Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 626

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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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I directed the question toward Duke Fredo, but he was in no state to answer.

“…Haa… haa….”

Duke Fredo, barely managing to exhale, gazed at me with clouded eyes. A faint smile crossed his face before he released the aura he had been forcibly maintaining.

Thud.
His hand fell limply to his side.

“Young Master, please—!”

Solena, supporting Fredo on her back, spoke to me desperately, her hoarse voice as if blood still churned in her mouth.

“Choi Han!”
“Yes.”
“Bring them inside at once!”
“Yes!”

The moment Choi Han heard my command, he approached Solena.

“I shall carry Duke Fredo.”

As Choi Han lifted Fredo onto his back, he felt his upper body become soaked.

Blood.
The problem was that both of them were in such a deplorable state—covered in blood and various dust—that it was impossible to tell where the blood was even coming from.
Fredo’s condition was dangerously critical.

“Lily.”
“Yes!”
“This way. Please look after Solena as well.”
“Yes!”

Lily approached Solena without the slightest hesitation at my request.
A Knight beside her also stepped forward, and together they supported Solena.

“…Young… Young Master—”

When Kale Heniatus worked alongside Duke Fredo within the Endable Kingdom, it was Solena who stood beside him and assisted the one who had transformed into Prince Nar.
Perhaps because of that, she called Kale “Young Master.”
Kale gazed at her.

“I’m not sure what brought you here, but it seems you sought this place as your last hope.”

A hope to survive.

“You can rest now. You’ve made it.”

Solena exhaled softly at his words and closed her eyes.
Her body went limp, all strength draining from her.

“Young Master! She seems to have lost consciousness!”
“Brother! Should I fetch the Priest?”

At Lily’s words, spoken alongside the Knight, Kale shook his head.

“I’ll arrange the treatment myself. Move them quickly.”
“Yes!”

After watching the two Vampires being moved, Kale opened his mouth toward the empty air.

“Raon.”
-What is it, human?

Vampires.
I couldn’t carelessly hand them over to a Priest or healer.
Potions could even become poison for them.

“Bring Merry here. And Erhafen as well. Contact Tasha too.”
-It’s for treatment, isn’t it? Don’t worry! I’ll handle everything!

Kale nodded.
Taking in the two Vampires, summoning or contacting those capable of treating them.
The urgent matters were handled.

“Ron.”
“Yes.”
“Capture them.”
“Understood, Young Master.”

What remained were these Cat Tribe Soldiers.
They gathered around what appeared to be their commander.

“Commander, what do we do?”
“What else? We run.”
“Damn it. We had a chance to kill the traitor…!”
“Silence.”
“…My apologies.”

Then, they could see the crimson mist enveloping their surroundings.

“Ha!”

The Cat Tribe commander let out a scoff of exasperation.
At the same moment, one of the Cat Tribe Soldiers beside him cried out.
While glaring at the two cats that had created this crimson mist.

“How dare you carry Cat Tribe blood and yet crawl to the enemies of the Cat Tribe? This is why you mutants are so inferior—!”

His words never finished.
The Cat Tribe Soldier twisted his body in panic.
A sharp dagger passed through where his neck had been.
He had nearly been pierced through.
The Cat Tribe Soldier who barely escaped saw cool eyes within the mist.

“Cat Tribe blood? Where did you hear such nonsense? These children carry the blood of Mollan.”

Silent fury bloomed in the Elderly Man’s eyes.

“What absurd drivel!”

Ron offered a benevolent smile at the Cat Tribe Soldier’s exasperated words.

“Having inherited the essence of Mollan, they have inherited Mollan’s blood.”

A faint smile appeared on the lips of On and Hong as they released the crimson mist.

The essence of Mollan.
The foundational techniques of the Mollan organization that I learned from Ron, excluding assassination.
On’s mouth opened.

“Let’s go.”

On and Hong’s figures vanished into the crimson mist.
It was a concealment technique markedly different from before, and it was merely the beginning.

“Gasp!”

The Cat Tribe Soldier who had cried out about mutations to On and Hong finally had his throat pierced.
Attacks from Ron and the Mollan members followed in succession.

The Cat Tribe Soldiers numbered around ten including the wounded, quite substantial in count, but the Mollan forces outnumbered them, and On and Hong fought alongside them.
It was a clear disadvantage for the Cat Tribe.

‘Damn it!’

The Cat Tribe commander felt this acutely in his bones, and his brow furrowed at the soft groans of his subordinates echoing from various directions.
If he fought alongside them.

‘I could escape with at least a few of them.’

But that was not the issue at hand.
The path to end Duke Fredo’s life. The reason for tracking him all the way to the Heniatus Territory was simple.

‘It was to discover Heniatus trapped within the Black Sphere.’

But a problem had arisen.

‘Kale Heniatus has awakened?’

What could that mean?
It meant that Kale Heniatus had somehow passed through the god’s trial.
Not long ago, this human had been motionless as if dead, but now he appeared merely somewhat frail—otherwise perfectly intact.
Now Duke Fredo was no longer the problem.

‘I must inform my lord about Kale Heniatus’s condition at once!’

Gulp.
He swallowed involuntarily.
It was impossible to gauge what Kale Heniatus had obtained from the god’s trial or how much stronger he had become.

‘…He said it would be impossible to be here if the trial had not been passed.’

My lord White Star had certainly said so.

‘That trial requires passing to awaken. There’s no choice but to accept it.’
‘If that’s the case, then only White Star and Kale Heniatus would be contending for dominion over this world.’

So this situation absolutely had to be reported.
The Cat Tribe commander moved his body with unprecedented caution and secrecy. He heightened all his senses to their maximum.
He heard the sounds of his subordinates being injured and captured, and faintly sensed the movements of the enemy assassins.
Based on this, he intended to escape.
At that moment.

“Where are you going?”

A silver-haired boy with an expressionless face appeared before him.

“On.”

And from behind him came the gentle voice of an Elderly Man.

“Capture him first before questioning.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Meow!

The Cat Tribe commander felt the force of a hand striking the back of his neck, and simultaneously felt all strength drain from his body.

‘No, this can’t—!’

He couldn’t lose consciousness like this!
He had to report!
The Cat Tribe commander had much to say, but managed only a single word before finally collapsing.

“…Kale Heniatus has awakened, my lord—”

Squish.
Hong then left a paw print on the fallen commander’s cheek.
A green paw print stained with sleeping poison.

“Young Master. It appears he was attempting to escape to report to the White Star.”

Kale’s brow furrowed as Ron approached, gripping the commander’s nape, delivering his report.
Ron gazed at that expression and spoke in a gentle voice.

“A futile effort, sir. The territory’s residents have already witnessed your return, and word will spread across the entire Western Continent soon enough.”

Ron was right.
My return would become known regardless of whether this commander rushed to report it.
The logic was so sound that I felt disgruntled, yet faced with Ron’s benevolent smile, I said nothing and headed toward the City Gate.

“Lock all the Cat Tribe Soldiers in the Underground Prison. And find out how this came to pass.”
“Understood, Young Master.”

I entrusted the cleanup to Ron and made my way to the Seca Estate, cradling On and Hong.

-Human! Merry and the Golden Dragon Elder are coming soon! I contacted Tasha, and she said she’d look into it and get back to you!

I paused mid-stride, gazing toward the empty space where Raon would be.

“Ron.”
“Yes, Young Master.”

I gazed at the thick City Wall and issued a quiet command.

“Search the castle for any other rats.”

Something told me the Cat Tribe Soldiers weren’t the only ones involved.

“Yes, Young Master.”

I resumed my journey toward the Seca Estate.

* * *

“I’ve provided basic treatment. He should regain consciousness soon.”
“Thank you for your effort, Merry.”

Merry shook her head.

“Though I’m accustomed to dead mana, I cannot proceed with treatment recklessly as a Vampire. I’ve only done the most basic care.”

Kale’s gaze turned toward Duke Fredo lying on the bed.
Merry’s voice continued.

“However, Duke Fredo’s regenerative ability is quite remarkable, so with basic assistance and care from the side, he should recover quickly. The problem is Captain Solena.”
“…Is it serious?”

Erhafen, standing beside them, spoke in Merry’s stead.
Though he couldn’t treat Duke Fredo recklessly due to the dead mana, he had assisted Merry by sharing his knowledge.

“Her wounds are fewer than Duke Fredo’s, but her immunity and regenerative capacity are significantly diminished. Additionally, it seems she exhausted considerable stamina carrying Duke Fredo here.”
“She’s in a precarious state in multiple respects.”

Kale nodded and gazed down at the back of his hand.
Prominent veins were visible.
He recalled his own blood flowing through them.

‘Fredo won’t need it, but I should observe Solena’s condition for now.’

He made a request of Merry.

“Please care for Captain Solena. Contact me immediately if she awakens or enters a critical state.”
“Yes. Understood.”

Solena was not in this guest bedroom, but in another guest bedroom adjacent to it.

“…This is troublesome.”

The atmosphere in the bedroom grew heavy at Erhafen’s low, muttered words.
Only Erhafen, Choi Han, and I remained in the room.
The children—averaging nine years old—were eating dinner, which I’d arranged with Vicross to handle.
Children needed to eat on schedule, after all.

“Lord Kale, has Duke Fredo been completely exposed to the White Star?”

Erhafen raised another question in response to Choi Han’s inquiry.

“Duke Fredo would certainly have prepared multiple escape routes in case the White Star discovered him. That’s why, unlike us, he chose to remain in the Endable Kingdom. If someone as capable as him has been wounded this severely and barely managed to flee, this is no trivial matter.”

Undoubtedly.

“A variable. Some unforeseen variable has emerged. A variable Duke Fredo never could have anticipated.”

At Erhafen’s declaration, Choi Han’s eyes darkened.
Already burdened by the Pursulsi situation, witnessing the formidable Duke Fredo in such a state only deepened his concern.

Then it came.
Knock, knock, knock.
A sound at the door.

“Who is it?”

Choi Han approached the door.

“It’s me.”

It was Duchess Viollan’s voice.
I nodded, and Choi Han opened the door.
With that, Erhafen disguised himself as a Knight and stood behind me.

“Kale.”

Viollan had not come alone.

“Brother.”
“Older brother.”

Basen and Lily were also watching Kale from behind Viollan.
Viollan let out a short sigh and pointed to the two children for Kale to see.

“The children were so insistent about coming along. They came with me. Would it be alright if I stepped inside for a moment?”
“Of course. After all, you are the one responsible for this estate now, are you not?”

Duke Derth had gone to the Capital, or so I had heard.
Therefore, Viollan, the Duchess, had to manage both the Heniatus Territory and the Seca Estate, and naturally, she needed to know about these unexpected visitors, including the Cat Tribe Soldiers.

“I heard you’ve confined the Cat Tribe Soldiers underground. Ron said they serve the White Star.”
“Yes, that’s correct. And this man and the one in the adjacent room are—”

I paused mid-explanation about Fredo and Solena, turning my head.

“Ugh… ugh…”

A shallow groan escaped from Duke Fredo.
His furrowed brow seemed as though he were trying to awaken.
Erhafen immediately looked toward Choi Han.

“Choi Han, fetch Merry!”
“Yes!”

Choi Han passed by Viollan and the children who were entering, heading outside.
At that moment, Duke Fredo’s eyelids slowly lifted, and his pupils came into view.

“Are you coming to your senses?”

I asked, looking into Fredo’s eyes that met mine.
Duke Fredo’s lips slowly opened.

“Ah…”

He spoke with difficulty, yet with a tone of warmth.

“It’s been… quite a while, my son.”

It was a jest.
He was referring to the time when I had been Prince Nar, and this was his own way of expressing his gladness at our reunion.

“Gasp!”
“Huff!”

Only Basen and Lily heard it.

“…Son?”
“…Son?”

They repeated the same word in unison, their true feelings laid bare across their faces.

“What nonsense is this?”
“Who does this bastard think he is?”

I flinched at my younger siblings’ harsh language—the first time I’d heard them speak so coarsely—and turned to look at them.
In doing so, I failed to notice Viollan.

As Choi Han passed by Viollan, his eyes caught sight of her trembling hand, and he unconsciously halted his steps.
Viollan’s hand was quivering delicately.
Choi Han lifted his gaze to look at her face.
Her eyes remained fixed on me and Duke Fredo, seemingly unaware that Choi Han was watching her.

‘…Why does she have that expression—’

It seemed as though decades of time had passed across Viollan’s face in a single instant.
It was an expression beyond words.
Viollan, who was always composed more than anyone else, looked strange to Choi Han in this moment.

That was when it happened.

“Spouting such nonsense, yet you seem perfectly fine.”

At my curt remark, Duke Fredo let out a soft chuckle.

“My son, it’s been so long, yet you call it nonsense.”
“Son? If you’re going to spout nonsense, just stay quiet.”

I dismissed Duke Fredo’s words cleanly and spoke to my two younger siblings, whose faces had grown rigid.

“There’s no need to pay attention to this fool’s drivel.”

Basen nodded with a satisfied smile at Kale’s clear reference to Fredo as “that bastard.”

“Yes. I knew it wasn’t something to take seriously. It was just such an unexpected way of putting it that I wondered if you held him in the same regard as you do your father. Hahahaha—”

Lily released her grip on the sword hilt she carried around the Mansion instead of her greatsword, muttering to herself.

“…I thought some strange intruder had broken in….”

At that moment, Choi Han noticed Viollan’s lips parting.

“…Ah. Right. What was I thinking—”

A brief but profound sigh escaped her.
She flinched at the sound of her own voice, her shoulders trembling as she glanced around to check her surroundings.
Choi Han caught this and swiftly averted his gaze from her with practiced nonchalance, turning his attention toward Merry.

“Sigh.”

Behind him, another sigh from Viollan reached his ears.
Choi Han glanced back discreetly. Viollan stood there with her usual composed expression.
Her gaze lingered for a moment on Kale’s vivid crimson hair, which had grown noticeably longer.
That stoic gaze held unmistakable affection.

Then Duke Fredo opened his mouth.

“Kale.”
“Yes.”
“Soon.”

Duke Fredo’s expression looked pained.
He barely managed to compose himself before continuing.

“Soon, the sacrifices will be transported to Pursulsi.”

Kale’s brow furrowed.
Everyone in the room turned their gaze toward Fredo.

“Two summoning ceremonies will take place.”

Fredo spoke with a face on the verge of tears.

* * *

“You said you’d come tomorrow, so what’s going on in the middle of the night?”

Alberu looked at Kale Heniatus and spoke as if utterly bewildered.

“You’re truly irreverent.”
“It’s an honor to see you, Your Highness.”
“Ha!”

Alberu shook his head in disbelief.

“Only you and our master visit the Crown Prince’s Bedroom through the window, it seems.”

He stared at Kale Heniatus and Choi Han entering through the window with an expression of utter astonishment.
Kale Heniatus flashed a bright smile and spoke in a voice dripping with honeyed flattery.

“Your Highness shines as brilliantly as the noonday sun, even in your nightclothes.”
“…Good grief.”

Alberu simply exhaled a sigh, wondering what scheme I had concocted this time.

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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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