Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 341

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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 Ancient Dragon Erhafen pretended not to notice Kale watching his trembling hands.

“Hmm.”

I could see the displeasure flickering across Kale’s eyes, but I ignored that too. Then I quietly approached the table where Crown Prince Alberu and the Dark Elf Tasha were seated.

The documents that had been piled up like a mountain were cleared away, and food was arranged in their place.

“Oh? Young Master Kale is awake?”

Tasha, who had just woken from sleep, stretched and greeted Kale brightly, while Vice-Captain Hilsman placed dishes on the table and chattered incessantly.

“Ah! I should let everyone know that the Young Master has awakened! When they saw the Silver Shield, everyone was so moved. I never thought I would witness something so sacred and awe-inspiring in my lifetime!”

Hilsman kept glancing at the awakened Kale, his eyes still glistening with emotion as he spoke.

“At this rate, won’t the Young Master be counted as the foremost hero of the Western Continent? Hahahaha! If that day comes, this Hilsman will shed tears of joy!”

Then he spoke with a trembling voice.

“This past week… *sniff*, this past week. My heart has been so anxious, tormented by all manner of needless worries. Unable to contact the Lord and the Countess at all, *sniff*.”

Hilsman’s complexion had indeed grown gaunt from the mental anguish. It was hardly surprising—the eldest son of the house he served had lost consciousness and remained unconscious for an entire week.

Erhafen watched the scene and sat down beside Tasha.
In the midst of this, Choi Han’s voice was heard.

“Young Master Kale.”

Choi Han, who had been silent for a long time, approached Kale’s bed and spoke to him carefully.

“Will you be able to eat? Shall I bring you some soup?”

Despite his composed expression, Choi Han’s voice trembled slightly.
Just like Vice-Captain Hilsman’s trembling voice as he spoke whatever came to mind, moved by the sight of Kale awakening.

Erhafen pretended not to hear that voice and casually picked up a piece of bread.
That was when it happened.

“Hehe.”

Raon’s laughter echoed through the room.
Erhafen turned his head. Before he could register when the creature had flown over, Raon landed beside him with a thud and flashed him a wide grin.

“…What, you little brat?”

The moment those words left his mouth, Kale’s voice reached the ancient dragon’s ears.

“Eat first, then we head to the Eastern Continent.”

Everyone’s movements froze.
Tasha, who had been observing Kale’s complexion while stretching; Crown Prince Alberu, organizing documents; Choi Han, perched on the edge of Kale’s bed; and the perpetually talkative Hilsman.
And finally, Erhafen as well.
All of them went rigid.

“Yes! We’re going to the Eastern Continent!”

Only Raon shouted with excitement, breaking the silence. As the quiet shattered, the Crown Prince opened his mouth.

“…You broke through already?”

His expression was one of utter bewilderment.

“You broke through in just one week.”

Meanwhile, Erhafen’s expression darkened further as he pressed his lips together tightly.
In that moment, Kale spoke with unhurried composure.

“Choi Han, the meat.”

Choi Han, who had been frozen in place, swiftly cut the steak with remarkable speed, infusing his swordsmanship into each precise slice, and brought it to Kale.
Kale stabbed the meat with his fork, shoved it into his mouth, swallowed, and spoke.

“I once overheard a conversation involving Crown Prince Adin.”
“That’s right! I heard it too!”

Raon tapped Erhafen’s flank repeatedly.

“Golden Dragon! Listen to us humans! If you do as we say, you’ll wake up to find gold coins appearing!”

Sigh.
A heavy breath escaped from Erhafen’s lips.
Regardless of his response, I was doing things my way. I continued with what I had to say.

“It appears that both Dark and the White Star intend to devour not only the underworld of the Eastern Continent but also the Mercenary Guild.”

I recalled the conversation Crown Prince Adin had with his subordinates in the Alchemy Tower Underground.

‘Your Highness, it would still be better to send someone to the Eastern Continent. It is not fitting for you to go to a place merely to face the Mercenary King.’
‘Please send me, Your Highness. I will go to the Eastern Continent and take from the Mercenary King that power which will bring you new life.’

Information that the Mercenary King possessed power related to healing.

‘That settles it. Dark will soon make its move to consume the Mercenary Guild.’
‘Will Dark be capable of it?’
‘The White Star has been on the Eastern Continent for the past several months for this very purpose. That is why the Tower Master is also there now, reporting on the war and handling the aftermath.’

Information that the White Star had been fixated on this task for months, targeting the Mercenary Guild.
I spoke while recalling these two pieces of information.

“And it is said that the Mercenary King possesses power related to healing.”

My gaze turned toward Erhafen.
Only then did the others’ attention shift to the Ancient Dragon, and Raon spoke to him.

“Golden Dragon! Come with us! If you don’t, I’ll destroy everything!”

The pale-faced Ancient Dragon said nothing and simply stuffed bread into his mouth. An awkward silence hung in the air.
But that silence was soon broken.

“Tch. Waking up after just a week, and the first thing you do is act to save someone else. I, Vice-Captain Hilsman, truly wish to share this touching tale with future generations!”

I ignored Hilsman. It was easier that way.
But when I turned my gaze, I saw Crown Prince Albert staring intently at me. To his look, I spoke rather warmly, as if to say there was a misunderstanding.

“For your information, I plan to return quickly. I have no intention of engaging in a second battle with the White Star right away.”

I meant every word.

“I simply intend to meet with the Mercenary King and obtain the healing power he possesses through conversation.”

Raon’s voice echoed in my mind.

-Human! Is the Mercenary King kind? Will he just give it to you if you talk? It’s healing power!

I have no idea.
How would I know the Mercenary King?
I couldn’t predict what conversation I’d have with the Mercenary King. So I simply said something vague.

“That’s why I plan to return as quickly as possible to help with the aftermath of matters related to the Empire. I don’t intend to bring many people, and I’ll return with a minimal force, so there shouldn’t be any additional burden placed on the rest of you.”

Besides, the Crown Prince needs to return to the Roan Kingdom now.
He’s been away from his post for far too long.

“Therefore, Your Highness should be able to return now. Regarding compensation for this matter, I will-”

A sigh.
A deep exhale filled the air.

Thud!
A stack of documents was hurled and landed haphazardly in a corner.

“Your Highness?”

I saw Crown Prince Alberu throw the documents and drag his hands across his face.

What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?
The Crown Prince could only stare at me with exasperation as I tilted my head in confusion.

‘I don’t understand.’

Alberu found himself unable to comprehend me anymore. No, he understood well enough—but he no longer wished to.

‘This bastard was unconscious for over a week, and the moment he opens his eyes, he’s already moving to obtain healing power for the dragon?’

Does that even make sense?
Of course it makes sense.

But Alberu had visited the Imperial Capital in secret, disguised as a Dark Elf, and watched the video recordings of the war that Rosalind had left behind.
And to be honest.

‘I was shocked.’

Quite shocked, actually.
Every time we discussed Dark and the White Star, but their battles had now transcended the bounds of my imagination.

Those who fought against such formidable enemies were beings I knew.
When the one who had unleashed the greatest Destructive Fire and wielded a shield lost consciousness, the atmosphere in this place was not favorable.

“Kale Heniatus.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

Of course, it wasn’t as if the atmosphere was entirely unfavorable.
After all, the Imperial Capital had been protected, most people remained unharmed, and Kale Heniatus regained consciousness within three days.

“What was your dream again?”

But this week was different.
During that time, I hid away in this bedroom, avoiding the gazes of others while handling the tasks assigned to me and observing the entire situation.

“To be a slacker, Your Highness.”

At the nonchalant response, my face finally crumpled.
I recalled those who had cautiously visited that bed where Kale Heniatus lay throughout the week. The two Dragons had practically taken up residence nearby.

When Kale Heniatus hesitated upon noticing the ominous glint in my crumpled expression, I spoke with exasperation.

“I will absolutely make you a slacker.”

Oh.
Color flooded back into Kale Heniatus’s face.

“Really?”

And he immediately asked back if it was good.
Alberu answered him.

“You’re incompetent.”
“Pardon?”
“Just eat your meat.”

With that, he abruptly stood up, flung open the bedroom door, and left. Kale stared at the closed bedroom door with a bewildered expression, but soon nodded at the question that followed.

“Kale.”
“Yes.”

It was Choi Han.

“I should naturally come with you, correct?”
“Yes. Of course.”

In a situation where Erhafen’s condition was far from normal, there was a possibility of unexpectedly encountering the White Star while going to meet the Mercenary King.
It was a scenario to avoid at all costs, but should such a situation arise, I needed to have myself, Raon, and Choi Han present.
Honestly, I wanted to take everyone along, but that was difficult given the circumstances of the Western Continent.

“…That’s a relief.”

Hmm?
Kale found it strange that Choi Han, who spoke of relief, was cutting into his steak with such a murderous glint in his eyes, but he let it pass. After all, he needed to hear the response from one particular being.
Because he needed to hear an answer from a certain existence.

“Erhafen?”

A deep sigh.
With a heavy exhale, the Ancient Dragon nodded. Only then did Kale nod with satisfaction and open his mouth.

“What is it like to destroy a soul?”

Erhafen’s expression stiffened slightly.
He could see Kale’s eyes, which had sunk into a grave intensity. Kale, who had not released his thoughts about the White Star—that existence.

“And I wish to hear information about the Dragon Slayer Family. About that place.”

Erhafen opened his mouth, having already organized in his mind the words he would convey once Kale awakened.
However, at that very moment, a sound interrupted his speech.

Click.
With a soft sound, the bedroom door opened once more.
Kale’s eyes widened. It was Crown Prince Albert.
He had just left, yet returned almost immediately. Albert approached Kale and tossed a document from his hand onto the bed with a flick.

“What is this?”

Albert spoke curtly, his face creased rather than wearing his usual radiant smile.

“Mercenary King information.”

Oh.
The corners of my mouth twitched upward.
He truly was more affectionate than he let on.
I smiled and gazed at the paper containing the Mercenary King’s information.

“As expected, Your Highness possesses a magnanimous heart far more beautiful than the warm rays of the sun—”

My flattering words came to an abrupt halt.
Albert’s voice reached my ears.

“Even though Roan is on the Western Continent and knows little of Eastern Continent affairs, the Mercenary King is counted among the strongest and most powerful figures of the Eastern Continent. That’s why we have at least basic information.”
“…Truly basic, I see.”

The information on the Mercenary King consisted of three points.

【Burd Illis, 35 years old.】

The Mercenary King’s name was Burd Illis.
I read through the information about him.

【A madman.】

Formidable.
That was the first of the three points. With just that alone, I began to feel genuine concern about my prospects on the Eastern Continent.
Then came the second point.

【Sword Master and suspected to possess one unidentified special ability.】

Kale’s lips quirked subtly.
An unidentified special ability. For some reason, Ancient Powers came to mind. There was also the thought that it might be the healing power he possessed.

“What do you think?”

At Crown Prince Albert’s question, Kale lifted his gaze from the document to look at the Crown Prince.
Albert was smiling. Kale followed suit, offering a radiant smile in return.

“It looks good to me.”

The Mercenary King’s third piece of information.

【Obsessed with alcohol. If you drink well, everyone becomes my friend!】

Kale spoke cheerfully.

“After so long, my instincts as a rogue are stirring to life.”

His face was flushed, but Kale Heniatus was quite the drinker.
It already felt as though he and the Mercenary King had become friends.

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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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