Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 42

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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 10. How It Came to Be

But the carriage interior was already in disarray. Tap, tap, tap. I watched Neo Tolls bouncing his leg and internally clicked my tongue. He seemed thoroughly confused and burdened with worry. Most of the noble scions displayed similar signs of distress.

‘Benion’s face was certainly a mess, though.’

I recalled Benion Sten’s expression from the brief glimpse I’d caught before boarding the carriage. Benion had been seething with rage.

Who could have imagined it?
That Taylor Sten, the discarded eldest son, would rise from his wheelchair and walk on two legs again, and that a member of the Sten Marquis House would stand beside Crown Prince Alberu. No one could have foreseen such a thing.

‘Somehow they managed to obtain the Healing Star.’

Knowing the general outline of events, I was curious what bargain Taylor and Kaige had struck with the Crown Prince to obtain the Healing Star, an ancient power. Yet I did not look at Taylor.

Neo Tolls continued tapping his leg, deliberately avoiding even a glance at Taylor. Then Amir spoke up.

“Young Lord Taylor, has your leg fully recovered?”

The question was posed with careful courtesy. Taylor responded with a smile.

“Fortune has blessed me with complete recovery. I am now fully restored.”
“My congratulations.”
“Thank you.”

Ahem, ahem. Neo Tolls cleared his throat, his eyes darting between Taylor’s legs and his face. Then he carefully opened his mouth.

“Now that your leg has fully healed, Young Lord Taylor, will you be returning to the Marquis Household?”

The primary reason Taylor had become a discarded eldest son—his lower body paralysis—had been resolved. From the perspective of Neo and the other noble scions, they naturally wondered whether he would return to the Marquis Household and throw himself into the succession struggle.
Neo, in particular, being Benion’s subordinate, would be especially curious.

Taylor looked at Neo and spoke.

“Return, you say?”

His voice was gentle, yet it carried unwavering resolve and a cold blade of warning directed at Neo.

“That place is my original home. Isn’t that where I belong?”

Neo Tolls shrank further into himself at the chill in those words, his head drooping. Yet Kale didn’t spare the scene a single glance.
Kale occasionally caught glimpses of Taylor’s gaze through the carriage window. Of course, Taylor made no obvious show of looking at him to the others—merely a gaze sent outward, as if following Kale’s own attention beyond the carriage.
When their eyes met, Kale could read the signal Taylor was sending.

‘Prince Kale! I want to tell you everything! It’s a most fascinating story.’

That sparkling gaze of Taylor’s, brimming with such meaning, left me thoroughly unenthused. All I wanted now was for Taylor to take control of the Marquis Household and implement moderate territorial policies befitting his nature, with nothing else disturbing the peace.
So I had little desire for conversation. Yet the moment for Kale and Taylor to speak arrived nonetheless.

“Ahem, then I shall take my leave.”

The moment the carriage pulled into the empty lot beside the Plaza of Glory, Neo Tolls immediately descended and removed himself from their presence. Having worked so openly under Benion, he seemed quite uncomfortable, and likely needed to report Taylor’s condition to Benion as well.

“Prince Kale, I shall go with Prince Eric.”

Amir, riding with Eric and Gilbert alongside other Northeast Region nobles, thoughtfully departed alone from the carriage, fearing that approaching Kale might invite unnecessary trouble.

‘Prince Taylor and Prince Kale have no connection anyway. Nothing should happen.’

Given Prince Kale’s nature, he would never initiate conversation with anyone. With such thoughts, Amir hurried to meet Eric before entering the venue.

As a result, Kale found himself facing Taylor’s radiant smile.

“At last, we’re alone.”

It was a remark that didn’t sit well with Kale at all. That emotion was written plainly across his face, and apparently finding it amusing, Taylor let out a small laugh and threw a direct question at him.

“I healed my leg by becoming the head of the Marquis Household.”
“Did you pledge your loyalty?”
“No, I made a deal.”

Kale nodded.

“That’s good. Congratulations on your recovery.”

With nothing more to say, Kale turned his gaze away from Taylor. Finding this response typical of him, Taylor withdrew a small letter from his pocket and offered it to Kale.

“These are the terms of the agreement.”
“…Why show this to me specifically?”

Kale’s expression grew reluctant, and Taylor responded to that look.

“It would be good for you to know, Your Highness.”

Then he threw another curveball.

“Kaige will be excommunicated.”
“Is it because of her independent actions?”
“Precisely. And she’s pleased about it.”

At last, Kaige had stepped onto the path of the Mad Priestess. With the same spirited nature that had earned her praise as a courageous priest despite her worldly conduct as an excommunicated cleric, she would forge ahead.

“How fortunate.”

Kale could see Taylor nodding with a face brimming with emotion at his words. His expression twisted as a whirlwind of feelings churned within him as he spoke.

“Now it begins. We will achieve victory, Your Highness Kale. Won’t we?”

Why did he insist on including me in our victory? Kale wondered about that, but answered nonetheless.

“We will achieve victory.”
“Thank you. Then I shall take my leave first.”

Taylor rose from his seat. He looked down at his own feet before offering Kale a final greeting before exiting the carriage.

“After our victory, let the three of us share a drink.”
“Heniatus wine is quite delicious.”

At Kale’s words, Taylor finally opened the door and stepped out of the carriage. Left alone, Kale immediately unfolded the letter.

【The Crown Prince wishes to avoid an internal conflict.】

And crumpled it right then and there.

“Tsk.”

Kale clicked his tongue lightly and stuffed the letter deep into his inner pocket. So the Crown Prince does have a secret about his birth. Kale shook his head and descended from the carriage.

“Kale.”

Kale turned his head at Eric’s call. Beyond their shoulders, the Plaza of Glory sprawled before him, teeming with countless people.

“Young Master Kale, shall we go? It’s our turn to enter now.”

In “The Birth of a Hero,” Choi Han had been curious about those who occupied seats on a platform slightly elevated above the common people. And today, Kale would ascend to such a place—though compared to royalty and nobles, it remained at ground level.

Kale gazed at the Bell Tower standing at the plaza’s entrance. A clock hung from that tower as well.

Current time: 8:25. The hour when nobility and officials entered, and when the common people’s access was gradually restricted.

“Let’s go.”

Kale took his first steps, allowing Eric and the others to lead. As they drew closer to the plaza, countless spectators came into view. There were so many people that individual faces blurred together.
Yet they weren’t packed densely. The Plaza of Glory was vast enough, and the Royal Court maintained excellent crowd control. Thus, those who had come to see the King and witness the festival’s opening gathered atop nearby shops and buildings.

“Young Master Kale, is this your first time seeing the plaza?”

At Gilbert’s question, Kale nodded with ease.

“Yes, I passed through it briefly by carriage once, but this is my first time actually seeing it.”

As he spoke, he surveyed the area surrounding the plaza.

The Tea Shop to the south.
The Inn to the west.
A Flower Shop to the east.
The rooftop of the Pottery Guild Building to the north.

Four locations captured in Kale’s vision.

“The plaza is quite expansive.”

Kale confirmed the locations for the magical bomb installations. Simultaneously, he glanced toward the Fountain to the south. A young boy was waving a flag as if welcoming the King. That boy was Rak.

‘The plan is proceeding smoothly.’

Kale gazed at the Bell Tower with certainty that the Black Dragon and Choi Han were definitely watching him. Current time: 8:30 PM.

“We are securing the entrances.”

Soldiers began blocking the Plaza entrances from each direction. At that same moment, Kale lightly tapped his index and thumb together. A soft click. A simple gesture no one would notice.

Rak vanished. A game of finding the hidden picture had begun. Of course, it was a game of finding the hidden picture that didn’t really need to happen.

‘The answer will reveal itself by 9:01 PM.’

But it was more convenient to know the answer beforehand. And since Kale himself wasn’t moving, playing the game of finding the hidden picture was something worth doing.

“Please be seated in your designated places.”

Seats with name placards had been prepared for each person. The King and the royal family had not yet appeared. The Crown Prince who had come with them was the same.
Kale took his seat. Then he furrowed his brow.

“We meet frequently, Prince Kale.”
“Indeed, Prince Taylor.”

The seating arrangement was identical to that in the Banquet Hall. As Kale sat beside Taylor, he looked down at the people below the platform. Then he gazed at the Bell Tower.
A passage from “The Birth of a Hero” came to mind.

【Choi Han saw their forms for the first time. Five red stars on a white star. Those who had carved that emblem above their hearts revealed themselves in the Plaza.】
【The one who appeared to be their leader stood atop the Bell Tower roof, looking down upon not only the King but everyone. At the same moment he swung his mana-infused hand, the Plaza entered a time of devastation.】

The highest position in the Plaza as described in “The Birth of a Hero.” Kale gazed at the very top of the Bell Tower with indifference.
The magical bomb that Choi Han had uniquely discovered in “The Birth of a Hero.” This time, it did not appear in that location. Already, the plan had accumulated many variables.
However, unlike the book, there would be no one dying beneath collapsing buildings this time.

A mana disruption device had been planted beneath that Bell Tower.

Current time: 8:40 PM. Kale turned at the voice of Eric, who sat to his left.

“Kale, stay still. Understood?”
“Brother.”

Eric felt an inexplicable tension at Kale’s manner of address. Until two years ago, the boy had loved dressing flamboyantly and showing off, but at some point he had begun wearing only dark formal attire, and his entire demeanor had changed.

“I will remain still today. I will do nothing.”

Drawn in by those words, Eric found himself nodding without realizing it. Kale smiled with satisfaction at the gesture and glanced at his watch.

8:40. The Black Dragon’s voice reached him. As expected, the dragon had been watching him all along.

-Fifteen minutes remain.

Truly an all-powerful dragon. There was nothing magic couldn’t accomplish. I rose from my seat, silently praising the Black Dragon.

“The stars of the Crossman Royal Family are entering.”

From the only open entrance to the Plaza—the one facing north toward the Royal Palace—the Crown Prince led the way, followed by the Second and Third Princes, along with other princes and princesses.
Brilliantly golden-haired figures stepped forward. The royal family blessed by the sun god. The pride of the Roan Kingdom.

Roooaaarrr—

The cheers of the kingdom’s people filled the Plaza. The ground seemed to tremble with their acclaim. I recalled what the Black Dragon had told me.

‘The Crown Prince’s hair and eyes were brown.’

The most ordinary color known to exist. I watched the royals and clapped half-heartedly. And finally, 8:50.

“His Majesty Jed Crossman, the Sun of the Roan Lands, is entering.”

Roooaaarrr—
The king revealed himself. A robust fifty-year-old man riding in a parade carriage. I watched him for a moment, then casually turned my gaze away from the monarch. I could see a single potted plant placed on the rooftop of the Pottery Guild Building to the north. Current time: 8:55.

‘It’s been deactivated.’

The corners of my mouth lifted.
Rosalind, the Black Dragon, On, and Hong would now slip into the Plaza, concealed from view.

King Jed advanced toward the Plaza at an unhurried pace from the distant Royal Palace direction. Jed Crossman, who had ascended to the throne at the young age of twenty following the previous king’s sudden death. He had managed those peaceful times well enough. All while systematically eliminating his siblings one by one.

Roooaaarrr—
The cheers for the king remained tremendous. Thus King Jed passed through the entrance and made his way toward the highest platform prepared for him. I watched his progress calmly.

Before the Bell Tower stood the platform for the king.

The King ascended the platform with the Queen, waving to the crowd, while the Queen took her position before the dais. Only King Jed stood before the magical amplifier.

Kale checked his watch.

The current time: 8:58.

The King raised his hand.
The cheers echoing through the Plaza gradually subsided. And when the Plaza finally fell silent, the King opened his mouth.

“It has been thirty years since I began ruling this nation under the blessing of the sun.”

The King appeared genuinely delighted. Unfortunately, however, the current time was now 9 o’clock.

“Huh?”

Eric’s bewildered voice reached my ears.

“What is that?”

Taylor’s startled voice followed. I leisurely lifted my gaze toward the Bell Tower.

“What?”
“Who are they?”
“What’s happening?”

Murmurs erupted from all corners, growing louder. King Jed turned to look behind him. His gaze gradually shifted toward the Bell Tower. I smiled as I gazed upward.
King Jed cried out.

“Who are you?”

Knights and mages rushed toward the Bell Tower. The kingdom’s citizens grew anxious. It was unavoidable. A figure appeared atop the Bell Tower, and following him, people dressed in black emerged on the rooftops of nearby buildings.

“Come down at once.”
“Everyone, get up on those buildings now.”

I listened to the nearby knight’s voice while observing the man in black attire and mask standing at the very top of the Bell Tower. Redica, the mage intoxicated by blood.

‘I was worried he wouldn’t appear since this deviated from the book.’

If that were the case, Choi Han would need to reverse the mana flowing to the central control unit of each magical bomb to find the hidden culprit—allowing him to eliminate this mage.
As I considered myself fortunate that this hadn’t happened, a line from “The Birth of a Hero” came to mind.

【Choi Han could hear the mad mage’s words announcing a time of devastation.】

Red mana pooled in Redica’s hand. Unusually for a mage, his mana was visible to the eye. He swung the mana forward and spoke as if reciting from “The Birth of a Hero.”

【”How amusing.”】

“How amusing.”

A chilling voice—like metal scraping against metal—emanated from the mask. Then red mana scattered toward various points across the Plaza.
That was the moment.

9:01.

Uuuuuuung—

Vibrations erupted from beneath the Bell Tower.

Beeeep—
Whiiiing—

Magical devices throughout the Plaza began to wail. The red mana split into multiple streams heading toward the central control units within the magical bombs, but it lost its force and began spinning helplessly in place.
Mana disruption.

And within the Plaza.

Whiiiing—

Four locations emitted particularly loud alarms.

“Found them.”

My quiet voice was swallowed by the cacophony of alarms from the magical devices and bombs.

Among the people in those four locations were the ones carrying the magical bombs.
As expected, the magical bombs had malfunction alarms built in.

Kale could see Choi Han, Rosalind, and Rak rushing toward those four locations.
Ten minutes. While I couldn’t dispel the magical bombs, it was enough time to relocate them far away—to the sky above the mountain behind the Capital where civilians were restricted from entering. I had Rosalind and the Black Dragon after all.

-Found one human.

Hearing the Black Dragon’s report from its invisible vantage point, I smiled.
Ten minutes was only just beginning.

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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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