Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 523

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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 first thing to descend upon the White Star was an innumerable swarm of black specks.

“…Tch!”

The White Star’s face contorted.
He gazed down at his right arm.
Goosebumps had risen across his skin.

“…I’m getting goosebumps from mere specks?”

Yet it was true. As I watched those tiny specks hurtling toward me, something stirred in my memory.
An impossible, incomprehensible familiarity.

“It’s not even dark magic, so how…?”

How could those specks carry the essence of death?
The magic wielded by Dark Elves follows the natural order.

Therefore, the magic they cast bore none of the death-laden quality unique to dark magic.
Yet there was something he did not know.

The one who created this magic was no pure Dark Elf.
A half Dark Elf, with human blood flowing through their veins.
Though their ability to execute magic was somewhat lacking, their talent for designing and crafting spells surpassed all others.
A woman who had infiltrated the human world, seeking to merge Dark Elf magic with human magic through dead mana, creating an entirely new form of sorcery.

And the one who first truly unleashed this magic was her son, carrying her blood yet with even more human essence flowing through him.

The White Star knew none of this.

Yet the problem before him was unmistakable.
Whether the power felt familiar due to its resemblance to dark magic or not.
The force attacking him possessed considerable strength.

“How could that Crown Prince possess such power—”

The White Star’s gaze pierced beyond the swarm of black specks.
Countless points descended upon me, and beyond them, I could see the Crown Prince of Roan charging toward me.

For the first time, the White Star regarded Albert Crossman not as a crown prince, but as the man himself.

From head to toe.
A figure concealed entirely beneath armor.
Surely, beneath that shell lay the visage of a Dark Elf.

Yet that mattered not.
In the White Star’s eyes, the approaching form of Alberu came into focus.

Blood trickled down from between Albert Crossman’s armor and helm.

“Kekeke, khahahaha—!”

Laughter erupted in that instant.
The White Star’s shoulders heaved with mirth.

A misconception.
I realized I had been mistaken about one thing.

‘The one before my eyes is not a hostage I should seize.’

He is an enemy.

Not a crown prince—an enemy.
The White Star’s gaze transformed.
In the moment those calm, sunken eyes blazed with fervor.

Gashan opened his mouth.

“Ascend!”

Caw, caw, caw—
The ravens that had been diving toward the White Star took flight upward in unison.
What remained was the swarm of black specks descending upon the White Star.

From head to toe.
Black dots rained down upon the White Star’s entire body.

Alberu stopped in his tracks.
In that moment, his gaze and the White Star’s locked together.

The White Star made his choice in that instant.

This one must die.

And in that same moment, Alberu recited the final incantation of the first spell his mother had created.

“Detonate!”

Detonation.
At that word, both enemy and ally turned their gaze toward the center of the battlefield.

“My Lord—!”

A single Wyvern Knight cried out, staring at the White Star.

Pitch black.
The White Star was so completely covered in black dots that his true form was utterly obscured.

Then.
Pop!
With a small sound, one dot exploded.

It was the beginning.
The dots detonated one after another, and soon they created a tremendous roar.

Kabooooom—
All surrounding sounds were consumed.
The fierce battlefield.
Only the sound of the black dots exploding echoed forth.
No other sound could be heard.

However, the explosion did not blind my eyes.
Black light and smoke erupted in a violent burst.
For a moment, I almost mistook it for the arrival of night itself.

“…What… what kind of magic is that?”

It was black, yet clearly not dark magic—it was genuine magic.
The Knight Commander’s gaze unconsciously tore away from the magic circle, his eyes fixed blankly upon that black explosion.
How could it be?

“How in the world does Your Highness wield such power—”

A sensation beyond mere astonishment washed over me.
And with it came a surge of hope.

With power of that magnitude, could we not capture the White Star?

As that thought began to kindle and the tension drained from my body—

“Everyone, stay sharp!”

Marquis Taylor ascended the City Wall once more, his voice cutting through the air.

“It is not over yet!”

His gaze turned toward the black light.
Then he saw it—a colossal shield hurtling through the black explosion toward its center.

They understood it too.
Kale and his companions had unleashed such tremendous explosions several times, yet they could not capture the White Star, and the White Star himself could produce power of this magnitude multiple times over, alone.

The white shield tore through the black smoke, advancing with wind-like swiftness toward its heart.

Rak’s grip tightened upon the shield he held.

‘Rak. The White Star can withstand most attacks. So, until the very end, do not let your guard down.’

Sherit—my master—had told me this.

‘I need to hold on to the bitter end. In a fight, the one who is more vicious, more tenacious wins.’
‘Rak, what did I say victory was?’

Rak’s mouth opened.

“Surviving to the very end.”

Victory is surviving to the very end.
Sherit had said so.

That was why the White Star was formidable.
Though an enemy, that creature had survived through a thousand years of reincarnation, a tenacious being who endured to the end.
To defeat such a foe.

‘I must become tenacious as well.’

Rak charged through the black smoke and locked eyes with a single pupil beyond the haze.

Chills ran down his spine.
Those eyes looked as though they would devour him whole.

In that instant, fear surged through Rak.
Though he was the one charging forward, he felt as though he had become the prey.

‘Rak, when you are afraid, do as I say.’

He recalled his teacher’s words.

‘Do not stop. Move forward.’

Boom.
With each step Rak took, the ground trembled.
The colossal Wolf Tribe warrior wielding his massive shield possessed such overwhelming power that even his footsteps shook the earth.

‘And keep your gaze fixed upon your enemy until the very end.’

Though afraid, Rak did not avert his eyes from the White Star’s gaze.
Instead, he met that stare with his own.

‘One last time.’

Boom!
Rak stamped his foot down with tremendous force.
And he leaped into the air.

The figure of the one whose eyes gleamed within the black smoke became clearly visible.

Crackle—crackle—
The White Star’s body burned black.
Red blood trickled through the cracks of skin that had split like a spider’s web and turned dark.

But he was not dead.
Rak tightened his grip.
He recalled his teacher’s words once more.

‘One last time, go right before the enemy’s face.’

Close.
The enemy was right before my eyes.
Rak’s mouth opened.

“You crazy bastard! You pathetic bastard!”
‘Shout that he’s crazy and pathetic.’

The shield moved.
A fierce wind erupted as if a massive wall had shifted.
In an instant, the black smoke was swept away by the wind and scattered far into the distance.

‘Swing it down. Rak, swing with all your might.’

Rak brought the shield down.
He poured all his strength into the shield as if to crush the White Star beneath it.

‘Then the fear will disappear.’

That’s right.
Just as my teacher said, the fear vanishes.
Veins bulged across the massive wolf-man’s arm. His bluish silver fur gleamed brilliantly.

‘Rak, the moment your fear disappears, I will help you.’

Whoooooosh—
And at the same time, brilliant white light began pouring forth from the white shield.
The shield tore away from the White Star’s head.

Boom!

A deafening roar echoed across the battlefield once more.
The people within the city walls wondered if this was truly a battle of their world.
And they could not suppress their astonishment at the sight that unfolded before them.

Crack, crack, crack—

The earth around the shield began to fracture in all directions.
As if an earthquake had struck, the ground split open and overturned.

“Ugh!”
“Retreat! Fall back!”

Startled by the shockwave, the Knights Order and the White Star’s subordinates hastily withdrew.
Even as they did, they swallowed hard, unable to hide their shock.

‘Just how powerful is this shield?!’

The earth for more than ten meters in all directions had cracked and sunken inward.
It was a display of terrifying, overwhelming force.

And there was something even more astonishing.

“…Still alive.”

The Knight Commander of the Roan Royal Palace could not suppress his shock.

Pitter, patter. Patter.
Black ash fell like rain.
As the black smoke cleared completely and everything came into view.

The people could see someone holding the shield with both hands.

The ground around him had been torn apart and overturned, his skin charred black with blood seeping from the cracks, yet there he stood—both legs planted firmly on the earth, utterly unscathed.
It was the White Star.

The White Star.

“…A m-monster—”

The Knight stumbled backward, uttering those words.
In that instant, someone charged toward the monster.

“Stubborn bastard!”

Gashan, whose massive frame was second only to Rak’s, seized the opening as the White Star braced his shield with both hands, launching a surprise assault.

It was perfectly timed.
The moment Gashan’s shield came crashing down, Alberu’s barrier dispersed the impact, and Gashan seized that split second when everyone’s attention wavered to strike again.
The coordination was flawless.

“Hah… hah…”

Alberu lowered his barrier and surveyed the scene before him.
Inside his helmet, sweat pooled.
The scent of his own blood and his ragged breathing made him acutely aware that he had pushed himself to his limits.
Yet he believed—this might be enough to win.

A soft whisper.
But the moment the White Star turned his gaze toward Gashan.
And then toward Alberu beyond him.

‘Damn it.’

Alberu realized something had gone terribly wrong.

In that moment, the White Star thought to himself.

‘If I’ve made my choice, I must act.’

He had decided the instant those black specks descended upon him.

How should I use the Ancient Powers in this battle? How much should I use?

‘I cannot overextend myself.’

I did not know when Kale Heniatus would arrive.
If that was the case, the answer was simple.

I would abandon defense.

“Instead, I will kill them all.”

Rak cried out without realizing it, his gaze fixed on Gashan.

“Grandfather, do not come!”

He pulled his shield and tried to distance himself from the White Star.

“Where are you going?”

At that moment, Rak’s eyes met with the monster trying to devour me.
The owner of those calmly settled eyes spoke.

“Well, if you wish to go, then by all means.”

What did that mean?
Before Rak could even ponder the question, he saw an enormous wall of wind unfold before his shield.
That wall instantly thrust Rak and his shield backward with tremendous force.

“Cough!”

Rak was helplessly pushed backward.
Had it been Choi Han, he would have evaded that wind wall or redirected its force, but unfortunately, Rak lacked such experience.

“Damn!”

Gashan bit his lip as he watched Rak bounce backward, pushed by a wind wall even more massive than his shield.
Yet he could not stop his assault.
The momentum of his charge was already in motion.

And already, enemies were rushing at Gashan.

“A tiger who abandoned his home.”

Whoooosh—!
A crimson liquid resembling molten lava descended toward Gashan.
It was like a boomerang forged from aura itself.

“Damn it!”

Gashan hastily conjured a wind shield with magic.
And he shouted.

“Stop that thing!”

Caw, caw. The ravens began descending to the ground once more.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The Tiger Tribe rushed desperately toward the White Star.
Their faces were contorted.

‘How can he still move?’

The White Star’s appearance was so battered that it would not have been strange if he collapsed—or even died—at any moment.

Drip. Drip.
The sound of blood droplets falling between his skin tickled the White Star’s ears.
Yet he did not hear that sound.

He had abandoned defense.
Instead, he still possessed ample strength to attack.

He moved forward.
He opened his mouth as he gazed upon the figure gasping for breath before him.

“Albert Crossman, do you believe Kale Heniatus will be able to return quickly?”

The White Star recalled the Vampire Duke.
As long as that monster existed, Kale Heniatus would not return easily.
Moreover, the Marquis was there as well.
He could not see the expression beneath the helmet, yet he continued speaking as he watched Alberu, still bleeding from outside his visor.

“Too late.”

Kale Heniatus—that one would be too late.

“Stop!”
“Charge!”

The voice of the Tiger Tribe echoed from beside me.

“How annoying.”

The White Star casually swept both hands through the air.

Boom!
Boom!

Wind and flame intertwined, pouring down upon the Tiger Tribe warriors.

“Ugh!”
“Damn it!”

The Tiger Tribe warriors could not easily approach because of it. The White Star let out a scoff at their pathetic display.

‘These pests are becoming tiresome.’

Now these bothersome fools were growing irksome to me.
Crack.
I heard the sound of a fracture spreading across my white mask.
My irritation deepened.
The shockwave from the Crown Prince’s magic and shield must have cracked the mask.
The White Star spoke toward the enemy before me.

“Annoying as they are, I suppose I must do something entertaining.”

Alberu’s brow furrowed deeply.
He straightened his body. It felt as though everything inside him was twisting.
The excessive use of dead mana had left his entire body feeling hollow and drained.
Then, the White Star’s voice reached his ears.

“You wouldn’t want your identity exposed, would you? That’s why you’re hiding it.”

No—could it be?
In that instant, Alberu felt the White Star’s lips curve upward beneath the white mask, and sensed his own form beginning to vanish.

“No, wait!”

From far away, Rak’s startled cry pierced through the chaos.
Alberu immediately unleashed his magic.

“Cough!”

In that moment, his insides convulsed violently.
His hands began to tremble.

“Damn it!”

His dead mana was insufficient!
He had failed to distribute his power properly.

‘Mother’s magic required the highest tier to even be possible!’

It had been a mistake to attempt this spell relying solely on the vast quantity of dead mana he possessed.
Yet he could not simply stand idle.

Alberu raised the sword of light he still maintained.
He would block with swordsmanship.
But before he could properly lift the blade—

A chill crept down his spine.

“Gasp!”

Alberu could feel the grip of hands squeezing his throat.
His already strained body seemed to twist inward once more.

A surge of blood rose in his throat. Yet he could not expel it properly.
His throat was being held fast.

A calm voice reached his ears.

“You cannot defeat me.”

From behind, the White Star’s low voice sounded.
It was a composed voice—devoid of irritation, devoid of rage, devoid of anything at all.

Boom—thump-thump—boom-boom—
The sound of drums echoed.

Alberu wished to see what was happening, but his throat was seized and the helmet’s visor offered only a narrow field of vision.

“You wish to remove your helmet?”

In that moment, Alberu felt the White Star’s hands grasping his helmet.

Screech.
The helmet began to lift gradually.
Alberu drew a sharp breath.
Screech. Screech.
The helmet, matted with blood and sweat, rose inch by inch.
The White Star’s emotionless, matter-of-fact voice continued.

“Everything will be revealed.”

Soon the helmet came free.
Alberu’s mind spiraled into chaos even as he gasped for breath.
Then, suddenly, he realized something.

No sound at all.
The video communication signal—that intermittent “beep-beep” tone that had been sounding at regular intervals from deep within his armor—was gone.

It had been quite some time since I heard that sound.
What could that possibly mean?
Alberu drew in a breath, this time with a different understanding.

He was coming.
Coming soon.
That bastard was coming.

It was then.

“What is that?”

Someone cried out in surprise while looking at the sky, and Rak, following suit, involuntarily shouted.

“He’s here!”

Something fell from the heavens.
As it drew closer to the ground, its speed slowed, and finally it descended upon the earth.

Thud!
A man planted both feet firmly on the ground and straightened his back.
And the one riding upon his shoulders spoke with a grin toward the White Star.

“Remove your hand.”

A hollow laugh escaped Alberu.
It was Kale Heniatus, riding on Choi Han’s back with every conceivable expression plastered across his face.

Despite such an undignified appearance, the mere fact that my brother had arrived washed over me with a wave of relief.

—————
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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