Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 525

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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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But there was no time to dwell deeply in a situation lost to words.

Uuuoong—uoong—
The vibrations emanating from the Black Mages’ teleportation array grew increasingly intense.

‘Is he truly planning to flee?’

The White Star was escaping like this?
To be honest, it was advantageous for me.

The battlefield landscape I had surveyed moments before was far from favorable.
The Roan Kingdom Knight Order, which I had fought alongside Alberu, had many warriors suffering from minor or severe wounds.

-Human! I examined the magic surrounding the City Wall, and the mages appear to be overextending themselves! They won’t be able to hold much longer!

The Allied Magic Corps had also reported reaching their limits.

‘And there are hostages.’

The fiefdom residents confined in the large prison wagons positioned in the enemy encampment.

‘No matter how vast a teleportation array the Black Mages construct, it would be impossible for them to take those hostages with them.’

The White Star would likely flee, abandoning the hostages.
Additionally, my own condition was far from optimal.
Using the Ancient Powers even once more would result in immediate unconsciousness.

‘…If the White Star simply escapes like this.’

It would be the best situation, if not the ideal one.
That was why it felt strange.

‘Why is this bastard trying to escape?’

Something felt off.

‘Have I overlooked something?’

Kale Heniatus began to analyze the time that had passed and the accumulated information, turning them over in his mind.
Yet even as he did, he found himself compelled to speak.

‘Hmph. Say what you will, but I know everything about you. You’re receiving the aid of a god.’

The absurd words that White Star had just uttered.
He had to refute them.
There was no choice in the matter.

“…So the Hero of Roan has been receiving divine assistance—”

Behind Kale, a Knight’s voice murmured in admiration.
That voice sent shivers down his spine.

The title “Hero of Roan” was frightening enough, but the Knight’s trembling voice, quivering with emotion as he mentioned divine aid, was something else entirely.
For Kale, this was a horror film.

White Star gazed at Kale with an enigmatic expression, not even glancing at where the teleportation magic circle was unfolding behind him.
Kale opened his mouth to respond.

“I haven’t received any divine aid.”

Divine aid?
Far from it—all he had was a throbbing headache from the countdown toward the deadline that the God of Death had imposed upon him.
Reflected in Kale’s eyes was White Star’s white mask, now pristine without a single crack.
He spoke to White Star with utmost seriousness.

“Do you think I’m unaware that you’re spouting this ridiculous nonsense to buy yourself time to escape, sowing confusion among my allies?”
“That’s right. I do intend to escape.”

…What?
Why was he admitting it so confidently?
Kale found himself at a loss for words when White Star neither acted arrogantly as he usually did, nor denied it—he simply acknowledged it matter-of-factly.

Boom—boom-boom—boom-boom-!
Even so, the sound of drums continued to echo.
As the drumbeat accelerated, Kale noticed the Black Mages’ magic circles growing stronger, and he furrowed his brow.

And behind his mask, White Star’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

‘…This is a headache.’

The situation was proving far more troublesome than Kale Heniatus had anticipated.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The drum sounds were a form of signal.
They conveyed the status of our allied forces scattered across the East-West Continent to the White Star on the battlefield.

‘And right now, that signal indicates an emergency!’

The Priests serving the demonic forces had urgently sent word of a critical situation.
Moreover, the severity level of that emergency was escalating.

‘…Something grave has occurred!’

A drum pattern of this intensity signified either a major catastrophe in the Endable Kingdom or an event that would significantly impact the coming battles.

‘What could it be?’

What had Kale Heniatus done?
The White Star regarded Kale with an air of composure, yet his mind churned with complexity.

‘…It is unlikely that Kale Heniatus would discover the Endable Kingdom.’

Then, the White Star sensed movement approaching from behind.
He noticed Kale stiffen, but the White Star remained still as the figure drew up directly behind him and spoke.

“My lord.”

The White Star glanced back briefly before returning his gaze to Kale.
The one standing behind him was a Priest serving the demonic forces.

“What is the matter?”
“…Something has happened to Duke Fredo.”

The White Star’s pupils dilated.
His eyes narrowed as he looked upon Kale with a piercing gaze.

‘As I suspected! That bastard has done something after all!’

Duke Fredo.
Though eccentric, he was an indispensable powerhouse in the Endable Kingdom that the White Star would one day rule as its true king.
When Duke Fredo unleashed his full strength, even the White Star had to contend with considerable difficulty.

Moreover, he was a figure who displayed considerable loyalty to the White Star without the knowledge of other nobles—one of the few Endable Kingdom aristocrats the White Star could actually trust.

And it was Duke Fredo himself who had reported to the White Star just moments ago that Kale Heniatus had arrived at the Northern Mountains of Eastern Continent.

‘Duke Fredo will surely have engaged in combat with Kale Heniatus.’

Yet something had befallen the Duke, while Kale Heniatus—though not entirely unscathed—had returned to the Roan Kingdom.

‘What could have happened to Duke Fredo?’

The White Star absolutely had to ascertain the current situation.
One could not afford to lose what one already possessed while grasping for something new.
At that moment, the Priest rapidly delivered his report.

“…The Duke sustained injuries during his battle with Kale Heniatus and is currently unconscious.”
“What?”

Duke Fredo?
Unconscious?
The White Star was genuinely astonished. Yet the Priest’s report was far from complete.

“Furthermore, a considerable number of troops were caught in an avalanche, and there are currently missing personnel requiring search and rescue operations.”

An avalanche?
The White Star was so dumbfounded that words failed to escape his lips.

‘That avalanche was undoubtedly Kale Heniatus’s doing.’

Given how many times Kale Heniatus had orchestrated catastrophes of such magnitude.
What truly startled him was that Kale Heniatus had done something severe enough to render the loyal Duke Fredo unconscious.

And Kale furrowed his brow.

“Why does he look like that?”
“The way he’s looking at his younger brother seems rather unusual.”

Kale Heniatus dismissed Alberu’s irreverent words lightly and continued his staring contest with the White Star.

The White Star’s gaze grew increasingly intense as he glared at Kale Heniatus.
Kale Heniatus suspected the Priest standing behind the White Star was the reason for this behavior, but.

‘…What did that Priest say?’

Since he couldn’t hear the conversation, there was no way to know for certain.

‘Ah! No, that’s not it!’

Kale Heniatus quietly grasped the golden spinning top concealed beneath his garments.
As if understanding his intention, the Wind Spirit immediately began to speak.

‘Chaos, destruction! That insane Vampire Duke who covets your blood has apparently fallen into unconsciousness!’

…That one?

‘He became that way while fighting you!’

…What nonsense is this?
That bastard vanished right before me in perfect condition.

‘Just moments ago, the White Star told the Priest something! Chaos, destruction! No, that’s not what he said!’

The Wind Spirit stumbled over her words while speaking rapidly.

‘He pretended to be a benevolent king to the Priest, saying he was worried about the health of Duke Fredo, whom he cherishes! That narrow-minded bastard is spouting ridiculous lies!’

Hmm?
A flicker of interest crossed Kale Heniatus’s eyes.

Duke Fredo, whom he cherishes?
The White Star said that?
Is that bastard trying to stab me in the back?

Kale Heniatus barely suppressed the urge to smile.
He had just realized what Duke Fredo had done.

‘Faking illness and lying down, are we?’

Duke Fredo must have pretended to be unconscious.
I couldn’t fathom why Duke Fredo had orchestrated this, but given the circumstances, I was more than willing to play along with his scheme.
That was when it happened.

“Kale Heniatus. I cannot fathom what you have done.”

The White Star spoke with deliberate gravity, and I opened my mouth to respond.

“I simply lacked the time. To return to my homeland, I merely demonstrated our strength to the enemies who stood in my way.”

My calm and measured words stirred something within the knights who gazed upon me—their eyes gleamed with admiration.

“…Homeland.”

One knight repeated the word I had spoken, clenching his fist with renewed resolve.
Alberu glanced at this and cast a subtle look toward Choi Han.

‘Does our younger brother even know what he’s saying?’

Unfortunately, Alberu’s gaze—hidden behind his helmet—failed to reach Choi Han. Instead, Choi Han smiled gently and whispered softly, audible only to Alberu, his tone careful not to interrupt my words.
It was a considerate gesture to avoid disrupting my speech.

“Lord Kale truly cherishes his homeland.”

No, that wasn’t the issue at all.
Alberu wanted to protest, but he simply closed his mouth.
His dear younger brother, who dreamed of becoming a sloth, was charging forward like a bulldozer toward heroism—and the exhausted, weakened Alberu lacked the strength to stop him.

‘…He’ll figure it out on his own.’

Alberu released his concerns about me.
In that moment, I heard the White Star’s voice responding to my words.

“…Just as I thought. You have inherited the will of the divine. There is no other way to explain your ‘strength.'”
“No, I keep telling you it’s not that god—”

Kale Heniatus immediately tried to refute him, but the White Star paid no heed.
Whoosh.
He turned his back on Kale Heniatus.

“I shall withdraw now.”

Wait, won’t you listen to what I have to say?
Kale Heniatus wanted to argue further.

Boom! Boom-boom! Boom! Boom-boom!
But the moment the drums reached their crescendo, Kale Heniatus could see a black aura engulfing the entire enemy encampment.

-Human, this is a strange magic circle!

It was unmistakably a teleportation circle.
Yet through the black aura of dark magic, gray smoke was rising.

-That gray smoke amplifies the aura of dead mana!

Kale Heniatus’s eyes grew grave.
Had such power been unleashed upon Sten Lordship Castle instead of serving as a means of escape, the devastation would have been catastrophic.

The White Star walked unhesitatingly toward the place shrouded in gray smoke and black aura.

His figure gradually faded from view.
But that was not all.
The forms of those enveloped in the gray darkness grew indistinct. The teleportation was beginning.

Uuuuuung—
With a tremendous vibration of air, Kale Heniatus stood motionless, watching the White Star vanish.
Before disappearing entirely, the White Star turned back once more to gaze upon Kale Heniatus and opened his mouth.

“I shall leave you a parting gift.”

Boom—!
The black aura exploded in an instant, scattering in all directions.

“Take cover!”
“Duck down!”

In that instant, the knights of the Roan Kingdom Knight Order sensed the aura and hastily evaded it. Yet before it could reach our forces, the energy scattered into the air and dissipated.

And in the space left behind.

“…Now I understand what the gift was.”

Kale Heniatus’s eyes fell upon the carriage where all the enemy forces had vanished, leaving only the hostages behind.
He gazed at the sight for a moment before turning his gaze to the side.

“What will you do?”
“I’m not sure.”

Alberu could not answer Kale Heniatus’s question immediately, instead exhaling a sigh that mingled emptiness with relief.

“Shouldn’t we go to our kingdom’s people first? They must have been terrified.”
“In that state?”
“My brother and I look rather similar at the moment, don’t we?”
“…Even so, I haven’t been caked in blood. And surely you understand that’s not what I meant?”

Through the visor of his helmet, Alberu could see Kale Heniatus’s dark brown eyes fixed directly upon him.
A smile spread across his face.
Alberu’s lips curved upward.

“Of course.”

He reached his hand toward empty air.
A soft shimmer rippled through the void.
A necklace materialized in the empty space.
Alberu placed the necklace back around his neck, which was caked with the blood he had vomited.

Click.
The necklace locked into place, and in response, all of Alberu’s aura was concealed.
At the same time, energy flowed from the bracelet beneath the armor he wore.

A gentle glow enveloped him.
Alberu grasped his helmet and removed it.

“Will this suffice?”

Golden hair and blue eyes. Alberu, who had returned to his usual appearance, flashed a grin. Before him, a broad back suddenly appeared.

“Climb on, Your Highness.”
“Well, well.”

Alberu let out a soft chuckle as he gazed at Choi Han’s back.

“How did you know I lack the strength to stand and walk properly?”
“A master knows his disciple’s condition better than anyone.”

Choi Han’s jest proved amusing enough that Alberu maintained his smile as he climbed onto that broad back.

“A disciple riding upon his master’s back—is this not disrespectful?”
“This much is nothing at all.”

Choi Han rose with Alberu on his back, and Kale Heniatus took the lead as he spoke.

“I shall go to the kingdom’s people first.”

With Kale Heniatus leading the way, Choi Han followed, carrying the Crown Prince, and the Knights Order, centered around the Knight Commander, swiftly fell into formation behind the Crown Prince as his escort.
The wyverns had already taken flight into the sky.
Nothing stood in their path.
The Tiger Tribe and Rak followed in the Knights Order’s wake.

Thud, thud.
As Kale Heniatus drew closer to the prison carriage holding the residents of the Sten Territory, a sense of unease washed over him.

‘This is going to be a problem.’

Through the golden spinning top he held in his hand, the voices of the kingdom’s people within the prison reached him.

‘We survived! They’re crying tears of joy! Chaos, destruction, happiness!’
‘Everyone must have been terrified seeing the Black Mages. But they’re delighted they’ll be freed safely.’

Hearing that the hostages had survived and were weeping with relief, Kale Heniatus felt a tightness in his chest.
Yet it was only fleeting.

‘Chaos, destruction! Kale, they’re saying the hero defeated that wretched creature because of you! That he fled in fear! They’re calling you the Silver Shield Hero!’
‘With you and the Crown Prince, Roan’s future is bright!’
‘If the Crown Prince is the sun that illuminates Roan, then you are the moon that lights the night! Chaos, destruction, the great hero has arrived! Kahahahahaha!’

Damn it.

‘Ah! There’s someone here with sharp ears! You heard everything about the White Star! They’re saying you’ve inherited the will of the gods. When you tell the other hostages about you, they’re saying that heroes truly are different!’

Cursed be this.
Kale approached the wagon where the kingdom citizens were held, his expression rigid.
The kingdom citizens inside the wagon—converted into a prison—watched him with emotions they struggled to suppress.

‘…He’s trying so hard to appear composed.’
‘To come to us first despite being in such pain!’

The kingdom citizens’ hearts swelled further as they watched Kale and the Crown Prince.
Kale’s pallid face looked as though he might collapse at any moment.
Despite his exhaustion being plainly visible, the way he walked forward with unwavering confidence made them feel he was trying to reassure them.
And the Crown Prince, the youngest Sword Master, being carried on someone’s back, had willingly stepped onto the battlefield to save them and fought so fiercely that he bled.
Yet now he offered them a gentle smile as if to say, be at ease.

The knights following behind Kale and the Crown Prince shared the same feelings as the kingdom citizens.

‘Truly, Young Master Kale puts others before himself without regard for his own condition.’
‘…Your Highness. To think you care so deeply for the kingdom’s people.’

Kale gradually sensed this atmosphere through the Wind Spirit’s words and gaze.

‘No, of course my body is fine, so naturally I should free the hostages first, right?’

It was simply because doing it twice would be a hassle, and it was the obvious thing to do—visiting the hostages first.
But the atmosphere felt strange.

Kale wondered if he should just leave everything to Alberu and step back himself.
That was when it happened.

“Young Master!”

Kale Heniatus could see the figure waving at him while gripping the iron bars of the prison cart.
His eyes widened and his mouth fell open.

“Kaige?”

In the birth of a hero, she had been the Mad Priestess, but now Kaige, merely an excommunicated priest imprisoned in the cart, was smiling.

“Hello, Young Master! It’s been so long!”

At the sight of her beaming smile, seemingly delighted to see Kale Heniatus, he could only feel bewildered.

‘Why is she so cheerful?’

Kaige appeared oddly excited.
But that was only the beginning.

“Young Master!”
“Your Highness!”
“Commander! Sword Master!”
“Crown Prince, Your Highness!”

From all around, the hostages grasped the bars with faces streaked with tears and smiles, greeting them warmly.
And those greetings soon transformed into cheers, surrounding Kale Heniatus, Alberu, and Choi Han.

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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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