Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 139

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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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At Kale’s suggestion to depart, the Crown Prince agreed, and everyone boarded the ship without delay. They then immediately stood upon the teleportation circle within the vessel.
The Lord of Ubar bowed toward the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, I wish you a safe and successful journey.”
“We shall meet again later.”

The Lord of Ubar bowed once more at the Crown Prince’s words, then offered a slight smile toward Kale. Kale returned the bow and watched as the Mage activated the teleportation.

Crackle, crackle—

The magic circle trembled finely as it began to activate.

-Human, I’m heading out too! I already told the old Golden Dragon to protect you well! See you in a bit!
-Bye!

Kale watched indifferently as Raon departed, observing the light pouring upward from the teleportation circle. Then the Crown Prince’s voice reached his ears.

“Kale Heniatus.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Do as you normally do.”
“…As I normally do?”

Crack, crackle, crackle—
The long-distance teleportation circle began to convulse violently. Rather than watching the distorting landscape as if being pulled into a whirlwind, Kale gazed at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince smiled with a knowing grin.

“Yes. You need only do as you normally do.”

Then things would naturally unfold on a grand scale, and whatever happened would turn out well. The Crown Prince left the rest unsaid.
Kale observed the Crown Prince and pondered.

‘Then I should simply remain quiet as usual.’

Sitting still without a single thought, spacing out blankly—that was Kale’s specialty.

Whoooosh!
In that instant, the distorting landscape erupted with brilliant light, obscuring Kale’s vision. Several seconds passed. Gradually, Kale could see the light beginning to fade.

And where the light had vanished.

Splash. Splash. The sound of waves crashing mingled with the salty tang that tickled my nostrils.

“Your second arrival, I see.”

I could see the Jungle Queen Ritana, her smile radiant. Crown Prince Albert stepped away from the teleportation circle and approached her.

“Your Majesty, it has been far too long.”
“We last met in the Empire, didn’t we? Crown Prince, you remain unchanged, though… you do look rather weary.”

The Crown Prince and Ritana exchanged pleasantries. I quietly retreated from the teleportation circle and surveyed my surroundings.

Ritana’s direct combat unit—her personal guard in all but name—had formed a perimeter along the coastline and stood watch. Meanwhile, mages from the Jungle were installing alarm devices toward the sky.

‘There it is.’

Though a year had passed, I gazed upon the desolate beach still ravaged by flames. At the center of the coastline stood a tent laden with all manner of magical apparatus. The sky was dark, yet several magical lanterns cast enough light to illuminate the vicinity adequately.

-Human, hello! I’m here! Did you miss me?

I gave an absent nod to Raon, though I couldn’t see him. Then I spotted a group approaching alongside the Jungle warriors.

One familiar face was among them.

-Isn’t that Rosalind’s younger brother? The one who got hit with the water bomb!

Pen, the Fourth Prince and youngest of Breck Kingdom. Our eyes met. I flashed him a grin. He flinched and turned away.

‘Rosalind isn’t here.’

Apart from Fourth Prince Pen, everyone else was unfamiliar. I quickly understood why Rosalind had not come.
Ritana’s voice reached my ears.

“Prince John of Breck Kingdom arrived first, it seems.”

John, the First Prince of Breck Kingdom.
He appeared utterly unremarkable. He led the Breck Kingdom contingent as they approached.
Rosalind had likely abstained from this conference to lend her support to John.

‘Hm?’

John offered Kale a gentle smile. When the First Prince of Breck Kingdom suddenly smiled, Kale reflexively returned a noble’s smile reserved for outsiders.
John, who had drawn closer, opened his mouth.

“I’m delighted we’ve gathered like this.”

His voice was utterly ordinary. Yet the problem lay in the fact that his unremarkable gaze was directed at me.

“And who might this be?”

At John’s question, I realized it was my turn to speak and opened my mouth.

I had wanted to introduce myself: It’s an honor to meet you. I am Kale Heniatus, a noble from a small fiefdom in the north of the Roan Kingdom.

But someone beat me to it.
But someone opened their mouth faster than Kale Heniatus and introduced him.

“It’s the treasure of our kingdom.”

It was Crown Prince Albert.

“…Do as you normally would?”

Ritana’s voice, unusually weighted, brightened considerably.
Ritana’s voice, which had been somewhat heavier than usual, became noticeably brighter.

“Furthermore, this person is a benefactor to our Jungle. I have never encountered anyone so virtuous, so courteous, and so devoted to the responsibilities and duties of nobility.”

Good heavens.
I swallowed hard at Ritana’s praise. I pretended not to notice the Crown Prince’s gaze—the look that seemed to say this was absolute nonsense.

-Well, I suppose you weak humans do have your virtues.

I ignored Raon’s remark. I decided it was time for me to speak. Everyone had introduced me in their own way, but none had mentioned my name.

I opened my mouth.

I am Kale Heniatus. It is an honor to meet you.

I had intended to say that.

“So you’re that Kale Heniatus.”

But John Prince was faster. Kale wasn’t surprised that John knew his name. However, the word “that” in “that Kale Heniatus” caught my attention.

“I’ve heard much about you from Crown Prince Albert, the Queen, and my sister. Pen speaks of you often as well. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The honor is mine.”

Kale grasped the hand John extended and offered a respectful greeting. I tried to withdraw my hand quickly, but John Prince continued to hold it.
Our eyes met.

“My sister seems happy. Thank you for that.”

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly.

-Human! This fellow seems far better than that Pen or Ben or whatever his name is!

I finally understood why Rosalind held First Prince John in such high regard.
Just then, a crackling sound emanated from the teleportation circle.
The final guest had arrived.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the circle. Kale released John’s hand and fixed my eyes on the formation, and soon three figures materialized in a brilliant flash of light.

Herrol Codian.
Chief of Staff of the Wipper Kingdom Army. He emerged from the radiance. On either side of him stood Tunka’s subordinates.
Herrol bowed to those regarding him.

“I am Herrol, Chief of Staff, here as General Tunka’s representative.”

They were faces already seen at the festival held in the Empire. After all, Herrol had always stood beside General Tunka.
Herrol exchanged greetings with each person before finally standing before Kale. First Prince John, standing beside Kale, gestured toward me to Herrol.

“Chief of Staff, this is your first time meeting Prince Kale, is it not?”

He spoke with formal courtesy to Herrol, who had come as a representative of a kingdom. Such courtesy was possible because this was a gathering for harmony, not conflict.

“No, I know him.”
“Ah? You’re acquainted?”

John didn’t know what lay between Kale and Tunka. But he could see that Herrol Codian wore a smile brimming with genuine warmth—not the perfunctory expression of a bureaucrat.

“Yes, Kale is someone I deeply respect.”

A soft exclamation escaped John’s lips.
Kale regarded his own hand with an uncertain gaze. Herrol Codian greeted Kale with evident delight.

“My lord, it has been far too long. It feels as though I’m seeing an old friend after years apart.”
“…It’s good to see you, Herrol Codian.”
“My lord, please speak to me as you normally would.”
“…Very well.”

I gave a curt nod and quickly withdrew my hand from his. At the same moment, I caught sight of Tunka’s subordinates who had arrived with Herrol Codian.

“Greetings, my lord!”
“My lord, how do you do!”

The massive tribal warriors spread their shoulders wide and bowed deeply from the waist with tremendous vigor. I glanced at Herrol Codian.

“General Tunka instructed us to show proper courtesy to his friend.”

Watching Herrol Codian smile with the composure of a devoted scholar, I inwardly clicked my tongue. Then my gaze fell upon the Crown Prince’s face.
Alberu regarded the scene with an expression of utter exasperation.

Yet he soon drew everyone’s attention and spoke.

“Let us begin at once. The night grows short.”

The talks had to conclude before this night slipped away.
Jungle Queen Ritana gestured toward the tent, and the leaders from Wipper, Breck, and Roan—each accompanied by a single escort—proceeded toward it.

I stepped back and watched them depart. Raon’s voice echoed in my mind.

-Weak human, aren’t you going?

Why would I?
I had other matters to attend to. Besides, what purpose would my presence serve in a conversation where the fate of nations hung in the balance?

And truthfully, the broad framework of these negotiations was already settled. I had no desire to sit through tedious discussions where they would smile and probe for minor advantages while entangling themselves in complex rhetoric.

‘The Crown Prince will handle it well on his own anyway.’

I thought that as merely the provider of the meeting venue, if I simply kept quiet and made myself small, who would even notice me?
Yes, that was certainly what I believed.

“Kale Heniatus.”

Yet the Crown Prince called for me.

“Yes?”
“Aren’t you coming in?”

The Crown Prince, wearing a radiant public-facing smile, gestured with his eyes for me to come quickly.

-See! Human, I knew you’d call him!

I swallowed the sigh that threatened to escape. Rather than entering from the tent entrance, I approached the Crown Prince who waited for me. We exchanged looks and smiled with complete trust. I murmured very quietly, like a ventriloquist.
The two of them looked at each other with smiles full of trust. Kale murmured very quietly, as if he were doing ventriloquism.

“You said to act normally?”
“Yeah. Stand behind me and act like usual.”

With those words, the Crown Prince swiftly entered the tent, and I turned back without following. Erhafen stood like a loyal guard knight.

“Hafen.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Guard right in front of the entrance. When I call, come in quickly, alright?”
“…Yes, understood.”

Pat, pat. I tapped Erhafen’s shoulder encouragingly as if cheering on his guard duty, then entered the tent. Erhafen watched my departure with an odd feeling in his chest.
Though the relationship between lord and guard was certainly correct and I was performing my role properly, something felt off.

He didn’t notice the transparent Raon hurriedly following me into the tent, his gaze fixed on Erhafen. Raon looked at Erhafen as one might regard a very reliable guard.

* * *

I stood behind Crown Prince Alberu and reflected.

‘I should have known this would happen.’

Nearly an hour had passed, yet the negotiations remained stalled.

They had all agreed on the necessity of vigilance against the Empire and the Northern 3 Nations, and on strengthening mutual cooperation. John from Breck spoke first.

“According to reliable sources, the Northern 3 Nations will soon complete their shipbuilding efforts along the Eastern Coast. With summer nearly finished, they will have assembled both their naval forces and vessels by autumn. They won’t move from the north during winter, but come spring, they will invade immediately. Therefore, both the Roan Kingdom and we must prepare our defenses accordingly.”

Herrol Codian from Wipper spoke.

“However, we must first concern ourselves with the Empire. Though they do not currently employ dead mana bombs, we cannot know when they might. Should we not seize this opportunity to neutralize their strength?”
“I agree with that sentiment. Neutralizing the Empire’s power must come first.”

Ritana from the Jungle affirmed Herrol’s words and added her own.

“And we must establish measures to restrict their alchemy.”
“So then.”

Herrol Codian tapped the negotiation table with his finger as he spoke.

“Should we not first ensure that we are able to achieve victory?”

Ritana and John fell silent for a moment.
Ultimately, Wipper was asking for support to ensure their own victory in their conflict with the Empire. Yet if Wipper achieved a decisive victory, that would prove equally problematic.

The Breck Kingdom had been increasing its number of Mages through cooperation with Roan in this endeavor. In such circumstances, even with current cooperation, they could not afford to strengthen the magic-despising Wipper Kingdom excessively.

The Jungle shared no borders with Roan or Breck. Wipper was their only connection, and if Wipper became too powerful, their inherently aggressive nature might lead them to wage yet another war. The Jungle desired peace above all.

During a moment of silence, Ritana found herself noticing that one particular person had been remarkably quiet.

The true architect of this negotiation.
Alberu of the Roan Kingdom.
He had been far too silent.

Ritana was not alone in sensing this. Her gaze, along with those of John and Herrol Codian, turned toward one side of the table.
Herrol Codian’s mouth opened.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince has had nothing to say.”

Golden hair and blue eyes. Crown Prince Albert, whose very name seemed to suit him perfectly, offered a gentle smile.
Tap. Tap. Tap. His index finger drummed against the table.

He was waiting.
Albert’s lips parted slowly.

“I have much I wish to say.”

Tap. His index finger remained motionless against the table. Albert spoke.

“Lord Kale Heniatus, do you have nothing to say?”

At Albert’s sudden, composed inquiry directed at Kale, all eyes naturally turned toward him. And they beheld Kale, who appeared even more composed than Albert—or rather, more unhurried.

Though he surely knew that every gaze had shifted to him, save for Albert’s back before him, the words that flowed from Kale’s lips remained perfectly serene.

“I have nothing in particular to say.”

It was the truth.
I had nothing to say. Instead, I gazed at the pocket watch hanging from the tent’s frame.
Then Raon’s voice resonated in my mind.

-Human, they arrive.

A smile bloomed at the corners of my lips.

“They will arrive soon.”

At the words spoken from behind him, a smile graced Albert’s lips.
The moment they had awaited was drawing near.

“Arrive, you say?”

Ritana turned to look at Kale with a puzzled expression. The others felt the same.
Then it happened.

Whiiiiiing— Whiiing—

A magical alarm sounded.
The expressions of those seated at the table shifted.

Fluttering.
Simultaneously, the tent flap burst open as a Jungle warrior rushed in. Ritana’s voice cut through sharply.

“What is the matter?”
“Your Majesty. The alarm we installed in the sea has been triggered.”

The magical alarm device positioned several hundred meters offshore—it had activated.
Something was approaching in this direction.

Dismay settled across Ritana’s face.

“What vessel? Are any national flags visible? What is its scale?”

Questions poured from her lips, and Breck’s Prince John rose from his seat. His guards immediately pressed close to his side. Meanwhile, Herrol Codian turned his gaze toward me.
In that chaotic moment, the warrior’s voice rang out.

“It is not a vessel.”
“If not a vessel, then what are you saying?”
“It is… whales!”

Silence fell suddenly over the previously frantic tent.

Whiiiiiing—
The magical alarm continued to wail.
Through it, the warrior cried out.

“Massive whales are approaching!”

A voice followed in response.
It was I.

“They have finally arrived.”

Fluttering.
I walked toward the tent entrance and drew back the fabric. The sea near the coastline came into view. Warriors had formed positions near the shoreline, their gazes fixed upon the Night Sea.

Whoooosh, whoooosh—

Two enormous whales and one smaller whale cut through the darkened sea, drawing closer.

Screeeech.
The sound of a chair scraping against the ground echoed through the tent.

Crown Prince Albert rose to his feet. He gazed at the assembled people within the tent and spoke.

“The Empire and the Northern 3 Nations. There is one more Secret Organization cooperating with them.”

What?
What did he say?

In the midst of the chaos, the sudden deluge of information left everyone bewildered. Herrol Codian, who had been silent, cried out in shock.

“What are you saying?”
“Crown Prince, a Secret Organization?”

John also voiced his doubts. The whales were not the issue. Yet to all their questions, the Crown Prince pointed toward the entrance outside.
Following his gesture, everyone’s gaze turned toward the coastline.

Shhhhiiiiek—
Steam rose from the massive humpback whale at the forefront.
In the same instant, a figure burst forth from where the steam had dissipated, leaping effortlessly over the warriors stationed along the shore.

“What?”

With the startled cry of a warrior, a figure descended upon the coastline.
With a light tap, the newcomer swept back their blue hair.

“…Could it be the Whale Tribe?”

Someone murmured.

The Whale Tribe.
The strongest of the demi-human races, yet a species one could scarcely hope to glimpse in a lifetime. That very race now materialized in everyone’s minds.

Within the tent, which had fallen silent at the arrival of this unexpected figure, a single voice broke the stillness.

“Witira, it has been quite some time.”

Kale Heniatus stepped outside the tent entrance.
Witira of the Whale Tribe, Paseton, and Orca Archie.

The three had appeared at the coastline.
Witira, standing at the forefront, greeted them with a smile.

“It has been a long time, Your Highness.”

Kale nodded at her greeting and turned his gaze toward Crown Prince Albert inside the tent.

“As Your Highness commanded, I have invited the heir of the Whale Tribe.”

Albert and Kale exchanged glances, their smiles deepening.

A conference between four nations and one tribe.
The grand framework could only proceed according to Albert and Kale’s designs.

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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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