Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 532

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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 boy—his father’s only family and beloved son—felt his shoulders trembling finely as he witnessed his cherished father’s suffering.
The boy thought to himself.

‘…Such is my fate.’

Now he felt so exasperated that laughter threatened to spill forth.
As he suppressed that laughter, his shoulders quivered slightly of their own accord.

Yet those unaware of his true feelings gazed upon him with pitying eyes.
Most especially, the two figures standing in the hallway beyond the open doorway, not yet having entered the bedroom, bore expressions of profound sorrow.

Those who had come with the White Star were people Kale knew as well.

The woman in black armor who had ridden the dark horse.
The Elderly Dark Elf.

These two had come here dressed in casual clothes rather than combat gear.
The Elderly Dark Elf’s lips parted.

“I always feel it—Nar Von Izelern resembles Duke Fredo, yet doesn’t.”

A fleeting smirk crossed those eyes before vanishing.

Pfft.
The woman let out a scoff directed at the Elderly Dark Elf.

“Just say it outright instead of dancing around it.”
“Dancing around what? I spoke plainly.”

The two exchanged a brief glance before turning their heads to observe Nar Von Izelern, whose head the White Star was gently stroking.
Both thought the same thing.

‘Weak.’

His resolve is fragile.
A vampire destined to lead the next generation of House Izelern.

Nar Von Izelern.
This young prince had been frail since childhood, and by Duke Fredo’s orders, he spent his days at a villa suited for treatment and recuperation rather than in the Endable Kingdom itself.
A subtle mockery played at the corners of the Elderly Dark Elf’s mouth, invisible to others.

‘Twenty years since the kingdom was founded. Throughout all that time, Nar has remained weak.’

For vampires who lived for centuries, twenty years was a fleeting span, yet it was precisely the time the next vampire lord should have spent growing stronger.
But Nar had not changed since the first time I saw him—he had not grown at all.
His frail body had stunted his physical development.

Because of this, both the vampires and the people of the Endable Kingdom cherished Nar’s gentle nature and kind demeanor, yet they also worried about the kingdom’s future.

However, Nar’s weakness was a source of joy for at least these two.

They were rivals, after all.
The rival’s inevitable downfall was a delight to behold.

“Let’s go inside.”
“Yes.”

Yet the two of them soon stepped into the bedroom.
Regardless, they had to maintain the appearance of being sympathetic colleagues who grieved for Duke Fredo’s condition.

“Hmm.”

The one watching the backs of those two and the scene within the bedroom unconsciously stroked the back of his own hand.
A faint chill ran across his skin.

He was Melrndo, the butler of this mansion and Duke Fredo’s hidden loyal subordinate.

‘Truly remarkable.’

His gaze remained fixed on Kale Heniatus’s back from the moment before.
Vampires were naturally gifted at concealment and disguise.

‘No matter how much the Duke’s treasure makes it easier to alter one’s appearance and disguise oneself, I never expected such mastery.’

Watching Kale Heniatus, now transformed into Young Prince Nar, I could not hide my astonishment.

Kale Heniatus and the White Star.
The relationship between these two could only be described as the absolute worst.

‘How could he display such a pitiful expression right before his enemy, as if Duke Fredo were truly his father!’

It was astonishing.
I had heard he was only twenty this year, yet I couldn’t fathom how such a young human could employ such cunning tactics.

He turned his gaze toward Solena.
She was already looking at Melrndo.
The two vampires’ eyes met, and both could discern that the other was equally shocked by Kale’s actions.

A subtle smile played at the corners of both their mouths.

‘We’ve secured the right card.’
‘This benefits us.’

Duke Fredo’s two loyal subordinates clearly realized they had made the correct choice.
They slowly turned their gazes back to the figure known as Duke Fredo’s son—Nar Von Izelern, now Kale Heniatus—and stared at his back.

Two vampires, allies for now.
And two enemies wearing mocking smiles.
Kale, receiving their full attention without knowing the situation behind him, let out a shallow sigh of admiration internally.

‘Fascinating.’

Kale recalled the arm band concealed beneath his clothing.
Duke Fredo had spoken of this treasure.

‘This treasure doesn’t merely alter your appearance—it also completely conceals what lies within. The White Star will never sense the Ancient Powers you possess.’

Just as he had said, the White Star showed no signs of detecting the Ancient Powers.

‘That’s precisely why he’s patting my head like this.’

My mood had soured considerably.
Consider it.
The White Star was stroking Kale’s head with the new hand he had attached to replace the left arm he had blown off in the Land of Death in the Caro Kingdom.

‘…It’s strange to feel good about this.’

Albert Crossman would have surely chuckled at the sight of me like this.
Kale suddenly recalled the Crown Prince from before he came here—when he’d gone to report, the Crown Prince had gazed at him with pity, barely suppressing laughter at his words, wishing him well.

Kale’s body tensed without his awareness.
Irritation welled up inside him.

The White Star quietly looked down at the scene and opened his mouth.

“Nar.”

Nar Von Izelern, known to be frail in body but upright in spirit.
The boy was trembling with his shoulders shaking, eyes closed before the uncle he usually followed.
It was a sight that would move anyone to pity.
The White Star called out in a soft, low voice, as if whispering.

“Nar.”

The White Star could see his nephew with violet eyes barely opening to look up at him. Not a blood relation, but a boy who followed the White Star like a true uncle.
For that boy, the White Star spoke.

“I understand everything in your heart. This great uncle will subdue Kale Heniatus, so do not worry.”
“…Uncle.”

The boy’s voice trembled.
The White Star nodded as if he understood everything.

“Yes. I need not hear more—your heart reaches me. Take heart.”

Then he withdrew his hand from Kale’s head and turned his gaze toward Duke Fredo.
He gazed at Duke Fredo’s complexion for a moment before speaking.

“Duke. I wish for you to rise soon and join us in achieving the great enterprise of our Endable Kingdom.”

His voice was calm yet sincere.

“I have waited long for your awakening as I strive to achieve the great undertaking I have long desired. So rise soon.”

The White Star’s true feelings toward Duke Fredo seemed to lay bare before me.

‘Ha!’

Yet as I watched, I couldn’t help but scoff inwardly at the display.

‘How absurd.’

I was astounded by the White Star’s actions.
The moment the White Star broke the covenant passed down through generations between Dragon Lord Sherit and the Dragon Slayer, he was cursed.
Moreover, it was a curse that Lord Sherit had forged through a deal with the God of Death.

He was condemned to repeat his life infinitely, unable to possess anything precious during each existence.
The White Star bore a curse to lose all that he held dear.
Anything precious to him must vanish from this world.

‘Yet Duke Fredo and Nar Von Izelern haven’t died.’

The implication was unmistakable.

‘Genuine affection?’

It was laughable.
The White Star did not truly cherish Duke Fredo and Nar Von Izelern.

‘He merely feigns closeness because the loyal Duke and the nephew who follows him are convenient to manipulate.’

Thus, I dismissed every tender and sincere word from the White Star as hollow.

‘Of course, Duke Fredo genuinely seems to believe the White Star cherishes both him and Nar Von Izelern.’

I saw no reason to disabuse Duke Fredo of such delusions.

‘…He is an enemy, after all.’

Duke Fredo was not someone I could trust.
Our relationship was merely one of convenience, liable to shatter at any moment.

‘Still, there is one thing to be gained from this.’

From Duke Fredo’s attitude, Kale discerned something crucial.

‘The White Star hasn’t told his subordinates about his curse.’

He had a feeling this information would prove invaluable someday.

“Well then, Nar, I should be going now, Uncle.”
“Ah.”

Kale had been momentarily lost in thought, scheming how to use this information against the White Star, when he was startled by the White Star’s words and looked up at him.
The White Star gazed at Kale with sympathetic eyes as he spread both arms wide.

“Nar. Let’s say goodbye before you go.”
“…Uncle?”
“Yes.”

The White Star spread his arms and flashed a broad smile.

‘Wait… so… this is…’

He wants an embrace?
With me and the White Star?

‘…Should I kill him?’

In a way, it was an excellent opportunity.

-No! Kale! The moment you use the Ancient Powers to kill the White Star, you’ll pass out! If you fail, you’ll die while unconscious!

At Jjangdol’s urgent voice, Kale lowered his head and approached the White Star.
And he embraced him.

“Tsk. You’re so weak in your embrace.”

The White Star patted his nephew’s back reassuringly as the younger man held him limply.

“I’ll send you your favorite foods, so while you’re caring for the Duke, make sure you take care of yourself too. Understood?”
“…Yes… Uncle.”

Who would have thought?
That a day would come when I could rest while eating food sent by the White Star.
Kale found himself awash in unexpected emotion.

Regardless, the White Star released his embrace and turned away, as if there was nothing more to discuss.

“Nar Von Izelern, there’s no need to see me off. Focus on your own recovery. If anyone has something to say to Nar Von Izelern or the Duke, speak now before you leave.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“I shall follow shortly, my Lord.”

Kale could see the Elderly Dark Elf and the Knight approaching him.

‘They managed to avoid the avalanche, it seems.’

Despite the massive avalanche that had swept across the Northern Snowy Mountains, Kale gazed at the two figures standing before him with a hint of regret at their unscathed appearance.
But he soon opened his mouth.
He spoke based on the information he had gathered from Solena and Duke Fredo.

“Grandfather. Aunt. Hello. It’s been a long time.”
“Indeed.”

The Elderly Dark Elf took Kale’s hand.

“You must have endured much hardship. This old man shall pray for your father and you.”

Over the old man’s voice, Kale heard Duke Fredo’s assessment of him.

‘The fellow who’s desperate to push me aside and become Duke. It’s rare for someone his age to cling so eagerly to power. A charming old codger, really.’

Next came the woman in black armor.

“Stay strong.”

It was nothing more than a simple, understated remark.

‘She’s quite a decent person. She doesn’t oppose me; she simply finds me strange.’

He merely gazed quietly at Duke Fredo without further words, then turned and headed out of the bedroom after the White Star.

“I should be going as well.”

The Elderly Dark Elf offered a few words of concern to Duke Fredo, who remained unconscious, before disappearing out of the bedroom.

The Butler followed to see them off, leaving only Solena standing in the open doorway of the corridor.
She bowed her head toward me and spoke.

“Young Master, please have a conversation.”

Creak—Slam!
The bedroom door closed.
I turned my head away from the door I’d been staring at blankly.

“Are you satisfied?”

I fixed a piercing gaze upon Duke Fredo, who had somehow settled onto the bed with his back resting against the headboard.

“Does this amuse you?”

Duke Fredo was laughing.

“Kale Heniatus, you handle yourself quite skillfully.”
“Are you satisfied?”
“Indeed. Watching you curse at me in the form of my childhood self—it’s refreshing and delightful.”
“You madman.”

I collapsed unceremoniously onto one corner of the bed.

“In any case, since the White Star and those others saw us together today, you won’t object to us moving about together from now on, will you?”
“I suppose not.”

Duke Fredo nodded and continued.

“I should awaken tomorrow night or by tomorrow morning. Once I do, we can begin our real operations.”
“Then in the meantime, I’ll familiarize myself with the terrain here and assess the atmosphere.”
“That sounds good.”

Our gazes met.
Duke Fredo opened his mouth again.

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll need to find a way to destroy that facility that transforms the White Star into a demon. That should suffice.”

A facility that transforms the White Star into a demon.
It was said to exist in the deepest part of the Endable Kingdom.
Kale nodded at the obvious statement and opened his mouth.

“You speak of such matters quite freely now.”
“Of course. The Endable Kingdom is beyond the gaze of the divine.”

Without the gaze of the divine, Fredo could speak of confidential matters with ease.
Of course, I could not afford such comfort.

‘Regardless, the God of Death will know I’m in Endable.’

After all, the Oath of Death embedded in my body served as a tracking device.

“Then I can rest until you wake up, yes?”

I asked Fredo.

“Yes. Rest as you need.”

For the first time, the thought that I could finally rest brought a measure of peace to my mind, even in this enemy territory.
Then Duke Fredo spoke.

“Ah. And by the way. This is news that Butler Melrndo passed along.”

Hmm?
What news?

“There’s a grand council at the Royal Palace tomorrow afternoon.”

What kind of council?

“A gathering where all the nobility and high-ranking officials of Endable convene. It’s an important occasion. You’ll need to attend in my stead as my proxy. You always have, after all.”

Huh?

“It’s likely a council regarding the Endable Kingdom festival held in autumn.”

A festival?

“Why are you so surprised? This is a place where people live too, so we ought to have festivals to enjoy.”
“…I suppose that’s true?”
“Right. That’s the issue.”

I see.
Kale nodded, thinking this had nothing to do with him.
Of course, attending the grand council was a significant problem.
My brow furrowed once more.
Seeing this, Duke Fredo spoke again.

“Ah. And.”
“Again? Another ‘and’?”

Fredo smoothly brushed past Kale’s menacing gaze and raised his hand to point at something.

“Do you see that mirror over there?”

The full-length mirror hanging on the bedroom wall reflected in Kale’s eyes.

“That’s a secret space inside.”

The moment Kale heard Fredo’s words, his eyes gleamed with intrigue.
A secret space within the mansion.
That meant inside it—

“Your companions are in there.”

Beyond that mirror were Choi Han and Raon, who had come here secretly with me.

“You can come out now.”

The moment Fredo spoke while looking at the mirror.
Creak. Creak. Creeeeak.
A strange sound filled the bedroom as the mirror began to hollow out from its center, soon becoming completely empty.
And through that vacant mirror space, I could see a room beyond that looked remarkably cozy and warm.

“Huh?”

It was at that moment when Kale inadvertently let out a gasp of amazement.

“Human!”

Raon burst through the mirror’s surface, extending his plump front paws toward Kale as he flew.
Whoosh.
Choi Han emerged from the mirror right behind him.
Watching this entire scene unfold, I opened my mouth as I saw one dragon and one human approaching me.

“…You saw everything?”

Had they witnessed that entire exchange from within the mirror?
Could they hear all the conversations in this bedroom from inside the mirror?
The moment such questions crossed my mind.

“Human!”

Raon approached me and gently patted my back with his front paws.

“Human…”

Raon’s voice was tinged with sorrow.

“I saw everything from in there… You’ve endured so much… Human.”

Raon offered me comfort.
Choi Han, who had followed behind, stepped before me and lifted his bowed head.

“Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han spoke with barely contained emotion swirling in his eyes.

“…You’ve truly endured so much. Even when you had the opportunity to slay your enemy, you restrained yourself for the sake of the future. I deeply respect that.”

Raon and Choi Han gazed at me with both sympathy and pride.

“That’s right! Human! I watched you suppress your rage! Human, you were magnificent!”

…Sigh. This is exhausting.
Turning away from Raon and Choi Han, whose emotions churned like a tempest, I felt that today had been far more draining than any battle I’d ever faced.

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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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