Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 170

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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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I stood holding gold and coins in my embrace, staring intently at the Elf priestess.

The Young Priestess who had rushed over in haste let out a sigh of relief before freezing. She noticed the Black Dragon sitting beside my leg.

“Gasp!”

A breathless sound escaped her.
Raon, the Black Dragon, offered his assessment of the priestess’s first impression directly into my mind.

-A good Elf, I’d say.

Even as he spoke, he kept glancing at the large pouch of coins nestled in my embrace. Meanwhile, the Young Priestess bowed deeply to Raon in greeting.

“It is an honor to meet you, Dragon! I am Adite, a priestess serving the World Tree from End Village.”

Oh.
I let out a soft exclamation of admiration.
This was the first composed Elf I’d encountered upon meeting a Dragon. Erhafen’s advice came to mind.

‘If the Elves don’t understand what you’re saying, speak to the World Tree priestess. That should do it.’

In this context, “not understanding” referred to a situation where they genuinely couldn’t comprehend—because they’d be too captivated by the Dragon to properly process words.

“Yes. Good to meet you, Elf.”

At Raon’s warm greeting to the priestess, all the Elves who had accompanied her and those who had come to greet my party broke into brilliant smiles.

They all fixed their gazes on Raon, nodding continuously. Occasionally they glanced at me, who had come to relay Erhafen’s message, but such moments were rare.

This was precisely the situation where they couldn’t understand my words. It wasn’t intentional disregard—they simply saw only Raon.

Of course, there was one thing I didn’t know.

The reason the Elves kept nodding, and why they occasionally—perhaps once in every ten glances—would briefly turn their attention to me.

It was because of the conversation among invisible beings that I couldn’t perceive.

‘This red-haired human is the reason the World Tree has deigned to speak! It seems like centuries since the World Tree has uttered anything about mankind!’
‘This human carries an enormous amount of natural energy. They must be the human who has embraced nature the most.’
‘Ah, that’s why they travel with two Dragons. Such a wonderfully fragrant human.’

The spirits exchanged various remarks about Kale Heniatus.
The Elves who could hear their words cast increasingly penetrating glances in Kale’s direction.

“Hmm?”

Kale Heniatus noticed the growing number of Elves turning their gaze toward him. Most notably, the Young Priestess stood with her freckled nose scrunched, clasping her hands together as she stared at him.

‘Something’s off.’

The moment I began to sense something amiss, I froze.

Whoooosh—
It felt like wind was blowing. But it wasn’t wind at all.

“…What is this?”

I was bewildered.

One by one.
Translucent spirits of many colors materialized before me.
That wasn’t strange. It had been the same at the Ten Finger Mountain Elf Village before.

The number of spirits was considerable.
That wasn’t strange either. The World Tree and its surroundings were the spirits’ homeland, after all.

But the problem lay elsewhere.
Where exactly were all these spirits?

“Wow!”

I heard Hong’s exclamation.

“There are so many!”

I heard On’s exclamation as well.

All the spirits gathered around Kale.
I could see the spirits fluttering about in all directions, seemingly speaking to one another, yet I couldn’t understand a single word they said.

‘A strong wind scent! Subtle yet confident!’
‘This is wood, yes. Wood is a smaller existence compared to earth, wind, and other elements, but it is steadfast. I can feel that steadfastness! Magnificent!’
‘Mmm, a very sweet fragrance of water. I feel like I could be drawn in without even realizing it.’

The young priestess listened carefully to all these words. Then, a voice struck her ears with sudden force.

‘The essence of fire. Yes, fire is greedy. And because of that, it is pure and beautiful. It possesses true essence.’

Sea of fire.
That phrase shook the young priestess’s mind. She clasped her hands together and opened her mouth.

“Have you come to convey Erhafen’s will to us?”

I felt irritated by the fidgeting spirits, but I forced a smile and opened my mouth. However, Raon was faster than me.

“That’s right! Our very good and kind human! His name is Kale Heniatus! The name is also quite impressive!”

The spirits fluttered around Kale with even greater liveliness.
I continued to smile at Raon, who pressed close to my side, and at the elves who gazed upon me.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Kale Heniatus.”

In that appropriately courteous gesture, the distinctive etiquette of nobility was evident.
The older elves regarded me with increasingly pleased expressions.

The middle-aged elf who had come to greet Kale stepped forward once more.

“I am Dicle, successor to the village chief.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

I exchanged greetings with Dicle in warm harmony.
Paseton, the Whale Tribe hybrid, stared blankly at this scene. A trembling voice reached his ears.

“…This cannot be.”

Orca Arch. He was experiencing shock as he witnessed one of the common assumptions he had held crumble to pieces.

Archie found himself suddenly believing Kale’s remark that the Elves might weep upon seeing Raon.

Yet he still could not fully accept it.
Kale, surrounded by Raon, the Elves, and spirits alike, appeared almost mystical.

‘Is he truly human?’

Though he knew Kale was indeed human, something about him felt fundamentally different.

Now that he thought about it, Kale was a peculiar person.

The Eastern and Western Continents—both dominated by humans in sheer numbers—yet harbored countless demi-humans and foreign races within their borders.
That Kale harmonized so naturally with so many different races struck him as oddly unfamiliar.

Just then, Archie caught the conversation between Choi Han and Rosalind beside him.

“As expected of Lord Kale.”
“Isn’t that phrase becoming a bit too habitual for you?”
“Is it not fitting?”
“It’s not that it isn’t. Lord Kale is certainly special. Very much so.”

Choi Han and Rosalind conversed with ease, yet despite speaking of something exceptional, they appeared thoroughly accustomed to it. Archie observed them until his gaze met Rosalind’s.
Rosalind’s eyes widened slightly before she sensed the Whale Tribe’s mood and opened her mouth.

“It is rather remarkable how Lord Kale harmonizes with everyone, is it not?”
“Yes.”

Archie answered immediately.

“Yet considering all that Lord Kale has accomplished across the continents thus far, wouldn’t such treatment be only natural?”

Paseton, listening to Rosalind’s words, let out a soft exclamation.
Everything Kale had done until now.
Rosalind continued.

“The Lord has done so much, yet he has not received even a single common title or position. Certainly, he received some compensation, but I do not believe it could ever substitute for his life.”

Rosalind understood that Kale was not merely clever, but cunning. Yet she still regarded him as virtuous for one reason alone.

I have no greed.

Money?
The desire for power and fame exceeds the desire for money.
Why would a merchant seek to purchase a title once they accumulate more wealth than they can control? And why did the kings throughout history, who possessed both wealth and power in abundance, wage pointless wars?

Greater desires existed than money.
Kale Heniatus did not covet such things. Rather, he actively avoided them.

‘And he doesn’t spend his earnings for his own selfish gain either.’

Rosalind knew that a considerable portion of Kale Heniatus’s fortune had been invested into the Heniatus Territory and the endeavors they had undertaken thus far.

Of course, Kale Heniatus did spend money for personal matters at times.
But it amounted to nothing more than feeding himself or providing meals and lodging for his companions.

‘This is the kind of person who should hold wealth.’

A person who knew how to spend money for greater purposes, who indulged in no excessive luxuries himself, and who found joy in simply eating seasonal fruits. Rosalind believed Kale Heniatus should earn even more money—no, that he must earn more.
Rosalind thought that Kale should earn more money, or rather, that he needed to earn more.

“…Magic Tower.”

She recalled the Magic Tower that Kale had mentioned. Rosalind did not refuse when Kale offered to make an investment.

She couldn’t understand all of human nature, but at least by seeing what Kale Heniatus had done all this time, she could somewhat understand his intention to contribute money to the Magic Tower.

“We need to build a Magic Tower that benefits the world.”

Rosalind steeled her resolve once more—she would build such a Magic Tower and become its Tower Master. As she renewed this vow while looking at Kale Heniatus, their eyes met.
She would build such a Magic Tower and become its Tower Master—Rosalind steeled her resolve once more. As she gazed at Kale Heniatus, reaffirming her vow, their eyes met.

At the same time, she realized the Elves were looking at her too.

Raon flew over to Rosalind and her companions. Then he introduced them one by one to the Elves.

“Rosalind is smart. Choi Han is strong.”

The Elves laughed brightly with courtesy each time Raon spoke.
Rosalind grasped the hands offered by the Elves and exchanged handshakes. Choi Han and the Whale Tribe member did the same.

“I’ve only heard tales of the Whale Tribe, but meeting you in person for the first time—how impressive and steadfast you are! Haha!”

When Dicle, the village chief’s successor, praised Orca Arch and extended his hand, the Orca grasped it and simply answered with a smile.
By now, he had begun to accept such moments as natural.

Kale Heniatus watched his companions blend seamlessly with the Elves and addressed the Young Priestess Adite.

“Priestess.”

And I faltered. The eyes of the young child gazing at me held the intensity of one staring at a time bomb. Kale grew only more curious at the sight.

“Priestess, but don’t the Elves lack interest in worldly possessions?”

Kale gestured toward the coin purse and gold in his possession. Priestess Adite spoke with a grave expression.

“Since ancient times, the World Tree has instructed us to gather coins little by little. There is no need to be bound by worldly affairs, but the World Tree says they will be useful someday.”

The Priestess conveyed the World Tree’s words to Kale with a resolute countenance.

“The World Tree wishes to meet you, Kale Heniatus.”

Of course, the World Tree had instructed Adite to bring him once the coins and gold were received, but the Priestess saw no need to mention that fact.

“Very well. I wished to meet the World Tree as well. Let us go at once.”

At Kale Heniatus’s response, the Priestess took a step toward the Elf Village.

“Simply follow me.”

The Priestess listened to the spirits’ words while sensing Kale Heniatus and Raon following behind her.

‘Incomplete yet complete, strong yet weak. How curious.’

Spirits took interest only in spirit mages. Yet now the spirits showed interest in this human.
Priestess Adite quickened her pace. Kale Heniatus followed her steps toward his meeting with the World Tree.

And I wore a subtle expression.

Ordinary.

I saw an ancient conifer—the kind you could find on any mountain.

“That is the World Tree.”

The priestess pointed to a tree one might see anywhere.
I was somewhat taken aback.

Though it was three times larger than myself, it resembled the trees I’d seen in the Dark Forest. If anything, the white tree I’d glimpsed after obtaining the Unbreakable Shield seemed far more wondrous.

‘…The trees surrounding it look more like the World Tree, honestly.’

The trees encircling the World Tree as if in protection were vast and verdant enough to cover the sprawling lake and the ceiling of this Elf Village.

“You were surprised by the World Tree’s appearance, weren’t you?”

The priestess spoke as if she’d expected my reaction.
Even ordinary elves were startled by the World Tree’s unremarkable form.

I glanced around and spoke whatever came to mind.

“Just as precious things often hide within what we merely brush past, true essence may dwell in an ordinary appearance.”
“…Indeed.”

The priestess, who had calmed her mind on the way to the World Tree, nodded in agreement with wise eyes.
Regardless, I stood alone in the center of a grassland surrounded by towering trees, exploring this space where only Raon, the young priestess, and I remained with the World Tree.

Then it happened.

Whissssh—
Though no wind blew, the leaves of the trees encircling this space trembled.

“Kale!”

And the priestess called out to me.
I saw a blue light enveloping Adite. It matched the color of the mark.

Meanwhile, Adite could not hide her surprise as she looked at Kale Heniatus.

“The World Tree wishes to have a conversation with you, Kale Heniatus.”
“A conversation?”
“Yes.”

The priestess was astonished.
In all her years, she had never witnessed the World Tree speak directly with anyone except Erhafen. She glanced toward Raon.

“And the World Tree wishes to speak with you, Raon, when time permits.”
“Wonderful! Hello, World Tree!”

Rustle, rustle—
The surrounding trees swayed as if answering Raon’s greeting. Raon rolled about on the grassland with unbridled joy.

“This place is so refreshing and warm. It’s the second best after our home!”

Kale Heniatus chuckled softly at those words, then turned to the priestess with a question.

“How should I proceed with this conversation?”
“Close your eyes and make contact with the World Tree.”

The priestess pointed to the World Tree’s trunk, and Kale Heniatus approached without hesitation. He placed his palm against the trunk she had indicated.

Rustle, rustle—
The trees trembled once more.
The priestess watched the World Tree with tense anticipation.

‘A human who has bewildered the World Tree, who is always so solemn.’

She felt both curious about what Kale Heniatus and the World Tree would discuss, and awed by the mystique of the moment itself. Her gaze deepened as she observed the man with hair like crimson flames.

‘Hmm?’

Then the priestess noticed Kale Heniatus pause.
The man’s brow furrowed beneath his closed eyes.

In that moment, Kale Heniatus was hearing the voice of the World Tree.

-I never expected a human to inherit the power of that mad arsonist.

Arsonist.
The destructive fire was unmistakable.

-And not only did you inherit that power completely, but you even strengthened it. You’re quite remarkable, Kale.

I strengthened it?
As I recalled “Vitality of the Heart,” I sensed something odd in the World Tree’s words.

‘You’re quite remarkable, Kale.’

…There was a familiarity to it.
The World Tree addressed me with an unusual warmth.
And there was something subtly kind about it.

The World Tree continued.

-In all my years, I’ve seen many reckless heroes, but never one quite so obsessed with wealth, so utterly consumed by greed like that arsonist. That was truly a first.

The voice, reminiscent of a benevolent elder, was warm and affectionate.

-A hero whose life’s ambition was to become wealthy. I’ve endured countless cycles of death and rebirth, yet I nearly perished in flames because of that hero’s obsession.

Yet soon after, the World Tree revealed a hint of relief.

-That’s why I accumulated wealth myself. That’s the secret to longevity.

It continued.

-In any case, I never knew you’d inherited that power. I was quite shocked. I was so worried the “Essence of Fire” might rampage that I sent money to Adite.

The more I listened, the more I sensed something strange about the World Tree.

‘Does it know me?’

The tone suggested it had known me all along.
I opened my mouth to ask if it knew who I was. That was when—

-How is Gashan doing?

Gashan?
Gashan the Tiger Shaman?

Kale felt the rough texture of the tree trunk touching the World Tree grow cold against my skin.

Could it be?

‘Could that be the nature Gashan always spoke of?’

Gashan had always made those miraculous prophecies, saying “Nature has spoken.”
The World Tree’s voice continued.

-So Gashan is a curious child who can hear my voice.

Wow.
Kale marveled at this.
And I was astonished. Then did the World Tree possess the power of prophecy?

Then, a voice devoid of kindness reached Kale’s ears. In that instant, the back of my neck grew cold.

-Kale.

The World Tree asked.

-Who are you?

Rustle, rustle, rustle—
The leaves trembled.

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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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