Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 487

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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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“It would be fun to do it together. Something that entertaining.”

Kale observed Alberu, who was grinning widely at the prospect of fun. Alberu opened his mouth at that gaze.

“Is this plan because of Elysnet I?”

He still hadn’t heard directly from Kale why he intended to meddle with and overturn the Molden Kingdom.
However, having learned that Elysnet I, the King of Molden, was an Illusionist—one of the White Star’s subordinates—he had assumed this was part of a scheme to bring down the White Star.

“Brother.”
“Yes.”

Alberu looked at Kale with bewildered eyes, as Kale gazed at him with a probing stare instead of answering his question.

‘Why is this troublemaker who creates such chaotic situations staring at me like that?’

An eerie sense of unease washed over him.

“Hmm. You can fight too, can’t you, brother?”

Kale recalled Alberu in the Dark Elf Quarter, happily possessing a bottle of dead mana liquid.

“Huh?”

Alberu froze.
He recognized what that gaze in Kale’s eyes meant.

‘That’s the look of someone who’s found a tool to use!’

Alberu had once seen his own reflection in a window behind an Administrator’s shoulder when he had approached the man to use him for something someday, and he had seen that exact look in his own eyes then.
Kale’s gaze right now was precisely that look.

‘This won’t do.’

He couldn’t get entangled with this maddening troublemaker.
Working together with Kale was different from being swayed by this man and going insane.

“I won’t fight.”

Alberu shook his head firmly.

“Not at all?”

He flinched at Kale’s question.
Kale had asked without any particular thought, but Alberu didn’t know that.

“…Of course, if an emergency arises for the Roan Kingdom or its people, I’ll have to step forward.”
“I see.”

Only then did Alberu notice his brother’s spiritless agreement and furrowed his brow deeply. He clenched his lips and asked.

“Why did my brother ask me that question? Why didn’t you tell me about the Molden Kingdom?”
“Because the White Star is creating a fake World Tree.”
“Hm?”

Alberu paused, but I continued recording everything carved into the rock without emotion.

“They’re making it at the Molden Royal Palace, but the plan failed because of the dead mana when the Elves infiltrated.”
“…What?”
“So I’m thinking of having the Dark Elves and our group help with this World Tree matter together. And I’m planning to draw in the Mercenary King to secure cooperation from the Mercenary Guild and the kingdoms around the Eastern Continent.”

Alberu fell silent.

“Of course, the Elves will be joining us too.”

I paused mid-sentence and looked at the quiet Alberu. Our eyes met.

“This infuriating little brother.”
“…Me? Why?”
“You shouldn’t say such things.”

Alberu shook his head repeatedly before opening his mouth.

“The Roan Kingdom has no forces to send to the Eastern Continent. You know that, don’t you?”
“I do.”

No one knew when the White Star would invade the Roan Kingdom. Given such circumstances, the Roan Kingdom was currently mobilizing every available soldier.
Of course, they were conducting everything in secret behind the scenes to keep the kingdom’s citizens from growing anxious.

Alberu, aware of this situation, gazed down at Kale—who had suggested they work together—and let out a soft chuckle.

“It seems what you want from me isn’t military forces.”
“That’s correct.”

What could Kale possibly need?
Alberu’s lips parted.

“To gain cooperation from the Mercenary Guild and kingdoms of the Eastern Continent, you’ll need a proper standing. Handling the aftermath alone would be too much for you.”

There was a difference between simply going as Kale Heniatus and going to the Eastern Continent as Kale Heniatus of the Roan Kingdom, a great power of the Western Continent.

“And you’ll need guarantees from both the Caro Kingdom and the Roan Kingdom regarding Elysnet I’s identity and her actions. Generally, the higher the person providing such guarantees, the more weight it carries with the Eastern Continent’s elite.”

He spoke to Kale with a radiant smile.

“If anyone gives you trouble, just use my name and crush them all.”

If the Eastern Continent kingdoms interfered and caused problems.
If someone asked Kale who he thought he was to get involved.

“Roan. And my name. Use them however you see fit in the Eastern Continent.”

Kale wasn’t the type to act recklessly.
Even if he was a man who could drive others to madness and despair, there was a reason why Kale was a hero in the Roan Kingdom.

“What will you do if I act freely and the Eastern Continent sends complaints to Roan?”

Alberu shrugged his shoulders.

“What would I do? Would they really dare to attack? It would take them quite a while to sail here, and teleportation would be impossible for them. And if they do try anything—”

In the darkness beyond the torchlight’s reach, Kale saw Alberu’s eyes gleam.

“It’s about planting Roan’s flag on the Eastern Continent.”
“You’re quite ambitious.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Is that so.”

Alberu watched as Kale gave a casual response and shifted his gaze from the boulder to methodically survey the entire Stone Chamber.

“But do you have evidence that the power the White Star possesses—that sky attribute power—originates from the Demon Realm?”
“Ah, about that.”

Kale began laying out the events that had transpired and the circumstances that could serve as grounds for his suspicions to Alberu.
Eventually, it came time to mention his visit to the World Tree. He carefully selected only what he could disclose from what he had learned there and explained it.

“The Demon Realm? Did you ask the World Tree about the Demon Realm?”
“Mm.”

Kale paused at Alberu’s question, his mind drifting into thought.

After concluding his dealings with Solly, the Fire Spirit contractor, he had brought the Elf priest Adite to the inn.
To do so, he had returned to the World Tree Elf Village to meet with Adite, and in the process, he had found occasion to speak with the World Tree once more.

‘What are your thoughts on demons and the Demon Realm? I’m referring to the sky attribute power possessed by the White Star.’

The World Tree had uttered something unexpected in response to Kale’s question.

‘As I mentioned when we first met, my vision was obscured by darkness as the Ancient Era drew to a close, so there was little I could see.’

The World Tree reiterated what it had said at their first meeting.

The Ancient Era.
When darkness descended upon that age, his vision too had darkened, and he could not perceive the flow of the world.

‘What was that darkness?’

Kale asked once more as he had then, and the World Tree gave the same answer it had on the day they first met.

‘I can only speak about things the world permits me to speak about. I said exactly that last time, didn’t I?’
‘Yes, you did.’
‘And I also said I cannot speak of things I cannot see.’
‘That’s correct.’

The World Tree fell silent for a moment, lost in thought, before continuing.

‘I could not foresee the true nature of the darkness. However, I—who lived in that era—witnessed the darkness itself. And that is something I cannot speak of.’

It was the same answer as before.

The World Tree could not foresee the true nature of darkness. Yet the darkness itself had been witnessed. But what that darkness was could not be spoken of.

However, unlike before, the World Tree opened its mouth once more.

‘Kale, there is not much I can say.’
‘There is no need to strain yourself.’

The World Tree smiled at Kale’s composed response, then spoke with gentle kindness.

‘But I shall tell you one more thing.’

Far more than the Dragon.
Far more than the White Star.
The World Tree, which had existed in this world for an immeasurably long time.
It was a being that had infinitely repeated the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

‘Kale, change your perspective.’

The World Tree urged Kale to shift his thinking.

‘Why must they involve themselves directly?’
‘Ah!’

Whether it be the Gate of the Demon Realm or the Divine Realm’s gate.
There was no need for them to step forward personally.

‘Why go through the trouble of stepping forward directly?’

Whoooosh—
The World Tree’s trunk trembled, and Adite’s scream reached me once more. Yet even amid this, the World Tree continued speaking with unwavering calm.
As if determined to impart every last fragment of knowledge to me, he pressed on without pause.

‘The Divine Realm contracts with humans. You could call it a transaction. The Saint and Saint Maiden are those who have “contracted” with the gods. They remain ignorant of this pact. They believe themselves merely chosen, gifted with blessings as if by chance. Much like the Oath of Death.’

Like the Oath of Death—a contract with the divine that the parties themselves know nothing of. A promise. A transaction.

‘There is no power in this world given freely. Why does the god bestow strength upon the Saint and Saint Maiden? They remain unaware, but through them, the divine imprints its will upon this realm.’

Whoooosh—
The World Tree’s branches shuddered violently.

‘The Sun God sought to annihilate darkness-attribute lifeforms—creatures that are part of nature itself, part of the natural order—through humanity.’

Adite called out to the World Tree, urging him to stop.
But the World Tree continued, his voice serene.

‘And just as with the God of Death, there exist countless “contracts” where the price of the transaction is death itself, yet simultaneously the gaze of the divine touches this world.’

I was startled when the World Tree directly mentioned the God of Death’s gaze—something he had previously glossed over with hushed reluctance.
The World Tree continued.

‘Do you think the Demon Realm lacks such arrangements?’

Ah.
I exhaled deeply.
That was the moment.

Crack—
The World Tree’s largest branch snapped and plummeted to the earth.

‘They are all identical.’

The World Tree’s voice grew fainter.
He laughed with hollow resignation.

‘Look. Even now, are they not attempting to silence my tongue?’

Kale focused on the World Tree’s voice.

‘Kale. Your life, our life—that’s all that matters. Don’t let yourself be dragged along. No deals, no contracts. You can do whatever you want.’
‘That’s my intention.’
‘Haha, yes. Yes. Just as I move this mouth of mine freely, you do as you please. And look at Saint Jack and Hana. And look at Kaige, who chose excommunication of her own accord. Contracts and deals always have weaknesses.’

Then, a sudden thought flashed through Kale’s mind.
Finally, the World Tree spoke in a faint murmur.

‘…Later…let’s finish this conversation later.’

And the World Tree fell silent.
It had become a situation where nothing more could be said.

“Brother? Brother, what are you doing spacing out like that? Ignoring my question and thinking about something else? Really?”

Ah.
I snapped out of my thoughts about the World Tree. And I could see Alberu’s crooked smile.

“Now you’re back with us.”

I quietly avoided Alberu’s gaze.

“Ahem. In any case, there’s a high probability that the White Star’s power originates from the Demon Realm.”

That would be the case if the White Star were a human who had made a contract or deal with a demon.

“It seems difficult to talk about the World Tree?”
“Quite so.”

I couldn’t quite bring myself to tell Alberu about the conversation I’d just had, or the earlier matter about the God of Death wanting to make a deal with me.
When Alberu said nothing, I thought the conversation had wrapped up nicely, and with the same gaze I’d used to avoid him, I began meticulously recording the Stone Chamber.

Because of this, I didn’t see Alberu’s expression.

‘Hmm. It seems the God of Death must have done something to Young Master Kale, which is why the World Tree offered advice.’

He had received all of Tasha’s reports through the communication orb a few hours ago.

‘Right, Young Master Kale tends to gloss over these matters and brush past them, Your Highness. So surely, nephew, we should at least be aware and prepare ourselves, shouldn’t we?’
‘Indeed.’

He found himself in complete agreement with Tasha’s words.
Kale had finally committed everything in the Stone Chamber to memory, unaware of the distinctly displeased glint that flickered across Alberu’s eyes.
Heated from the exertion of his abilities, he loosened a button slightly before speaking to Alberu.

“Let’s go.”

Alberu reverted to his golden-haired, blue-eyed appearance and opened the Stone Chamber door.

“Yes, we should leave now.”

That was when it happened.

“Human!”

Kale and Alberu exchanged startled glances.

“…Raon?”
“…It seems so?”

Raon’s urgent voice reached them.
Kale and Alberu quickly made their way toward the surface. Halfway up the underground stairwell, Kale dispelled his invisibility and caught sight of Raon flying toward them in haste.
The moment Raon saw Kale and Alberu, he opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry! It was urgent!”

A communication crystal was clutched in both of Raon’s front claws. It had been quite some time since Kale had seen Raon’s panicked expression, and he opened his mouth to ask what was wrong.

“What—”
“Bud!”

But Raon was faster.

“Bud, Bud! Bud’s head has flown off, they say!”
“…What?”

What’s flying away?
Kale’s mind genuinely felt like it was turning white.
At that moment, Raon held out the communication crystal.

-It’s been a while, Young Master.

Ron’s face displayed a calm yet benevolent smile.

-His head hasn’t flown off just yet.
“But it will soon, apparently!”
-Indeed, sir.

Ron continued, his expression faintly amused.

-It appears Bud has become a hostage. He was told to come here before his head gets blown off.

Kale recalled the last time he had contacted Bud before coming here.

‘Hahahaha! Trust me, just trust me! The Molden Royal Palace? I’m already digging through it all! Wait for me! Gwahahaha!’

Bud, who had come to the Mercenary Guild after a long time, had been shouting while chugging bottles of alcohol.
Ron’s voice continued.

-According to Gren Puff, Bud’s close friend, he was caught while causing a commotion.

Kale finally let out a sigh.

“…Caught by whom?”
-By the Deposed Princess of the Molden Kingdom.

Wait, who?
Kale looked at Ron. Ron answered with a smile full of kindness.

-The royal family member who was defeated in the final struggle for the throne against Elysnet I. She is the one who captured him.

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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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