Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 347

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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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Chapter 77. Disconnection

“Kale, do you think the journey to Wind Island will be difficult? Is it really necessary for only one person to go?”

Choi Han spoke calmly, while Raon’s voice resonated vibrantly in his mind.

-That’s right! I’m invisible, so I can go too! There’s nowhere a great dragon cannot reach!

Kale sighed and gazed quietly at Choi Han.

I knew nothing of what came after Volume 5 of The Birth of a Hero.
What had Choi Han been forced to endure in the years that followed?

‘That unlucky bastard.’

I thought Choi Han was far more cursed by misfortune than myself.
He had lived happily until age seventeen, when he fell into the Dark Forest, and survived with such brutal desperation that one might wonder if there could be any lower depths. He had grown stronger through that crucible.
And then Harris Village, which had become his second home, was completely annihilated.
After that, he had grown through heroic deeds—acts of great cause or righteousness. That path of growth was naturally accompanied by blood at every step.

“…Kale?”
“That unlucky bastard.”

Choi Han, who had been expressing concern as he looked at me, fell silent at my words.

-Human! Choi Han is bewildered by what you just said! I share the same sentiment! Who are you calling unlucky?!

I casually dismissed the six-year-old’s protest.
Instead, I focused on the voice of Jjangdol resonating in my mind.

-That unlucky bastard.

…Hearing it from Jjangdol too made me oddly irritated.

“What do you mean I’m unlucky?”

I grumbled. My expression had turned sullen.

“The eldest son of Count’s Household, wealthy, not weak enough to die anywhere, and of course the work is a bit busy. And because that work is somewhat grand, I’ve become famous— damn it.”

Kale decided to stop grumbling any further.
Speaking only twisted my insides.

-Hehe, what a cute fellow.

I ignored Jjangdol’s words as well.
And I averted my gaze from my companions who shook their heads at me or looked at me with pity. What came into view then was the Mercenary King.

“You really are my friend. I think I’ve found a kindred spirit!”

What is this bastard.
I saw Burd Illis eagerly grab my hand.

“Same here! I’m the Mercenary King! The leader of the Mercenary Guild! Plus I’m wealthy. And strong too. But I have so much work. And my life depends on that work. Damn it!”
“…Sigh.”

I brushed away Burd Illis’s hand and simply stared at the fog-laden sea.
That was the most comfortable thing for my mind.

But the moment an island appeared through the mist, the moment we drew close enough to see the dock of the island.
My expression twisted oddly.

“That’s my homeland island!”

A massive island came into view.
That wasn’t the problem.

-Human! Human! I smell something like alcohol!
“There’s an alcohol smell!”
“There’s a really strong alcohol smell!”

On and Hong, whose Cat-Human nature had already been revealed to the Mercenary King, and even Raon—all averaging nine years old—wrinkled their noses and eagerly spoke about the smell wafting from the dock.
I watched the ship’s bow touch the dock and spoke to the nine-year-olds.

“When you want to drink something here, ask Vicross first before you do.”

Vicross nodded curtly. The Cats also nodded in agreement.
Only then did Kale hand out an additional gold coin as pocket money to each of the children, who averaged nine years old, before descending toward the Dock.

-Human! You’re truly kind! You gave us more than just pocket money!
“We can buy something to eat together!”
“And it smells delicious!”

Kale approached Choi Han, who was gazing warmly at the delighted On and Hong, and asked a question.

“How much do you need?”
“Pardon?”

Kale handed over a pouch containing ten gold coins.
The poor fellow. Shouldn’t I feed him plenty of delicious food?
He’s already lost weight anyway—I need to fatten him back up.

“Take it.”

Choi Han’s mouth fell shut, his expression flooding with bewilderment, but Kale, walking ahead with a satisfied face while cradling On and Hong in his arms, didn’t see that expression.

However, the pleased expression on Kale’s face gradually shifted into something peculiar.

“Oh! Has Burd arrived? The greatest drinker has come!”
“Wow, when did Burd get here? Your father didn’t mention anything!”

The island residents greeted Burd, who was heading toward the upper part of the island, with warmth.

“Gren, it’s been a while for you too. You’ve been doing well, haven’t you?”

Gren Puff. The people also greeted the Mage standing beside Burd affectionately.
The purple-haired Mage’s eyes met Kale’s. And he immediately opened his mouth.

“Something is strange about Burd.”
“Indeed, that’s so.”

Kale nodded readily.
The Mage Gren Puff continued speaking.

“Making alcohol requires tremendous concentration and effort.”

Kale observed the islanders surrounding Burd Illis as they walked ahead.
The people who smiled brightly at Kale’s group of outsiders showed no signs of intoxication whatsoever.

As Kale headed toward the mountain located on the island, he could see various buildings erected around him. Each one was clearly engaged in brewing operations.

It was quite an industrious and vibrant island.

“Selected grains or fruits, the environment in which they ferment and age, humidity, ventilation, temperature. Everything must be executed without the slightest deviation.”

At Gren Puff’s calm explanation, Kale nodded with a satisfied expression.
Though the smell of alcohol emanated from all directions, and many people carried alcohol jars on their backs, they were all working toward a single purpose—the process of brewing.

Gren’s voice continued.

“Alcohol is art.”

Hmm?
Kale turned his head at the strange sensation.

“As beautiful and artistic as magic, wouldn’t you say? Even if one person brews the alcohol, everything changes depending on the day, the time, and the temperature. How beautiful is that?”

Gren’s face grew increasingly fervent.

“Alcohol mirrors life itself. It is art, art! That is why we must cherish and treasure it!”

Clap, clap, clap.
The islanders applauded.

“That’s our Gren—his thoughts are always magnificent.”
“Intelligent people express themselves beautifully! Alcohol is indeed art!”

-Oh, alcohol as art? How fascinating, human!
Meow, meow, meow.
Meow, meow.

The cats, averaging nine years old, seemed fascinated and focused intently on the island’s surroundings and the islanders’ conversation.
Kale quickened his pace and approached Burd Illis, whispering from behind his back.

“Hey.”
“Hm?”
“Guide me quickly.”

Burd Illis instinctively nodded at the menacing tone in Kale Heniatus’s voice and quickened his pace.

Burd Illis led the way toward the summit of the island.
The mountain, gentle as a hillside rather than treacherous, was not difficult to ascend. Of course, Kale Heniatus climbed with ease, the Voice of Wind coiled around his feet.

‘Something feels off.’

As they climbed higher, the smell of alcohol faded away.
Yet Kale Heniatus sensed something amiss.

Whoooosh— Whooosh—

The sound of wind grew louder as they ascended.
The increasingly fierce howling of the wind filled Kale Heniatus’s ears.

And finally, when I reached the summit and gazed upon the opposite side of the island.

“There it is.”

When Burd Illis’s finger pointed to a location beyond the mist-shrouded sea.
Kale Heniatus’s expression hardened.

-Human! That place looks far too dangerous! Do not go there!

Raon’s urgent voice reached me.

Whoooosh— Whooosh—
In the heart of the mist-laden sea, a single island stood revealed, the only one that had dispelled the fog entirely and exposed its true form.
It could not be otherwise.

Whoooosh—
Wind.
From all directions, whirlwinds and blade-like gusts of wind ravaged and enveloped the island.

In fact, I couldn’t even see the island itself.
I could only discern that an island existed there through thousands upon thousands of colliding, exploding wind vortexes that clawed at one another.

“Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han approached me with a grave expression.

‘…It’s not artificial.’

That was why Choi Han looked so serious.
It was neither aura nor mana. What existed on that island was natural wind.

And that wind was raging like a calamity.
It was a place worthy of its name—one of the Three Forbidden Zones.

The Ancient Dragon Erhafen approached me.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this place.”

He turned his head and spoke to me calmly.

“You don’t have to go.”

But as always, they could hear my unwavering response.

“I have to go.”

My tone was matter-of-fact.
Jjangdol spoke in my mind.

-Let’s take the difficult path.
-A path where you don’t have to sacrifice your life, nor sacrifice others. Only your body will grow weary and strained. You may even be hurt.
-But your heart will find peace.

My lips parted.
A path where my heart finds peace.

“That’s the easy path.”

* * *

“From here on, I have to go alone.”

Kale Heniatus stood on the deck.
The biting wind made it difficult to keep his eyes open, so he gazed forward with narrowed eyes.

Wind Island.
The wind that originated from that place transformed into waves, attempting to push the approaching ship far away from the island.

“I want to go with you!”
“Me too!”
-Me as well!

The children, averaging nine years old, clung to Kale’s body.
Gren Puff, the Mage, opened his mouth with his arms crossed.

“That’s impossible. That island only reveals its relic to those with wind affinity, and only one person at a time.”

Burd Illis pointed to a location on the island that was so thoroughly surrounded by wind that even its interior was barely visible.

“That’s the entrance.”

Then he spoke with a rather worried expression.

“You remember everything I told you, right?”

Last night.
Burd Illis had explained to me the method to survive on that Wind Island.
I recalled his words.

‘Deep within Wind Island, there’s a Temple. Inside that Temple, on the Altar, sits a single jar.’
‘If you give that jar to someone who is suffering or dying, liquid will fill it. Drinking that liquid brings healing.’

A jar-shaped relic.

‘But that jar has limitations—whether from its nature or the passage of time, cracks appear on its surface each time it’s used. It seems to be a relic with a usage limit, not an eternal one.’

When the cracks on the jar become severe, it will eventually shatter and disappear.

‘As far as our family knows, that jar has been used only three times throughout history.’
‘And the jar must be returned to its original location within a week of use.’

My gaze turned toward Burd Illis.
Wind Island. At some point, my family settled on the island beside it, established the first distillery there, and has cultivated it ever since. That was where Burd Illis’s household was located.

‘Our family members have inherited the wind-attribute Ancient Power, one person per generation for two generations.’

Burd Illis had spoken with a bitter smile.

‘I am the gatekeeper of Wind Island.’
‘It was the will of the ancestor who first settled on the island. However, the ancestor never explained why we had to become the gatekeepers of Wind Island. Only.’

Though it hadn’t been long, this was the first time I had seen Burd Illis with such a serious expression.

‘Only that we must protect that relic from falling into the hands of wicked people. And if it seemed like it would be taken, he told me to destroy it.’

I finished recalling last night’s conversation and looked toward the place Burd Illis had indicated.
The Mercenary King had placed a signal flare in my hand as a precaution.

“If things go wrong, fire the signal flare. We can retrieve the relic another time. And even if it takes a while, you should be able to get out within three days.”

Three days.
He said that much time would be sufficient even in the worst case.
I nodded readily.

“Young master.”

I paused. Ron, my servant, examined my attire before speaking.

“Just make good use of the food and supplies in your spatial pouch. You understand, yes?”
“Yes, yes. Of course I know. I’m well aware of everything you’ve told me, Ron.”

I nodded quickly.

-Human! If things go wrong, fire the signal flare! I’ll destroy the island!

A menacing dragon’s whisper reached my ears.

“Kale, I will wait outside the island, here on the ship.”

…There was no need to wait on the boat like this.
Kale pretended not to hear Choi Han’s words.

“Kale.”
“I’ll make sure you come back safely.”

Before Erhafen could say anything, I cut him off and lightly kicked off the ship’s railing, launching myself upward. I turned back to my companions and waved my hand gently.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Whiiiish—
Though it was a smaller sound compared to the winds of Wind Island, the Voice of Wind began to envelop my body.
And soon my form shot toward the island like an arrow.

Whiiiish— Whiiiish—
My robe and the clothes beneath it fluttered wildly.
But I threw myself without hesitation toward the point the Mercenary King Burd Illis had indicated.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve moved alone.’

It was my first time moving alone since obtaining the unbreakable shield.

-It will be dangerous.
-Be careful.

The corners of my mouth lifted.
I heard the voices of the Ancient Power Owners.

‘I’m not alone after all.’

When I thought about it, I was never truly alone.

Whiiiish— Whiiiish—

When I arrived at the location the Mercenary King had pointed to, two massive whirlwinds were colliding with each other.

Whoooosh—
But Kale spotted a narrow gap between the wind blades.

‘Kale Heniatus, follow only the path I told you. That way, you won’t be sliced by the wind blades.’

The Mercenary King.
Recalling the path he had shown me and the map he had given, I advanced through that narrow gap.
In that moment, the voice of the Voice of Wind’s owner—the Thief—echoed in my mind.

-I was an ordinary person once.

Sorrow tinged her husky voice.

-But when my family died and our family’s foundation crumbled.

That sorrow gradually transformed into rage.

-I became a thief. And I became the greatest thief on the Western Continent.
-Because I stole the Temple’s relics.

Whiiiine—
As I pierced through two massive whirlwinds, an island came into view.
Wind Island, one of the three forbidden places.

‘There is no life on Wind Island.’

The Mercenary King had said.

‘Because only dead mana-infected land and stone exist there.’

A black island appeared in my vision.
The Thief spoke.

-I was an ordinary person, but I could control the wind, and I had one more special power.

The power she possessed.
Voice of Wind.
Wind, and sound.

-I hear the Voice of Wind.

The sound that the wind itself produces.

-I hear the voices of the wind spirits.

Spirits dwelling within nature, beings closest to the natural world itself.
She was neither an Elf nor could she contract with spirits to become a Spirit Summoner, yet strangely, she alone could hear the ‘voice’ of the wind spirits.
She could not see or feel the wind spirits, only hear their ‘voice,’ but that alone was enough.

-I was never able to see from the beginning anyway. Sound was all I ever needed.

The greatest thief of ancient times had originally been blind. Yet she could sense and hear everything.

-Find my spinning top.
-I will grant you allies—the strongest yet kindest, cunning and capricious companions, a vast multitude of them.

The woman with the husky voice spoke tenderly to Kale Heniatus.

-I like your choice. Let us walk the difficult path with ease. I shall walk it with you.

A smile crossed Kale Heniatus’s lips as he gazed upon the dark island.

* * *

A week had passed. Kale Heniatus had not left the island.

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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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