Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 248

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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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The Dragon Hybrid was astounded. He twisted his trembling lips into a grotesque smile.

“If dying would be easier, why don’t you just kill me instead of explaining?”
“Because I hope you don’t die easily.”

The voice of the one answering was cruelly cold. The Dragon Hybrid twisted his lips further at the sight of Kale Heniatus, who wished for him not to die peacefully. Then Kale’s voice continued.

“That’s why I’m giving you a choice.”

A choice.
The words lingered in the Dragon Hybrid’s mouth.

But Kale continued without regard for what the Dragon Hybrid thought. Time was running out for the dying Dragon Hybrid.

“If you choose to live, the darkness embedded in your body and your light attribute will continue to clash. Every day—no, every few seconds—your body will experience pain as if your insides are tearing apart.”

It was ultimately nonsensical.
The Dragon Hybrid couldn’t help but scoff.

“Heh, that’s absurd. If I survive, if my condition improves, my light attribute will consume this imperfect darkness.”
“If you were a Dragon, that would be true.”
“…What?”

The Dragon Hybrid’s pupils trembled.
Kale leaned close and whispered into his ear.

“You will become human.”

Becoming human.

“Your light attribute will fade, leaving only faint traces, but you will lose all your power as a Dragon.”

What would hell be for the Dragon Hybrid?
First, if he wished to live, he would have to face himself—a human—experiencing pain every second.

“An ordinary, weak human, struggling in pain day after day until you finally die.”

Though I didn’t mention it, the key to the shackles that bind him will be given to me.

“But if you choose to live, you might survive a little longer.”

I watched the Dragon Hybrid, whose lips trembled but who could not speak. Time was running out. The Dragon Hybrid posed a question to me.

“Are you planning to eliminate Arm?”
“What good would it do you to know? You’re not even on my side.”

Ha!
The Dragon Hybrid burst into laughter tinged with admiration.
My immediate response was sharp as a blade. But the action that followed was far less cutting.

“I’ll give you some time to think. Whether you die or live longer, there’s quite a lot I need to learn from you. I need time to extract that information.”

Choi Han, who had been listening to my conversation with the Dragon Hybrid, hesitated.

‘How is he planning to treat the Dragon Hybrid?’

It wasn’t a question only he felt. Inside the circular barrier made of ravens, Gashan, Witira, and even the Dragon Hybrid himself felt the same confusion.
But soon the group could see the Dragon Hybrid’s contorted face.

“Y-you said to choose! What is this? Did you want to torture me to death with that horrible thing?”

The desperate cry of one whose body could not move was filled with terror.

A white crown.
That luminous crown drew closer and closer to the Dragon Hybrid. A terrible object. The Dragon Hybrid had been forced to hear the sound of that crown devouring his blood since he was very young.
Even now, when sleep came, that sound echoed.
Along with his own screams of pain and fear from childhood.

“U-u-ugh, t-t-tsk!”

He couldn’t even form proper words, his eyes filled with terror fixed on me. At that moment, Gashan nodded.

‘As expected, he doesn’t leave things alone.’

I was someone who, at times, showed no hesitation in my hands. Because my standards were clear, the shaman Gashan wondered how I, who had grown up as the eldest son of a small fiefdom, came to possess such a character.
The judgment that determined the boundary between death and life was not simply an inborn nature. It was something that required years of experience.

Gashan, uncertain of what experiences Kale Heniatus possessed, watched in silence as the terrified Young Dragon Hybrid faced off against Kale, his eyes wide with fear.

Yet there was someone bewildered here.
Kale Heniatus himself.

‘He said he’d let it live a bit longer, so why is this happening?’

Kale was baffled, but he extended the white crown toward the trembling, panicked Dragon Hybrid anyway.

-Make the jewel at the center of the crown consume the dragon’s blood. Then that creature can live longer.

Following the guidance of the dominating aura, Kale moved the crown toward the place where the Dragon Hybrid’s blood flowed most abundantly.
Where Choi Han’s sword had left its mark.
There, where the crimson dragon’s blood streamed, the white jewel at the heart of the luminous crown made contact.

“Grrrrgh.”

And Kale’s expression twisted.
Not because of the Dragon Hybrid’s anguished moan.

“Heh heh—”

Nor was it because of Gashan’s amazed laughter.

Crunch, crunch.
A mouth formed on the white jewel. A black vortex—better described as a black hole than a mouth—emerged, utterly incongruous with the white jewel, and began ravenously devouring the dragon’s blood. Kale’s face contorted in disgust.

‘This is absolutely grotesque.’

What is this abomination?
Kale wanted nothing more than to hurl this crown—or rather, just this white jewel—away immediately. Though the crown did look expensive, so perhaps not.
But then something flickered across his eyes.

“Hmm.”

Using Gashan’s exclamation as background music, Kale examined the Dragon Hybrid’s complexion.
It had improved noticeably. Realizing this, the Dragon Hybrid’s expression shifted strangely too. Pain, yet the absence of pain—such was the peculiar sensation coursing through him.

Gurgle, gurgle.
Kale instinctively realized this was enough and slowly peeled the white jewel away from the dragon hybrid’s black abdomen where dragon’s blood flowed.

‘He won’t be able to move, but he won’t die.’

It seemed I could extend his life for about a week. Of course, his entire body would be devoid of any strength.

-Once the dragon’s blood disappears, only traces remain, but ultimately only a human body will be left. However, since the dragon’s attributes will remain in the human body, death will eventually consume him.

Kale gazed indifferently at the dragon hybrid’s reptilian scales that remained intact, then completely separated the crown from the dragon hybrid.

Gurgle. Gurgle.
Yet the white jewel’s black suction aperture seemed regretful and shifted slightly toward the direction where Raon’s swaddling cloth lay.
When Choi Han noticed it and flinched.

Clang!

The crown was hurled away. The crown emanating sacred light rolled across the dirt ground and became soiled. Kale’s irritated voice rang out.

“Is this insane?”

The black suction aperture of the jewel disappeared, and a smooth, sacred white jewel surface appeared instead. Kale stomped on the white jewel with his foot, grinding it into the dirt pile. Then he kicked the crown repeatedly.

“As expected of Lord Kale.”

Witira watched that scene, then looked at Choi Han at his words. Choi Han’s face was satisfied as he held the swaddling cloth wrapped around Raon tightly in his arms.

Witira’s lips trembled as if she wanted to say something about that sight, but she had to listen to Kale’s orders. After stuffing the crown deep into his spatial pouch, Kale met the dragon hybrid’s gaze.

I could see the dragon hybrid’s bewildered expression, but I said what I had to say.

“Put the restraint collar on him. Gashan, bind him with magic.”

A restraint collar that strips away mana, aura, and physical strength—everything. Furthermore, I asked one person to watch over the dragon hybrid.

“Witira.”
“Yes, I’ll monitor him properly.”

She would react more sensitively than anyone to the dragon hybrid’s aura and notice any changes with uncanny precision.

Kale Heniatus rose from his seat, watching the Dragon Hybrid sink into deep slumber under Gashan’s shamanic spell.

Beyond the barrier of ravens.
Countless sounds reached his ears.

The Indomitable Alliance fighting against the assault of Paern, Breck, and Roan. A space where all manner of sounds collided and merged. Kale knew that no decisive outcome could be drawn from within that chaos.

The Bear Tribe, the Dwarf Tribe, and countless soldiers from Ascosan and Norland.
It was impossible to annihilate them all.

No matter how many strong warriors stood on his side, victory would require Breck and Roan to suffer tremendous casualties.

‘Rosalind understands this as well.’

In that moment, her voice shook the space beyond the barrier.

“Those who wish to surrender—tear down your flags!”

As her threat rang out toward the Indomitable Alliance members, Kale opened his mouth.

“Dismantle the barrier.”

Caw, caw. Gashan’s ravens began to take flight once more, one by one, rising back into the sky. The black barrier dissolved, and Kale’s figure slowly emerged upon the battlefield.

Rosalind could see the red-haired man gradually appearing between the ravens. Simultaneously, Witira, Gashan, and Choi Han came into view, and the Dragon Hybrid—bound in shackles everywhere, unable to hear, see, or move—entered her field of vision.

A fallen enemy and the formidable allies who remained standing.

Rosalind could see Kale Heniatus taking his first step toward the bridge she had created.
The powerhouses who would shift the tide of battle were coming.

The enemy realized it too.
Soon, Rosalind heard the voice of one of the Bear Tribe.

“Retreat!”

Damn it. The Bear Tribe Manager spat out a curse and ordered the withdrawal.
The Dragon Hybrid had been captured.
And by a formidable force at that.

The Bear Tribe quickly gathered their thoughts.
We cannot afford further losses. The Lion Tribe has yet to arrive, and we must not squander our strength now.

‘The enemies cannot pursue us either.’

Breck Kingdom would never venture into Ascosan’s domain.
No matter how many strong warriors they possessed, they could not overcome such overwhelming numbers.

“Retreat!”
“Fall back!”

The Bear Tribe’s command passed through other voices and reached the entire army. They began their withdrawal. Breck Kingdom’s forces did not pursue.

There had been no order from Commander Rosalind.

Rosalind surveyed her surroundings.
The deep exhaustion of the Mage Battalion’s mages was evident. Many soldiers bore wounds from lightning strikes they had failed to evade.

And before her lay the Canyon of Death, reduced to ruins.
She closed her eyes, then opened them.

“We return.”

She had made her decision to withdraw, and her voice carried to the soldiers. Immediately after, another voice answered as if in response.

“The enemy has retreated, and we have survived.”

Kale Heniatus’s voice, directed toward Rosalind.
At those words, the soldiers’ grip on their weapons loosened slightly.

Yet the war was not entirely over.

* * *

“The retreating enemies have halted and reestablished their encampment at a point not yet fully beyond the Canyon of Death.”

The Indomitable Alliance had not completely withdrawn.
They understood as well. That complete retreat would mean true defeat. They had yet to fully deploy the numbers at their command.
Regret lingered.

“And currently, our Breck Kingdom forces are consolidating our troops around the bridge Commander Rosalind created and establishing our encampment.”

The soldiers scattered across five positions gradually converged toward the location where the bridge had been constructed.

“From this point forward, a prolonged conflict is highly likely.”

The first engagement had been nothing short of a complete victory for Breck Kingdom.
But now, both sides would have no choice but to maintain a standoff, each waiting for the other to expose a weakness.

The one delivering this report was Count Ecrus, the chief disciple of the court’s foremost mage. He glanced nervously at his surroundings as he continued.

“And should this become a prolonged war, the enemy will face supply difficulties, which would favor us. However, our own losses appear to be substantial as well.”

Ultimately, Breck would emerge victorious, but the cost to Breck’s forces would be considerable.

“Count, are you suggesting it would be preferable to conclude this as a short engagement if possible?”

Count Ecrus paused and turned to look at the one who had spoken.
It was Kale Heniatus.

“That is correct.”

The commander who had carried that peculiar bundle wrapped tightly in a blanket throughout the entire war. As Count Ecrus met his gaze, memories of past events surfaced unbidden, and he swallowed hard, concealing his tension.
To him, Kale Heniatus spoke calmly.

“Leave.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, leave.”
“…Ah, yes.”

Count Ecrus said nothing further and exited the tent. He hesitated momentarily at the sight beyond the tent flap, but soon continued on his way.

The Breck Kingdom Camp.
Within it were also soldiers of the Roan Kingdom.

And the forces of Paern Kingdom were stationed there as well.
The traitors of the Indomitable Alliance, now the new allies of Breck Kingdom.

Count Ecrus turned his gaze from the knights and soldiers of the Paern Kingdom toward the tent from which he had emerged.
Recalling the people within, he swallowed hard.

And the Vice-Captain inside that tent, who led the Paern Kingdom Knights Order.
He sat with his lips pressed firmly shut, unable to utter a single word.

He was a trusted subordinate of the Guardian Knight Clophe Seka, and when Clophe Seka—the Captain—disappeared, he had been appointed to take his place by Duke Rock Seka. His official title was Vice-Captain.

He sat at the highest seat with his legs crossed, straining to gaze into empty space to avoid meeting the eyes of Kale Heniatus, who stared at him.

‘Were you… alive, sir?’

He recalled the astonishment he had felt upon meeting Clophe Seka. His master, confined to a wheelchair, had lost his strength. Yet he remained cunning.

‘Follow his words.’
‘Sir?’
‘Kale Heniatus. He is beyond me.’

Clophe Seka, who would kill his own subordinates without hesitation.
The Vice-Captain, who had handled the aftermath of that man’s legend-making, did not miss the fear and ecstasy that shadowed Clophe Seka’s face.
That was why he feared Kale Heniatus. Because that man had driven Clophe Seka completely mad.

At that moment, Rosalind’s voice echoed through the empty tent.

“Young Master Kale, what will you do?”
“We must end this in a short decisive battle.”

I had no intention of prolonging this conflict.

“The people from the Roan Kingdom will arrive soon.”

The people from the Roan Kingdom that Crown Prince Albert was sending would arrive shortly.

The Indomitable Alliance would aim for a prolonged war.
The Breck Kingdom would also benefit from a prolonged conflict. Their chances of victory were higher that way.
But dragging things out while accumulating casualties did not suit my nature.

I opened my mouth to speak to those who watched me. But before I could, I sensed movement outside the tent.

“Ah, it seems someone sent by the Crown Prince has arrived.”

For this task, Alberu had decided to send his trusted aide. It was something determined before the war even began.
Kale rose to his feet as he watched the tent flap being drawn back, preparing to greet the newcomer.

Squeak. Squeak-squeak.

But then an odd sound reached his ears.
Kale froze.

Why could he hear the sound of wheels rolling?

The fabric at the tent entrance was drawn back. Two figures appeared.

“What? Why?”

When Kale couldn’t help but blurt out his bewilderment, the figure walking ahead opened his mouth with a radiant smile.

“I thought it would be faster if I came myself.”

Albert Crossman.
He entered the tent with his characteristic princely smile.
Squeak. Squeak-squeak.
And behind Albert, the sound of wheels rolling continued.

“Truth be told, I brought such an exceptional person that I thought it best to draw attention to myself instead.”

Albert Crossman was quite as meticulous as Kale.
He had prepared a hidden blade to match the enemy’s strength. Because of that, he’d had to activate the teleportation magic circle multiple times, but he was quite satisfied with the result.

Squeak. Squeak-squeak.
A figure appeared as the wheelchair wheels rolled across the ground.
Once the fabric at the tent entrance fell and blocked the outside from view, the robed figure removed his robe.

“Commander!”

A knight of Paern immediately dropped to one knee.
The face of his master, Clophe Seka, came into view.

Clophe Seka. At his appearance, Rosalind paused and observed him carefully. The man who had been defeated in the Heniatus Territory. Yet he was a Sword Master and a powerful leader of the Knights Order.
The very symbol of a typical, exemplary knight. Since Rosalind had only ever seen him from a distance, she couldn’t help but feel tension, even among allies.

That was when it happened.
Clophe Seka cast off his robe and brought his hands together with a bright smile.

“…Lord Kale!”

His voice carried warmth and joy.

“…What?”

Rosalind sensed something was amiss.
Albert Crossman felt the same way. He too had never witnessed Clophe Seka and Kale together like this.

“…What’s this?”

But Kale pretended not to notice their reactions. Instead, he casually pointed to the map laid out on the commander’s table.
His finger tapped once on Ascosan and once on Norland.

“Norland and Ascosan.”

Currently, these two kingdoms had concentrated considerable military forces at the Canyon of Death.
We could use that to our advantage.

Kale recalled what Rosalind had said.

‘Those who wish to surrender shall tear their flags!’

Soon, Ascosan and Norland would tear their flags.

“We will go to these two kingdoms.”
“…How?”

When Rosalind voiced her question, Kale turned his gaze to Clophe Seka.

“Guardian Knight, please provide the coordinates of the royal palaces of these two kingdoms that the Paern Kingdom possesses.”

Royal Palace coordinates.
Rosalind’s expression shifted. Simultaneously, Crown Prince Albert smiled. The Indomitable Alliance would remain in the Canyon of Death, monitoring Kale’s forces preparing for a prolonged engagement.
And in the meantime, Kale, Roan, and Breck intended to strike at the enemy’s rear.

“Bring me the surrender documents.”

Surrender. That word flowing from Kale’s lips elevated the atmosphere within the tent.
Simultaneously, silence descended.
Each mind was busy churning with plans for the future.

In that moment, the silence shattered.
A voice tinged with joy rang out.

“Yes, Kale. Truly magnificent, as expected.”

Clophe’s seemingly composed yet distinctly unhinged voice resonated calmly.

“Indeed, you are a hero, one destined to inherit legends.”

Damn it. That lunatic!
I pretended not to notice the gazes of Rosalind and Albert fixed upon me. Though the two royals’ eyes gleamed with considerable displeasure and strangeness, I kept my gaze averted from them as I opened my mouth.

“It should suffice to simply eliminate one royal palace each.”

The Vice-Captain of Paern Knights listening in was astounded.
Simply eliminate a palace?
Was that simple?

But I recalled the personnel capable of causing proper chaos.
Archie, Choi Han, Merry, and others. More than sufficient.

“Let us make haste.”
“Yes, Kale. Paern intends to render our full assistance with utmost sincerity.”

I faltered again at Clophe’s grave tone devoid of any trace of laughter, and I heard Albert’s sigh.

“…This is absurd.”
“…Ah, well, this is quite a novel sight.”

Faced with the voices of Alberu and Rosalind, I found myself at a loss for words.

‘Damn it.’

I resolved to dispatch these Indomitable Alliance bastards as quickly as possible and avoid any further entanglement with that eccentric fool.
It was detrimental to my mental health.

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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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