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Shut Up, Malevolent Dragon! I Don't Want to Have Any More Children With You-Chapter 29Vol 4. : You, Go Negotiate with the Humans
In the hall, unlike the other dragon kings, Leon stood quietly as he faced Odin without showing any signs of retreat, his expression calm and resolute.
The formidable aura radiating from Odin, almost overwhelming, filled the entire council chamber, making the atmosphere feel charged and tense.
Leon could feel Odin's intense gaze as it bore into him, and while he wasn’t intimidated, he was fully aware of the power in that look.
"How do you plan to explain yourself?" Odin finally broke the silence, his voice as imposing as his presence. Even though he didn’t seem angry, everyone could tell Odin's expectations were high.
"I suppose there's something you’d like to address with me?" Leon replied steadily, his gaze meeting Odin's without flinching.
Odin gestured slightly, indicating he wanted Leon to follow him.
"I’d like to have a word with you in private, Silver Dragon King," he said in a measured tone.
Leon nodded slightly, indicating his agreement.
Odin made a small gesture, and the others in the hall nodded in acknowledgment.
One by one, the council members and attendants filed out of the chamber, closing the door behind them.
The intense pressure that had pervaded the hall gradually eased.
As the two dragon kings stood alone, Odin took his time to observe Leon carefully, as if gauging his strengths and weaknesses.
"They seem quite familiar with each other, don’t they?" someone murmured outside.
"You didn’t hear? Konstantin once joined forces with him in a remote corner of the northern region."
Another dragon king whispered, "I think Odin even saved his daughter once."
"Then this summit could also be a chance for him to settle some debts with people. He might not let this opportunity go."
"Who knows? Maybe he’s just here for some personal dealings."
...
Isha glanced at her sister’s departing figure before turning to look at Rosvisser.
"Do you think he might cause trouble for Rosvisser?"
Rosvisser shook her head. "No, I don’t think so. He’s likely here to see how this council will handle these matters."
The reason she was certain Odin wouldn’t bother Rosvisser was twofold.
First, Rosvisser and Leon have no old grudges or unresolved issues with anyone here. They have no conflicts or disputes that would require confrontation.
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Second, in the last council meeting against Konstantin, the Twilight Tower master privately discussed her and Leon’s matters, stating that Odin’s opinion of Leon was actually quite positive. Given that, he wouldn’t stir up any trouble.
This calmed Rosvisser’s mind, and she didn’t believe Odin had any unfavorable intentions toward Leon at this time.
"What do you think? If Odin wanted to talk, would Rosvisser have any interest in joining the discussion?" someone nearby asked.
"That depends. If they’re discussing power dynamics or strategy, then maybe she would find it intriguing," Rosvisser responded, her gaze sharpening with interest.
At the same time, the hallway outside the council room quieted as Rosvisser and Odin stood by the window, gazing out at the vast cityscape of Sky City.
"Silver Dragon King, you should know that this Dragon Clan Council is meant to discuss internal matters, right?"
Leon nodded. "Yes, I understand."
"Then, I’ll also listen to your opinion."
The other dragon’s gaze fixed on Leon, patiently waiting for his response.
Leon smiled slightly, but instead of responding immediately, he chose to ask,
"Since this situation concerns conflicts over power and territory within the Dragon Clan, could you elaborate on the council’s approach to handling such matters?"
"As it’s a significant issue that could affect the clan’s stability, it’s only right to handle it with care," Odin replied. "However, to provide more insight into the approach, you need to be clear about your stance regarding the future of our clan."
"For example, what would you do if you held the authority to decide the fates of those dragon kings who are plotting and acting selfishly? If it fell to you, how would you address their actions?"
Leon paused before answering, "If it came down to my decision, I would deal with such matters internally within the clan. I’d ensure these issues wouldn’t reach beyond us, focusing strictly on Dragon Clan affairs."
Odin looked at him, seemingly satisfied with his answer.
"In that case, it’s essential to maintain a strong stance, especially when it comes to internal disputes. Handling this like King Hett, who was judged by his people, is necessary."
"But even if you, Silver Dragon King, have much authority, it’s clear that the Dragon King cannot interfere too deeply in matters that concern the internal affairs of the clan," Leon replied.
"From a structural perspective, the Dragon King’s role is primarily symbolic. Though each clan respects the Dragon King’s authority, there isn’t a hierarchical, top-down system within the Dragon Clans," he continued.
"This means that even if a Dragon King ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) or any elder disagrees, they cannot simply ‘dismiss’ another dragon king from their position," Leon added. "Whether a dragon king’s actions lead to danger or bring disgrace to the clan, it’s a collective issue and not one for any single king to judge unilaterally."
"In other words, no dragon king has the authority to judge another, nor can they impose sanctions without full consent. Only the clan’s members, those affected by their actions, have the power to influence or decide," he explained.
"This principle is likely why the Twilight Tower Master convened this secret Dragon Council," Leon concluded thoughtfully.
"The purpose isn’t to deliver a final ruling but rather to reach a... negotiation," he added, trailing off.
Leon paused, then, after some consideration, replied with a steady tone, "I have many thoughts, but my conclusion can be summed up as one word: stability."
Odin raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Oh? And what do you mean by that?"
"It’s about forming a solid alliance," Leon replied. "A stable foundation is always more reliable.
"Yes," Leon nodded, thoughtfully explaining, "If there are conflicts or disputes over territory within the Dragon Clan, and any dragon king becomes involved, these issues cannot remain hidden for long. News will quickly spread among the clan."
"At that point, the already delicate balance within the clan could destabilize, leading to heightened tension and unease."
"If suspicions persist and mutual trust erodes, even a small spark could ignite further conflict. In the worst case, this may eventually lead to full-scale confrontation."
"In truth," Leon continued, "I am not opposed to alliances among the various clans. In fact, I would like to see us unite and act as one. However, if our unity lacks cohesion and discipline, then we risk turning into nothing more than a loose collection of sand."
"If clans turn against one another and start to act as enemies, then even the strongest clan will inevitably fall."
"In other words," he added, "certain dragon kings in distant regions have become obstacles to peace, harboring schemes for their own gain and constantly sowing discord to manipulate the situation in their favor."
Odin looked at him, nodding slightly in agreement. "You know what I mean, don’t you?"
After listening to Leon's detailed analysis, Odin nodded approvingly, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Alresis," he said, "Alresis has indeed been aiming to use the Dragon Clan Council as a means to strengthen his family’s influence over Konstantin’s domain."
"Ever since the last council meeting against Konstantin, Alresis has gradually taken measures to secure parts of Konstantin’s power and wealth for his own family."
"With Odin’s support, Alresis has begun laying down his roots in those lands, reinforcing his influence to the extent that even Konstantin himself would find it hard to oppose him without outside help."
"Konstantin now finds himself forced into a position where peace means accepting Alresis’s influence over the territory."
"The only reason Alresis has refrained from a full takeover is his caution, built on past experience."
"In this Dragon Clan Council, Alresis may continue to act with restraint. If he manages to secure a formal endorsement from this meeting, then his influence will extend to a level that will make even the most rebellious dragon kings think twice before defying him."
"If any dragon king attempts to privately oppose Alresis’s plans, they will likely face retaliation from the Dragon Clan itself."
"In other words," Odin continued, "Alresis is manipulating this council to cement his position. If anyone were to challenge him openly now, they would face not only his wrath but the wrath of the entire council."
"Everyone is well aware of Alresis's ambition," Odin concluded. "If anyone truly dares to oppose him here, it would be as if they were choosing a direct confrontation with me."
"As I mentioned, an ununified Dragon Clan will only grow more divisive over time, leading to further fragmentation," Leon continued.
"That kind of 'stability' will eventually shatter," he warned. "When the Dragon Clan faces external threats, how will it handle the question of those dragon kings who secretly align themselves with enemies?"
Leon exhaled, shaking off the frustration, then continued with a calm demeanor, "All I’ve said thus far—this is what I’m concerned about."
Listening to Leon’s thoughts, Odin nodded in understanding.
"Your ideas are very astute, Leon. You've accurately identified Alresis’s underlying motives, as well as the subtle influence these dragon kings have over others. You've precisely analyzed the hidden ambitions of Alresis."
"I also want to commend you on one specific phrase," Odin added. "'If they can be disciplined, but never forced into obedience...' This line demonstrates your understanding of leadership."
"Such an insight proves you are more than someone focused on small matters, Leon; you’re a strategist who knows how to balance significant issues with minor details."
Nodding in approval, Odin concluded his evaluation of Leon with a satisfied smile.
"In my view, you have undoubtedly led a fascinating and successful life, Leon," he said.
Leon responded humbly, "Thank you for the compliment, Odin."
"So," Leon inquired, "what are your thoughts moving forward?"
"To be honest, I don’t care about alliances or covert strategies, nor about war and conflict," Leon said calmly.
Odin, watching him with a softened gaze, replied, "Our Dragon Clan rarely interferes in external conflicts, and we are wary of involving ourselves in affairs of the empire or those aligned with human forces. Therefore, I have neither gained nor lost anything by being here."
"That is to say," he continued, "if not for the Twilight Tower Master’s invitation, I would not have come to this council."
"I came simply to observe and see what decisions would be made here," Leon concluded.
Odin nodded with an approving smile. "Your restraint reflects wisdom and respect, especially for someone as young as you."
He continued, "Even Queen Vanessa once praised Konstantin for his attitude and approach, suggesting he would leave his legacy to the next generation to carry forward, passing down his insights and authority. For you to stand here like this today only shows a similar mindset."
Leon raised an eyebrow in surprise. "It’s the second time you've shown such praise for me, Odin. You truly believe I would have done the same for someone else’s child?"
Odin nodded, replying earnestly, "Yes, I believe that’s exactly the kind of person you are. Not simply because you saved your own daughter, but because I know the Silver Dragon King well enough to know he would do it for someone else."
Leon shrugged, a bit amused, "Well, I don’t know where you get that idea, but if you believe I saved your daughter purely out of altruism, you might want to reconsider. This wasn’t something I would have done for just anyone."
Leon replied, "I don’t do it just out of kindness. There’s another part of it—perhaps because your natural magic is, like mine, derived from the element of origin and void."
"Emmm..." Odin laughed. "Indeed, I can see the potential in you. Within the Dragon Clan, only a very few individuals are born with the qualities of the Origin and Void elements. Only those blessed with powerful attributes like your Phoenix Scales can display this level of strength."
Leon shrugged, "Elder, if you’re suggesting there’s a chance for me, I don’t believe it. I might only be a young dragon who happened to gain a little strength."
Odin chuckled, "Oh, you dragons truly enjoy downplaying yourselves, don’t you?"
Rosvisser had no interest in participating in their banter. She waited quietly, only listening in while she pondered matters of her own.
After a moment, a red-bearded elder, his voice rough and deep, said eagerly, "The Dragon Clan—battle, fierce and thrilling!"
"Alright, the meeting is about to start," Odin said as he took his seat, "Leon, I’ll be supporting your views. Moreover, I believe the majority of the dragon kings here also support your stance."
"Maintaining the stability of the Dragon Clan does not mean indulging or encouraging rash decisions."
From beginning to end, Leon had only one goal: he would never allow a war within the Dragon Clan to endanger his family. Therefore, gaining Odin’s support was of great importance to him.
...
When the two returned to the council hall, Alresis and the others were already seated, each taking their designated places.
The meeting was about to begin.
"Well, what brings everyone here today?" the Tower Master asked calmly.
Alresis responded in an indifferent tone, "Apologies, our Master has many affairs to attend to and could not make it personally. Therefore, this meeting will proceed with the Dragon Kings handling their own matters independently. Once we reach a resolution, I will report back to him as usual."
"Ah, Demossia’s clan never seems to rest," someone muttered, hinting at their perpetual busyness.
Alresis waved his hand, gesturing toward a side of the council table, where several Dragon Kings had already taken their seats.
"They are the primary players in this Dragon Clan council," he said.
"However, I’m curious. As the Dragon Clan confronts various struggles, are any of you here truly working together with the empire in secret, for the sake of expanding your territories and resources?"
...
As the council continued, Alresis appeared to be sizing up those around him, as though assessing who might be working against the best interests of the clan. His words hinted at a deeper suspicion towards those who might secretly align with the empire for personal gain.
Alresis continued, "You should consider the entirety of the Dragon Clan; acting purely out of self-interest doesn’t benefit the clan as a whole."
"But if you closely examine your actions," Alresis said with a slight smirk, "you’ll see that you’ve all been aligning with the empire purely for personal gain."
The dragon kings, sensing his accusatory tone, reacted with visible discomfort.
Leon’s calm response broke the tension, "Alresis, when both sides stand to gain nothing, it only confirms your idea that unity is paramount for the Dragon Clan’s survival."
Leon’s statement was met with a mixture of nods and subtle frowns, as his suggestion for compromise reflected his cautious approach.
The discussion continued for hours, with Alresis taking a central role in debating each topic. Finally, after what seemed like an endless session, he concluded with one last statement:
"You must surrender any territories and resources gained through conflict in this struggle!"
The room erupted in protest, voices overlapping as dragon kings argued, "Why should we? Those territories were hard-won and secured through our efforts!"
Alresis countered, "Letting go of certain gains is essential for peace with the empire!"
One dragon king, irritated, retorted, "But it’s been too long to distinguish which lands were taken through imperial cooperation and which were rightfully ours!"
Alresis’s voice grew colder, "Have you forgotten your duties as dragons? You’re acting like traitors to the clan if you can’t set aside personal interests for the sake of unity!"
The tension in the room peaked, as accusations of betrayal and selfishness were thrown around, leaving the council hall in heated debate.
The debate between the two sides continued relentlessly, each argument met with further contention. Finally, Odin cleared his throat, halting the intense discussion with a single sound, effectively ending the lengthy dispute.
Everyone gradually fell silent, including Alresis. The entire assembly directed their attention to the other side of the table, where Odin sat, waiting for his statement.
The Golden Sand Dragon King, Morgan, glanced around with a slight smirk, leaning closer to the elder beside him and whispering something quietly.
Meanwhile, Odin remained silent, his gaze scanning each dragon king, including Leon and Rosvisser, with a calculated calm. After a long pause, he turned to look at Morgan, who, sensing Odin’s cue, leaned back with an amused expression, refraining from further comments.
One by one, the dragon kings shared their opinions, though there was little consensus among them.
Odin finally looked toward Leon, who had remained quiet throughout most of the proceedings, and addressed him, "Silver Dragon King, Silver Dragon Queen, Red Dragon King, and the Sea Dragon’s leader—what are your views?"
After a moment of reflection, Leon rose to share his thoughts, knowing his words carried weight with the others.
Rosvisser also rose to express her thoughts, and each of the leaders gradually voiced their own stances, presenting their perspectives and approaches with clarity.
Leon finished explaining his views, which directly contradicted Alresis’s stance.
Before Alresis could respond, Odin interrupted him, "Patience is necessary, Alresis; no need to be so hasty."
"You—!" Alresis fumed, but he controlled his reaction, waiting for Odin’s explanation.
"As the Dragon King just mentioned, considerable time has passed since these lands and resources were acquired, and the original owners lost them when they joined forces with the empire to seek them through war," Odin said calmly.
"Therefore, regarding the specifics of ceding control, I think we need further and more deliberate discussion," he concluded.
Odin looked at Alresis, his gaze hinting at a more professional, fair team dynamic, and asked, "Don’t you agree, Alresis?"
With a sigh, Alresis grudgingly acknowledged Odin’s wisdom, muttering, "You’re really something, Odin. I see your point, elder."
Odin’s intervention led the elder dragon kings to support a more balanced approach, and the matter was thus settled with most agreeing.
When the meeting finally concluded, it was clear that the majority supported Leon’s views on fair allocation and retention of territory.
Here’s the translation of the text from the image:
---
It seemed that the Dragon Kings had generally reached an agreement, and the room had settled into a more stable atmosphere, with everyone’s expressions reflecting a cautious optimism.
Alresis, realizing he would have to accept this outcome, left reluctantly after the vote concluded.
"Thank you all for participating in this Dragon Clan council meeting," the Silver Dragon King announced. "We are grateful for the decisions made by the Silver Dragon Queen and others. With that, this meeting is adjourned."
"Wait," someone interrupted. Cade stepped forward and addressed the assembly, "There’s one more matter that needs clarification. Odin requested this be added."
"In light of the recent political changes in the empire, should the Dragon Clan find itself at odds with these shifts in governance, we may need to engage in a formal negotiation with the empire’s leadership."
"Negotiation...?"
"Indeed," Cade affirmed. "And regarding who will represent us in these negotiations with the humans, I have a recommendation."
Odin spoke up, slapping his hand on Leon's shoulder with a weighty gesture, as though endorsing him.
"Ahem—!" Leon cleared his throat in surprise.
"Of course," Odin continued, with a hint of humor, "we all know that Leon’s sister would be an excellent choice. Any objections?"
The Red Dragon King glanced at Leon, grinning mischievously, "It seems your sister has quite the responsibility now, doesn’t she?"
Leon stammered, "No objections, I was simply... just considering the matter."
Letting Leon go represent the clan in negotiations with the humans—while Rosvisser wasn’t entirely opposed, she couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. She lightly poked her elder brother’s shoulder, whispering to remind him,
"Smile when you get home, smile when you get home."
At this point, Leon’s mind was already filled with a whirlwind of thoughts about representing the entire Dragon Clan in talks with humanity.
Result—
He couldn’t make sense of anything! His mind was completely scrambled!