Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 367

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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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Dragon Hybrid.
How many dragon hearts had that bastard consumed?

His dark brown eyes sank low, fixing upon a single point.
Yet Kale’s mind was churning through the depths of records as never before.

Finally, Kale found it.
Words the Dragon Hybrid had spoken of himself.

‘But I am ultimately a created being, so for nine hundred years, my second growth reached its limit. And until my second growth, I consumed a total of four dragon hearts given by that person. Including the heart inscribed upon my body, I am a being created from the lives of five dragons and five hearts.’

Five dragon lives and five hearts.

Thump. Thump. Thump.
Kale lowered his head. He felt a heartbeat pounding far more fiercely than usual.
It was not his own heartbeat, but Raon’s.
From Raon’s wildly racing heart, Kale could sense the boy’s tension and confusion in this moment.

And so clarity returned to him.

Pat. Pat.
Kale gently patted Raon’s back.

Even so, the White Dragon’s voice continued.

“There were two children.”

One black egg. And one crimson egg.

“One was immense and radiated tremendous power. Even as an egg, it was strong enough to shake all the mana around it.”

The White Dragon’s and Kale’s eyes met.

“As if born alone, bearing the essence of two dragons within.”

A faint smile bloomed at the corners of the White Dragon’s lips.

“And the other child was small. Even the egg was smaller than a normal one. That egg was… weak.”

The White Dragon’s small front paws came together in a circle, as if cradling something precious between them.

“I could feel how small and fragile the child inside was.”

The White Dragon’s atmosphere shifted in an instant as it gazed down at its empty paws.

Crack.
Choi Han’s hand moved to his sword hilt without thinking. A chilling aura conveyed a sense of threat to him.
But the White Dragon continued speaking as if unaware of anything.

“In that moment, I understood.”

Pat. Pat.
Raon felt Kale’s hand gently patting his back while his ears opened wide.
What had that White Dragon, that being, come to understand?

“One child was too weak, and the other was too strong. It would take a very long time for them to break through their eggs and enter the world.”

One child possessed power within its egg that was far too feeble to be called a dragon.
And the other was born with strength even greater than I possessed in my youth as a Lord.

No matter how I looked at it, both of them would require an extraordinarily long time to be born.

“And at that time, I had only about two hundred years of life remaining.”

A pause.
Raon’s body trembled greatly.
Even nestled in Kale’s arms, Raon squeezed his eyes shut.

The White Dragon gazed at Raon, who had turned away from it, with a sorrowful expression.
Time was running short, so I had to speak, even if only a little.

“Two hundred years—if they were born within that time, it would be fortunate. But if not, I had to prepare the future during whatever time remained for me.”

The small White Dragon’s wings stirred.
The dragon drew closer to Kale.

“I needed powerful magic—magic strong enough to endure for an immeasurable, endless span of time until the child broke free from its shell.”

The White Dragon, cradled in Kale’s arms, placed its front paws upon Raon’s back as he turned away.
And it whispered.

“When the children were born, I had to ensure they could live happily without any want or suffering.”

Finally, Raon opened the eyes I had squeezed shut.
And I lifted my head.

Though my form was young, my eyes held the vertigo of countless ages. Those eyes curved into a radiant smile the moment they met Raon’s gaze.
The White Dragon’s mouth opened.

“That small, fragile child stands before me now.”

The black egg.
The child born with a desperately feeble aura compared to the crimson egg.
The small child I had feared might never be born, might simply fade away.

Though I was but a phantom, carrying all my memories, I could only smile.
I could not weep.

The moment I saw him, I could feel it.

My child.

It was an emotion that even a dragon could never explain, yet it was an unmistakable, absolute certainty.

The White Dragon gazed at those clear, dark blue eyes fixed upon me and smiled brilliantly.
Raon eventually turned his head and buried his face in Kale’s embrace.

Kale felt his chest growing damp with tears. In that moment, a calm, measured voice reached his ears.

“…How has the Patriarch come to this state?”

It was the Ancient Dragon Erhafen.
Kale had never heard him speak with such deference to anyone before.

Erhafen’s demeanor was grave, yet his question was unmistakably evident.

The interior of the Castle lay in ruins and devastation.
However, the true meaning embedded in the question posed was something entirely different.

‘How did you lose Raon and the crimson egg?’

A faint smile appeared at the corner of the White Dragon’s mouth as he grasped the underlying meaning.

“It happened because I trusted too much.”

Since my birth, I have lived generation after generation with the Dragon Slayers as friends or family.
After becoming friends with the First Dragon Slayer, then the second, the fourth, the tenth… the relationship naturally continued through their descendants.

“Before I died, I asked the Dragon Slayer of that generation, who was my friend, if he could protect this Castle for generations to come.”

Before the White Dragon died, he had entrusted this Castle to the Dragon Slayer of that era.
Of course, it was not truly about protection. My own power was sufficient to defend against external threats.
Rather, what the White Dragon asked for was the management of the things within this Castle—they would be maintained by preservation magic over the long ages, but just in case, he requested their care.

And after the children were born, he asked them to be good friends, to show these children the joy of living together.

“That Dragon Slayer swore to me that he would keep the promise for generations to come.”

The Dragon Slayer of that generation accepted the request willingly and with joy.
The White Dragon’s foreleg pointed toward the white crown held in Kale Heniatus’s hand.

“That crown was something possessed by the Dragon Slayers who were my friends through the generations. When one possessed that crown and another power, the doors of this Castle would open.”

Only those who possessed both that crown and another power could enter this Castle alone.

“And until a thousand years ago, that promise was kept well.”

The faces of the Ancient Dragon, Choi Han, and Ron contorted.

A thousand years ago.
Around the time when the White Star’s life began.

“The Dragon Slayer of a thousand years ago broke the promise, and eventually, this situation came to pass.”

That Dragon Slayer must be the White Star.
Then, someone opened their mouth.

“Why—”

It was Choi Han.
Choi Han looked at Raon in Kale’s arms, then turned to the White Dragon with a hardened expression.

“Why did you allow the White Star, that Dragon Slayer, to commit such atrocities?”

Choi Han gazed at the White Dragon with sorrow in his eyes. In his mind, the possibility that the White Dragon might have stood by and done nothing weighed far more heavily than the fact that the White Dragon was a Dragon Lord.

“You are strong, aren’t you? With more than enough power, so why—”

But his words were cut short.
The White Dragon’s voice resonated through the air.

“I was merely a sealed existence until I met the children.”

Choi Han was left speechless.
The White Dragon’s face contorted.

Choi Han found himself thinking as he watched that expression.
The White Dragon, whose appearance seemed to be the same age as Raon. Watching that contorted face, he wondered if Raon might wear such an expression when truly sorrowful, resentful, and despairing. Choi Han felt, for the first time, grateful that Raon had buried his face in Kale’s embrace.
Choi Han thought for the first time that he was glad Raon had buried his face in Kale’s arms.

The White Dragon’s voice, contrary to his expression, was calm and careful.

“This illusory existence called ‘I’ grows alongside the children’s growth.”

An existence created so they would not feel lonely, and so they could be given opportunities to learn. Because this illusory existence had no need to fear threats from external enemies. The Lord’s “protection” was that formidable.
Because this illusory existence didn’t need to worry at all about threats from external enemies, such was the power of Lord’s “protection.”

“And only this Castle is my domain. If I step outside of it, I can’t do anything.”

So I saw everything.
So I saw everything.

But White Dragon didn’t bother to speak of that time from a thousand years ago. Though only his back was visible, she could feel he was crying from the sight of his dark shoulders.

The White Dragon felt as though his heart, already torn beyond repair, was being torn asunder once more.
Yet he continued speaking with composure.

“The moment the boy appeared before this Castle, my seal was broken.”

The reason the White Dragon could reveal his semi-transparent form to the world was because of Raon.

“Because I wanted this place to be the children’s home. So I wanted to create a space where they could always return and rest, no matter where they ventured.”

What the White Dragon desired was not a beautiful death returning to nature, but a space where the children could always feel they had family and a home to return to.

“So when the boy returned, the Castle Gate opened, and I was able to appear.”

With those words, the White Dragon raised a foreleg as small as Raon’s and gently patted his back. Though the semi-transparent form would not convey proper sensation, the White Dragon continued to pat and stroke Raon’s back.

Choi Han watched the scene unfold without finding words to speak.
Ron’s face contorted. He was the only one here who had raised a child. Because of that, he understood what lay within the expression of that White Dragon stroking Raon’s back.

A heavy silence fell, with no one daring to speak.

On and Hong gazed up at Raon from beneath Kale’s feet, while Erhafen and Bud wore contemplative expressions. The others simply chose silence.

Then it happened.
The silence broke.

“…No matter how much you trusted people, how could you freely grant access to the Castle knowing what would happen to future generations—”

It was Bud.
The Mercenary King Bud muttered quietly with a frustrated expression. It was a complaint that escaped his lips unbidden, unable to contain his frustration.
Though his tone seemed to reproach the White Dragon, no one could easily blame him. His expression was far too sorrowful.

In that moment, another spoke.

“I heard you just made a vow with the Dragon Slayer.”

It was Kale.
At his words, Raon hesitated and lifted his buried head. The gazes of the others turned toward Kale as well.

However, Kale Heniatus only gazed at the White Dragon.
The White Dragon had clearly spoken.

‘Before I die, I asked my dear friend, the Dragon Slayer, if he could protect this Castle for generations to come.’
‘That Dragon Slayer swore to me that he would uphold that promise for generations.’

The White Dragon had asked the Dragon Slayer, and through an oath, they had agreed to keep that promise across generations.
At first glance, it seemed like a simple promise built on mutual trust.

But was it really?

This concerned children whom he valued more than his own life, more than a beautiful death.
Had he made such a promise merely with words?
A promise that extended to future generations?

Kale Heniatus’s lips parted.

“What oath are you referring to?”

In that moment, the White Dragon’s lips curved into a faint smile as he spoke.

“The Oath of Death.”

An extraordinarily powerful oath that the White Dragon had created by requesting it from the Death God.

“I made the oath under the title of ‘Dragon Slayer.'”

A relentless and formidable oath that could extend to Dragon Slayers of future generations.
Its contents flowed from the White Dragon’s lips.

“Do not harm this Castle nor anything within it. Do not interfere. Do not exert any negative influence. Above all, cause no harm whatsoever to my children. However, if my children harbor killing intent toward you, you may fight alongside them.”

The Dragon Slayer, who had been the White Dragon’s dear friend, accepted this oath.
The White Dragon had done so much for him and his village. And as long as the oath was not broken, it was a favorable covenant.

Kale Heniatus stared into the White Dragon’s eyes.

“…What happens if the oath is broken?”

The White Dragon responded to his question with a calm recitation.
That low voice reached everyone’s ears.

“The moment a Dragon Slayer appears who breaks this oath.”

The Oath of Death.
The punishment that descends when one breaks such a powerful oath.
What punishment had the White Star received?

“Your family, your clan, all those dear to you—they will all perish.”

Kale Heniatus’s shoulders stiffened slightly.
The gazes of the group turned toward the White Dragon’s lips.
Yet the White Dragon simply continued speaking with composure.

Family and everything precious would die.

“And only you alone will survive, to live in a world devoid of those dear to you, a world where you can never again create anything precious.”

A world where everything is lost and only you remain. In that world, forever, you can never create anything precious again.
Whether people or objects—nothing precious can ever be created in such a world.

“Throughout your life, never experiencing the peace that eternal death grants, you will endure countless deaths of the most agonizing kind, unable to rest even once, condemned to the torment of living and living again.”

Ah.
A sigh escaped from Kale Heniatus’s lips.
In that moment, strength seemed to drain from his entire body.

Now, at last, I seemed to understand.

The reincarnated White Star.

Now I could finally comprehend how he had continued to reincarnate.

Simultaneously, a sudden question filled my mind.
A question that had suddenly occurred to me as I was fiercely recalling memories of the Dragon Hybrid.

A conversation I had shared with Jjangdol while walking through the Temple passage searching for the top while on Wind Island.

‘The day I died, the White Star fell as well.’

Ten thousand years ago.
When the Ancient Age ended.
Jjangdol said he had fought the White Star alongside the owners of Ancient Powers.

That was ten thousand years ago.

Yet the White Star had repeated reincarnation for a thousand years. He said so himself, and the current situation made it abundantly clear.

Then, who was that ‘White Star’ that Jjangdol fought?
Jjangdol had said this about him.

‘At that time, he possessed all five natural attributes along with the sky attribute.’

But the current White Star lacked the earth attribute Ancient Power.
In that instant, Jjangdol’s voice echoed in my mind.

-Kale Heniatus.

At the words that followed, Kale Heniatus’s brow furrowed.

-The Ancient White Star and the current White Star are different beings. The name is the same, but.

…Different beings despite sharing the same name?

-The Ancient White Star’s soul was shattered completely. And the Ancient Powers he possessed scattered throughout the world. Of that, I am certain.

The Ancient White Star and the current White Star were different beings.
Yet why did these two display such similar patterns of behavior?

-Kale, from what I can see, the current ‘White Star’ appears to be imitating the ‘Ancient White Star.’

Those words struck deep within Kale Heniatus’s mind, embedding themselves firmly.
In that moment, the White Dragon’s voice reached us.

“Last Dragon Slayer. That one you call the White Star destroyed this castle and stole the eggs.”

The White Dragon continued speaking.
Even as goosebumps erupted across Kale’s entire body, he couldn’t tear his gaze away from the White Dragon.

The White Dragon held back the detailed story for Raon’s sake, instead spilling fragments of what had transpired a thousand years ago.
That bastard who destroyed the interior of the Castle and stole the eggs.

“The Oath of Death was cast upon that creature.”

The White Dragon would never forget that moment.

A being destined to lose everything precious.
A being forever incapable of creating anything precious again.
A being who would never experience the peace that death brings, nor the rest that life offers, for all eternity.
A being condemned to endlessly repeat only the most excruciating agony of death and a wearisome, restless existence without reprieve.

“And it laughed.”

That creature laughed.

“It laughed, saying it had been waiting for this. Waiting for this very oath.”

Cradling the destroyed Castle and the two stolen eggs in its embrace, that creature laughed with brilliant radiance.

“Declaring that with this, it would become stronger than dragons and dominate the world.”

Its laughter echoed throughout the Castle.
The White Dragon’s lips trembled faintly.

“I watched it all while sealed away.”

Kale saw the White Dragon’s face—twisted, neither laughing nor weeping.
The moment their eyes met.

“…That creature is still alive, isn’t it?”

In the White Dragon’s eyes, Kale could see a chilling fury buried deep—so very deep within.

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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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