Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 509

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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 112. Delicious

A mountain range situated in the Northern Eastern Continent. The man who arrived at the base of one such peak bent his waist low.
Then he carefully inhaled the scent wafting from the mountain before him.

Decades of experience and the passage of years granted him a singular sensation.

“…Metallic.”

Cold air cascading down from the mountain.
Mingled within it, an ominous premonition.
A calm voice reached his ears from beside him.

“It seems to reek of blood.”

Choi Han, the owner of that voice, turned his head to regard the man behind him.

“Kale Heniatus. This bodes ill.”

Ron, the Servant who had likewise caught the metallic scent, straightened and reported to Kale Heniatus.
Kale Heniatus observed the two of them quietly before turning slightly to Vicross, who stood beside him.

“Vicross, did you catch the scent of blood as well?”
“…With a mountain so towering and vast, would I truly have caught the scent of blood? It’s merely intuition. Intuition.”

Vicross, his expression reluctant, answered dismissively and averted his gaze from Kale Heniatus. Kale Heniatus found Vicross’s consistency amusing and opened his mouth.

“It’s far too quiet.”

At the mountain’s base.
Ordinarily, the mercenaries brought by the Mage Gren Puff should have been waiting and anticipating Bud’s contact.

Yet there was no one here.
Instead, only traces of their hasty departure toward the mountain remained.

He recalled what Bud had told him.

‘The entire Mountain was shrouded in illusion.’
‘And now that the illusion had been dispelled, the entire Mountain was overrun with enemies.’
‘…Help me.’
‘Come quickly.’

Kale Heniatus’s eyes grew cold.
The golden spinning top in his hand gleamed.

“We’re entering the Mountain now.”

The enemies had apparently deployed an illusion.
That meant there was definitely another Illusionist here as well.
Moreover, he said that illusion was now broken.
Such a tedious illusion.

The enemies also covered the entire Mountain in such numbers.
The Mercenary King’s mercenaries and the Elves that Kale Heniatus had gathered numbered in the hundreds, yet the Mercenary King seemed to judge that the enemy forces overwhelmingly outnumbered them.

And Bud’s assessment would be correct.
He was the Mercenary King who had stood on countless battlefields.

“…So we can’t simply climb up like this.”

A towering Mountain whose peak was buried beneath snow.
The greatest Mountain in the range that even blocked the cold northern winds, so its height was considerable, and its land area was equally vast.

Which was precisely why we couldn’t ascend like this.

“Young master.”

Behind Ron and Vicross, assassins of the Molan Family stood like shadows, holding their breath.
They were half of those who had infiltrated the Molden Royal Palace. They had rushed here with Ron.

“Infiltration preparations are complete.”

Ron used the word “infiltration” for a Mountain rather than a Castle or Mansion.
It seemed like an incorrect word choice at first glance, but it was precisely the right expression.
Kale Heniatus’s lips parted as he called out to one being.

“On.”

Unlike illusions, there existed beings capable of deceiving mortal eyes and concealing the presence of allies.

Meow!

On and Hong pulled their bodies away from Kale’s legs and looked up at him. White mist swirled around On, spreading softly and enveloping her form.
They had already sensed Kale’s intention and were preparing to conjure the fog.
Kale had urgently asked Raon to bring On and Hong here.

-Human, shall we go in?

Kale took his first step toward the Mountain.

“We infiltrate the Mountain.”

The base of the Mountain was silent, but once inside, the clash of weapons and someone’s screams might reach our ears.
And there was a high probability those voices belonged to our allies.

“Our first objective is to support our allies and rescue them.”

Kale’s body stepped into the Forest.
Though it was daytime, the shadows of the trees cast the Forest into darkness.

This was a critical situation.
Because of this, Kale commanded differently than usual.

“Second, we eliminate the enemies.”

The eyes of those belonging to the Molan Family shifted.

“Third is to ascertain the enemies’ identities, but if that requires sacrificing my own flesh, we immediately retreat or pivot to the second objective.”

In the end, both the first and second objectives boiled down to saving even one more of our allies’ lives.
Ron approached Kale with silent footsteps and asked.

“Young Master, which direction should we head?”

Crack.
Kale Heniatus tightened his grip.

Whirrrrr—
The spinning top in his hand trembled ceaselessly, far more violently than usual.
Two of the three Wind Spirits who constantly accompanied Kale Heniatus spoke to him. The third had remained behind with the Elves deep within the mountain during their last separation.

‘Oh, chaos, destruction, fury! The spirits’ screams blanket the mountain!’
‘We hear spirits clashing everywhere on the mountain! No wait, they’re fleeing!’

The spirits poured out words with unprecedented urgency.

‘We can’t hear the voice of the one who stayed behind! She must be in critical danger too?’
‘This is catastrophic! Chaos, destruction, pandemonium!’

Yet Kale Heniatus listened to the panicked Wind Spirits with composure.
Of course, his heart raced violently. The urgency was undeniable.
Each time the Wind Spirits mentioned hearing another spirit’s screams, he envisioned injured Elves.
Kale Heniatus bit his lip.
He was the commander of the Elves now. He could not forget that responsibility.

‘Chaos, destruction! But the direction of the screams seems to be moving steadily toward the Mountain Center!’

That’s it!
Kale Heniatus’s eyes gleamed.

‘Kale! The spirits’ screams are moving more and more toward the Mountain Center!’

Found it.
I found the information I needed.

The spirits’ screams moving progressively toward the mountain’s heart.
The meaning unfolded in my mind.

The spirits would be with the Elves.
The Mercenary King would be beside them as well.
Our forces were concentrating steadily toward the center.
And they were doing so amid the spirits’ screams.

‘That’s not voluntary—it’s coercion.’

We weren’t gathering by choice.
Ultimately, it meant countless enemies were herding us toward the Mountain Center.
The implication was singular.
Kale Heniatus’s lips parted.

“… A drive hunt.”

The enemy was herding us into one place. Whether for a hunt or some other purpose.
And that other purpose could never be benign.

The air around Kale Heniatus grew cold.

Unlike Kale Heniatus’s companions from before, whose air grew hotter and more heated as their fighting spirit rose, now it was the opposite. As their fighting spirit climbed, the air turned colder.

The assassins’ eyes grew frigid.
Among them, Ron’s gaze sank deepest.
Mercenary King Bud. And the surviving Gren Puff of the Puff Family.
Ron, who had made the Eastern Continent his base, found these two particularly troubling.

A drive hunt.
The moment we heard that word, the entire picture of the situation crystallized.
Kale Heniatus noticed our understanding, but spoke nonetheless.

“Our forces and the enemy are converging on the Mountain Center.”
“Should we rescue our allies immediately?”

Vicross couldn’t contain his urgency and spoke up.
Everyone looked ready to rush to our allies’ aid at once.
But Kale Heniatus shook his head.

“… Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han called to him softly.
Despite the urgent situation, a smile was spreading across Kale Heniatus’s lips. That smile carried unmistakable fury.

The enemies were attempting to drive hunt us.
So I would teach them a lesson.

The enemy forces attempting a drive hunt. I’ll give you a taste of being hunted instead.

Kale Heniatus opened his mouth.

“We strike at the rear of the enemy forces herding our allies into one location.”

A glimmer of intrigue flickered across Ron’s eyes.
Just as our allies converge into a single point.
The enemy forces encircling and herding them are likewise converging into one.

Kale Heniatus’s gaze turned downward.
On and Hong came into view.
Raon would be nearby in his transparent state as well.
Kale Heniatus had no intention of letting our allies come to harm.

We strike at the rear of the enemy forces herding our allies into one location.
But we will not reveal ourselves.

“Magic—concealed behind mist and poison, we strike at the enemy’s rear in silence.”

The nine-year-olds each showed their response.
Tap-tap-tap.
On kicked off the ground and scaled the tree, looking down at Kale Heniatus. Hong positioned himself beside her.

Meoooow!
Meow—

A signal that they were ready.

-Human! Don’t worry! We’ll cover everything with poison mist! We’ll hide Ron Grandpa and all of Ron Grandpa’s subordinates!

Illusion. But there existed other means to deceive people beyond that.

“On, I’m counting on you.”

The Silver Cat nodded. With the composed On leading them, the nine-year-olds would be guided without injury.
Even receiving the children’s aid in this situation, Kale Heniatus intended to send them to safety in the rear regardless.

Shhhhhhh—
The mist enveloping On grew denser and denser, its volume expanding.
On and Hong disappeared beneath the fog, their forms no longer visible.

-Human! I’ve hidden myself in the mist too!
“I’m all set!”

From within the swirling fog, Raon’s and Hong’s voices called out in succession, and Kale Heniatus spoke once more.

“Choi Han.”
“Yes.”

Choi Han took his place beside Kale Heniatus.

“You’ll head toward the Central with me. Our objective is to reach our destination before both enemies and allies.”
“Yes.”

A whirlwind erupted beneath Kale Heniatus’s feet, and the Ancient Power—Voice of Wind—bloomed forth.

“Let’s go first.”

Kale Heniatus led Choi Han into the forest ahead.

“Ron. I’ll relay the enemies’ positions to Raon, so encircle them accordingly.”

Kale Heniatus intended to send Wind Spirits to inform Raon of their locations.
He had already explained the method to Raon on the way here, so he would handle it skillfully.

“Have no concerns, Young Master.”

Turning back, Kale Heniatus saw the assassins vanishing into the forest’s shadows.
Rustle—
Only the sound of rustling leaves remained.
Even Vicross had disappeared, leaving only the ever-expanding fog and Ron in the clearing.

Shhhhhhh—
Finally, the mist consumed Ron as well, and he concealed himself within the fog, speaking gently to Kale Heniatus.

“It seems I’ll be hunting shadows.”

It was the fighting style of assassins who had lived in the Underworld.
Ron’s expression softened into a benevolent smile.

Kale chuckled once, then turned his head and rushed ahead toward the location where enemies were driving the Mercenary King and their allies.
Of course, he didn’t omit his admiration for Ron.

“Truly, brutal.”

* * *

Whoosh—
Kale and Choi Han were climbing the mountain rapidly without pause.

‘…Kale.’

Choi Han followed about two steps behind Kale, who was leading the way ahead.

Hummmmm—
Through the vibrating golden spinning top, Kale rushed toward the direction from which the Wind Spirit’s cries of anguish were converging.

‘Chaos, destruction! It’s at the Mountain Center, but slightly higher than the center! Right below the Mountain Peak Area where snow begins!’
‘Kale, I’m going to report this to Raon!’

The two Wind Spirits moved even more urgently than Kale.

“Ugh!”

As Kale dashed through the forest at high speed, a branch suddenly scraped his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.

“Kale.”

Choi Han, who was behind him, opened his mouth in alarm at the small cry of pain.
It was unavoidable.
Kale, rushing toward what was presumed to be the location where their allies were being driven, appeared unusually impatient compared to his normal demeanor.
Of course, Choi Han understood that sentiment.

‘…It’s the place where 1,001 people have already gone missing.’

It was where the Ranger Unit of the Mercenary Guild had vanished in an instant.

‘Also… I saw something on the way up.’

Though I climbed swiftly, Kale and Choi Han both remained vigilant, observing their surroundings as they ascended.

Blood.
As we climbed partway up the Mountain, blood became visible on trees and rocks scattered throughout.
Whose blood could it be?
That thought alone naturally quickened my pace.

Yet Choi Han had to consider Kale’s wellbeing as well.
Beyond the concern that he mustn’t be injured, having heard of Bud’s battle with the Whale Tribe, Choi Han realized that in this situation, Kale could not afford to overexert himself and lose consciousness.
Multiple battles were unfolding simultaneously.

Kale was the brain.
The place where all nervous responses converged.
Therefore, he could not be injured or overexerted.

“Lord Kale, are you pushing yourself too hard?”

He quickened his pace, closing the gap between them to move alongside Kale.

“Wait.”

Whoosh. Kale’s arm suddenly blocked his path.

“Lord Kale! Where are you—?”

Choi Han watched as Kale, having stopped him, suddenly changed direction toward somewhere else.
He hurried after him.

Rustle, rustle, rustle—
Kale pushed through leaves and undergrowth, heading in a direction away from their original destination.

‘Chaos, destruction! I hear strange sounds!’
‘A humanoid lifeform! Its breathing is extremely faint!’

Two Wind Spirits reported the presence of a lifeform nearby.

‘I’ll go check first! Chaos, destruction, urgent, urgent!’

A Wind Spirit took the lead, and Kale Heniatus accelerated to match the pace.

Currently, both our Mercenary King’s forces and the enemy were converging toward the same location.
There was said to be one living creature separated from them.
It could have been an enemy.

‘The breathing was said to be faint.’

If only the breathing was faint, it could have been a hidden enemy holding their breath.

‘But there was also a strange sound, they said.’

If that were the case, the probability of it being a hidden enemy was low.
It was far more likely to be an injured creature with faint breathing and labored sounds.

Because of this, Kale could only think of one thing.

‘The Ranger Unit!’

It could be one of the 1,001 missing members.
It could be a Ranger Unit member who had been hiding to avoid enemies and illusions.
The Mercenary King couldn’t find them because of the illusions, but now that the illusions were broken, perhaps they could be found.

‘I must find them.’

If it’s a Ranger Unit member, I absolutely must find them.

If the sound the spirit heard was indeed labored breathing, I needed to find them before they died.
And above all, I needed to learn what had happened on this mountain.
Only then could I properly assess the enemy’s abilities.
Only then could I rescue the Mercenary King’s group more safely.

Of course, since I also needed to reach the Mercenary King quickly, I began using the Voice of Wind even more extensively.

‘I have to hurry!’

There was simply too much to do all at once.

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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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