Trash of the Count’s Family - Chapter 92

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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 stood before the blood-drenched whale without waiting for Choi Han’s response.

‘Deliberately inflicted wounds.’

The whale’s skin was covered in countless minor lacerations rather than any significant gashes. With a potion, such wounds could be erased without leaving a trace.

“You used your blood?”

Witira’s eyes narrowed at the serene inquiry devoid of any concern.

“Only a little. Since I’m leading from the front, I thought it would be more effective.”

Witira fought ahead of even the most aggressive orcas. Moreover, she possessed a temperament that feared no wound upon her body.

Such resolve was sometimes necessary in war.

When the Whale Tribe and their allied beastmen or sea creatures fought on the battlefield, if she—the successor—led the charge, spilling her blood into the sea and drawing back the Mermaid Tribe who consumed dead mana.
What inspiration that would kindle. Morale would surge.

‘But I have no such intentions.’

For Kale Heniatus, avoiding injury mattered far more than morale or anything else.

“Let’s head to the tent and hear what happened.”
“Very well.”

Steam hissed upward. Soon Witira transformed into human form and descended onto the coastline.

‘That’s unsettling.’

Seeing her transform into a human while still covered in blood was quite disturbing. Kale Heniatus subtly stepped sideways away from her and walked toward the tent.

“Follow me.”
“Yes.”

Entering a tent other than the one where Ron was, Kale Heniatus immediately got to the point.

“Did Paseton give you the gist of it?”
“Yes. I found those aiding the Mermaid Tribe rather suspicious, which gave me a headache, but I didn’t realize they were such a massive organization.”

Witira retrieved a potion and drank it, her wounds rapidly mending as the elixir took effect.

“For the past few days, a swordsman and a Spear Master aboard a ship have been attacking from above the water’s surface downward, which has been incredibly irritating. We of the Whale Tribe and our whales have no choice but to surface occasionally.”

A few days ago?
Kale Heniatus paused.
Witira continued her account.

“The Mage who primarily uses fire magic is troublesome as well, but especially when that one swordsman surfaced, he fired aura down beneath the water’s surface, which was incredibly obstructive.”

Aura?
Firing aura?
Wasn’t that the level of a Sword Master?

…This is somewhat different from my expectations.

“And the Spear Master is equally troublesome. He appears to have trained in the spear arts of the Eastern Continent. His aura’s intensity falls below Sword Master level, but he wields his aura with remarkable precision. I suspect he’ll become a Spear Master soon.”

…Isn’t that nearly approaching Sword Master caliber as well?
This differs greatly from my expectations.

Kale Heniatus’s pupils trembled slightly.
The enemies were stronger than anticipated.

Kale Heniatus regarded the composed Whale Tribe member Witira.

True, the Whale Tribe had few individuals, but the humpback whale of Whale King bloodline surpassed Choi Han in strength, the aggressive Orca matched Choi Han’s level, and the rest fell below that.

“Considerable forces have mobilized.”
“Indeed. Still, once we deal with the combat Mermaids to some degree, things should become easier.”

The combat Mermaids who had consumed dead mana avoided the Whale Tribe, instead ambushing other marine creatures and sea-dwelling races.

Kale Heniatus received a brief overview of the current battle situation from Witira.

“So the swordsmen, Spear Master, and Mage primarily attack the whales?”
“Yes.”

Whales and the Whale Tribe must surface to breathe even during combat—it’s an unavoidable necessity. The Secret Organization seizes those moments without fail to launch their attacks.

“None of the Whale Tribe have been injured, but many of the young whales have suffered wounds.”

Anger hardened across Witira’s previously composed face. Though not a beast-kin, whales were intelligent and formidable creatures. They had clashed with the Mermaid Tribe alongside the Whale Tribe at the very frontlines of the battle zones.

“…And many of the young ones have perished as well.”

That was why Witira had wanted to kill those collaborators, but the Mermaid Tribe kept attacking the weaker marine life and beast-kin instead. Knowing full well it was intentional, she couldn’t recklessly advance to Hice Island 5.
Currently, Whale King Siceller was deliberating when to launch an assault on Hice Island 5, where the collaborators were stationed.

“I see.”

In the midst of this, contact came from Kale Heniatus—information about that organization and an offer to help however he could. I couldn’t express how grateful I was for those words.
If Kale and his group fought those enemies on the water’s surface, our movements would become far easier.

“Yes. So, though it’s shameless to ask, if the young master could lend us even a little aid, it would greatly ease our operations.”

The help Witira envisioned from Kale was simple—fighting alongside them.

However, Kale’s thoughts diverged slightly.
Kale, who had been lost in contemplation, slowly parted his lips.

“Witira.”
“Yes.”
“What if I destroyed the island?”
“…Destroyed what?”

A map unfurled before Witira, whose expression betrayed her confusion.
With a rustling sound, the Black Dragon’s front claw spread open the map.
Raon’s claw pointed to a single location.

“I’m thinking of erasing Hice Island 5 from the map.”

Kale Heniatus spoke with considerable gravity.
Hice Islands 1 through 15 were mostly jagged, rocky formations positioned within a few hours’ journey of one another.
According to Ron, Hice Island 5 harbored no living creatures except for members of the Secret Organization.

“We can simply push the ship a bit further and anchor at Hyce Island 7 instead.”

For those who relied on sea routes, Hyce Island 7 would serve as a viable alternative.

“No, is that even possible— ah.”

Witira’s words trailed off as a sudden realization struck her, and she found herself closing her mouth without meaning to. The Black Dragon was staring directly at her.

“It’s possible, Whale!”
“Yes, as the Dragon says, it would indeed be possible.”

There was no reason it couldn’t be done. Though Hice Island 5 was several times larger than the Black Swamp, since the goal was destruction rather than preservation, control wasn’t necessary.

“Right. But we’ll need two things.”
“What would those be?”

Witira’s posture shifted to something more engaged. Kale could sense in her response that she was indeed of the sea tribes.
An island. Land crumbling to pieces—she gave it no thought whatsoever. Conversely, had any creatures other than the Secret Organization lived on that island, Kale would have abandoned the plan after lengthy deliberation.

“First, before those two things, there’s one prerequisite.”
“A prerequisite?”
“Yes. We intend to fight while revealing our identities as little as possible. Especially when dealing with that aid organization.”

Witira grasped the meaning behind those words.
If we helped only to become entangled with the aid organization and face complications later, that would be an equally undesirable outcome.
And if we were going to destroy an island for them, what did our identities matter?

“Understood.”
“Good. First, we’ll need transportation.”
“I can provide whales for you.”
“Smaller ones.”
“Of course. I’ll prioritize mobility and concealment.”

Small whales suitable for the Wolf Tribe children to ride would suffice.

“The second one.”

Kale Heniatus and Witira’s gazes collided.

“You’ll need to rampage.”
“…Rampage?”
“I want the Whale Tribe to rampage and draw their attention.”

Kale continued speaking with composure.

“While they’re distracted, I’ll obliterate both Hice Island and the Mermaid Tribe’s base beneath it.”
“So you want us to draw their attention. Would it be enough to pull out the Swordmaster, Spear Master, and Mage?”
“Yes.”
“Ah!”

Witira continued as if something had occurred to her.

“But the Mage seems to stay only near the island since the Swordmaster and Spear Master arrived. He doesn’t come out except when we approach the island.”
“Is that so?”

Excellent.
If I could obliterate the island along with Redica, that blood-crazed fool, it would be perfect.

“Yes. He seemed like someone whose mind was… rather unstable.”

Witira’s expression was literally rotting away. Kale thought he understood why.

“When you fight while spilling blood, he charges at you like a madman, laughing wildly, doesn’t he?”
“How did you know?”
“According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, he’s obsessed with the color red.”
“Ah.”

Witira looked at Kale Heniatus with a worried expression. The Black Dragon’s head snapped around with a sharp whistle to stare at me.
Receiving that gaze, I brushed back my crimson hair and spoke calmly.

“Which is why it’s problematic if I’m discovered.”
“Indeed, human!”
“I see.”

The Whale and the Dragon accepted this.
Witira murmured thoughtfully.

“That swordmaster seemed odd too.”
“A swordmaster?”
“Yes. That woman has similar tendencies to the Mage. Well, since we’re unlikely to cross paths, you needn’t worry about it.”

Witira smiled faintly, and the Black Dragon’s expression grew resolute.

“I suppose so.”

And Kale Heniatus let the matter pass.
He briefly discussed the schedule for future plans with Witira before parting ways, and the next day, he saw off the Wolf Tribe children and Vice-Captain Hilsman.

“The Whale will guide you well, so stay quiet as a dormouse on Hice Island 12. You packed the clothes I gave you, yes?”
“Yes! Young Master! We have them. I will lead the children well!”

Kale Heniatus listened to Vice-Captain Hilsman’s words with one ear and let them pass through the other, his gaze settling on Rak and Mess. Both boys nodded with reassuring expressions.
Rak was somewhat timid by nature, but he became dignified when among his younger siblings. It seemed to stem from a sense of responsibility.

“Then go. If trouble arises, fire a signal flare.”
“Yes.”

A group of twelve, riding on a juvenile Whale roughly four meters in length and a baby Whale, gathered their weapons and headed toward Hice Island 12. Watching them depart, Kale Heniatus spoke to Vicross standing beside him.

“Bear your frustration. You must remain at your father’s side.”
“I understand, Young Master.”
“Good.”
“I ask for your guidance.”

Kale Heniatus fully understood Vicross’s heart—the desire to fight, yet the resolve to endure.

“Do not worry.”

He patted Vicross’s shoulder and surveyed the rest of the group.
Rosalind, Choi Han, On, Hong, and Raon. These were those who would stand with Kale Heniatus.
Kale Heniatus withdrew several black garments from his magical pouch.

“Come now, let us change into these.”

Choi Han’s expression grew peculiar.

“…Are we wearing this again?”

A black combat suit with one white star and five red stars emblazoned near the heart, paired with a black mask.
It was the Secret Organization uniform I had worn when going to rescue Raon in the past.
Of course, it was a crude imitation, nothing like the genuine article.

“Yes.”

At my brief response, Choi Han changed into the outfit. Only the three humans changed clothes while Raon and Rosalind gathered mana.

“Now, we fly.”

At Raon’s signal, our group surged skyward.
We headed toward Hice Island 5.

As we flew swiftly and drew near Hice Island 5, a tremendous cry and command reached my ears.

Uwoooooarrr!
Fight!

I gazed downward.
The sea churned violently.

Splooooosh!
A humpback whale bearing an X-shaped scar across its back erupted from the water’s surface before plunging back into the depths.

The sea surface heaved dramatically.
The Whale Tribe and whales began thrashing about in frenzy.

“Tch, this is no joke.”

The very center of the sea was in absolute turmoil.

Uwoooooarrr!

A whale breached the surface. An Orca had a Mermaid Tribe member clamped in its jaws. The Mermaid was already dead.

“Human, you must never go down there.”
“Agreed, Kale Heniatus. Do not go.”
“The youngest is right! You can’t go alone!”

Kale Heniatus let out a derisive snort at his companions’ words.

“Do you think I’ve lost my mind?”

That was when it happened.

“Hmm?”

Choi Han lowered his gaze downward. Following his lead, Kale Heniatus peered down as well. Far below, at a great distance, the sea came into view.

‘I absolutely cannot go down there.’

Two ships were approaching the whale. Standing at the stern of each vessel, shielded by magical barriers, was a single figure.
Among them, a blonde swordswoman pointed her blade toward the sea.
Her sword blazed with a golden aura.
The swordswoman swung her blade through the air and cried out something.

“What is she saying?”

Raon answered Kale Heniatus’s question, as expected.

“She said, ‘How beautiful a sea of blood would be.'”

Insane.
Kale Heniatus pulled his black mask down more firmly over his face.

‘Witira needs to draw the Secret Organization members from Hice Island 5 into the sea as much as possible.’

Only then could they escape safely and easily.
Yet as Kale Heniatus watched, hoping the whales would rampage and carry away the mermaids and Secret Organization members, he hesitated.

CRASH!
The golden aura erupting from the swordswoman’s blade collided with the sea, splitting the water several meters apart.

“Raon.”
“Why, human?”
“Let’s go. Now.”

Kale Heniatus felt his heart trembling. Witnessing such power from the enemy was deeply unsettling.

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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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