CHAPTER 613: CHAPTER 354: FATHER, ARE YOU HIDING SOMETHING? (PART 2)

Therefore, what was initially a lenient matter turned into a strict punishment upon the Ice Dragon Consort learning about the Blazing Angel’s existence.

Arendelle, which had cost the Ice Princess countless efforts to establish, was taken away from her. She was no longer the Lord of Arendelle, losing her status as the Dragon Lord.

Because her mother, Ice Dragon Consort Annabelle, believed that her daughter’s premature involvement in territory management, putting emphasis on economic development in the absence of external threats, led to this outcome.

Under the constant influx and influence of money, her perception and values became distorted, leading to such unrefined remarks in front of her brother and a certain Angel, causing great embarrassment for both mother and daughter.

Thus, Arendelle directly seized her daughter’s most cherished territory as punishment and, as the Holy Dragon’s consort, confined her daughter within the academy, prohibiting her from going out freely.

For the Ice Princess Scadino, this punishment was arguably the greatest one she could receive aside from death.

This Ice Princess seemed drained of all her vitality, listless and dejected while being confined in the academy.

It’s worth mentioning that some suggestions made by Scadino during her confinement were actually implemented. However, it was not for monetary gains; everything was to relieve the pressure on Holy Dragon Noah during his slumber.

First was the test between the two brothers, Ilya and Terramus, to see if actively accepting negative energy impacts would alleviate the pain and pressure on their father.

After determining it might not be harmful to their father, they invited more Ancient Dragons, especially those who had once provided aid in the unspeakable battle against the Fallen Titan, ensuring all were present.

The two brothers explained to the Ancient Dragons the potential benefits of actively accepting a baptism of negative emotions, but also informed them of the risks. Participation was entirely voluntary; they neither offered benefits nor assumed risks.

Yet, even so, just as a certain little princess had speculated, in the face of ancestral temptation, even possibilities yet to be verified drew the Ancient Dragons.

However, just as the Ancient Dragons were excited to find that negative emotions could indeed baptize the Dragon Soul, leading to transformation, during the fifth year of Noah’s transformation, the black light dissipated, and the dark cocoon crumbled.

"Ah, it happened too quickly!"

"Your Majesty Noah too..."

"I haven’t even started!"

The invited Ancient Dragons, seeing that the black light no longer surrounded them, and that Noah’s once dull Golden Scales gradually restored their brilliance, did not immediately show joy but rather voiced some complaints, which were quickly suppressed,

"What nonsense are you all talking about? Our most gifted Ancestor Dragon from the Dragon Clan has finally overcome the hurdle, and is recovering— isn’t that something worth celebrating?"

"Indeed, it’s a reason to celebrate. Look at the current state of this noble ancestor; his power has grown even stronger."

"In contrast, whether our old Dragon Souls can transform is indeed trivial; the true maturation of the Ancestor Dragon is what’s crucial."

The Ancient Dragons quickly shook off the influence of their low spirits, adjusting to a normal demeanor.

"Do you feel the pressure?"

"I thought it was an illusion?"

"How could it be an illusion? This is pressure stemming from superior bloodline."

"I feel an urge to worship."

"...I feel it too."

"Me as well."

"This Highness’s bloodline is still strengthening."

Upon reaching this alarming conclusion, the Ancient Dragons assembled there couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe when looking at Noah.

However, what they revered more was the presence standing behind Noah— almost all the Ancient Dragons believed that an incredibly powerful Dragon King had bestowed Noah with a blessing, thus creating the Holy Dragon.

Perhaps Holy Dragon Noah himself has many commendable aspects, otherwise, how could such a powerful Dragon King favor him? But the key to transforming into an Ancestor Dragon lies in the Dragon King’s favor.

"Dear elders..."

Upon realizing the presence of the Ancient Dragons couldn’t assist with their father’s transformation, the two brothers stepped forward once again to dismiss all the Ancient Dragons.

"How long until father wakes?"

Gazing at the throne, which seemed increasingly majestic like the Golden Mountain Range, Terramus’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Still some time, I suppose."

"Brother, one of us needs to remain to look after father’s territory; you suit safeguarding the order father established better than I do, leave the Alviss Continent to me."

"Alright."

Hearing his brother’s suggestion, Ilya thought briefly and agreed.

However, after granting authority, Ilya regretted it within less than a year.

Because his brother, Terramus, in returning to the Alviss Continent and taking full control, issued a mobilization order to commence external expansion wars first thing.

Upon learning of this, Ilya was quite furious, although his attitude towards war was less extreme than before, he still considered it avoidable unless necessary.

Yet his brother ignited a war without consulting him, a war where the number of participating Dragon-men far exceeded the first time, causing him much concern.

Still, Terramus found ways without tarnishing the Golden Dragon’s reputation, like suspecting Dragon-men of having been abducted or missing, or Dragon-men merchants suffering illegal harm from local powerful Nobles, among other reasons.

Hence, Terramus’s reasons for leading troops were either revenging innocent Dragon-men victims or searching for missing subjects; in short, there had to be a suitable and righteous cause, which he learned as having a justified start.

Therefore, Ilya, realizing the news belatedly, couldn’t prevent the second wave of territorial expansion wars; young Dragon-men yearning for honors and lands— he couldn’t oppose such erupting desires even if he once suppressed them.

When the beast named war opened its bloody maw, it pursued either temporary satiation or crumbled resistance; otherwise, it wouldn’t stop.

"Terramus, you truly are a scoundrel!"

Even the usually gentle-natured Ilya couldn’t resist cursing after concluding communication with his brother.

However, focusing on guarding his father, Ilya soon noticed abnormalities with Noah, against the war he couldn’t stop across the ocean.

Those strands of radiant red light emerging from his father, not noticed when, began revealing traces of black gas once more.

"What’s happening?"

Observing the war reports from across the ocean and noticing they subtly corresponded with his father’s state, the eldest son, thinking he discovered something, prepared to monitor further; upon doing so, his father’s condition scrambled again, no longer matching the reports.

"Father, are you concealing something?"

Ilya contemplated his father, whose condition mysteriously became erratic, speaking to himself silently.

He couldn’t believe the initial reports and simultaneous transformations in his father were unrelated, sure there was some incomprehensible issue.

The only answer perhaps lay in the current father unwilling to let him know, even as the firstborn son.

Noah