[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-trash-of-the-count-s-family":3,"chapter-trash-of-the-count-s-family-trash-of-the-count-s-family-chapter-504":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Trash of the Count's Family",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},591894,842,"Chapter 504: It works! (1)","trash-of-the-count-s-family-chapter-504",504,"\u003Cp>Translator: miraclerifle\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Editor: Borderline Masochist\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The northern part of the Eastern continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a mountain range here that blocked the cold air that came down all year long from the tip of the northern region that was covered in ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...F*ck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mercenary King who was climbing the tallest mountain in that mountain range could not help but swear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Star’s second secret base would appear once they climbed over this mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, why were they walking so slowly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud Illis was slowly climbing the mountain at a speed that he thought was too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Elf walked up next to him and started to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please be patient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I need to be patient, but it is frustrating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaaaaaaaaaaa-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light breeze brushed past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Bud and the Elf next to him stopped moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The breeze stopped next to the Elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The thirty-first message.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swooooooosh-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wind Elemental delivered a message to its contracted Elf. The Elf then immediately relayed the message to Bud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Squad leader Sorros in the west. No abnormalities discovered. No life forms discovered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle. Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaves fluttered in the air. Bud observed what was going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were still a lot of trees around them as they had not reached the snowy portions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Numerous pairs of eyes started to appear and look at Bud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As all pairs of eyes blinked once...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf next to Bud started to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everything seems normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were Elves surrounding the mountain from East to West as they climbed the mountain together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were looking for traces of the 1,001 Ranger Brigade and the enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haaaaa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud subconsciously let out a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s too slow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not slow at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already reached the middle of the mountain that the Ranger Brigade had climbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would soon arrive at the spot that they believed the Ranger Brigade was located before they lost contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, their movements just felt as slow as a turtle to Bud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pound. Pound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pounded his chest in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might take months if he tried to investigate with just the people from the Mercenaries Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it would not take very long if they charged straight into Arm's second secret base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, 1,001 people had instantly disappeared without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to figure out what happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't save them otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he had a bad feeling that the chances of the Ranger Brigade members being alive decreased the longer they took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was starting to get anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Glenn will soon come to the north.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Highest-grade mage Glenn Poeff was Bud’s close friend and one of the core members of the Mercenaries Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would soon come with the core members of the Mercenaries Guild. They would wait for the Mercenary King's orders to save their peers and get revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people might find it weird that mercenaries were taking action for their peers, but they believed in friendship as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was especially true for the guild’s core members who knew the importance of the Ranger Brigade for the Mercenaries Guild's future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why they could not just do nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Mercenary King needed to give them some information first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, for some odd reason...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s nothing.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had climbed up to the middle of the mountain, but there were no traces at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was this possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mercenary King-nim. I will let the eastern search team know that everything is fine here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud started to speak after hearing the Elf’s statement. They needed to send their status to the east as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud responded to the thirty-first report with a tired face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir. There’s nothing anyway and all we can hear are the animals-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud's eyes opened wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Mercenary King-nim?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand to cover the Elf’s mouth and looked around. It was almost afternoon but the ground was dark because of the tall trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud looked around the dark forest and slowly started to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Have you seen any wild animals?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me? We’ve heard a lot of wild anim-!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf stopped mid-sentence and opened his eyes wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quietly! Please speak quietly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud whispered in a quiet but firm voice in the Elf’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf responded in a quiet voice as well. He realized what Bud was trying to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...We haven't actually seen any wild animals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, people searching like this became most anxious and wary when they didn’t hear anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were bound to be forests even in a snow-covered mountain full of life forms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Animals ranging from small herbivores to wild predators would have their homes and live with their own sets of rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elves, Bud, and the Elementals had heard many different cries that they believed belonged to the animals living on this mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why they expected that they were somewhere on the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud’s gaze sank down. He mumbled very quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We made a mistake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, they had made a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We haven't seen any animals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mercenary King-nim-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud turned around and put his hand on the Elf’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immediately. Contact the west team immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were scanning the nonstop unlike his hand on the Elf’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are retreating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quiet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud quieted the Elf who was about to raise his voice. The Elf was looking at Bud with a gaze that was asking what he was talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't he the one who was just complaining that the search speed was too slow just now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mercenary King-nim, retreating-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud’s gaze sparkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We haven't seen any living life forms on this mountain. Well, other than us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They haven't seen any life forms other than themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There weren’t even any insects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They only heard them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were focused on looking for the search team that they were relieved just to hear the noises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, seeing them was important as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immediately! I will immediately share this information with them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud quieted the Elf again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swooooooosh-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf felt a gust of wind surrounding Bud at that moment. He subconsciously started to frown. The wind by Bud’s side was not the type of wind the Elf usually felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was neither the wind of an Elemental nor a natural wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an ancient power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud was currently using his ancient power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wind attribute ancient power allowed him to tell a person's demeanor or ability by scent or noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was using that right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom. Boom. Boom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud could feel his heart beating wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Please be wrong. Please let me be wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was currently full of information about the battles against the White Star until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I can smell it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not see anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he could smell people, no, the smell of people's abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were not just one or two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were a large number of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the only one he could see was the Elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ancient powers did not lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not see people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant that what Bud was seeing right now was fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hehe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There was more than one Illusionist?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He released his grip on the Elf’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then started to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inform all search members.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked forward and continued to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are retreating immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp sword came out of his scabbard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue aura shot out at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And prepare for enemies we cannot see that may attack us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elf next to Bud urgently gave an order to his Wind Elemental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The numerous pairs of eyes looking at Bud opened wide or shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enemies they could not see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are at least a couple hundred of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Familiar scents covering the entire mountain filled Bud’s nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People who had this type of smell were usually-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They should be assassins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the hidden enemies moved at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Claaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud saw his surroundings breaking as if they were made of glass. He then saw an assassin in Arm’s uniform charging toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin flung his dagger at Bud. Bud swung his sword and glared at the person wearing the black outfit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang, tang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two daggers flew away after hitting Bud’s aura as Bud raised his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be the bastards who chose to become the White Star’s dogs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud was familiar with the dagger attacking method used against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glenn Poeff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That highest-grade mage was a member of the Poeff household that used to be one of the Eastern continent’s greatest underworld households. He had seen Glenn practicing his family's dagger techniques in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was seeing the same thing in front of him right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhhhhh-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His surroundings were crumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, the illusion was breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could now see the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see hundreds of assassins wearing black outfits in the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like how some assassins had gathered under the revived Molan household, there were some who chose to serve the White Star in Arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those people had groomed new subordinates during the past fifteen years as Arm grew its numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those people had been hiding in the illusion and waiting for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You bastards-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud’s eyes were full of rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest was red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent of blood was gone, but many parts of the forest were red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whose blood would that be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought about his subordinates. He held back the flame of anger inside him and started to shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said to retreat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elves finally started to retreat in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just how many people did they station here?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were hundreds of assassins in front of him and that number was continuing to increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This probably meant that there were a significant number of assassins throughout the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elves started to frown as they tried to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They saw assassins in the rear as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all Arm members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud scoffed in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized where they had gotten such a large number of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I guess they called over every single bastard in the Eastern continent's branches.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Molan household had destroyed one of Arm's secret bases and taken it back, but Arm still had numerous branches, albeit less than the Mercenaries Guild, throughout the Eastern continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This number made sense if he added the number of people at all those branches together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mercenary King-nim! It’ll be difficult to retreat like this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He heard the Elf’s anxious voice. It could not be helped. Although there were hundreds of Elves throughout the mountain, there were at least a few thousand of enemies here as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also possible that their every movement had been seen by the enemies as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huuuuu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze headed toward the peak of the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smelled it from the area that was covered in white snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an odd scent he had never smelled before that was different than the assassins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain that it was the Illusionist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not, it was probably at least the bastard who planned this whole thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow me. We are charging past them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud kicked off the ground. He was moving in the front. The assassins charged toward him at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elves took out their weapons as well and their Elementals moved with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud shouted toward the Elf next to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please launch a signal in the sky immediately! Also-”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Launch a signal for Glenn who was at the bottom of the mountain to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bud hesitated before finishing his sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to let Cale Henituse know about the current situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze headed to the mountain's peak that was completely white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm... It was broken earlier than I expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mountain peak...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The individual who sat down on the snow-covered ground repeatedly threw something in his hand in the air and caught it as he looked down the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I inform the liege?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop. Plop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thing in his hand that he was throwing and catching like a toy was a black heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a heart that was as black as dead mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Mm. Probably? We've already gathered all the seeds with those who have not been chosen by the gods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick smile appeared on the boy's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop. Plop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black heart was still in the boy's hand as if it was a toy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You want this thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cale confidently reached his hand out toward Pendrick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fake World Tree made it so that Cale could easily move his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought it was for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is true, but...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pendrick had an awkward expression on his face as he handed the Sword of the World Tree over to Cale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then shared what the World Tree had told him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The World Tree-nim said that young master-nim’s blood is special.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cale and Choi Han both looked at Pendrick in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pendrick peeked at the maze that was turning into a mess and quickly whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir. She said that your blood has more life force and vitality than anyone else. That is why she said that Cale-nim’s blood was the perfect weapon against those with weak vigor or vitality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cale recalled a thought he had in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a power that opposed dead mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was life force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When fighting against dead mana, the stupidest and most dangerous yet easiest method was to cover your entire body with blood and charge against the dead mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, most people were likely to die from a loss of blood first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom. Boom. Boom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cale felt his heart beating wildly for some reason.\u003C\u002Fp>",2314,"2026-05-30T17:04:18.255Z","2026-06-01T04:31:44.922Z",1,"novelbin.me","c4b719af9f6b4c28c9458dfe19d40e8e0aea2ddd4f05f10630f6cf9e6760d98f","trash-of-the-count-s-family-chapter-505","trash-of-the-count-s-family-chapter-503",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftrash-of-the-count-s-family-cover.jpg"]