Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 110

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

However, there was another being who reacted to Kale’s pretense of ignorance besides Fendrick.

-Human, I know that guy! Want me to tell you? He was the elf behind the elf who talked to you when we first went to our inn! I’m a great dragon, so I remember everything!

No, I already knew without him telling me. Raon’s unnecessary explanation cluttered my mind, and before I realized it, I furrowed my brow slightly.

‘Why is he like that?’

Separate from Raon, I was somewhat taken aback by Fendrick’s reaction. Fendrick slightly lifted the hood of the robe he was wearing. His ears were still hidden, but a Z-shaped scar near his eyes became visible.

“We met at the inn back then. I remember our eyes meeting.”

That’s right. I had been startled when our eyes met and I saw that scar.

“I see.”

But I continued to pretend not to know. And I kept my response as brief as possible. Because I had experienced it so far.

‘I shouldn’t say much.’

Whenever I mixed words, I got entangled. I turned my back to Fendrick and walked in the opposite direction. My steps were heading toward the pit.
Crunch. Crunch. Black pebbles shattered against my shoes. The red hair touched by the cool breeze swayed gently.

‘This way he’ll stop paying attention.’

Of course, that was my delusion.

“Have you obtained the power of ancient times?”

I didn’t stop walking at the voice coming from behind me.

“Yes.”

A curt reply.

Fendrick faltered at that indifferent yet cold voice. He gazed at the man’s back growing ever more distant.
That terrifying aura of lava. Why would Fendrick have made time to come here despite the chaos in the village?

An elf who couldn’t command spirits.
An elf whose only assets were healing and combat abilities.
That was Fendrick himself.

To such an elf, that soaring flame was a coveted existence for the village’s sake. He wondered if that fire might burn away the very thing that was poison to elves.
But ancient power was originally the kind of existence that required heavenly fortune, to the point where it could be said to have a ‘designated master.’

“Over there!”

Fendrick took a step forward.
Kale flinched at the sound coming from behind him.

‘Why are you following me?’

Kale quickened his pace, looking straight ahead. Of course, he answered.

“What’s wrong?”
“Could you lend me that ancient power?”

He answered unnecessarily.
Kale’s face contorted. Where did someone just come out of nowhere and strike like this? Kale wanted to let out a sigh. He turned his head with his expression still scrunched up.

‘Hm!’

And he flinched.
An elf stood there. Fendrick had lowered his hood completely, revealing even his ears.

In “The Birth of a Hero,” the Whale Tribe was described as having such superior appearance that they could slap the cheeks of elves. Yet, true to being part of the protagonist’s group, Fendrick possessed a beauty of a different sort altogether.

An elf who couldn’t command spirits. Therefore, an existence destined to live their entire life feeling that despair. Yet as a healer, he possessed a fragile, pale beauty that seemed as though it might shatter.

-Is that elf sick? He looks quite serious.

Right. He merely looked sickly, but he wasn’t actually ill. Yet he was handsome. Kale stared intently at the elf Fendrick. At that sight, Fendrick thought to himself.

‘He really isn’t an ordinary person.’

Those eyes that didn’t waver even upon seeing an elf. That firmly closed mouth. Even without a single word, those eyes seemed to demand an explanation, and Fendrick opened his mouth.
Since he had spoken rashly, he had to provide an explanation for it.

“I am an elf. And I live in the Elf Village.”

Kale swallowed a sigh. As the elf rambled on with his explanations, I turned my gaze toward the distant horizon. Somehow, this felt like another mess. Leaving home only brings suffering.

Then, words that captured Kale’s attention reached my ears.

“An organization has invaded, attempting to steal the World Tree’s branch.”
“What? If the branch is taken, wouldn’t the Elf Village collapse?”

Kale spoke without thinking, startled by the revelation.

The World Tree.
As is customary in fantasy worlds, there existed a legend of World Trees that supported each of the two continents. However, the World Tree was not as grandiose an existence as that.

It merely existed in specific locations and helped nature spirits live in comfort. Furthermore, the elves had built their village by breaking branches that the World Tree permitted.
A nest created by nature’s trees. The elves lived within it, and the World Tree’s branch granted them safety through illusory magic.

If the World Tree’s branch disappeared, the Elf Village disappeared.

“Yes. It would collapse.”

Fendrick answered calmly while hiding his inner surprise, observing Kale more carefully.
There was a reason why he had not been startled upon seeing me.

‘He knows elves well.’

Beyond the fantasies and curiosity ordinary people held about elves, this was someone who possessed considerable knowledge about the ecology of elves and spirits.

“So currently, the elves and spirits are fighting against that organization.”

That organization. Kale suppressed his reluctance and asked.

“What kind of place is that organization?”
“I do not know. However, they carry one white star and five red stars. No matter how much I investigated, I could not discover whose symbol it was.”

Insane bastards.
Kale could not understand why that Secret Organization or whatever it was called was doing this.

-As expected, they are wicked! Such beings deserve divine punishment! Destroying homes! If our home crumbles, I will bring down this entire world!

Kale asked what he was curious about regardless of what Raon might say.

“But why do you need my ancient power?”

What use would that be, along with his own strength?
Fendrick posed a question instead of answering.

“Do you know what is most poisonous to elves?”

I know. Damn it, I know. Kale exhaled a sigh.
Elves and Dark Elves were not on good terms. The reason was the existence of dead mana.

“This fire power might be able to burn dead mana.”

Dead mana was poison to elves.
There was a reason the Guardian Warrior left spirits in the village and departed to investigate. The spirits were free from dead mana, so those currently protecting the village were essentially spirits themselves.

Fendrick’s gaze deepened. He was someone with a truly high level of understanding about elves. Such a person was rare to find.

“Still, I would like to attempt it. Please help me. The spirits could not even eliminate the water containing dead mana when we sprinkled it.”
“Why should I help?”

At Kale’s question, Fendrick was momentarily at a loss for words.
Then Kale recalled a certain person.

Someone who always suffered from pain, but since it wasn’t severe, she endured it with a smile.
The Necromancer Merry. Since I would need to use her extensively in the future, wouldn’t it be good to owe her a favor?

Since things had come to this point anyway.

“I will… provide compensation.”

Fendrick spoke haltingly, and Kale asked in return.

“Compensation?”

As Kale showed interest, Fendrick hesitated. What could he give to a human? By human standards, the Elf Village was impoverished. There was no money, no treasures, no jewels. It was merely a place of trees.

“Yes, well, as compensation—”
“Never mind.”
“Pardon?”
“Those who live in nature have neither coin nor jewels to offer.”

Of course, the Healer Fendrick and the spirits could provide compensation.
But I swallowed those words. Why?

‘Elves favor those who transcend material desires.’

They were a race that truly cherished non-attachment.
I had already made up my mind.
Raon had been pressing me strongly since earlier.

-Human! I want to punch that Spear Master once!

When the strongest one spoke like that, what choice did I have? Besides, Fendrick had barely survived after everything went awry. I didn’t want to let him die for nothing. And there were things I needed to verify.

“I’ll help.”
“Truly?”

For the first time, Fendrick saw a smile grace the man’s lips.

“How could I turn a blind eye to those in distress?”

Though his tone was indifferent, gratitude suddenly overwhelmed Fendrick.
He knew how sudden and unreasonable his request had been. That made it all the more poignant. Fendrick’s mouth opened. But before any sound could escape, the man’s voice came first.

“And those bastards seem like ones this organization has encountered.”
“What do you mean?”

I gazed toward distant peaks, speaking almost as a lament.

“I once went to help the Whale Tribe. They’re the ones who gave dead mana to mermaids and released mermaid poison into the sea.”
“Such, such cruelty!”

To kill sea creatures and the sea itself! Fendrick was aghast.

“And when they tried to kill people in the Roan Kingdom Capital with bombs. I barely managed to stop it then.”

Fendrick suddenly recalled an incident.
The magical bomb terror attack in the Capital.
When he ventured out to gather information this time, he learned of something those presumed to be from that organization had done.

And he heard the name of a noble that came to mind during that incident. He remembered it because of the mention of possessing ancient power.
A person with ancient power who saved people and collapsed. That person also had red hair.

“…Kale Heniatus?”

Fendrick could see the man wearing a gentle smile.

“Hmm? You know me quite well?”

Ah. An exclamation escaped Fendrick’s lips. Indeed, he was no ordinary person.

-Human, why are you wearing the same smile you wear around the Crown Prince? Are you deceiving me?

Raon’s voice reached him, but Kale casually ignored it and asked Fendrick.

“Tell me the village’s location. I’ll head there immediately with my companions to help.”

Fendrick bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

He could see that Kale Heniatus, who had felt cold, drew a gentle smile at his gratitude as if that were sufficient.
Of course, Kale’s smile was one meant to extract everything he could.

* * *

Rustle, rustle.
Feeling the leaves brushing past my body, I shot forward.
Tap, tap. Following my swift pace, the cats On and Hong leaped between the trees.

“Kale.”

Choi Han approached my side.

My group was heading toward the gorge between the seventh and eighth peaks of the Ten Finger Mountain’s ten peaks.

“Why?”

Choi Han’s expression clouded at my blunt question. He asked in an awkward tone.

“Do I really have to wear this?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“One is security confidentiality.”

Ron, Vicross, and Rak—those following behind me and Choi Han—listened intently to my words. Even as they did, they continued moving swiftly toward their destination: the Elf Village.

“And the other reason?”

Choi Han could see me smirking.

“Because it annoys me.”

Choi Han clamped his mouth shut. It seemed likely that my true motivation was the latter rather than security.
And it was true. I disliked the Secret Organization because they refused to live peacefully and kept causing problems.

-Human, should I continue staying this far away?

I nodded. Raon was high in the sky, but being a Dragon, he would certainly see my nod.
I had instructed Raon to stay outside the spirit detection range once we reached the Elf Village. However, for contingencies, he was traveling with us.

“Young master, I can see it.”

At Ron’s words, I lifted my head. A peculiar sight came into view in the distance.

Clang, clang! Boom!
The sounds of clashing blades and explosions echoed.

“How strange.”

At the wolf boy Rak’s remark, I agreed. Between the Seventh and Eighth Peaks, in a gorge that appeared ordinary at first glance, the scenery shimmered and wavered. Through that rippling veil, another place emerged—verdant with lush trees.

That was the Elf Village.
Gazing at the village’s entrance, I shared my impressions.

“What a mess.”

Materialized spirits and several elves were fighting against that Secret Organization.

“Let’s go.”

The corners of Kale’s mouth twitched upward. He dashed rapidly toward the Village Boundary Line.

“On.”

Mist wrapped around his body. Immediately after, without needing to be told, Hong’s poison spread, and the toxic fog protected Kale’s form.

“I shall take the lead.”

Vicross stepped forward, pulling on white gloves. Choi Han was already at the very front.

“Young master, I shall follow quietly.”

Kale could see Ron slowly disappearing soundlessly into the darkness of the Forest.
Screech! At the sharp sound, he turned back to see Rak’s claws had extended. Rak smiled shyly. He was still a timid one.
Again, Kale looked forward only, approaching the Elf Village filled with cacophonous sounds.

Boom!
Screech!
Shriek—

A space where the cries of humans and beasts, elves and spirits mingled together. The strong ones in that space halted their movements. Their gazes turned toward the Seventh Peak.
People descending from the Seventh Peak became visible. Those approaching at tremendous speed.

“More… more enemies are coming!”

An elf let out a cry that was almost a wail. But soon the elf froze.

Crash!
An enemy’s arm was severed. The one who cut that arm was at the very front among those descending from the Seventh Peak.

“…Huh?”

Only as they drew closer did it become clear.

“W-who are you?!”

One of the enemies shouted. They wore black robes adorned with five red stars and one white star. Several of them gasped in confusion.
The Elves could see the clothing worn by those descending from the Seventh Peak. It matched the enemies’ attire, but it was crude.
Figures in poorly stitched garments with clumsily affixed stars approached them.

“Brother! It’s them!”
“Fendrick! What are you saying? Those bastards?”

At Fendrick’s words, the Elves’ eyes widened.
In that moment, I descended onto the battlefield with Choi Han and Vicross leading the way. I spotted a familiar face.
Choi Han’s voice came from ahead.

“Won’t they be angry?”

Just as on Hice Island, my group wore crudely imitated Secret Organization robes. I answered leisurely.

“That would be ideal, wouldn’t it?”
“It would be.”

As I heard Choi Han’s composed response, I looked at the familiar face—the Spear Master. He was the one who had tried to escape leisurely with a magic scroll on Hice Island, only to be wounded by Raon’s mana arrows.

“Ha!”

The Spear Master, holding a long spear in his hand, let out a bitter laugh as he looked at my group. Seeing us again—the ones who had made him flee on Hice Island—he sighed and spoke.

“This is driving me insane.”

I found it somewhat refreshing that a villain would say such a thing.

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