Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 252

—————

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

—————

Regarding nicknames like Meokbo, Jjangdol, and other appellations referring to Ancient Power Owners, Kale simply accepted them as they were.
They seemed like such people to him, and they hadn’t caused him any particular harm.

But for some reason, this time felt different.

‘A madman, you say?’

What did it mean to be mad? Where exactly was the madness?
As if sensing Kale’s confusion, Jjangdol’s voice echoed through his mind.

-He was mad about fighting. In all my existence, I’ve never seen anyone so obsessed with combat.

Kale’s expression twisted.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“…No, I’m fine.”

Kale barely managed to answer Erhaben before methodically organizing the tangled thoughts in his mind.

The World Tree had told him to find Judging Water.
Moreover, Kale recalled the ancient tome he had received from the Elf Chieftain at Ten Finger Mountain, which contained records about Jjangdol.

In the ancient tome chronicling Jjangdol’s life, there was one mention of his close friend.

【The Guardian had one hero who was both friend and foe. When the continent froze under the northern cold, this was the figure who repelled that frigid curse, and this hero’s hobby was collecting coins.】
【The Guardian said upon seeing that money:】
【”You madman. You never spent it, just kept collecting, and you’ve amassed this much!”】

The figure who repelled the northern cold when the continent froze under it.

It had to be Destructive Fire, obsessed with money.
And the World Tree, frightened of fire, had much later when Kale came seeking it, ordered an Elf Priest to give Kale a money pouch.

Then who was the one who extinguished that fire back then?
Judging Water naturally came to mind.

Furthermore, the divine watering can discovered when they broke into Guardian Knight Clophe Seka’s mansion—Raon had read the characters inscribed upon it.

‘In the end, life is nothing. Even if you dam a river, it will eventually overflow. I created a river for the frozen land. Yet you all ended up damming it.’
‘The result is the same for all of you who cast out my precious child and could not cease your greed.’

A child cherished by the divine.
The Guardian family and the Paern Kingdom who drove that child away.
The divine punished them by reclaiming the river he had created for them.

‘The probability that this is Judging Water has increased significantly.’

No, it was almost certain now.
As my thoughts reached this conclusion, a question arose.

‘The divine cherished him, you say?’

Yet he was obsessed with battle?
No matter how I thought about it, something didn’t add up.

“If you said the God of War cherished him, that would make sense.”

But that couldn’t be right, could it?
Would the God of War be so magnanimous as to take pity on the Northern people who suffered from frozen rivers each winter and create an unfrozen river? If he truly cared for humans, wouldn’t war cease to exist?
If you cared about humans, there wouldn’t be a war, would there?

“…Why are you suddenly bringing up the god of war? Are you really okay? Is something wrong?”

However, he averted his gaze as if he hadn’t heard Kale’s words, letting the muttering continue. Kale let out an involuntary sigh.
However, he seemed not to have heard my words, and I simply averted my gaze from Kale Heniatus’s continued muttering. Kale Heniatus let out a sigh without realizing it.

“…How could this be.”

The person who always spoke only of ‘Are you trying to sacrifice yourself?’ now had so much to say, knowing what he knew.
The person who used to only say “Are you trying to sacrifice yourself?” had a lot to say once they found out what I knew.

That’s right. He was a boy cherished by the god of war. From childhood, he showed exceptional promise. If he hadn’t been bothered by power and work, he would have had the talent of an emperor who could have conquered the Continent. He would have become an unparalleled tyrant.

This wasn’t merely obsessed with battle like Tunka.
A tyrant of imperial caliber, he said.
“They say he’s an emperor-class tyrant.”

“…Life is truly difficult.”
“Are you really alright?”

I ignored Erhafen’s reaction, gently placed Raon on the soft grass for a moment, and picked up the diary from the Ancient Dragon’s hand. Then I spoke in an offhand manner.

“Ah, by the way, Erhafen.”
“What?”
“When the Dragon Hybrid’s dye magic wore off, black hair and black eyes appeared.”

Erhafen’s pupils dilated as he observed my complexion. I continued speaking without noticing this, flipping through the diary.

“I’ve heard that dragons are born with one color per era. Is it different for hybrids?”

Erhafen was the only platinum-colored dragon of this era.
The red dragon and the blue dragon each possessed their own unique color exclusively.
Because of this, they weren’t born with the same color as their parents. A platinum-colored dragon being born between a red dragon and a blue dragon was the natural order in the dragon world.

I recalled the Dragon Hybrid whose eye color differed from Raon’s but whose body color was the same black, and looked at Erhafen.
Then I paused.

Erhafen’s face was contorted.

“No. Hybrids are the same as dragons.”

Dragon Hybrids also carry dragon blood. That’s why human bodies cannot endure it.
It was impossible for a human to bear the blood of a dragon that strives to become a unique existence.
Erhafen heard my voice continue.

“Witira said the Dragon Hybrid seems to have completed their second growth as well.”

The Ancient Dragon had anticipated that the Dragon Hybrid would have passed their first growth.
But at the mention of surviving even the second growth, one thing suddenly came to mind. Erhafen’s brow furrowed, and when I observed his expression intently.
The Ancient Dragon’s and the human’s gazes met. The human saw fear glistening in the Ancient Dragon’s eyes.

“…Is that thing really a hybrid?”

Simultaneously, anger that surpassed fear became visible. In those eyes, the wisdom that time had cultivated also seemed to shine through, and I answered without realizing it.

“Dragon’s blood mixed with human blood—that would make them a Dragon Hybrid, wouldn’t it?”
“I need to see for myself.”

Erhaben turned his gaze from Kale toward the forest.
Olien. The space of one already departed from this world was filled with the crisp, verdant scent of greenery. Yet his heart remained unsettled.

“Something’s wrong.”

A dragon slain by unnatural means.
A false Dragon Slayer.
And a Dragon Hybrid.

“Raon is a true dragon. This child’s coloration is genuinely their own. Once this child completes their first growth phase, I’ll be able to discern their attributes properly.”

Raon was undoubtedly a true dragon.
Peculiar in some ways, perhaps, but fundamentally an exceptional little one. Yet to share the same coloration as Raon?

Arm.
That word filled Erhaben’s mouth.
The ancient dragon exhaled as if sighing.

“…Events are unfolding that defy the natural order.”

The one consolation was that an opportunity had emerged to restore the natural order to those things that had strayed from it.
Erhaben gazed at the unfortunate one.
Everything had transpired around this creature.

Had Raon perished, the true Black Dragon would have vanished from this world.
Moreover, it was this wretch who had revealed the identities of both the Dragon Slayer and the Dragon Hybrid.

‘The little one still has far to grow. I have only a year left.’

A Lord.
Had such a being existed, I would not harbor these concerns.
But long before Erhaben was born, nature had never appointed a Lord to this world.

“Erhaben, let’s take this one step at a time, shall we?”

Ha.
Erhafen exhaled a sound like laughter. In a way, the one with only three days left to live was the most composed.

“You’re quite calm even after hearing three days.”
“That’s just how life is, isn’t it?”

Kale Heniatus—Kim Rok-soo—wasn’t particularly shaken by the current situation. Rather, with a clue in hand and a high possibility of resolution, I felt hopeful.

Wriggle, wriggle.
Upon the soft grass, the front paws of the Black Dragon, wrapped and hidden beneath a blanket, twitched. Trembling slightly, they squirmed bit by bit like a child attempting to roll over for the first time. But soon Raon’s brow furrowed, and his body went limp again.

The ancient dragon observed the human asking if that’s just how life is and gathered his thoughts.

“Start by reading the diary contents first.”

It was best to begin with what needed to be done first.
When Erhafen pointed to the diary, Kale resumed reading. The only page written in the Western Continent language.

Kale’s expression grew increasingly peculiar as he read that page.

【Monsters began disappearing from the Lieben Region area. Curious about what was happening there, I moved to investigate.】

The area where Lib Mountain, which had stone pillars erected, and Ribe City were located.
That place originally had many monsters. But from a certain point on, the monsters disappeared, and both Kale and Erhafen came here to find the reason.

Even the dead dragon Olien had been curious about that reason.

【As a result, I discovered a lake.】

A lake?
Kale immediately realized this place was the Judging Water, a location where an Ancient Power resided. And at the contents that followed, his expression hardened.

【That lake judged the monsters.】

Judged them?
The phrase “mad for battle” came to mind.

【It judged humans as well.】

How did the lake judge monsters and humans? By what criteria? And through what method?

Questions piled upon one another. I couldn’t quite imagine it.

【It was an arrogant power. But there must be a reason why nature left such a force behind. I placed a barrier around that area to prevent further damage and left the lake as it was.】

Kale recalled Chae Ju, whom he had thoroughly interrogated on Lib Mountain. He had said that while monsters still remained near Lieben City, their numbers had decreased significantly, and thanks to that, mercenaries and merchants were thriving in the area.

【In truth, I don’t wish to call that place a lake.】

Kale slowly read through the text that followed.

【I would prefer to call it an ‘arrogant power that resembles divinity’.】

Resembles divinity?
Does it resemble the god of war?

Kale felt a headache coming on.
He had already exhausted his shield and even resorted to water pillars and stone spears. In such a situation, if he obtained this power and, perhaps—truly perhaps—if a situation arose where he needed to use it.

‘Just imagining it is horrifying.’

If that happened, it wouldn’t be a leisurely life but rather a life of seclusion or concealment.
And it was impractical to search for another water-related Ancient Power whose location he didn’t even know within three days.

Unaware of this, Erhafen gently spoke to the serious-looking Kale in a soothing manner.

“It seems the lake was wrapped in a barrier and thus hidden from people’s sight. The coordinates of the area where that barrier was placed are written here, so we can move directly there and enter within the barrier.”

Erhafen, who had been speaking positively, paused for a moment before continuing in a worried tone.

“However, even if I break through the barrier, you must obtain the Ancient Power yourself, just as you have done so far. You must overcome the trial that power presents.”
“…That was a trial?”
“Wasn’t it?”
“…I see.”

Kale recalled the trial of buying bread for a tree, the trial of destroying a stone tower, the trial of digging with a hoe to obtain a spinning top beneath rocks under the sea, the trial of throwing money into lava, and finally the trial of chewing stones, unable to hide his reluctance.

Kale had no idea what outrageous task would be demanded of him this time. Still, it was far better than bloodshed and combat, so he wasn’t particularly worried.
Kale cradled Raon in his arms again and spoke.

“Since Lieben City is nearby based on the coordinates, let’s stop by.”
“Very well.”

* * *

Creak.

The Inn of Hope and Adventure.
The inn, bearing quite a lengthy name, was diligently working to complete both interior and exterior repairs before the grand opening ceremony.

The inn’s door slowly opened.
The Bandit, who had been making tablecloths, kept his gaze fixed on the fabric as he barked out in a gruff voice.

“Hey! Slack off and you lose a glove! Why run when you’ll get caught anyway? Enough to kick up dust—no wait, there’s no dust here. Do you want to become the world’s dust?”
“No.”
“Then shut your mouth and just get to work—”

The Bandit faltered mid-sentence.
There were five bandits in the hall, including himself.
Yet one was running away while the others remained silent.
And that voice that had just answered sounded far too familiar.

Thud.
The tablecloth slipped from the Bandit’s hands and fell.
The cloth fluttered like a butterfly as it drifted slowly to the ground, and the figure who had just entered picked it up.

“We can’t let dust settle on it. Right?”

Red hair came into view.
More terrifying than white gloves, more terrifying than the old man!
His mouth fell open involuntarily.

“Yes, sir! Dust is evil! It must be vanquished! Tablecloths must be white, absolutely white!”

Kale tilted his head slightly to one side as he watched the trembling Bandit accept the tablecloth from him.

‘Why am I like this?’

Why was I so afraid?
From the moment I assigned them tasks, I had instructed Vicross to feed and clothe the bandits well. He was supposed to handle the serving too.
And Vicross had fed them excellently according to my orders. The only problem was that, according to the testimony of a kitchen assistant bandit who witnessed him wielding the kitchen knife, none of them could tell whether the food was entering through their nose or their mouth.

The moment I glanced at the five bandits working silently in the hall like dead mice, a voice suddenly came from behind with no warning whatsoever.

“Welcome, Young Master. You arrived faster than expected.”

Good heavens, I was startled.
I was taken aback by Ron’s silent approach, but quickly gestured for him to follow me to the second floor.

I headed to the second floor, with Ron and Erhafen following behind me. Vicross emerged from the kitchen and followed as well. As we climbed to the second floor, I could hear the patter of footsteps as people came to greet me.

“You’re here! You came so quickly!”
“I missed you! The youngest seems to be sleeping!”

On and Hong came running excitedly to greet me.

But their expressions changed the moment I entered one of the rooms on the second floor and carefully unwrapped the tightly bundled blanket to lay Raon on the bed.

Meow.
Meow.

Startled, On and Hong suddenly made cat sounds instead of human voices and crouched down on either side of Raon. I informed the group of Raon’s condition.

“It’s a growth phase. Right now, Raon is fighting against himself. His eyes are closed, but he’s hearing everything we say.”

At my words, On and Hong stopped making cat sounds. Then they began murmuring near Raon.

“I heard that even beastmen feel pain during their first rampage. But the youngest shouldn’t be in pain.”
“The youngest is great and wonderful even if he doesn’t grow.”

I watched On and Hong speak while pressed against Raon’s side, then turned my head. I could see Ron and Vicross’s expressions.
These two had brutal professions yet possessed surprisingly rich emotions.
I left the nine-year-olds in Erhafen’s care for a moment and stepped out of the room. I gestured for only Ron to follow me out.

Click.
The door opened and closed.
In the empty corridor, I encountered Ron.

“Young master, is something the matter? The war is not yet over, is it?”

Truly, a perceptive old man.
I had expected Ron, with his sharp intuition, to naturally sense the abnormality of the current situation. So I called him out separately.

“Ron.”
“Yes, young master.”

A frightening old man, but in every sense, the most trustworthy.
I found the current situation hopeful, so I carried no great burden.

My instincts had arrived.
The instincts I had cultivated over many years whispered that I would not die.

Yet one must always prepare for the worst.

I told Crown Prince Albert the truth.
Whether Albert would share my situation with others remained unknown, but we were in the midst of war.
No one could predict what circumstances might unfold.

I had to prepare for the possibility that this news might spread to my companions, and that a sudden turn for the worse in the war might strike us down.

And among those who would prepare for this worst-case scenario with me, I chose Ron Mollan without hesitation. Though not the oldest among my companions, he was ostensibly the oldest human, and he was someone who knew how to lead them.

He was the first person I saw when Kim Rok-soo opened his eyes, and the one with whom I had spent the most time.
So I calmly informed Ron of my situation.

“Three days, no—two days and eight hours.”
“What time is that, sir?”

Ron could see the serene smile on my face. My calm voice filled the empty corridor.

“The remaining time on the bomb planted in my body.”

Ron’s cold gaze wavered for a moment. But I could see Kale’s unwavering eyes looking at me. At that gaze, Ron’s eyes found their place again.
To him, Kale spoke without hesitation.

“I will remove the bomb and return.”

Kale made one request of Ron.

“So, as usual, I’m asking you.”

As usual.
As if nothing had happened.
For the first time before Kale, Ron hesitated in his response and closed his eyes. As Kale waited for his answer, Jjangdol’s voice reached me.

-So you’re trying to become stronger after all?

No, I don’t want to at all.
Just as I was about to deny it.
Suddenly, another voice was heard.

-You good at cursing?

…What?
A familiar voice.
The owner of the Destructive Fire who was obsessed with money.
That creature suddenly spoke. This was the situation where that one created a sea of fire, and the Judging Water was expected to have extinguished it.

In the parchment that had been tucked into the ancient dragon Olien’s journal, there was mention of the Destructive Fire.

【I’m going to cause trouble just like that stingy Destructive Fire! Just you wait!】

The owner of the Judging Water seemed to know the Destructive Fire quite well.
The voice of the Destructive Fire’s owner continued.

-A preemptive strike is the best defense. To beat them, cursing first is perfect.

I wiped my eyes with my hand.

-Or try to persuade them you’ll cause trouble. Then they’ll follow along? We wrote our resignation letters together, after all.

Did you write that insane letter of resignation together with him?

-That’s why I know him somewhat. We formed common ground through fighting. He was easier to talk to than that stubborn World Tree old man.

…These crazy Ancient Power Owners are something else.
Not a single one of them is normal.

“…Young Master?”
“Sigh. Life is truly difficult, Ron.”

Ron’s face, which had only ever shown either feigned kindness or cold indifference, finally displayed a different expression as he watched Kale looking genuinely exhausted.
Kale didn’t even properly register that expression before clutching his head due to the sudden appearance of that stingy fire.

-I’ll help you. So anyway, do you have any money? Don’t you want to strengthen your lightning strike? Aren’t you curious about a lightning strike powerful enough to burn the entire Northern Western Continent? Don’t you feel drawn to fire that would knock out the World Tree old man?

Not at all. I absolutely did not want to accept help from that cheapskate.

“This is exhausting.”

At Kale’s murmur, Ron’s face finally contorted.

—————

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

—————