Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 133

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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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Something had changed about these guys.
Kale Heniatus sat on a bench near the Fountain, quietly surveying the Training Ground.

First, there was Choi Han.

“….”

He sat cross-legged atop a boulder with his eyes closed in meditation. A black aura rippled from his body.

Like some martial arts master.
Kale opened his mouth.

“Hans, how many hours has that guy been training now?”
“Nineteen hours, Young Master. Surely you must be proud? Ah, such dedication!”

…Not at all.
It was more frightening than anything else.
Kale turned his head. His eyes met Hans’s.

“…How much longer are you planning to keep this up?”
“Who knows?”

Choi Han had been training Hans lately as well. Since he was always around the Mansion, he needed to at least know the basics of defense.

‘But to make him hold a horse stance like that—’

I could see Hans’s legs trembling violently. Sensing my gaze, Hans offered an awkward smile.

“Haha, but Young Master, I will surely grow stronger and protect you. Isn’t that a butler’s duty?”
“…Yes. I believe in you.”

Kale had nothing else to say, so he answered as such.

“Yes! I won’t let you down!”

Hans’s spirited response echoed out. Kale simply turned his gaze elsewhere. Then another sight came into view.

Next to the Mansion, a stone pillar wrapped tightly in chains. Erhafen stood near that pillar. Kale found it strange that Raon wasn’t with Erhafen as he’d expected.
As if sensing that question, Erhafen answered clearly.

‘If you just show a dragon the path, he goes his own way. That’s how dragons are.’

Raon was currently training on the 5th Floor in my room. Since it was training that didn’t involve breaking things, I’d given him the 5th Floor.

‘Human, I will undergo my first growth before autumn arrives. You will always know of my greatness, but you will come to understand it even more profoundly!’

Raon was brimming with confidence. I recalled the sight of the Black Dragon flying confidently toward the 5th Floor and swallowed a sigh. Then a pleased smile bloomed across my lips.

It was because of the scene before me.

Meow meow meow.
Meow meow meow.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Hong, still just a kitten, and On, who would soon enter her growth phase. The two cats crept closer to Erhafen’s side and rubbed against him.

The ancient dragon pretended not to notice while clearing his throat repeatedly, but his lips were gradually curling upward. I watched and thought to myself.

‘He’ll teach On and Hong as well.’

I remembered what Erhafen had said in passing.

‘He said On and Hong are purebloods but mutations, didn’t he.’

Erhafen seemed to possess considerable knowledge about the feline race. Well, what would an ancient dragon who’d lived nearly a thousand years not know? It seemed best to entrust the feline children, who lacked information, to Erhafen.

‘And the Blue Werewolf Tribe children as well.’

I glanced toward one side of the Training Ground.

“Gaaahhh!”
“Gaahhh!”
“Eeeek!”

The Wolf Tribe children were undergoing grueling training, each letting out bloodcurdling screams. Several of them were approaching the time of their first transformation. When that happened, they would grow even stronger.

‘Rak is sparring with Vicross and Ron.’

Kale Heniatus gazed blankly at the Wolf Tribe Children, who were training with the fervor of protagonists in a coming-of-age drama. At that moment, someone approached his side.

“Prince Kale.”
“Rosalind.”

Rosalind glanced at Hans before approaching the bench and sitting beside Kale. She surveyed the training ground and opened her mouth.

“Everyone is working hard.”
“Indeed. Impressive, isn’t it? How are your studies progressing, Rosalind?”

Kale’s gaze turned toward Rosalind. She was currently focused on her research—a mage who stood merely one step away from reaching the highest tier.

“Adequately. Having the finest teachers certainly helps.”

Rosalind smiled knowingly. With Raon and Erhafen present, she had no need to ask directly for instruction; there was plenty to absorb by observation alone. Being the brilliant woman she was, she made excellent use of every moment.
Because she was sharp-witted, she was making good use of this moment.

“Indeed. Truly exceptional teachers.”

Kale nodded and continued. The pleasantries were finished; now came the real matter.

“Have you heard from Tasha?”

The Dark Elf Tasha was on her way here with Merry. The moment Merry arrived, Kale would need to move again.

“Yes. And Tasha and I have another message to convey.”
“Another message?”

Kale’s expression shifted subtly.
Tasha was the Crown Prince’s messenger, and Rosalind was essentially Breck’s voice.
There was only one reason both would bring word simultaneously.
Kale’s lips parted.

“Everyone is gathering, then?”
“…I knew you would see through it immediately, Prince.”

Rosalind smiled and nodded, continuing her words.

“Breck, the Roan Kingdom, and the Jungle have all agreed to participate in the conference. However, a problem has arisen.”
“…The Wipper Kingdom hasn’t responded?”

The Wipper Kingdom, one of the conference’s key participants, hadn’t been mentioned. It was clear the problem lay with them.

The Wipper Kingdom was essential to this conference. Kale Heniatus could have managed without them, but with the Wipper Kingdom’s participation, the Empire’s path to the Eastern Coast would be completely sealed.
Not only would it block the Empire’s access to the Eastern Continent, but it would also grant the Whale Tribe far greater freedom of movement.

“No, the Wipper Kingdom has responded. General Tunka answered directly.”

In the Wipper Kingdom, Tunka’s word was essentially the kingdom’s will. Of course, Herrol Codian stood beside him as chief strategist.

“What did he say?”
“The Crown Prince.”
“Pardon?”
“He wishes to speak with the Crown Prince.”
“…Tunka wants to?”
“Yes.”

Why me?
Kale Heniatus’s confusion was written plainly across his face. But Rosalind wore an enigmatic smile. From her perspective, Tunka’s request made perfect sense.

‘Tunka and Herrol haven’t had meaningful contact with the Roan Kingdom or any other kingdom. In such circumstances, observing the world through someone trustworthy is a reasonable approach.’

Among people from Roan, Kale Heniatus was likely the only one Tunka truly trusted.
Just as the Jungle Queen had entrusted the beginning of this matter to Kale Heniatus.

Rosalind spoke to the bewildered Kale Heniatus.

“We could establish a video connection right away. What would you like to do?”
“Very well.”

Kale Heniatus rose from his seat. His legs felt slightly numb. He’d woken early due to the ear-splitting roars from training that began before dawn, and with nothing else to do, he’d spent the entire time watching the training from the bench.

It was like watching a shounen manga or a coming-of-age drama—quite entertaining, actually.

“…Crown Prince, are your legs alright?”
“I’ve been sitting for so long they’ve gone numb. It seems I’m growing weaker as time goes on.”

Should I stretch morning and night? That’s such a hassle.
Kale Heniatus loosened his legs with a reluctant expression. Rosalind’s voice reached his ears.

“You have no idea how much strength your presence gives us, Young Master.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing.”

Rosalind shook her head and smiled at Kale Heniatus as if it were unimportant. She surveyed the Training Ground. Everyone was glancing at Kale Heniatus, whether consciously or not. Since early dawn, Kale Heniatus had been sitting on a bench, watching the training except during meals.
She looked around the Training Ground. Everyone was glancing at Kale Heniatus, knowingly or unknowingly. Kale had been sitting on a bench since early dawn, watching the training except during mealtimes.

Everyone knows.

And so they also knew that Kale Heniatus had nothing left to train.
So she also knew that Kale had nothing left to train.

That’s why all of Kale Heniatus’s colleagues fully understood how he felt as he sat on the bench watching their training. So the Training Ground was filled with energetic shouts that never ceased.

Let’s go.

Kale pointed toward the Mansion, and Rosalind followed behind him.

Kale Heniatus flinched. Another round of thunderous shouts erupted. He thought it rather terrifying and hurried toward the Mansion.
Kale Heniatus flinched. Loud shouts rang out again. Thinking it truly terrifying, he quickly headed toward the Mansion.

* * *

It was Kale Heniatus’s first time facing Tunka through a video communication channel.

It’s been a long time.

It was unexpected.

-Yes.
Okay.

Herrol also showed no subordinates. Tunka was facing Kale alone.

“Well, I understand why there aren’t many people around since it would be bad if it was discovered that you’re carrying a video communication device.”

To use the Video Communication Room, a Mage is required.
The Mage sent by the Crown Prince and the Video Communication Room he carried—currently, the Wipper Kingdom was using it to maintain contact with other kingdoms.
The matter was urgent enough to warrant such measures.

Both Herrol Codian and Tunka possessed that level of flexibility.
Yet it was strange that Tunka stood here alone now, without Herrol Codian or even a single advisor present.

Tunka’s face appeared clearly on the screen unfolded above the Video Communication Room.
Kale Heniatus’s eyes narrowed subtly.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

At Kale Heniatus’s words, Tunka hesitated slightly.

Tunka’s complexion was indeed poor.

Currently, the Imperial Army and the Wiper Army were engaged only in minor skirmishes and probing attacks at the Border.
The Wipper Kingdom had no intention of breaching the Border to march on the Imperial Capital itself; they were targeting only a few Castles near the Border, yet the fighting was proceeding less vigorously than expected.

Kale Heniatus, who would have thought such a thing impossible given Tunka’s nature, could infer much from his complexion.

‘The reason this brute is so downcast is obvious.’

Kale Heniatus opened his mouth, watching Tunka struggle for words.

“Did you find a traitor?”

Tunka flinched, then his expression twisted in anguish.

-Yes.
“If you’re like this, it must be one of your direct subordinates.”
-…Yes.

Kale Heniatus recalled Tunka’s trusted aides.
Pelia, his left arm so to speak, excelled with the spear and strategy. And Hota, his right arm, was formidable in combat, comparable to Tunka himself.

-…I never thought Hota would be that kind of man.

Tunka spoke as if venting his anguish.

To fall for the Empire’s scheme! I never imagined that bastard was after my position!

Tunka’s hands trembled with betrayal. Simultaneously, a hollow emptiness washed over him.

He wanted to voice this anguish to someone. And Kale came to mind.

Herrol Codian had uncovered the traitor. How he discovered it, Tunka didn’t know. But he found that Hota carried a magical device—not a video communication apparatus, but something that transmitted signals in a similar manner.

Tunka relayed this entire sequence to Kale as a lament.
Listening to this, Kale clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘The Empire didn’t realize Herrol was a half-baked Mage capable of sensing mana.’

That’s why both the Empire and Hota had acted so boldly.
But there was no way Herrol wouldn’t sense Hota carrying a magical device.

—So last night. Last night, I executed Hota.

Kale finally understood why Tunka had been sluggish in his attacks against the Empire.

“You discovered the betrayal earlier than yesterday, didn’t you?”
—…I found out a week ago.

He had agonized over it.
Kale realized that Tunka had wrestled with the matter of Hota, which was why the Wipper Kingdom’s side had shown such passive resistance.

—I believed that at least Hota and the Tribal Warriors would share my convictions. After all the trust I placed in them.

Tunka lowered his gaze from Kale, looking down at his own hands.
He was the one who had severed Hota’s neck. It had felt necessary.
Then Kale’s voice reached his ears.

“You must have suffered greatly. You’ve done well.”

Tunka’s fists clenched slightly at those words. No one had ever told him—a general—that he had done well.
Kale continued.

“Because of you, countless soldiers have lived.”

It was true.
Kale wanted to give Tunka considerable credit for not acting on emotion.

Tunka slowly lifted his head.
Beyond the Video Communication Room, their gazes collided. Kale spoke with his characteristic leisurely smile.

“And you trusted my words. You trusted me enough to instruct Herrol to find the traitor, didn’t you?”

Kale had anticipated that Tunka would trust him and act this way, but experiencing it firsthand felt oddly peculiar.

“I’m quite grateful that you trusted my words.”

Kale spoke casually, but his words resonated deeply in Tunka’s ears. Simultaneously, the face of Hota, the traitor, surfaced in his mind.
However, Kale’s following words erased Hota’s image.

“But don’t trust me. I’m not on your side. I’m not a good person either.”

Kale spoke the truth to Tunka, who was watching him.
He was not on Tunka’s side.

Now I hope this war ends with the Wipper Kingdom’s victory, but I don’t hope for a complete triumph.
Roan, Breck, the Jungle, and Wipper. If the Wipper Kingdom achieves a decisive victory against the Empire in this situation, the balance of power becomes quite precarious.
That’s why I hoped for a moderate victory.

‘A person with such thoughts isn’t a good person, is he?’

Kale thought it was time to end the video communication.

“Tunka, you don’t look like yourself right now. Weren’t you going to sweep away the Empire?”

Tunka’s eyebrows twitched as he stared blankly at Kale.

—…That’s right. I should sweep them away.

The Empire was detestable.
Tunka despised the Empire all the more.
Tunka’s pupils regained their original fierce light. Kale spoke to him.

“Live as yourself.”

In my own way.
Tunka’s lips curled upward gradually, and his characteristically bold smile—simple enough to seem unaffected—bloomed across his face.
He rose from his seat.

-That’s right. Let me live in my own way.

Tunka spoke thus and looked toward Kale Heniatus. Kale Heniatus nodded.
Tunka’s smile deepened. In that moment, Kale Heniatus offered one more remark, his voice still detached.

“Still, try to look after your soldiers a bit. Perhaps because I’m weak myself, but seeing weak people die pains me.”

Tunka pondered those words.

‘Not a good person, you say?’

This fellow?
Tunka resolved once more to live by his own way. His way had never concerned itself with the weak.

Yet Tunka answered.

-I’ll think about it.

Kale Heniatus flinched slightly.
Think about it? Tunka would actually think?

He had expected Tunka to either dismiss his words outright or refuse them flatly. Whether Kale Heniatus was surprised or not, Tunka left one final remark and signaled the end of the video communication.

-Herrol Codian will attend the negotiations in my stead.

Kale Heniatus nodded at that response.
Wipper Kingdom would participate in the negotiations as well.

And Herrol Codian was suitable enough.
Though war raged, Herrol Codian held his position as chief strategist more for his symbolic role leading the non-mage forces alongside Tunka than for his tactical prowess, so his temporary absence would cause no real problem.

“All right. You’ve worked hard—get some proper rest.”
-Kahahaha, proper rest? Yes, understood.

Suddenly Tunka burst into hearty laughter. Kale Heniatus furrowed his brow at the extreme shift in demeanor. Regardless, Tunka left a final greeting and severed the video communication.

See you next time.

Kale Heniatus stared at the severed video communication line, his thoughts churning.

‘See me next time? For what?’

He had no desire to see that again.
Kale Heniatus exhaled a weary sigh and leaned back against the sofa’s armrest. In that moment, a knock sounded at the Video Communication Room door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Young Master Kale.”

It was Rosalind. Her voice continued.

“Tasha and Merry have arrived.”

Kale Heniatus rose from his seat.
It was time to face the half-baked Saint and the false Saint.

Click.
The door opened, and Kale Heniatus came face to face with Rosalind.

“…Young Master.”
“Rosalind, what’s the matter?”

Rosalind could see Kale Heniatus wearing a sinister smile. Though she didn’t understand why, Rosalind smiled as well.
She wore a smile remarkably similar to his.

“Complete your task safely and return.”
“Thank you. With your words, I’m sure it will go well.”

Then, Raon descended from the 5th Floor.

“Human, human! Huh?”

Raon spoke upon seeing the smiles on Kale Heniatus and Rosalind’s faces.

“What are you two plotting with those grins, human?”

What was he doing?
Kale Heniatus had no intention of doing anything special.

“I’m simply going to heal the sick.”

However, no one—not even Raon—believed those words.

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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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