Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 472

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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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The Ancient Dragon Erhafen stood atop the City Wall of Caro Kingdom Dubori Territory, gazing steadily ahead in silence.
The soldiers could only steal glances at him, unable to approach. There was an indescribable aura about him that seemed beyond reach.

Rustle.
Erhafen’s hair swayed in the wind.

The wind that had blown from the sea inland during the day shifted direction the moment midnight passed and a new day began, now blowing from inland toward the sea.

‘Erhafen.’

The Dark Elf Tasha had visited him secretly that afternoon and explained this sudden shift in wind direction.

‘When the dead mana smoke rises from the desert, the wind invariably blows from inland toward the sea.’

Because of this, it was extremely rare for the dead mana smoke rising from the center of the Land of Death to reach Dubori Territory.

‘Furthermore, to be prepared for any contingency, our Dark Elves who handle Wind Spirits and our mages constantly maintain winds as a precaution.’

When Erhafen heard those words, he thought the Dark Elves were truly quick-witted.

The Dark Elves were a people who had hidden underground to escape persecution and contempt from humans and other races.
But according to Tasha’s account, they had been enduring hardship for a long time to prevent dead mana smoke from reaching Dubori Territory.

‘No, Erhafen. This is not for Dubori Territory or humans. If the desert’s secret becomes widely known and the Caro Kingdom investigates this place and discovers us, it would be catastrophic. We fear our homeland will disappear.’

Though Tasha insisted it was not for the sake of other life forms, seeing the humans living happily in the Underground City, the Dark Elves were truly broad-minded and good-natured beings.

“Commander.”

He turned his gaze toward the voice he heard.
Gashan, the Tiger Tribe Tribal Chief and Shaman, grinned widely at Erhafen.

Gashan could not bring himself to call Erhafen by his true name or address him as Dragon, so he called him “Commander” instead. Erhafen gave a slight bow toward the person who appeared as Gashan took a subtle step back.

Behind Gashan stood Prince Valentino. And behind him stood several lords from the surrounding territories who possessed considerable power.

“How dare you! Before His Highness! You insolent—!”

Among them, a lord belonging to the Crown Prince’s faction had been about to voice his displeasure at Erhafen’s audacious behavior, but Prince Valentino raised his hand to stop him.

“Enough.”
“Your Highness! But look at how that man conducts himself! How dare he—”
“Enough.”

At Prince Valentino’s curt second command, the nobleman fell silent. He knew well enough that pressing the matter further would only end badly for him.

“I would appreciate it if all the lords would withdraw. I have urgent matters to discuss.”

The lords wore reluctant expressions at Prince Valentino’s words, but they soon bowed their heads and either stepped back at a distance or descended below the City Wall.

Prince Valentino, whose complexion had noticeably deteriorated over the course of a single day, watched the retreating nobles with a weary gaze before turning his attention to Erhafen.

“I’m not certain what to call you.”
“Please address me however you find comfortable.”
“…Very well.”

Prince Valentino carefully examined the two people who remained in this castle—the only ones from Kale’s group still present.

The Tiger Shaman Gashan. Despite his advanced age, he conducted himself with considerable courtesy and a gentle demeanor toward Prince Valentino. Yet the prince was acutely aware that beneath that softness lay a formidable strength.

His commanding presence emanated a natural pressure, and Prince Valentino had witnessed how Gashan wielded crows in Dubori Territory. Especially upon learning he was a Tiger Tribe member, the prince could only imagine the extent of his supernatural strength and dared not treat him as casually as one might a subordinate.

‘Still, he’s the more manageable one. But this mage before me—!’

Prince Valentino regarded Erhafen with an enigmatic expression.
He had observed how Gashan conducted himself in Kale’s presence. From that, he could sense how deeply Gashan respected Kale. Yet this very man showed even greater deference to the mage standing before him.

‘At minimum, a top-tier mage.’

That was the assessment the Caro Kingdom mages had rendered of the mage before him.
It was remarkable enough that such a powerhouse stood at Kale’s side, but Prince Valentino found himself more astonished by his own reaction.

‘It’s strange. I cannot treat him casually.’

Just moments ago, the man had offered a greeting that could hardly be called respectful when addressing a crown prince of a nation, yet Prince Valentino’s instincts insisted he simply let the matter rest.

Erhafen, observing Prince Valentino’s reaction, found himself contemplating the situation.

‘Quite the perceptive one.’

I had concealed all traces of my draconic nature. Yet this Crown Prince before me remained cautious and wary of Erhafen.
Though he spoke to me as casually as he did to others, he tolerated Erhafen’s behavior—conduct that could be perceived as presumptuous.

Rather, he approached proactively.
A perceptive human indeed.

“I’ll call you Mage, as I see fit.”
“As you wish.”
“Good.”

Valentino paused as if lost in thought for a moment, then carefully continued speaking.

“Has Commander Kale Heniatus received any communications?”

As Prince Valentino posed the question, his mind seemed not merely complicated but on the verge of shattering.

The Caro Kingdom had dispatched official documents to every kingdom, duchy, and free city across the Western Continent. In truth, they were requests for cooperation disguised as formal notices.
It was an action born from the judgment that the current situation could not be allowed to continue.

Prince Valentino recalled the words spoken by the Lord of Dubori after regaining consciousness.

‘Your Highness, I did not even realize I was bewitched! I swear it! Would I have brought such a person into my territory in a moment of madness? Someone connected to dark magic, no less!’

The terrified Lord of Dubori had pleaded desperately with Prince Valentino. Witnessing his desperation, not only Prince Valentino but the entire political establishment of the Caro Kingdom felt a chill of alarm.

It was the dread that the Northern Kingdoms—and even the Mogur Empire itself—would be swept away by this creature called the White Star, along with the Caro Kingdom.

Simultaneously, rage ignited.

‘How dare he!’

How dare he manipulate the Caro Kingdom so freely?
The White Star’s intention was not to attack the Caro Kingdom, but to deceive it, possess it, and toy with it.
This realization kindled an even greater fury within Prince Valentino.

Just as he burned with rage, the entirety of the Caro Kingdom was now consumed by anger and fear, united in their determination to overcome this crisis by any means necessary.

And so the kingdom entered a state of war.

Starting tomorrow, each territory would mobilize its forces, and the Mages and Knights scattered throughout the realm would need to converge on the Capital.

Upon receiving official correspondence, the other kingdoms also expressed their agreement with Caro Kingdom’s stance. Of course, some still felt confusion or believed Caro Kingdom’s actions were excessive, but all agreed that some form of action, whether large or small, was necessary.

Just moments ago, a message had arrived from Crown Prince Albert Crossman of the Roan Kingdom.

【Let us meet within three days】

Powerful figures and those wielding true authority from across the Western Continent would gather at the Roan Royal Palace.

‘It’s right that Roan takes the lead.’

Valentino understood Caro Kingdom’s strength. That’s why he had stepped forward first, but he had yielded the initiative to the Roan Kingdom. He harbored no resentment about it. Instead, Valentino recalled the words that Crown Prince Albert had added.
There was no dissatisfaction with him. Instead, Valentino recalled the letters that Crown Prince Albert had added.

I ask you to take care of my younger brother, Kale Heniatus.

However, beyond such terminology, something else caught Valentino’s attention.
But more than such words, Valentino’s attention was drawn to something else.

Kale Heniatus.

Because of it, he immediately left the tactical tent and climbed atop this City Wall. Then he asked the Mage before him if there had been any contact from Kale.
So he immediately left the tactical Tent and climbed up onto the City Wall. Then he asked the Mage in front of him if he had received any contact from Kale Heniatus.

However, the Mage did not give Valentino the answer he wanted.

“No. I haven’t received any contact from Master Kong yet.”

Valentino bit his lip. Unable to contain the frustration welling up inside him, he let it spill out of his mouth.

“…Mana smoke rising from the dead in the desert…!”

It was a decision he could have made, as numerous soldiers had come to Dubori Territory and were still arriving. However, the moment he heard Erhafen’s explanation regarding the dead mana smoke, all the soldiers had no choice but to wait in Dubori Territory.
Numerous soldiers had come to Dubori Territory and were continuing to arrive, so it was a decision that could be made. However, the moment they heard an explanation about Erhafen’s dead mana smoke that stood in the way of this, all the soldiers had no choice but to wait in Dubori Territory.

Of course, this was information that I had previously discussed with the Dark Elves before disclosing it to Valentino.
Normally, it would have been information I wouldn’t reveal, but given that the White Star had invaded the Dubori Territory first and the Caro Kingdom Army had gathered there, I had no choice.
The Caro Kingdom Army gathered in the Dubori Territory could not be allowed to advance into the desert.

Tasha spoke about this part with a smile.

‘Well, this works out nicely. People will be even more afraid to come to the desert because of the dead mana smoke, right?’

Her assessment was precisely correct.
Even the nobles who had been clamoring to kill the White Star withdrew.

Valentino gazed out at the desert.

The dead mana smoke was barely visible against the black night sky and the black desert.
Only a faint black shimmer seemed to flicker in the distance.

In the past, he would have dismissed it as merely a mirage from the desert, but now that he knew the truth, dread washed over him.

Because of this, Valentino could not help but speak.

“Commander Kale fights within that black smoke?”

Dead mana kills humans when absorbed into their bodies.
Kale would know this. Yet he entered that hellscape of his own volition?

“Yes. The Young Master is fighting in that desert right now.”

Valentino looked at Erhafen, who answered so calmly, and asked again.

“Dark Elves and Necromancers might manage, but wouldn’t Commander Kale and the Sword Master face grave danger if they inhale the dead mana smoke?”
“Of course they would.”
“…No matter how much Young Master Kale insisted he was safe, that he had a way to fight.”

As a human being.
Truly, setting aside his position as Crown Prince or any other title, Valentino felt a surge of gratitude and apology toward Kale welling up from deep within.
And sadness mixed with anticipation flooded through him.
He felt sorrow thinking of the hardship Kale would endure, yet simultaneously, hope kindled within him—hope that the White Star might be eliminated.

‘Hmm.’

Erhafen observed Valentino, whose every expression was laid bare, and stroked his chin thoughtfully.

‘It’s true that Kale Heniatus is suffering. That unfortunate fellow is only wasting away his own body.’

Should I lend him a hand?
Erhafen opened his mouth for the sake of that unfortunate man.

“Your Highness.”
“Do you have something to say?”

Valentino looked at him with curiosity, as this was the first time Erhafen had initiated conversation with him. He wondered what the man might say. Erhafen, meeting his gaze, spoke in a measured tone.

“There is an efficient way for living humans to fight against dead mana.”

Valentino’s eyes widened in an instant.

“What is it? What method! Tell me at once!”

If such a method existed, he wanted to use it immediately on himself and his knights to advance into the desert.
Erhafen continued speaking as he observed Valentino’s eyes, which clearly reflected his desire.

“Coat your entire body with life force, or drench yourself in it.”
“…Life force?”
“Yes. Life force.”

The Tiger Shaman Gashan paused and looked at Erhafen.
The method that had just come from Erhafen’s mouth was very, very crude, very frightening, and deeply sorrowful.

‘Is he truly a Dragon?’

Gashan thought it was fitting for a Dragon to speak of such a method so casually.
However, he kept his mouth firmly shut and did not interject into their conversation. There had to be a reason for Erhafen to do this.

Valentino opened his mouth as he looked at Erhafen.

“What does it matter how life force battles dead mana?”
“Dead mana is, quite literally, a dead entity. Its opposite is life itself—life force. Therefore, dead mana cannot approach anywhere near someone imbued with life force.”
“Then what is this life force? If it’s the opposite of dead mana, is it simply natural mana from the world?”
“No. We’re discussing the antithesis of death itself. It has nothing to do with mana.”
“Then what is it?”

Erhafen’s face remained utterly devoid of humor as he uttered a single word.

“Blood.”

In that instant, Prince Valentino’s body went rigid.

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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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