Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 282

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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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Maple Castle, situated on the western frontline of the Wipper Kingdom.

Whoooosh—
The wind swept across the hood pulled low over Choi Han’s head.

The biting winter wind had faded, replaced now by a warmer breeze carrying hints of sunlight that enveloped Maple Castle, yet the fortress remained locked in winter’s grip.

“So the King abandoned us?”
“…Keep your voice down.”
“Why should I? Forget it. We only trust what we’ve built with our own two hands anyway.”

Choi Han, treading through the castle corridors with utmost caution, halted at the sound of approaching voices.

Maple Castle was more than merely winter.

A King who had abandoned his address.
Because of this, the atmosphere of Maple Castle felt like standing alone in the depths of a bitter freeze.

And those humans facing that bitter cold had begun to display a singular emotion, slowly and inexorably.

“I will follow General Tunka without question.”
“Listen here.”
“I don’t care about Mogur or anything else. I, I ran all the way here clutching a stone. Aren’t you the same as me?”
“I know. I know it well.”

Malice. The soldiers were beginning to seethe with it.
This atmosphere was possible only in the Wipper Kingdom, where war had begun as civil strife, unlike ordinary soldiers of other nations.

“Oh!”

Then, Choi Han’s eyes met those of the soldiers.

“Priest, good day to you.”
“Good day, Priest!”

The soldiers’ gazes, which had been brimming with malice mere moments before, now overflowed with goodwill. Choi Han gave a slight bow in acknowledgment and resumed his walk.

‘Choi Han, you’re better than I expected.’

Choi Han recalled Kale Heniatus’s words as he made his way to Maple Castle. At that moment, Kale’s normally stern face had softened into a subtle smile.

‘The people of Wipper Kingdom are more rational than I thought. The soldiers harbor anger toward the King and the Empire, but they show no signs of madness.’

Kale’s eyes had gleamed with light. It seemed as though he was genuinely pleased to find himself in a situation where he could invest true sincerity into his work.

‘The Wipper soldiers are all proper warriors. If they were to face the Imperial soldiers, who do you think would win?’

Choi Han observed the soldiers who greeted him as he walked past.

They were filled with malice.
Yet not with madness.

All of them looked toward the future.
They were those who had tasted victory against the powerful Mages.

That was why Choi Han could answer Kale’s question without hesitation.

‘Most Wipper soldiers have less than two years of training. The organizational structure itself is less than three years old and remains chaotic.’

The Imperial soldiers participating in this battle would be elite troops trained under a proper system befitting their long history.

‘However, I believe the Wipper soldiers would prevail in one-on-one combat.’

In a war where lives hung in the balance, training mattered—but something far more crucial existed.

‘Exactly. Choi Han, they know no fear.’

Kale had nodded in agreement and offered a pleased smile. Though he seemed unaware of it himself, his expression conveyed relief.
Choi Han lifted his head, recalling that memory.

The teleportation magic circle installed within Maple Castle.
The soldiers had arrived through this very circle, and the Wipper soldiers deliberately averted their eyes from the convenience of magic even as they experienced it.
They were a military force that pursued practicality while fully aware of the contradiction.

Whoosh.

Light swirled across the magic circle.
And several figures in white robes materialized.

“It has been quite some time.”

Fendrick, the Elf whose ears were concealed, and a handful of Frigia’s subordinates—the sculptor-turned-assassin’s operatives from the Empire—had arrived. Frigia and the Sun God Cult twins remained behind in the Empire.

I surveyed my surroundings. The soldiers’ expressions brightened at the arrival of these new Priests. Especially those with healing abilities—the rumors of Fendrick’s coming had made them even more grateful.

I addressed Fendrick and Frigia’s subordinates.

“Follow me.”

Those who would serve as Priests to heal the soldiers fell into step behind me.

Tap, tap, tap.
As I walked the stone path toward the City Wall, my conversation with Kale Heniatus echoed in my mind.

‘In this war, will I truly have nothing to do?’

I could not reveal my black aura.

‘Why do nothing?’

Kale Heniatus, dressed as a Priest, had answered with an expression of bewilderment.

‘Saving lives isn’t work?’

He tossed me a pouch filled with potions.

‘Even without healing abilities, you’ll need to treat soldiers and warriors with potions. From the moment war erupts, you’ll be moving without rest. You’ll be incredibly busy, so keep your wits about you.’

His blunt face posed another question.

‘Why don’t you want to?’

As if that were possible.

‘No. I will do it without question.’

Saving lives was harder than taking them, yet it aligned perfectly with Choi Han’s heart.

In this war, Choi Han would not fight. Yet he would save people.
That burden weighed even heavier upon his soul.

Did I need to step forward?

Such doubt flickered briefly, but he soon realized there was no need for it.
Choi Han lifted his gaze before the Stone Stairs leading toward the Central Tower of the City Wall.

“Rosalind.”

Rosalind, wearing a radiant smile like the sun itself, stood before the Stone Stairs in her mage’s robes, just as Choi Han did.
Behind her stood Merry, concealed in a brown robe unlike her usual appearance, along with several others similarly hidden.

And there were those who revealed themselves, their gazes fixed forward without hesitation.

Mages from the Wipper Kingdom.
Now citizens of the Roan Kingdom, they gazed only upon Rosalind’s back.

Soldiers around them regarded the mages with complex expressions.
Anger and fear, hatred, gratitude, relief—their eyes held a mixture of emotions that could not be reduced to a single sentiment.

Yet the mages’ eyes were resolute.

‘We fight in this war.’

In those eyes holding but a single purpose, I sensed the fierce momentum of a swordsman with blade properly honed.

Rosalind glanced toward the Stone Stairs as she looked at Choi Han.

“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”

Choi Han began ascending the Stone Stairs with Rosalind, sensing the presence of those following behind him toward the tower above, his thoughts growing distant.

He could not fight himself, yet trustworthy comrades stood firm beside him.

‘And—’

Choi Han lifted his head.

Tap. Tap. Tap.
Multiple footsteps advanced in a single direction, and the moment Choi Han reached the end of the Stone Stairs and stepped upward.

“You’ve arrived.”

White-haired Kale Heniatus stood waiting for them, leaning against the railing.

“Can you see well from here?”

And beyond Kale’s back, tens of thousands of troops were visible in the distance.

The Mogur Empire Army.
They had set their sights on Maple Castle of the Wipper Kingdom.

‘…Damn, far more than I anticipated.’

Choi Han’s face twisted.

An hour earlier.
The Imperial Army had arrived before Maple Castle.
A wind blew from their direction.

Because of that wind, Maple Castle was now in a state of extreme tension.

The soldiers smiled at the Priest and cast complicated glances toward the Mages, yet they gripped their weapons and were filled with lethal intent.
Their conversations were merely small respites to ease the tension.

Whoooooosh—

Kale pushed himself away from the railing. Chief Advisor Herrol and Tunka were also at the Spire Tower.
His gaze collided with that of Chief Advisor Herrol.

“The Empire is making its move.”

That horn blast was a sound emanating from the Empire.
A figure leading the vanguard was visible in the distance.

Herrol opened his mouth immediately.

“Duke Hooten has arrived leading the Imperial Army.”

Duke Hooten.
The Crown Prince’s right hand and the Empire’s sole Sword Master.
He had come leading the Knights.

Buuuuuu—

The sound of a trumpet rang out, accompanied by the neighing of horses.

“Damn it, there are an absurd number of Knights.”

Tunka’s face twisted. But soon he laughed.

“Duke Hooten himself! I could tear that bastard to shreds. Kehehehe!”

During the last battle at Maple Castle, Duke Hooten had not participated in the confrontation with the Wipper Kingdom. That meant the Empire had only now become serious.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The earth trembled.
It was neither magic nor any other cause.
Simply tens of thousands of soldiers moving, and mounted Knights arrayed along the path they carved.

“…This is no joke.”

Rosalind’s expression twisted.

Sword Master Hooten.
It was not he that frightened her.

“…Even surpassing Paern.”

The three kingdoms of the Northern Region—that land of infantry and Knights—Knights comparable to theirs now raised swords and spears toward Maple Castle.
Yet they held a superiority in one crucial aspect over the Northern forces.

“All the Knights’ armor has been magically reinforced. They’ve used at least high-grade mana stones.”

Rosalind’s voice echoed across the Spire Tower.

The Empire.
Why was it the Empire?

Rosalind recalled what she had learned about the Empire when she held the first position in the line of succession. Her tutor, who had taught her statecraft and politics, paused the lesson and spoke.

‘An Empire must be above average in every aspect, and when all things are combined, it refers to the most superior place.’
‘You must remember this.’

The Roan Kingdom excelled in magic.
The Paern Kingdom was a nation of knights.
There were many places that excelled in one thing.

‘Above-average magic, above-average military forces, above-average combat prowess of knights, and finally, the continent’s sole unrivaled alchemy.’

Rosalind recalled the weight of the Empire she had forgotten.

‘It is terrifying because those things come together.’

If one faced only the Empire’s knights, there was nothing to fear.
If one faced only the Empire’s magic, it was manageable.
Even facing only the Empire’s alchemy could be handled with caution.

But her tutor had warned her.

‘You may hate me for saying such things. But I tell you this because you will become a ruler.’
‘An Empire is an existence where everything is above average.’
‘A kingdom lacking in even one aspect can never defeat the Empire.’

The final words spoken that day.

‘You will truly feel it when you become the Empire’s enemy.’

The Empire, now resolute, fielded knights equal to those of Paern, and equipped them with magical armor crafted from high-grade mana stones—something Paern could not achieve.

Whoooooosh—

And the Mage Battalion appeared behind the knights.

The Mage Battalion, possessing a history far more ancient than the Roan Kingdom itself.

Chief Advisor Herrol Codian let out a hollow laugh. So much military force merely to seize a single castle?
Herrol found himself understanding the King of Wipper’s fear somewhat.
One would indeed tremble at the sight of such an Imperial Army.

“Truly, they have come not to take Maple Castle, but to devour the Wipper Kingdom itself.”

Herrol had grasped the Empire’s true intentions completely. And he realized with certainty that the Empire had underestimated the Wipper Kingdom in their last encounter, treating them carelessly.

Boooooo—

The Empire’s trumpet call pierced across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Maple Castle remained silent.

For the past hour, soldiers and warriors had already taken their positions along the City Wall of Maple Castle, awaiting the enemy.

Their eyes wavered for a moment, growing clouded.
Their fighting spirit began to falter.

The sheer number of Duke Hooten’s knights and mages that appeared among the soldiers was staggering. The pressure they felt was incomparable to the previous battle at Maple Castle or the pillars of flame.

‘Fighting so many mages would be difficult enough, but can we overcome mages coordinating with countless knights?’

Doubt crept into the minds of several.
Then it happened.

“Uuuaaaaaaah!”

Boooooo—
A monstrous roar swallowed the horn’s call. Simultaneously, they saw the Grand General leaning out over the railing of the Spire Tower.

“Ahahahahaha!”

The Grand General laughed, an iron club gripped in his hand.
His eyes blazed with madness.

The soldiers’ eyes regained their light.
That madness spread like contagion through their ranks.

The only way for the weak to overcome the strong.

Was to go mad.

“That’s it.”

Kale Heniatus spoke while watching Tunka, then slowly approached his companions.
Rosalind spoke up.

“The Empire seems ready to advance soon. We should return to our positions.”
“I should also rejoin my staff officers.”

Herrol Codian added urgently.
It was then that Kale replied calmly.

“Watch until the end.”
“Pardon?”

Herrol Codian asked in confusion.

Boooooo—

Once more, the horn’s call rang out and the earth began to tremble.
Herrol Codian gazed at the enemy forces far beyond the Spire Tower.

Kale also watched them.

‘There’s still one more left.’

The Mages and Knights.
But that wasn’t all.

Kale recalled the Imperial Palace crumbling from the terrorist attack when he had gone to the Empire.
My shield had caught the massive falling stone.

Yet ultimately, it was someone else who prevented the catastrophe.

The Alchemist.
They had created new pillars on the collapsing roof of the Imperial Palace to support it. Kale remembered that peculiar method of alchemy.

Thus, he found himself deliberating over the impending confrontation with the Empire.

‘Does the Empire seek a swift engagement or a prolonged war?’

If they aimed for Maple Castle, it would be a short campaign; if they targeted the Wipper Kingdom itself, it would be a protracted one.

Boom! Thud! Thud!

The earth trembled.
Across the barren plains where nothing had stood before, earthen pillars began to rise one by one—massive as those that had once supported the Imperial Palace’s roof.

One after another.
Through the combined efforts of the Alchemist and Mages, pillars as colossal and formidable as those that had once buttressed the Imperial Palace roof during Sir Rex’s terrorist assault now materialized before the world.
Rosalind exhaled a sigh.

“They’ve risen to the same height as Maple Castle.”

Pillars soaring to match Maple Castle’s height. Upon them stood the Alchemist and Mages. Below them, Knights and Soldiers were arrayed in formation.

A configuration designed to threaten both close and ranged combat.

Herrol Codian muttered without thinking.

“It’s as though another castle has materialized.”

Castle against castle—the battle had transformed into something far grander.
In that instant, his breath caught in his throat.

The Mogur Empire—leading the Western Continent in military might, technological prowess, and magic alike. The true visage concealed behind the Crown Prince’s affable countenance had finally been revealed.

Then Kale Heniatus’s voice reached his ears.

“Yes. This is how it should be.”

His tone suggested he had been waiting all along for the Empire to reveal itself in precisely this manner.
Herrol Codian’s gaze—and that of those atop the Central Tower—turned toward Kale Heniatus.

Yet Kale Heniatus ignored their stares, placing his hand upon the shoulder of a robed figure. One who, like Merry, wore robes.

Kale Heniatus pulled back the hood that concealed him.
A middle-aged man’s wavering gaze then turned toward Kale.

Kale had prepared for war against the Empire just as thoroughly as he had for the Indomitable Alliance—that grand conflict involving three kingdoms and two races. Perhaps he had even prepared more extensively for the confrontation with the Empire.

Kale looked down at the middle-aged man beneath him.

“Do you understand why I summoned you?”

Kanel, Tribal Chief of the Flame Dwarves. He gazed up at Kale.

Tribal Chief Kanel felt a chill run through him once more at the sight of the expressionless Priest. The cold commander before him did not believe in gods, yet his eyes held no fear.
No fear of war, no fear of the Empire.

The Tribal Chief’s trembling voice echoed across the Spire Tower.

“Must we destroy alchemy?”

And the Tribal Chief of the Flame Dwarves could see the Priest smiling brightly, as if confirming the correct answer.
The smile was so radiant it sent chills down his spine.

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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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