Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 623

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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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Chapter 131. Unparalleled in This World

“Choi Han has arrived! He came like he teleported!”
“He just appeared out of nowhere!”

Raon broke into a beaming smile and flapped his wings vigorously.
Though it was merely a flutter.
Hong bounced with joy beside him.

“Welcome.”
“Yes, Kale.”

Choi Han stood before me in the same clothes and appearance as when he had been in that other world just moments ago, offering a gentle smile.
His sudden appearance was identical to how he had materialized in that other realm.

I was curious about what conversation Choi Han had held with the God of Death, but seeing his serene smile and reluctance to elaborate further, I chose not to press the matter.

Instead, I finally took a moment to examine where I was.

‘Hmm?’

I was lying in a grassland.

‘A grass bed?’

Unlike the surrounding area, the grass here had grown unusually verdant, reaching up to an adult’s knee height.

“Human! Do you like the grass bed? Since the Altar displeased us, we laid the Black Sphere upon the grass bed!”

My mouth fell open.

“…I don’t see the Black Sphere.”
“That’s right! We just saw it! The Black Sphere suddenly vanished like dust, and there you were, lying all alone! You looked so pitiful!”
“The Black Sphere disappeared without a trace!”
“It doesn’t look pitiful at all!”

I ignored the chatter of creatures averaging nine years old and surveyed my surroundings.
The Black Sphere was gone.

“What is this now?”

Instead of the Black Sphere, Kale could see numerous translucent barriers enveloping him.

Black, white, gold, and red.
Four colors intertwined, wrapping around me.

“No wonder my vision felt strange.”

Beyond the translucent barrier stood Raon, On, and Hong, with Raon pressing his chubby cheeks against the barrier like a steamed bun.
Hong spun in circles around Choi Han with a goofy grin plastered across his face.
That was when it happened.

“I was wondering if you were alright.”

At the quiet, composed voice, I lowered my gaze.
On stood before the barrier, looking up at me with concern.
Faced with such careful consideration, I answered without the slightest hesitation.

“I’m always fine.”

On’s ears perked up, and Raon cried out enthusiastically.

“I knew it! Humans always say that! Did you smash through all those tests and whatnot?”
“Obviously.”

Admiration bloomed across the face of the average nine-year-old.

“That’s our human for you!”
“Really knows how to smash things!”

On nodded silently, her expression brimming with pride.

I chuckled at the sight of Hong and Raon delighting in my response, with On weaving between them, then turned my attention toward the approaching footsteps.

Ron, Vicross, Erhafen, Lord Sherit, Rosalind, Rak, Merry, and others.
My companions were rushing toward me with joy written across their faces.
Watching the scene unfold, I let out a quiet murmur.

“It really is home.”

My heart stirred inexplicably.
So I rose from the grass bed and walked toward the curtain.
For some reason, I wanted to greet my companions together.
Kale took a light step forward.

“Your Highness!”

Then Rosalind called out to me louder than ever.
A soft smile was forming on Kale’s face at her voice when—
Rosalind shouted with fierce urgency.

“Stop!”

Huh?
Kale froze in place.

“Touch that curtain wrong and you’ll die!”
“…What?”

Erhafen shouted urgently.

“Kale! Stop! Unless you want to die!”

What on earth?
Kale stopped and looked at the large curtains draped in a circle around the grass bed.
He blurted out without thinking.

“What have you done?”

Raon and Hong answered cheerfully.

“The black curtain is a masterpiece of the great Raon Mir! Touch it wrong and you’ll be hit by hundreds of black arrows!”
“And the white one is Lord Sherit’s! Touch Lord Sherit’s and you’ll be crushed to death by the shield!”

Kale froze.
On explained calmly.

“The golden one is Lord Erhafen’s work, and if you touch it, it’ll probably turn to dust. The red one is Rosalind’s handiwork, and if you touch that, you’ll melt like lava, well, you’ll leave this world.”

On added further.

“These are protective and offensive spells prepared in case anyone tries to touch the Black Sphere.”
“Of course, they won’t harm us inside the barrier! But just in case something goes wrong, kind Rosalind told us to stop! You can come out now!”

Kale remained firmly in place.
He had no intention of moving whatsoever.

“Your Highness, I’ll release you right away.”

Rosalind approached and dispelled her red barrier.
Erhafen and Sherit followed suit, removing their barriers as well.

“Unlucky bastard. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Are you alright? The god’s trial must have been far from easy. You did well.”

Then, Kale’s eyes caught sight of those approaching Choi Han.

“Choi Han.”

Ron wore a benevolent smile, yet his eyes were fierce as he examined Choi Han from head to toe.
Then he opened his mouth.

“You’ve returned alive and well.”

Choi Han met Ron’s gaze without a word.
Ron tapped Choi Han’s shoulder once, then passed by him toward Kale.

“You’re home now, so rest.”

Of course, Choi Han’s lips curved upward at Ron’s parting words.
But that smile soon faded.

“Tsk.”

Vicross clicked his tongue the moment he saw Choi Han.
Choi Han opened his mouth with an expressionless face.

“Why?”
“Tsk.”

Vicross clicked his tongue once more, then pulled out a pristine handkerchief from his pocket—so spotless not a speck of dust could be found—and tossed it casually to Choi Han.

“Wipe your face.”

Then Vicross passed by Choi Han. Choi Han’s mouth opened.

“I’m hungry.”
“…There’s food for you.”

A smile spread across Choi Han’s lips. Rak and Rosalind approached him, their expressions noticeably more at ease. No—Choi Han and Kale. The companions gathered around the two of them, taking turns expressing their joy at their return.
Choi Han’s lips curved upward. Rak and Rosalind approached him with a noticeably more relaxed expression.
“Welcome back. I’m delighted.”

“Yes, that’s correct. I carried you away.”
“Merry. I heard you stole me.”
Unaware of the joy and pride woven into Merry’s clipped tone, Kale spoke.

“Excellent. Magnificent.”

“That’s the best. Excellent.”
After his brief exchange with Merry, Kale looked around. Then he approached Choi Han’s side. When the companions’ gazes converged on them, his lips parted.

“We’ve returned safely.”
When all his colleagues’ eyes were focused on him, his mouth opened.

I have safely returned.

“Yes, Ka—”
Kale gazed at Choi Han with a smile on his face, warmed by that pleasant feeling.

“Isn’t that right, Choi Han?”
“That doesn’t seem to be the case.”

The moment Choi Han was about to answer with a matching smile.

That doesn’t seem to be the case.

Ron’s voice reached me—remarkably gentle and profoundly soft.
Kale Heniatus faltered at the sound of Ron’s kindness, which somehow made it all the more terrifying.
He met Ron’s benevolent gaze.

‘Hmm!’

The wavering uncertainty in Kale’s heart shriveled in an instant beneath that piercing stare.
Then.

“Both of you have neglected yourselves.”

What?
Me and Choi Han?
As Kale’s eyes darted between Choi Han and himself, Erhafen nodded with a grave expression.

“Indeed. That unlucky one—somehow he received sustenance inside the Black Sphere for months and managed to survive, but his complexion is far from healthy. And Choi Han, it seems the trial took its toll; he’s lost considerable weight.”

Kale turned to Choi Han and asked.

“…Did you eat less?”

Choi Han answered without hesitation, his expression serious.

“My weight remains unchanged.”

Kale glanced down at his own wrist.

“…It’s the same as before I left.”

There appeared to be no discernible change.
Yet no one listened to what the two of them said.

“I shall depart first.”

Vicross withdrew white gloves from his breast pocket and returned to the Black Castle in a combat-ready stance.
The others followed one by one in his wake.
Ron approached Kale, who stood watching them depart in a daze.

“Young master, the Crown Prince has requested a video communication with you.”

Alberu returned to his side first after Kale Heniatus killed the Yellow-Haired Monster, while the latter remained unconscious.
It was an unavoidable choice for the busy prince, and the moment he returned, he headed straight for the Roun Royal Castle.

* * *

Kale Heniatus opened his mouth as he looked at Alberu’s image displayed on the communication crystal.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Your Highness’s face.”
-You-

Alberu hesitated with a weary expression before speaking.

-The moment you returned, you’re already eating quite well.
“Yes. It’s delicious.”

A piece of Vicross’s special steak entered Kale Heniatus’s mouth.
Alberu smiled brightly as he watched Kale Heniatus seated before a lavish dining table.

-You never change.
“It’s one of my strengths. Your Highness, how are things proceeding?”

Plop.
A slice of apple pie was placed on top of Kale Heniatus’s steak plate as he posed his question.
It was naturally Raon Mir.
And on Choi Han’s plate, cookies that Raon Mir had retrieved from his subspace were stacking up one by one into a tower.

Alberu took in the sight as naturally as flowing water, then picked up a document.

-Currently, I’ve dispatched a special unit composed of mages and scouts to Pursulsi.

The abandoned city of Pursulsi.
Famous for stacking stone towers and destroying them.

-And I’ve positioned three celestial units on the outskirts of Pursulsi.

Should the special unit detect even the slightest irregularity in Pursulsi, they would be deployed immediately as reinforcements.

“What about the territory residents?”
-Of course we’ve prepared an evacuation manual for them. Those who have difficulty moving have been quietly relocated to other territories or cities since yesterday.
“Without the White Star knowing?”
-That’s right.

Thud.
Alberu set down the documents roughly.

-We’ll discuss the details when you come to the Royal Palace.

Clatter.
Kale Heniatus set down his fork and opened his mouth.

“The Royal Palace?”

Do I really have to go there?
Displeasure was evident on Kale Heniatus’s face.

‘Can’t we just use a video communication crystal instead?’

Kale Heniatus had planned to go to the Heniatus Duchy and then head straight to Pursulsi or the Eastern Continent to monitor the White Star’s movements, so he didn’t see why it was necessary.
And his true feelings were laid bare.

But Alberu gazed at Rosalind, who was eating with a relaxed smile on one side of the dining table. Rosalind smiled softly at his gaze.
Alberu hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

-We’re planning to hold a grand conference of kingdom representatives at the Roun Royal Palace soon for peace across the continents.

A grand conference?
Kale Heniatus’s mind conjured images of figures like Ritana and Tunka who could represent the Western Continent.
All such people gathering at the Roun Royal Palace?
It must surely be related to the White Star and Pursulsi.
Kale Heniatus spoke bluntly.

“So?”
-Are you going to speak as if this doesn’t concern you?
“…I should obviously attend, shouldn’t I?”
-Of course you should.

Alberu spoke gently.

-Just endure a little longer, then rest well.

Kale’s gaze turned toward the Crown Prince.

-I’ll set you up for a life of leisure. Don’t worry.

Heh.
The corners of Kale’s mouth lifted.

“I trust you.”

Pfft.
Alberu suddenly thought of Joo Ho-sik and let out a short laugh.

‘It seems we had a decent farewell.’

He observed the complexions of Kale and Choi Han, feeling slightly relieved.
Even he, who had only a brief meeting with them, would find it regrettable—how much more so for those two.
He watched the two of them eating heartily for a moment with quiet satisfaction.
That was when it happened.

“Your Highness.”

Kale’s voice reached him.

“Then I’ll stop by the Heniatus Estate first, and head straight to the Royal Palace. I’ll arrive by tomorrow morning.”
-…To House Heniatus to see your family?
“Yes. That’s how it should be.”

Kale, who had answered plainly, looked at Alberu.

-Uh… hmm.

But Alberu’s reaction seemed slightly odd.

“Why do you ask, sir?”
-…Hmm.

Soon, a brilliant smile bloomed across Alberu’s face.
It was an excessively radiant smile, one that evoked the splendor of the blazing sun itself.

-Go on ahead for now.

Click.
Then he severed the video communication.

‘What was that?’

Kale felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
But he quickly wrapped up a few matters at the Black Castle before heading straight to the Heniatus Territory.

* * *

“Ron.”
“Yes, Young Master.”

Kale gazed quietly at the City Wall standing some distance from the forest where he stood—the defensive rampart that protected Raincy, the central city of the Heniatus Territory.

“Was our territory’s wall always this thick and imposing?”

Ron answered with a smile.

“It has been newly reinforced. Additionally, we are currently installing magical devices throughout the Heniatus Territory, with particularly extensive installations underway in Raincy, where the Lord’s Castle and the Seca Estate are located.”

He continued with a satisfied expression.

“Because of this, the mana flow is currently in flux, making it difficult to teleport directly into the city, so I transported you to the outer perimeter outside the walls instead.”
“I did hear about that part.”

Kale pointed toward the armed forces entering the city.

“Um… what is that army?”
“It is the might of House Heniatus.”

Ron spoke with a benevolent tone.
And.

“The Seca Estate should be capable of at least this much.”

Even Vicross, whose face held a subtly satisfied expression.
Kale suddenly recalled Alberu, who had been smiling far too brightly.

“Young master, we should hurry. Everyone is waiting for you.”

At Ron’s words, Kale nodded and pulled the hood of his robe down firmly over his head.
The Duke and Duchess, and his two younger siblings.
More than enough reason for Kale to move forward.

“Let’s slip in quietly.”

He despised commotion.
His plan was to pass through the City Gate in silence and head straight to the Seca Estate.

Kale took his place in line behind those entering the city, waiting his turn. Finally, he stood before the soldier stationed directly at the City Gate.
He stepped forward, leaving Ron and Vicross behind.

‘I just need to show my face.’

Just slightly, ever so slightly.
If I reveal my face, the soldier will let me through immediately.

“Please show your travel permit. What is your name, and where did you come from—”

Toward the soldier mechanically reciting his lines, Kale slightly pulled back his hood, revealing just enough of his face for the man to see.
The soldier’s eyes widened, and he fell silent.

Seeing that the soldier recognized him immediately, Kale offered a gentle, public-facing smile.

“I’m visiting in secret—”

Kale was about to speak.

To ask him to let me pass quietly, since this was a secret visit.

But he could not continue.

Crash!
The Soldier dropped the pen and documents he had been holding.

“Y-you—”

He stammered, struggling with every ounce of effort to open his mouth.

“Y-you—”
“Hmm?”

Kale Heniatus found himself responding without thinking.
Without bothering to pick up the fallen pen and documents, the Soldier suddenly threw both hands into the air in jubilation.

“Y-Your Highness! By the heavens, Your Highness has returned alive!”

Kale Heniatus was taken aback by such violent excitement.

What?
Why is this happening?
I was trying to slip in quietly!

Caught off guard, Kale Heniatus’s grip on the hood loosened as he instinctively began to lower it.

Whoooosh—
In that instant, a gust of wind swept the hood backward before I could react, stripping it away completely.

Crimson hair, the color of sunset, was revealed to all eyes.
Every gaze in the crowd fixed upon those flowing scarlet locks.

For a moment, Kale Heniatus froze under the concentrated stares.
A brief silence descended.

Boom.
The Knight stationed at the City Gate dropped the massive spear in his hand, shattering the silence.
Immediately, countless voices erupted, flooding the area before the City Gate.

“Your Highness! By the heavens, our Prince!”
“Oh, divine one! Thank you for safely returning our hero to us. Oh, divine one!”
“The Prince, the Shield Prince has returned!”

The Knight who had dropped his spear shouted to the Soldier beside him.

“Go at once to Lord Viollan, our acting lord!”

His face was flushed with emotion, his voice ringing with pride and joy unlike any moment before as he issued the command with force.

“Tell her that our glorious hero of the Continent has returned! Convey this to Lord Viollan!”

What?
What hero?
As Kale’s pupils wavered, the transparent voice of Raon reached into his mind.

-Human! Our human has returned, and everyone is so happy! Hehe!
Meow!
Meow!

On and Hong, nestled in Vicross’s arms, let out joyful cries.
A chill that had never appeared even before the Sealed God now swept across Kale’s back.

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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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