Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 74

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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 16. A Good Man

After safely escaping the Magic Tower, I encountered Vicross, who had been standing guard in front of the tent. He acted as though I were invisible, and I entered the tent without saying much.

Of course, I had Mueller tucked under my arm.

I released Mueller and sat on the sofa. Without needing to be told, Mueller knelt before me. There was no real need for such formality, but I paid it no mind and got straight to business.

“I will provide you with a warm bed and a safe space where you will never die. And later, I will give you freedom as well.”
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes.”

I leaned forward toward the kneeling Mueller.

“First, I will make it so you can leave this Wipper Kingdom.”

Mueller’s eyes widened with a spark of hope. He must have been terrified of the Tribal Warriors and the mages. Simply leaving this place would be enough to make him happy. I casually fastened a brooch to his collar.

It was that golden brooch he had tried to sneak earlier. There was no way I could have missed it. Mueller’s face went pale.

“I will give you such treasures as well. So you can do what I ask of you well, yes?”
“Yes, yes! I will do my very best!”
“Then create the blueprints for a castle and a ship.”
“…I beg your pardon?”

Mueller possessed the qualities to become the greatest designer. What I desired from him was precisely that—design.

“Make it as grand as the Magic Tower.”

I needed a comfortable home and sturdy means of transportation.

“What style would you like me to create?”

At Mueller’s question, the symbol of my house came to mind.

The golden turtle.

A ship and a turtle—something came to mind. I recalled records of a great naval battle, but I did not speak of it carelessly. I simply wanted a ship for travel and comfort. It was certain that any grand history would have nothing to do with me.

“…Our house’s symbol is the golden turtle. Design it yourself and submit it.”

Mueller would handle it on his own. I had no idea what the final product would look like, but Kale Heniatus made his expectations crystal clear.

“You’d better work hard thinking your life depends on it. On, Hong. Keep watch.”

Meow.
“Watching is fun!”

Mueller was weak against the children. Truly.

“Y-yes! I’ll do my best!”

Hearing Mueller’s desperate voice, Kale Heniatus felt satisfied with today’s work.
The singing of the tribal warriors reached his ears. The celebration was building toward its crescendo.
It was a noisy night.

* * *

The celebration continued until dawn, and the morning that followed was quiet. Yet time flowed on regardless of that silence.

“How is your body feeling?”

At Staff Commander Herrol Codian’s question, Kale Heniatus waved his hand dismissively.

“Much the same as always.”

With the vitality of his heart, Kale Heniatus maintained peak condition at all times.

“I think you all should be worried about your own bodies, not mine.”

Herrol Codian and the staff officers bore deep signs of exhaustion. Bilos was no exception.

“I’m not weak!”

Tunka, who was occupying one corner while reeking of alcohol, was the same. Kale Heniatus dismissed Tunka’s words lightly and opened his mouth to Herrol Codian.

“Things progressed faster than expected.”
“…There was no point in delaying matters for either of us.”

Just one day. Herrol Codian and Bilos had reached an agreement on the Magic Tower contract in a single night. It was something that shouldn’t have been possible so quickly, yet simultaneously, it was the kind of deal that could be expedited if circumstances demanded it.

“Well, you’re in quite a hurry, aren’t you?”

One way or another, the Non-Mage Alliance—composed of those without resources, now embroiled in internal conflict—must be perpetually strapped for funds. The Royal Family had no money either, constantly manipulated by the Mage Alliance, and the Magic Tower itself contained nothing of monetary value. Yet selling the magical devices that existed within the kingdom would undermine their very legitimacy.

Above all, Herrol Codian must be eager to expel Kale Heniatus as quickly as possible.

“Have you reviewed the contract?”
“I read it the moment I received it.”

The amount slightly exceeded ten billion Gelrons. This was because the surrounding land had been included in the purchase as well.

“I’ll demolish it within a year, so don’t worry.”

I would purchase the Magic Tower but demolish it within a year.
I would not relocate the Magic Tower building to another nation.
I would not gather mages under the name of Kale Heniatus.

“…I simply cannot comprehend you.”

Tunka stared at Kale as though he were some wastrel throwing money around, but Kale merely shrugged lightly.

“I simply wanted to experience the view from the highest floor of the second-tallest building after the Imperial Bell Tower.”

Tunka regarded him with an uncertain expression, but as if unwilling to entertain further complicated thoughts, he extended the contract in his hand.

“Let’s just sign it. I’ve arranged to spar with your subordinate Vice-Captain Hilsman today. Kahahaha!”

At the mention of Vice-Captain Hilsman’s name, Kale’s expression grew sour. The Vice-Captain was exceptionally skilled at social interactions. Choi Han had reported that he had opened a dialogue with the Tribal Warriors and that the sight had been remarkable.

“You need only affix your seal.”

Herrol Codian extended the seal pad to Kale. In that moment, their eyes met. Herrol Codian gazed at him intently, as if probing his inner thoughts, but Kale simply answered with a smile.

Herrol Codian would prefer not to sell if he had his way. His suspicions ran deep. Yet what choice did he have? Selling was far more advantageous given the circumstances, and ignoring that reality was difficult.

“Well, I’ve already affixed mine, so you do the same!”

Tunka stamped the contract with hearty, or rather crude, decisiveness without hesitation, and Kale also affixed his seal to both copies. He then tucked his contract into his pocket. Now it was Bilos’s turn to step forward.

“I, Bilos Flynn of the Flynn Merchant Guild, shall handle the notarization and payment.”

Tunka nodded and extended his hand, which Kale grasped firmly.

“If you need anything when destroying the Magic Tower, just say the word. I can help demolish that filthy building as much as you need.”
“I will.”
“You should take great pride in having contracted with us, who will accomplish great deeds going forward.”

Kale’s gaze met Tunka’s as the orc gripped his hand with considerable force.

“We will leave our mark on this continent’s history. From now on, feel free to tell others that you know me! Hahaha!”

History, indeed. Though a history of ruin would still be history, I suppose. Soon, the events of the fifth volume will conclude in chronological terms. What comes after, I’m not entirely certain. But regardless.

“I shall look forward to it.”

Kale responded politely to Tunka’s words.
The contract was now fully concluded.

Kale exited the command tent and returned to his own. Naturally, Bilos followed behind him. The moment they entered, Kale accepted the promissory note that Bilos offered with a sinister smile.

Kale withdrew the golden seal from his pocket. When he twisted it slightly, there came a soft click, and the top of the golden seal opened like a lid.

“Oh!”

The Royal Family’s seal appeared, and Bilos let out an exclamation of admiration.

“Why are you gawking at it like that?”

Kale chuckled at the sight and pressed the seal onto the promissory note. Twice in total. Once its usage exceeded this limit, the seal within the golden badge would vanish. Kale handed a magical pouch to Bilos, who was gazing at the golden seal with undisguised covetousness.

“Isn’t this the one I gave you—?”
“Open it.”

Bilos unfolded the magical pouch he had once sold to Kale.

“…Ah.”

Within the subspace, I could see the magical devices that had been shrunk down. All of them were for nobility and royalty. Kale Heniatus’s voice seeped into Bilos’s ear.

“You’ll receive several more pouches like this in the future. Start releasing them gradually after a month.”

Bilos’s grip tightened around the pouch he held. He asked Kale Heniatus carefully.

“How much will I be taking, sir?”
“Three.”
“That much?”

Bilos couldn’t hide his surprise. A ratio of three wasn’t truly excessive, but the Kale Heniatus he knew was quite meticulous about such matters—he’d expected at most two. These magical devices were now impossible to obtain elsewhere.

“Merchant Guild Master.”

Kale Heniatus’s voice struck precisely into Bilos’s ear.

“The position you’ve always wanted—you need to secure it quickly. The Northern Region and maritime routes will be thrown into chaos soon.”
“…Another war, then.”
“Only you know this.”
“Why share such valuable information with me?”

Bilos carefully placed the magical pouch into his breast pocket.

“If you have more to give, please do so anytime.”
“Yes. Stay in contact with your great-uncle as much as possible.”

Odeus. The man who controlled the underworld of the Northwestern Region in the Roan Kingdom.

“Why my great-uncle?”

The day to avenge the Black Dragon, Raon, was drawing near.

“Don’t ask questions. Just do it.”
“Understood.”

Bilos raised no further objections and produced a magical communication device. It was a precious item obtained with great difficulty, but Kale Heniatus took it and casually tossed it onto the bed. At this characteristic behavior, Bilos spoke as he exited the tent.

“I’ll contact you via video communication next time.”
“Very well.”

Kale Heniatus immediately issued instructions to On and Hong as soon as he left.

“Bring the children.”

Meow.

Moments later, Kale Heniatus opened his mouth as he observed those On and Hong had brought.

“The deadline is.”

He trailed off mid-sentence and released a heavy sigh. His brow was furrowed deeply.

“Hilsman.”
“Yes, sir!”

Vice-Captain Hilsman’s face was a complete mess from celebrating with toasts that had stretched until dawn, and he reeked of alcohol. Yet his condition appeared to be perfectly fine.
According to Vicross’s report, he had been cheerfully carried to the tent at dawn with his arm around the shoulders of the Tribal Warriors.

“Did you enjoy your time at the celebration?”
“Of course! I made many new friends!”

Despite his jealous nature, he certainly excelled at socializing.

‘Can I really send someone like this along with Rak?’

Kale Heniatus felt doubt, but there was no point in questioning it now. He spoke while looking at Rak, the Wolf Tribe children, and Hilsman.

“You have one month.”

Kale Heniatus intended to begin the transaction he had planned with Rak now. A map was unfolded across the table in the tent. Kale Heniatus pointed to a mountain located at the southern tip of the Wipper Kingdom.

“Yelia Mountain. All you need to do is find the item I’m looking for there.”

This ancient power was one that dwelled within an object.

“…My lord?”
“Yes, Vice-Captain.”
“I’ve heard tales of that mountain before. It’s said to be extremely tall, with its peak perpetually covered in snow. I’ve heard it’s counted among the three most treacherous mountains on the Continent.”
“And?”

Kale Heniatus looked toward Rak instead of the silent Hilsman.

“Can you do it or not?”
“I can.”

The answer came without hesitation. Rak remained timid and somewhat naive, yet he had changed considerably.

“Mess.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t need to climb all the way to the snowy plains. Just stay nearby and look after Rak.”

Mess exchanged glances with the children before responding with vigor.

“Yes! We’ll show you we can do our part perfectly!”
“No, there’s no need to be so enthusiastic about it.”

Kale Heniatus waved his hand dismissively and spoke to Hilsman.

“You’re the guide. Just make sure the children are well-guided, well-fed, and well-rested.”
“…So I don’t have to climb the mountain?”

Hilsman scratched his head and spoke hesitantly.

“I have acrophobia, you see.”

How could someone like this be serving as Vice-Captain? Kale Heniatus felt his doubts about the Knights Order surge rapidly.

“Do as you see fit.”
“Yes! I’ll care for the children as an excellent guide and escort! So, young master, where should we return to?”

In response to Hilsman’s question, Kale Heniatus pointed to a section of the map.

“…Here?”
“Yes.”
“Um, I think you may have pointed to the wrong place?”

Hilsman’s eyes could not leave the spot Kale Heniatus had indicated.
One of the Five Mysteries of the Western Continent.

‘A path from which none return.’

The Rainforest. A forest where rain fell year-round. And it was known that once you entered, you could never find your way out—a forest that caused countless travelers to lose themselves and never emerge again.

It marked the boundary between the Wipper Kingdom and the Western Continent South. Kale’s finger pointed toward that forest.

“Vice-Captain. There’s a village called Hoik Village near the Path from Which None Return. It’s a small village, and the only entrance to the forest with no exit.”

It was a very small village located at the southernmost point of the Wipper Kingdom. It stood guard at the entrance to a forest with no way out.

“Head there.”

A path from which none return.
In about a month, the Jungle Queen would be rummaging through the Rainforest with her subordinates. At that time, I intended to become her guide.
In about a month, the Jungle Queen will be rummaging through the Rainforest with her subordinates. At that time, Kale Heniatus intended to become her guide.

“Then is Hoik Village your next destination?”
“Then is Hoik Village our next destination?”

Cale drew a smile on his face as he thought about the final step of ‘money’, the first step toward a luxurious unemployed life. Now that I have made these preparations, I plan to return to the Kingdom of Roun, take small revenge and clean up after myself, and build a strong home.

“Once we get things settled here, we’ll leave right away.”

Cale steadily prepared for the future after the upcoming 5th volume.

And three weeks later, Cale arrived at Hoik Village. It was raining lightly.

“…Why are there so many tombstones here?”

Cale answered Rosalin’s question by looking at the tombstones erected here and there, starting from the entrance to the quiet Hoik Village.

“Hoik Village is a village created by families of lost travelers waiting for them.”

This village was created by desperate waiting and a glimmer of hope. Travelers who set off on a path they cannot travel for adventure or for other reasons. Those waiting for them eventually came to this forest.

“But people are bound to get tired. That tombstone is a symbol of hope turning into resignation.”

A tombstone commemorating a loved one who will never return. Hoik Village was a village of sadness rather than hope.
Tombstones erected to honor those who could never return—beloved souls lost to time. Hoik Village was a place of sorrow rather than hope.

“It’s a sad place. So what do we do here?”

Cale answered Choi Han’s question with a sharp answer.

“hope.”
“Hope.”
“Pardon?”

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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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