Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 73

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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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Kale Heniatus turned his gaze toward On, Hong, and Raon.

‘What’s wrong with them?’

He posed the question with his eyes, but the three of them simply shook their heads in response, accompanied by heavy sighs.

“Sniffle, sniffle.”

Even now, the sound of weeping filled the air. What could possibly be so sorrowful? Kale Heniatus turned his attention back to Mueller.

Both dwarves and rat-folk were naturally diminutive in stature. Mueller, having inherited those characteristics to an extreme degree, was smaller than either a dwarf or a rat-folk. One might have compared him to a dwarf from a fairy tale. With his round, adorable features, any adult—regardless of gender—would naturally feel a protective instinct upon seeing this tiny figure.
It’s like he’s a dwarf from a fairy tale. On top of that, with his round, cute appearance, any adult would naturally feel a protective instinct upon seeing this small person, regardless of gender.

However, Kale Heniatus was displeased.

“That’s pitiful.”

On and Hong approached Mueller with wagging tails and pitiful expressions. The closer they got, the more Mueller trembled. Now he was even crying with his mouth clamped shut.

“…they really look pitiful.”

At On’s words, Kale let out an internal scoff.

What are you talking about, poor?

Moreover, he had hidden away in fear, and despite being the only one who knew of the Magic Tower’s final defensive mechanism, he had refused to use it. After all, doing so would expose him. Paralyzed by the terror of death, he had abandoned his father’s dying words.
Had he not done so, the Mage Alliance likely would not have fallen into such ruin.
Of course, for Kale Heniatus, it had worked out splendidly.
Of course, it was a good thing for Kale.

Naturally, Kale Heniatus preferred it that way.
Of course, that was better for Kale Heniatus.

“Heaving sigh.”

Kale was growing tired of seeing the grown man cry. He dropped the kind facade he had been trying to maintain.

“Hey.”

At Kale’s call, Mueller flinched violently. His eyes darted to the iron rod in Kale’s hand, and he trembled uncontrollably. He thought his life was ending right here.

Thud, thump. Something landed in his lap as he cowered against the wall. It was bread and a bottle of milk—items Kale had pulled from his magical pouch and tossed over.

Mueller’s pupils wavered. He looked up at Kale cautiously. The man’s expression was slightly irritated.

“Eat.”

At the command, Mueller hastily bit into the bread. As Kale watched him eat the tear-soaked bread, an odd premonition washed over him.

‘…This seems rather dull-witted.’

His instincts were off. There was a dullness that went beyond mere foolishness.

He’d heard that dwarves possessed superior technical skill, and rat-folk possessed meticulous attention to detail and secrecy—qualities that should have made Mueller an exceptional designer and architect. Yet somehow—

“Th-thank you.”

Why did Mueller give off such a dull impression?
Kale felt increasingly uneasy. Regardless, On, Hong, and Raon approached Mueller with pitying expressions, positioning themselves as a shield against Kale’s intimidating presence.

But contrary to their intentions, Mueller couldn’t even taste the bread properly. A purebred feline and a dragon.
Then, as he stopped eating, a chilling sound reached his ears.

Tap, tap. Kale tapped the iron rod against the wall. It was a thoughtless gesture, nothing more.
Looking at Mueller, despite his poor intuition about the man, Kale decided to take him along.

The Heniatus Territory had many sculptors, but also skilled craftsmen in various fields. Especially in construction. After all, there was a Quarry. So Mueller had his uses.

“Do you want to live?”

Kale’s low voice echoed through the space. He felt slight irritation watching Mueller about to cry again.

Tap. Tap.
Tapping the iron rod against the wall, Kale calmed his mind. Since the man was fearful, he needed to be gentle. Kale asked Mueller with a kind smile.

“Should I let you live?”

Mueller nodded with such violent enthusiasm that breadcrumbs scattered through the air. Satisfied by his fervent response, Kale relaxed slightly and spoke with a gentler tone.

“Listen carefully to what I say. Understood?”
“Yes, yes!”
“First, eat the bread.”

Mueller began devouring the bread at remarkable speed. Pleased with his pace, I asked the rat-like creature as casually as one might inquire about the weather.

“You know about the Tower Master’s treasure vault, don’t you?”

The bread in his hand dropped with a soft thud. I spoke kindly.

“You dropped your bread. You should pick it up.”

Mueller scrambled to retrieve it, still huddled against the wall. I stood with On, Hong, and Raon surrounding him.

“You know, right? The Tower Master has his own separate chamber. A room meant only for the true Tower Master.”

The 20th Floor was not the Tower Master’s true chamber. The Magic Tower was not such a simple structure.
Confusion clouded Mueller’s eyes. How could he know of such a place? It was knowledge passed down only through the Tower Master’s lineage and the architect’s family.
In that moment, my voice reached his ears once more.

“And the Underground 4th Floor. You can access it, can’t you?”

I could see shock crystallizing across Mueller’s face. The Magic Tower was known to have 3 underground levels and 20 above-ground floors.
Watching him tremble with fear, wondering how I knew all this, I felt oddly conflicted. It felt like I had become a hostage-taker, an extortionist. That was never my intention. Rather, I planned to spare Mueller’s life and provide him with a safe refuge.

I smiled patiently and soothed the trembling rat.

“If you do as I say, I’ll let you live.”

Of course, I couldn’t grant him complete freedom—I needed to take him with me and put him to work. Mueller answered in a panic.

“I’ll do anything, anything at all!”

The rat-hybrid spoke with desperate urgency.

“Good.”

Kale answered that earnest plea.
Mueller’s eyes trembled as he gazed upon the man who had brought not only terrifying Cat-kin, but even more dreadful purebloods, and furthermore, the Black Dragon itself—a deep sense of dread washing over him.

“Then finish eating the bread first, and guide me from Underground 4th Floor onwards.”
“But to go there, I need mana stones-”

Before Mueller could finish speaking, a pouch was thrust into his hands. It contained several mana stones. Mueller hastily devoured the bread, now soaked with tears.

And so he had to descend to Underground 3rd Floor, surrounded by Kale and his companions.

The stairwell of Underground 3rd Floor. There was only a door leading into Underground 3rd Floor, with no staircase descending further below. Yet when Mueller retrieved a mana stone and approached the wall alone, manipulating something, a mechanical device emerged from the stone surface.

Creak—

With a faint sound, a Cave appeared. It was the Cave leading to Underground 4th Floor.

“Lead the way.”

As Kale commanded with anticipation, Mueller mechanically took the lead. The interior of the Cave descended in a gentle slope downward. The pristine Cave, devoid of moisture and humidity, was well-lit by luminescent stones that banished all darkness.

Underground 4th Floor.
Only the Tower Master, the secret research Mages, and Mueller from the designer’s family knew of this place. After descending deep into the Cave, Kale encountered a small door.

“…There’s an alarm magic device here.”

As Mueller hesitantly spoke, Raon stepped forward. With a light sweep of his claw, the small door opened. Naturally, no alarm sounded. Mueller was astounded, but Kale entered through the door alone.

‘I found it.’

I had found the first treasure.

What lay hidden within the Magic Tower?
The greatest among them were two secret research projects the Magic Tower had been conducting.

The names of the research were simple.

A mana storage device utilizing the principles of ancient power.
The reason magic resistance develops.

Herrol’s obsessive research and every study designed to eliminate the Tribal Warriors’ greatest strengths—all of it was here.

“Magnificent.”

Within two massive cylindrical vessels lay research materials secured with multiple layers of protection.

The Tribal Warriors who revered ancient power, and Herrol who despised magic yet craved its secrets—what ecstasy they must have felt upon discovering these materials.

‘But that will never come to pass now.’

That joy belonged to me.

I approached the enormous sphere positioned at the center of the two vessels containing the research materials.
Within the transparent orb—resembling a colossal egg—lay a seed enveloped in shimmering liquids.

“Human, that looks fun!”

The Black Dragon Raon drew near the egg, pressing his face against its glass surface like a steamed bun flattened against the pane, peering at the seed suspended in the luminous liquid.
I approached and gently stroked the back of the dragon’s head. “Would you like to raise it?”

“Can I, human?”
“Sure. But once you’ve raised it fully, it becomes mine.”
“Deal!”
“That’s great!”

Even at the young age of four, Raon readily accepted the offer of porridge being made for him. Kale Heniatus continued with a pleased smile.

“Of course! I’m curious about it all!”
“Of course! I’m curious about everything!”

I’ll need to hatch the seeds and set up a laboratory later. Knowing how much the seeds to be hatched and these research materials were worth, Kale Heniatus couldn’t help but smile.

“Gasp—y-you even know my name, sir?”
“Oh my, you even know my name, I see.”

Kale approached Mueller, who was crouching at the entrance, unable to even come inside. Mueller’s eyes darted back and forth between the Black Dragon, which was making documents and a giant egg disappear wholesale—whether into a subspace or elsewhere—and Kale approaching him. His pupils were trembling.

“Now, let’s head to the Tower Master’s Chamber.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
“Raon.”
“What is it, human?”
“Set up alarm devices here. And create a few magical traps as well.”

This Underground 4th Floor had appeared when the Magic Tower crumbled.
Tunka and the Non-Mage Alliance—with this acquisition, their forces would strengthen once more. Of course, I had wanted a way to prevent my own power from increasing.

‘That way, they’d self-destruct all the faster.’

But that wasn’t my concern, was it?
I watched idly as Raon eagerly unfurled his magical traps.

“The fun things here—other humans must not take them! The moment they set foot inside, they should die!”

I gazed fondly at the four-year-old’s excitement, but Mueller’s face grew increasingly ashen with each passing moment. Regardless, I confirmed that Mueller had sealed the entrance to the Underground 4th Floor cave, now thoroughly carpeted with Raon’s trap magic, before seizing him by the scruff of his neck.

“Tower Master’s Chamber.”

At those words, Mueller answered while his entire body trembled.

“We must go to the 20th Floor first.”

On and Hong leaped into my arms. Mueller found himself nestled in my embrace alongside On and Hong. Hong’s front paw made contact with Mueller’s body. The rat felt as though he might perish on the spot. Mustering his courage, Mueller spoke.

“I-if I could just walk—gah!”

But before he could finish, he was forced to clamp his mouth shut by the tremendous velocity. I utilized Wind’s Sound to ascend rapidly toward the 20th Floor.

Upon arriving at the 20th Floor once more, Mueller staggered and planted himself firmly on the ground. He swayed dizzily several times before being steadied by a supporting hand—On’s, naturally.

“Th-thank you.”
Meow.

On offered a slight smile, but Mueller trembled and turned away. Soon, faced with my steady, expectant gaze demanding explanation and action, he opened his mouth.

“The Magic Tower actually has one more floor.”
“Is the 21st floor the Tower Master’s Chamber?”
“No, we don’t call the Tower Master’s Chamber the 21st floor.”
“Then what do you call it?”

The Tower Master’s Chamber. That room—even the Non-Mage Alliance had never discovered it. I could only recall one detail from “The Birth of Heroes” that described it.

【The Non-Mage Alliance discovered the Underground 4th Floor, but they never learned that the Tower Master’s true chamber existed. Had they known, the national power of the Wipper Kingdom would have risen to another level.】

Mueller’s voice reached my ears.

“The 0th Floor. We call it the 0th Floor.”
“Prepare it.”
“Yes.”

I regarded Mueller with quite satisfied eyes—the way he now understood commands quickly, worked without complaint, and executed tasks flawlessly. As a faint smile naturally drew across my lips, Mueller’s movements accelerated further. His hands trembled slightly, but true to his dwarven and rat-folk heritage, his speed remained remarkable.

“Hmm.”

I let out a soft murmur of admiration.

Whirrrrr—

“I didn’t expect it to be here.”

Mueller manipulated the floor of the Tower Master’s Chamber several times. Various mechanical devices jutted out, and the sound of gears grinding and screws turning filled the air.
And finally, when he used a Magic Stone, a rather loud sound echoed through the Tower Master’s Chamber.

Boom.

But hearing the distant sound of cheers ringing out, I could take comfort even in the considerable noise. Yet soon, doubt crept in.

“…Mueller, explain.”
“Yes.”

Nothing had changed. Mueller pointed not to the unchanged chamber, but to somewhere else.

“It’s over there.”
“…Over there?”

Kale turned his gaze toward the location Mueller had indicated.
A window.
A massive window overlooking the expanse beyond the 20th Floor.

“You need only jump through it.”
“Through that window?”
“Yes. That will take you to the 0th Floor.”

Mueller lifted his head from the shadow cast before him. He could see Kale’s eyes.

“…You understand what happens if you’re lying?”

An iron rod gleamed. Kale watched Mueller nod while trembling, and offered him a faint smile. Then he seized the back of Mueller’s neck.

“W-wait! You said you’d spare me!”

Ignoring his protests, Kale gazed out the lofty window at the Black Dragon and the Cats. Seeing three pairs of eyes looking up at him, Kale exhaled a sigh.

“Go first.”
“What is this!”

Mueller was hurled through the window. Yet there was no sight of Mueller plummeting to the ground. Kale immediately followed suit.
He did not experience the sensation of falling from the 20th Floor. A soft thud—his feet touched solid ground instantly.

“Magic is truly magic.”

Before his eyes, the true Tower Master’s Chamber materialized. Simultaneously, the voices of children echoed from behind him.

“Sister, I don’t understand what I’m seeing right now.”
“Hong, my eyes are fine. But something feels strange.”

The Black Dragon released only a single exclamation.

The corners of Kale’s mouth twitched upward.

The Tower Master was a man of extraordinary greed. It was a hunger born from past trials—a defiance made manifest.

Gold, jewels, magical artifacts. Mountains of wealth filling the vast 0th Floor.
Everything gleamed brilliantly, and treasures lay scattered in every direction.

That greed was comparable to that of a mature Dragon.

“It truly reminds me of Dragon Rare.”

Kale Heniatus made his way toward the pile of magical devices. Not a single inexpensive one among them. All were magical devices adorned with gems and rare ornaments—clearly crafted for nobility and the Royal Family.
And they were stacked here.

Even facing the brink of collapse, the Tower Master had never used these magical devices. Because to use them would be to squander them not for himself, but for the entire Magic Tower.

I covered my face with both hands. Through the darkness, a vision of perfect leisure danced before my eyes.

“Hahahaha!”

I let my laughter burst forth without restraint. Mueller, who had been watching me, took the opportunity to explore the Tower Master’s Chamber—a place he had never set foot in before—wandering about with wide eyes.
He crept forward timidly, extending his hand toward the nearest treasure. His fingers closed around a golden brooch.

Meow.

A chilling sound reached his ears.
On and Hong were watching him with swishing tails. The Black Dragon took a step closer. Mueller released the golden brooch from his grip.
Thirty hands could do nothing.

Meanwhile, I gazed at the children with a broad smile playing at my lips.

“We are wealthy now.”

At my calm words, so at odds with my expression, On, Hong, and Raon began to grin. A bright and vibrant energy circulated among us, as if we were Tribal Warriors celebrating a toast.
Mueller watched with eyes wide with terror.

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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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