Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 687

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

“Duck down!”
“Everyone get down!”

The explosion that erupted in the dead of night struck the Monster Lion Beast with perfect precision. Yet its shockwave rippled outward to everything around it.

Flap. Flap.
The blast of wind that came with the explosion sent clothing fluttering. Ordinary soldiers and knights had to press themselves flat against the ground, hugging the earth as tightly as possible.

Crack, crack crack.
“Move!”

The building, which had grown cracked and precarious from several previous battles, finally saw its walls crumble and collapse.
The wind that had gathered and compressed again—the explosion born from that pressure was of this magnitude.

“…Fire….”

Yet despite the wind’s assault, people could only watch with wide eyes as a brilliant crimson blaze blazed fiercely before them.
Though not liquid, the scarlet flames—reminiscent of molten lava—engulfed the Lion Beast’s entire body, burning brilliantly.

“Not even a scratch.”

And yet the monster’s scales and shield remained completely unburned.

“Ah, should I have aimed for the face instead?”

I muttered regretfully.
The Lion Beast had raised its shield to cover its face the moment the button I’d thrown was about to detonate.
The lion-faced monster hid its mane behind the shield, evading the flames.

‘Scales even tougher than a dragon’s.’

White scales that maintained their pristine appearance even within the crimson inferno. And a pure white shield unmarred by even a hint of soot.
Seeing the Lion Beast up close for the first time was quite enlightening for me.

But conversely, the Lion Beast that had been watching me simply turned its gaze away without hesitation.
The monster merely waited quietly for the flames—now with nothing left to burn—to die down and vanish.
That indifference was what made people grow most weary.

I rose from my seat with a slightly weary expression. The aftermath of the explosion had already passed, so getting to my feet was not difficult at all.

“Kale Heniatus.”
“Your Highness.”

I turned around with a grin. Albert Crossman was watching me with his head tilted to one side.
I spoke with considerable satisfaction.

“While there was no substantial damage, it was still quite a decent strike, wouldn’t you say?”

Albert’s head tilted even further to one side. Perhaps because of this, his face seemed oddly skewed to me.
Albert’s mouth slowly opened.

“…Decent? …Quite a decent strike?”
“Yes.”
“…Are you joking?”
“I’m not joking.”

At Albert’s considerably grave tone, I wondered why this man was acting this way. Albert let out a sigh. This irreverent fellow truly did not budge at his somber voice.

‘This man and the Lion Dragon are alike.’

Having grouped me and the Lion Dragon together in his mind for not budging, Albert approached me.

“Lord Kale.”

Choi Han had jumped down from Dragon Mila’s back and come closer.

“You promised Lord Raon you wouldn’t get hurt— huh?”
“Where am I hurt, ah—”

Both Choi Han and Albert stopped in their tracks. Erhafen could not see what was happening on his back, but Dragon Mila, who had drawn near, also let out a small exclamation of surprise upon seeing me.

“Teacher, that’s not your blood, is it?”
“…Mila, if I bled that much, I would be dead.”
“Yet you bled so much just before, didn’t you?”

Rendered speechless by the dragon’s remark, I pressed my lips firmly shut. Instead, I held up both my hands to show them.

“Here. Nothing’s injured except for one palm. I’m perfectly fine and in good health.”

Pat, pat. I brushed the dirt from my clothes with my hand.

“It’s all just mud. Nothing serious.”
“I’m relieved, Kale Heniatus.”

Choi Han offered a gentle smile. Kale Heniatus thought that Choi Han was truly consistent in his kindness as he turned his gaze toward Alberu.

“What about the White Star?”

Alberu, too, was remarkably consistent—rather than expressing relief, he immediately asked about the White Star’s whereabouts.
Thinking such thoughts, Kale Heniatus tapped his left chest where his heart was.

“It’s here.”
“Are you insane?”

At Alberu’s words that burst out immediately, both Alberu and Kale Heniatus froze for a moment.
Alberu was startled by his own unintended outburst, but quickly broke into a bright smile. Then he corrected himself.

“…You’re not insane, right?”

It was the same thing, really.
Kale Heniatus drew a characteristic languid smile and leisurely slipped his hand into the inner pocket of his shirt.
Then he pulled out the golden badge.

“You’re really—something.”

Albert Crossman stared at the golden badge with an expression that asked how he could possibly pull that out in such a situation, thinking that this man wasn’t merely consistent—he was extraordinary.

“Here it is. I’ve imprisoned the White Star inside this.”

Hm?
Alberu’s expression began to shift gradually.
Confusion, understanding, and finally bewilderment—the Crown Prince went through three expressions before breaking into a bright smile.

“You’ve imprisoned a cursed thing inside a precious item given by the Roan Royal Family. Little brother, do you like this golden badge?”

Kale Heniatus answered with a serious expression.

“Yes. When I suddenly tried to grab one, this one fit perfectly in my hand. The round shape was just the right size, and it settled snugly in my grip.”
“…I see.”

Then, as the dust from the explosion began to settle, cheers erupted from the ground.

Waaaaaaaa—

There was no need to ask whose arrival had sparked such jubilation.
Covered in crimson blood, Kale Heniatus had descended upon the battlefield with a devastating assault, standing tall atop the dragon. The soldiers of Roan could not contain their roaring cheers for their former commander—the very symbol of victory.

“Oh no!”

At Mila’s sharp cry, Erhafen’s body moved into action.
My gaze, which had been fixed on Albert, shifted. The white shield came into view—still burning with unextinguished flames.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

Choi Han brushed past me.

Kwaaang—!

The shield and the black dragon collided, unleashing a thunderous roar.
Click. At the faint sound, I turned my gaze. Albert was steadying his breathing as he adjusted the barrel of his gun.
A battle without magic. For Albert, all he could rely on was the weapon in his hand and his own martial prowess and swordsmanship. Yet I still asked.

“Your Highness. You don’t need me, do you?”
“I was planning to do this without you from the start.”
“Understood. Then I’ll step back.”

Albert nodded and closed his eyes. In his mind, a strategy for how to raid that Lion Dragon was already unfolding.

‘The White Star is absent.’

In this battle, the White Star would not be a variable factor.
That fact alone brought him considerable peace of mind.

‘…A formidable one.’

When Alberu opened his eyes again, he looked at Kale Heniatus, who had trapped the White Star within the golden cage.
The eerie aura that had sent chills down everyone’s spine had already dissipated, leaving him looking as weak and pallid as always.

“Rest now.”

Alberu brushed past Kale Heniatus and stepped forward.
At the same moment, Kale Heniatus heard Erhafen’s voice.

“It feels like I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Indeed, sir.”
“Yet it’s surprising. I never thought such an unlucky fellow would withdraw from battle so readily.”

The Kale Heniatus that Erhafen knew was not one to withdraw from combat so easily. No matter how much his companions urged him to step back, he would always throw himself into the fray, creating situations where his life hung by a thread.
Because of this, Erhafen swallowed his concern, wondering if perhaps Kale Heniatus was injured internally despite appearing unharmed on the surface, or if he was simply exhausted.
Then Kale Heniatus spoke casually.

“My life has become precious to me now.”

Both Erhafen and Alberu paused for a moment.
The Ancient Dragon pressed his lips shut, while Kale Heniatus continued speaking as if he knew nothing.

“I wish to live long on this land. There are so many things I would regret leaving behind.”
“….”
“I’ve repaired the jar completely.”

The Ancient Dragon exhaled softly.

“Erhafen, you must live long as well.”
“Ha. You’re a persistent one.”
“So even if unlucky, I endure for a long time.”

Of course, Kale Heniatus himself did not believe he was particularly unlucky.

‘A carefree life isn’t far off now.’

Whirrr—a whirlwind coalesced around Kale Heniatus’s ankles.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

Kale Heniatus withdrew from Erhafen’s back without hesitation, descending slowly toward the ground below.
Erhafen watched his figure for a moment before unfurling those massive wings.

“I’ll capture it first and sort things out later.”

The target was the Lion Dragon.
Erhafen and Albert—the only two beings who had drawn the monster’s attention, who had provoked it to attack—now rushed toward it.
The flames that had died down moments ago; the still-pristine white monster took a step forward.
Boom.
The monster charged toward Erhafen and Albert as well.

Crash—!

The thunderous collision of their battle echoed behind Kale, yet he didn’t spare a glance backward. Instead, as he touched down on the ground, he surveyed his surroundings.

“Prince Kale.”

Ritana, the Jungle King, approached with undisguised astonishment. Her eyes took in Kale’s form—stained here and there with what appeared to be dried blood—and his pallid, exhausted expression.
Of course, Kale was actually in quite good condition.
He hadn’t expended as much of his power as he’d anticipated when facing the White Star.
When his gaze met Ritana’s, he offered a smile.

“Ah, it’s been a long time since we’ve met.”
“Prince Kale.”

At that moment, someone approached with a quiet voice, stepping in front of Ritana.

‘…What’s wrong with this guy?’

It was Guardian Knight Clophe Seka.
Clophe Seka approached with several memory storage devices cradled in his arms. The moment Kale saw his eyes, he couldn’t help but pause.

‘He looks like he’s lost his mind.’

He appeared to have gone completely mad—spinning around some 540 degrees worth.
However, from Clophe Seka’s perspective, the current situation was such an extraordinary moment that it was nearly impossible to maintain composure.

“At last, the legend—”
“Sir Clophe Seka.”

With a sharp sound, Kale Heniatus grabbed Clophe’s shoulder and hastily cut him off. Something told me I shouldn’t hear the rest of that story.

“I heard that the Crown Prince entrusted you, Sir Clophe Seka, with matters related to the rumors spreading across the Western Continent.”

With Ritana and other foreigners present, along with members of the Roan Kingdom Leadership and ordinary soldiers scattered about, Kale spoke to Clophe with formal courtesy.

“Hehe.”

But at Clophe’s laughter that followed, my expression couldn’t help but crumple.
This felt ominous.
What was he doing right now?

“Do not worry, Young Lord Kale Heniatus. I shall overturn everything. The world will soon face the truth—a magnificent record.”
“…So you’re saying things are going well, then?”
“Yes, of course.”

Kale felt uneasy. Yet in the current situation, I couldn’t very well grab Clophe and demand to know what he was doing. There was no time for that.
Instead, I whispered to him.

“Then I have one more request. Will you be able to do it?”

Though my words were phrased as a question, my eyes conveyed: ‘You can do this, right? Do it.’

“Yes. I can.”

If Clophe Seka could be of help in even one part of this legendary—no, mythical tale, he would stake everything on it.
He listened intently to what Kale would say next. Everyone around them, including Ritana, listened as well.
Kale had come here despite the battle with the Lion Dragon.
What could such a person possibly be asking for?
It would surely be no simple task.

Kale felt all eyes upon me and slowly opened my mouth.

“I have captured the White Star alive.”

…!!!
Silence fell, and silent astonishment began to ripple outward.
Those nearby wondered if they had heard correctly.
Ritana’s hands trembled involuntarily, and she clasped them together.

‘I heard that Prince Kale Heniatus was fighting the White Star. But he captured him alive?’

Capturing alive was far more difficult than killing.

‘Is that why he looks so utterly exhausted?’

Admiration and gratitude beyond mere surprise surged through me like a tidal wave.
Kale felt everyone’s attention focused on him, but he deliberately ignored it and spoke to Clophe.

“Spread this news throughout the entire Western Continent.”
“…I see.”

A flicker of intrigue crossed Clophe Seka’s eyes before vanishing.

“Kekeke. Understood.”

…Why was he smiling like that?
Kale found himself thinking once again that someone like Clophe Seka was truly terrifying.
Tap, tap. But Kale lightly patted Clophe’s shoulder and moved forward.

“I’m counting on you.”

No one stepped forward to block his path. Only the representatives of each nation who had chosen to remain on the battlefield approached Kale.
Yet Kale’s lips opened before they could speak.

“I’m sure you all have your own duties to attend to. I appreciate your help.”

Those who had been approaching stopped in their tracks.
There were so many things they wanted to ask. But the one who looked most exhausted continued forward without pause toward some destination.

“I will express my gratitude for your aid to Roan with a smile once everything is over.”

Ritana could not help but open her mouth in response to Kale’s words.

“We received more help than we gave.”
“The same is true for us.”

Prince Valentino expressed his agreement as well, and I offered them a smile.
It was a composed smile, one that looked unshakeable and resolute.
How could I manage such a flawless smile even in the midst of such hardship?
The foreigners marveled at it, and while the soldiers of the Roan Kingdom couldn’t bring themselves to approach, strength surged through their entire bodies.
My very presence alone made victory seem effortless.
Of course, I was genuinely smiling without a trace of pretense, in a truly good mood.

‘Heh.’

Where could they be hiding?
My eyes gleamed with intensity.

‘Three of those hired by Father have disappeared. If one is the White Star, where are the remaining two?’

At least one of those two must be connected to Father’s kidnapping.

‘And Sayehr. That bastard should be somewhere nearby too.’

Bear King Sayehr. That man, whom I hadn’t seen since the Endable Kingdom’s summoning ceremony, must be hiding somewhere, observing Pursell City.

‘Perhaps the location of Father’s kidnapping and the Bear King are connected.’

And soon enough, the Bear King would surely hear news of my capture of the White Star.

“Hmm.”

I walked forward without hesitation, organizing my thoughts. Many people greeted me or cast glances of admiration and concern my way, but I simply continued walking in silence.
Thud. Thud.
Hardened reddish mud, resembling bloodstains, fell with each of my steps.
But my mind had no room to dwell on such things.

‘Surely Sayehr—’

Or perhaps another subordinate of the White Star would notice the White Star’s absence.

“And they would propose a hostage exchange.”

They cannot abandon the White Star.
Because the White Star lies at the end of all their objectives.
So the enemies will propose a trade to Kale Heniatus—Duke Derth in exchange for the White Star.
Whether they make the offer in secret or openly, they will certainly make some gesture.
And then, at that moment.

‘I’ll capture them all.’

Such was Kale Heniatus’s resolve—to bring down every last force under the White Star’s command.
Since they had dared to lay hands on my family, there was only one choice left for me.

Click.
I opened the door and stepped inside.

“Human! You’re hurt—no, that’s not human blood!”
“I missed you!”
“It doesn’t look like you’re injured.”

The average nine-year-old rushed toward me as I entered, as if to embrace me.
I sidestepped away from the average nine-year-old who was stronger than me, moving one pace to the side, and headed straight for the window.
The only space where magic was possible. I reached out and touched the orb placed at the window’s edge.

“Can you hear me?”
-Yes, Rok-soo, I hear you loud and clear.

Inside the orb, which served as both a communication artifact and a video storage device, Lee Soo-hyuk gazed at me and the landscape beyond the window with an odd expression, his eyes shifting between the two.
I observed Lee Soo-hyuk’s face, which bore a peculiar exhaustion, and soon turned my gaze away.
There sat a man bound to a chair, smiling brightly.
He wore the appearance of Knight Hilsman, but he was someone entirely different.

“I have a suspicion about who you are. Do you think my guess is correct?”
“Perhaps.”

He offered me an enigmatic smile in response to my question.
But I said nothing more and drew something from my pocket.

“I’ve been thinking about this carefully. You’re not the White Star, and you’re not anyone I’ve met before either. Yet you address my father and me with familiarity. And I cannot fathom any being capable of such flawless disguise besides you. Moreover, you surrendered far too readily, showed no intent to attack.”

Tap, tap. I gently caressed my biological mother Jur Temps’s diary.
The man’s eyes, still smiling, pierced through the diary with an intense gaze. Then that gaze shifted toward me.

In that instant.
Crack—!
A sharp gunshot tore through the night sky, and immediately after, a monster’s shriek drowned out the sound.
In a quiet space slightly removed from the battlefield, I opened my mouth to the man wearing Hilsman’s face.
This busy and urgent situation—yet to prevent variables, I had to ask this one thing, confirm it, and move forward.

“Is your surname Temps?”

Temps.
My maternal family’s surname.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————