Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 577

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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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A sharp gasp.
Alberu drew in a breath and jolted upright on the sofa.
He could see the person watching him.

“…Kaige?”
“Yes, Your Highness. It is I.”

Across from the sofa where Alberu reclined, Jack and Kaige fixed him with tense, searching gazes.
Alberu slowly surveyed his surroundings.

“…This is maddening.”

Jack and Kaige flinched at the curse that tumbled from his lips the moment he woke, but Alberu had no mind to regard them.

He had been fighting.
Moments before, he had been locked within the body of that monster called the Dark Tiger, biting and clawing at everything in sight, and then—in an instant—his eyes opened and he found himself back here.

Sunlight filtered through the gap in the tent’s entrance.
It was a crimson light.
Kaige spoke softly.

“It is evening, Your Highness.”
“So much time has already passed.”

Alberu murmured to himself, calculating.

“…Two times? Three times over?”
“Your Highness?”
“Never mind.”

He shook his head at Kaige. Yet in the next moment, Alberu caught the curiosity gleaming in the eyes of the two priests watching him.

‘They must be wondering about Kale Heniatus and Choi Han’s condition.’

Alberu glanced down at his abdomen.
A communication crystal lay there, its surface divided evenly between black and white.
His mouth opened.

“Has anything else happened while I was away?”
“No. Thanks to you preparing everything in advance and getting some rest, there haven’t been any emergency communications.”
“That’s a relief.”

Kaige and Jack carefully observed Alberu’s appearance as he answered so calmly.

The person seemed composed, but his entire body was drenched in cold sweat.
Because of this, Kaige wondered if she should wake Alberu before the time he had mentioned.
However, the two of them simply watched quietly, as everything else appeared peaceful aside from the cold sweat he was shedding.

“…Your Highness. Regarding the details of the transaction—”
“Wait.”

He held up his hand to stop Kaige, who had opened her mouth to speak.
The two Priests sitting across from them might not have noticed, but a faint reddish glow from the sunset was seeping in through the tent entrance behind their sofa.

The meaning was simple.

“Please come in, Raon.”

Though unseen, the tent flap lifted slightly.

Meow—meow.
Meow!

Two cats entered first, and as the tent entrance closed behind them, the figure of a young Black Dragon gradually came into view.

“Crown Prince!”
“Yes, Raon.”

Raon, On, and Hong.
These three would occasionally signal whether they could enter Alberu’s tent by slightly lifting the tent flap at its entrance.

Though Ron and Vicross were supposedly looking after the three, they were also quite busy reorganizing the Molan Family and maintaining their current position here.
Perhaps because of that.
Or perhaps because of cookies.
Or perhaps because they wanted to hear news about Kale and Choi Han.
These three would visit Alberu from time to time.

“Your Highness! Where does it hurt?”
“You shouldn’t be in pain!”
“…I think it’s just because I haven’t been able to rest properly.”

These three didn’t find Alberu particularly intimidating.
Perhaps it was because they had seen him frequently since childhood.

‘No, that’s not it. They must be mimicking Kale Heniatus.’

Since Kale Heniatus behaved so irreverently, these three were simply copying him.
The corners of Alberu’s mouth lifted slightly.

“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Raon. In fact, I’m in excellent condition.”

Watching the Young Dragon and the young Cat-Human Race soldiers relax at my reassurance, I fell into brief contemplation.

‘Should I tell them, or should I stay silent?’

Whether to speak of Kale Heniatus and Choi Han, or to remain quiet. I deliberated.
But that deliberation didn’t last long.

‘Your Highness. No, brother.’
‘Why?’

A brief exchange from when Kale Heniatus had ridden on my back came to mind.

‘You’ll be coming and going from now on, won’t you?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Then instead of telling them everything, could you just give them brief updates? Keep it positive, you know? It’s an easy request, right?’
‘…Damn bastard. That’s a difficult task.’

My mouth opened.

“I recently made a deal with the Sun God Cult, and in exchange, I’ve gained the ability to communicate with Kale Heniatus through video transmission from time to time.”

Raon’s round eyes widened in surprise.
Hong’s front paw, which had been reaching toward the cookie basket, froze, and On stiffened as she stared at Alberu.
Saint Jack hastily opened his mouth at the sight.

“Your Highness, if you speak of such news so freely—”
“It’s fine to tell them.”

Alberu answered firmly.

“Because I’m doing well.”

Both his expression and tone were resolute and composed.
Perhaps that was why.

“And Raon, On, and Hong—he asked how you all were doing. Whether you were eating well.”

The three nine-year-olds gathered together, and their faces brightened considerably.
Similarly, Kaige’s face brightened as she spoke to Alberu.

“Are you truly certain you’re alright, Your Highness?”
“Yes. There’s no need to worry.”

A small smile played at the corners of his mouth as he answered without hesitation.
Everyone’s expressions brightened at Alberu’s gentle demeanor.

“Crown Prince, Crown Prince!”
“Yes, Raon.”
“Can I tell Grandfather Ron and Vicross?”

Alberu nodded lightly.

“Yes. However, please tell only Ron Mollan first, then bring Vicross and Ron here immediately. I need to explain things to them myself.”
“Understood!”
“And please don’t tell anyone else yet. I’ll call everyone separately and explain everything.”
“Got it, Crown Prince!”

Raon looked at On, and On nodded before leading Hong and Raon quickly toward the tent entrance.
But then On suddenly stopped, turned back, and bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Alberu’s eyes widened slightly.
I’d always heard him speak with that particular speech pattern, thinking it was just a habit, but now he looked quite dignified.

“Ah! I’m grateful too, Crown Prince!”
“I’m thankful! I’ll repay you for this!”

Seeing Raon and Hong greet him in turn, Alberu responded lightly.

“Well, this much is nothing special.”

At those words, the group with an average age of nine rushed out of the tent entrance with renewed determination, looking delighted to finally have a mission assigned to them. It seemed they hadn’t been this excited in a long time.
Alberu watched them go quietly, then turned his gaze toward Kaige and Saint Jack.

“I’d like the two of you to bring some people here as well.”
“Ah, yes!”

Saint Jack stood up hastily from his seat. His expression was bright.
Kaige’s expression, on the other hand, had been bright until just moments ago, but now it seemed slightly complicated.

“…Who should I bring?”

At her question, Alberu opened his mouth.

“I’d appreciate it if you could fetch Rosalind. And if I may ask the Saint—would you mind bringing your sister?”
“Yes, of course! I’ll go fetch Hana right away.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. It seems we all need to have a meeting together after all this time.”

At Alberu’s words, Saint Jack gave a slight bow to Kaige and Alberu with a bright expression, then headed out of the tent.
Kaige followed slowly behind him. But as Jack left the tent, instead of following him out, she grasped the tent flap and looked back at Alberu.

“Your Highness.”

Kaige hesitated before opening her mouth.

“Since I’ve traveled around quite a bit, I think my intuition has gotten rather sharp? So what I’m saying is, truly—”

She couldn’t bring herself to continue speaking.
She wanted to ask.

‘Is Young Master Kale Heniatus truly alright? His expression seems rather forced.’

But she couldn’t ask.
Alberu spoke first on behalf of Kaige, who couldn’t find her words.

“They’re fine.”

At his understated words, Kaige closed her mouth that had been hesitating. Instead, she offered a bow and stepped out of the tent.

“I’ll bring Rosalind right away.”

With Kaige gone from the tent, Alberu now stood alone inside.

A long exhale escaped him.

Alberu wiped his face with both hands.
He felt the strands of his hair, still damp with cold sweat that hadn’t yet dried.
As his face twisted at the discomfort, Kale Heniatus’s words echoed in his mind once more.

‘Then perhaps you could simply give a brief greeting without going into everything. Keep it light, yes? It’s an easy request, isn’t it?’

Keep it light.
Those words kept replaying in his mind.

“Damn bastard. Dumping the difficult work on me.”

Alberu’s contorted expression showed no sign of easing.

Keep it light, he says?

“How is that even possible?”

Alberu recalled the battlefield from moments ago, that night.

Flames and explosions.
A night where madness ran rampant.

The two figures at the center of it all came to mind, and Alberu’s furrowed brow refused to relax.

* * *

Park Jin-tae raised his voice.

“Hey, Kim Rok-soo!”
“What?”

Park Jin-tae’s face twisted at Kale’s curt reply.

“Ah, that bastard’s completely stopped talking now, just completely.”

Yet immediately after, he raised his voice again, shouting loud enough for Kim Rok-soo to hear.

“Hey! You, your older brother is acting strange!”

At those words, Kale barely managed to glance back over his shoulder.
The Dark Tiger’s face appeared vacant somehow. In that moment, their eyes met—Kale’s and the Dark Tiger’s—and Kale spoke.

“Knock them down indiscriminately!”

In an instant, light flickered across the Dark Tiger’s pupils, and without a word, the beast moved its massive body.

“Park Jin-tae! You fight too!”
“Ah, anyone watching would think I’m resting! How hard I’m working—!”

But Kale had already turned his head back, resuming combat.

“Damn it!”

At the sight, Park Jin-tae scrunched his face while adjusting the gun in his grip.
His fingers trembled faintly.
His entire body was covered in countless small wounds, blood trickling down in places.

“I’m frustrated. I’m so frustrated!”

It was still dark.
The sun had not yet risen.

Instead, the stench of blood filled every direction.
No, that wasn’t quite right.
The foul bodily fluids of monsters flowed from all around.

Crash—!

He turned his gaze.

“What are you doing?”

Kim Min-ah rushed past him.
Park Jin-tae looked to the side.
Kim Min-ah had pierced through a monster that was trying to ambush Park Jin-tae from the side with her spear.

A Grade 1 monster.
A snake-headed giant—the very creature from which Kim Min-ah had learned how to fight from Kale Heniatus before.

“…Damn, it’s strong.”
“Strength is always considerable.”

Kim Min-ah left a remark as she passed Park Jin-tae.

“It’s just that I learned how to fight properly this time. The same applies to you, doesn’t it?”

She was right.
Park Jin-tae had also learned and awakened to this truth through proper training.

Though chaos, blood, and madness engulfed every direction.
He felt it.

‘…Humans can win!’

With each Grade 1 monster they eliminated according to Kim Rok-soo’s data, their momentum accelerated further.
Especially those designated as attackers by Kim Rok-soo were increasingly sensing their own ‘potential’.

We are growing, unlike those monsters.

This is worth attempting.
We can absolutely win.

That’s why they couldn’t stop.

No matter how cursedly long this night stretched on.
No one could stop.

Park Jin-tae’s finger pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet flew and struck the monster’s eye.
After the Cataclysm, after the awakening of abilities. Somehow, the original marksmanship skills that had receded were now resurfacing.

Boom—!

At the thunderous sound, Park Jin-tae turned his gaze.

“Krraaah!”
“Krr, krrr!”

Monsters collapsed, and through the gaps, a shimmering black light surged upward.
Though quite distant, that sight was clearly visible even in the darkness.
It had to be.
Beside the shimmering black light was someone wrapped in golden electricity.
And the one dressed entirely in white was illuminated by that electric glow, as Joo Ho-sik clasped both hands together.

“I believe in you!”

Insane!
Park Jin-tae laughed and cursed at that voice.
Those three people. No, two people.
Choi Han and Kim Rok-soo.

The two of them fighting was clearly visible from anywhere.
Because of that golden electricity.

On this battlefield where 2nd, 3rd, and even 1st-grade monsters were rampaging, they stood out far too much.

That’s why they couldn’t stop.

And Kale couldn’t stop either.
Because I knew that everyone around us was watching both me and Choi Han.

“Huff—huff. How much time has passed?”

Behind us, Joo Ho-sik’s breathless voice reached my ears.
Joo Ho-sik, who had been continuously shouting “I believe in you,” somehow managed to stay close to Choi Han and me, providing us with tremendous support.

Kale had a watch on his wrist.

“I couldn’t tell you.”

But there was no time to look at that watch.

“Graaaaaah!”

I moved my body as I saw three Grade 1 monsters rushing at me.

Two meters to the left, backward step toward the five o’clock direction.
And toward the front—lightning.

Crack!
A small golden bolt of lightning struck the monster’s body.

Slash, slash.
And Choi Han’s sword cut down the other two Grade 1 monsters.

“Are you alright?”

Choi Han asked, and Kale Heniatus answered with a smile.

“Catch your breath first before you speak.”

Choi Han’s breathing had been gradually becoming more ragged for a while now.

“Your condition is far worse, hyung.”

But Choi Han stepped in front of Kale, turning his back to prevent me from advancing.

Choi Han’s words were correct.
Kale Heniatus felt that his condition was quite a mess.
Both of his hands trembled slightly. Dried blood stained the corners of his mouth.

His complexion had grown pale.

‘Still, I can hold on.’

I wasn’t losing consciousness.

‘It’s thanks to Joo Ho-sik.’

Joo Ho-sik’s ‘faith’ mysteriously amplified both my Ancient Powers and Choi Han’s aura.
Or rather, for some reason, Joo Ho-sik’s power provided even greater support to Kale Heniatus and Choi Han.

‘Does Joo Ho-sik trust me and Choi Han more?’

Joo Ho-sik’s power varied depending on the strength of his faith.

‘Why?’

Why was that the case?
Though filled with questions, Kale Heniatus focused his attention on his surroundings rather than dwelling on such thoughts.

I could hear it.
The wails of monsters.

But they were noticeably fewer than before.

Flames and explosions had brought down a considerable number of Grade 2 and Grade 3 monsters, and the Grade 1 monsters, caught off guard while resting, floundered due to their massive bodies before suffering significant damage from the humans’ precise strikes at their weak points.

This ambush had been successful.

But there were too many.
Monsters kept appearing no matter how many we cut down.

Especially the Grade 2 and Grade 3 monsters, strengthened 1.5 times by their madness, were difficult to handle.
Consumed by frenzy, they charged forward despite being wounded—wounds that would normally cause fear, collapse, and retreat.
If only that madness would stop, things would be much easier.

“Haah.”

Kale Heniatus exhaled and contemplated.

When.
When would the sun rise?

If only the sun would come up.

Then humans would cease to be prey and become hunters instead.

Kale Heniatus recalled Joo Ho-sik, who had first asked him about time, and Park Jin-tae, whose eyes had grown vacant.
And he felt the people’s attacks growing increasingly sluggish.

Even as those he had drawn into this assault grew rapidly stronger and displayed their prowess.

Those people were tiring.
Their strength was waning.
It was inevitable.
They had never experienced prolonged combat like this before.

But they could not afford to grow weary yet.

“Choi Han.”
“Yes.”
“The Black Dragon. Can you manage once more?”

Unlike the glittering black aura that Choi Han wielded, the Black Dragon demanded considerable power from him. For that reason, he had been fighting using his aura until now.

But Kale Heniatus read the atmosphere of the battlefield.

When the people began to tire.

“Yes. It is possible.”
“Then I ask of you.”

He needed to demonstrate the might of his allies.

“Phew.”

Choi Han exhaled briefly, then raised his sword toward the sky.
Black auras gathered around his blade, gradually taking on the form of the Black Dragon.

“Joo Ho-sik. Please use your ability for me.”

Choi Han hesitated at Kale Heniatus’s words, but he could not break his concentration and remained still.
With Joo Ho-sik’s cry, I drew in the Destructive Fire with both hands.
I felt the Destructive Fire greatly amplified by Joo Ho-sik’s ability.

If I swept it out once together with Choi Han.

Then even a considerable number of Grade 1 monsters would retreat, and our forces would gain strength.

With such thoughts, I gazed at the tip of Choi Han’s sword pointed toward the sky.
The Black Dragon would soon open its maw and pour forth onto the battlefield from there.

And the moment I lifted my head.

“…Ah.”

My mouth fell open.
I reached out and grasped Choi Han’s shoulder.

“…Brother?”

When Choi Han hesitated at that action, I blurted out.

“The sun is rising.”

The night sky was gradually brightening.
Night was passing, and dawn was arriving.

“We made it.”

I spoke.

“We’ve passed the crisis.”

I saw the traces of the fierce battle from the night before.

As dawn broke and the world grew brighter, I could see the Grade 2 and 3 monsters—those whose madness faded with the light—beginning to lose their frenzy.
Weakened Grade 2 and 3 monsters began creeping backward, retreating cautiously.

It was written in the historical records I remembered.

Once night passed, the Grade 2 and 3 monsters would lose their madness and cease their assault on the Central Shelter.
Now it was the Grade 1 monsters’ turn—they could no longer attack.
It was a common pattern observed in every initial assault on the Central Shelter.

My gaze fell upon the Grade 1 monsters.
Many Grade 1 monsters still remained alive.
Yet countless Grade 1 monsters lay dead, casualties of the chaos wrought by the maddened Grade 2 and 3 creatures, the humans, the alpha monsters, and the flames and explosions that consumed everything.

And then.
Park Jin-tae, Kim Min-ah, Bae Pureun, Bae Chul-ho, Chae Su-jung—and others.
One by one, the faces of those around me came into focus.
They all looked exhausted.
As they gazed at the brightening sky, they turned their eyes toward me.

I offered them a smile.

A smile that conveyed our survival, our victory.
And I spoke.

“Let’s finish this and move to our new home.”

The people laughed, their trembling hands gripping their weapons tightly.

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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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