Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 508

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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 blinding white light gradually faded away.

“In the end, it was nothing but an illusion.”

Vicross wiped the blood from his greatsword and muttered indifferently.

“That’s what illusions are, after all.”
“Father.”

Vicross turned his gaze and could see his father Ron. But Ron was not looking at Vicross—he was watching the white light as it dissipated.

The sphere that Elysnet I had fired with all the power she had gathered across the Maze’s ceiling ultimately failed to pierce through Raon’s and the spirits’ protective barriers.

Crackle, crackle—
Of course, Raon’s shield shattered as well. The spirits’ protective barriers, layered dozens upon dozens of times, had barely managed to withstand it.

“In the end, nothing remains.”

The white sphere exploded with a deafening sound, but it left no impact on its surroundings.

An illusion, then, possessed no true substance whatsoever.
It could deceive the human mind, but a fake was still a fake.
It could leave no mark upon the world.

Ron tightened his grip and opened his mouth.

“But my power is no illusion.”
“Gah… hack!”

I felt the neck clasped firmly within my tightened grip. I felt it trembling as breath was choked off.

“…Y-you…! How… dare you!”

Elisne barely managed to speak, but Ron did not spare her a glance.
Instead, Vicross slowly approached her.

“Father, shall I finish this?”

A shudder ran through Elisne’s body.
Vicross, who had shifted his great sword to his back and now held a thin blade in his hand, regarded her with indifference before turning away.
The emotionless eyes of the man before her seemed to be appraising ingredients for butchering—perhaps because he wore a chef’s uniform.

Thud, thud.
Vicross drew closer.
He was simply approaching to ask Ron whether they should tidy up the mess before leaving the Maze, nothing more.

But to Elisne, he appeared as an assassin intent on disposing of her.
She could not move her body.
Her hands were already bound, and Ron held her by the nape of her neck.
Only her feet barely touched the ground, and that was all.

Thud, thud.
Vicross’s footsteps drew ever closer.
Then it happened.

Where the white light had vanished.
A figure walked forward.

“Young Master.”

A voice of unexpected gentleness flowed from the assassin.
Fire ignited in Elisne’s eyes as she glared at Kale Heniatus approaching her.

“You—”
“Ron, let go.”

Elisne, about to speak urgently, suddenly felt her throat clear.
She turned her gaze.
The assassin released her neck from his grip without hesitation at Kale Heniatus’s command.

‘Why?’

The moment confusion struck her.

“Ugh!”

She could see black lines wrapping around her body.

Thud!
Her body crashed to the ground.

“…Necromancer.”

Black tendrils erupted from Merry’s hands, binding her limbs.

“Why!”

Elisne opened her mouth, staring at her.

“Why do you possess dark attributes and yet help Kale Heniatus? No, why do you obstruct our work? The Dark Elves too! I simply cannot comprehend it! Why? Why are you doing this!”

The figure in the black robe tilted their head to one side, puzzled.
A monotone voice drifted out.

“I do not listen to nonsense. I ignore such drivel.”
“What, what?”

It was the moment Elisne stared at Merry with an expression of utter disbelief.

“Young Master, here it is.”

The black branch staff was passed to Kale Heniatus by Ron.
Kale crouched down, meeting Elisne’s gaze directly.

“What are you scheming with the demons?”

Flinch.
Elisne’s pupils trembled visibly this time.

“You, you— you knew and yet—”

Her eyes fixed on Kale were filled with shock. And there he was, offering her a twisted smile.

“Elisne. What exactly do you know?”

He whispered like a demon.

“Tell me, and I’ll let you live. I’ll ensure you live comfortably.”
“…I cannot speak of it.”

A flicker of something crossed Kale Heniatus’s eyes. Elisne was trembling.
Not from pain, nor from acting.
It was a tremor born of pure fear.
Even now, captured by an enemy, she felt terror directed at something far worse than her captor.

“Why? Why do you refuse my offer?”

Kale tilted his head to one side with an innocent expression, his confusion evident.
Elisne burst out as if her frustration had reached its breaking point.

“You madman! Would I speak of that? If I speak—if I speak—!”

She suddenly caught herself and fell silent. In that moment, Kale whispered.

“Why? Is there some curse that kills you if you speak? Or does your body burst the moment the words leave your lips?”
“…!”

Elisne’s mouth snapped shut.
That was all Kale needed.

He rose from his crouch and opened his mouth.

“Since you’re a person of importance, treat her accordingly.”
“…You—!”

Elisne glared at him, grinding her teeth, but Kale spoke with sincerity.

“Thank you for the valuable information. Silence is information too, Elisne.”

A soft touch. Kale’s hand rested upon her shoulder.
In that instant, Elisne could see the cold gaze of the Assassin looking down at her over Kale’s shoulder, the Assassin’s son caressing his thin blade, and the black robes beyond.
Simultaneously, Kale’s voice reached her ears.

“You’ll lose everything, but living is still important, isn’t it? Providing information to me could be a good way forward.”

Kale Heniatus was sincere.
He intended to provide information in a way that would keep Elisne alive, no matter what it took.
Of course, he would seize everything she possessed and strip away her power so she could never scheme again.

But his sincerity never reached Elisne.

“Do you think I’d believe your lies!”

Because the expressions of the three standing behind Kale’s shoulders were murderous.
Yet she did not know the truth.

Ron was merely expressionless, while Vicross was simply dissatisfied with the thin blade he’d brought from the Molden Kingdom’s kitchen—its edge wasn’t sharpened well enough—and was carefully honing it.
And Merry had simply drawn close to listen to what Kale had to say, her mind entirely empty of ulterior thoughts.

“…It’s not a lie.”

Kale shook his head at Elisne, who couldn’t understand his words, and threw out a statement as if tossing it aside.

“How do you dispel the Royal Palace’s illusion?”

It was a question asked without emotion, but in truth, Kale was in a hurry.
He needed to get to Bud quickly.

“As if I’d tell you!”
“Well, it doesn’t matter.”

What?
Elisne faltered at Kale’s composed demeanor, her eyes widening.

“That palace isn’t what’s important anyway. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s correct.”

Elisne saw Sophies approaching her. The woman, who had already replaced the hairpin between her locks, bore no trace of expression—as if she had never been part of the battle.

“…You—”

Elisne’s mouth opened without her realizing it, but Sophies didn’t spare her a glance.
Instead, Kale Heniatus spoke.

“Let’s head up. It seems quite a few people have already gathered.”

The ceiling hole that Raon had pierced through.
People peering inside through that opening were visible.

No matter how few people typically frequented the Knight Training Ground, the sound of earth rupturing and the thunderous explosion would have drawn those nearby.

-I’ll lift you with flight magic!

It was time to escape the Maze.
My body rose higher and higher, and soon I was heading toward the sunlight illuminating the Underground Space where the Maze had vanished.

‘…Huh?’

But the speed at which I ascended kept accelerating.

-Human, since we’re in a hurry, I’m going faster!

No, there’s no need to go that far!
I wanted to say something to Raon, but my body shot upward like an arrow at tremendous speed.

“Watch out! Move!”
“Everyone, maintain your formation!”

As I approached the hole, I heard the voices of people who had been peering down, now scrambling in surprise to get out of the way.
At the same time, I realized the hole was considerably larger than I’d expected. Raon had apparently torn quite an opening.

‘Damn it.’

My face contorted.

-Human! Are you worried about the Mercenary King? I’ll make it even faster!

No. That’s not it!
Raon misinterpreted my expression, and in the end, I was launched like a rocket, bursting out through the hole.
I had my eyes shut from the sheer speed, but opened them once the flight stopped.

“Phew.”

A sigh escaped me unbidden.
I hovered in the air overlooking the Knight Training Ground.
Roughly three meters above the ground, I wasn’t floating particularly high.
Yet because of this, the scene below was all the more visible.

“The rebel leader!”
“Prepare your arrows!”

The Knights who had already arrived at the Training Ground and were peering down through the hole were hastily preparing for combat against me, and even more Knights and Soldiers were rushing toward this location.
And that was far from all.

“…Is that a supreme-level Mage?”
“Remarkable flying skill. Could it truly be… a rebellion!”
“Wasn’t His Majesty attacked?”

Startled nobles and Royal Court employees appeared near the Training Ground.
They had come out of curiosity about the hole, but were now hesitantly backing away under the Knights’ control and their fear of me.

“Sigh. Busy indeed.”

I exhaled in exasperation.

“Come down to the ground at once! If you don’t wish to be pierced by arrows and die, descend immediately!”

It was the moment one of the Knights shouted as their representative.

Boom—!
Everyone startled at the heavy sound and turned their gaze.
A skeletal black hand rose from the underground hole and gripped the earth.
The size of that hand was comparable to a full-grown adult.

“Ahhhhh! A monster!”
“Everyone, do not yield to fear! Remember the spirit of Molden Kingdom!”

Chaos erupted once more, born of terror and confusion.

-Human! I sent it up together with you!

However, the Training Ground that was about to descend into chaos froze as the monster’s other hand and those perched upon its shoulder came into view.
Shock rendered them speechless.

“…Your Majesty!”
“Princess Sophies!”
“Other members of the Royal Family are here too!”

Members of the Molden Kingdom’s Royal Family revealed themselves.
Kale Heniatus descended slowly toward the ground.
He approached the monster’s side—the skeletal creature controlled by Merry.

Clang, clang, clang—!
The knights drew their blades and cried out toward him simultaneously.

“Your Majesty! We shall rescue you!”
“You villainous wretches, release His Majesty at once!”

Elisne’s appearance, wrapped in the dark tendrils, was pitiful, and the knights and palace attendants could not hide their indignation.

“Haha.”

Kale Heniatus could see Elisne laughing.
She laughed as if to say, “Look at this,” and as if to declare that she would not shatter the palace’s illusion.
Her mockery toward Kale Heniatus was unmistakable.
Yet Elisne’s expression suddenly shifted to sorrow, and she cried out.

“I am unharmed, so all of you stand back! These are dangerous and wicked people!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Oh, Your Majesty!”

At her pitiful display, the palace attendants grieved, yet simultaneously redirected their arrows of fury not toward Kale Heniatus, but toward another.

Sophies grasped the hand Kale Heniatus extended and descended to the ground.
They poured their wrath upon her.
A nobleman standing behind cried out.

“Former Princess Sophies! How could you do this! Treason! Do you forget the grace that Her Majesty Elisne showed you by sparing your life!”
“Be silent!”

The nobleman’s body trembled without his awareness.

“…What is this?”

The one who cried out at him was the Royal Boy.
He was one who followed Elisne, and the young prince raised his voice.

“Do you know what that wicked king did to deceive us all!”

Tears streamed from the Royal Boy’s eyes. He trembled with clenched fists as he looked at the dead mana—at his brother, a member of the royal family.

That the Underground Chamber was such a horrific place, and that he had a hand in creating such a place…!
The young prince beat his chest, unable to hide his outrage and regret.

“That king in the Underground—!”
“Enough.”

The Royal Boy could see Sophies calmly stopping me.
At Sophies’ unwavering gaze, the young prince found himself closing his mouth without realizing it.

“Kekek.”

That was when the Royal Boy heard a faint scoff.
Turning his head, it was Elisne.

“Do you dare laugh when you know what you’ve done—”
“Elisne.”

The Royal Boy was about to step forward, but closed his mouth as Sophies approached Elisne.
Sophies looked down at Elisne.

“Sophies. I’ll make you one promise. Even if I die, I won’t lift the illusion on the Royal Palace. So the other royals and nobles won’t trust you. They’ll think you’re the villain for life. Kekekek.”
“That was fortunate.”
“…What?”
“That the illusion was only placed within the Royal Palace.”

What does that mean—?
Doubt flickered in Elisne’s eyes.
But for Sophies, it truly was a stroke of fortune.

Elisne could see the faint smile hovering at the corners of Sophies’ lips.
Sophies offered an elegant smile and extended her hand.

In her hand, which had slipped from the pocket of her upper garment, rested a small orb.
Elisne’s pupils trembled at the sight of it.

“…You—”
“That’s right. This is a Memory Storage.”

It was something Sophies, who had barely participated in the battle, had received from Kale Heniatus and carried with her.
A recording containing the entire sequence of events.

“Elisne. Isn’t that what you were worried about?”

Sophies whispered with elegant grace.

“Since I need to know what information you possess, I’ll spare your life for now. But face reality.”
“…What?”

Elisne questioned back, sensing an inexplicable foreboding, but Sophies did not answer.

“You won’t dispel the Royal Palace illusion?”

Pfft.
Sophies laughed.

The Royal Palace illusion?
It didn’t matter if it remained unbroken.
Sophies thought of the nobles outside the Royal Palace who were rushing toward it, and the countless kingdom citizens watching this place.

“What does such a fake illusion matter?”

Sophies tossed the Memory Storage in her hand upward.
In an instant, the Memory Storage shot up into the sky.

-I’ll do it!

Raon sent the Memory Storage soaring into the heavens.
And he activated the recording.

“…Surely not!”

Elisne stared at Sophies in shock.
Sophies spoke with composure.

“The illusion is breaking.”

Whoooooosh—
In that instant, a massive screen materialized in the empty air, emanating from the Memory Storage.
And a voice echoed forth.

-You are my hostages.

It was Elisne’s voice.

The nobles rushing toward the Royal Palace.
And countless citizens of the Capital Kingdom, their numbers incomparable.
They all fixed their gaze upon the screen.

Multiple scenes unfolded, and Elisne’s voice continued.

-…And future enemies who might threaten my royal authority. Shouldn’t they die by my hand rather than any other?

Her voice burrowed deep into the ears of the kingdom’s people.

-Do you hear the sound of knights approaching? There should be roughly three hundred of them.
-Correct. I could kill them all right now.
-Sophies, can you hear me? There are members of the Royal Family there who would leap into that river at my command alone. Ah, should I make the servants and handmaidens jump in as well?

Every word she had spoken accumulated in the minds of the kingdom’s people.
Elisne’s pupils wavered, and Sophies’ calm voice reached her.

“Elisne. The Royal Palace is merely a place of work. Outside those walls, countless people are watching this broadcast right now, learning the truth—they are the foundation of Molden.”

And those people would come to know Elisne’s true nature and remember Sophies.
She whispered to Elisne.

Dead mana created by slaughtering countless lives.
And the deeds committed through deceiving people.
Acts performed not for the Molden Kingdom, but under the White Star.

“Your position, stained with wickedness. I shall cleanse it and take it for myself.”

* * *

While the recording continued and everyone watched it in rapt attention,
Kale Heniatus approached Sophies discreetly.

“Then I shall take my leave now.”

Kale Heniatus grasped the hand extended before me.

“Commander, I understand the situation. I’ll handle the cleanup well with the others remaining here.”

Sophies spoke with composure, yet sincerity filled her words.

“Thank you.”

Kale Heniatus released Sophies’s hand with a grin.
Then I spoke to the invisible Raon.

“Raon.”

The recording was set to loop continuously, so Raon’s management was no longer necessary. Besides, roughly a hundred members from the Mercenary Guild would arrive soon, and the Dark Elves and Elves would join them as well, providing Sophies with sufficient forces to organize the current situation.
Above all, with Sophies’s capabilities, there was no need to worry about anything beyond combat.

“Let’s go quickly.”

I had no time to concern myself with cleaning up after the Molden Kingdom.
I had to reach Bud as soon as possible.
It had only been a few dozen minutes since receiving Bud’s contact, yet anxiety gnawed at me.

Whoosh!
Soon Kale Heniatus and a few companions were engulfed in teleportation light and vanished.

* * *

“Your Grace.”
“Yes.”
“Kale Heniatus has arrived.”

The Northern Mountains, blanketed in pristine white snow.
The young prince seated there smiled at his subordinate’s report.
Between the parted lips of the pale-faced, smiling boy, unusually sharp fangs gleamed like a portrait.

Crack.
In the boy’s palm, the blackened heart burst apart pathetically under his grip.

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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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