Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 634

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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 133. The Strongest Inn Overflowing with Hope and Love

“…Lord?”

Dodori, who hadn’t heard the story about Sherit, tilted her head in confusion, but Kale Heniatus had no time to pay attention to that.

“Choi Han.”

When Kale Heniatus called out to him, Choi Han opened his mouth as if he understood what was meant.

“I will remain here and inform the Crown Prince of the situation.”

Those words meant he would step in for Kale Heniatus in the grand conference that was about to unfold.
Kale Heniatus nodded.

‘He’s a gentle fellow, so he’ll handle it smoothly.’

Moreover, with Alberu Crown Prince present as well, these two who understood my situation best would handle any unexpected circumstances with ease.
I felt reassured.

“Everything is ready.”

At Erhafen’s words, I looked at the other dragons.
Mila approaching with a gentle smile while bringing Dodori along, Rashil awkwardly shuffling forward, and Dodori readily stepping up at the mention that she would go anyway.

-…Human.

And as I stroked the back of Raon’s head, I opened my mouth.

“Let’s go.”

In the next instant, with a brilliant platinum light, everyone except Choi Han vanished from sight.

“W-what in the-”

The Head Servant, who had hurriedly entered the room at the servant’s call, stared at the disappearing Kale Heniatus in bewilderment.
He naturally turned toward the one who could provide an answer to this situation.

“Choi Han. Might I inquire what matter requires your attention?”

Fear seeped into the Head Servant’s expression.
A clandestine conference was underway, gathering the leadership of each kingdom across the Western Continent. One of those who understood best how critical this gathering was had risen from his seat with a hardened countenance.
Choi Han’s lips parted as he moved forward without hesitation.

“Today, a being may depart from their flesh.”

In that instant, the eyes of those following Choi Han alongside the Head Servant widened, or their shoulders trembled with uncertainty.

Departing from flesh.
It signified someone’s death.

‘Who could it be?’

They wished to ask, yet this was precisely what they could not inquire about.
Instead, a heavier silence settled upon their steps. The Head Servant, unable to shake that silence, gazed at Choi Han beside him with admiration.

‘He remains unshaken.’

Though Choi Han’s exact age remained undisclosed, he was known as the youngest Sword Master, bearing an appearance befitting that youth. It was presumed his actual age matched his youthful visage.
Yet even as he spoke of someone’s death, he remained composed.

‘…Heroes gather beside heroes, after all.’

The Head Servant found himself contemplating heroes and their heroic companions, and death itself—feeling a suffocating pressure in the very air he breathed.
This suffocation was likely the constant burden heroes bore.

Thus, the Head Servant stepped aside to clear the path for Choi Han, who entered without hesitation into that space draped in another form of heavy oppression.

And upon entering the conference hall, Choi Han turned the representatives of each nation upside down with his words.
The conference halted due to the sudden intruder, and Alberu rose abruptly, regarding Choi Han with a bewildered expression.

“Choi Han—or rather, Master? What brings you here?”

His eyes posed the question.

‘He’s drawing in a dragon?’

Choi Han slightly shook his head and opened his mouth.

“Your Highness. Kale Heniatus had urgent matters to attend to, so I’ve come in his stead. I was told to participate in this meeting.”

Kale Heniatus had left due to urgent business.
At those words, the representatives from various nations—Tunka, Ritana, Valentino, Clophe Seka, and others—stared intently at Choi Han.
They had stopped by partly to check on Kale Heniatus’s wellbeing, yet the hero hadn’t even shown his face and had left claiming he had urgent matters.
A brief silence descended upon the room.

“…Has something happened to Prince Kale Heniatus’s health?”

Breaking that silence, Ritana asked carefully.
Choi Han answered her question without much thought, speaking honestly.

“His health has never been good.”

He needed to relay information about the negotiations with the Dragons and the condition of the Dragon Hybrid only to Alberu in secret.
So he answered Ritana’s question honestly as he approached Alberu.

“Just how poor his health is—”

Ritana’s voice trembled as she couldn’t quite finish her words, but Choi Han didn’t notice.
He thought Kale Heniatus must have caused some trouble, and he felt he should lighten the burden that seemed to weigh on Alberu.

“How ill is my friend?!”

So when Tunka followed up with a question after Ritana, Choi Han simply spoke of what he had witnessed.

“Just days ago, he was coughing up blood, collapsing, and unable to control the convulsions in his limbs.”

The unhealthy Kale Heniatus that Choi Han had seen was naturally from the time when I was Kim Rok-soo.

“But with the resolve to save everyone, to change the future, he endured. It was agony as if my heart would tear apart, yet I couldn’t stop Kale Heniatus.”
“…C-Choi Han—”

Alberu called out to Choi Han in shock, even forgetting to use the title of teacher.

“Ah.”

Only then did Choi Han realize what he had done.

‘A mistake.’

Kim Rok-soo and Kale Heniatus.
Treating the two as one and the same, Choi Han had spoken of Kale as he was back when facing that unranked monster.

The current Kale was nothing like that.
Somewhat lean and pallid, yes, but lately with proper meals and rest, he had improved considerably from before.

For reasons he couldn’t quite name, Choi Han turned his gaze from Alberu and surveyed the conference room prepared in the deepest recesses of the Royal Palace.
Representatives from various nations seated at the table. Several key officials supporting them, and finally, personnel assigned to assist and guard the proceedings from Rowan.

Their pupils trembled, unable to conceal their astonishment.

“…Good heavens.”

Then Clophe Seka, who had remained silent until now, let out a soft exclamation and spoke.

“How truly shameful.”

His face, already seeming touched by melancholy, appeared even more distant than usual.

“No matter how legendary the deeds that shall be etched into history. I, too, living in this same age as a representative of a kingdom, cannot simply remain idle.”

Yet Alberu and Choi Han saw the madness burning in Clophe’s eyes.
It resembled an intense will to chase after Kale, who was forging legend itself, and carve out his own corner in that very legend.

“I shall surely stand alongside the hero Kale Heniatus in that desperate and sublime struggle.”

That will was genuine.
And one passionate soul responded to that will.

Boom!
“I too shall stand with my dear friend! A shield does not break!”

It was naturally Tunka.
Beyond him, an increasingly fervent determination swept through the conference room. Though some remained passive, sensing the tide, they answered with silent affirmation instead of words.
Neither Choi Han, nor Alberu, nor certainly Kale had anticipated this.

* * *

A grand black castle that suited the Dark Forest perfectly revealed itself before Kale Heniatus’s eyes.

“Ooooh!”

Dodori reacted with intense enthusiasm at the sight’s grandeur.

“So there really was a hidden base! Krrr! A black castle that contrasts with the White Star! And it’s located in the Dark Forest! What a magnificent contrast!”
“Dodori.”

But Dodori’s Mother, Mila, grasped Dodori’s shoulder and spoke softly.

“Be quiet.”
“Mom, how can I stay still after seeing such a magnificent black castle that makes my heart race—”

Dodori tried to protest against her mother’s words, but the moment she saw Mila’s eyes, her mouth snapped shut.

‘When Mom has that look in her eyes, I have to listen no matter what.’

It was one of the truths I’d learned after enduring fourteen years of dragon life.
Mila turned her gaze away from the now-obedient Dodori.

“I’d like to hear an explanation of what’s happening.”

She spoke while looking at Kale Heniatus and Raon, who had just deactivated his invisibility.

“But I suppose that will have to wait.”
“I’m curious too!”

Dodori also tried to add something about her curiosity but quickly closed her mouth. It was because of her mother’s gaze.
But Dodori too, upon seeing Raon’s expression, furrowed her brow slightly and her mouth closed of its own accord.
Though she’d seen this junior dragon once yesterday, perhaps because it was her first time meeting him, she found herself concerned about his troubled expression.

‘What happened that made him rush out like that?’

Dodori kept her mouth firmly shut.
Rashil was the same. Still in his pajamas, he silently observed his surroundings.
Unlike Dodori, it wasn’t because of Raon’s expression.

‘…That Black Castle is no ordinary fortress.’

The Black Castle loomed before me.
It was far from ordinary.
Dodori wouldn’t have sensed it, but dragons of Rashil and Mila’s caliber felt their skin prickle at the sight of the magical formations etched into the castle and the mana that enveloped it.
Moreover, they could sense a formidable power lurking within.

Creeeeak—
The main gate of the castle opened of its own accord.
Rashil and Mila were certain of it.

‘…There is another dragon.’

Undoubtedly, there was one more dragon present.

‘Is that the Lord?’
‘The Lord, it seems.’

Then, Kale’s voice reached them.

“I shall go ahead. If it suits you, would you wait for me in the First Floor Reception Room?”

Just then, the Tiger Tribe shaman Gashan and the Wolf Tribe warrior Rak, who had been staying in the castle, came to greet them.

“Young Master!”
“…Young Master.”

Both their expressions were troubled.

“Gashan, I entrust them to you.”
“Yes. Understood. Please go ahead.”

Gashan’s gaze briefly turned toward Raon before falling away.
I followed after Rak, who had taken the lead.
Beside me, Raon walked with an unreadable expression. Unlike moments before, there was no trembling in his steps.
Erhafen fell back a step and followed behind us.

“This is the room.”

Rak stopped in front of the most isolated room in the Black Castle.

“…He is here.”

I hadn’t asked who was there.
The Dragon Hybrid and Sherit. Both of them would be in this place.
I stood before that door for a moment.

‘Complicated.’

The Dragon Hybrid was a truly complicated existence to me.
I didn’t grasp the door handle.
The being inside the room—the one who had naturally opened the castle’s main gate—was not opening this door either.

“I have arrived.”

Only when I spoke did the door open.
Sherit, sitting quietly on the sofa, met my gaze.
No—she opened both arms toward Raon beyond my shoulder.

“Will you come here?”

And Raon nestled into her embrace without a word.
Raon’s gaze turned toward the interior of the room.
My eyes moved in the same direction.

“Hack. Cough.”

Just as I had been in that final battle against an unranked monster.
The Dragon Hybrid lay on the bed, limbs trembling in agony as dead mana and light attributes clashed endlessly, as if his heart would burst from the pain.

“Hack, cough, finally, hack.”

The Dragon Hybrid couldn’t form words properly.
I approached him.
I collapsed into the chair beside the bed and opened my mouth.

“So your limit has finally come.”

Despite his indifferent tone, the Dragon Hybrid’s lips curved into a smile.
Black blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth.

“Ugh, yes. I’ve lived a long time.”
“So you’re going to die?”

At Kale’s cold voice, the Dragon Hybrid let out a bitter laugh.
There was a time when Kale had asked the Dragon Hybrid a question.

‘If you had a chance to start over, what would you do?’

That day was when the Dragon Hybrid had revealed everything to Lord Sherit and Raon.
That opportunity was to have the Dragon Hybrid remain in the Black Castle just as Lord Sherit did.

The Dragon Hybrid barely steadied his breathing and opened his mouth.

“I am… cough. A wretch deserving of death.”
“Right. Considering your sins, even death is too lenient. You have too many debts to repay.”

Kale’s voice was particularly cold and harsh.
Yet the Dragon Hybrid still laughed.

“…Heh heh….”

Because I saw the complicated emotions in his eyes as he looked at me.
My mouth opened.
My voice trembled as if it might break at any moment.

“…But… but I don’t want to disappear like this.”

Chest pain that struck dozens of times per minute.
Over half a year of feeling as though my body was being torn apart.
Yet that time was the most peaceful of my over nine hundred years of existence.

‘…And it was happy.’

So happy that I kept thinking this shouldn’t be happening.
Because of that.
That’s why.

“I want to atone for my sins.”

And I want to take revenge.
Kale Heniatus saw the flames igniting in the Dragon Hybrid’s eyes.

“I will not remain in the Black Castle.”

Another promise Kale had made long ago.

‘Rest for now, and when I call you again later. Then we will settle things with me and Dark.’
‘Before you die, we will destroy the Dark Secret Base together with you. I promised.’

Kale had kept that promise, going to Dark’s base with the Dragon Hybrid, reclaiming the Molan Family, and destroying the base near the Gate of the Demon Realm, currently near the Endable Kingdom.

Yet neither the White Star nor Dark had been eliminated.
The promise between Kale and the Dragon Hybrid remained unfulfilled.

The Dragon Hybrid had remained here, organizing the magical knowledge he possessed.
And researching as well.
How to kill the White Star.
He had not bothered to find a way for himself to survive.
Because the more happiness he felt, the deeper guilt crushed his soul.

“I will do it myself. I will tear out that bastard’s throat with my own hands and kill him.”
“What?”

Kale Heniatus looked at the Dragon Hybrid as if he were spouting nonsense and questioned him back.
There was clearly no way to maintain the Dragon Hybrid’s body.
Then, someone entered the room.

“Young Master.”

Kale Heniatus saw who walked over and stood beside him.
A black robe dragged across the floor.

“I believe an explanation will be necessary.”

It was Merry.

“Whether it’s this castle or bones, magical circles can be inscribed on both. I believe I can create bones with enough durability to withstand magical circles.”

Something flickered across Kale Heniatus’s eyes in that instant.
Merry pulled out a stack of papers covered in fingerprints. Papers filled with all manner of magical formulas and equations. The obsession contained within them was palpable.
Merry’s calm voice filled the room.

“A Bone Dragon that moves with will. The Dragon Hybrid’s proposal has sufficient feasibility.”

…A Bone Dragon?
Could it be?
Kale Heniatus’s gaze turned toward the Dragon Hybrid.

“…You’re going to become a Bone Dragon?”

The Dragon Hybrid smiled at Kale Heniatus’s question.
In that moment, Merry added as if reading from a book.

“However, if the bones shatter, both the Bone Dragon and the Dragon Hybrid will simply end. For reference, the White Star destroyed my skeletal soldiers countless times. Bones are strong yet fragile.”

A way to exist safely within the Black Castle, even if movement would be restricted.
And a way to fight once more, but it would end the moment the bones inscribed with magical circles shattered.

The Dragon Hybrid spoke to Kale Heniatus and to everyone in this room, including Raon.
He needed at least their permission.

“I want to become the dragon he so desperately desired, and fight him.”

It was his final, only remaining wish.

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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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