Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 124

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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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Unlike the delighted Black Dragon, the Gold Dragon found himself strangely unsettled despite this being precisely the situation he desired.

“Teach me everything! All of your secret techniques!”

Erhafen responded to Raon’s overwhelmingly enthusiastic cry with a soft murmur.

“…I suppose I should.”
“A splendid idea! Weak human, you agree as well, don’t you?”
“Yes. Of course.”

The combination of a human nodding absently and a black dragon fluttering his wings—in nearly a thousand years of existence, Erhafen had never witnessed such a sight.

‘Is this truly what I should be doing in my twilight years?’

The question flickered through his mind momentarily, but Erhafen quickly dismissed it, reminded that time was running short. Meeting a young dragon at this late stage of his life, and one possessed of such an undragonly temperament—it could only be described as fate.

A wry smile escaped his lips as he reflected on the peculiarity of his circumstances.

“Well, I’m dying soon anyway. I might as well pass everything on.”

The words that emerged with his laughter brought a sudden silence. Yet Erhafen could feel the intensity of the gazes now fixed upon him.

“What? Gold Dragon, what did you just say!”
“Pardon? W-what do you mean?”

Raon flew directly before Erhafen’s face and cried out, while Fendrick’s pupils trembled violently as though he had just heard the end of the world proclaimed.
Raon circled frantically around Erhafen’s body, examining him from every angle.

“Were you poisoned? Did someone curse you? Were you injured in battle?”

Erhafen felt that same peculiar sensation wash over him again at the concern and alarm evident in Raon’s voice. Yet he simply pushed the young dragon away with his hand as he fluttered about before him.

“Child, does it make sense for a dragon to be afflicted?”
“It doesn’t make sense!”

Erhafen hesitated at the words that tumbled forth from Raon in response.

“Then why must you die? Don’t die! You’re the only dragon I know!”

The Gold Dragon’s expression became peculiar—amused yet exasperated. With an inscrutable face, he averted his gaze from Raon’s burning eyes. In turning away from the young dragon’s stare, his eyes met Kale’s.
Kale’s lips parted.

“May I ask why you’re in pain?”
“Well, it’s just the weakness that comes with age. Everything deteriorates here and there.”

Erhafen answered as if the words were merely flowing past. Kale found himself contemplating.

‘Since he’s receiving something.’

Was there no ancient power beneficial for vitality?
He searched his memory while observing Erhafen.

Erhafen stroked the head of Fendrick, the elf who appeared bewildered. An elf who could not perceive spirits. I recalled when Tribal Chief Canaria had brought Fendrick to Rare.
Curious about his peculiar constitution, I had saved this boy who was weakening and dying out of mere curiosity. Since then, he had followed me. Sensing the sincerity within his actions, I had filled my affection with something beyond curiosity.

“Fendrick, all living creatures of the natural world are destined to grow old and die. That cannot be overcome. Well, there is a way to die without pain and to defy death, but…”
“What… what is that?”

Unlike the urgent Fendrick, Erhafen answered calmly.

“One must follow darkness. Like a lich.”

Ah. A sigh escaped Fendrick’s lips.
Erhafen continued.

“Of course, I have no desire to do so.”

Yet there had been a few dragons long ago who had made that choice. Erhafen understood their reasoning, but he found that choice abhorrent.
Necromancers die, and Dark Elves die. But liches neither suffer nor perish.
The difference was quite significant.

“Still, it’s far off yet, so don’t concern yourself with it now.”
“…Understood.”

Erhafen watched as the despondent Fendrick reluctantly nodded. In that moment, Raon’s voice reached his ears.

“Gold Dragon.”
“Why?”

At Raon’s unusually grave tone, Erhafen turned to look at him. Raon appeared quite resolute.

“Because I am great, I can find a way for you to live for a very long time. Wait.”

Erhafen gazed at him with an air of indifference, dismissing Raon’s words. Yet his lips kept curling upward, and he pressed his fingertips against the corners of his mouth as he turned to look at Kale Heniatus.

“Can your entire group stay here for about three months? Kale Heniatus, I heard you were nobility.”
“Well, about that. I don’t necessarily need to return to my territory right away.”

Kale recalled his promise with Ritana upon hearing Erhafen’s question. The Jungle Queen Ritana. She had said she wished to meet with Kale to repay him.

“Human.”

Hmm?
Kale shifted his gaze toward the Black Dragon at Raon’s call. And he paused slightly. His eyes gleamed fiercely.

“…Human, I don’t want to be alone.”

Raon didn’t even glance at Kale’s reaction and turned to face Erhafen. At the Black Dragon’s piercing, draconic gaze, Erhafen let out an admiring “Oho” and met Raon’s eyes. Raon spoke matter-of-factly.

“This weak human sleeps only on the finest, softest beds, enjoys fruit, and eats only the highest quality meat.”
“…You’re telling me to prepare all that?”
“You’re the master of this house, aren’t you? You said room and board were free? A great dragon can accomplish anything with a mere gesture, can’t he?”
“…That’s true.”

For a moment, Erhafen wondered what in the world this was, at his age.

‘He’s become far too soft.’

He had grown too gentle. How had that arrogant temperament—the kind that made the insolent dragons of old lie motionless for a month after a beating—transformed into this?
Yet Raon paid no heed to Erhafen’s inner turmoil and turned his gaze back to Kale.

“Human, don’t you need to go meet the Jungle Queen?”
“…I suppose I do?”
“Come back quickly. You have a week.”
“…Understood.”

At Kale Heniatus’s response, Raon finally broke into a grin before returning to the sofa beside Kale and burying himself into the plush leather.
Kale Heniatus exhaled a sigh at the sight.

“Sigh.”
“Huff.”

Erhafen also released a sigh. In that instant, the gazes of dragon and human collided. A peculiar sense of understanding spanning a thousand years settled between them.
Kale Heniatus opened his mouth.

“I’ll be going and coming back.”
“Fine.”

Erhafen answered with a sigh, then tossed words at Kale Heniatus as he stood and at his companions following behind him.

“I don’t care where you come and go, but keep things quiet. I’m sensitive, you see. I only accepted this because of the little one, but be careful.”

The Gold Dragon could see Kale Heniatus watching with a peculiar expression, much like the Black Dragon’s own peculiar expression.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Kale Heniatus slowly shook his head and replied.

“No. It’s nothing at all.”

Then, Raon spoke into his mind.

-That golden dragon doesn’t seem very sensitive at all?

I agreed. He didn’t seem sensitive in the slightest. Erhafen also appeared somewhat un-dragon-like, just as Raon did.
Erhafen added more words, as if unsettled by the look in Kale Heniatus’s eyes.

“And I only teach that little one. No matter how much you cling to me asking to be taught, I absolutely won’t teach you. Well, the beastfolk do pique my curiosity a bit. Regardless, it’s absolutely not happening.”

At those words, Kale Heniatus understood.

‘If they cling to him, he’ll teach them.’

Kale Heniatus’s gaze swept across his companions. Among them, the mage Rosalind and the beastfolk children caught his eye. Rosalind smiled at him.
Indeed, Rosalind had grasped it just as Kale Heniatus had. A sinister smile played at the corners of Kale Heniatus’s mouth.

“…Why are you smiling like that?”
“I’m smiling in agreement with what you said, Erhafen.”

Unlike Erhafen, who seemed displeased, I decided that over these three months, I would have to squeeze every last bit of usefulness out of not just Raon, but my entire party as well.
I’d thought a dragon would be terrifying, but instead he turned out to be a kind-hearted old man who grumbled constantly while still looking after everyone.

“Human, I don’t know why you keep smiling like that, but you need to hurry back.”
“Got it. I’ll take just a few people and be back in no time.”

I gave a casual response to Raon’s words. But then, as I thought about who would accompany me into the Jungle, an inexplicable tension suddenly gripped me.

* * *

The next day, I finally understood what that tension was about.

“Safe travels, human! Don’t get hurt trying to do something noble!”

At the entrance to Erhafen Lair Cave, Raon’s words came out quite plaintively, but I paid them no mind, lost in thought instead.

‘So that’s what felt off.’

My gaze turned toward my companions for the journey.

First, to enter that misty forest—The Path of No Return, one of the five great mysteries—I needed On.
On was saying goodbye to Hong. I passed by her and looked toward the others.

Choi Han, Vicross, Ron.

“Mm.”

A low hum escaped my lips unbidden at this combination.

‘Maybe I should have brought Hans instead.’

I thought of Hans, whom I’d left behind in the Ubar Territory. An inexplicable chill ran down my spine, making me shudder involuntarily.

“Young master, are you alright?”

Ron approached me with a gentle smile and asked.

“…Yes, I’m fine.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. Please let me know if there’s anywhere that hurts.”

Ron offered a gentle smile.

“It’s been a while since we’ve moved so intimately with such a small group. This has its own charm.”

Charm, perhaps.
I watched Vicross pull on his white gloves and contemplated this particular combination of members.

‘This feels like a group perfectly suited for doing something questionable.’

Perhaps sensing my anxious gaze, Vicross gave his white-gloved hands a light shake before approaching me.

“Young master, it appears we’re ready to depart.”
“Right. Let’s go.”

I set out toward Hoik Village at the southern edge of the Wipper Kingdom, accompanied by Raon and the others’ farewells. My true destination was The Path of No Return, one of the Five Great Mysteries that bordered the edge of Hoik Village.

* * *

Of all times, it had to rain.

“It’s similar to last time!”

On, the silver cat nestled in my arms, hummed a little tune as she manipulated the mist. Currently, my group was wandering through the forest of The Path of No Return. Even the rain couldn’t dispel this strange fog.
Kale Heniatus and his party were currently walking through the Forest of The Path of No Return. Even rain could not dispel this strange fog.

Bang!

Pitter-patter.
The raindrops drumming against my raincoat gradually wore on my patience. Vicross approached my side.
Kale Heniatus was gradually becoming annoyed by the raindrops tapping on his raincoat. Then Vicross approached him from the side.

“Since it’s nighttime and raining heavily, I think it would be best for us to stay in this Forest for the day.”

Kale Heniatus nodded at those words.

“On, let’s head to that cave we visited before.”
“It’s nearby.”

I watched as On manipulated the mist to clear a path, then gestured for the group behind me to follow.
Ron, Choi Han, and Vicross—the three of them tightened their cloaks further and fell into step behind me. Choi Han came up alongside and spoke.

“Is this the cave where you met Queen Ritana?”
“Yeah. That one.”

That memorable place where I had put on quite the performance before Ritana and her entourage—playing the virtuous one, the courteous one, every act in my repertoire.

“A place with rather fond memories, then.”

On, recalling those moments as well, manipulated the mist with a somewhat reluctant expression, carving out a path. Since everyone quickened their pace, the cave soon became visible in the distance, emerging from the darkness.
Because everyone quickened their pace, a cave soon came into view in the darkness far ahead.

“That’s it over there! Right?”

On pointed toward the cave and hesitated. Ron approached.

“It seems like someone is there.”

I paused briefly in thought before speaking.
Kale Heniatus pondered for a moment before opening his mouth.

“It seems too late to move it elsewhere. Let’s just go there for now.”

There were no better alternatives anyway, and spending a night alongside others seemed preferable.
There were no other suitable alternatives, and it was better to just spend a day with others.

“Yes. Fortunately, I don’t sense any strong presence.”

Kale gave a firm command in response to Choi Han’s added words.

Let’s go.

There was nothing to be rough about.

Pitter. Patter.
The sound of raindrops drumming against the raincoat grew increasingly fierce, and the group hurried toward the cave.
The faint light grew steadily brighter, and the cave’s entrance came into view.

Finally, I could rest.
As Kale Heniatus quickened his pace at that thought, Choi Han’s voice reached his ears.

“…That aura feels familiar.”

What?
The moment Kale Heniatus heard Choi Han’s words, he could see the clearly revealed cave entrance.
Inside the entrance, a campfire illuminated the interior of the cave.

There were two people inside.

‘Insane.’

I rubbed my eyes.

“W-who are you people?”

A trembling voice rang out.
A frail man with an exceptionally gentle appearance stared at Kale Heniatus’s group. His eyes were so meek that tears seemed to bead within them, making him appear pitiful.

But that wasn’t the problem.

‘Why is he here?’

The Gentle Blonde Man. Lying beside him was a blonde woman.

A woman I had seen before.

A blonde Sword Master.
A member of the Secret Organization who had slain the blood-crazed Mage Redica.

That woman lay unconscious, her body marked with blackened patches in several places.

Whoosh—

A faint sound reached Kale’s ears.
Choi Han drew his sword slightly.
Kale felt as though he’d been struck on the back of his head—a chill ran down his spine.

‘What is this situation now?’

But then his eyes met Ron’s.

‘What is the matter?’

Ron’s gaze posed the question silently. In that moment, clarity flooded through my mind.

Ah, that’s right.
That woman doesn’t know my face, does she?

The blonde Sword Master.
She knew nothing of my face or my companions’ faces—only their masked appearances. Everything else remained unknown to her.

‘This is fortunate.’

I placed my hand on Choi Han’s shoulder.

“Choi Han, sheathe your sword.”
“Yes? But—”

I whispered to Choi Han, who responded with urgency.

“Suppress your aura.”

When the woman regained consciousness later, she might sense Choi Han’s presence.
Instead of the bewildered Choi Han, I gazed at the unconscious Sword Master and the terrified man beside her—a gentle-looking blonde man.

I offered him a kind smile. On, nestled in my arms, let out a meow.

Meow.

It was the same expression as when Witira was involved before. But I paid no mind to such a gaze.

Choi Han had clearly stated that he couldn’t sense any strong aura from the man.
That meant the man—excluding the unconscious woman—was weak.
Kale Heniatus removed his rain hat and addressed the Gentle Blonde Man.

“I apologize. We must have startled you quite a bit.”

His voice was kind yet respectful.
Choi Han flinched at that tone. In that instant, I could see Ron step forward.
Ron, Vicross, and On—these three had not faced enemies during the Whale Tribe conflict. So I didn’t know their faces precisely.
However, I wasn’t concerned about what Ron might say.

“My sincerest apologies. The young master’s escort is simply very dedicated to their duty.”

Ron spoke with the bearing of a servant, his tone remarkably gentle and affectionate.
My eyes met Ron’s. Then Vicross’s eyes met mine as well, and the two of them gave me a subtle nod.

We don’t know what’s happening, but let’s go along with it for now.

That’s what their eyes conveyed.

‘How reassuring.’

A sudden wave of reassurance washed over me.
I found myself genuinely pleased with this team composition for the first time.

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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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