Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 392

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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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‘…Something feels off?’

No matter how much I thought about it, Clophe Seka’s demeanor struck me as peculiar.

‘Wait, didn’t Clophe Seka become a prisoner after his defeat in the Heniatus Territory battle?’

Was that the end of it—losing in battle and becoming a captive?
I could see Clophe sitting in a wheelchair.

‘Just as I expected, his physical condition isn’t good either.’

According to the latest Western Continent intelligence collected by the Mercenary Guild, Clophe Seka remained in the Paern Kingdom but rarely showed himself in public.
Especially recently, since the man who once led the Paern Kingdom’s greatest knights order had stopped appearing at the training grounds altogether, rumors had begun circulating that his health must be deteriorating.

And as if confirming those suspicions, Clophe Seka was indeed sitting in a wheelchair.

‘…Then it’s highly likely his condition worsened when he was captured during the Heniatus Territory battle.’

So I had assumed that although Clophe and Kale had been allies in the Valley of Death, Breck Kingdom, their relationship was purely political—hollow on the surface, filled with mutual hostility beneath.

Especially, I believed Clophe Seka harbored considerable animosity toward Kale.

‘But what is this?’

I was utterly bewildered.
Far from showing hostility, Clophe was gazing at Kale as if he had just witnessed a god.

‘And with both hands clasped together, no less!’

I was genuinely confused.
At that moment, Clophe’s lips parted, and his voice resonated throughout the Crown Prince’s bedroom.

-It is truly sorrowful that I cannot walk alongside that legend.

My expression grew even more bewildered.
In my confusion, I turned to look at Kale.

‘You… you’ll react differently, won’t you?’

Harboring a small wish to escape the chaos and find stability, Bud waited for Kale’s response.
As if answering his unspoken plea, Kale’s lips parted.

“Then how about we do this together this time?”
-Will this be recorded in history?
“Well, perhaps?”
-A legend, then.
“…Ah… yes.”

I simply let Clophe’s reaction pass without comment. Bud’s face twisted, but I paid him no mind whatsoever.

“Your influence in the North has grown considerably, hasn’t it?”

I could see Clophe’s smile deepen gradually in response to my question, his earnest expression swiftly transforming into something far more serpentine and cunning.

-Quite substantially, yes.

That was sufficient.
The Indomitable Alliance.
That coalition, which had plunged the Western Continent into the throes of war in early spring, was an alliance forged between Dark and the Northern Three Kingdoms.

Yet after the war’s conclusion, the Indomitable Alliance had implicitly become the defeated faction, and among the Northern Three Kingdoms—Paern, Norland, and Iskoshan—Clophe’s Paern Kingdom had seized dominion over the North.

“Soon, several Black Mages will pass through the North on their way to Paern Kingdom.”

I spoke only those words before fixing my gaze upon Clophe.

-You mean for me to monitor the Black Mages’ movements in the North.

As expected, Clophe understood perfectly.
Most would have asked why I wasn’t simply capturing them instead.

“Why not capture them?”
-If capturing them were necessary, you would have already done so by now. But allowing them to reach the North unmolested suggests you have another use for them, does it not?

Genuinely brilliant, yet twisted in his own way.
Perhaps it was precisely because he was intelligent and possessed such keen insight into reality that he adopted this deferential demeanor toward me.

Kale Heniatus continued, speaking to Clophe who awaited his instructions.

“I discovered certain documents.”

First Dragon Slayer Choi Jung-gun.
There was a section where he had mentioned the Whale Tribe Lands in Korean.
And there was also a section where he had written about the Whale Tribe Lands in the Eastern Continent language.

The contents of those two sections diverged starkly.

Kale recalled a conversation he had shared with Choi Han.

‘What kind of place is it?’

That place where the Whale Tribe dwells.
To that, Choi Han had answered.

‘A land of nothing, sir.’

Choi Jung-gun had also recorded the same words as Choi Han in Korean.

【If one travels toward the northern end of the Western Continent, beyond the sea exist massive chunks of ice. Originally, no one lived there… I introduced that place to the Whale Tribe.】

But the Whale Tribe Lands recorded in the Eastern Continent language on the page above those words were somewhat different.

【A mysterious land shrouded in ice. A powerful force slumbered there.】

If one read the pages in order.
First in the Eastern Continent language.

【A mysterious land shrouded in ice. A powerful force slumbered there.】

Then next.

【If one travels toward the northern end of the Western Continent, beyond the sea exist massive chunks of ice. Originally, no one lived there… I introduced that place to the Whale Tribe.】

In Korean.

‘In other words, the powerful force dwelling in the mysterious land that Choi Jung-gun spoke of refers to the Whale Tribe, who came to live there because he introduced it to them.’

However, the White Star could not read the Korean characters that Choi Jung-gun had left behind.
So in his mind, the land where the Whale Tribe lived was a mysterious realm imbued with formidable power.

‘That’s why I might be barking up the wrong tree.’

I turned my gaze toward Choi Han. When our eyes met, he offered me a gentle smile.
My lips slowly parted.

“The document I discovered contained information about precious treasures and powerful forces existing in the frozen lands of the North.”

Choi Han, invisible in Clophe’s video communication feed, stared at me while his lips twitched slightly.

‘The opposite, then.’

Exactly right.
I had spoken the opposite of what Choi Han had told me.
Subtly reversing the record that Choi Jung-gun had left in the Eastern Continent’s language.

“And that document was discovered in the Roan Kingdom.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Choi Han’s eyes before vanishing.
I hadn’t hidden the document’s source, and I’d deliberately lied about it being from the Roan Kingdom.

-Kale Heniatus.

At Clophe’s voice calling me, my gaze shifted. Clophe spoke again, his expression maintaining that dignified smile.

-If it were truly something precious to you, you wouldn’t have told me about it and would have kept it for yourself.

A clever one, indeed, with refined taste.
I swallowed a small exclamation of admiration at Clophe’s discernment.

-Black magic. It must certainly be connected to the White Star. And that document discovered in Roan also seems to have high relevance to this matter.

Clophe asked gently.

-Then what should I do?

Clophe watched me fall silent for a moment at his question, and anticipation swelled within him.

After the Dark forces vanished from the north, it was quite easy for the Paern Kingdom—which had no intention of expanding southward—to gain the upper hand in the struggle for dominance against the Norland Kingdom and the Iskoshan Kingdom, both of which had suffered greater military losses.

Though rumors circulated that Clophe himself was in poor health, when he revealed that he was forming amicable relations with the Roan, Breck, and Wipper Kingdoms, his political standing only rose further.

‘But it’s only a relative advantage, not an overwhelming one.’

Clophe valued both these gains and his own life, yet he needed something more.
And after a long time, he had encountered the person who could fulfill that need.

“What I’m asking of you is simple.”

Kale Heniatus always said things were simple, yet the matters he orchestrated were anything but. Anticipation flickered in Clophe’s eyes as he gazed at Kale Heniatus through the screen.

“Within a week, I’ll hand over to you that ancient document discovered in Roan.”

Kale Heniatus noticed Bud’s expression—’What document? Does something like that really exist?’—but ignored it. Instead, he focused on his conversation with Clophe.

“After that, you spread rumors.”

Deceiving the White Star faction was no simple task.
It required layers upon layers of intricate deception.

-What sort of rumors, sir?
“That beyond the northern sea, there exists a terrifying power—a force that could pierce the very heavens itself. Tell them that if they wish to live, no one must dare approach it. And that the place where this power dwells is nothing but a hellscape devoid of any gold or treasure.”

The corners of Clophe’s mouth curved upward subtly.
Just moments ago, hadn’t Kale Heniatus spoken of a precious treasure imbued with formidable power existing in the frozen lands beyond the northern coast?

Yet the rumor was to convey the exact opposite.

“And whether you move your house’s private forces or act yourself, strengthen the defenses so that no one crosses the northern coast.”

Clophe’s body instinctively leaned toward the video communication device.
In that moment, Kale Heniatus spoke softly.

“Simultaneously, discreetly form an exploration party to make it appear as though you’re observing the Whale Tribe Lands.”

A glimmer of understanding crossed Clophe’s eyes.
So it was to guard the northern coast while following rumors of this terrifying power, yet secretly organize an exploration party to obtain the treasure described in the ancient document.

All of it was fake.

Black Mages and the Dark forces flashed through Clophe’s mind.
He spoke to Kale Heniatus.

-So you want that secretive appearance to be inadvertently discovered by the group of Black Mages heading to the Northern Coast and the Whale Tribe Lands?

The corners of Kale Heniatus’s mouth rose.

“Exactly. And as a bonus, I’d like for that ancient document to be stolen by the Black Mages.”
-That’s simple enough.
“It is.”

Clophe’s actions would give the Dark and the White Star the certainty that there was “something” in the Whale Tribe Lands.

-Will the White Star group end up fighting the Whale Tribe on the frozen land?

Clophe, who had posed the question, studied Kale Heniatus’s expression for a moment before nodding.

-I’ll need to hear the Whale Tribe’s story first.
“Right.”

Kale Heniatus nodded.

After ending this video communication, I planned to initiate several more communications in succession.

One of them would be with Witira of the Whale Tribe.
I would inform her that the White Star was targeting the Whale Tribe Lands and hand over the decision-making authority regarding their homeland to her.

“The Whale Tribe’s cooperation is uncertain. So after my conversation with them concludes, once I send the signal to proceed, you’ll begin the operation.”

I had reached out early because Clophe had much to prepare.
It was work that required considerable resources—military forces from the North, exploration teams, spreading rumors—all demanding money, time, and manpower.

“And I can’t ask you to take on this task without any compensation, can I?”

Clophe’s eyes gleamed.

“Isn’t everything a transaction?”

As Kale Heniatus spoke with a radiant smile, Clophe’s anticipation soared to new heights.

What could it be?
Following in Kale Heniatus’s footsteps meant not only survival, but the chance to leave one’s own mark in legend.
Would I be able to do the same?

Thump. Thump.
When anticipation reached its peak, Kale Heniatus spoke casually, as if tossing the words aside.

“During this northern border operation, the Wyvern Knights will appear once more.”

Clophe’s eyes widened.

“Not bone-crafted birds like last time. Living, breathing wyverns.”

Clophe Seka, the guardian knight who could command wyverns.
That was the true form of a guardian knight.

“The Wyvern Knights pursuing the White Star’s treasure-hunting group will be the ones you command. You, Clophe Seka, will be the one controlling those wyverns.”
-…I lack such power.

Clophe’s quiet response did not sound weak. Rather, he trembled faintly, brimming with intense anticipation.
Kale Heniatus spoke to him calmly.

“I know. But just like during the Heniatus Territory battle.”

The Heniatus Territory battle surfaced in Clophe’s mind.
Back then, he had invaded the Heniatus Territory riding a wyvern.
If it were like that time…?

“Clophe, there will be someone behind you who knows how to wield that power.”

Sirem, the false Dragon Slayer.
One of the ancient powers he possessed—the ability to command wyverns.
Thanks to that power, Clophe had been able to appear as though he were controlling the wyvern.

“You can recreate that scene once more.”

Clophe found Kale Heniatus’s whispered words impossibly sweet to his ears.

Kale Heniatus’s gaze, which had been fixed on him, shifted toward Choi Han.

The fake Dragon Slayer, Sirem.
He possessed the power to handle wyverns.
And he remained imprisoned in the Roan Kingdom Underground Dungeon.

I intended to help Choi Han, who aspired to become a Dragon Slayer, with all my might. For that reason, I was prepared to grant most of his requests without hesitation.

When our eyes met, Choi Han seemed to recognize my thoughts, offering a gentle smile brimming with gratitude.

My gaze shifted once more toward Clophe.

“If we show that scene to the Northern factions, we could present not just the political powerhouse Clophe Seka, but also ‘Clophe Seka, the Guardian Knight and strongest of the North,’ wouldn’t we?”

Politics, diplomacy, and martial might combined.
That would transform relative advantage into absolute dominance.
Clophe’s lips curled upward gradually.

-Kekeke, kekekuk.

Clophe began laughing, his shoulders trembling.

-Human! That guy’s laughing weird!

Right.
I wholeheartedly agreed with what Raon had conveyed to my mind through magic in his surprise.
The way he suddenly laughed like a madman genuinely made him look insane.

-Kekekuk, Lord Kale.
“…Uh… yes. Go ahead.”

I glanced around briefly.
Rosalind was watching Clophe with a considerably uncomfortable expression, Bud seemed to be in a daze, and Choi Han was smiling gently.
Indeed, Choi Han was remarkable in his own way as well.

At that moment, Clophe’s voice reached me.

-‘The Great Battle Over the Northern Treasure.’ How does that sound?
“…Huh?”

Clophe gazed at Kale Heniatus’s blank expression and recalled the title he had composed.
Wouldn’t history record it under such a name?

That I.
That I would become a guardian knight wielding Wyverns once more!
Clophe’s smile deepened endlessly.
Indeed, I must follow in Kale Heniatus’s footsteps.

-Lord Kale, I would be honored if my name were inscribed in the annals of legend.

…This bastard.
Without realizing it, I subtly withdrew my body from the video communication channel.

-I shall prepare everything myself. I will contact you the moment we discover any Black Mages.
“…Yes… alright.”
-Will you contact the Whale Tribe soon, Lord Kale?
“That’s right.”
-How beautiful.
“What?”

What’s beautiful about that?
My face contorted.

-Wyverns in the sky, humans on the land, and the Whale Tribe in the sea.

Ah.
Clophe let out an exclamation, then spoke with a noble smile.

-Truly, a legend.

I was genuinely at a loss for words.
Seeing my expression, Clophe judged that the conversation had ended and spoke with unexpected tenderness.

-Lord Kale, please disconnect first.
“…Yes… alright.”

I disconnected the video communication without any hesitation.
Suddenly exhausted, I rubbed my face with both hands and spoke to Raon.

“Connect me to the Whale Tribe.”
“Understood, human! But I’m suddenly exhausted! I don’t know why!”

I simply shook my head in exasperation. Then I caught sight of Bud, his expression vacant and dazed. Still lost in his bewilderment, he blurted out his question.

“By the way, what’s that ancient document you discovered in the Roan Kingdom? There’s no such thing, right?”
“Human! The connection is established!”

Whirrrr—
As a new figure appeared on the video communication channel, I answered Bud’s question curtly.

“I’ll fabricate one. Since it’s needed for the deception, it doesn’t have to be authentic, does it?”
“…What?”

Bud asked again, but I focused on the video communication.
And once all the video communications ended.

“Choi Han.”
“Yes.”
“Secure the mana stones well. You know what comes after that?”
“Yes.”

I looked toward Rosalind and Raon.

“Shall we go?”
“Of course, young master.”
“Let’s go! Human!”

The three of us headed toward the Roan Kingdom.

* * *

“Why on earth did you come to my bedroom?”

I greeted Crown Prince Albert Crossman with a cheerful salutation as he sat at a desk in his bedroom, frowning while stamping approval seals on documents.

“Even at night, you shine as brilliantly as the sun. Witnessing your dedication to duty even in your private chambers brings tears of admiration to my eyes.”
“…This is maddening.”

Alberu simply ignored Kale Heniatus.

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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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