Trash of the Count's Family Vol 2. Chapter 434: One Man, Two Roles, and Chaos in the Demon World (9)

Following Raon's launch of the White Dragon into the sky—

Whoooosh—

Cale's gaze followed the wind.

East, west, south, north. The winds surged in from all directions.

Three from the east!

One at five o'clock!

Three from the northwest!

One at seven o'clock!

Three from the southeast!

More wind elementals continued to arrive, relaying further information.

Flap, flap. The edges of Cale's clothes fluttered unstirred.

"So, quite a few have gathered."

Sui Khan. To capture a single Team Leader—

"About twenty of them have dispersed—"

A considerable number were now moving toward Cale's location.

And among them—

"One is the Team Leader, and one must be the captain."

There was one man he needed to rescue and another he needed to confront.

"The reports from five o'clock and seven o'clock."

While the others moved in groups of three, only two individuals were proceeding alone. One of these two had to be Team Leader Lee Soo Hyuk, and the other was likely the commander of this search party.

Even if the Team Leader were injured, even if he were still in a youthful body, ordinary fighters would likely not suffice to apprehend him. This implied the captain had directed the others to search for Sui Khan in threes.

And he, himself, was moving solo. The implication was clear.

"This means he's strong enough to at least hold back an injured Sui Khan."

Cale began walking slowly.

If the Team Leader was injured, the reason was obvious. Even with two holy knights on par with Choi Jung Soo, Sui Khan's prowess in covert trailing shouldn't have been so weak as to allow immediate detection. Therefore, if he had been discovered—

he must have lost control due to anger. Team Leader Lee Soo Hyuk had evidently witnessed something infuriating by his own standards, something so outrageous that he momentarily lost his composure, revealing killing intent. Or perhaps he had made some other detectable signal.

This led to his discovery by the enemy, his subsequent injury, and the ongoing pursuit.

This was always the pattern. Team Leader Lee Soo Hyuk consistently caused significant trouble. He presented an image of coldness, appearing weary of everything, yet he harbored the most intense passion within. This was why no one could ever truly replace Lee Soo Hyuk.

Cale—Kim Rok Soo—had attempted to emulate Lee Soo Hyuk's path, but he never achieved the same stature. The only distinction he earned was an unflattering moniker: 'stubborn bastard.' No one ever viewed him with the same heroic admiration as they did Lee Soo Hyuk.

Not that I ever desired such recognition anyway.

Cale raised his eyes to the sky. The sunset was receding, and the heavens were deepening into an indigo hue.

"It's been a while."

It had been a considerable time since he last had to clean up after Lee Soo Hyuk.

If I have to cover for Choi Jung Soo as well, I'll need to put in some effort.

Since Choi Jung Soo was absent, Cale would have to handle that responsibility himself this time.

"No."

He now had more companions than just Choi Jung Soo. Far too many individuals to assist in tidying up after others' messes.

A faint chuckle escaped Cale.

Whoooosh—

He once again focused on the incoming wind.

The one at five o'clock is young!

The one at seven o'clock is middle-aged!

Step. His feet turned towards the seven o'clock direction.

Everyone should arrive within ten minutes!

Listening to the wind elemental's report, he uttered:

"On, Hong. I'm relying on you."

He received no audible response from On and Hong. No cries, not even the sound of their retreating footsteps.

The two children had grown once more during the time Cale hadn't been observing them.

A wry smile touched Cale's lips.

"Definitely different."

Things were indeed vastly different from the past.

Reflecting once more that he was now living the life of Cale Henituse, Cale shifted his gaze sideways.

A forest shrouded in darkness. Nothing was discernible amidst the shadows.

"Clopeh. You understand your task, correct?"

"Yes, Young Master Cale."

Clopeh's reply emanated from within the darkness.

Emerging from the shadows, Clopeh executed a slight bow before melting back into concealment.

Perhaps due to his magically dyed black hair, his presence barely seemed distinguishable from the surrounding gloom.

Clopeh Sekka, who had once openly sought to become a legendary guardian knight—now readily embraced operating in secrecy and remaining hidden. If anything, he welcomed it.

"......"

Cale observed Clopeh's retreat for a moment before resuming his own progress.

His expression had turned steely.

Whether as Kim Rok Soo, or as Cale—he had always detested witnessing his companions sustain injuries.

Then, Raon's voice echoed.

- Human, are we going to smash everything?

Cale halted his movement.

- Hehe. Human, I'm just kidding! I know this isn't the time for smashing everything!

Just as Raon interjected playfully—

"We do need to smash some things."

Cale responded in an even, detached tone.

- Oh!

Raon sounded surprised.

Cale, disregarding the reaction, continued walking at a relaxed, unhurried pace.

Would it make any sense for Wanderers under the Three Emperors to rush or conceal themselves merely because they were en route to greet a few holy knights?

He smirked.

Cale’s lips curled into a sharp, upward twist.

*****

“Captain.”

Satun, the leading high-ranking holy knight spearheading the search, encountered three of his subordinates.

“Are you moving after seeing the signal?”

“Yes.”

A day and a half. For this duration, within this very forest, the distinguished holy knight Satun had been tracking a solitary intruder.

Whoooosh—

He tilted his head towards the wind, drawing in a deep breath.

“There’s still no scent of blood.”

His attire was peculiar, quite unbefitting of a holy knight’s title; he bore a closer resemblance to a ranger than a knight.

Clad in leather armor, his gaze meticulously scanned the surroundings.

“They are all converging this way.”

Upon closer listening, the forest resonated with a cacophony. Those who had been strategically dispersed throughout the woods, stealthily pursuing the intruder, were now converging en masse towards the signal flare. Despite their utmost caution, such a significant movement could not possibly remain undetected.

“Sir Pol, take two men and return to headquarters.”

“Should I report the current situation as is?”

“Yes.”

He inhaled once more.

“There’s no blood smell, but…”

For reasons unknown—

“I have a feeling I’ll be smelling blood very soon.”

At Satun’s declaration, Pol and the two holy knights flanking him stiffened.

Satun. Among the holy knights of the Order of the God of Chaos, he possessed a rather extraordinary gift. By his very nature, he had an exceptional aptitude for detecting the scent of blood.

This remarkable trait was the source of his moniker: the Blood Tracker.

The captain had already detected the intruder’s blood scent once. As long as that individual remained within the forest’s confines, the captain was certain to apprehend him eventually. Pol bowed his head, speaking:

“Then the three of us shall return to headquarters.”

“Good. Headquarters must have also witnessed the signal flare, so they will dispatch additional personnel.”

Pol paused, a hint of hesitation in his demeanor.

“…Do you truly believe more personnel are necessary, Captain?”

“We still haven’t managed to apprehend a single intruder after all this time. As extensive as this forest may be, it is not infinitely vast.”

An intruder who had evaded capture even after the deployment of approximately twenty holy knights. He had detected the scent of this intruder’s blood multiple times, yet remained unsuccessful in his pursuit.

Satun was, by nature, a cautious individual.

“The grand plan is nigh. Headquarters is acutely aware of the considerable trouble an intruder infiltrating the city at such a juncture would cause. And now, it appears the intruder’s associates have also made their arrival, making reinforcements a logical certainty.”

“Mm.”

Pol found himself unable to offer a response. The holy knights were already heavily occupied with preparations for the grand plan. The initial deployment of twenty men underscored the urgency of the situation, making him doubt the ease of securing further reinforcements.

“If not, proceed to Sir Trill.”

“!”

Pol flinched at the mention of the name.

“He was the one who managed to wound the intruder. If it’s him, he will take action.”

Trill. A veritable powerhouse who had transcended the rank of a high-ranking holy knight, achieving a level far beyond it. If Satun stood as one of the three strongest among the high-ranking holy knights, then Trill occupied a position among the absolute apex – a formidable opponent whom Satun could never hope to defeat, even if he dedicated his entire existence to the endeavor.

“…Yes. Understood.”

Witnessing the prudent Captain Satun invoke Sir Trill’s name, Pol finally grasped the profound gravity of the unfolding situation. He hastened his movements.

“I shall depart at once.”

“Yes. Before any further variables emerge—”

Satun’s words abruptly ceased.

Whoooosh—

The wind swept through.

Satun lifted his face to meet it.

Then, he detected it.

“…This is bad.”

The scent was peculiar. It was not the natural aroma of the forest.

Something unusual was being carried upon the wind.

From the east? No.

From the west? No.

Neither north nor south.

It’s all of them! The scent was emanating from all four cardinal directions.

Satun recognized that his peculiar olfactory sense functioned akin to a form of intuition. Danger. He utilized this innate sense to detect impending peril.

While adept at tracking the scent of blood during pursuits, this particular aroma—

“It’s not merely one or two individuals—”

The intruder’s companions had not infiltrated this forest in meager numbers. He sensed danger approaching from every conceivable direction. Gooseflesh prickled across his entire body. Increasingly—as the scent seemed to permeate the entire forest—he perceived a colossal danger drawing nearer. A threat utterly silent, and disturbingly discreet.

What could it be? Sir Satun immediately issued an order to Pol:

“Proceed to headquarters immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

Pol, fully comprehending the dire nature of the circumstances, urged his men onward. They were perplexed by the unfolding events, primarily because the forest itself seemed unnervingly tranquil. However, Pol, privy to Captain Satun’s extraordinary abilities, pressed forward with haste, acutely aware that danger was imminent.

And at that precise moment—within the forest, on the opposing side from Satun’s location—

“Hm?”

From a trio of holy knights moving with swift purpose, the one leading the formation abruptly halted.

“Halt.”

He raised a hand, signaling the others to stop, and fixed his gaze straight ahead. From the encroaching darkness of the forest, a figure emerged with deliberate slowness. Regardless of their identity, they stepped forth with an audacious display of ease and self-assurance.

“Who goes there!”

Ignoring the squad leader's clamor, the black-haired man continued his unhurried advance.

Shiiing.

His sword dangled loosely from his grasp.

“So, you’re the first offering.”

As if on cue with Clopeh Sekka's smiling declaration—

“!”

“!!”

“……!”

A collective shiver coursed through all three individuals.

Clopeh Sekka, having gleaned knowledge from the Heavenly Demon and Choi Han, now wielded an energy forged from dead mana.

It wasn't aura, yet it bore a resemblance.

It was a power akin to the shadow cast by light.

The aura of a swordsman commanding such might.

The instant his killing intent enveloped the surroundings—

“...Mist...!”

A mist began to surge from behind the black-haired man.

Like a tide poised to engulf the forest.

Yet, its advance lacked the ferocity of true waves.

Quietly, stealthily.

Still, it moved with the swiftness of any tide, rushing to consume them.

“Run!”

The squad leader’s command was immediate, but the mist was swifter.

The holy knight, who had spun and bolted at the squad leader’s cry, suddenly pitched face-first to the ground.

“Urgh...!”

A paralytic toxin had taken effect.

“...Ah...!”

Then, a wave of drowsiness washed over them.

Not a gentle slumber, but a sleep befitting that dreaded, mist-choked place—a sleep steeped in darkness and the chill of death.

“......!”

“Ugh—!”

“N-no—!”

As the three holy knights crumpled to the earth, desperately fighting the encroaching paralysis and sleep—

step, step.

The black-haired swordsman sauntered past them.

A smirk played on his lips.

The squad leader caught sight of the man looking down at him, a smile gracing his features.

He was regarded as nothing more than a pebble on the ground, then the man moved on.

“Ugh—”

Ultimately, the squad leader succumbed, his eyes fluttering shut.

Darkness descended like a flood.

Lethargy claimed him entirely.

Despite his desperate struggle, his eyelids refused to open.

Yet, he hadn't completely succumbed to unconsciousness.

Though his eyes were closed and sight denied, his hearing remained.

A low voice reached him.

“How dare you betray us—”

The black-haired swordsman's tone was icily cold, laced with utter contempt.

That was the final sound the squad leader registered before succumbing to sleep.

I’ll remember this—

I will survive. And I will tell everyone.

He lost consciousness, desperately clinging to that vow.

But he was unaware.

“……”

Clopeh's gaze remained fixed on the squad leader, now completely insensible.

Rustle.

A deliberately created sound broke the silence.

Within the gloom—

the cat's distinct silver eyes.

And behind them, the silhouette of a red cat.

Clopeh gave a single nod and continued his journey.

Poisonous mist was now permeating the entire forest.

Step. Step.

In stark contrast to Clopeh's intentional noise, the poison mist silently and discreetly spread throughout the forest, much like On and Hong's movements.

“……”

The corners of Clopeh’s lips curved upward.

Posing as a subordinate of the Three Emperors—

this was proving to be a rather amusing diversion.

*****

The mist advanced slowest in the direction of seven o'clock.

“Sir Pol, make haste!”

Satun’s entire body tingled as the scent intensified—or rather, as the encroaching danger grew more pronounced.

This urgency propelled him to issue commands to Sir Pol while rapidly turning, preparing to dash towards the location where the signal flare had been discharged.

Hummm—

Gray energy, the divine power of the God of Chaos, coated the tip of his boot.

Having heard Sir Pol depart, he opened his mouth to utter one final command.

“I’ll track down the source of this scent—”

But he paused.

“!”

Emerging from the shadows—

he saw someone stepping slowly towards him.

What is this?

He had detected no scent.

No warning of impending danger had registered.

How could this be?

He had failed to perceive the approaching individual amidst the pervasive scent blanketing the forest.

This is impossible unless he's just an ordinary person!

Satun could not sense such a warning signature from someone posing absolutely no threat to him.

Ah, so weak—

The moment the approaching figure became clearer, Satun understood why he had initially missed him—it was due to that slender, almost fragile physique—

“Mm!”

But then, an uncontrollable tremor seized his entire body.

“Urgh!”

He was forced to clamp a hand over his nose.

A man with black hair.

The forest's shadows concealed the hue of his eyes, leaving them appearing merely dark.

The instant that man’s gaze locked onto Satun—

“Khk!”

Satun was assaulted by an overwhelming stench of blood.

Simultaneously, his entire body convulsed violently.

Drip.

Blood trickled from his nose.

He could barely discern any other scent.

I've only experienced this from a highest-ranking holy knight—!

And even then, only when facing the leader of the holy knights of the Order of the God of Chaos.

No.

Was this sensation more potent than that?

Because—

I can't smell anything else at all.

It felt as though the sheer intensity of the blood scent might suffocate him.

As if his very sense of smell was on the verge of vanishing.

“Ugh, ah—”

“Uuugh—”

Three of his subordinates fell or cried out in pain behind him.

Setting aside the stench, the sheer oppressive presence alone was enough to make one's skin crawl.

It felt different.

It brought to mind the power of the God of Chaos, yet it was not the same.

Truly, it was distinct.

And nevertheless, absolute. And chilling.

Step. Step.

The man who emerged with unnatural calm addressed Sir Satun:

“Why did you betray us?”

His question wasn't about Satun's identity.

It wasn't about the intruder's nature.

Nothing of that sort.

He simply wanted to know the reason for Satun's betrayal.

What?

As Satun struggled to comprehend—

Whoooosh—

A sound, distinct from the wind, reached his ears.

...Water?

The sound of waves.

The very instant Satun grasped this—

-So, I just need to transform the arrows into snakes, correct?

“Yes. Not dragons. Snakes.”

Cale offered a casual response to the Water that Devours the Sky, recalling the advice given by Choi Jung Gun.

“Do you wish to comprehend the power wielded by the third Emperor?”

“A Wanderer, the third most formidable among the hunters of the Five Colored Blood clan.”

Cale had been eager to understand his abilities.

This was because the unique abilities of the Wanderers, much like the Ancient Powers, were both a source of fascination for him and something he absolutely required insight into.

“Hmm. That particular power is—”

Choi Jung Gun had provided his answer.

“A water dragon.”

That was the essence of it.

He then added further:

“One of his retainers also employs a snake. A water snake.”

A grin bloomed across Cale’s lips.

Whoooosh—

A pair of water serpents ascended, coiling majestically behind Cale’s back.

Two water snakes.

“Betrayal leads to death.”

Upon Cale's unspoken command, they lunged towards Satun.

- Human, I believe we are in trou