Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 398

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Rummmmmble—
With a tremendous tremor, the entire castle, now tinged with black light, shook violently.

“Young master.”
“Ron, come over here and press yourself against the wall.”

Ron smiled benevolently at Kale’s words but did not crouch against the wall as Kale had done.

“Vicross, you too—”
“No need.”

Vicross also refused to crouch like Kale.
Kale paid them no mind, absently patting the heads of On and Hong, who clung to either side of his legs, while his gaze remained fixed forward.

Whiiiiiish—

The air whipped around violently.
Yet it was no natural wind.

Centered on black mana, platinum-hued mana and white mana intertwined with one another, creating a colossal wave of magical energy, and from its aftermath, wind swept through the surroundings of the castle.

“Young master.”
“Yes?”
“You understand the overall process, correct?”
“Yes, Erhafen explained it to me before.”

Kale smiled enigmatically as he answered Ron’s words.

“You’re smiling because you’re getting a house!”
“I’m smiling because it’s free!”

I heard the voices of On and Hong but ignored them.

“Hmm, Choi Han.”

Choi Han had appeared beside me at some point.

“With the power of three dragons plus a billion mana stones, the destructive force is no joke. Right?”
“It should prove helpful in capturing the White Star.”

Kale’s smile deepened.

“Exactly? I knew you’d understand my thinking. So then.”

Aside from the three dragons, the rest of the group watched as Kale extended his hand toward the mana storm. The vibrations from the Black Castle slightly distorted his voice, yet it still reached everyone clearly.

“What if we add Rosalind to that and pour in another billion or so?”

Ron, Vicross, and Choi Han—the three of them wore distinctly different expressions tinged with subtle light.

“Dragons are naturally strong. But the reason they can command this much power is because of the billion-count mana stones. As I watch this spectacle unfold, I’ve suddenly come to a realization.”

The moment I decided to ignore the God of Death’s words and crush the White Star properly.

“Why? Why did I insist on fighting the White Star with only our strength?”

I recalled the delusion I had been harboring.

The world tried to treat me as a hero, and while I protested, I ended up thinking of myself as one anyway.

No matter how moving the sacrifice, no matter how many tears it brings.
There is no such thing as a beautiful war.

I declared it to myself, blurting it out plainly.

“I need to go all out with money.”

If I’m going to splurge, I’ll do it properly.
That was my way.

What does overwhelming mean?
Simply overwhelming in power alone?

No.
Power, money, and the world’s atmosphere.
I fight by making all of those things my backing.

“Hehehehe.”

At Kale’s laughter, On and Hong flinched. Every time he laughed like this, they recalled what Raon used to say.

‘Human! You laugh so strangely!’

Remembering those words, On and Hong found Kale’s laughter truly peculiar.
Regardless, Kale muttered to himself.

“…The world, the world—”

I’m making it mine.

The White Star has Am, the Lion Tribe, the Cat Tribe, and the Bear Tribe. Perhaps there are enemies Kale doesn’t even know about.

So what?
If the world becomes mine, then that’s all that matters, isn’t it?

The White Star alone was already a handful; Kale and his companions didn’t need to personally face Am, the Lion Tribe, the Cat Tribe, the Bear Tribe, and all the rest.

‘No, wait. The Fog Tribe—I have to deal with them myself.’

I made a promise to the little ones, and I’ll keep it.
But why should we bear the burden of everything else?

I don’t live in this world alone; we all live together in it.

We should do this together.
A smile was about to bloom across Kale’s lips again.

“Hehehehe.”

But this time, it wasn’t Kale.
His gaze turned toward the center of the Black Castle and the heart of the magic formation.

“Now we all live together! Hehe!”

The six-year-old Dragon’s eyes sparkled brilliantly with delight.
Around Raon, black mana swirled more tempestuously than ever before.

Crack. Crackle.
Raon’s black mana devoured countless magical stones.

“…Hey, aren’t you getting a bit too excited?”

Kale Heniatus began to feel a hint of concern about Raon’s state.
Excitement was fine, but this seemed excessively enthusiastic.

Yet Raon couldn’t help but be thrilled beyond measure.
His two small front paws directed themselves toward the magical formation.

Whiiiii—
Uuuuung.
Mana surged forward, guided by wind toward the magical formation that radiated black light.
The formation trembled as it absorbed the black mana.
The speed was formidable, and thanks to it, the enormous black mana seeped into the formation at a rapid pace.

“Kale.”

The platinum-haired Ancient Dragon approached Kale Heniatus, cutting through the mana storm.

“Go.”

As Kale Heniatus rose to his feet, his body was enveloped in platinum mana, and he moved toward Erhafen’s side.

“The Lord will guide the little one well from here.”

Kale Heniatus nodded as he observed the magical formation surrounding me and Erhafen.

“Yes, let’s hurry.”

Erhafen and Kale Heniatus had work to do while the others focused on the Black Castle’s magical formation.
Kale Heniatus’s gaze turned briefly toward Raon, but he saw Lord Sherit watching Raon with an even more vigilant gaze.

Whiiiii—
The platinum mana and white mana emanating from Erhafen and Lord Sherit had already mingled with the black mana alongside the magical stones.

“The magical formation is drawn properly, and the little one has become the castle’s master, so all that remains is the mana—the energy needed to relocate the castle.”
“Understood.”

In response to Kale’s answer, Erhafen simply waved his hand and spoke.

“Let’s go then.”

Whoosh!
Platinum light engulfed Kale’s vision.
Kale felt his body being sucked into somewhere, and after a moment, he opened his eyes.

“It’s been a while.”

Kale looked down beneath his feet.
Below him, suspended in the air, the Dark Forest sprawled in verdant summer greens.

“This location has excellent potential.”

Erhafen gazed northward across the Dark Forest with a rather satisfied expression.
The Dark Forest was divided into outer and inner regions. The deeper one ventured inward, the more formidable the monsters became. At the northern boundary of the inner forest lay a cave leading toward the Jjangdol Mansion.

Kale recalled when he had contacted the Heniatus Count Family. Despite the long time since their last communication, Count Derth had greeted him warmly as always and readily agreed to his request.

‘Kale, do as you wish. That’s fine.’

So Kale decided to do exactly as he pleased.

“Let’s begin.”

With those words, Kale drew something from his embrace.
A golden spinning top.
At the same moment, both Kale and Erhafen descended downward.

But it was not a simple descent.

Rumble—
Platinum-hued dust began to burst forth around Erhafen. Kale’s skin tingled with electricity.
What Erhafen had unleashed now was not mana.

Dragon Fear.
A power that only dragons could wield, a force that made all other living beings tremble before dragons.

Screeeech—
Shrieeeek!

As Kale descended, I saw flying monsters fleeing from the two of them, soaring far into the distance. But that wasn’t all.

Roooar!
Screeeee—
Monster cries echoed from all directions.

Boom. Boom. Boom.
The earth trembled. Large and small alike, monsters that dwelled in the northern reaches of the Dark Forest fled in different directions.

The reason wasn’t simply Erhafen’s Dragon Fear.
Erhafen’s gaze flickered toward Kale.

I ran my hand across the back of my hand.
Goosebumps covered my skin.

‘This fellow has definitely grown stronger.’

I sensed the aura radiating from Kale.
He was unleashing his dominating aura to its fullest.

The Ancient Dragon smiled at Kale’s ever-increasing power as he found balance in his strength and reinforced his ancient abilities.

‘An aura that doesn’t yield to Dragon Fear.’

Just as I was thinking that this fellow was indeed formidable, Kale’s mouth opened.

“I’ll go first.”
“Follow after me.”

At the Ancient Dragon’s response, I immediately summoned the wind.
Whoooosh—
Small whirlwinds erupted from both ankles as my body swiftly cut through the Dark Forest.
And the moment light shone from the golden spinning top in my hand.

“I’m counting on you.”

The Wind Spirits listened intently to Kale’s words.

“Drive the monsters in the area elsewhere. Evacuate the animals too. And check if there’s anyone observing us.”

‘Ooh! A human who can hear us speak! How fascinating!’
‘Got it!’
‘Easy! Hehe! We’ll tell you everything we see!’

Whiiiish— whish— whiiiish—
Dozens of small whirlwinds suddenly materialized around Kale.
They scattered like arrows in all four directions.

Screech—
Squeal— squeak—

The sounds of fleeing monsters and animals echoed through the air—the Wind Spirits driving away nearby creatures. Simultaneously, Erhafen’s voice came from behind.

“Vanish.”

That single word was sufficient.

Kale turned his gaze backward.
Platinum-hued mana poured forth from Erhafen, inscribing an enormous circle across a defined radius.

Fwoooosh—
The towering trees and colossal boulders touched by that mana crumbled into dust and vanished.
In their place emerged a barren training ground, empty and pristine.

It was done.
Preparations were complete.

As if in response, Kale lifted his head.

Uuuuuuung—
The sky warped.
No—something was beginning to materialize in the void.
Kale saw Erhafen approaching toward him.

“You’ve arrived.”

Before Kale could even answer Erhafen’s words.
A tremendous tremor shook the ground beneath his feet.

Kuuuong—!

When a single massive vibration filled the Dark Forest.
The corners of Kale’s mouth lifted upward.

At the location that had become a training ground.
Something black appeared at those coordinates.

“…Not bad at all?”

A massive and sharp-looking Black Castle began to emerge.
A Black Castle more beautiful than any castle Kale had ever seen in any kingdom.

Kiiieee—
Kraaaaaah!

The wingbeats of flying monsters fleeing in even greater panic at the sight of the castle were visible behind the Black Castle.
The castle, completely covered in black, and that sight made for quite the fitting spectacle.

“It looks just like a villain’s lair.”

Kale responded to Erhafen’s voice.

“That’s precisely why I like it.”

The Black Castle existing in the Dark Forest.
A castle that the monsters of this place—the most treacherous in the Western Continent—fled from.

Kale lifted his gaze.
The Black Dragon appeared like a small dot atop the highest spire of the Black Castle.
The moment that dragon swung its front legs as if it were a conductor who had finished conducting.

Kuuuuong!
The Black Castle moved completely into the Dark Forest.

“Iiiincredibleeee!”

Raon, who had appeared as nothing more than a black speck, flew swiftly toward me and called out.
His cheeks flushed with exertion, yet his eyes sparkled with excitement despite the strain.

Creak—
The City Gate opened before my eyes.

“It’s been so long since we came home!”
“Our two homes.”

On and Hong swayed their tails leisurely as they stepped onto the Dark Forest below.
Choi Han, Ron, and Vicross followed in their wake.
And beyond the open gate, Lord Sherit stood gazing into the Dark Forest with complex eyes, her bright smile radiant.

“Human, human!”
“Yes.”
“This is our home.”
“Yes.”

I absently stroked Raon’s head as he approached.

“On the surface we have this castle, and underground we have the Jjangdol Mansion! Human, our home is so wonderful! Magnificent!”
“Yes. Yes.”
“Human, so what do we do now?”

At Raon’s sudden question, everyone fell silent and stared at me.
That was the moment.

Beep—beep—beep—
Raon startled and pulled out a video communication device from subspace.

“Human! It’s Merry! Good Merry is contacting us!”
“Connect it.”

A call had come from Merry in the Empire.
The video communication device connected immediately.

—Hey!

But the figure on the screen was not Merry alone. Bud spoke urgently, looking at me.

-Flavin just contacted us!

While Kale and Choi Han were away, Bud remained the vital link for maintaining close contact with the Sinten Merchant Guild.
Of course, Flavin, the guildmaster of the Sinten Merchant Guild, had no idea who Bud truly was. Kale had simply established an emergency communication point at a secret location, and Bud visited it once a day to check for any messages left behind.

Bud cried out, his voice trembling with alarm and urgency.

-The Four-Directional Alchemy Towers are planning to strike the Capital simultaneously!

The expressions of Choi Han, Erhaben, and the others hardened instantly.
The four Alchemy Towers from the four directions, which had been checking each other and reluctant to make the first move, were now coordinating to attack the Capital together?
Even knowing how many soldiers were stationed there?
The sudden shift made no sense.
Even in that moment, Bud pressed on urgently.

-A mysterious mage faction suddenly appeared at the Alchemy Towers and agreed to help them. They’re supposedly trying to establish a Magic Tower on the Eastern Continent.

Kale’s eyebrows rose slightly, then fell.
Bud, catching that subtle reaction, continued with frustration.

-But you know as well as I do. There’s no Magic Tower or such faction on the Eastern Continent! And who in their right mind would help the Alchemy Towers at a time like this! They practice black magic. It’s that one—that mage! The one who stood beside the White Star at the Castle of Light. It has to be his faction!

The mage who had demonstrated magical prowess rivaling that of a dragon in the recent Castle of Light battle.
He must have appeared at the Alchemy Towers with his forces.

If that were the case, the Alchemy Towers—the black magic faction and the imperial powerholders—would have felt it was worth attempting. Rather than continuing to drag things out like this, they must have judged that now was the moment, deciding to push back Sir Rex’s forces first.

However, this was merely Bud’s speculation, not a confirmed fact that could be easily determined.
Yet one thing was certain.

-The White Star still hasn’t abandoned his ambition to seize and control the Empire!

The fact that the White Star still coveted the Empire was undeniable.
Kale grasped the reason.
Just as the Ancient White Star had needed dead mana, so too did the current White Star, and the black magic faction was the most capable tool for that purpose.

-Kale, you need to get to the Empire quickly, or else—
“Good.”
-…What?

Kale’s brief words left Bud momentarily speechless. But he quickly regained his composure.

Kiiieeeee—
Kraaaaaaah—

The sudden cries of monsters snapped Bud’s attention, and only then did the scene beyond the communication portal come into clear focus.

Flying monsters fleeing skyward, and the Black Castle.
Standing before that castle in a black uniform, laughing—red-haired Kale.

In that instant, Bud thought Kale looked truly villainous.
As if in response, Kale’s mouth opened.

“Good. I was tired of smashing them one by one. Might as well destroy them all at once.”
-…What?
“Black magic and magic.”

The Four-Directional Alchemy Towers of Mogur.
The dead mana the White Star needed.
And black magic and magic.
All those keywords filled Kale’s mind, and I organized them briefly.
Magic.

“That’s where we overwhelmingly dominate.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————