Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 256

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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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Boom—

Vicross steadied himself, momentarily thrown off balance by the tremors rising from the earth.
He turned his gaze toward the lake. That vast expanse of water—it was trembling.

Surely this was the work of Prince Kale Heniatus.
Yet even as Vicross looked upon the lake, he found himself compelled to voice a different concern.

“Erhafen, what is the meaning of this?”

Vicross’s expression was grave as he cradled the swaddled bundle suspended from his shoulders with both hands. But it paled in severity compared to Erhafen’s.

“…This is troubling.”

The ancient dragon found himself wiping the corners of his eyes without conscious thought.

Raon Mir, nestled within Vicross’s bundle.
The ancient dragon’s pupils contorted as he gazed upon the young dragon.

Black mana—it began to seep slowly from Raon Mir’s body. The mana grew progressively darker, gradually enveloping the young dragon’s form.

Erhafen was utterly astounded.

“During growth, mana cannot be wielded?”

The Trial Ground encountered during the first growth phase.
Dragons cannot use mana or magic within that place.
It seemed at first as though mana were bound only in dreams, yet in reality, mana becomes bound as well.

Thus, during the first growth phase, dragons must endure not only the pain of growth itself, but also internal struggle and external dangers born from their mana-bound state—a grueling ordeal.

Such was the established truth.
Yet why was this young dragon now releasing mana?

An anomaly.

This is different from what I knew before.
Erhafen had thought that Raon would either grow very late or very quickly, one or the other. But no matter how fast, I never imagined it would be this fast.

‘How is this little one defeating me, in my mature dragon form, so quickly?’

Erhafen could not fathom the reason.

During the first growth phase, a dragon faces a mature version of itself.
Of course, that mature dragon was an entity that used neither breath nor magic, only pure physical strength, but to young dragons with their magic sealed, it was a terrifying existence.

Therefore, a dragon’s growth period is called a battle with oneself, and the stronger the physical power of the dream-state mature dragon, the longer it takes. The longer the growing pains, the more one can discern the latent power of the young dragon.

Of course, there existed a method for a young dragon to defeat its mature self.

That was the dragon’s attribute.

A unique attribute possessed only by myself among the dragons of this era.
As that dormant attribute awakened, the young dragon could overcome its future self.

And depending on how and how quickly that future self was defeated, one’s vessel was determined.

But this little one was different from all of that.
The ancient dragon felt a sense born from countless ages.

This little one was not fighting against me in my mature dragon form.

“What is it fighting, then?”

Within the Trial Ground, there was no opponent to fight but the mature version of oneself. What in the world was this little one battling?
Erhafen could not dispel his doubt and concern.

Yet Raon was not fighting.
He was rejecting the arena that confined him and breaking free from it.

“…Smiling?”

Erhafen saw the young dragon smiling even as it expelled ever greater amounts of mana, sweat, and heat.
The young dragon was not fighting now.

I was already escaping the Trial Ground.

Erhafen saw Raon’s lips twitching. It was a sign he was gradually awakening. Though still unconscious, a faint murmur escaped his lips.

“…I, Raon Mir, am… magnificent!”

Ha!
Erhafen finally burst into laughter. At the same time, his eyes crinkled beautifully.

There was another reason beyond the mana that should have been bound that made Raon a source of concern.

There was no vessel.

This young Black Dragon not only failed to create a vessel—it was gradually losing what it had. Even the vessels it possessed were shattering.
That was what troubled me.

Yet having no vessel meant…

“The world itself becomes the vessel.”

It was transcending.
That young one was transcending something.
The ancient dragon felt a surge of emotion welling up from those depths the moment he realized it.

Vicross’s expression grew increasingly irreverent as he watched. Kale was the same, Erhafen was the same—he wished someone would explain what was happening, but witnessing them all performing their own symphony, orchestrating everything themselves, naturally twisted his face into irreverence.

Moreover, no matter how much of a dragon one was, this small young creature was suffering more intensely yet somehow smiling in that strange way.

‘What is this?’

Vicross’s expression could not improve. As an ordinary chef and swordsman, this was a sight beyond his comprehension.
That was when it happened.

Kuuuong—

“Ugh!”

Vicross hastily steadied himself, cradling the bundle. An even more tremendous vibration surged up through his feet, far greater than before.

What in the world is happening?

The moment his gaze turned toward the Lake.

Crash!

The gray surface of the Lake split open.

“Hahahaha! I’m going mad, absolutely mad! Ahahaha!”

The Ancient Power Owner burst into laughter.
The Lake had split open.
Dozens of points across the Lake’s surface tore apart simultaneously.

Crash! Crash!

And from those fissures, stone spears erupted upward.
Standing atop the largest of these stone spears was a single figure.

Kale Heniatus.
He stood composedly upon the stone spear, grinning wickedly.
So Erhafen could not help but laugh as well.

The young one was like that, and this unfortunate fellow too.
How could he, the eldest among them, refrain from laughing when those enduring such hardship wore such smiles?

“Yes, destroy it all!”

Erhafen’s spirits lifted, and after so long, he spoke words befitting his true nature. Because of this, Vicross’s expression grew even more irreverent, though none of the others noticed.

Rather, Kale heard Erhafen’s voice clearly.
Yet he could not see the Ancient Power Owner’s face.
His vision was consumed entirely by gray.

Whoosh, whoosh—

Following in the wake of the stone spears, dozens upon dozens of chains erupted from the Lake. As though they would not rest until they had captured Kale, the chains surged forward.

Screeeech— screeeech—
The chains began bundling together at rapid speed.
They attached themselves anew to the water spear already bound tight, swelling into an even more massive form.

I had no intention of watching this unfold. I was already planning to destroy everything, just as Erhafen had said.

“Destroy.”

The stone spears began to move.

Boom!
Crash! Crash!
Successive explosions erupted as the stone spears shattered the chains.

Gray water sprayed in all directions, drenching my body.
Above the lake, nothing could be seen clearly through the clash of chains and stone spears.

“What a mess!”

I laughed at the chaos before me.

The shattered chains could not return to their original form and dispersed into water.
Indeed, once shackles were broken, they were done.

Whoooosh— whoooosh—
I gazed at the water spear still covered in the many remaining chains.
The water spear, wrapped in chains, pointed its tip toward me.

-I want to escape.

The voice of the Ancient Power Owner reached me.
I brought the stone spears to a halt.
Many of the stone spears had their bodies bound by chains and were already shattered.

I no longer had the strength to create more stone spears.
I had only one chance. Of course, that chance was related to Jjangdol.

Screeeech—

With the eerie sound of chains, the enlarged water spear became like a serpent woven from chains.
The spear was now hidden beneath the chains, its original form no longer visible. Yet I could see the trembling tip of the spear as it was aimed at me through the chains.

-…Is it possible?

The water spear’s question reached me.
Soon, the chain serpent charged toward me.

“Go.”

Stone spears shot forth in unison at my gesture, all aimed at the chain serpent.
Fewer than before, but still dozens of stone spears streaking toward the serpent-like chains created a magnificent spectacle.

Screeeee—
The chain serpent ignored the stone spears and lunged toward me.

Whoooosh— Whoosh—

The sound of water being split and stone spears cutting through air.
Standing atop the stone spear at the center of it all, I spread my hand toward the sky the moment the stone spear and chain serpent collided.

“If I’m going to make a mess, I should do it properly.”

Rummmble—

An eerie sound echoed from the heavens.
Red light flowed from my fingertips.

I only have one chance to use Jjangdol.
However, I have many other tools at my disposal besides Jjangdol.

Crackle, crackle.
Red electricity erupted from my fingertips.

Destructive Fire.
Fire is weaker than water.
No matter how fiercely fire rages, it ultimately vanishes when it meets water.
And after that.

‘Water becomes vapor.’

The moment the chain serpent opened its maw to reveal the hidden spear tip to Kale, the spearhead trembled desperately, seeking any escape from the situation.

Rummmble—

The sky’s roar ceased.
Simultaneously, a crimson bolt of lightning descended from the heavens.
At that very moment, the stone spear and the chain serpent collided.

Kwaaaang—

A deafening explosion erupted, threatening to shatter my eardrums.

“Ugh…”

I curled my body inward. The silver shield and wings enveloped me, yet they could not completely absorb the shockwave of the blast.
My surroundings seemed to flip and tremble. I couldn’t even open my eyes to see.

Kwang! Kwang! Crash!

The sound of stone spears shattering continued relentlessly. With each impact, I coughed up blood.

‘I’ve reached my limit.’

Truly, the end was approaching.
I had no strength left to exert.
The water I commanded had dwindled to a pittance, the unbreakable shield was barely holding, and my heart’s vitality was on the verge of collapse. Though unspoken, I could instinctively feel that we had reached our breaking point.

So I curled myself tighter.
I minimized the shield’s surface area and exhaled slowly.
Yet my senses waited for one thing.

Shhiiiiik—

The corners of my mouth lifted.
I heard it.

The sound I had been waiting for.

Kale Heniatus opened his eyes.
Then he saw stone dust crumbling and vanishing.
And white smoke billowed forth.

Steam.

Fire had transformed water.
Destructive Fire devoured the serpent of shattered chains in the stone spear.

Kraaaaaaa—

A ghastly wail erupted from the lake. As the chains dissolved, a repulsive shriek filled the air above the water’s surface.
Yet Kale smiled at that sound and straightened from his crouch. It was merely the cry of the defeated.

He was thoroughly drenched, his appearance utterly disheveled. But his eyes gleamed with a radiance he hadn’t felt in ages.
Where the gray chains had vanished into steam.

Kraaaaaaa—

Where the chains’ wails shook the very space itself.
A presence that neither the stone spear nor Destructive Fire had destroyed or consumed entered Kale’s vision.

The water spear.
The form of the spear made of water was transforming.

The oppressive gray light faded, replaced instead by a brilliance so startlingly transparent and beautiful it took one’s breath away.

Whoooosh—
It was the moment a sound like gentle waves rolling ashore reached his ears.
A voice clear yet powerful resonated forth.

—I am!

Centered on the water spear, the lake began to vibrate. The currents rippled. Transparent, luminous waters surged toward the spear. The water spear’s form grew ever more colossal.
Yet it was beautiful.

That beautiful spear seized its target. A woman’s powerful voice resonated within Kale’s mind.

—I am the water that devours the heavens.

The ground trembled once more.
Simultaneously, the spear shot toward its target.

The sky.

The rippling spear was launched heavenward.
Kale Heniatus felt as though he were witnessing a scene from ancient tales—a dragon ascending to the heavens.

But the spear halted mid-flight.
And the woman spoke.

-My name is magnificent, isn’t it?

Water that devours the sky.
I answered with candid composure. Compared to the terrifying Jjangdol or Destructive Fire, it was rather impressive.

“Not bad.”

It was quite a splendid name, actually.

-You curse well?

My face twisted. But I answered honestly.

“Quite a bit.”

I don’t use them often, but I’ve never been told I can’t curse when the situation calls for it.

-You fight a lot?

I answered truthfully this time as well.

“I don’t think I do much, but somehow I always end up fighting.”

Damn it all.
My face contorted, but the woman burst into laughter instead.

-You’re hilarious.

…I’m not in my right mind.
My speech patterns—my true voice was beginning to slip through.
It was the moment I wiped my eyes with trembling hands.

Patter. Patter.
Rain fell.
I lifted my head.
Rain fell only upon me.

The colossal spear that had soared skyward as if to pierce the heavens vanished, and in its place, a short spear—swift as an arrow—materialized before me.

-I will become your spear.

I grasped the spear.
In that instant, a resolute voice rang out.

-I will shatter every chain that binds you.
-So that your life may be free.
-Nothing shall ever constrain you.
-I will protect your freedom.

Whoooosh—

I closed my eyes as brilliant light erupted from the spear.
That radiance seeped into my body.
Yet unlike the other Ancient Powers, it left no markings upon my skin. I felt only the force scattering throughout my entire being.

Then it came.
A voice resonated within my mind.

-…Human!

My eyes flew wide open.
I turned my head. A voice so faint it seemed to come from far away. Yet it drew steadily closer.

-…My human! I’m coming!

It was Raon’s voice.

And my body pitched forward.

“Cough…”

My body twisted. Everything inside me contorted.
Black blood streamed from my lips.

Excruciating pain tore through every fiber of my being. A suffocating agony crashed over me—so intense that breathing became a luxury. I had never known such torment.
Even exhaling became an ordeal.
In that moment, a heavy yet melancholic voice reached me. It was Jjangdol.

-This is the process of a cracked glass vessel mending itself. The vessel grows far larger in the process, so you could say it’s going well.

The glass vessel that had been shattering along its fractures began to fuse back together.
Water, fire, wind, earth, wood.
The natural elements were properly interweaving. The broken vessel slowly sealed its cracks. But I heard it clearly.

‘The process of a glass vessel mending itself.’

In the end, even if it mends, isn’t it still a glass vessel? What good is the vessel growing larger when it’s made of glass?
As my face twisted in anguish, Jjangdol’s apologetic voice came again.

-…You can’t pass out from this. Just endure it once, no matter how much it hurts.

Damn it!
Curse it all!
I spewed every profanity alongside the black blood.
Silent obscenities poured from me along with the crimson tide.

My body tilted slowly.

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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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