Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 587

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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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Alberu felt a peculiar sensation—fingers poking at his cheeks in quick, deliberate jabs.
Slowly, his eyelids lifted, and his gaze found the source of that annoying touch.

“Hey! He’s actually waking up when we poke him!”
“Your Highness!”

The culprits were Raon and Hong.
Increasingly, these two resembled Kale Heniatus in their behavior, treating him as if he were some uncle from next door.

He wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

“Hmm.”

But then Alberu’s gaze fell upon the figure seated directly beside him—right next to the bed—and he swallowed a short sound.

‘The more I observe…’

Ron Mollan sat quietly, watching him with an unwavering stare.

‘…the more menacing he appears.’

Even when Ron had served as Kale Heniatus’s attendant, Alberu had sensed something extraordinary about him. But once he learned that Ron was the patriarch of the Molan Family—the most dominant of the five great houses that once ruled the Eastern Continent’s underworld—that formidable nature suddenly made perfect sense.

Yet the more time passed, the more he interacted with him…
There was something subtly lethal about this man.

“Have you awakened, sir?”

Ron asked with a benevolent smile, yet something about it made Alberu uneasy.
Alberu accepted the cup of water Ron offered and opened his mouth to speak.

“There’s no need for the patriarch of the Molan Family to keep watch like this.”

He added one more thing.

“Especially not the young patriarch.”

Ron stood beside the bed, while Vicross positioned himself at the head of it.
Ron shook his head slightly.

“No, sir. At this hour, you are in a defenseless state, so someone must keep watch regardless. And.”

Ron smiled.

“If someone must stand guard over a matter requiring secrecy, wouldn’t it be best to have someone discreet? Of course, I shall withdraw my child from now on.”

Vicross, standing at the head of the bed with On cradled in his arms, shook his head.

“I refuse, Father. I too shall remain by his side.”
“So that is your wish, sir.”

In that moment, Alberu found himself thinking.

‘How absurd.’

Protecting me?
Discreet vigilance?
Who could possibly fail to see through such pretense?

Alberu let out a quiet chuckle.

‘They care nothing for my protection—they simply hunger for news of Kale Heniatus and Choi Han.’

With that understanding, I spoke, addressing the Cat Tribe Soldiers surrounding me, the Black Dragon, and the Molan father and son.

“Both are doing well. So far, neither has collapsed, lost consciousness, nor suffered any grave injuries.”

The faces of the children, averaging nine years old, brightened instantly.

“Hehe! Then I’m off to eat! Humans need to have their meals on time!”
“I need to eat a lot to grow big!”

Hong and Raon departed from Alberu’s side without hesitation, heading out of the tent.
On then leaped from Vicross’s embrace and followed after them, glancing back at Vicross.
The other children looked back in turn.

“…Hmm.”

Vicross hesitated under that gaze before finally walking toward the tent entrance as well.

“I’ll go feed the children.”

Vicross brushed off some fur clinging to his clothes and stepped outside, followed by the group of nine-year-olds trailing behind him.
As a result, only Ron and Alberu remained inside the tent.

Ron’s lips slowly parted.

“Your Highness. Do you truly intend to say nothing about it?”
“About what?”

Ron’s lips curved upward slightly as he watched Alberu feign ignorance.

“The contents of the trial, of course. You’ve only mentioned that you can communicate with the young master and Choi Han through dreams and that things are going well, without providing any detailed explanation. It’s quite unbearable not knowing.”

Ron fixed his gaze on Alberu, and Alberu met it in return.

After first becoming the Dark Tiger and waking from sleep, Alberu had summoned those who could be called Kale’s inner circle.

And he had only told them that he could communicate with Kale and Choi Han through dreams.

Alberu regarded Ron quietly before opening his mouth.
His voice emerged quite coldly.

“Suppress your curiosity.”

Ron’s benevolent smile deepened.

“However.”

At that moment, Alberu added to his words.

“Kale is doing quite well, working hard. I can say that much with certainty.”

The gentle smile vanished.
Instead, Ron’s eyes—now cold and expressionless—studied Alberu with measured intensity.
Then, just as quickly, his kind smile returned as he spoke.

“It appears the Eastern Continent kingdoms will join hands with the White Star.”

Alberu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“…You have no intention of negotiating with us?”
“Correct. All kingdoms except the Molden Kingdom are expected to sequentially align with the White Star, and those already allied have begun expelling the Mercenary Guild from their territories.”

Alberu’s expression was one of utter exasperation.

“This is absurd. When we discussed the Molden Kingdom, things certainly seemed different.”

Elysnet I of the Molden Kingdom.
Because of her—the White Star’s subordinate and an Illusionist—Kale and the Elves had infiltrated the Molden Kingdom and engaged in battle.
Sophies, Elysnet I’s younger sister, was meant to succeed her.

Alberu had personally stepped forward to discuss all these matters with the Eastern Continent kingdoms, and they had all agreed with his position.

‘They weren’t allies, but I thought they would at least cooperate!’

Yet when Alberu began encircling the Demon Realm Gate Sinkhole and initiated conflict with the White Star, the Eastern Continent kingdoms’ response shifted dramatically.

One by one, they began extending their hands to the White Star.

‘What is happening?’

Why had the Eastern Continent kingdoms suddenly turned to the White Star?
Except for the Molden Kingdom, where Sophies held power, they had all turned their backs on the Roan Kingdom—on Alberu.

‘If this continues, even when Kale returns, fighting the White Star on the Eastern Continent will become impossible.’

No—it wouldn’t merely become difficult. Rather, Kale, the Mercenary Guild, the Molan Family, and the Western Continent kingdoms would become invaders sowing chaos on Eastern Continent soil.

Ron spoke quietly.

“We may need to withdraw from this location soon.”

These forces stationed near the Gate of the Demon Realm might have to withdraw due to pressure from the Eastern Continent kingdoms.
Alberu’s lips parted.

“What about infiltration?”

Ron answered without hesitation.

“We are currently attempting infiltration by dispatching Molan Family informants to the royal palaces or headquarters mansions of each kingdom.”

Alberu’s side had no intention of simply accepting the pressure that was coming their way.

The reason for supporting the White Star.
Judging that they needed to understand this, Molan Family informants and assassins were currently spreading discreetly across the Eastern Continent, working to uncover information.

Furthermore.

“…Has there been any contact from the Whale Tribe while I was asleep?”
“Not yet.”
“I see.”

Alberu was working to shake the board through discussions with Western Continent kingdoms and various races.
He paused in thought before speaking.

“What about Rosalind?”
“I heard she is currently progressing well with Western Continent affairs alongside Merry.”

Alberu hesitated before speaking.

“…Has there been any contact from Erhafen?”

Before falling asleep this time, he had been asked one thing by Kale.

“No. There hasn’t been. Perhaps contact will come in about an hour.”

Currently at that Demon Realm Gate Sinkhole.
Erhafen, hidden in the Endable Kingdom Capital.

‘Your Highness.’
‘Why?’
‘You have a video call with Erhafen once a day?’
‘That’s right. We need to exchange information about our situations.’
‘Then please convey one thing for me.’
‘What is it?’

Kale Heniatus spoke with a rather serious expression.

‘Please tell him not to overexert himself and to stay alive until I return.’

Alberu opened his mouth.

“Have Erhafen contact me directly when he calls.”
“Yes, understood, Your Highness.”

A brief silence settled over the tent, and soon Ron rose from his seat, heading toward the entrance.
Likely to relay what Alberu had said.

“And—”

Ron stopped at the sound of Alberu’s voice.
Then Alberu recalled another request Kale Heniatus had made.

“How is the gathering of all information regarding the ancient gods and deities progressing?”
“Currently, the Saint, Kaige, and Marquis Taylor Sten are taking the lead in collecting the information.”
“I see.”
“Yes. Then I shall take my leave.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be leaving soon as well.”

Ron silently exited the tent, leaving Alberu alone.
He sat quietly on the bed, recalling what Kale Heniatus had said.

‘About the sealed god.’
‘Yes.’
‘Please gather information about it.’
‘Why?’
‘Something feels off about this world.’
‘What feels off?’

Kale, in Kim Rok-soo’s form, spoke softly to himself.

‘The God of Death flowed past Choi Han like that, or so I’ve heard.’

Alberu caught the peculiar glimmer in Kale’s eyes.
Kale spoke quietly but with unmistakable force.

‘A sealed god lacks the ability to return to the past, but possesses the skill to pry open another dimension and slip through.’

The corners of Kale’s mouth lifted.

‘But here’s the thing.’

His next words struck Alberu’s ears with considerable weight.

‘Would a god speak meaningless words as it flowed past?’

Alberu’s mouth opened.

“No.”

A god could not speak meaningless words.
Though the god’s true intentions remained unknowable.
Whatever was said would serve as a clue.

“And.”

Alberu recalled the world he had witnessed as the Dark Tiger.
No matter how much he examined it.

“That world isn’t an illusion.”

It was far too intricate to be mere illusion.

‘And all those people struggling to survive—’

Alberu murmured softly.

“…they can’t all be fake.”

Not everyone striving to survive could possibly be fake.
Alberu thought to himself.
Because of this, his mind grew increasingly complicated.

* * *

“Is this the Training Ground?”
“That it is!”

At Kale’s question, Kang the Healer nodded hurriedly.
Unlike the composed Kale, Kang the Healer was visibly flustered.
That was when it happened.

BOOM!
A tremendous crash echoed through the air.
Kang the Healer jumped in alarm and opened his mouth.

“I told everyone not to enter. This must be—”

The Elderly Man looked between Kale and Choi Han anxiously.
Kale kept his gaze fixed on the door ahead, ignoring the old man’s stare.

The iron door leading to the indoor Training Ground was quite heavy and sturdy-looking.

“Should I open it?”

At Choi Han’s question, Kale gave a casual nod.
Kang the Healer couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the composed demeanor of both Choi Han and Kale.
He had summoned these two specifically to avoid making an enemy of Kale’s faction, yet their reaction was far different from what he had anticipated.

Creeeeak—
The door opened easily.
A massive indoor Training Ground with a high ceiling came into view.

That was when—

CRASH!

An even louder explosion accompanied a figure being hurled into the Training Ground wall before their eyes.

“Cough!”

A groan escaped the lips of the man who had crashed into the wall and tumbled to the floor.
At that moment, the perpetrator who had sent him flying opened his mouth.

“Jin-tae.”

It was Lee Soo-hyuk.
And the one who had struck the wall and fallen to the ground was Park Jin-tae.

“Gasp, huff.”

From a corner of the training ground, I could see Lee Chul-min’s ashen face as he breathed heavily.
But I didn’t linger on that sight for long.
My gaze shifted toward Lee Soo-hyuk.

Lee Soo-hyuk’s sword lay in one corner of the training ground, and he stood watching Park Jin-tae with gloved hands.
Though he surely knew that I, Choi Han, and Kang the Healer had entered, Lee Soo-hyuk didn’t spare us a single glance.
Instead, he opened his mouth again.

“Jin-tae. You need to get up.”

He slowly approached Park Jin-tae.
Park Jin-tae was gradually rising to his feet. His hands and legs trembled slightly.
Unlike him, Lee Soo-hyuk, who appeared unscathed, asked quietly.

“Your older brother is teaching you a lesson after so long. Jin-tae, do you hate it?”

In that instant, my eyes met Park Jin-tae’s.
Park Jin-tae averted his gaze from mine and straightened his body.

“Ugh, spit!”

He spat out the blood filling his mouth, then straightened his posture and spoke to Lee Soo-hyuk.

“Who said I hated it?”

Only then did Lee Soo-hyuk smile and nod.

“That’s right, Jin-tae. That’s how it should be.”

Then he turned to look at me and spoke.

“Rok-soo, Hana. Close the door.”

Lee Soo-hyuk was no longer smiling.

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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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