Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 66

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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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That subtle tension carried through to the dinner table that evening. Kale had simply dropped a single statement.

“I will be making a brief trip to the Wipper Kingdom.”

Clang. The spoon fell from the hands of my youngest sister, seven-year-old Lily, clattering against the floor. Kale turned to look at her at the sound. Her face had gone deathly pale, her lips trembling at the edges.

“My teacher said so.”

Lily muttered without even thinking to pick up the spoon.

“Right now the Wipper Kingdom is terrifying and people die every day, and the nobles have to hide, and it’s hard to even eat good food! And you can’t sleep peacefully! My teacher said so!”

Her voice grew louder as her emotions seemed to escalate with each word. Then she stared at Kale and twisted her face in distress.

“You cannot go.”

At that moment, Count Derth cut off Lily’s words with a firm declaration. Kale looked at him in bewilderment. A trip to the Wipper Kingdom. The Crown Prince had promised support to ensure Kale arrived safely and discreetly.

‘I’ll tell your household that you’re carrying out my secret orders. There’s no need to mention the Magic Tower, mages, or such things, is there?’
‘Of course. Secrecy is good. And I’d like to reveal my destination only to my family and the Lord of Ubar.’
‘Naturally. I’ll make the arrangements.’

Crown Prince Alberu had informed Kale that the mission was a secret order whose contents could not be disclosed to Count Derth, and had given him the task accordingly.

“Father, this is the command of the Crown Prince.”
“I don’t care.”

The kind, ordinary-looking face of Count Derth was twisted with emotion. Kale looked past his second brother Basen, who stood frozen as if time had stopped, to the one person whose face remained calm—Countess Viollan.
When their eyes met, she asked peacefully.

“Is this your wish?”
“Yes, I wish to go.”
“Kale.”
“Yes.”

Countess Viollan set down her spoon and spoke again.

“You understand that place is dangerous, don’t you?”
“Yes.”

Kale nodded lightly. But with Choi Han, the Black Dragon, Rosalind, and Rak alone—and furthermore, with Vice-Captain Hilsman and the ten Wolf Children displaying such unwavering resolve to follow—it hardly seemed dangerous at all.

“Kale, remember one thing. I always worry about you, my son. We all worry about you. But.”

In that moment, Viollan’s gaze turned sharp and piercing.

“I won’t worry about this kingdom.”
“Ahem. My lady, surely our family’s safety depends on the kingdom’s security.”

Count Derth, who had been grimacing, smoothed his expression and cleared his throat awkwardly. But Viollan paid this no mind and continued speaking to Kale.

“Do you understand what I mean?”

Viollan posed the same question to Kale once more. Kale answered immediately.

“I am a golden turtle.”

Count Derth recalled in that instant the words he had once spoken to his son.

‘We protect everything with our hardest shell. But the most important thing is protecting ourselves.’

He gazed at his son. His son appeared calm and at ease.

“The person for whom my own safety is most important is someone with a hard shell.”

Kale spoke as Heniatus would have spoken to people.

“I am a person of Heniatus.”

Of course. For Kale, his own safety was paramount. Even if he found himself forced into battle, he only stepped forward when victory seemed certain, when a strong ally stood beside him on his side.

“Don’t worry.”

His voice brimmed with certainty. His eyes reflected unwavering resolve. A faint smile graced Countess Viollan’s lips.

“Yes, I understand. But I suppose a parent will always worry. That’s what it means to be a parent.”

There was no need to worry about it. Kale nodded at Viollan’s words. Count Derth resumed eating with his mouth firmly shut. Since he hadn’t told me not to go, it seemed he had accepted it well enough.

“I just sit here and the man does whatever I tell him to do.”

Still, he occasionally muttered to himself and chewed the meat roughly. When Kale saw that no further objections were forthcoming, he returned his focus comfortably to his meal.
He didn’t see it because his eyes were on his plate.
The exchange of glances between Count Derth and Countess Viollan was far from ordinary. And Kale had no way of knowing that Count Derth had instructed his butler that very day to secretly gather materials related to the Crown Prince and the Wipper Kingdom, regardless of cost.

He finished his satisfying meal and left the dining hall. Behind him came the sound of hurried footsteps rushing to catch up. It was a rare, flustered gait that broke noble etiquette.

“Basen?”

Those who had rushed after Kale were Basen and Lily.

“…Brother, must you really go?”
“More or less.”

I didn’t absolutely have to go. But a comfortable future for ten years was better than comfort for just one year. Kale spoke to his siblings, who remained silent.

“Both of you study and train hard. I’m able to move about freely because you two are here.”

Of course. Thinking of Basen becoming the lord and Lily taking charge of military affairs always put my mind at ease. At least there wouldn’t be any succession disputes or morning drama-like conglomerate family sagas unfolding between the eldest son and a capable second son, would there?

Kale turned his back indifferently to his younger siblings who watched him in silence. There was quite a lot to prepare from now on. As he walked away, Kale spoke to his siblings.

“Bring me back souvenirs from the Wipper Kingdom.”

Since Kale had turned around to speak, he didn’t see Basen and Lily stare at him intently, exchange meaningful glances with each other, and nod with determination. He couldn’t have dreamed that his younger siblings had already decided their future professions on their own.

A few days later, Kale left the Count’s Mansion as planned and was able to board the ship at exactly the time he had anticipated, putting him in quite a good mood.

“Young Master Kale.”

Kale was about to step onto the ship when he turned to look at Amir upon hearing her voice.

“Lady Amir.”

Even after a long time apart, Amir gazed quietly at Kale at the sound of his leisurely voice. Since the Lord of Ubar had already boarded the same ship as the Crown Prince, Amir immediately instructed him to prepare a sturdy, large vessel as soon as she received the Crown Prince’s secret orders.

“Safe travels, my lord. I hope you return this time without injury.”
“Of course.”

I had no intention of getting hurt. Kale could see Amir frowning, unconvinced.

“I cannot fathom why His Highness would send Lord Kale to such a dangerous place when he has barely finished recovering. Yet, precisely because you are Lord Kale, His Highness must trust you.”

Trust. The Crown Prince was not a man to trust anyone. I stated this plainly. A wry smile formed unbidden on my lips.

“I doubt that is the case.”

Amir’s voice rose at the sight of Kale’s bitter smile.

“That cannot be! My lord, at least I trust you.”
“Ah, yes. Well, thank you. Miss Amir.”

Despite her composed demeanor, Amir’s resolute conviction drew a casual response from Kale. He then took another step forward. He needed to depart on schedule. There were people waiting to be met.

“My lord—”
“I shall take my leave now, Miss Amir.”

Amir had more to say, but she held her tongue. As Kale boarded the ship, brushing aside his crimson hair that swayed in the sea breeze, she sensed both anticipation and exhilaration emanating from him.

Once Amir released her hold, Kale ascended the deck with a lightened spirit. From atop the massive ship’s deck, the village sprawled below in the midst of construction, its various corners alive with noise and activity.

Additionally, with some of the Whirlpools disappearing, a sea route large enough for massive ships to come and go was secured.

‘Of course, the remaining Whirlpools remain as they were.’

Kale shifted his gaze from the surrounding scenery to survey the deck.

“…Sigh.”

How had so many people gathered here?
Choi Han, Rak, Rosalind.
On, the cat trembling yet determined to go, and Hong beside her, along with Hans.
And Vice-Captain Hilsman, pale from boarding the ship, Vicross watching over him, and ten Wolf Children at their side.

‘If I get injured with all these people here, that would truly be a logical contradiction.’

Anyone who saw this would think I was marching off to destroy an entire nation.

-The sea smells wonderful.

Especially with the Black Dragon following along—what could possibly frighten me?
Kale commanded his companions who were watching him.

“Set sail.”

Whooooosh—
The horn announcing departure echoed across the waters before Ubar Territory. The ship was disguised as a merchant vessel for trade. Though calling it a disguise seemed unnecessary.

‘Well, trade is trade, after all.’

Of course, it would be unfair trade. Infinitely fair to Kale himself, but decidedly unfair to others.

-Human, don’t smile like that. You look like you’re about to commit fraud.

I heard the Black Dragon’s voice but ignored it, welcoming the refreshing sea breeze instead. Thus the ship headed toward the smallest harbor in the Wipper Kingdom.

And that night.

I remained awake on the deck. Though it was near midnight with no one else around, the deck was illuminated by soft lighting, and the full moon kept the darkness at bay.

Today I planned to receive guests here.
I leaned one arm against the ship’s railing, leisurely admiring the night sea. That was when it happened.

“Human.”

The Black Dragon appeared and approached. It had revealed itself upon realizing no one else was present in this place.

“What is it?”
“I was wondering…”

The Black Dragon seemed troubled, or rather, wore an expression of deep suspicion that dampened my mood as it looked me up and down.

“…You’re not just a name, are you, human?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”

The Dragon seemed to be deep in thought.

“I have a feeling you’d do something like that. Whether it’s a sword or a dragon.”
“Ah, your name?”

I wondered what he was talking about, but the Dragon was speaking about his own name. Kale Heniatus met the four-year-old’s worried expression with a serious face of his own.

“…Byulron? A name like that?”

Kale’s expression had grown grave. The Black Dragon hadn’t seen Kale wear such a serious expression in recent times. The Dragon’s pupils trembled. The Dragon answered urgently.

“That’s not it! I’m fine with anything! Human, whatever you give me is fine! Don’t worry!”

His wings flapped vigorously, and his tail swung back and forth as he desperately appealed that this wasn’t the case. Kale’s expression instantly shifted to one of ease, as if he’d never been serious at all.

“Then that’s a relief.”

He spoke the words carelessly.

“Raon, if On and Hong had heard your story, they would have felt hurt.”

A moment of silence fell.

“…Human, what did you just say?”

Contrary to what the Black Dragon thought, Kale had deliberated quite carefully. A name is something unique given to a person. For Kim Rok-soo, who had to live alone, the only thing wholly given to him was the name his parents bestowed upon him.

“Your name is Raon.”

Raon. In pure Korean, it meant ‘joyful.’

“And your surname is Miru.”

Miru. In pure Korean, it meant dragon.
A joyful dragon. Truly a funny name, but Kale had given it with considerable sincerity. The pure Korean name might trouble Choi Han, but he could brush it off somehow.
A careless voice reached the Dragon’s ears. Yet the Dragon had never seen Kale like this before. A gentle smile graced Kale’s lips.

“I gave you this name with the hope that you would live happily and joyfully.”
“…What do you mean?”

The Black Dragon asked Kale what the names meant. Kale pointed at the Black Dragon with his finger.

“You.”

Raon, and Mir. These were words that did not exist in this world. In this world, these words pointed to only one thing.

“It’s you. Letters and words created solely for you.”
“…Only me?”
“Yes.”

Kale smiled softly and stroked the dragon’s head.

“You’re a very great dragon, after all.”
“…Only me….”

After muttering for a long while, the Black Dragon swatted away Kale’s hand that was stroking his head and spread his wings and shoulders wide. His wings flapped violently. The dragon snorted.

“Acceptable. I shall use it specially.”
“Yes, Raon.”

The dragon’s nostrils flared. The corners of his mouth twitched upward.

“I am the great Raon Mir.”
“Yes, Raon.”
“That’s right. I am Raon.”

The dragon had gained a name after four years. A surname as well. Something that belonged uniquely to him, beyond this body. The dragon lifted his head.
The darkness of the cave and the darkness of the night sky above were visible. It had been night like this when he first emerged from the cave. Raon felt he would never forget that moment, nor this one.

Kale also lifted his head to follow the dragon’s gaze. The night sky was always the same wherever one went. As Kale gazed at it indifferently, the dragon’s—Raon’s—voice reached his ears.

“Thank you, Kale.”
“…What did you say?”

Kale looked at Raon with a startled expression. The dragon had already returned to his usual demeanor.

“Human, how could you not understand immediately?”
“Say it one more time?”

Kale chuckled softly, reaching out to pat the Dragon’s head. The Dragon headbutted his palm firmly in refusal.

“I don’t like it. Very much, extremely, considerably don’t like it! Weak human, you’ll catch a cold. Go inside and sleep!”

Yet despite those words, the Dragon’s wings fluttered and his tail swayed like On and Hong’s would.
Kale laughed softly at the sight. His low chuckle and smile were clearly visible even in the night, even above the sea.

“Going inside would be difficult.”
“Why would it be—”

The Dragon Raon’s gruff voice cut off abruptly. He turned to gaze at the sea. Far from the ship, in the distance.

Splash—
The sea waters parted as an enormous presence slowly revealed itself.
A whale.
That was when it happened.

“Lord Kale!”

Someone burst urgently from inside the ship and rushed toward Kale at tremendous speed. It was Choi Han. With an urgent expression, Choi Han scanned the distant entity slowly emerging from the waters. Then he quickly turned his gaze to Kale and approached him.

“Hmm?”

Only then could Choi Han see it.
Kale was waving his hand dismissively, telling him to go back inside. His expression was utterly bored. The Dragon Raon beside him spoke with a mocking tone as he looked at Choi Han.

“Not an enemy.”
“What?”

Choi Han turned his gaze back to the sea at those words. Simultaneously, Kale straightened from where he leaned against the railing and bowed his head toward the sea.

There was not one whale. There were three in total.
Guests had arrived.
One was a humpback whale, Witira. Another was an Orca. And the last.

“I greet the Whale King.”

Kale offered his respects to the Whale King, the largest humpback whale.

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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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