Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 545

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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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Kale’s mouth fell open.

“…Gold!”

Gold surrounded him on all sides.

“Is this your first time visiting this place, Prince Nar?”

A halo of light shimmered behind the Vice High Priest as she offered a gentle smile.
The golden light was genuinely glittering.

Just moments ago, there had been nothing here—only crumbling walls stained with mold and draped in cobwebs—yet now glass cases filled with gold bars gleamed before him.

“If you’d like to examine it more closely, please feel free to come over here.”

The Vice High Priest’s hand fluttered gracefully as her warm smile deepened.

“Vice High Priest. Was that an illusion you just dispelled?”

At that moment, her smile faltered slightly as she met Nar’s piercing gaze.

“Quite perceptive, aren’t you? But this is genuine. There’s no reason for me to maintain an illusion.”

She then observed Nar, who was approaching slowly, with sharp eyes hidden behind her smiling face.

‘He certainly resembles Duke Fredo.’

His meticulousness was his father’s trademark.

‘Or perhaps it’s not meticulousness—maybe it’s suspicion that runs in the family?’

She spoke to Nar as he drew near.

“Oh, and do you see the magic flowing across the glass case’s surface? Don’t touch it carelessly—it will hurt. The moment anyone else’s hand makes contact, a teleportation spell activates.”

She watched as Nar’s footsteps halted at her words, and after a long moment, he finally opened his mouth to speak.

“…Vice High Priest.”

Her voice had grown heavy with tension. Her gaze drifted involuntarily toward Nar’s eyes.

A sharp intake of breath.
Her shoulders tensed slightly without her realizing it.

‘…Why does his gaze look so—’

So menacing?
She found herself startled by those piercing eyes.

‘No, it’s because it’s Nar.’

More precisely, she was surprised that this boy called Nar possessed such a gaze.

‘So the rumors were true—Nar really did pull off this operation.’

The destruction of the Black Castle.
The news had already struck the leadership of the Endable Kingdom like a thunderbolt.
At the center of it all stood Count Mok and Nar Von Izelern.

‘Of course, Duke Fredo must have orchestrated it from behind the scenes.’

Knowing that Duke Fredo had awakened, the Vice High Priest believed he was the true architect of all this.

‘What a formidable vampire.’

Was it not so?
His ability to draw in the Roan Kingdom and Kale Heniatus was nothing short of remarkable, and it made her feel as though she had finally grasped the right thread.

‘…I cannot fall behind Gersei.’

Ambition ignited in her eyes—an ambition so fierce it easily overshadowed the profound depths of the boy’s gaze fixed upon her.

“Young Prince Nar. Why did you summon me only to remain silent?”
“…Vice High Priest.”
“Yes?”
“…You are truly magnificent.”

Huh?
For a moment, the Vice High Priest found herself caught off guard without realizing it.

‘Tsk.’

Watching this unfold, Alberu’s eyes narrowed and widened involuntarily.
He had immediately grasped the true meaning behind Kale’s words.

‘Blinded by gold, is he.’

It was puzzling why someone already so wealthy would act this way.
Then Kale’s voice continued.

“I truly admire you. How did you manage to accumulate such wealth?”
“…Well, that’s…”

The Vice High Priest was flustered.
She had every reason to be.

“…It’s unsettling to hear such words from a young noble. The wealth of House of Izerun far surpasses mine, does it not?”

The implication was clear—why would the son of Duke Fredo, who possessed such immense riches, say such things?

“Hmm.”

In that instant, the Vice High Priest witnessed the boy’s gaze turn far more menacing.
Yet that ferocity vanished just as quickly.

“Haha, forgive my rudeness. It’s simply my first time seeing gold stacked like this.”

Nar scratched the back of his head sheepishly as he spoke.

‘Was that an illusion?’

As Nar returned to his usual demeanor, the Vice High Priest wondered if that savage glint she’d witnessed was merely her imagination. In that moment, Kale and Alberu exchanged a knowing glance.

‘Brother, did you hear that?’
‘Yes, I heard.’

Information about Fredo being extraordinarily wealthy entered Kale Heniatus and Alberu’s minds.

“In any case, let’s get straight to the point.”

Kale turned his gaze toward the Vice High Priest at the sound of her voice.

“We don’t have much time.”
“Is Marquis Gersei’s surveillance that severe?”

In response to Kale’s question, she nodded silently and withdrew a letter envelope from her bosom, sealed without a single gap.

“Underground District 1. It contains maps and entrance information for the ‘facility.'”

The letter envelope was quite thick. Kale accepted it carefully and immediately placed it inside his garments.

“I heard the Vice High Priest will also accompany us at that time.”
“That’s right. Young Prince Nar won’t be able to join us then, but I’ll be the one guiding you through that facility.”

Young Prince Nar won’t be able to join them.
When the Vice High Priest uttered those words, a flicker of something unusual crossed Kale’s eyes before vanishing in an instant.

“And.”

She fell silent for a moment, choosing her words carefully. Then, as if having reached a decision, she withdrew another rolled sheet of paper from her bosom.

“It’s information about the event on the festival’s final day.”

Her expression was troubled.

“There’s definitely some hidden intention within the ceremony that will unfold on the last festival day. But no matter how much I examine it, it just looks like an ordinary blessing ritual.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Priest Gersei’s loyal subordinates seem to know something.”

Although the Vice High Priest served under Priest Gersei, there were separate loyal subordinates who carried out Gersei’s secret orders.
Roughly five of them, and they listened only to Gersei’s words.

“I haven’t been able to place anyone in that circle.”
“That’s fine. The information you’re providing now is already quite valuable.”
“Then I’m relieved. In any case, I’ve written down some information I suspect. Young Prince Nar is surprisingly good at following instructions, isn’t he?”

She spoke to Nar with considerable formality, as if questioning when she had ever called Kale “Little One.”

“Not at all.”

Kale responded gently to her words without any particular concern.

‘It’s finally over.’

Information about the underground “facility” and details about the festival’s final day.
And confirming the Vice High Priest’s face.
I had now verified everything I needed to confirm here today.

“Well then!”

The Vice High Priest smiled brightly.
I prepared to bid farewell.
Her voice reached my ears.

“Shall we go check on the hostages?”

What?
For a moment, I doubted my own ears.
Check on what?

The Vice High Priest, seemingly unaware of my condition, headed toward the door she had emerged from.
The underground entrance flush against the floor.

“Hmm? Prince Nar, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, well…”

As I searched for words, the Vice High Priest exclaimed and continued speaking.

“Prince Nar, you were startled by the word ‘hostages’? Don’t worry—it’s not the cruel situation that Little One might be imagining.”
“…Yes.”

She spoke sympathetically to me, who answered with a hardened expression.

“This is your first time handling practical matters, isn’t it? It must be difficult to carry out all of Duke Fredo’s instructions.”

Her gaze fell upon the narrow staircase descending beneath the open doorway leading underground.
She grumbled playfully.

“Honestly, I was already annoyed when Duke Fredo asked me to verify the hostages again. Do you know how busy I am? And that Mercenary King’s deal conditions—he’s so meticulous about every detail.”

Mercenary King’s deal conditions.
Hostages.
The moment those words reached my ears, my spine involuntarily stiffened.

‘That damned Duke Fredo!’

The hostages had to be the Ranger Unit members!

My eyes met Alberu’s.
Alberu drew closer. At that moment, the Vice High Priest pushed open the decrepit door leading to the underground passage once more.

“This old thing just does whatever it wants, you know?”
Creeeeak—

The instant her grumbling and the sound of the ancient door moving reached us, Alberu seized the opportunity and whispered so softly that only I could hear.

“Did you know?”

I shook my head.

No.
I hadn’t heard a thing.

Duke Fredo had made no mention whatsoever of the Ranger Unit members.

‘This bastard.’

Duke Fredo’s intention was crystal clear.

‘You figure it out yourself.’

He’d handed the matter of the Ranger Unit members over to me.
My lips twisted upward into a wry smile.

‘Perhaps this is an apology for concealing information about the White Star.’

Truly, he calculates everything with precision.
I turned my back and approached the Vice High Priest, who was heading toward the underground staircase.

“Vice High Priest, should I head down?”
“Of course! The hostages are right below us.”

I was astounded.

I had assumed the Ranger Unit was outside this Sinkhole City.
Yet they were so close to me!
And in District 2, no less!

How they had brought the Rangers here, how they had deceived the White Star—these details mattered little to me.
What mattered was the audacity of Duke Fredo and the Vice High Priest.

“Let us descend.”

With the Vice High Priest leading, Alberu and I descended the underground staircase in turn.
Beyond the small, narrow stairs lay a corridor far larger and more immaculate than expected.

And on both sides of the corridor stood rooms.
But instead of doors, there were iron bars the size of doorways.

“Shall we verify? Duke Fredo said Prince Nar would confirm everything himself.”
“Indeed.”

I moved forward along the corridor.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
My footsteps echoed through the marble hallway.

“Young Master.”

Alberu followed behind me.

“Ah!”

I could not suppress my exclamation.

‘This is quite nice, actually.’

Each room was surprisingly spacious, with marble and expensive carpets covering every surface.
The air felt fresh—ventilation was clearly well-maintained.
It was a space that spared no expense.

“In truth, this was originally a secret refuge I had prepared.”

The Vice High Priest’s voice came from behind me.

“However, at Duke Fredo’s request, I temporarily converted it into a prison.”

I nodded in acknowledgment.
Just as Duke Fredo had said before, he was treating the Ranger Unit members of the Mercenary Guild quite well.

‘That’s a relief.’

A genuine smile of joy—not a twisted one—naturally spread across my lips.

Beyond the iron bars that served as a door, I could see into the rooms.
The unit members in each room wore restraints on one ankle, but none appeared injured, and their complexions looked healthy.

I walked to the end of the corridor using ‘Record’, checking the final room.
My mouth fell open without my realizing it.

“…Bud would like this.”

That was when it happened.

Clang! Clang!

I could see two hands gripping the iron bars.
And from within the final cell, I met a pair of fierce, murderous eyes glaring directly at me.

“…How dare you bastards speak our Mercenary King’s name so carelessly?”

A young man with a scar across his cheek was staring at me as if he wanted to tear me to shreds.

‘Ah, right.’

I’m Nar right now, aren’t I?
Kale Heniatus, recognizing that he had mentioned the Mercenary King while in Nar’s form, spoke gently to the furious young man.

“Calm down.”
“Calm down about what!”

However, the young man, apparently a member of the Ranger Unit, only grew more enraged at those words.

“What are you scheming by locking us in this place? And what’s with a little one like you? Do you think we’re that laughable?”

Bang! Bang!
From other rooms, figures began to appear one after another, kicking or gripping the iron bars and glaring at Kale Heniatus beyond them.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes fixed upon him with lethal intensity.

“Haha! You’re all quite spirited!”

Kale Heniatus couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

‘Bud would love this. They’re all so full of vigor.’

Kale Heniatus felt his spirits lift.
As he walked down the corridor, he swiftly committed the number of Ranger Unit members visible in each room to memory. The count matched his expectations.
He smiled with genuine satisfaction.

His gaze turned toward the Ranger Unit members behind the bars of the numerous rooms.

“Don’t waste your strength pointlessly. Just wait quietly.”

I’ll be coming to rescue you soon!
Kale Heniatus felt his excitement surge.

“…Remarkable.”

Kale Heniatus turned his gaze toward the Vice High Priest’s voice.
She approached him with an expression of admiration.

“Duke Fredo’s blood truly runs through your veins.”

She was astonished by Kale Heniatus’s demeanor.

‘Facing hundreds of enemies, yet displaying such audacious composure.’

She could now confirm with absolute certainty that the stories about Nar overturning the White Palace’s Grand Conference Hall were true.

‘The boy is only about twelve to fifteen years old in human terms. Yet to think he could suppress his enemies with such overwhelming presence—’

I never could have imagined it.

“Haha, do I resemble my father? I’m not entirely sure myself. In any case, I’ve finished my inspection.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“That was quick?”

Kale Heniatus grinned wickedly.

“Seeing everyone in such high spirits, I believe there’s no need for further inspection.”

Crash, bang!
The iron bars rattled once more.
A member of the Ranger Unit cried out.

“Are you mocking us! You brat, if I ever get out of here, I won’t let you off easy!”
“That’s right! You cowardly bastards! How long do you think you can keep us bound with these crude shackles!”
“Release us at once!”

Clang, clang! Crash!
The iron bars shook as the unit members raised their voices in fury.
The Vice High Priest cleanly ignored the commotion and watched the boy approaching her.
The boy passed by her, heading toward the Underground Entrance, and opened his mouth to speak.

“Vice High Priest. The soundproofing here is quite good, isn’t it?”

He flashed a wicked grin as he spoke.
His expression struck her as truly sinister.

‘…Perhaps he’s even more ruthless than Duke Fredo.’

They said my body was frail.
Yet here stood this sickly boy before hundreds of enemies, not merely confident but radiating overwhelming dominance, mocking his foes with contempt.
Duke Fredo had every reason to be astounded.
And so she too found herself delighted.
She quickly moved to stand beside Kale Heniatus and opened her mouth to speak.

“Of course. This place has excellent soundproofing, and no one can enter or leave without my permission.”
“…Is that so?”
“Of course!”

For a moment, she failed to notice the flash of light that crossed the boy’s eyes as he gazed up at her.

“Young Master. Today was truly enjoyable. Though our time was brief.”

She emerged from the underground chamber and bid farewell to Kale Heniatus.

“I enjoyed it as well, Vice High Priest.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Well then.”

She glanced at the worn family calendar and spoke.

“I heard the operation to destroy the Black Castle is planned for the festival’s first day?”
“That’s correct. We shall likely meet again after the festival.”
“Then go safely and return well.”
“Yes.”

* * *

“Nar. At last the day you’ve longed for has arrived. Are you prepared?”

The White Star placed both hands upon Kale Heniatus’s shoulders with a benevolent expression.
Count Mok stood beside Kale Heniatus with a solemn face.
The boy with violet eyes answered while dressed in a silver-white uniform.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Call me Uncle.”
“Understood, Uncle.”

Kale Heniatus’s eyes sparkled as he spoke powerfully to the White Star.

“I swear to you, I shall reduce Kale Heniatus’s Black Castle to dust and rubble.”

Kale extended one arm outward in a sweeping gesture.

“With the warriors of our Endable Kingdom at my side.”

Behind Count Mok and Kale, countless warriors stood arrayed in formation.

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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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