, bring him forward.”
Kaiser appeared in the circular arena, bound hand and foot in Chains.
Watching him, Luche, Daihan, and Age clenched their fists.
“Good grief…… Honestly, this is…….”
Oblivious to the anxiety of his family and friends, Kaiser merely glared irritably at the Chains restraining him.
“Sin-ryong Kaiser.”
Kaiser lifted his head, his eyes brimming with defiance.
“Is it true that one month ago, you appeared before humans in your true form at the Imperial Palace of the Odrian Empire?”
“Yes.”
The council chamber stirred at his unflinching, unwavering answer.
“What—what are you standing there so proudly for?!”
“This is exactly why the young can’t grasp their own mistakes.”
“We hailed him as the new hope of the Red Dragon Clan, and now look at this mess.”
“If the next leader is such a troublemaker, the Red Clan’s days are numbered.”
The council chamber erupted into chaos. Dragons began voicing criticism of Kaiser, and others seized the opportunity to mock the Red Dragon Clan itself, the atmosphere deteriorating rapidly.
“Silence!”
The White Dragon Elder’s Dragon Word rang out so forcefully that everyone fell silent.
“We’ll address personal matters after the council adjourns. Sin-ryong Kaiser, let me ask again: did you truly reveal yourself to humans?”
“Yes, I did.”
“And you flew over the skies of the Odrian Empire in your true form without any Magic to conceal yourself—is that also correct?”
“Yes.”
“What was your reason?”
“For my close friend.”
“…… Close friend?”
“Are you aware of the grave matter that befell the Odrian Empire recently?”
Kaiser glanced toward where Age sat. Age made a gesture of resignation—do as you wish.
With that, Kaiser readily explained everything that had transpired.
“The phantom of the first Emperor was the human who once brought my aunt Karcerin to her death. My close friend, Lucian Odel, Lia, and I joined forces and defeated that phantom.”
“Karcerin…….”
“……So that’s how the disaster happened overnight.”
Those who had known Karcerin exhaled sorrowfully, mourning her loss, while others expressed their anger toward humans.
“With this matter settled, my friend was able to return to his normal life. But those damned humans wouldn’t leave well enough alone.”
As Kaiser calmly recounted events thus far, his composure suddenly cracked—he ground his teeth.
“To help when times are hard, to stand by one’s side—that is what a close friend truly is. Whether human or Dragon matters not. Lucian Odel is my precious close friend. For his sake, I willingly revealed myself to humans.”
“So what you’re saying is that you put our Dragons in danger for the sake of a mere human?”
The Black Dragon Elder’s words drew a sharp glare from Kaiser.
“Your phrasing is flawed, Elder. When did our Dragons become such frail creatures?”
The Elder’s eyebrow twitched.
“A human with barely a century of life, a Dragon with fifteen hundred years—even a dog passing by knows which holds dominion. Rather, I would ask you: are humans truly so frightening?”
“You insolent whelp! How dare you speak such nonsense!”
“A Sin-ryong should show restraint—such filth!”
Other Elders rose to their feet, unleashing Dragon Fear.
Their Pressure was potent enough to make even other Dragons tremble.
Yet Kaiser faced their Fear head-on. His transparent, steely green eyes were so unwavering that the Elders themselves hesitated.
“We Dragons withdrew from the world to minimize further harm.”
It was then that the White Dragon Elder spoke.
“More than fourteen Dragons have fallen to human hands. That was before you were even born.”
The White Dragon Elder was the eldest among current Dragons, having lived over twelve hundred years.
“Humans possess a remarkable capacity for rapid growth. In the beginning, they truly revered us and held us aloft. But that reverence did not endure. Soon enough, we became their prey.”
“…….”
“Humans are cunning, foolish, and more cruel than any living creature. They kill each other without hesitation for their own gain. Is it wrong to hide to preserve our kind from such beings?”
“That is…….”
“Yet for every cunning and foolish human, there exist those who are virtuous and faithful.”
An unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke. Luche, who had been shifting nervously in his seat, suddenly stood, tears welling in his eyes.
“Father……!”
Ador entered the chamber and took his place beside Kaiser.
“You’re late, Ador.”
“I was occupied with a conversation with the Witch.”
At his words, the council stirred.
“A Witch? But Witches have gone extinct, haven’t they?”
“Not entirely—it seems some remain hidden in a small kingdom to the south.”
“Still, we mustn’t underestimate them. Witch hunts were once rampant.”
As all offered their thoughts on the supposedly extinct Witches, Ador continued.
“Dragons and Witches—are we not alike? Witches, though human in kind, were shunned for possessing different inborn power. Like us, they chose to hide. Yet here is what many don’t know: while humans endangered the Witches, it was also humans who enabled them to survive.”
No Witches could be found in the Odrian Empire or neighboring lands.
Once Witches had become agents of harm in human eyes, the independent Witches felt the danger and gathered their kin, departing the Odrian Empire.
They settled in a kingdom far from the Empire, concealing their true nature as they built new lives.
“I understand what you all fear. But should we continue in this manner, our Dragon existence will slowly fade from memory, until one day it becomes impossible to reveal ourselves again. Then we will be not mythical beings, but unknown creatures.”
“So you’re saying we should reveal ourselves to humans? Return to those dark days when our young were hunted?”
“Your daughter was deceived and hunted by humans—yes? I have walked the same path. Have you forgotten that Karcerin was my son?”
The White Dragon Elder flinched, attempting to conceal his discomfort.
“What I mean to say is this: we must no longer hide. We must find our own way to live. Merely fleeing and concealing will not bring answers from the heavens.”
“Look here, Ador. Aren’t you simply taking the human’s side to defend your grandson? This very council could result in Kaiser’s banishment from the clan.”
“…….”
“Don’t put all of dragonkind in danger because of one grandson’s foolish logic!”
The Black Dragon Elder exhaled Pressure, his fury rising. As a treacherous silence settled over the chamber—
“Ugh, I’m dying here listening to all this.”
Kaiser, still slouching carelessly, spoke.
Everyone turned to stare at him in shock.
“When did I ever say we should befriend humans? Why return to the past? If after suffering that, you’d still want to live as before, that’s nothing but the thinking of a stupid lizard.”
“What—what are you saying now?”
“Do you know why our kind were hunted by humans in the past? Because we were far too arrogant.”
Kaiser’s entire demeanor suddenly shifted a full 180 degrees.
“Before we lost so many companions three hundred years ago—did Dragons ever fear humans? Did you think they would hunt us?”
“That was…….”
“…… No.”
“Because humans were, fundamentally…….”
“Exactly. Weaker than us. But when those humans gather and share a common purpose, they can kill a single Dragon. We all know this now.”
Kaiser’s vision was not some utopia where Dragons and humans laughed and lived together in harmony.
“I despise all humans except my close friend. Should they overstep and rampage, I’ll kill them on the spot without hesitation.”
Several Dragons shuddered as Pressure flickered in Kaiser’s eyes.
“I desire only one thing: that Dragons are never forgotten by the world. We can go on as we do now. We need only periodically imprint our existence into human minds before we fade entirely from their awareness.”
When Kaiser revealed himself to humans this time, what did they think upon seeing a Dragon?
Did they plot how to capture him for profit?
‘No—they revered and worshipped him.’
“Even the Black Mages disguised themselves as priests and created false gods, naturally weaving themselves into human society. Why couldn’t we Dragons do the same? Besides, the Odrian Empire already regards the first Emperor’s companion as a Red Dragon. What human would have the audacity to hunt a great being who founded their Empire?”
“…… I too find myself in agreement with Kaiser’s words.”
This time, Age stepped forward.
“I’ve served as a nobleman in the Odrian Empire for two centuries. The Rabia Family already know I am a White Dragon. Yet not one of them has ever betrayed me. I believe there are other Dragons here who also maintain relationships with humans.”
Several Dragons who felt the accusation averted their gaze.
“Some humans betray and stab you in the back. Others remain loyal for decades without such deception. Just as every Dragon possesses different personalities and natures, so too do humans.”
“…… Your words aren’t without merit. In truth, among the Dragons present, there is scarcely one who hasn’t experienced human kindness.”
Clouds of rage and recent events had merely clouded their vision. They already knew—not all humans were cunning.
Hadn’t they amply experienced the human world through leisure and observation?
“Simply don’t extend your full trust. Then, should betrayal come later, you can respond immediately. I cherish those humans who follow me. Until they betray me, I intend to walk alongside them.”
Age finished speaking, and silence fell over the chamber. Yet in the sidelong glances the Dragons exchanged, their wavering was evident to all.
“If you’re all so worried, why not forge a Covenant with humans?”
Kaiser suggested.
“…… A Covenant?”
“Yes, didn’t I mention? My close friend is the current Emperor’s sibling. Those two are utterly devoted to each other—if I ask, he’ll likely agree. It may not hold in a hundred or two hundred years, but for now it would be a decent safeguard for our Dragons.”
“…… Explain that proposal in detail.”
Kaiser laid out his thoughts before the assembly. The Dragon Grand Council continued for a full week thereafter.
What had begun as a hearing on Kaiser’s sentence transformed into a crucial discussion with the very survival of dragonkind at stake.
In the end, any talk of Kaiser’s expulsion was abandoned, and he was formally confirmed as the next leader of the Red Dragon Clan.
And a week after the Grand Council concluded…….
“W-wait, so these people are……?”
“…… The Elders of the Red Dragon Clan, the White Dragon Clan, and the Black Dragon Clan.”
Lucian arrived at the Imperial Palace with several great Dragons in tow.
Leopold struggled to greet his brother properly, having vanished for over a month before suddenly returning.
The shock quickly faded, and Leopold instinctively dropped to one knee and offered proper courtesy to the Dragons.
Ador, witnessing this, let out an intrigued “Hoo—”.
“Now I understand why you were so confident about this.”
“I told you several times, Grandfather—he’s not the kind of human you imagine.”
“His spirit is clean, and he’s quite perceptive. He seems unlikely to pose us harm.”
“If negotiation truly fails, we can simply erase his memories.”
“H-hic.”
Leopold trembled watching the Dragon regard him with the gaze of one examining prey, unable to fathom why.
‘Lucian! What exactly have you done?!’
‘…… I tried my best to stop them.’
As Leopold shot an accusatory glare at Lucian, Lucian deliberately avoided meeting his eyes.
“Well then, young Emperor’s friend. Shall we have a word?”
“There’s nothing we’ll do that could harm humans, so don’t be too alarmed.”
“If possible, we’d prefer somewhere more conducive to discussion.”
“Y-yes, of course! I’ll show you an excellent location! This way, please.”
Leopold set aside his grievances for now and hastily led the formidable Dragons away to secure a more favorable outcome.
As they disappeared from view, Lucian finally allowed himself to relax.
“Phew…… I can finally breathe again.”
“Leopold must feel like he was struck by lightning from a clear sky.”
“Nah, it’s not a lightning strike—it’s a blessing from the gods. What nation in the world has ever forged a Covenant with Dragons?”
“…… That’s something only you’d think, being a Dragon yourself.”
“Eh?”
Lia clicked her tongue, then caught sight of Leopold mumbling and giggled.
“Well, I suppose good fortune is good fortune either way.”

The 331st year of the Imperial Calendar, the 1st day of the first month.
The Imperial Family of the Odrian Empire forged a secret Covenant with the Dragons.
The Imperial Family resolved to spread positive opinions and perceptions of Dragons among the populace, and promised to actively prevent humans from undertaking Dragon hunts by any means necessary.
In exchange, the Dragons agreed to offer their aid precisely once, should the Odrian Empire fall into dire crisis. The Covenant was thus sealed.
Though it was merely a matter of changing public perception, it became the simplest mechanism by which Dragons could live safely among humans.
The truth of the Covenant between Dragons and humans remained known only to the Imperial Family; the common people remained ignorant of it.
Yet by forging this Covenant, the Odrian Empire secured its peace.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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