Trash of the Count's Family - TCF Part 2 - Chapter 71

“Dongsaeng! Welcome back!”
Alberu Crossman approached.
Cale used all his agility to avoid Alberu.
“…Is there anything you want me to do?”
Cale spoke disrespectfully with a glum look, but Alberu smiled brightly.
“Haha! Why should I make my dongsaeng work! Hahaha!” 2
Raon spoke in a serious voice in Cale’s head.
– Human, our crown prince is making me feel uncomfortable. Is the crown prince trying to scam us?
Cale glanced at the bishop in charge of GoD’s temple in the capital of the Roan Kingdom, who looked at them with an awkward smile. A day before returning to Roan, Cale felt that he had to inform them of his time of return, so he called Alberu via the divine mirror, but it was Beacrox who received the call, surprising Cale.
Beacrox said that the others were busy. Cale told him that he would be returning tomorrow and to pass that message. After the call ended, Cale felt uneasy at the words On said who was beside him. On had said that it was strange that Beacrox was sitting alone in Alberu’s study, folding dozens of white glove pairs.
Back to the present, Cale looked at Alberu suspiciously while Alberu continued to be his bright self. Alberu said that he had prepared a carriage for him to take them to the palace, and Cale could only reluctantly follow. But Alberu stopped and told Eruhaben, CH, Sui, and the others that he had prepared separate carriages for them. It seemed like Alberu was trying to separate Cale from his group.
The bishop asked Cale if the divine item of GoD was safe, and Cale took it out to let him see it. The bishop said that the church had prepared a place for Cale, but Alberu’s smile deepened. The bishop continued, knowing that while Cale was not present, the GoD church was turned upside down. The bishop said that the pope wants to meet Cale, but Cale snorted at his words, telling the bishop to moderate his greed.
He reminded the bishop that they should use each other in moderation, and not to cling to him. Cale would use the divine item quietly, and the bishop would use the divine relic and Cale’s stay in the kingdom for his own purpose. The bishop could only awkwardly smile at Cale and reply that he would see Cale next time. 1
After Cale’s talk with the bishop, he asked Alberu why he was laughing. Alberu shrugged and did not reply. Cale asked why they were going to a certain direction. When he left Roan, he had gone as covertly as possible to avoid people’s eyes. But the two were now heading towards the main gate of the temple. If they walked a little further, they would face the many believers and people.
Alberu tried to say something, and Cale thought that the former was acting strange. Raon reported that everyone except them was going somewhere else. Cale’s group was heading to the back of the temple to avoid people’s gazes.
“So.”
After thinking for a moment, Cale spat out.
“I guess you need my face?”
“Yes.” Alberu gave a short answer.
And continued, “Smile.”
But as soon as he turned his head, he let out a smirk.
“You’re already smiling.”
The moment when the priests of the church began to appear one by one, Cale already had a gentle smile on his lips. Of course, Alberu also had a bright smile.
“Ah! G-Greetings to Your Highness! And to the commander too!”
Cale and Alberu responded in turn to the embarrassed priest’s greeting.
“I came quietly, so no need to be too polite.”
“My dongsaeng is right. Then I hope you have a comfortable day.”
The priests nearby listened to the two and quietly gave their polite greetings, and the two nodded and shortly greeted back before passing them by. As they passed by, the priests whispered that the two really seemed like blood brothers. One said that they looked okay, and the other tried to shut the former’s mouth.
Back to Cale and Alberu, Alberu said that people had not seen them for a while, so rumors had come out. There was also the fact that Alberu was injured not too long ago, so it couldn’t be helped that rumors spread. That was why the two were acting like this now to let the people know that they were healthy and that the two were very close.
“So, are you announcing that we are fine now?”
“Yes. We must let them know that we are very close to each other.”
“We are close?”
“Of course?”
Cale asked with an indifferent expression, “Are you okay?”
“Oh, you’re quick to ask.”
“Because you look okay.”
“Yes. I’m fine. How about you? Feeling better now?”
“Yeah, I came after a little rest.”
At that time, between Alberu and Cale, a small whisper came from nowhere.
“Crown Prince, my human did not cough blood or faint this time! Of course, he became dizzy and swayed gently like paper! But he’s still okay!”
It was Raon. Alberu was not surprised since he knew that Raon would naturally follow Cale while being invisible.
“Oh my gosh!”
“G-Greetings to His Highness… and the Commander!”
As they approached the main gate of the temple, the atmosphere was noisier. Fortunately, the Imperial Knights were located near the main gate of the temple, making it easy for the two to move.
“Hahaha. My dongsaeng!”
Suddenly, the crown prince put his arms around Cale’s shoulder.
Cale put a soft smile on his lips with a nonchalant expression.
“Please get in.”
He had stopped the knight, opened the door of the shiny royal carriage, and gestured to Alberu to get in.
“Hahaha! My dongsaeng opened the door for me. I like it!”
“It’s for my hyung, so I have to do this much. Hahaha!”
The two laughed and climbed into the carriage. Smiles never left their lips. 1
A comfortable yet bright atmosphere flowed between them.
Click. And the moment the carriage door closed.
“My mouth hurts.”
Alberu stopped laughing and touched the corners of his mouth with his hand. 1
“Why did you bring such a shiny carriage?” Cale grumbled with a disrespectful expression.
Swish. Then he drew all the curtains on the carriage’s windows.
Raon appeared and greeted Alberu, putting his head on Alberu’s lap and not Cale’s, which was rare. Alberu greeted Raon back, saying that Raon had become more dignified. Raon’s cheeks had become a little plumper. Raon said that as expected, Alberu knew his greatness. Alberu said yes, and informed that he had prepared cookies. Raon exclaimed happily, and Cale asked what happened recently.
Alberu said that there were rumors that Cale was sick since no one had seen him. But with their appearance today, that rumor would naturally be resolved. Alberu narrated the past events. The king was missing, the palace had fallen, and a famous duke family was gone. In addition, the crown prince was injured in the second attack on the palace, and had let the enemy escape without even being able to properly fight back.
Cale and his group were also gone at a certain point. Other countries seemed to have known about it. It had also caused confusion in the kingdom. Alberu said that there was a rat in the palace since his injuries were classified, but it had spread outside faster than he had expected.
Other countries except Breck, Whipper, and the Jungle had reduced their support for rebuilding Puzzle City. Cale said that they had changed their attitude quickly, and Alberu agreed, saying that they knew that Roan was not a threat for them at the moment. It was true since Roan needed to take care of its internal affairs first. Cale’s group was also going elsewhere, so interacting with other countries was not a priority.
The presence of Cale’s group alone put pressure on other countries. But if they were not seen often, rumors of discord were bound to come out. There were also talks about Endable. Other places wanted to subdue them because of the races that lived there, and some asked why the Roan coveted the land of the eastern continent. The eastern countries wanted to dismantle Endable, except for the Molden Kingdom.
Other problems were a piece of Mogoru’s land being coveted by some free city, the Caro Kingdom aiming for the Mogoru Empire and so on. Raon said in a puzzled voice that it was strange since not long ago, everyone was troubled by WS, but they were now thinking of fighting again. Alberu replied with a smile that it was to be expected.
Cale said that it would cost a lot to rebuild Puzzle City, the royal palace, and the duke’s residence. There were a lot of places that needed money. Alberu agreed, and Cale continued that they also need to allocate budget and forces to Endable. They also had to work with Mogoru to create a city where alchemy and magic would rise again.
But if another free city or kingdom touched Mogoru, that would be difficult. There were even talks of lowering the Mogoru Empire’s status into a kingdom. Cale agreed with that. Cale said that he would be leaving soon, and Alberu said he knew as he covered his face, seemingly troubled.
“…Cale Henituse.”
“Yes.”
“…I’ll give you the position of Minister of Finance. Would you like to accept it?”
Cale’s face stiffened and he spat out unconsciously.
“Are you crazy?”
“…I must be crazy.”
But Cale’s face turned white at Alberu’s reply. The appearance of the crown prince admitting that he was crazy gave Cale goosebumps.
“Haha.” Alberu laughed at the frightened look and shook his head.
“Don’t worry. Because I will make you unemployed.”
There was sincerity in those words.
“…Why are you laughing so much?”
Cale then took out the divine mirror as it was vibrating. The screen had the words: “Where should I put it? – From Xiaolen who is different from GoD.” A pop up window appeared with the title “Compensation 1.” Cale began his long talk.
“Your Highness.”
“…Why?”
Cale’s voice reached the crown prince’s ears.
“It would be fun to have the largest magic stone mine in the east and western continents right here in the Henituse duchy, right?
“…Excuse me?” The crown prince asked in a daze without even realizing it.
What are you talking about? The largest magic stone mine in the eastern and western continents?
“Yes. There is one gold mine, one silver mine, and one diamond mine.”
“…Huh?”
“There is also a highest-grade magic stone mine that contains dead mana. Oh, they say they can change it to another mine if I want it.”
“…?”
” Oh, right. For reference, all mines are huge mines that are hard to find in the eastern and western continents.”
The crown prince blinked his eyes.
Cale said with a corner of his mouth raised. “Yes. It will be fun if all of that comes from Roan, right? Shall we give one to Endable? Of course, everything belongs to me, but I’m open to trades.”
“Eh?”
“I can plant these mines wherever I want. Even if only one such mine was discovered, the kingdom will be very happy. Isn’t that right?”
“…” The crown prince covered his face with both hands and eventually looked up at Cale.
“This is driving me nuts.” He said as he laughed.