Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 292

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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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Rosalind, Choi Han, and Herrol Codian were at a loss for words.
Kale Heniatus nodded in understanding at their expressions.

‘Even I have to admit this is insane.’

But what else could be done?
This was the only way to properly blindside the Crown Prince, wasn’t it?

-Human, human! Why aren’t you mentioning that you planned to kidnap the Crown Prince together?

Kale Heniatus deliberately ignored Raon’s words. Then he spoke to the three of them in a calm voice.

“Don’t worry. We won’t get caught.”

He could manage this level of deception without breaking a sweat.

“Young master, that’s not the issue!”
“Pardon?”

Kale Heniatus found himself asking back at Rosalind’s anguished cry. Then what was the problem?
That was when it happened.

Bang!

The door to the room with the teleportation circle burst open.
A massive figure stumbled in, gasping for breath.

“I—I—”

His gaze swept around before locking onto Kale Heniatus. The giant, Tunka, immediately bellowed upon seeing him.

“Why are you trying to walk into certain death alone!”

What?
Kale Heniatus was taken aback.

“Why! Why are you trying to go to the most dangerous place by yourself! Do you have a death wish?”

You don’t want to die?
Kale suddenly wondered why Tunka was acting this way.
But Tunka only scowled deeper at his expression.

That look of feigned ignorance!

There was no way the brilliant Kale Heniatus could know nothing. He obviously understood everything and was deliberately pretending it was fine.

‘Going alone to the Empire, to a place where the Crown Prince and Sub-Tower Master are!’

It was dangerous. The moment he stumbled and revealed even the slightest opening, Kale Heniatus’s life would vanish like a candle before a storm.
Tunka shouted at Kale, who still wore that “I know nothing” expression, his voice trembling with frustration.

“I may be ignorant, but you’re even more foolish!”

Damn.
And Kale felt irritated.
So he opened his mouth to say something, but Herrol Chief of Staff stepped forward.

“Grand General, please calm yourself.”

He soothed Tunka while gazing at Kale. Kale froze. Herrol’s eyes were wavering with intensity.
Kale grew uneasy.

“Commander, you must be exhausted from your trip to the Empire. Please get some proper rest.”

It was an ordinary statement. Kale was about to nod in relief.

“And your spy operation—that sacrifice will not be forgotten. The soldiers may not know of your sacrifice now, but it will be recorded in history, and all the people of the Wipper Kingdom will come to know it. We of Wipper will surely defeat the Imperial Army and bring you the Crown Prince’s head.”

Huh?

“Just as you walk smiling into the Fire Pit, Commander, we too shall march into it with smiles.”

Why would I walk into a Fire Pit?
Why is he being so ominous?
Kale had much to say, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak. Besides, Herrol was faster.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Sigh.”

Herrol Codian bowed his head and led Tunka out of the room. Tunka followed behind him with slumped shoulders, releasing a deep sigh.

Click.
The door closed.
Now only Choi Han, Rosalind, and the invisible Raon remained by my side.

‘Why are those two making such a fuss on their own?’

My gaze remained fixed on the closed door through which Tunka and Herrol Codian had departed, bewildered. Rosalind glanced at Choi Han with an expression that seemed to ask what to do about this man. Choi Han shook his head slightly and opened his mouth.

“Should I follow them as well, Kale Heniatus?”
“No.”

As expected.
Choi Han realized he must remain in the Wipper Kingdom as the Sword of Hugothe.

“Then Raon will stay by your side, correct?”

The invisible Raon answered that question.

“Of course! I’m going with the human! Don’t worry!”

At Raon’s response, both Choi Han and Rosalind nodded in relief. With Raon present, I would be safe whether I wielded ancient power or faced dangerous circumstances.

I noticed how their expressions, which had crumpled at my words, relaxed at the words of a six-year-old, and I couldn’t help but feel disgruntled.
I tossed out my next words curtly.

“Raon.”
“What is it? Just tell me everything!”
“I need to have a video communication with the Crown Prince.”

The group’s eyes sharpened.

“Raon, can you change my location to Heniatus Territory during the video communication?”
“That’s child’s play for the great Raon Mir!”
“Impressive.”
“Right! I’m the impressive Raon Mir!”

Raon fluttered his wings at my praise, but Rosalind and Choi Han couldn’t hide their tension.
Rosalind’s eyes gleamed especially bright, her mind working rapidly. Crown Prince Adin was not someone to be taken lightly.

“Young master, what are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to lie down.”
“Pardon?”

I wiped away my ashen, pallid face.
A patient had to rest.

* * *

“I’m truly sorry to meet you under these circumstances.”

A sigh.
A faint, delicate sigh escaped after each word—a breath so labored it seemed speaking itself was an ordeal. That single breath echoed loudly in the silent space.

-Are you feeling any better?

Crown Prince Adin’s face appeared on the video communication screen. His expression was filled with concern and worry.
It was not a fabricated expression of false kindness.

‘…This is serious.’

In Adin’s eyes, my condition appeared grave.

On his video communication screen, he could see a plain, modest room’s wall, and in that unadorned room, I lay on the bed, barely sitting upright with Choi Han’s support.

“Please forgive the shabby surroundings.”

I slowly lowered and raised my head, speaking to Crown Prince Adin on the video communication screen.

“I’m afraid it wouldn’t be good if the people of the Roan Kingdom—or rather, the three northern kingdoms—learned of my illness.”
-…I understand that concern for your kingdom well enough.
“Thank you.”

Crown Prince Adin observed Kale Heniatus’s face as he offered his gratitude.

‘Deathly pale. Extremely so.’

It wasn’t makeup.
He could be certain of that.
Nor was there any magic that could make someone’s skin appear sickly.

‘That’s the truth, then.’

Adin’s gaze shifted to Choi Han.
The youngest Sword Master. This powerhouse who had suddenly emerged on the Western Continent was someone the Empire kept under close watch—important enough to be on their surveillance list.

‘…His expression is too vivid to be an act.’

Choi Han kept his mouth firmly shut while supporting Kale, yet his eyes trembled with confusion and worry.

Because Adin possessed little emotion himself, he was all the more skilled at reading others’ feelings. Even by his standards, Choi Han was clearly worried about Kale Heniatus.

‘The probability that this is also genuine is quite high.’

If that were true, then the likelihood of Kale Heniatus being that ‘brown-robed figure’ diminished considerably.

Crown Prince Adin had received all reports regarding the battle at Maple Castle. Among them, what captured his attention most was not the Breck Kingdom, Rosalind, or the Dwarves—but the ‘brown-robed figure.’

Ancient power. Fire, no less.
The being who wielded that unquenchable flame had suddenly appeared on the Western Continent. And they had done so completely shrouded in robes.

That was why the Empire had investigated the figure’s identity and placed Kale Heniatus on their list of suspects. Primarily because of Rosalind and the ancient power connection.

‘Fortunate, then.’

But observing Kale’s current state, it seemed reasonable to dismiss half of those suspicions.
Because the brown-robed figure reported by the Empire’s mages had remained unscathed even after wielding ancient power. Yet Kale Heniatus—judging from Crown Prince Albert’s video and his current appearance—seemed to be hovering between life and death.

‘It wouldn’t have been strange if I died at any moment.’

It was fortunate that he wasn’t an enemy.
And regardless of whether he was an enemy or not, if he possessed fire as well,

‘I would have to kill him.’

Currently, Kale Heniatus was known to possess three ancient powers. A shield, water, and stone spear. If one more were added here, it would become troublesome for the White Star.
Adin gazed at Kale Heniatus with genuinely concerned eyes.

-Participating in the war won’t be too much for you, will it?
“I am fine.”

Fine, indeed.
Adin was truly worried.

‘It would be problematic if he died in the Imperial War.’

He should die later.

He recalled what the Alchemy Tower Master had said.

‘This Kale Heniatus possesses three ancient powers? My, my.’

The Tower Master had assessed Kale Heniatus’s condition with quite a sorrowful expression.

‘He will die soon.’

Kale Heniatus, destined to burst and die from the collision of ancient powers.
If he disappeared, the Roan Kingdom’s growth would plummet as well.

‘How delightful.’

That was why Adin found it amusing.
He only hoped this fragile one wouldn’t die within the Empire. Otherwise, the relationship between the Empire and the Roan Kingdom would instantly turn hostile.
The Tower Master’s voice echoed through his mind.

‘If he uses the ancient powers a few more times, he will likely burst and die. My, how tragic.’

The Tower Master of the Alchemy Tower was saddened, but Adin was delighted.
So he conveyed his intentions to Kale Heniatus in a gentle voice.

-I’m grateful that you’re willing to aid the Empire despite that exhausted body of yours. I don’t expect much from someone in your condition.

Adin gazed at the pallid Kale Heniatus, watching his shallow breaths.

-Just once. When we extinguish the flames of the Wipper Kingdom, I’d like you to lend me your power then.

Just once.
The Empire was pleased—it could extinguish the fire without expending magic or alchemy.

‘And I can accelerate Kale Heniatus’s death. How convenient.’

It was an exceptionally favorable arrangement.

“You may use my power as much as you wish. For the sake of friendship between the Empire and the Roan Kingdom. And as one who has received the Empire’s commendation, I truly wish to serve the Empire.”

Adin suppressed the laughter threatening to burst forth at this righteous hero Kale Heniatus’s words.

‘What use is such heroic sentiment?’

When one observed carefully, these emotionally rich humans threw their lives away for trivial things.

Like Kale Heniatus, who spoke of recovering his weakened body as quickly as possible to come soon.
For their kingdom, for others, or for honor, for justice.
These people who charged forward heedless of their limits were merely amusing to Adin.

Away from the sun, his ordinary brown eyes held Kale Heniatus within them.

-I won’t forget that spirit of sacrifice.

Never.
For Adin, watching humans die precisely because of such sacrifice was always fascinating.

-Then I hope to see you soon.
“Yes, I’ll see you in a few days.”

Kale bowed his head, and moments later, the video communication screen went dark.
His first video communication with Crown Prince Adin had ended.

Choi Han watched Kale with worried eyes as he kept his head lowered. Kale slowly raised his gaze, his eyes turning toward the video communication device where the conversation with Crown Prince Adin had taken place.

The video communication device was dark.
Yet Kale spoke, his voice directed beyond the darkened screen.

“I trust you witnessed everything.”

The darkened video communication device.
Behind it, there was another video communication device.

A device that had been watching the entire exchange between Crown Prince Adin and Kale.
The man in the video feed swept his shoulder-length hair aside, and Kale called out his name.

“Your Highness Valentino.”

Prince Valentino of the Caro Kingdom. He made no attempt to conceal the cold glint in his eyes. He stared at the darkened video communication device before speaking slowly.

-Commander, we shall see you soon.

The Caro Kingdom had taken responsibility for transporting the Light Attribute Sect priests who would aid the Empire.
Officially, Valentino was known to be personally leading these priests to the Empire to support his friend Crown Prince Adin.

Kale and Valentino would meet with Crown Prince Adin in the Empire.

“Yes, I look forward to seeing you then.”
-Commander, I hope you’re not pushing yourself while injured. Until then.

Valentino’s video communication also ended. Kale rose from his seat.
He passed by Crown Prince Adin’s video communication device, then the table where Valentino’s device sat, and moved toward the back of the room. There stood Rosalind with an astonished expression and Raon with an excited one.

And before them sat another video communication device.
Kale picked it up. Another figure appeared on the screen—the sole person who had witnessed everything alongside Kale’s group.
Kale spoke the man’s name.

“Clophe Seka.”
-Yes, Kale.

When the white-haired man in the video communication smiled brightly, Kale opened his mouth.

“You heard everything, right?”
-Yes, Kale. Of course I heard it all.

The white-haired man nodded, and Kale gave him an instruction.

“Then imitate me for a bit.”

The white-haired Priest in the brown robe.
The perfect man answered with a bright smile, his voice resolute.

-As much as you wish. Your command, the one and only Kale of this continent. Though I am lacking, I shall imitate you better than anyone else.

…This feels off somehow.
Kale watched Clophe Seka with concern—the man did it well, but there was something unsettling about him.
Yet soon, Kale let out a quiet laugh at what the eccentric man said with a radiant smile.

-The Crown Prince will be finished soon.

It was an obvious statement.

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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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