Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 549

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Count Mok could not believe what his eyes beheld, even as he witnessed it with his own gaze.

‘How in the world did this happen?’

His mind went blank in that instant.

Choi Han—the one they had said was not in the Black Castle—had appeared.
That alone was shocking enough, but a man named Bob, supposedly a loyal subordinate of Prince Nar, was now gripping his throat.

Only one thought crystallized in his mind.

“Ugh… a be…trayal?”

Had the vampires joined hands with Kale Heniatus?
There was no other explanation for it.
The moment those words barely escaped his lips, Count Mok felt his entire body bristle with dread.

‘The mana sphere!’

If the vampires had betrayed them!
If they had allied with Kale Heniatus!
Then it was clear as day where that colossal mana sphere would be directed.

Whoooooosh—
And the mana sphere slowly advanced toward the Black Castle.
Simultaneously, the presence that had been concealed behind that massive sphere revealed itself.

‘…The Black Dragon!’

Kale Heniatus’s Black Dragon emerged from behind the mana sphere, where it had been hiding.

“…Ah.”

Count Mok’s mind reeled in that moment.
Choi Han and the Black Dragon meant one thing.
Kale Heniatus must surely be here as well.

“W-what—”

His throat was seized, and he couldn’t form words properly.
But the one gripping his neck spoke the very words he’d been struggling to say, calmly and deliberately.

“How was such a thing even possible?”

Count Mok’s eyes, which had been fixed on Choi Han, slowly shifted toward Bob, who held his throat in an iron grip.
Mok’s gaze demanded an answer—an explanation of what was happening, delivered at once.
To that silent plea, Alberu responded with measured calm.

“Why would someone like you need to know such things?”

In that instant, Mok felt as though Bob stood not beneath him, but towering above, looking down.
It was that distinctive oppressive aura he’d felt when facing the White Star.

Why was he experiencing such overwhelming pressure from a mere informant?

Then Mok’s body was hurled skyward.

Gasp!
Only after several minutes could he finally draw breath with any semblance of ease.

“Ugh!”

Yet groans still tore from his lips.

Whoooosh—
Chains of wind materialized, binding his body.

Boom!
An explosion erupted where Count Mok and the informant Bob had stood.

‘Damn!’

Witnessing the blast, Choi Han instinctively altered course, abandoning the original plan to move toward Alberu.
Simultaneously, his gaze turned razor-sharp upon those who had launched the attack that triggered the explosion.

“Change targets!”

A Dark Elf rose from his seat and pointed at Choi Han.
From the moment Bob seized Count Mok by the throat, several Dark Elves had been secretly preparing an ambush.
And that attack immediately targeted Alberu, followed by an explosion.

Whoosh.
Black arrows that materialized from nowhere aimed at Choi Han.

“Save the Count!”

Simultaneously, several Dark Elves launched themselves skyward.
Wind coiled around their feet.

“Count Mok!”

One of the Dark Elves who had soared upward approached Count Mok.

“I’ll free you at once!”

Now that his throat was liberated, Count Mok’s face twisted.

“It’s not over yet!”
“What?”

In that instant, the Dark Elves soaring through the air heard the spirits’ cries of warning.
Whooom— whooom—
The spirits that had conjured the wind beneath the Dark Elves’ feet issued a warning.
Look below.
The Dark Elves’ gazes turned downward.

Where the dust that had blanketed the area with the explosion had dissipated.
There, a masked Dark Elf aimed an enormous spear toward them.

“…Magic!”

When the Dark Elves gasped in astonishment at the colossal spear conjured by magic.

“Go.”

That spear hurtled toward the Dark Elves.

“Dodge!”

The Dark Elves swiftly scattered from Count Mok’s side.

“Ugh!”

Count Mok felt the electric current rippling behind his back.
Crackle. Snap.
A spear of light halted just below Count Mok’s back.

“If you approach Count Mok’s side even once more, his body will be engulfed in electrical current.”

At Alberu’s words, the Dark Elves dared not approach Count Mok again, bound as he was in chains.

“Furthermore, stop dispersing your spirits. Do you think I cannot sense their movements?”

The Dark Elves could not discern whether Alberu’s words were truth or falsehood.
However, since even a half-blood with Dark Elf blood running through their veins was likely to speak truthfully, the Dark Elves could not disperse the spirits throughout the entire forest as Count Mok had originally commanded.

“I cannot afford to let my guard down.”

Only then did Alberu wave his hand, sweeping away the dust around him.
At this sight, a Dark Elf who had issued several attack orders ground his teeth and glared at him.

“You possess Dark Elf blood yet attack your own kind! How could you betray your brethren!”
“Ha, honestly.”

Alberu shook his head slowly.

“You are not worth speaking to.”
“What?”

Alberu ignored the Dark Elf.

‘Attack my own kind?’

How many times had the Dark Elves under the White Star and those under Kale Heniatus clashed?
Why had Count Mok and these Dark Elves remained silent and served under the White Star all this time?

‘Whether they were Dark Elves or not didn’t matter. What mattered was that each of us wanted different things.’

Alberu said nothing more.
Clang!
Instead, Choi Han drew his sword and took his place beside Alberu.
The Dark Elf’s brow furrowed at the sight.

“Ha! So human blood runs through your veins, and you betray your own kind!”

For the first time, Alberu’s brow furrowed beneath his mask.

“Tsk.”

Alberu clicked his tongue and fixed his gaze upon the Dark Elves before him.
He felt their hostility. Before that malice, Alberu moved according to what he thought, what he desired.

“Step out of line, and your master dies.”

Even the Dark Elf who had opposed Alberu fell silent at those emotionless words.
They were the words of someone who would truly dare to do such a thing.

It was then.

“Let’s negotiate!”

Mok cried out as if strangling his own throat.

“Hmm?”

Alberu lifted his head with an expression of surprise, looking toward Mok in the air.
Mok ignored Alberu’s gaze, twisted his body, and spoke while looking at Choi Han.

“You won’t destroy your own home. That dragon won’t use mana explosions. It can’t lay waste to this entire area.”

Choi Han’s brow furrowed.
At that sight, the eyes of the Elderly Dark Elf Mok gleamed for a moment.

‘My instincts were correct after all.’

That massive mana creature and the Black Dragon.
There’s no way they would actually attack this place.
The shockwave would reach the Black Castle and its surroundings.

‘Then in the end, there’s no need to fear that mana creature.’

Mok’s mind cleared.

‘There’s still a chance.’

The Vampire’s betrayal was a sharp blade, but not yet a fatal wound.

‘Group 1 and Group 2 remain.’

My allies in the North and East were still intact.

‘I should propose negotiations and watch for an opening.’

And when the opportunity came, I could overturn this situation once more.
Mok opened his mouth immediately.

“Choi Han. Tell Kale Heniatus that I wish to negotiate. Surely you don’t want to fight us in front of your own territory either?”

He continued, his gaze fixed on Choi Han.

“No matter how strong you are, if we clash, there will inevitably be casualties. And once we begin fighting, we will see it through to the bitter end.”

And so, in the end, the area before this Black Castle would be reduced to chaos.
Mok looked at Choi Han with that meaning embedded in his words.
Choi Han responded to him.

“…Continue.”

At this gesture to hear him out, Mok opened his mouth again.

“Vampire.”

At that word, rustling sounds echoed from the forest to the west.
Mok ignored this and continued speaking.

“If you allow us to handle the Vampires alone, we shall withdraw.”
“…The Vampires have agreed to cooperate with us.”
“They betrayed us and joined hands with you. Why do you insist on embracing such traitors and fighting to the bitter end?”

That was the moment.

“Count Mok! What nonsense are you spouting?”

Western Forest.
Solena stepped forward from the forest where Group 3 was stationed.
Count Mok’s lips twisted. Solena, who served Nar directly while also being Duke Fredo’s loyal subordinate—her appearance caused Mok to open his mouth once more.

“Nonsense? What do you mean! We are simply demanding peaceful negotiations!”

His gaze turned toward Choi Han.

“Choi Han. Think about it. If we negotiate, wouldn’t it be advantageous for you?”
“That’s true. There would be no need to fight.”
“Exactly! And from now on, all of us, including the Dark Elves, will cooperate with you.”

Even as Mok spoke, his heart pounded with excitement.

‘The more I think about this, the more profitable it could become.’

If I exploit this situation well, I can gain considerable advantage between Kale Heniatus and the White Star.

First, I’ll get through this situation, pretend to cooperate with Kale Heniatus, and then reveal everything to the White Star!

‘And if I also expose Duke Fredo’s betrayal! If I take that vacant Duke’s seat…!’

Could there be a more beautiful ending than this?
Mok commanded his subordinates.

“Lower your arrows at once! Cease the attack!”

The arrows aimed at Choi Han vanished in an instant.
And the Dark Elves quietly dampened their momentum, gauging Mok’s intentions.

“Choi Han. I speak with sincerity.”

Count Mok turned to face Choi Han with a serious yet sincere expression.
He genuinely wished to negotiate.

Choi Han fell silent for a moment, then lifted his gaze toward the Black Dragon.
The Black Dragon descended from the mana sphere, drawing closer before placing his mouth near Choi Han’s ear.
He spoke through magic.

-Choi Han! The human said you shouldn’t act—just relay his words exactly as he speaks them!

Raon conveyed Kale Heniatus’s message, and Choi Han finally opened his mouth.

“Very well. Summon all the representatives.”
“Choi Han!”

Solena cried out, but Choi Han gave no response.

-Well done, Choi Han! You didn’t do anything the human told you not to!

Raon praised him, and Alberu’s face twisted as he stepped away from Choi Han.

“There is no one I can trust.”

Alberu raised his guard against Choi Han.
Then Choi Han’s mouth opened once more.

“Kale Heniatus said he wishes to speak with the Vampire representative as well. He asks that all representatives gather for negotiations.”
“Damn it!”

Solena’s face contorted as she headed toward the Western Forest.

‘Heh heh. So she’s going to fetch that Nar fellow.’

Count Mok smirked and opened his mouth.

“Summon the leaders of Group 1 and Group 2 as well!”
“Understood.”

He watched as Choi Han headed toward the Black Castle’s Main Gate, then turned his gaze to Bob, his informant.

“You’ll release me?”

Bob, the informant, moved his hand.
The spear of light vanished, and Mok descended to the ground.

“I cannot release the chains.”

Yet the chains remained unbroken.

“This insolence—!”

Mok’s face twisted in fury, but inwardly, he was satisfied to have descended to solid ground. He raised his voice.

“Leaders of Groups 1 and 2, come forth! We negotiate!”

Rustle, rustle.
The Eastern and Northern Forests stirred.
Groups 1 and 2, who had been holding their breath in waiting, began to move with visible urgency.
Soon, Group 1’s leader Andrei and Group 2’s leader would emerge.

‘One is a Sword Master, and one is an exceptional assassin.’

Mok’s eyes gleamed with sinister intent.

‘If negotiations falter, I’ll use those two to capture Kale Heniatus.’

When everyone’s guard is down, I’ll take Kale Heniatus hostage.
The plan crystallized ever more vividly in Mok’s mind.

Creeeeak—
The Black Castle Gate swung open wider than before.
Rustle, rustle.
Footsteps echoed as figures emerged from the forest.
Mok felt the picture he was painting come into sharper focus.

‘I’ll turn this around.’

I will overturn this situation without fail.
Mok steeled his resolve and released the tension from his rigid shoulders.

“The representative said everyone must gather, so I have no choice but to go.”

That was when it happened.

‘Huh?’

Count Mok relaxed his guard, only to doubt his own ears.
Thud. Thud.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, Count Mok turned his gaze westward.

“…How—”

He could see a figure emerging from the Western Forest.
The representative who had stepped forward for Group 3’s Vampires.
It should have been Nar Von Izelern.

“Why, why is Duke Fredo—?”
“Why shouldn’t I come out?”

Duke Fredo was approaching, clad in armor.
At that moment, Choi Han was also emerging from outside the castle once more.

“Kugh!”
“Krgh!”

Suppressed groans echoed out.
Count Mok couldn’t bring himself to look toward Choi Han. A chill ran down his spine. Goosebumps threatened to erupt across his entire body.

“…C-Count!”
“My apologies! Krgh!”

Yet he had to turn his gaze toward the voice calling out to him.

“Group Leaders 1 and 2 are here.”

What met his eyes were the Group Leaders of Groups 1 and 2 being transported with their limbs bound, their necks gripped by Choi Han.
The titles of Swordmaster and Assassin seemed laughable in their current state.

Then what were those sounds echoing from the Northern and Eastern Forests?

Count Mok’s gaze swept toward the North and East.

“Hehehehe. Well, I’m a resident too, so I suppose I’ll step forward as a representative.”
“Am I a representative as well?”

Gashan emerged from the North with a hearty laugh. From the East, Rak of the Wolf Tribe approached with a sheepish expression, scratching his head.

“Ah….”

Count Mok felt the blood drain from his entire body.
Yet the most crucial representative had not yet appeared.

“The final representative is coming forward.”

At Choi Han’s voice, Count Mok’s mind conjured the image of Kale Heniatus.
But the voice that reached his ears was unfamiliar.

“You dare covet my home?”

Count Mok turned his gaze toward the woman’s voice.
Above the Black Castle, he could see a woman with flowing white hair rising into the sky.

“How laughable—that you would even entertain the thought of destroying where I dwell.”

Lord Sherit descended to the highest peak of the Black Castle and spread her arms wide.

“Negotiation? I do not negotiate with enemies. I simply crush those who dare to attack.”

Whoooosh—whooosh—
Dozens of white shields began materializing across the sky.
Count Mok’s face drained of all color.

“W-where is Kale Heniatus?”

Without thinking, he glanced toward Choi Han.
But the answer came from another.

“He is—”

Fredo smiled as he recalled what had just transpired.

‘So I’m leaving?’
‘Go well, my son.’

Fredo spoke while observing Count Mok, who appeared to be in a daze.

“He went to our house.”

* * *

“Preparations are complete, young master.”
“Solena. You’re not dressed as a young master anymore, so doesn’t it feel a bit odd to keep calling me that?”
“The title has become habitual, it seems. Kale Heniatus.”

Kale Heniatus nodded at Solena’s words and gazed out the window.

“Quite lively.”

The Endable Capital, vibrant with festival revelry, came into view.

“Erhafen, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
“You too, Rosalind.”
“Of course.”

Erhafen and Rosalind drew their hoods over their faces and approached Kale Heniatus’s side.
A glimmer of light.
The communication crystal in Kale Heniatus’s hand gleamed, and a voice flowed forth.

-All preparations are complete.

Kale Heniatus exchanged a glance with Rosalind, and she approached him to deactivate the communication crystal.
In that moment, Kale Heniatus committed the image to memory.

‘This should suffice.’

Within the crystal’s display were Bud, countless mercenaries, and his comrades from the Molden Kingdom.

“I’ll see you in a moment.”

With Kale Heniatus’s words, the video communication device shut off.

“Let’s go.”

At Kale Heniatus’s command, Solena opened the door to Fredo’s Bedroom.
The second phase of Operation Hunt had begun.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————