Trash of the Count's Family

Silence filled the guest reception room.

Antonio looked down at his clenched fists before slowly unclenching them. He could see his empty palm.

He had realized something about himself through this chat.

Why did he think that Cale Henituse was looking to get something for him or try to take advantage of him when all he did was ask for a chat?

Antonio felt as if there was a mask in his empty palm. The name of that mask was, ‘noble.’ He too was wearing a fake noble mask.

He started to speak.

“What do you mean by open the gates?”

Antonio's nervousness showed as he asked the question.

‘Open the gates to the Empire when the kingdom asks for it.’

It was a pretty dangerous proclamation if you understood it in the wrong way. It could be interpreted as the Roan Kingdom raising their sword against the Empire.

“Young master Antonio.”

However, Cale just responded back with a question.

“Are you worried that his highness the crown prince would want to wage war against the Empire?”

This was indeed the case.

The crown prince might desire to go to war against the Empire or another foreign nation. That was what Antonio was worried about.

Antonio could see that a corner of Cale's lip had gone up a bit.

“I thought I was very clear.”

Cale repeated his words once again.

“When the kingdom asks for it.”

Not the crown prince but the kingdom.

There was a big difference between the two.

However, Antonio did not realize that difference until just now. Cale added on after realizing that Antonio had caught on.

“The Gyerre household that works for the kingdom should know what I mean, right?”

‘Works for the kingdom.’

Those words lingered in Antonio’s mind. His expression turned serious at the same time.

A situation where the entire Roan Kingdom would want them to open the gates to the Empire.

That would mean that the Empire did something terrible that the Roan Kingdom could not simply brush aside.

The kingdom meant that the crown, the nobles, and the citizens all wanted it.

‘…What did the Empire do?’

The Gyerre household was responsible for the southwest region that was the closest to the Empire. Although he was the heir of the family, Antonio could not figure out what the Empire could have done in order to cause such a situation.

He called out to Cale after realizing that his lack of information was a more serious issue.

“Young master Cale-”

“Figure it out yourself.”

Antonio could not ask about what the Empire did after hearing Cale's response that drew the line.

He could not say anything about it.

With his weakness in Cale's hands, he had to do whatever was asked of him without asking any questions. Furthermore, it was only proper for the Gyerre household to figure it out on their own if it was something the Empire did that was related to the kingdom.

It was either that he investigate it on his own, or, there was another option.

“…I will ask his highness, the crown prince.”

He needed to go above the Duke level to ask.

Antonio looked toward Cale, who accepted his response as the obvious answer and made up his mind to stealthily investigate the Empire and go through the southwest region’s defensive maneuvers once more.

That was the response that Cale had wanted.

He wanted Antonio to be wary.

He also wanted Antonio to stealthily investigate the Empire. In addition, Antonio would be interested in the flow of events in the kingdom without only seeking power.

It would be beneficial for Cale if a noble who held power in one region of the kingdom held such a demeanor. Cale sat up on the chair and made eye contact with Antonio.

“I hope that you make the right decision after thinking about it.”

Cale did not want to talk anymore.

All requests were best if they were presented in a short manner.

Of course, he didn’t forget to threaten Antonio in the process.

“These documents are all copies. I have the originals, so I hope that you make your decision without forgetting that your weakness is still in my hands.”

“Ha.”

let out a sigh and

to frown. Antonio was

‘…This is weird.’

him, but rather than frowning, Antonio had a smile on his

‘Why is he smiling?’

relieved while Cale

grandmother said is

the kingdom is a, ‘true noble.’ Antonio felt as if something in his mind had cleared

noble, young

“Of course?”

could see that Antonio had understood him

guess I meet his

Antonio had called him a noble meant

will take

would know how to keep Antonio in check as soon as

satisfied that things

something that went a bit different than

so I will be on

was about to walk out of

very much,

“…Excuse me?”

around

for many

Antonio seemed to be giving off a sense of vitality. Cale started to feel odd after seeing Antonio looking happy,

I have properly threatened him

proper noble. He felt a bit disappointed, however, Cale forced a smile toward Antonio

pretty much done with his tasks for the

there was still one task

that was for tomorrow. He could not do it

leaned back on the comfortable

I connected it!

Wiiiiiiiiiiing.

and Raon flew over to the corner where On and Hong were sitting. There was a lot of

quietly chewing on some meat before turning his gaze toward

Young master Cale.

naturally talking

to report to the crown prince. It was

prince Alberu

understood that Alberu would find it disrespectful that he was leaning on the bed. Who wouldn’t be angry

had filled his stomach with food,

he started to speak

“Your highness-”

cut him off. Alberu was frowning

really are not the kingdom's star but

‘…What the…’

Cale’s expression stiffened up.

as he used his glib tongue for the first

of the darkness. You are not just a star,

he acting

get annoyed even though he was full and

highness, shall I sit

tried to stop leaning on the bed and sitting

no need to do

seemed to be in agony as he started to smile brightly. Someone might even think that he

Alberu was feeling as if he was

and almost fainted while trying to

of it is

did not cough up blood

the human traffickers, destroyed their buildings with the silver shield, and

“…I suppose so?”

was indeed what had

it seemed to be a

pretended to be drunk and observed the human traffickers through a restaurant window before confidently taking them on with just one knight

“…Could you please stop?”

to frown while Alberu started to smirk. Alberu seemed to be feeling good even though

realize that there was no need to go into details about today's event

heard about most of it,

one of the crown’s informants would be in

prince was a meticulous

he had not expected that much information to be

told me about the rumors spreading

the Gyerre territory. The Duke's Estate

to a conclusion after hearing

A good crazy bastard.

not enjoy seeing Cale smirking at his

other information he had received said that he did not cough up much blood but

be why he was

and reported to him in the morning, but

to be the easiest to work with, even if he

was because Cale

is it you

type to hold up a recovering person. Furthermore, this bastard was the one who would soon go to the Caro Kingdom’s auction

the documents soon, but the merchant guild that traded with the Chryshi household is from the Empire, and there is also evidence of the Chryshi household hiring an assassin guild in

felt a

is a short

highness. The Gyerre household will contact you soon. I put the chain on them so that you can use

…I suddenly feel tired.