Trash of the Count's Family Vol 2. Chapter 381: It Must Not Have Been Enough (6)
The Lan Kingdom was counted, together with the Eastern and Western Empires, as one of the three great powers of New World.
If one had to choose the especially important places even in this land called the country of martial artists, one of them would be the holy land within the royal palace.
The holy land of the Lan Kingdom.
Only the King and the royal family could enter that place freely, while everyone else could only enter with the King’s permission.
The current King, Tamahi.
And her husband, the royal consort, Duke Hinpa.
Cale glanced at the translucent status window.
[Skill: Fear of Chaos (Deactivated)]
[*To deactivate the seal, you must find the holy land of the God of Chaos. -More-]
Sub quest 1. [Seize the Power of Chaos]
Hinpa appeared in Serisa’s memories.
Serisa, who had made a name for herself as a bishop in the Order of the Sun God.
She had been a believer of the God of Chaos.
At the academy in the capital of the Western Empire, Cale had met her and obtained, through her memories, a clue about the holy land.
Duke Hinpa has the map to the holy land.
Serisa had definitely received her mission in the holy land, and the one who had guided her there was Duke Hinpa.
SHAAAA—
He heard the sound of water.
Cale turned his head and looked around.
“So this is that lake.”
At the center of the Lan royal palace.
There was a lake there, and at its center there was a small island.
The King and her close blood relatives lived on that island.
“How interesting.”
Alberu looked out over the lake as if he found it quite intriguing.
SHAAA—
Even though it was a lake, the water flowed.
It was a vast lake, as large as several large martial arenas put together.
SHAAAAA—
The lake’s surface was not calm.
Rather, countless currents were flowing, colliding with one another and winding around one another.
Watching it, Cale spoke in a playful tone.
“If you fall in, you die, do you?”
And King Tamahi answered calmly.
“Yes. You die.”
Mm.
Cale flinched.
Whether he did or not, Tamahi approached the lake without hesitation.
“The Lake of Tranquility.”
That was the name of the holy land.
“From a surface through which one cannot see within, the waters flow ceaselessly according to their own wills.”
“At times they collide and fight one another.”
“At times they embrace one another and join together.”
“But they never become one, and the waters never stop.”
Those were the words used to describe the Lake of Tranquility, and they flowed from her lips.
“It is like the sea.”
The surface was like the sea.
“And it can become a swamp.”
The lake dragged in anyone swept up by those currents like a swamp.
“Whoever falls into this place shall obtain tranquility through the waters that fight ceaselessly in the depths.”
Tranquility.
Alberu repeated that word as if rolling it around in his mouth, then said,
“So tranquility means death.”
“That is correct.”
There was an island at the center of the lake, but not a single boat that led there.
King Tamahi took in the guards standing far away with one glance, then looked last at Alberu and Cale standing beside her, and at the only official who had come with them, Martial Arts Master Cha Run, before stepping out toward the lake.
“There is, however, a way to avoid death.”
Splash.
The instant her shoe touched the surface of the lake—
SHAAAAA—
Amid the sound of the water,
Drip. Drip. Drip.
He heard the sound of falling droplets.
-Ohh.
Cale heard Sky Eating Water, one of his ancient powers, let out an admiring sound, and he lifted his gaze upward.
Droplets had suddenly appeared in midair.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The droplets formed only a single line.
Those droplets fell upon the surface of the lake.
Drip. Drip. Drip—
And they made a path in front of Tamahi.
Without fighting, without embracing.
The quietly falling droplets became a silent path.
A path wide enough for about two people to walk abreast.
“Come.”
Tamahi extended a hand, and beginning with Cha Run, Alberu and then Cale followed after her.
Splash.
Cale set his foot upon the only quiet path on that lake, which was producing endless sound.
Mm.
At that moment, he felt a strange sensation.
[You have arrived in a sealed area.]
The status window kindly informed him of it in text.
[In this area (Lake of Tranquility, excluding the island), no magic or aura may be used.]
[Only authorized persons may enter.]
Ah.
So when it said you could not use magic to fly over the lake and reach the island, this was what it had meant.
Splish. Splash.
It felt somewhat like walking along a dirt road damp from rain.
Breathing in the fresh air, Cale walked along the path.
Hm?
Then, upon seeing Crown Prince Alberu standing in front of him, he paused.
What is this?
The sword hanging at Alberu’s side.
Hidden by its scabbard, that sword was the Sun Sword, a divine item of the Sun God that only a hero could use.
Glint.
Through the gap in the scabbard, a faint light was leaking out.
No.
Is this thing not absorbing light?
Somehow, it seemed as if the surrounding light was being drawn toward that sword.
“Oh.”
Cale let out a sound of admiration.
“Why?”
Alberu reacted to that voice and turned around, only to halt.
“...Why?”
Why are you making that kind of face?
Unable to say everything on his mind, Alberu looked at him, and Cale gave him a crooked grin.
“Nothing.”
I should tell him later.
Having decided that, Cale smiled mildly.
“...Haa.”
Alberu let out one deep, very deep sigh and turned his head away sharply.
What is wrong with him?
Cale’s face twisted at the feeling that he had just been cursed out for no reason.
But he soon had to smooth his expression again.
Duke Hinpa.
There were several elegant buildings on the island.
The closer they drew, the more he saw a single space that was not flashy, but serene and dignified.
Every blade of grass, every flower.
There was not a single thing that was not in harmony, and though there were no jewels or gold to be seen—
“Ah—”
—even Crown Prince Alberu let out a sound of admiration at the level of that harmony and refinement.
“Your Majesty.”
The royal consort, Duke Hinpa, had personally come out to receive them.
He is known for being extremely devoted.
Hinpa, who came from a fairly powerful noble house, was said to have relinquished all power after becoming Tamahi’s husband and to have served faithfully in the role of royal consort.
But he is a believer of the God of Chaos.
And more than that, one cooperating with a Wanderer of the Five Colored Blood and keeping watch over the King.
“Your Majesty. Are these the heroes who stopped the Cooperative Alliance this time?”
Duke Hinpa had a look that suited a scholar more than a martial artist.
Unlike King Tamahi, who looked sturdy and strong, he had a slightly pale face that called to mind drifting flower petals.
“That is correct.”
The King stepped onto the ground with a smile on her face.
Martial Arts Master Cha Run respectfully greeted Hinpa.
After him, Alberu did the same.
And then Cale, who had been at the very back and hidden from view, slowly revealed himself.
Hinpa.
He was wearing a gentle smile.
Smile.
And Cale, too, drew a picture-perfect smile.
“?”
But doubt appeared on Hinpa’s face.
Because Cale did not greet him.
Neither did Alberu.
Two ordinary people who did not greet the royal consort.
He paused for a moment, but Hinpa kept his expression as it was and turned his gaze toward the King.
“Your Majesty. Might you introduce these people to me?”
The voice he offered was soft, neat, and calm.
“Mm.”
When King Tamahi opened her mouth, hesitation briefly appeared on her face.
Because Cale had said that once they came here and met the royal consort, he would handle the rest himself.
I did not expect him to come out to greet us.
It had been unexpected that the royal consort would personally come out like this, and even send the guards to the rear, coming alone.
That meant he was that curious about those two who had defeated So Hee.
“They are—”
When King Tamahi continued,
“Guide.”
A single word slipped from Cale’s mouth.
“!”
And Tamahi saw it for the first time.
“!”
That such deep agitation could appear on the face of the royal consort, Hinpa.
Like the surface of this holy land.
Violent emotion showed itself on his face.
“Guide?”
As the King repeated that word aloud,
Cale stepped forward.
“Or shall I call you messenger instead?”
Guide, or messenger.
That meant Hinpa held a position within the Order of the God of Chaos that was more than that of a mere believer.
Cale opened his mouth toward the flustered Hinpa.
“Primordial Night.”
At that moment, Hinpa’s expression changed.
WOOOO—
A gray aura rose from his body.
“How dare you speak that name—!”
Primordial Night.
That was the name of the holy land of the God of Chaos.
“Who are you?”
A weapon imbued with gray aura was forming in Hinpa’s hand.
Unlike Bishop Serisa, this time it was a long spear.
“Huh!”
Cha Run cried out in shock and stepped in front of the King.
Duke Hinpa.
He was known to be completely incapable of martial arts.
“Me?”
But Cale walked toward Hinpa.
Alberu followed behind him as if guarding him, but Cale paid no mind.
There was something he was waiting for.
[You have encountered the Guide of Chaos (Duke Hinpa)!]
The quest alert appeared.
At least I do not get startled anymore.
Cale looked again at the words he had seen before.
[Using ‘Skill: Fear of Chaos (Legend)’.]
The phrase that had appeared when he dealt with Bishop Serisa.
[*It is an area-of-effect skill, but this time, for the progress of the quest, it will only be applied to the target ‘Hinpa’.]
The Legend-rank skill, temporarily unlocked for the progress of the quest.
WOOOO—WOOO—
The gray aura rose with a bizarre wailing sound.
“!”
It was definitely different from the time with Serisa.
“H-how are you using that power—”
Hinpa recognized this power.
[If the target of Fear of Chaos is a believer of the God of Chaos, there is a certain probability (30%) of misleading and dominating the target.]
[The rate will vary depending on the mastery level of the skill.]
[Current skill mastery level: F (However, it is temporarily adjusted to A for the progress of the quest)]
And he was not immediately misled.
[The target has successfully resisted!]
The skill failed once.
As a result—
KWAAAAANG!
Cale saw the gray spear flying toward him.
With a tremendous crash, Cale took one step back.
“That is absurdly strong.”
Before he knew it, Alberu was standing in front of Cale, blocking the spear.
His main weapon, the White Star Spear in his hand, was cracking.
CRAAACK—
“How dare you use that great power!”
Duke Hinpa swung his spear again.
WOOOO—
One thing about the gray aura surrounding him was certain.
He is stronger than I am!
King Tamahi felt Hinpa’s true strength.
A believer of the God of Chaos dealing with the Wanderers of the Five Colored Blood.
It would have been a problem if such a person were weak.
It was not only the Wanderers who were aiming for this kingdom!
Tamahi realized that the one truly seeking to swallow this kingdom whole was the Order of the God of Chaos, which had been acting as a watcher between the Wanderers and herself.
“Your Majesty!”
“Protect His Majesty!”
The blood relatives and guards tried to approach.
“Stop!”
But Tamahi blocked them and drew her sword.
“Martial Arts Master, fall back!”
“As you command!”
Knowing his own strength would not be of any help, Martial Arts Master Cha Run hurriedly retreated, and Tamahi leaped into the place where Alberu and Hinpa were fighting.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her heart was pounding violently.
It is terrifying!
She was feeling fear right now.
WOO—WOO—
Hinpa’s spear technique was terrifying enough in power, but what the gray aura pouring from it emitted was drenching her in fear.
“Mm.”
Alberu let out a low sound.
Spear technique.
Aura.
Power.
Everything about Hinpa was stronger than Alberu’s own spear technique.
And I cannot use magic.
Rather than reveal all his cards, Alberu intended to hold out as much as possible. He did not even consider the Sun Sword.
He moved his spear with an expressionless face.
“I will help!”
At that moment, King Tamahi swung her sword as she tried to join the fight.
“There is no need.”
But Alberu refused her.
“What?”
Tamahi was puzzled.
“How arrogant! You will confess everything with your own mouths!”
Hinpa swung his spear even more fiercely.
He was growing impatient.
The Wanderer So Hee has been captured.
The fact that she had suddenly been taken like that meant something had gone wrong with the plan.
On top of that, he had heard that Bishop Serisa had been detained by the Order of the Sun God.
This situation—
It was clearly because of those men.
Alberu and Cale.
Hinpa’s eyes sank deeply as he looked at the two of them.
Guide.
One who knows the path to the holy land.
Cale had spoken of both that position and the name of the holy land.
Hinpa needed to flee at once, but because he had to identify who Cale was, he could not run.
He even imitated the Saint’s power.
No.
It was not imitation.
It is like the Saint in his earliest days.
A genius Saint unlike any other in the Order of the God of Chaos.
The moment he awakened, he had been able to wield the power of chaos to a considerable degree.
And yet the man before him had used it to that same extent.
What in the world is he?
There can only be one Saint in the world.
So—
What is that man?
A believer ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) of the God of Chaos?
An ally?
No.
That could not be.
Why would one use the power of chaos on an ally?
And besides, he was not just anyone, but the Guide.
Could it be—
Had the god perhaps done something?
Was something happening that he himself did not know?
What was it?
What is he, really?
Hinpa could not flee.
And yet he could not bring himself to fight with his full strength either, and so he sank deeper into confusion.
It was then.
“If we attack together right now, we can capture him!”
King Tamahi said that to Alberu once more, not missing the opening.
“I do not believe it is our turn yet.”
Alberu said that, and instead stepped back.
“!”
Hinpa was wondering what exactly was happening all of a sudden.
As Alberu retreated, his eyes met Cale’s once more.
“!”
And only then did King Tamahi recall what true fear really was.
Hinpa.
The fear she felt from that man was certainly primal, the kind that made one’s whole body go cold with the sensation of fearing the night in childhood.
That is why one can pretend not to know it.
One can overcome it as one grows up.
But—
True fear is—
No.
To be precise, this was not fear.
It felt as though her whole body were being dominated.
As though even something as simple as breathing required someone’s permission—
and yet, within that, there still wafted a primal fear.
Like a herbivore vaguely sensing the terror of a predator, only to fear that predator more and more the older it grows.
This was a fear that, the more one knew of it—or rather, the more one did not want to know of it—the worse it became.
Because the moment one sank into this swamp, one would naturally begin to want to be dominated.
“Ah.”
Feeling an even greater fear and domination, Tamahi loosened her grip on the sword in her hand.
And Alberu, folding his arms, shook his head from side to side.
“...W-what is this—”
The dominating aura that had even subdued the Wanderer So Hee.
That power was focused on Hinpa.
What Alberu and King Tamahi were feeling was merely the aura that had overflowed.
“T-this is not the chaos I know—”
Chaos was certainly contained within that power as well.
And at the same time, he could feel that it was trying to dominate him.
What is this?
His confusion deepened further, and in the end it became fear.
As Cale walked toward Hinpa, he used the skill once more.
[Using ‘Skill: Fear of Chaos (Legend)’.]
[If the target is plunged into fear, by looking into the target’s eyes, you can read a portion of their memories.]
The skill succeeded.
Because Hinpa had already fallen into fear.
[Skill: Dominating Aura (Rank: EX. Impossible to determine)]
Fear of Chaos was a Legend-rank skill.
But Dominating Aura was beyond rank. For that reason, its exact rank could not be determined.
Still, it was certainly no less than a Legend-rank skill.
And—
[This skill is a growth-type skill.]
Even though it was impossible to determine its rank, it still possessed room to grow.
[Reading memories.]
[*As this is only a preview, only memories related to the quest will be shown.]
[A believer completely dominated