Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 474

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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 105. No, It’s a Misunderstanding!

-Your Highness! A massive explosion has occurred in the desert!
“What?”

Alberu shot to his feet without thinking.
It wasn’t just him. The leadership gathered in the conference room couldn’t hide their shock either.

The Kingdom’s Knight Commander approached Alberu, excused himself, and raised his voice toward the communication device.

“An explosion in the desert? What in the world is happening?”

The person answering was the diplomat who had been sent to deliver Alberu’s letter to Prince Valentino and was currently staying in the Caro Kingdom Dubori Territory.

-That is! Just a moment!

The area around the Diplomat holding the communication device was in complete chaos.

-Get out of the way!
-Everyone gather at the command center immediately!
-Hurry! Assemble at the City Wall! Gather the Mages!

Through the communication device as the Diplomat moved to a quieter location, the voices of people shouting could be heard, and one could see people running about frantically.

‘This is an emergency situation!’

The leadership of the Roan Kingdom watching realized that the situation in Dubori Territory was extremely urgent. The Knight Commander couldn’t hold back and spoke again.

“Give us a report immediately!”

Those present had already heard from Crown Prince Alberu that the White Star’s next target after the Caro Kingdom might be the Roan Kingdom.
Because of this, their hearts quickly filled with tension.

-Yes, understood!

The Diplomat remained in place and began his report.

-Just moments ago, the ground suddenly began to shake, and with a tremendous roar, a massive explosion erupted in the desert!

In that instant, the Knight Commander glanced at Alberu.
The realization struck him now—something he’d failed to notice earlier, too startled by the unexpected news.

Kale Heniatus.
The Crown Prince’s adopted brother came to mind. The Crown Prince, who rarely concerned himself with family matters, was terribly fond of and proud of this adopted brother—was he not?
And he was not merely precious to the Crown Prince, but a treasure of Roan, destined to shine ever brighter in the days to come.

And yet, was he not fighting in the desert at this very moment? In a place shrouded in the smoke of dead mana, no less.

The expressions of the leadership, including the Knight Commander, stiffened slightly as they studied Alberu. Even so, the Diplomat’s report continued.

—The dead mana smoke has formed a massive whirlwind, but the vortex winds are now gradually dissipating! However, according to the Mage on Kale’s side—

Alberu flinched, his ears opening to the words.
As far as he knew, the Mage on Kale’s side that the Diplomat was referring to was Erhafen.

The words of an Ancient Dragon—they would be accurate above all else.
Alberu waited for the next words as calmly as he could manage. In that moment, the Diplomat’s voice came through.

—The ground near the center of the desert has collapsed! The size is comparable to a small to medium-sized city, and, and—

The Diplomat hesitated, unable to continue.

“Why do you stop mid-sentence? Speak at once!”

The person in charge of Roan Kingdom diplomacy raised their voice. Only then did the Diplomat continue speaking in a trembling voice.

—…No living beings have been detected, including the enemy White Star and his followers. Or, or so they reported.

Silence fell over the conference room.

—Instead, however. They discovered corpses buried beneath the collapsed ground—though whether they died from being crushed or from the dead mana smoke remains unclear.
“No, that can’t—”

The one who had just raised his voice could not continue.

Someone had died.
It was impossible to determine who.

Just that fact alone made sinister and extreme thoughts flash through my mind.

‘What if someone on our side has died?’
‘What if Kale Heniatus or his companions are injured?’

No one dared speak carelessly. They could only watch the Diplomat on the other side of the video communication screen, unable to hide the tension and worry in his expression, his dry lips pressed firmly together.
Then it happened.

“Sigh.”

A shallow sigh echoed through the chamber.

“Everyone, calm yourselves and be seated.”

Albert Crossman spoke with composure and returned to his seat as usual. His demeanor was so composed and at ease that one might wonder if he had truly been startled moments before.

“…Your Highness—”
“Sit.”

The Knight Commander, who had begun to speak, obeyed Albert’s firm command and settled into his chair. Even so, he studied Albert’s expression carefully.
The Diplomat, who had been observing all of this, carefully opened his mouth.

-Ahem. That is, Your Highness.
“Speak.”

The Diplomat swallowed as he looked at Albert, who wore a brilliant smile.

Yes, the Crown Prince was indeed this sort of person.
No matter what happened, he would overcome it swiftly and conduct himself as always.

Because this quality was both terrifying and reassuring, the Diplomat continued with a far steadier voice.

-The dead mana smoke is expected to persist for approximately two to three more days. It is believed that entry into the desert will only be possible after all the smoke has dissipated, at which point search operations on the collapsed ground are anticipated to commence.
“Are there those willing to undertake it?”

The question was posed with such indifference—such utter indifference—that the Diplomat was startled and had to glance around his surroundings.
Fortunately, no one was nearby. Of course, Albert had also confirmed that no one was present on the other side of the video communication screen before asking.

The Diplomat opened his mouth with uncertainty.

—Wouldn’t it be best to draw the search personnel from the Caro Kingdom itself?

Yet there was no conviction in his words.

‘Fear.’

The moment the black mana smoke spiraled upward, the soldiers fell into panic. It was only natural. The dead mana smoke was an extreme poison of extremes—one that killed agonizingly with merely a single breath.

So even if this dead mana smoke were to dissipate, those who had witnessed this spectacle and the explosion today would not readily volunteer to enter that desert and conduct a search.
The nobles had already fled in terror, after all.

‘…And looking at it coldly, the people inside that desert are not from the Caro Kingdom.’

Even if they were those who had fought to save the Caro Kingdom, they were ultimately foreigners. They were from the Roan Kingdom, even in death, so gratitude was gratitude—but the probability that they would search with great diligence was low.

Tap. Tap. Tap.
Alberu tapped the armrest of his chair with his index finger instead of answering.

“…Your Highness.”

The Knight Commander called out to Alberu, only to meet his gaze.
When he smiled gently, the Crown Prince seemed like such an affable person, but when he didn’t smile like this before the leadership, he felt impossibly difficult to read.

“Knight Commander.”
“Yes.”
“Send the 1st Knight Order Commander and several knights to the Caro Kingdom Dubori Territory.”

The Diplomat who heard this hesitated before speaking urgently.

—Your Highness! This place is truly dangerous! Of course, the people of the Roan Kingdom, the heroes of Roan, are in the desert, but!

As the Diplomat spoke, several emotions collided within him.
One was admiration for the Crown Prince. The sight of him dispatching knights out of concern for the welfare of Roan Kingdom citizens stirred the heart as a fellow countryman.

And the other emotion was worry. He had to convey his intentions to the Crown Prince, even if it was an irreverent act.

—The search operation is dangerous! Rather, I believe it would be more appropriate to pressure the Caro Kingdom to repay their debt by taking full responsibility themselves!

I was concerned about the heroes of Roan as well. However, I feared further sacrifice.
To be precise, I hoped that in this dangerous situation, the Roan Kingdom would take the path of least danger.

-Your Highness, I will pressure the Caro Kingdom to conduct a joint search! War might break out, but it doesn’t seem like the Knights Order is involved!

The Diplomat’s face contorted with conflicting emotions.
In that moment, he caught sight of a smile forming at the corners of Alberu’s lips.
It was a gentle smile—famous, if one could call such a thing famous.

“My friend, are you certain it’s wise to speak such words so loudly in that place?”
-Ah!

Only then did the Diplomat glance around and shrink his neck like a turtle. Fortunately, it seemed no one had heard. Just as he was relieved, the Diplomat heard Alberu’s gentle voice and quickly looked toward the communication crystal.

“Do not worry. They are citizens of Roan, so we must go. The Royal Palace will contact you shortly, so wait at ease.”
-…Your Highness.

The Diplomat ultimately bit his lip at the Crown Prince’s decision to move forward with rescuing the citizens of Roan.
To him, the Crown Prince spoke kindly.

“Then I must end this call as we need to hold a meeting on this matter. If there is any additional urgent information, contact me immediately.”
-Yes, Your Highness! I will keep my wits about me here and monitor the situation!
“Very well.”

The Diplomat watched as the Crown Prince with the gentle smile vanished from the communication crystal’s screen.

And when the communication crystal’s screen went completely dark.
Silence descended upon the conference room where Alberu sat.

The senior officials watched Alberu with tense expressions as the gentle smile slowly faded from his face.

‘There’s definitely something more to this.’

They did not take Alberu’s words to the Diplomat at face value.
Most people were accustomed to seeing the Crown Prince with a radiant expression, but these senior officials—his loyal subordinates—were equally familiar with his cold countenance.

“Your Highness.”

The head of the Capital Administration, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“Your Highness would dispatch knights for the sake of the Roan Kingdom’s people. However, you are not one to send those same knights—who are also citizens of the Roan Kingdom—into perilous lands.”

The other officials, knights, and generals expressed their agreement through silence.

A subtle smile played across his lips.
In that moment, the Crown Prince’s mouth curved upward.

“The Land of Death is a territory the Caro Kingdom can well afford to lose. In fact, it will become a place they desperately wish to avoid.”

The leadership nodded silently at his words.
The Land of Death had always been a place the Caro Kingdom shunned. But after this incident, people would be even more reluctant to venture anywhere near it.
With inexplicable wisps of dead mana rising several times a year, no one would dare go there if they valued their lives.

As the Crown Prince recalled this fact, a vision began to form in his mind.

“It will become a land they wish to abandon—a useless territory they want to cast away.”

A land to be abandoned.
In that instant, the Finance Ministry Official lifted his head and looked toward Alberu.

“…Your Highness! Surely you don’t mean to—?”

He paused for a moment before speaking with careful deliberation.
Though the conference room was protected by soundproofing magic that prevented outside listeners, he found himself speaking in hushed tones.

“Your Highness, are you intending to claim the Land of Death?”

Those present had already experienced Alberu’s schemes firsthand.
They could discern his intentions.
And then it came.

“The Land of Death would be an exceptionally precious territory for the Dark Elves and the Necromancer.”

Alberu’s voice seeped into the ears of the leadership.

“And the Dark Elves and the Necromancer are citizens of the Roan Kingdom—our powerful allies. They are the strength of Roan.”

The leadership had felt this truth acutely through the recent war.

“Shouldn’t we provide them with land to settle in here in Roan?”

Thus, I responded to the Crown Prince’s words with silence once more, affirming his proposal.

‘As expected, the Crown Prince is always thinking one step ahead in moments like this.’

At the same time, my trust in Albert grew—not only was he protecting the people of Roan, but he was also pursuing a future and gains that were one step ahead of everyone else.
The Knight Commander opened his mouth.

“I will prepare personnel immediately and dispatch them to Dubori Territory.”
“Commander.”

An official from the Foreign Affairs Ministry spoke up.

“Rather than launching a search right away, station yourselves in Dubori Territory first and tell them that Roan will take on the tasks that Caro Kingdom is reluctant to undertake. We’re instilling a sense of debt. Ah, I’ll send a few of our people for that part. Your Highness, wouldn’t that be better?”

Albert smiled instead of answering, and with that as the signal, the officials began to speak.

“In any case, this matter involving former Commander Kale has expanded beyond what was initially discussed with Caro Kingdom. Ultimately, Prince Kale had to endure considerable hardship and suffering.”
“Exactly. While Prince Kale will receive compensation, we must press them in a way that suggests Roan should also be compensated. We must obtain everything we can!”

An official from the Capital Administration spoke in hushed tones.

“And in doing so, we gradually create an atmosphere where the Land of Death becomes ours.”

The officials blinked as if they understood without needing to be told.
Albert Crossman. Public opinion warfare was one of the things he and his subordinates did best.

The officials felt no particular guilt about acquiring that land, since it was a place even Caro Kingdom’s people disliked and where Caro Kingdom’s citizens didn’t live.

Moreover, Caro Kingdom might even welcome taking a useless land rather than other forms of compensation.

“Caro Kingdom declared war first. As such, they will have substantial expenses to cover. From their perspective, it would be more convenient to hand over the Land of Death rather than compensate with money.”

The Grand General nodded in agreement.

“It would be better for us, who actually need it, to take it and display it to the Dark Elves and Necromancers.”

Even as he said this, he subtly turned to Albert with a question.

“Your Majesty, what about the search then…?”
“Once the Knights establish a garrison and buy us time, we’ll dispatch a few Dark Elves.”
“Excellent! So you intend to keep them stationed there under the pretext of searching the Land of Death! Precisely! The crucial point is that citizens of the Roan Kingdom can freely traverse that land without any Caro Kingdom presence!”

The Grand General displayed an exaggerated reaction, yet smiled at the fact that Alberu was still not putting the Knights in unnecessary danger.

“If the Caro Kingdom refuses to hand over the land, we should at least demand usage rights for several decades.”
“No, no! If they won’t give us the land, we should instead demand payment from the Caro Kingdom for the protection the Dark Elves will provide against the dead mana miasma, and allow the Dark Elves to live comfortably and peacefully in that territory!”
“That’s also a fine approach.”

The officials coordinated their opinions and rapidly drafted plans.

Alberu, observing all of this from a step back, closed his eyes for a moment.
Beneath the table, both his hands clenched with intensity.

He had dreamed of it.

A world where Dark Elves could live freely.
And obtaining land where they could survive.

And by chance, an opportunity had arrived.
A chance for Roan Kingdom citizens to boldly set foot in the Caro Kingdom Land of Death.
Of course, that Roan Kingdom citizen was a Dark Elf.

Though the Roan Kingdom had improved somewhat, Dark Elves remained despised and regarded with disdain by those of the Western Continent.
For Alberu, who had to hide his Dark Elf bloodline his entire life, this possibility—that others might not have to live in the same suffocating silence as he did—sparked his imagination.

‘The Underground City must remain a secret forever.’

If the Caro Kingdom learned of it, they might covet it or cause trouble.
Alberu regretted that he could not openly reveal the Underground City, yet he could not help but feel the loss.

‘But instead, the Desert above the Underground City—I will give it to the Dark Elves and the Necromancer.’

Shouldn’t those who had worked harder than anyone for the Roan Kingdom receive compensation?
When Alberu opened his eyes again, they gleamed with determination.

‘The moment the Land of Death becomes Roan’s territory, the probability that the Underground City’s secret remains hidden from the world increases exponentially.’

Of course, acquiring that territory would be a difficult process.
The Western Continent’s Caro Kingdom and the Eastern Continent’s Roan Kingdom were separated by considerable physical distance. However, it was worth attempting.
If it succeeded, it would be excellent.

‘The Dark Elves would roam freely above ground, and the people of that underground city could be accepted as citizens of the Roan Kingdom.’

Those who had fled the Caro Kingdom to escape the Dubori Territory, only to find themselves living in the underground city.
If all went well, even they—who had never been able to leave the underground their entire lives—would have the opportunity to walk confidently across the lands of the Roan Kingdom.

Of course, Alberu’s reason for accepting them as kingdom citizens stemmed partly from the fact that they seemed capable, but there were other reasons as well.

There was a day on the Whale Tribe Island when Kale and I were discussing how to backstab the White Star. When Alberu brought up Tasha, Kale suddenly seemed to remember something he wanted to say.

‘Your Highness. The educational system of the underground city people is truly remarkable.’
‘Is that so?’
‘Everyone who wishes can learn to read and write, and anyone who desires can freely take examinations to assume official positions. There are many master craftspeople in specialized fields as well. Each person is quite the expert. All opportunities for learning are open to them.’

From that point on, Alberu investigated his mother’s homeland in far greater detail. The more he learned, the more an exhilarating sensation washed over him.
It felt like discovering something he had always wanted.

A vision took shape in his mind.

A Free City for alchemy and magic that would soon be established.
And an underground city where Dark Elves and humans lived together, embodying their own unique way of life.

Through these two places, Alberu envisioned the future of Roan.

New opportunities in the form of an Alchemy Tower and Magic Tower would arrive soon, and there was much to learn from the underground city.
He would blend it all together masterfully, pouring his entire life into creating one magnificent vision.

The White Star.
Even after the war with that creature ended, Roan would remain busy.
Perhaps he would need to endure even more intense days ahead. He himself might suffer as well.
Change always brought problems in its wake wherever it appeared.

But when he thought of the people of the Roan Kingdom becoming more advanced and radiant, he had to move forward.

“Your Highness.”

He turned his gaze toward the official who had called out to him. The official who received his attention carefully opened his mouth.
By then, all the administrators’ eyes had converged on the speaker.

“But wouldn’t it be alright to postpone the search? Kale Heniatus and his companions should be fine, shouldn’t they?”

The official had broached the most sensitive issue that everyone else had been unable to voice.

“Perhaps—”
“They’re fine.”

The administrator fell silent despite his words being cut off, simply staring at Alberu, who had interrupted him.

A smile spread across his face.
Alberu’s lips curved upward.
When he first heard the news, he had jumped to his feet in shock.

But he had quickly been reassured.

‘Erhafen remains at the castle.’

The diplomat had not mentioned that Kale’s mage had departed.
If something had happened to Kale, Erhafen would surely have either left or turned the desert inside out.

‘The fact that he hasn’t taken such action means—’

That was the moment.

Knock, knock, knock—

An urgent knocking echoed through the room, and Alberu halted his thoughts.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

An urgent voice came from beyond the door, and several startled administrators rose to their feet and moved toward it.

“Never mind. I’ll go.”

But Alberu had them sit back down and approached the door himself.

Click.
He opened the door and saw the Servant’s face, a mixture of surprise and urgency.

“Your Highness, right now—!”

But Alberu cut off the Servant’s words and gave an order.

“Show them in.”

Alberu moved with unhurried grace. He checked his appearance and had the Servant bring a basket of cookies as well.
Then he opened the door to his bedroom.

Creak!
The door swung wide open, and as Alberu stepped inside, he spoke with a radiant smile.

“Anyone seeing this would think this is your home, not my bedroom, wouldn’t they?”

Before his eyes, Kale Heniatus straightened up from where he had been sprawled across the sofa, offering a casual nod.

—Your Highness, I’m sorry! This isn’t our home, it’s yours! But I was in such a rush setting the coordinates that I meant to arrive at the Royal Garden, not your room!

At the great yet adorable Dragon’s voice echoing in his mind, Alberu’s smile deepened even further.
He placed the cookie basket on the table and regarded Kale with ease.

“You seem much more composed than last time.”
“That’s right. Little brother, your older brother isn’t easily startled.”

Alberu responded gently to Kale’s words, and then heard his continued voice.

“Well, it seems the White Star will likely launch an assault on the Roan Kingdom very soon.”
“…Damn it.”

Alberu’s face twisted in an instant.

“This is maddening.”

Hearing Alberu’s murmur, Kale offered an awkward laugh.

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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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