Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 397

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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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Screeeech.
The iron-barred door, which had been slightly ajar, swung open, and Choi Han stepped into the prison cell.

“Kale Heniatus, here.”

I accepted the spatial magic pouch that Choi Han offered me.
It must be something I had received from Flavin, the Singten Merchant Lord.

“I’ve already delivered Rosalind’s share.”
“Good.”

I took the pouch and approached Sirem. His eyes, now noticeably clearer than before, fixed upon me with an unwavering gaze.
I offered Sirem a smile as I spoke.

“You recognize this man’s face, don’t you?”

Sirem was in no condition to answer, so his eyes merely shifted toward Choi Han before returning to me.
During the battle for the Heniatus Territory, Sirem had fought Choi Han while wearing a black helmet.

“The three Ancient Powers you possess will become his from now on.”

At my words, Sirem’s eyes turned toward Choi Han once more. In that gaze lay resignation toward death, yet paradoxically, a sense of peace.
I opened my mouth again.

“When someone who possesses an Ancient Power dies, that power remains within a special object or a specific location.”

That was why obtaining an Ancient Power typically required a method like mine. Discovering an Ancient Power was a matter that demanded fortune’s favor.

“So one acquires the power through that object or location. Of course, that’s not the only method available.”

But there existed exceptional cases.

“The White Star had a way of transferring an Ancient Power to you.”

The White Star had created a half-formed Ancient Power and given it to Sirem.
And for reasons I could not fathom, the White Star had also created my ‘Dominating Aura’ as a half-formed power and buried it in the black lake that lay within the Dark Forest.

The White Star had undergone countless reincarnations, yet this deed belonged to the White Star who had been alive at that time.
In other words, the White Star had handed over a half portion of the Ancient Powers to Sirem while still living.

“Or perhaps there’s also the method that Dragon Slayers have passed down through generations.”

There existed a method for one Dragon Slayer to transfer the Ancient Powers to the next generation of Dragon Slayer.
Though unknown to the world, a way existed to leave behind power without it seeping into some object or location.

“You’re only half a Dragon Slayer, but regardless, you should know how they passed their power to the next generation, right? You’d also know the method the White Star used to transfer the Ancient Powers.”

Sirem gazed at Choi Han with eyes that suggested he had much to say.

‘Eyes that say he’s caught onto something.’

I grasped the meaning behind Sirem’s gaze.

Three portions of the Ancient Powers wagered against a peaceful death.
Sirem would attempt to leverage this into a favorable negotiation and extract whatever advantage he could.
That’s human nature.
Therefore, I needed to determine the fate of those three portions of the Ancient Powers that Sirem possessed, right here and now. That’s why I had made time to visit the prison first despite my busy schedule.
My lips began to open slowly. But before my voice could emerge.

Tap.
A hand rose onto my shoulder.

“Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han stepped forward.

“Would it be acceptable if I handled this matter myself?”

I regarded Choi Han with mild surprise.

His request to handle this himself meant asking me to step aside for a moment, and to withdraw my involvement from this affair.

“It’s merely a secondary power to acquire, so it’s sufficient for me.”

Yet at Choi Han’s following words, I smiled.

“Isn’t this power of ours something we can do without, even if we have it?”

I watched Sirem’s eyes dim with fading anticipation at Choi Han’s words. His remark and gesture had made it clear that the three Ancient Powers I possessed weren’t as valuable as I’d thought.

‘Look at that.’

Did Choi Han have this side to him?
That gentle, innocent expression he wore even now seemed unusually cunning today.

‘Come to think of it, Choi Han was never purely innocent.’

It was the same when I read about him in “The Birth of a Hero,” and it was the same with the Choi Han I’d experienced.
He was far too clever to be called merely innocent, and he handled himself well. Though I never expected him to be this shrewd in negotiations.

‘It’s better to be clever than to appear foolish before an enemy.’

Sirem was an enemy.
I took a step backward.

“You’re right. I don’t need to worry about such trivial matters. Handle it as you see fit, Choi Han.”
“Yes, the underground prison must be suffocating. Please go up first, and I’ll finish my business and follow shortly.”

I nodded readily and headed toward the prison cell bars.
There was no reason for me to interfere when Choi Han wanted to handle things from a position of advantage.

‘And Choi Han is someone I can trust and rely on.’

Choi Han was not the type to suffer losses or show shallow pity and compassion toward enemies.

Me and Choi Han.
Excluding Raon since he was still young, the two of us who knew of Choi Jung-gun’s Korean records could now handle any situation without difficulty.

Creeeeak.
I opened the prison cell bars and stepped outside. Naturally, Raon became invisible again and followed behind me.

Creeeeak—
Choi Han slowly closed the cell bars behind me. I glanced back and met his eyes, and in that moment, his mouth opened.

“I heard about last night from Rosalind.”
“Last night? Ah—”

I recalled the moment I had stumbled and been laid upon the bed.

“…I shall see you shortly.”

Why did Choi Han, offering his greeting with such a gentle smile, suddenly seem as cold as Rosalind?
An inexplicable unease settling over me, I turned and stepped away from the prison.

Clang.
The sound of iron bars closing echoed behind me.
After that, I heard no further words from Choi Han—he seemed to be conversing with Sirem in hushed tones.

I reached the staircase leading to the surface.

-Human! Let’s go back to the Crown Prince’s room and eat cookies again! Those were delicious!

Raon was chattering away cheerfully.

Boom!
A tremendous sound erupted.

-Human, I am great, but I was startled!
“What the—what is that?”

Without thinking, I wrapped my shoulders with both arms and glanced back slightly.
Though torches illuminated the corridor at regular intervals, the underground prison remained dark and desolate.

‘…That sound must have been Choi Han.’

The loud noise just now was surely his doing.
A small curiosity flickered through my mind about what had happened and why such a sound had occurred, but I quickly shook my head and dismissed the thought.

“…He’ll handle it. He’ll handle it.”

I decided to trust Choi Han and hastily climbed the stairs upward.

-Human! Did Choi Han break something? He’s always so energetic!

Choi Han was indeed a ruthless one.

* * *

Crunch. Crunch.
Alberu turned his head at the sound he heard.

“Why are you eating cookies like you’re about to smash them to pieces with such an anxious expression?”

Crunch. Crunch.
Kale Heniatus gave a casual nod to Alberu’s words before returning to munching on his cookies.

“…Sigh, really.”

Alberu shook his head in disapproval.
He was currently in his office. While processing documents on his desk, Alberu regarded Kale Heniatus with a displeased gaze—the man who occupied one of the conference table chairs and continued devouring cookies.

Crunch. Crunch.
Beside Kale Heniatus sat Raon, who had claimed a seat and was crunching cookies just as loudly while grinning mischievously.

Alberu felt a headache coming on.

Knock. Knock. Knock.
At that moment, the sound of knocking came from the door.

“May I enter?”

It was Choi Han’s voice.

“Come in.”

Alberu gave his permission, and the door opened before closing again. He observed Kale Heniatus watching the door as it opened, and Raon quickly dispelling his invisibility and brightening his eyes as the door shut. Kale Heniatus’s gaze in particular seemed oddly anxious.
Kale Heniatus’s eyes in particular seemed oddly anxious.

“Why is he/she like that?”

The moment Alberu furrowed his brow, Choi Han entered and bowed his head to the Crown Prince. As Alberu received that greeting, he heard the voices of Kale Heniatus and Raon.

“…It doesn’t seem like you destroyed a person.”
“Human! I’m telling you, Choi Han destroyed the prison!”

Destroyed what?
As Alberu stared at Choi Han with a deeply furrowed brow, Choi Han offered a gentle smile. For some inexplicable reason, unease washed over me.

“…Your Highness, a small hole has appeared in the prison wall.”
“Choi Han, did you do this?”
“…It was an accident. I merely extended my arm slightly.”

Ah, my head.
Alberu felt a sharp pain throb at his temples.
Truly, whether it was Kale Heniatus or these creatures—they were far better observed through video communication or from a distance. Keeping them close brought nothing but trouble.
All they ever did was eat or destroy things.

“Your Highness, and the matter of the fake Dragon Slayer Sirem has been handled well.”
“…You said you needed that fellow Sirem’s Ancient Power, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Once the Nobility Council sets the execution date, please inform me.”

Alberu noticed Choi Han smiling in a way that was slightly different from usual—a sly grin. Choi Han spoke with utmost courtesy.

“At that time, Sirem said he would transfer his power to me.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. He said quite kindly that he would definitely give it, so I should take it.”

Clap, clap, clap.
The sound of applause echoed. When Alberu turned his head, Raon was clapping. Kale was shaking his head repeatedly with a strangely uncomfortable expression.
Alberu, much like Kale, spoke to Choi Han with an equally uncomfortable look.

“Good work.”
“Yes.”

Screech.
At that moment, the chair scraped backward as Kale rose from his seat.

“Your Highness, then I shall take my leave.”

Raon and Choi Han moved to Kale’s side. The three of them were preparing to depart.

“Go, hurry. Get going.”

Alberu gestured urgently, waving his hand in quick motions. Simultaneously, Raon’s magic enveloped Kale Heniatus, Choi Han, and Raon himself—a teleportation spell.
As he departed, Kale Heniatus spoke to Alberu.

“If there are any changes, Rosalind will inform you.”
“Understood.”
“And it appears a Dragon Lair will emerge in the Dark Forest.”
“What? A what?”

Alberu’s gaze snapped toward Kale Heniatus with sudden urgency.
Kale Heniatus bowed with utmost respect to the royal. His form vanished with the teleportation magic, leaving only his final words behind.

“Your Highness, this matter must remain confidential. Should word spread, I humbly request your assistance in managing the aftermath.”

A low hum resonated, then a brilliant flash.
Alberu stared at the empty space where Kale Heniatus, Choi Han, and Raon had stood, closing and opening his eyes.

“This is maddening.”

A headache began to throb in Alberu’s mind.

* * *

A brilliant flash of light.
Radiant luminescence swept across Kale Heniatus’s vision before fading away.
His focus gradually sharpened, and soon he could see those awaiting him.

“You’ve arrived?”

The Ancient Dragon Erhafen greeted Kale Heniatus with a subtly tense expression.
Lord Sherit, On, Hong, Ron, and Vicross—those who had claimed the White Castle, one of the three forbidden zones within the Castle of Light, welcomed the three returning beings.

“You made good time.”
“As expected.”

Kale Heniatus responded calmly to Erhafen’s remark.

‘I need to see the Dragon Hybrid.’

I had originally planned to meet the Dragon Hybrid and ask about the Red Egg—Lord Sherit’s other child and Raon’s brother—along with their secrets.
Above all, I wanted to ask how Raon came to be and how he survived growing up in that cave.
Though the conditions were harsh, I was curious about the circumstances that allowed Raon to live.

‘But I need to move quickly now.’

The battle at the Alchemy Tower in the Mogur Empire was less than two weeks away, and in the Northern Region, I needed to deceive the White Star.

‘I’ll ask when we go to destroy the Dark base later.’

Before the Dragon Hybrid’s lifespan ended, I planned to go with him to destroy the Dark base. There would be time to answer all my questions then.

So I set aside other thoughts and handed a small magical pouch to Erhafen.

“It contains ten billion Counds worth of mana stones.”

At my casual words, Erhafen’s lips gradually curved upward into a smile.
In that moment, I could see the platinum-colored aura enveloping the Ancient Dragon.

Uuuuuung—
That wasn’t all.
Lord Sherit. White mana bloomed from her.

Erhafen reached into the pouch and withdrew his hand.
In his palm lay a single highest-grade mana stone.

“Can I begin right away?”

He asked, looking at Raon and me, and Raon turned to look at me.
I nodded.

“Very well. I’ve already informed the Territory.”

In the Empire, besides the Crown Prince, the Whale Tribe, Taylor, and Kaige, there was one other place I had contacted.
It was the Heniatus Count Estate. I had reconnected with Count Derth after a long time.

“Let’s depart at once.”

The moment my affirmation left my lips.

“How exciting!”

Raon spread both arms wide open.

Whoooooosh—
Tremendous black mana erupted from the small dragon’s body.

Clatter clatter clatter.
The Ancient Dragon flipped his pouch, spilling out mana stones in abundance. They tumbled freely from the bag.

Whoosh— whoosh— whoosh—
The mana stones did not fall to the ground.
They all rose into the air, scattering into the black mana, platinum mana, and white mana.

Kale Heniatus lowered his head.

The floor of the White Castle was densely covered with magical formations.
It was not only there. Magical formations began to emerge from the castle walls and throughout the interior of the White Castle.

Erhafen spoke, looking at Raon.

“Little one, you need to tell this castle that you are its master.”

The Black Dragon’s lips curved upward in a grin.
His dark blue eyes glanced softly toward the white woman, and Sherit nodded.
Raon cried out with genuine joy.

“I am the master of this castle!”

Whoooooosh—
Black mana instantly enveloped the White Castle.

The castle trembled.
Kale Heniatus watched as the White Castle was dyed black.
And through it, platinum-hued mana and white mana surged forth, welcoming the castle as it transformed to black, like celebratory fireworks.

Then Lord Sherit’s lips opened.

“Begin!”

Raon, Sherit, Erhafen.
Massive mana erupted from the bodies of the three dragons, consuming the floating mana stones that hovered in the air.

Crack. Crackle.
Fissures spread across the mana stones.
Black light, platinum light, and white light intertwined, shining brilliantly.

Rummmble—
The entire castle trembled and shook with an even greater vibration.

This was the moment the castle’s relocation was finally about to begin.

“Quite the spectacle.”

I crouched down in a corner of the castle as I spoke those words.
Getting caught up in that light would surely mean the end.

“Come here, you two.”

Meow.
Meow.

On and Hong pressed themselves tightly against my side.
I watched as the magic circle that now covered this place—once a white castle, now black—glowed with darkness.
It was the moment Raon was recognized as the castle’s master.

“We have our own home!”

I chuckled at Raon’s delighted words.
We had acquired a very expensive home.
The feeling was quite pleasant.

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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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