Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 159

—————

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

—————

The Sun Palace.
A name bestowed upon it for embodying the radiant brilliance of sunlight itself.

A corner of the grand hall on the first floor of the banquet venue.
I stood near a table laden with countless desserts.

-Human! There’s so much delicious food! I wish our family could come too!

Gulp, gulp. The sound of Raon swallowing echoed through my mind.

-I wish the Golden Dragon Grandfather could come too!

Unfortunately, I hadn’t brought Choi Han and Erhaben with me. Erhaben was resting, claiming fatigue.

‘Choi Han is problematic because of the Sword Master.’

My gaze turned toward a particular person.

A middle-aged man laughing at the center of the banquet hall alongside Crown Prince Adin.
The pinnacle of Imperial swordsmanship, known as the Knight of the Sun.

Hutten.
He had reached the Sword Master realm roughly a decade ago, and despite his middle-aged appearance, he was actually in his mid-to-late sixties.

‘Choi Han is stronger than Hutten, but a Sword Master’s keen aura sense might detect Choi Han’s true abilities.’

Even among Sword Masters, Choi Han stood several tiers above Hutten.
Choi Han was an existence capable of challenging a Dragon.

Raon’s voice reached me, as if he’d noticed my gaze settling on Hutten.

-That swordsman is slightly stronger than the mage Rosalind! But compared to the great me, he’s incredibly weak!

That’s right. He’s weaker than our Raon.
Unless Raon openly used magic or revealed his presence by channeling his mana the way he did with Choi Han and Rosalind, Hutten would never detect Raon’s existence.

‘Regardless of that though.’

So the author is the Vice-Captain of the Alchemy Tower?

The Empire had gathered quite a few renowned figures for its first banquet since the war.
My gaze turned toward Metelona, the Vice-Captain of the Alchemy Tower.

A woman in her fifties dressed in robes, standing beside the Crown Prince. She appeared to be enjoying this moment with a bright smile.

Hutten and Metelona.
Few dared approach the Crown Prince with those two at his side.

‘So those two are Adin’s strength.’

Before such a Crown Prince stood Crown Prince Albert, accompanied by several administrators from the Roan Kingdom.

I naturally had no desire to join that crowd, so I retreated to a corner the moment I entered the banquet hall.

-Human, just one more cake under the table!

I casually grabbed a strawberry cake plate and slipped it beneath the tablecloth where no one could see. Raon immediately devoured it.

‘That’s right—he needs to eat well to work.’

I fed Raon generously. Soon enough, he would be the one searching for the divine item alongside me.

I surveyed my surroundings.

The Sun Palace had three floors total, with the space open up to the second floor’s height. A terrace was formed on the second floor. The third floor, I’d been told, was reserved for distinguished guests’ conversations.

‘They said the third floor wouldn’t be opened today.’

My eyes shifted to the knights stationed throughout the first floor.
Armored knights stood rigid at each of the east and west entrances, guarding the doorways. Imperial knights in uniform were positioned at various points along the hall’s walls.

Knights from the Roan Kingdom were naturally stationed in one section of the hall as well.

Though the arrangement appeared loose, the knights’ aura made them anything but easy opponents.

‘That one’s here too.’

A Cat Tribe Knight with crimson hair.
He stood pressed against the wall on the northern side, his gaze fixed intently on the Crown Prince. His eyes were sharp and piercing, radiating a powerful resolve to block any approach by strangers.

I turned my gaze away from the Cat Tribe Knight, who appeared even sharper than the other knights.

‘Time to go stealing—no, gathering.’

The Sun’s Condemnation, which should be in the Garden of the Sun.
I slowly withdrew from the dessert table. My steps directed toward the second floor. I moved with unhurried composure, observing my surroundings carefully.

“Ah, Your Highness!”

A refreshing voice.
My eyes met those of Crown Prince Adin, who wore an affable smile.

‘Damn it.’

I cursed inwardly. Yet I approached the Crown Prince and his entourage with an elegant smile on my face.
The Crown Prince immediately posed a question upon seeing me draw near.

“Your Highness, how was your time in the Empire?”
“I was delighted to spend such a meaningful time in the Empire.”

The Roan Kingdom’s field investigation team had gained nothing. Yet the Crown Prince seemed pleased that I spoke of it as meaningful nonetheless, and he gestured toward me before Sword Master Hutten.

“Duke, this is His Highness Kale Heniatus, a hero of the Roan Kingdom.”
“So you are the nobleman who prevented the terrorist attack.”

Sword Master Hutten, the Duke, regarded me with a satisfied smile. I bowed my head slightly in acknowledgment. Crown Prince Alberu then patted my shoulder.

“A talent who has inherited the spirit of the Roan Kingdom.”

Crown Prince Adin chimed in agreement.

“You will surely become a magnificent talent.”

The administrators of the Roan Kingdom’s diplomatic delegation followed suit, praising me as a person of rare integrity and righteousness.
I simply smiled as I listened to this absurd conversation unfolding around me.

At that moment, Raon’s voice rang out.

-Wrong! The weak human is weak, but he is already excellent enough! I acknowledge him!

I nearly burst out laughing.
I stifled the urge, but in that moment, my eyes met someone else’s gaze.

The Cat Tribe Knight.
He was staring at me intently. I turned my gaze away nonchalantly, and in doing so, my eyes met those of Metelona, the Vice-Captain of the Alchemy Tower.

She wore a benevolent smile, and I offered a humble one in return.

Warmth and harmony.
It was the word that could describe this banquet gathering people from the Empire and the Roan Kingdom.

The leaders where I now stood, as well as people from various fields scattered throughout the banquet hall, were enjoying the year’s final celebration in a warm atmosphere.

But I knew the truth beneath the surface.

Slaves had been supplied from Duke Hutten’s territory—the one who gazed at me with such satisfaction—and those slaves had entered the Alchemy Tower through the approval of Vice-Captain Metelona, who smiled so kindly.

“I hope you continue to hold onto that spirit and become a wonderful noble.”
“Yes! I will become such a person!”

Duke Hutten of the Mogur Empire and the young noble Kale Heniatus of the Roan Kingdom.
The exchange between the two brightened the atmosphere of the banquet hall. However, Duke Hutten noticed that my expression was not good.

“I hope I haven’t said something burdensome. Your expression doesn’t look well.”

At his concerned question, I let bitterness show on my face.

“Recently, while conducting a thorough investigation with all my effort, my physical condition has deteriorated somewhat.”
“I see.”

The Vice-Captain expressed sympathy.
I smiled apologetically, as if sorry for dampening the mood in such a setting.

“My apologies. I should be enjoying myself and blending in at an occasion like this. I am naturally weak-bodied, and this time I had harbored expectations, thinking I could finally resolve the Roan Kingdom’s grievances, so I was clumsy in hiding my emotions.”
“Not at all, not in the slightest.”

Duke Hutten offered comfort to this righteous nobleman.

“Someday, we too and the Roan Kingdom will surely uncover the truth and apprehend the culprits. Crown Prince, is that not so?”
“Of course, it must be done. But it seems Kale Heniatus has rather frail health?”

At Adin’s subtle inquiry, I nodded with a solemn expression.

“Yes. I underwent recuperation following the Capital terror incident as well.”
“Our Kale Heniatus does have delicate health. Truly regrettable.”

Crown Prince Alberu chimed in agreement thereafter.
Adin wore a peculiar expression before speaking gently to me.

“One cannot detain someone in poor health for long. Enjoy the banquet at your leisure. Do converse with our Empire’s promising young talents as well.”
“Thank you. Then I shall take my leave.”

I withdrew from their midst, maintaining courtesy to the end while embodying a disheartened righteous nobleman.

‘How exhausting.’

A sudden wave of irritation and fatigue washed over me.
I longed to return home, collapse onto my bed, and sprawl about without restraint.

Yet I restrained myself, exchanged pleasantries with several Imperial nobles in the banquet hall, and when the festive atmosphere seemed to reach its peak, I made my way to the second-floor Terrace.

Numerous terraces lined the corridor that ran along the wall.
I unlocked the door handle of the most secluded Terrace.

Click.
With a soft sound, I stepped onto the Terrace and locked the door behind me from within.

“I feel alive again.”

A crisp winter breeze swept across my cheek.
Simultaneously, the Garden of the Sun came into view.

The Garden of the Sun, originally renowned for shining brilliantly even at night.
Yet in the aftermath of war, its elaborate nocturnal illuminations remained unlit.

However, only the magical lights near the Fountain were lit in commemoration of the banquet, illuminating the beautiful Fountain sculptures and various corners of the garden.

‘Should I take a look?’

I loosened my body slightly. That was when it happened.

Tap, tap.

A knocking sound came from the Terrace window. I swept aside the curtain covering the Terrace window and opened the door.

“Vice-Captain.”
“Young master.”

I gave instructions to Hilsman, who had arrived at the agreed location.

“Keep a sharp watch.”
“Yes, sir! You can count on me!”
“Good.”

At Hilsman’s spirited response, I glanced around. Since the banquet had just begun, no one had come to the Terrace yet.

Whoooosh—

A faint breeze stirred. Hilsman concealed the Terrace window with the curtain’s edge and stood like a stone statue, surveying the surroundings.

Tap.
I lightly leaped onto the Terrace railing and flashed Hilsman a sly smile.

“I’ll be back soon.”

With a whisper of wind, my figure vanished from the Terrace.

And I soon appeared in a shadowed corner of the Garden of the Sun.

-Human, there are no guards nearby.

I brushed the leaves clinging to my body away and listened carefully to Raon’s words about the patrol routes. I removed the cumbersome brooch and handkerchief and stuffed them into my pocket.

Whoooosh—

A wisp of wind spiraled across my palm. I moved in the direction it indicated, my outward appearance leisurely like a nobleman taking a stroll, yet my steps remained deliberate and concealed.

I recalled the contents of the diary. There had been much more written after what Raon had read to me from the Spire Tower.

【Divine relics reveal their power only to those acknowledged by the divine. A corrupted Religious Order can never use them.】
【Foolish creatures won’t even recognize a divine relic when they see one.】

【Everything is so worn and broken! How could those without divine power ever perceive its existence!】
【For a thousand years, ten thousand years! It will remain buried beneath the Imperial Palace!】

Yet unfortunately, there existed a being capable of recognizing divine relics even without divine power.
The Thief. The former master of Wind’s Sound could do so.

‘How remarkable that ancient power took on the nature of its master.’

I moved according to the guidance of Wind’s Sound.
The Garden of the Sun. Even in the dead of night, I traversed the vast, labyrinthine expanse with swift efficiency.

Swish, swish, swish—
Leaves brushed past my rapidly moving form.
Then, Raon’s voice reached me.

-Human! Is this really the right direction?

I stopped in my tracks.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My racing heart announced that I had reached my destination.

-Human! Why are we going near the trash bins?

A laugh escaped me.
Trash bins positioned throughout every corner of the garden. Beautifully decorated to preserve the garden’s aesthetic appeal, yet ultimately serving their true purpose as receptacles for waste.

The earth beneath that trash bin.

‘This is insane.’

I opened my mouth.

“Is anyone here?”
-No one!

I rolled up my sleeves and pushed aside the trash bin that reached up to my waist.
Then I pulled a hoe from my spatial pocket.

Clink. Clink. Clink.
The hoe bit into the frozen earth.

After I’d dug up a considerable amount of frozen ground, I stepped back, and Raon stirred up a gentle breeze. The earth slowly peeled away under the light magic.

-…Human, I don’t see anything?
“Keep going.”

We kept digging. Nearly as deep as my own height. Down and down into the earth.

-Is there really something here?
“Deeper.”

Raon started to say something in response to my terse command but stopped himself. The hem of my upper garment was fluttering ever so slightly.

The wind was exulting.

I stared into the deepening hole as if trying to pierce through it.

【I never got to use that abomination myself. If I had, no one would have dared call me a heretic.】

Click.

A different sound reached my ears.
I extended my hand. An object covered in earth rose up through Raon’s magic.

I wiped the object clean with the handkerchief I’d kept in my pocket.

-Human, this thing… I feel something terrifying! It’s hot!

I didn’t hide the corners of my mouth.
I smiled.

A small compact hand mirror materialized at his fingertips.
He opened the lid.

“…It’s broken.”

The shattered mirror came into view.
Who would ever believe this belonged to a god? It hardly matched the fearsome name of the Sun’s Condemnation.

“Ah, this is truly amusing.”

Kale Heniatus slipped the hand mirror into his inner pocket.

“Let’s go.”
-Understood, human! But listen!

As Kale Heniatus hurried back toward the Terrace, he half-listened to Raon’s words.

-That book I saw a few days ago was far more desolate and terrifying than that mirror!

But he couldn’t simply dismiss it. A dragon had spoken.
No matter how young—five years old—a dragon was still a dragon.

Having obtained hundreds of billions and two rather excellent divine artifacts, Kale Heniatus’s steps were so light and buoyant they seemed ready to take flight.

-Human, are you in a good mood?

Well, that’s good then.
Kale Heniatus approached cheerfully near the Terrace. The Sun Palace came into view.
And then he froze.

“Hilsman!”
“Y-young master!”

Hilsman came rushing toward Kale Heniatus in a panic.

“What’s wrong with you?”
“You must flee now, sir!”
“What?”

What is this commotion?
Why are people fleeing from the Garden of the Sun entrance right now?

From his position, Kale Heniatus could see knights, soldiers, and nobles streaming out from near the Garden of the Sun entrance, which lay quite a distance away.

Whoosh, whoosh.

Magical lights began igniting throughout the garden.
Kale stopped heading toward the Terrace and moved into the darker recesses of the garden. From within the shadows, he looked toward Hilsman, and the Vice-Captain spoke with remarkable composure.

Yet what he said was shocking.

“Just moments ago, someone attempted to assassinate the Vice-Tower Master of the Alchemy Tower.”

What?
Where did that come from?
Bewilderment washed across Kale’s face.

“The assassin was a former knight of the Empire. He attacked the Vice-Tower Master but only managed to wound him before escaping!”

Surely not.
Kale opened his mouth.

“Did he have red hair?”
“How did you know? Yes, that’s correct! He was attacked by the Alchemist and the knights but still managed to escape. A massive manhunt is underway as we speak! Since he’s wounded, I believe he’ll be captured soon!”

Oh, this is troublesome.
Kale felt exasperated.

“Your Highness, if I may suggest—since you’re unwell and were resting on the Terrace, perhaps when danger arose, I could have carried you and leaped from the Terrace into the garden to evacuate you. What do you think?”

Hilsman spoke with considerable composure.

“Your Highness, it’s quite a sound plan, is it not? Let me carry you at once! We should head to where the Crown Prince is.”
“Very well, let’s go.”

Kale decided he needed to emerge from this corner of the garden.
That was when it happened.

Sssss—

With the sound of leaves splitting apart, something tumbled down from the tree with a thud.

“Ugh.”

A small creature had apparently leaped between the branches and fallen. The animal whimpered and somehow managed to get itself upright, attempting to flee once more.
I opened my mouth.

“Well, would you look at that. Hilsman!”
“Yes?”
“Catch it!”
“Yes?”

I stared at the red cat bleeding from multiple wounds.
What kind of situation is this?

—Human! It’s a Cat-Human!

That’s exactly what I’m saying!

As Hilsman awkwardly approached the cat and it bared its fangs to escape, I opened my mouth.
Our eyes met.

“Are you also trying to bring down the Alchemy Tower?”

Also.
At that word, the cat froze.

In that moment, I thought to myself.

‘They just keep rolling in on their own.’

Those who would bring down the Empire and the Alchemy Tower were arriving of their own accord, vines and all.

—————

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

—————