Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 679

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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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Clink.
Viollan set down her teacup as she spoke.
Uuuuu—uuu–
The space trembled finely from the vibrations still emanating from the magic circle, yet Viollan remained composed.

“From 7 to 9 o’clock last evening. For those two hours, no one has seen Hillsman Vice-Captain.”

Hillsman appeared flustered, at a loss for words.

“What is this situation?! No, I had a late dinner at that time! At my own residence! You know that, don’t you—I live alone!”

She stared at the seemingly panicked Hillsman Vice-Captain.
The corners of Viollan’s mouth lifted.

“Do I really look so amusing to you?”

The space enveloped by the magic circle.
Whatever magic it contained remained unknowable, but the roiling mana alone was sufficient to suggest its considerable power.

“At 7 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Sir Hillsman left, saying he would visit his residence briefly. And at precisely 9 o’clock, you entered the Lord’s Castle.”
“I am that Hillsman!”

His expression seemed genuinely aggrieved—yet simultaneously bewildered by the current situation. His sincerity appeared authentic.

“Simply because no one saw my whereabouts during those two hours, you suspect me? And are you truly certain? Surely someone saw me enter my residence, saw me light the fire to prepare food. How can you be confident no one saw me during that time? This doesn’t seem like you, Viollan.”
“Then let me ask you one thing.”

Viollan picked up her teacup as she posed the question.

“Sir Hillsman. When you become Knight Commander, what did I promise to do for you? You remember our contract, don’t you?”

Her eyes gleamed with a razor-sharp intensity.

“You’d better remember. Otherwise, you’ll be crushed and burst by the mana in this very room today.”

The expression drained from Hillsman’s face.

“Ha.”

He exhaled a short sigh and shook his head slowly.
His body sagged against the chair as if all strength had drained from him.
Then he looked toward Duchess Viollan.

“There was none.”
“…What?”

The Duchess’s eyes wavered.
Hilsman’s eyes, by contrast, remained steady.

“There was no contract between us.”

His voice rang with sincerity and conviction.

“You, who cherish the Heniatus Territory, this household, and its honor more than anyone—you would make a deal with me?”

He shook his head as if the very notion were absurd.

“You, Duchess—or rather, the acting Lord—would never bargain away the position of Knight Commander. You do not wish for Basen or Lily to become Lord. Above all, you desire that the administration and forces of the Heniatus Territory remain untainted and pure.”

Viollan’s lips parted.

“That is true. That is what I wish.”

Hilsman said nothing more.
He merely shook his head, as if bewildered by the situation itself.

“But you made a deal with me, Hilsman.”

Hmm!
Hilsman’s eyes widened.

“Duchess Viollan! I do not covet power! Why do you keep testing me-”
“If I, Hilsman, ascend to the position of Commander, and if I gain strength befitting that rank, grant me the opportunity to choose my lord.”

Viollan’s flat, measured voice echoed through the space.

“I wish to follow Young Master Kale Heniatus.”

She recalled a conversation with Hillsman Vice-Captain from roughly a year and a half ago.
After he had accompanied Kale to Harris Village and spent months wielding his sword day and night, the Knight Commander refused his request, so he came to find her and Derth Heniatus to speak his mind.

‘If Young Master Kale becomes the lord, I wish to serve my liege faithfully as Knight Commander. Of course, should someone else ascend to the position of lord, I will dedicate everything to my duties as Knight Commander. However, I wish to serve a different master in my heart.’

She did not remember everything, but this was such a remarkable memory that she retained quite a few precise details.

“Indeed, it was an uncharacteristic statement for Hillsman Vice-Captain, who favors his position.”

It had been a declaration that hardly suited Hillsman at all.

“Yet he proved himself.”

Hillsman changed after that.

“As a knight of House Heniatus more exemplary than any other, he fulfilled his duty in countless battles.”

The many wars that unfolded across Heniatus Territory—though Kale and his companions accomplished much, many others fought alongside them.

“And now, at last, he declared he wished to dedicate his life not merely to Kale, but to House Heniatus as a whole.”

Duke Derth Heniatus, who heard those words alongside her, said that Hillsman had become a true knight.

“Sir Hillsman said that this territory and all the people who dwell within it are precious. Now that he understands his true calling, he asked that should there ever be need for a sword or a shield, we call upon him without hesitation.”

Clink.
Viollan set down her teacup.

“Therefore, I chose Sir Hillsman to stand at my side this time.”

No matter how much tea she drank, she could not regain control.
She could not suppress her own fury.

“You mimic one who is both sword and shield of our House Heniatus. I cannot forgive this.”

Though Kale was called the Shield Prince, there were countless in this world who sought to become, and had become, swords and shields.
And protecting such knights of House Heniatus was none other than the sacred duty of House Heniatus itself.

“Where is Hilsman?”
“Where is he, you ask? He is right here, is he not? I truly—”

Crash!
In that instant, the table lurched.
Hillsman Vice-Captain’s hand shot forward. His body hurtled at tremendous speed toward Duchess Viollan.
Like an eagle’s talons, his powerful grip streaked toward her throat.

Boom!
Another deafening sound erupted.
Duchess Viollan did not blink once. She leisurely raised her hand and gently stroked what touched her palm.
Scales that should have possessed their characteristic coldness were strangely warm and soft to the touch.

“Thank you.”
“No, no—our human mother! I can handle this much!”

The Black Dragon revealed himself. Raon grinned broadly as Viollan’s hand stroked his back, clearly pleased by the sensation.
In that moment, a leisurely voice rang out.

“What a shame.”

Viollan’s eyes sharpened once more.

“Raon. Please restrain him.”

Whoooosh—
Resonating with the magic circle, Raon’s mana swept through the space, crushing down upon Hilsman. Even sheltered within Raon’s defense, Viollan felt her breath catch.
The dragon spoke innocently.

“Yes! I’ll catch him! Who are you?”

Sigh.
A weary exhale filled the air.
Hilsman collapsed into his seat.

“Hilsman is alive.”
“What?”

He shook his head repeatedly, a hollow smile crossing his face.

“He’s sleeping in the basement of my home. I checked, and he seemed quite loyal to House Heniatus, so I knocked him out cleanly without leaving a mark. Why would I harm someone like Hilsman?”
“…Who are you?”
“Duchess Viollan.”

Wearing Hilsman’s face, the figure smiled faintly—yet despite sharing the same appearance, the aura was entirely different.
From that presence, Duchess Viollan sensed depth of experience. And there was no malice in it.

“Hmm. It seems Derth got lucky with his spouse.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well. Hmm. I have a feeling someone’s watching this scene. Is Kale Heniatus watching too?”

The one wearing Hilsman’s face turned his gaze toward Raon.
He quietly observed the video communication device hanging around Raon’s neck.
A faint smile. Raon found the unfamiliar smile on this stranger’s face wearing Hilsman’s visage strangely… not unfamiliar.

“Duchess Viollan. And little Dragon. I was planning to just watch quietly and leave. I needed to witness the birth of a new legend. But unfortunately, that won’t work out.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m someone who must remain hidden. I should go now.”
“Who’s going anywhere! The human said to catch you!”

He simply stared at the video communication device despite Raon’s words. Though he couldn’t see the other side’s screen, he seemed unbothered.
A voice flowed from the black video communication device.

-What are you?
“Oh my, oh my.”

He shook his head repeatedly.

“Kale Heniatus shouldn’t speak to me that way. Well, I suppose it can’t be helped?”

On the other end of the video communication device, Kale pondered.

‘What is this madman?’

No one knew that Viollan wore the exact same expression. She had no choice but to.
She was exasperated.
Escape?
That was impossible for him.

“But here’s the thing.”

At that moment, the one wearing Hilsman’s face opened his mouth again.

“Why is the little rat here?”

His gaze turned toward Viollan.
His mouth smiled, but his eyes were cold.

“Derth, where exactly is that bastard?”

The moment those words left his lips, Kale Heniatus and Viollan sprang to their feet.
Kale Heniatus recalled a scene with Duke Derth.

“So my suspicions were right…!”

Duke Derth had spoken to Alberu, who intended to feign death.

‘I dislike meaningless sacrifice.’
‘I’m not particularly fond of meaningful sacrifice either.’
‘If both Kale and Your Highness heed what I said earlier, then I will attempt this.’

And during today’s meeting, Duke Derth had said.

‘…If it were a meaningful sacrifice, it would be something I could attempt for future generations. But given that we lack a clear answer…’

After that, Kale Heniatus had spoken to Choi Han and Raon.

‘Why lie in the first place?’

The ones he was referring to were Hilsman and his father, Duke Derth.

“…In just that brief moment…!”

Kale Heniatus’s face contorted.

* * *

“Your Highness! Are you alright?”

Saint Jack hurried toward Alberu with urgency.

“I’m… I’m fine.”

Alberu reached out with difficulty. Dragon Mila then positioned herself between the Saint and Alberu, briefly halting both the Saint and Hana.
At that moment, Hana spoke.

“Where is Kale Heniatus?”

In an instant, Saint Jack’s eyes shifted. A flicker of something crossed his gaze—something Alberu caught.

“Where is he? Surely Your Highness would know?”
“Hana.”

The Saint stopped his outspoken sister. He observed the Dragon’s expression while gauging Alberu’s complexion, his face heavy with concern.

“…Why do you seek Kale?”

Though he had coughed up blood, Alberu seemed to have regained some composure as he looked at Hana and spoke with effort. The Saint hesitated for a moment before offering an embarrassed smile.

“Something joyous has happened to us. It seems Hana wishes to tell the Young Prince Kale about it.”

Saint Jack took Hana’s hand.

“Ugh, really.”

Hana frowned but squeezed the Saint’s hand more firmly.
The Saint smiled brightly as he looked at Alberu.

“The Sun God has now granted me the ability to control the power of purification. That is why I can hold my sister’s hand like this. And He has shown me the true power of healing.”
“True healing…?”
“Yes.”

Saint Jack offered Alberu a gentle smile.

“The natural order. He commanded us to aid those who exist within the natural order.”

A warmth deeper than usual suffused his smile as it turned toward Alberu.

“All things that exist beneath the sun. Every being in this world exists within the natural order, and the Sun God has granted the strength to warmly embrace all those who live in accordance with it. It seems Hana was eager to share this teaching with Young Master Kale Heniatus as quickly as possible. She searched for you so desperately.”

What?
Alberu’s eyes widened.

Bloooooom—Bloom—
The blast of a war horn reverberated across all of Pursulsi, engulfing the entire region.

Flutter.
Through the window, the Knight Commander was marching forth with the knights and soldiers of Rowan, followed by reinforcements from the Wipper Kingdom and the Jungle.

That horn’s call.
It was the highest-grade signal—the announcement of war.
Alberu’s mouth fell open.

“Choi Han!”

A certain phrase surfaced in his mind.
Words spoken by the visitor who had entered this room.

‘Since so many have arrived, things grew rather hectic, and my conversation with the Knight Commander grew lengthy.’

Alberu’s gaze shifted toward the door.
The figure standing before it.
The one who had uttered those words moments ago.

“Seize Derth Heniatus!”

Crash!
A corner of the ceiling shattered as Choi Han emerged from above.
His sword drove toward Derth Heniatus.
Author’s Afterword

Hello.
I’m Yoo Ryeo-han, currently experiencing the mysterious phenomenon of my writing getting longer and longer. ^-^

Today marks the third anniversary since I began serializing this work.
So I wanted to leave this afterword to greet you all.

Lately, I’ve been carefully revisiting the early chapters from when serialization first started.
When I do, memories of those words and the time spent writing them come flooding back, along with all the emotions we shared together.

And in those moments, I find myself wanting to express my gratitude to all of you readers who have been with me through 【The Trash of the Count’s Family】.

Thank you so much!

Well, to be honest, I’m in an incredibly good mood today celebrating this third anniversary. Hahaha!
In such a delightful state, I’ve designated today as a day to eat lots of meat. (Not that I need a special designation to eat a lot, since I do anyway. Hehe…vegetables too..rice too..I eat lots of everything..lots..of..everything…^-^)

I sincerely wish that everyone reading this has a joyful and peaceful day.

Then I’ll see you again at the afterword for Chapter 700.

-Yoo Ryeo-han.

+P.S. I’m currently working on the paperback edition. I hope to see you with it sometime this year.

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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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