Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 630

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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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“Then I’ll hurry off to see Mother! I need to get going!”

Dodori rushed out onto the terrace as if in a great hurry.

-…Human! Are you trying to swindle the pink dragon? Planning to stab her in the back? Otherwise, why are you smiling like that? Ron’s grandfather told me to report any strange behavior! I’m so conflicted!

Kale Heniatus continued to speak gently with a soft smile.

“Dodori, there’s no need to rush like that.”
“No, no! Mother might not open the farm gate! I stole a box of fruit from the orchard to fund my runaway! Hahahaha!”

Huh?
A farm?
An orchard?

-Human! A farm, she said! A dragon running an orchard! A dragon producing food! What a magnificent dragon!

Kale sensed an odd heat emanating from beside him and turned his gaze.
It was Choi Han.
His face was gentle, yet his eyes burned with fervent intensity. Kale recalled Choi Jung-soo and Lee Soo-hyuk’s dream of farming.
Choi Han gazed at Dodori with a solemn, determined expression. A chill ran down Kale Heniatus’s spine. He felt he should send Dodori off quickly.

“Dodori, have a safe trip!”

Dodori climbed onto the terrace railing. She waved brightly at the two people and the young dragon who had come to see her off.

“Goodbye! I’ll come back alive without getting beaten to death by Mother!”

Whoooosh!
Dodori vanished, leaving behind her ominous parting words.
Raon stepped back inside and offered a brief impression of the meeting that had just taken place.

“Human! The pink dragon seems to resemble the crazy Clophe about halfway! But I want to see the farm and orchard!”
“I too absolutely must see them.”

Kale Heniatus let Choi Han’s resolute words pass by. He was in quite a good mood now.
Had the Crown Prince not been secretly investigating the whereabouts of dragons through the Dark Elves and Elves for quite some time? Erhafen and Sherit were helping as well, but there had been almost no progress until now.

‘It’s practically impossible to find every single dragon.’

Especially now, with the White Star potentially launching an invasion of Pursulsi or some other attack in the near future, it was crucial to consolidate the forces I currently possessed.
That’s why Kale Heniatus prioritized other matters over searching for dragons.

‘Yet here comes a dragon rolling in, vines and all!’

And not just one—two dragons!
He thought of Dodori’s Mother.

‘Erhafen is the most ancient dragon. For someone to call such an Erhafen an arrogant dragon, they’d have to be younger than him but of a similar age.’

I couldn’t begin to fathom how powerful she might be.
A smile continued to spread across Kale Heniatus’s face.

-Human! Your smile reeks of blood!

So he simply dismissed Raon’s assessment and made thorough preparations.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. And please do consider the orchard.”

After Choi Han left, Kale Heniatus lay down on the bed. Since Raon had already claimed the center, he squeezed in beside him.

“Heh.”

Laughter came naturally to him.
So many powerful individuals lured in through wealth. And now, two dragons on top of that.
Though I’d done little to earn it, the growing strength of my forces filled me with genuine joy.

“Heh.”

With a gentle laugh, he drifted into sleep.
It was a deep, peaceful rest—something he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

* * *

And the next day.
10 a.m. The weather was pleasant, the sunlight warm despite it being mid-November.

“…What is that?”

After a proper, long sleep, I sat casually on the sofa and gazed out at the scenery beyond the mansion.
Thanks to the bedroom located on the third floor, I could see the vista beyond the mansion’s towering walls.

“…Why are people gathered like that, scattering flower petals and throwing around glittering powder?”

Though it was the Capital, this district was primarily where nobility resided, so it was generally quiet.
Especially the Capital mansions of nobles based in their respective territories rather than those actively engaged in the Capital were often empty, making the area even more serene.
And since it was a place where noble families congregated, the common folk rarely ventured here like they would in ordinary markets or plazas, so there were fewer people.

“It should definitely be that kind of quiet place…”

It was undoubtedly such a tranquil area.
Yet now, from the avenue in front of the Heniatus Mansion extending through the surrounding streets, everything resembled the heart of a festival.
Nearly three hundred people had gathered.

“Human! Can I go check it out over there?”
“Go ahead.”
“Got it! I’ll be back in 30 minutes! We need to go to the Royal Palace and eat!”

Raon turned invisible and flew out without hesitation, while Choi Han approached and offered me a cup of tea.

“Mm.”

I paused for a moment.

“Vicross said to have it. It’s lemon tea made from freshly brewed lemon cordial, he said.”
“…Ah… Yes.”
“And here’s apple pie as well. Raon left it out for you.”
“Ah… Yes.”

The heaping stack of apple pie made my eyes waver.
But for some reason, a sense of longing and joy washed over me, so I took a sip of the lemon tea first.
That instant.

-Human! Everyone! Everyone!

Raon’s urgent voice suddenly rang out.

‘Hm?’

I jolted to my feet at the urgency in Raon’s voice.
The lemon tea in my cup sloshed.

-Human!

Raon exclaimed.

-Everyone is calling you great!
-They’re saying a hero without equal has returned to the world! They say people rushed into the streets out of joy!

Last night.
When I arrived at the Heniatus Duchy Mansion, I noticed the open windows of the surrounding estates.
Inside those windows were servants and nobles of each mansion—though I didn’t know it—and they immediately relayed news of Kale Heniatus’s return to everyone they knew.
That information spread further, and by around ten in the morning, the Capital was abuzz with the news.
Only I remained oblivious.

-They say all they can do for you is cheer, so they’re cheering! They say they’re scattering red flower petals!

Now that I thought about it, I could tell the street directly in front of the Heniatus Mansion and its vicinity were particularly crowded, while the distant noble estates seemed quieter.

-Gasp!

When Raon drew in a sharp breath, I felt as though ice was being dragged across the back of my skull.

-There’s an organization! Half of its members belong to something called Seda Bang!

…What? …An organization?
My fingers trembled as I held the teacup.
It felt as though I’d heard words I couldn’t believe.

Seda Bang.
A name I didn’t want to know about.
But Raon continued relaying new information without pause.

-It’s an organization dedicated to supporting the incomparable Shield Prince and helping him! And they say they won’t tolerate those who envy or insult you!
-Oh, my! Human! I want to join this organization too! But I have a strange premonition that Clophe must never find out about it!

Kale thought to himself.

‘Does this even make sense?’

Generally, commoners could not easily approach nobility.
And if someone achieved remarkable accomplishments and climbed the ladder of success rapidly, jealousy was bound to arise naturally.
That was why so many heroes throughout history had ultimately lost their power and honor.

‘But there’s a group supporting me, a nobleman, and it has over a hundred members?’

Kale found it not just absurd, but utterly unrealistic.

But he did not know.
The bestsellers monopolizing the shelves of every bookstore throughout the Roan Kingdom were books related to Kale and his companions.
Just as people were growing accustomed to the peace that had lasted for decades, the scent of war began to drift across the Western Continent.
It had become a reality tangible enough to touch their skin, and in such times, people needed someone to bring them peace.
Without anyone deliberately or intentionally creating the atmosphere, people naturally sought out a hero.

The people of the Capital, in particular, reacted far more sensitively to news of the hero Kale Heniatus than he himself realized.

Why would they feel jealous?
Half of those gathered in these groups were survivors of the Dark’s bombing terror that had unfolded in the Capital.
They were among those present when Kale had first deployed his unbreakable shield to save the people.
Beyond that, those who had survived because Kale had prevented war in one way or another could not feel jealous of him.

Because Kale Heniatus possessed nothing for himself.
Though the Heniatus Family had become a duchy, superficially speaking, Kale had gained no personal benefit from his work for the Roan Kingdom and the Western Continent.
Everyone knew his position as commander was temporary, and he had not obtained even a single fiefdom or title.
Moreover, except when protecting or fighting, he did not appear before people and seemed to live quietly.

The appearance of someone who sought neither honor nor power nor anything else.
Those who admired and followed Kale Heniatus could only increase based on his outward image.
Just like some of the strong individuals employed by the Heniatus Duchy and the strong individuals from across the continent coming to be employed.

-Oh! There’s a group following Choi Han too, and Rosalind and Merry as well! Ohhh! Human! I want to join all these groups here!
“Goodness, my head.”

Kale, who could not possibly know all of this and merely dreamed of a wealthy, leisurely life, could only be exasperated.
With a face at a loss for words, he habitually shoved apple pie and lemon tea into his mouth, unaware that Choi Han was watching with a satisfied gaze.

* * *

Alberu set down his fork and knife with a reluctant expression.

“…Our brother. Why are you picking at your food like that?”

The round table held light fare rather than a formal banquet—yet the dishes were far too exquisite to appear casual, each one a work of art almost too beautiful to consume.

“…Your Highness.”
“Yes?”

Alberu had been frowning at Kale Heniatus’s despondent tone ever since he’d arrived, barely eating properly and without any vigor.

“…I’m full.”
“Tsk.”

Alberu shook his head in disapproval.

Watching Kale Heniatus claim fullness after consuming merely two bites of steak was enough to make him click his tongue involuntarily.
He turned his gaze toward Choi Han and Raon.
A meal arranged for only four—with even the servants dismissed.

“Crown Prince! The Royal Palace chef cooks just as well as Vicross! It’s absolutely delicious!”

Raon was eating with admirable enthusiasm, sauce coating his face, while Choi Han ate steadily with a subtle smile playing at his lips.
Alberu turned back to regard Kale Heniatus with clear disapproval.

“My brother was coming, so the Royal Palace chef prepared their signature dish. Couldn’t you eat just a bit more? The taste isn’t poor, is it?”

The feeble frame of Kale Heniatus was reflected in his eyes.

“…Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know what I witnessed on my way to the Royal Palace?”
“Hmm?”
“And what gazes I encountered within the palace itself?”

At the sudden gleam in Kale Heniatus’s eyes, Alberu let out a small exclamation.

“Ah.”

This time, Kale Heniatus had come to see Alberu through proper channels. Thanks to that, countless servants, handmaidens, and administrators throughout the Royal Palace would have witnessed his presence. The situation that would unfold afterward painted itself naturally in Alberu’s mind.

“Your Highness. Are you familiar with an organization called Seda Bang?”
“…No. What is that?”

Alberu feigned ignorance for now.

“Sigh.”

Kale Heniatus exhaled deeply, then suddenly fixed Alberu with gleaming eyes. Within his gaze flickered something like flames of determination.

“Your Highness! You absolutely must make me unemployed!”
“Sure, sure. I’ll make you a wealthy unemployed man. One without a care in the world.”
“As expected of the radiant and magnificent sun of Roan!”
“Of course. Anyway, eat something first.”

At Alberu’s suggestion to eat, Kale Heniatus shook his head.

“No, truly. I’m quite full. I had lemon tea and apple pie.”

It seemed he’d consumed about three slices of apple pie.
The lemon tea alone appeared to exceed a liter.

“…Sigh.”

This time, Alberu sighed and shook his head in disbelief.

‘He claims to be full after just a cup of tea and a slice of pie.’

It was clearly a light refreshment provided this morning.
Alberu could discern the secret behind Kale Heniatus’s frailty.

‘…Poor fellow.’

Kale Heniatus felt oddly displeased by Alberu’s suddenly pitying gaze. Yet at the future ruler’s promise to make him unemployed, his mood brightened, and he offered a wry smile. At that smile, Alberu’s expression grew even more sympathetic, and just as Kale Heniatus’s mood was about to worsen again—
At that smile, Alberu’s gaze grew more pitiful, and just as Kale’s mood was about to worsen further.

Knock, knock, knock!
An urgent knocking sound echoed through the room.

“Your Highness!”

The Head Servant’s urgent voice followed immediately after.

“General Tunka of the Wipper Kingdom and Her Highness Ritana of the Jungle have arrived!”

There was still time before the scheduled meeting.
Yet these two influential figures had come to the Roan Royal Palace ahead of schedule.

“Very well. Let them in.”

Alberu rose slowly from his seat.
Raon quickly turned invisible, while Choi Han reached toward the sword sheath he’d left nearby.

‘What urgent matter could this be?’
‘Indeed. How strange.’

Alberu and I exchanged glances, our expressions growing tense.
Ritana and Tunka—both extraordinarily busy individuals who, judging by the Head Servant’s tone, must have rushed here ahead of schedule for a matter of considerable urgency.

At that moment, the Head Servant opened the door and announced:

“They are all looking for Young Master Kale Heniatus!”
“Hm?”
“What?”

Me?
They’re looking for me?
Without thinking, I peered past the Head Servant down the corridor.

From the far end of the hallway, Tunka was approaching like a wild boar charging into a field in search of winter provisions.

“My friend! My one and only comrade! My brother-in-arms! Where are you!”

And he was crying as he came.
It was quite a terrifying sight.

“Hmm. General Tunka. Such conduct might be deemed lacking in courtesy. According to the protocols of the Roan Royal Palace, it would be proper to wait, but if the General insists on proceeding first, I shall follow nonetheless—if only to dissuade you.”

Ritana approached with an awkward smile. Naturally, a massive black panther walked beside her.
The gait of both human and beast was strained and unnatural, as if they were reluctantly following to restrain Tunka.

“Grrr.”

Their eyes gleamed like those of hunters in the jungle, searching for prey they must capture to survive.

“…Should I flee—”

At Kale Heniatus’s faint voice, Alberu and Choi Han turned away from him.
That was when it happened.

-Human! In the sky above the palace!

Raon’s startled voice echoed in my mind.
Simultaneously, an elegant voice filled my consciousness.

-Hmm. Are you Kale Heniatus?

An unfamiliar voice.

-I am Dodori’s Mother.

My mouth began to open slowly.

-Human! There appears to be a dragon beyond the protective barrier surrounding the palace—above the palace sky!

A magical protective barrier enveloped the Roan Royal Palace in a semicircular dome.
Beyond that barrier’s boundary line, suspended in the sky above, was a dragon.

I had told Dodori and her mother to come later, but I never expected them to arrive this soon.
Dodori and Dodori’s Mother.

-But there are three of them!
“…What?”
-A third one just appeared suddenly!

Dodori’s Mother’s voice rang out.

-…Are there others you invited besides my son and me?

No. There aren’t.
Kale Heniatus wanted to answer.
But he couldn’t.
Suddenly, a rather crude voice echoed in his mind—one that sounded as if only its mouth was floating in a lake.

-Heh~ What a gathering of all sorts of riffraff? Ho, three dragons too. Never seen anything like this before? Did you find me?

The owner of that insolent voice spat out the words.

-You found me through the Dark Elves, didn’t you? They were so damn loud they woke me up. You want to die?

The dragon that Obante Mayor had seen.

-Where was I sleeping? You made such a racket and woke me. How dare you humans. You want to get beaten to death?

At that moment, Tunka, Ritana, and her black panther entered the room where Kale was.

“Oh, my friend!”
“Shield Prince!”
“Grrr!”

And they saw it.

“Hah, hahahaha!”

Kale laughing with unbridled joy.

‘Dragons keep coming!’

This wasn’t chaos—it was dragon chaos!
Kale was so delighted that he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

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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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