Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 121

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

Herrol Codian found himself utterly unable to comprehend such a casual response.

‘If I know, that’s fortunate?’

He held in his hands an opportunity to gain enormous profits, or intelligence that could become a weakness for the Wipper Kingdom’s military. Yet he claimed to harbor no particular attachment to it?

Herrol couldn’t believe it. And yet, simultaneously, he had no choice but to believe it. He had witnessed the entire process with his own eyes.

‘And this is also a man who purchased the Magic Tower for ten billion and then left it abandoned without any investigation.’

The 20th Floor. Kale Heniatus had purchased the Magic Tower simply to own that floor, conducting no investigation whatsoever. Over the past year, Herrol had stationed informants near the Magic Tower at all times, wondering if Kale might discover something.
But truly, Kale had done nothing since his departure back then.

“…Are you not tempted by money, sir?”

In the end, Herrol Codian couldn’t contain his bewilderment and let the question spill forth. He could see Kale laughing as though he found him pitiful.

“Do you have any idea how much wealth flows through my fiefdom? Beyond your wildest imagination, and I am the eldest son of that house.”

That was true.
Herrol had momentarily forgotten.
He was a man from a wealthy family that spent ten billion as casually as sprinkling water.
Kale offered Herrol Codian, who stood bewildered, one more reason he could accept.

“I’m aware that the intelligence in my hands is something every power broker on this continent desires. I have no wish to stand at the eye of the storm.”

Indeed. The eye of the storm was always calm.
Kale sought peace within the chaos of war. Thus, he had undertaken the effort to sell to both the Wipper Kingdom and the Crown Prince.

“Your Grace means you dislike dangerous situations, so you’ll simply sell directly to us? Is that correct?”
“Precisely, Chief Strategist. You’ve got it. As you know, I do love peace, after all.”

This explanation at least made sense to Herrol. Kale was a noble who desired peace without revealing Herrol’s true identity.
He turned his gaze from Kale and surveyed his surroundings. While the strategists still harbored lingering doubts, Tunka and the warriors gazed at Kale with eyes full of trust.

‘After all, it’s something I need anyway.’

A mana storage device. And one that mimicked the ancient power he held in highest regard—the temptation was almost unbearable.

“Excellent. General Tunka, what do you think?”

Rather than answer Herrol Codian’s question, Tunka extended his massive hand toward me. The gravity etched across his features—so different from his usual boisterous laughter or vacant expression—conveyed his sincerity far more eloquently than words ever could.

“I’m truly grateful.”

I rose from my seat and clasped his hand firmly.

“If you’re grateful, don’t forget it.”
“I won’t. This debt of gratitude will remain with me always.”

The Wipper Kingdom delegation, led by Tunka, made their final decision to purchase the materials discovered in the hidden chamber of my Magic Tower for five billion.
Unlike my composed demeanor, the contract was finalized swiftly—the Wipper Kingdom side had been eager to conclude matters quickly.

After the contract was sealed, I returned to my tent.

“Why did you follow me all the way here?”

I regarded Choi Han with indifference as he trailed into my tent, the contract and the five-billion promissory note tucked against my chest.

“Kale.”
“Mm.”

I unfastened the shirt buttons that had been constricting my neck, paying little attention to what Choi Han was about to say.

“You’re remarkable.”
“Hm?”

That caught me off guard.

“Your abilities are exceptional, Kale. I don’t think there’s anyone quite as skilled at deception—or rather, strategy—as you are. I’m rather clumsy with such matters myself.”

Was he about to say deception?
Come to think of it, I was impressed by Choi Han’s acting.

“However, it might be wise to exercise the utmost caution before the being we’ll encounter at our next destination.”

Now that the contract was finalized, Kale understood why Choi Han had followed him alone to his tent.
A being they would meet at the next stage.
The Gold Dragon.

“You always see one step ahead and act accordingly, but that being is formidable. Both Raon and I may fall short.”
-Insufficient? I am far stronger than that bastard could ever imagine!

Raon’s rebuttal echoed through my mind, but this time I found myself agreeing with Choi Han. He watched me carefully, gauging my reaction.

“You’re right. Your words are sound.”

Choi Han’s face brightened at my acknowledgment.
I paid no attention to his expression. I had already formulated my approach before meeting the Gold Dragon.
Safety first, safety second, safety third—that was the way to survive.

“Choi Han, I’m entrusting my front to you this time. What do you say?”

Choi Han nodded vigorously. This was exactly what he wanted to hear. He was the perfect choice to guard my front.

“Yes. Leave it to me. I will protect you and everyone in our group. I will pour every ounce of my strength into it.”

Good. With that resolve, even the Gold Dragon would be worth attempting.
Choi Han had never once fought using his full strength. The same was true for Raon.

-I am here. Weak human, other dragons are nothing compared to me.

I let Raon’s boasting go in one ear and out the other.

“Then I’ll prepare for our departure tomorrow.”
“Good. Finish your preparations and get some proper rest.”
“Yes.”

Once Choi Han left my tent, I felt a sense of peace. But I was not alone. I reached into my pocket, pulled out a gold coin, and tossed it into the air.

“Here you go.”
“Ooh!”

Raon materialized from the empty air. He caught the gold coin deftly with both front paws.

“This, this is a gold coin!”

It was compensation for the arduous work of crafting magical bombs that had proven instrumental in destroying the Magic Tower. Ten silver coins or one gold coin—it was all the same in value, but Kale gently stroked Raon’s round head, which had gone rigid with eyes fixed on the gold coin.

“You like it?”
“I like it, human! I like it very much! Thank you! I will work even harder!”
“Good.”

He cautiously broached the subject with Raon. He had promised Raon a gold coin, after all.

“As for On and Hong—”

Keep it secret from them.
That’s what he wanted to say.
But at that very moment, a peculiar cry echoed from the tent entrance.

Nyaaaaaaaah, hehe.
“Meow, hehe.”

The sound of a cat meowing mixed with laughter. Cale could see two cats crawling into the entrance of his tent without knocking or saying anything.
A cat’s meow mixed with laughter. Without any knock or word, Kale Heniatus could see two cats crawling into the entrance of his tent.

Kale continued speaking, meeting their bright, eager eyes.
Cale continued with a dull look in his eyes.

Kale Heniatus continued speaking, his eyes gleaming with intensity.

Kale watched the three of them—On, Hong, and Raon—clutching their gold coins and laughing, then simply sprawled out on his bed.
Kale stared at On, Hong, and Raon laughing while holding the gold coin, and then lay down on the bed.

Kale stared blankly at On, Hong, and Raon as the three of them clutched the gold coins and laughed together, then simply collapsed onto the bed.

“…I just hope it’s not a crazy dragon.”

Kale Heniatus fell asleep hoping that the Dragon they would meet next would be normal. The sentries standing watch were naturally eight-year-olds on average. It was a force superior to most Knights Orders.

For some reason, Tunka spoke with a hint of bashfulness.
Tunka and other staff came out to see Kale off as he left early in the morning. It was the first time Cale had seen Tunka’s face so innocent.
And the next day.

For some reason, Tunka felt embarrassed as he spoke up.
“Yes. I told Chief of Staff Herol where I was going, so you don’t have to worry about going somewhere else.”
“You’re planning to do some sightseeing before you leave?”

“I won’t. Kale, I trust you.”

I found Tunka’s voice as he spoke my name far too pure, and that discomfort only deepened.

“Ahem, from now on, feel free to move about freely within Wipper Kingdom. If anything difficult arises, tell me.”

I had seen Tunka when he was mad, but this excessively kind version of him was thoroughly uncomfortable.
“That’s right.”

“Of course we will.”

I watched Tunka nod as though it were obvious and thought to myself.

Wipper Kingdom will definitely lose this war.
A war between the Empire, which is experiencing unprecedented chaos due to the collapse of the Sun God Church, and the tightly-knit attack-specialized Weeper Kingdom army. There were many comments that it was difficult to quickly determine the results.

The war between the Empire—experiencing unprecedented chaos as the Sun God Church crumbled—and the tightly unified, combat-specialized forces of Wipper Kingdom was one whose outcome many found difficult to predict.

This was because Wipper Kingdom’s military seemed to aim not at occupying the entire Empire, but rather at seizing only a few of the Empire’s castles that bordered their territory.

Furthermore, with alchemy’s advancement, many judged that Wipper Kingdom had reasonable justification in attacking the Empire, which possessed a more advanced magical system than other nations.

‘Still, it’s the Empire.’

I concluded the war would end in the Empire’s victory and offered Tunka my hand. He grasped it, believing it to be a parting handshake. I stepped forward and whispered near Tunka’s ear.

“Alchemy is more insidious than magic. Preserve your warriors with magic resistance.”

Tunka’s shoulders stiffened. I smiled at those watching us, curious about our conversation, and added one more thing.

“There will definitely be spies from the Empire within your ranks. You’ve likely investigated them already, but if you haven’t found them, search again. Start with those closest to you—it’s the Crown Prince’s method. You must find them. You absolutely must.”

I pulled my face away from his ear and looked directly into Tunka’s eyes as I spoke.

“Kill them.”

Tunka’s pupils wavered. I released his hand and asked gently.
“…I believe.”

“…I do.”
The Empire will win.
Kale was satisfied with Tunka’s answer.

But what Kale truly hoped for was that the Wipper Kingdom would hold out as long as possible, harassing the Empire in the process. That way, the Roan Kingdom could grow stronger in the interim and deepen its bonds with the Breck Kingdom.

‘Before the North descends, that is.’

The moment the Three Kingdom Alliance from the North came down, the Crown Prince would seize control of the Roan Kingdom, grasp military authority in his hands, and step into the forefront.

“Then go well. Let’s meet again next time.”
What’s next? There will be no need to see it again.

Next time? There would be no reason to meet again after this.

Kale walked toward the front of the carriage. He then issued an instruction to Fendrick, who stood among the waiting party with his hood pulled low.

“Let’s go.”

We headed toward Rare, where the Gold Dragon dwelled.

* * *
Cale asked Lark, the wolf boy standing next to him.

I asked Rak, the wolf boy standing beside me.
“Yes. I never imagined it would be here.”

“Yes. I never imagined it would be this place.”

I coughed and sniffled, my nose running. Rosalind laughed and offered me a handkerchief, which I accepted and held to my face.
“Yes. Here we are.”

“Yes, it is.”
Cale thought of the necklace that would be inside his tightly fastened collar. The ancient power ‘Permeating Necklace’. It was a necklace that could contain power of any nature.

I recalled the necklace nestled within my tightly fastened collar—the ancient artifact known as the Seeping Necklace. It was a necklace capable of containing any form of power.
Mount Yelia.

Yelia Mountain.

I had asked Rak to retrieve this necklace from Yelia Mountain, and thanks to that, the memory of extinguishing the jungle fire came flooding back.

I gazed down from the snow-covered peak of the mountain.

Yelia Mountain. This was counted among the three most treacherous mountains on the Continent.

‘So Rare lives in a place like this.’

A dragon dwells where ancient power was once obtained.

“Fendrick, what do we do now?”

We had reached the summit. Yet I hadn’t spotted Rare. Fendrick’s face was brimming with anticipation, though his frail appearance suggested he might collapse at any moment. Still, he answered cheerfully.
“…how much?”
“We wait, sir.”
“…How long?”

“…What?”
Cale looked around. I saw a group of people wrapped tightly in fur and leather. Among them, Vikros was glaring at Fendrick with murderous eyes. The expression on his face asked if there was such a bullshit answer. It seemed like it was very cold.

I glanced around at my companions, all bundled up tightly in furs. Vicross, in particular, was glaring at Fendrick with a murderous expression—as if to say, ‘What kind of ridiculous answer is that?’ He seemed to be quite sensitive to the cold.

Then Fendrick cautiously asked me a question.

“By the way, Young Master, when might we see the Dragon? If you tell him our location, will he teleport here?”

The corners of my mouth twitched upward.
“Then how do you get here?”

“Then how will he arrive?”

-I’m right behind you, Elf. But why didn’t this great Dragon receive a proper welcome?
Cale wanted to recite those words to Fendrick.

I wanted to relay his words directly to Fendrick.
“yes.”
“Fendrick.”

“Behind you, wha—!”

But in that instant, the mountain trembled.

A deep, resonant hum reverberated through the air.

-That’s right, of course I should come to greet you. The magnificent Raon Mir has arrived!

Raon’s triumphant voice echoed across the peak. I hastily reached out and grabbed Choi Han’s shoulder.
The snow on the top rose up with a huge sound. No, to be precise, the ground rose.

The earth at the summit’s center rose upward. Or more precisely, the ground itself was ascending.
“Ugh!”

“Whoa!”

The group barely maintained their footing as they stared at the center of the rising ground. I did the same.

“Oh! Finally, the Dragon Lord!”

Fendrick stood with his hands clasped together, utterly flustered. He looked like a true fanatic. I quickly pressed myself against Choi Han’s back and gestured for Rosalind and the others to position themselves on either side and behind us.

‘If he unleashes a breath attack, we’re in serious trouble.’
Cale felt safe as the group surrounded him.

I felt safer once the group had formed a protective circle around me.

A final, massive boom echoed across the mountain.
It was that moment.

That was the moment.

“Huh?”
The snow that had been covering the snowy mountains stopped falling.

The snow that had blanketed the snowy mountain ceased its descent.

‘Could it be that this snow was also continuously sent down by the Dragon?’
Does Raon know how to do this too?
How could such a cheat character exist?
Could Raon even do something like this?

But then his attention was drawn to a sound he heard.

Click-clack, click-clack.

In the silent space where even the snow and wind had ceased, a sound echoed from within the cave. Kale and his party held their breath as the footsteps drew closer.

Click-clack, click-clack.
Finally, someone walked out of the darkness of the cave and revealed himself to the light.

At last, the one who had stepped out from the darkness of the cave revealed their form beneath the light.

It was an Elf with resplendent platinum blonde hair. An Elf of such beauty that the Whale Tribe paled in comparison.

Kale caught sight of the Elf smiling in that instant.

“Ooooh—”
I had a gut feeling when I saw that.

From that sight alone, I understood.
Gold Dragon.
A Dragon.

A truly insane race.

It was at that moment.

-I’m heading out!

When Raon’s sudden voice startled Kale.

“Gasp!”
A small black object passed behind him. Fendrick looked at the black object with a shocked face and shouted.

A small, dark object darted past behind his back. Fendrick cried out with an expression of shock as he watched the dark object pass.

“B-Black Dragon!”
Kale watched with a sigh as Raon flew towards the blonde elf without any time to stop him. The small black dragon arrived in front of the blonde elf in an instant.

I could only sigh as I watched the small black dragon dart toward the golden-haired Elf without giving me a chance to stop him. In an instant, he reached the Elf’s side.

“Ho.”
Raon proudly shouted, spreading his wings in front of a gold dragon with the appearance of an elf.

Before the Gold Dragon wearing the guise of an Elf, Raon spread his wings wide and proclaimed confidently.

“Pleased to meet you!”
The blonde elf’s expression became more strange. But Raon did not stop.

The golden-haired Elf’s expression grew even more peculiar. Yet Raon pressed on undeterred.

“I am the great Raon Mir! Who are you?”

His round, eager eyes fixed upon the golden-haired Elf. After a moment of silence, the Elf finally spoke.

“What is this? You’re a dragon, aren’t you? A dragon greeting another dragon?”
Kale was convinced by that expression.

In that moment, I understood with absolute certainty.
Selfish dragon.
That’s definitely a real dragon.
A selfish one, at that.

They’d sooner fight, each insisting they were the only one of their kind.
There was no telling when the dragon might run rampant.

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