Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 132

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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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Chapter 30. Together

Tap. Tap.
Small front paws continued to drum against Kale’s ribs.

“Human.”
“What?”

I lowered my gaze to look at the creature tapping against my side. Raon grinned widely.

“This place is good. You did well. I praise you!”
“…Sure.”

My expression upon receiving praise from a five-year-old was merely neutral. Erhafen’s was no different.

“Gold Dragon, doesn’t our home look better than your house plastered entirely in gold? Doesn’t our home seem unpretentious and honest?”
“…Sure.”

The ancient dragon simply gave a vague nod. At that moment, my eyes met Erhafen’s. He sighed and pointed toward one location.

“That stone pillar seems like it needs some investigation.”

An ominous-looking stone pillar. I explained its nature to my companions, and each reacted differently.

“….”

Hilsman had been standing there with a vacant expression since earlier, so I decided to ignore him. Meanwhile, Raon approached me and spoke cautiously.

“A hundred thousand years is just something to ignore, human.”

…It seems like he’s gradually becoming more like me.
Watching Raon share my thoughts, warmth bloomed within me. Erhafen, however, showed a different reaction.

“Intriguing.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I’m curious.”

Curiosity gleamed in the Gold Dragon’s eyes. Seeing this, I subtly broached the subject.

“Then wouldn’t it be best if Erhafen investigated this himself?”
“Me?”
“Yes. You, Erhafen. Surely the great Erhafen would be the only one capable of uncovering this secret?”

Erhafen let out a snort at Kale’s words. His intentions were transparent.

“Trying to dump this on me.”
“But it is true that Erhafen is the most wise and prudent, is it not?”
“Nonsense.”

His lips twitched.
Kale clearly saw the corners of Erhafen’s mouth twitch. This dragon had a weakness for flattery.

“Well, it’s true that I’m the wisest, so I’ll indulge your scheme this once.”

Erhafen ultimately agreed to take charge of investigating the stone pillar. More than Kale’s flattery, genuine curiosity about the aura beneath the pillar had overwhelmed him.

‘How peculiar.’

An aura of indeterminate attribute emanated from beneath the stone pillar. It was certainly worth investigating. This might be an opportunity to uncover secrets of ancient mysteries that had existed since primordial times.
Kale approached him and spoke softly.

“Then you’ll need to remain here to conduct the investigation, won’t you?”

It was Raon, not Erhafen, who reacted to those words.

“Let’s train here!”

Erhafen dismissed Raon with ease and regarded Kale intently. Kale offered an awkward smile. This ancient dragon saw through everything yet chose to play along. The dragon chuckled softly and nodded in acknowledgment.

“Indeed. You’re quite audacious. It seems you’d like to bring your subordinates here as well?”
“Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to train together?”

Erhafen saw right through Kale’s desire to conduct training here rather than at his own Rare.

“Your subordinates may come. But I have no intention of staying here.”

At those words, Raon, who had been spraying water from the Fountain in the garden, suddenly turned his head.

“Gold Dragon! What will I do without you? I need you!”

Erhafen sighed. At that reaction, Raon flew over from the fountain to Erhafen’s side.

“Gold Dragon, stay with us too!”
“Ha, seriously.”

Erhafen looked at Raon with an expression of utter exasperation.

“Kid, are you really a dragon?”
“…Are you picking a fight?”

Kale Heniatus, standing between the two dragons, spoke up.

“Are you setting up a teleportation circle?”
“Yeah, it’s easy if I know the coordinates.”

Raon, who had been watching Kale’s question and Erhafen’s answer, quietly flew back to the fountain. Then he pretended not to notice while splashing the fountain water with his paws.

“Sigh, such is my fate. The end times, truly the end times.”

Erhafen lamented. But Kale, observing this, felt his heart flutter with excitement.

‘I’ve gained a direct teleportation connection to Gold Dragon Rare.’

Wouldn’t this be incredibly useful if something happened in the Fiefdom?
Kale asked calmly, as if it were nothing.

“Then Erhafen, since you know Rare’s coordinates, you can simply determine this location’s coordinates and set up the teleportation circle right away. The rest of the group can arrive directly via teleportation as well.”
“Right. Since it’s a hassle, I should get it done quickly.”

Kale watched Erhafen, who worked quickly because he found it bothersome, with warmth in his gaze.
This dragon too preferred to create work for himself.

“I’ll help too!”
“I-Is there anything I can assist with?”

Kale watched with a relaxed heart as Raon and Hilsman stepped forward to work. He then turned his thoughts to the group that would soon gather.

‘Since I’m going to train anyway.’

I’d appreciate it if they’d put in some real effort.
They need some stimulation.

* * *

Everyone had gathered.

In the spacious first-floor hall of the Five-Story Mansion—a space that resembled a grand banquet hall—all of Kale’s companions had assembled.

I’d had Vice-Captain Hilsman summon Hans and ten members of the Wolf Tribe to this place.
After installing a teleportation gate, I’d called everyone else over except for the Elf Fendrick, who remained in Rare to guard it.

They couldn’t hide their amazement at the sight of this space. I spoke.

“Feel free to look around and pick your own rooms on the second and fourth floors. The fifth floor is mine.”
“Will we be living here continuously?”
“Yes.”

Hans’s eyes sparkled with vitality.

Meow.
Meow.

On and Hong approached me. Naturally, Raon was beside them as well.
Raon looked up at me and spoke.

“Then our room is on the fifth floor?”
“…Since when is it ‘our’ room?”

When did my room become a room for eight-year-olds on average?

“Huh? Human, if it’s not our room, then which floor?”
“…Do as you like.”

I found the conversation with Raon and the other children—averaging about eight years old—tedious, so I answered dismissively. The fifth floor was spacious enough anyway; it wouldn’t matter if the kids shared it.
I turned my gaze away from the young ones and surveyed my surroundings.

Vicross wiped the dust from the stair railing with his finger, then immediately retrieved white gloves. An inexplicable solemnity emanated from him.

Kale Heniatus watched as the group ascended the stairs leading to the first floor and various other levels, then approached Choi Han.
Among the group, Choi Han’s amazement was particularly pronounced.

“…I had no idea such a place existed in the Dark Forest.”

Choi Han spoke as though lamenting.
Kale Heniatus stood between Choi Han and Rosalind, understanding his sentiment.

‘After all, he’s someone who lived in the Dark Forest for decades and endured every hardship imaginable.’

So it was understandable that such a luxurious space had existed. Kale Heniatus could hear Rosalind’s amazement from beside him.

“How has it remained so pristine after ten thousand years? It looks like a house abandoned for just a year.”

Rosalind marveled at the Underground Cavern while looking at Kale Heniatus.

“Indeed. Just as you say, Rosalind, it resembles a house abandoned for a year. As if time itself had stopped in this space, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Exactly. It does seem that way.”

Time had stopped.
That expression was precise. Rosalind agreed with Kale Heniatus’s words, her bright smile unwavering. To her, Kale Heniatus spoke with flowing ease.

“Rosalind, do you know what kind of place this is?”
“A place where the power of the earth was obtained?”
“Correct.”

Kale Heniatus surveyed his surroundings once more.
Erhafen stood far in the distance, and he could see Vicross and Ron ascending the stairs. He could see the others as well.

‘In any case, everyone is within the range of my voice.’

Having confirmed this, Kale Heniatus began to speak words that would ignite the group’s spirits, words that would kindle fire in their hearts.

“The master who wielded the power of that earth was called the Guardian.”

The Wolf Tribe Children, who had been observing the sculptures on the first floor, turned their attention to Kale Heniatus’s words.

“An ancient legend speaks of him as the Guardian who protected this Northeastern Territory.”
“Is that so?”

Rak and Choi Han, standing beside Rosalind, showed interest at those words, as did Vicross, who was ascending the staircase. After all, it concerned the Mansion’s owner.

“When darkness fell upon the Continent, he did not hesitate—he stood at the very forefront, protecting countless people.”
“Quite an impressive person.”
“Indeed. When he left this Mansion to me, he said something.”

The Guardian’s words, spoken while bequeathing such a magnificent Mansion.
Curiosity naturally arose in everyone. Kale Heniatus felt their concentrated gazes and spoke calmly.

“Protect.”

Guard them. Sacrifice yourself.
He had said those words too, but there was no need to speak them to his companions. It was enough to say only what was necessary.
Kale Heniatus drew a bitter smile to his lips.

“Hearing those words, I wonder why the present times come to mind.”

Ah.
A small sigh escaped from Rosalind’s lips.

The present times.
When enemies had revealed themselves, and the Continent’s situation was expected to descend into chaos.

“…Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han called out to Kale Heniatus with quite a solemn expression. Kale Heniatus let out a soft chuckle in response and met his gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No, it’s just…”

Choi Han wore an expression of uncertainty about how to respond. Kale Heniatus glanced past him and met the gaze of the Wolf Tribe boy, Rak, beside him.

“Anyway, hearing the former owner’s words made me think it would be nice if everyone stayed here.”

His expression was cynical, his tone blunt.
Yet everyone understood the meaning behind those words.

‘Protect them.’

Kale’s unspoken intention in summoning them all—a sentiment that needed no explicit words to be understood.

“…You really are something, Young Master.”

Rosalind smiled, regarding Kale with an expression of helpless affection.

‘What did I say?’

At Kale’s bewildered gaze, her smile deepened. The others reacted similarly.
Erhafen, in particular, looked at him as though he were the most unfortunate and pitiable soul alive.

“Well, regardless.”

Kale shrugged his shoulders and continued matter-of-factly.

“Difficult times lie ahead.”

The Empire was currently clashing with the Wipper Kingdom in skirmishes, preparing for full-scale warfare. Given the scale of conflict—battles over several border castles—victory or defeat would likely be decided by autumn at the latest.
The Northern Region and Dark remained quiet, as if waiting for the Empire’s war to conclude.

Time was running short.
Everyone understood this.

A soft tap.
I could see Kale’s hand resting on my shoulder. He gazed across every corner of the first floor, his hand steady upon me.
His voice, utterly devoid of pretense, filled the hall.

“I trust you.”

A brief silence descended.
I pondered this.

How many people could speak of trust so naturally, so lightly, in a moment like this?

Perhaps only Kale.
Yet I felt the firm grip of his hand on my shoulder. I sensed the weight of his heart.

Of course, Kale Heniatus simply stood as usual with his hand resting on Choi Han’s shoulder.

Then, a voice pierced through the silence that filled the hall.

“I grow stronger!”

It was Raon.
The Black Dragon flapped his wings and spoke with valor.

“Human, do not worry! When I, the great one, grow stronger, I become even greater!”

His voice rang out with unwavering confidence.
The moment Choi Han heard those words, he clenched his fists. The wolf boy Rak and the Wolf Tribe Children did the same.

For a fleeting instant, a smile crossed Kale Heniatus’s lips before vanishing. He glanced around. Among his companions’ excitement, a subtle air of resolve had taken hold.

Savoring that atmosphere, Kale Heniatus spoke softly.

“I lack the strength to fight.”
“That’s right! Weak human, don’t cough up blood for nothing and just stay still!”

Raon agreed emphatically.
The overwhelming agreement left Kale Heniatus with mixed feelings, but he spoke to his companions who were watching him, as he always did.

“Therefore, there is only one thing I can do. I will provide all the support I can for all of you.”

Raon cried out.

“I do very well even alone! That’s why I’m great!”

Ah, he kept ruining the mood.
Kale Heniatus realized that creating a solemn atmosphere was difficult because of Raon. Then Choi Han, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.

“I will grow stronger. And I will protect everyone.”

Kale Heniatus patted Choi Han’s shoulder.
Through that gesture, Choi Han could feel Kale Heniatus’s trust in him.

Clenched fists, trembling eyes, flushed faces, and sharp gazes.
Each of my companions bore the unmistakable light of determination in their eyes.
In that moment, I found myself thinking.

‘If I grow stronger, I’ll be able to protect them too.’

I had lit the spark.
And that spark burned far more intensely in my companions’ hearts than I had anticipated.

Far more intensely than I had expected.

* * *

Two days later, I stood before the Training Ground, now a whirlwind of blood and dust, and felt a wave of regret wash over me.

“Ugh!”
“Will I fall like this?”
“No! I won’t fall!”

Choi Han and Rak exchanged dialogue worthy of a shonen manga protagonist as they sparred. Rak’s berserk form was covered entirely in wounds.
Meanwhile, Choi Han had weighted metal plates strapped across his entire body as he shouted at Rak.

“Come on! If you want to grow stronger, you cannot fall!”
“Aaaahhh!”

With a battle cry that shook the air, Rak charged at Choi Han.
Similar scenes unfolded throughout the Training Ground. Everyone was training with the intensity of life-or-death combat. Blood, dust, sweat, and wounds were scattered everywhere.

‘I never intended for things to go this far.’

Their overwhelming dedication to training left me somewhat bewildered.

‘Is this even acceptable?’

At this rate, they would all become extraordinarily powerful.

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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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