Trash of the Count's Family Vol 2. Chapter 441: …Can I Take It All? (4)

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Young Master Jimon.”

Clopeh Sekka offered a polite bow to Jimon.

Cale mirrored the gesture, lowering his head while observing the surroundings.

The main castle.

Although Cale had entered the main castle around dinnertime, it was only now, as night began to fall, that he was granted an audience with Young Master Jimon.

The encounter was taking place in the dining room, with the meal already served.

Young Master Jimon sat alone at the head of the table, awaiting Cale and Clopeh, his own plates still laden with food.

The head steward was also present.

Head Steward Hitelis. Aside from her, no one else was in sight.

...There wasn't a single discernible sign of the Order of the God of Chaos.

Of course, this might have been due to the limited path Cale had traversed within the main castle and the stringent surveillance, which prevented any thorough reconnaissance.

Nevertheless, he had yet to uncover any evidence of the Order of the God of Chaos.

Despite their definite presence somewhere within this main castle, or perhaps elsewhere in Moraka Castle.

“……”

Following the initial invitation,

Clopeh.

Prior to this meeting—

Lord Cale, who had been allowing Clopeh to manage all affairs, had offered a single piece of advice.

"When we meet Young Master Jimon today, rather than simply assessing him, why not stir up trouble for both his faction and the Order of the God of Chaos?"

"You mean to shake up Young Master Jimon himself as well—ah!"

Clopeh immediately grasped the reasoning behind Cale's suggestion.

It was because he recalled Raon's words from the previous night, after their visit to Aurora.

"Lord Cale, thanks to you, I've realized something I had overlooked."

With Cale's teachings deeply ingrained in his mind, Clopeh turned his gaze to Jimon.

"Yes—yes, you are your uncle's sole blood descendant?"

Young Master Jimon was indeed nephew to Count Lupe.

"Yes."

Clopeh's reply was concise and unwavering.

"Would you care for me to present the birth certificate as well?"

Clopeh advanced, positioning himself beside Young Master Jimon.

From this proximity, he naturally looked down upon the young man.

"......"

Young Master Jimon looked up at Clopeh, his eyes quivering.

Simultaneously, Head Steward Hitelis moved closer to Jimon's side. Even she had momentarily lost her composure.

Shock registered on her face.

Count Lupe's bloodline?

Her thoughts became a jumbled mess in an instant.

If the Kase before her was genuinely of Count Lupe's bloodline—and if Terosa, a close confidant of the current Demon King, had chosen to support him—

Jimon would lose both his legitimacy and his strength.

The support for Young Master Jimon among Count Lupe's kin would likely plummet significantly.

...Troublesome.

Hitelis felt no concern whatsoever for what might befall Young Master Jimon.

His life or death held no significance for her.

The grand scheme was nearing its realization...!

Soon, a gray malady would sweep across the entire Demon World.

And the Order of the God of Chaos intended to present themselves as the sole solution, thereby becoming heroes.

And Dioriel is the starting point for this...!

As a city bustling with commerce and trade routes, any rumor originating here would swiftly disseminate throughout the Demon World.

Furthermore, it is a city not yet under the Demon King's dominion.

It was precisely these advantages that led the Order of the God of Chaos to select Young Master Jimon.

This is becoming bothersome.

Terosa had evidently dispatched one of the Demon King's assassins already.

And the individual being used as a cover for this assassin is of Count Lupe's bloodline?

If that's the case, then the Kase standing here is a blade himself.

One capable of instantly altering the entire power balance within the Dioriel territory.

Calm down.

Hitelis compelled herself to regain her composure.

"Here is the birth certificate."

Clopeh unfurled the document and lowered it towards the table.

"Ah. It appears somewhat soiled."

Naturally, observing the shattered dish and the disarray on the table, he hesitated to place it down directly.

"Please hold it and examine it."

Instead, he placed the birth certificate directly into Young Master Jimon's hand.

"Here. This seal was imprinted with Count Lupe's mana. You are welcome to verify its authenticity. Lady Terosa had already confirmed it before dispatching me, of course."

Hmm.

Hitelis emitted a soft sound upon observing the seal.

While she couldn't definitively confirm it belonged to Count Lupe, it was, without question, a legitimate mana seal.

"......"

Young Master Jimon's hands, gripping the birth certificate, trembled intensely.

The anger had vanished from his face unnoticed, replaced by unfocused, wavering pupils.

Oh dear.

Hitelis recognized that Young Master Jimon had gone completely blank.

Then again, he had been insistent on his status as Count Lupe's nephew. If that claim was about to be shattered, it was understandable why he felt his world had darkened.

Jimon's lips parted.

"Th-that's impossible—"

To his quavering voice—

Pat.

Clopeh placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle pat. With his other hand, he indicated the seal. Then, he spoke kindly:

"You do not even recognize your uncle's mana?"

"......"

Jimon slowly turned his head.

He then looked up at Clopeh.

As he gazed upon Clopeh's smiling countenance, his lips quivered, and subsequently, even his eyes lost their focus, trembling erratically.

Oh dear.

The head steward barely managed to stifle a sigh at the sight.

Young Master Jimon had already betrayed his impatience upon hearing that Terosa's faction was sending an envoy, and had rushed to the Pope in a panic to demand action.

She had initially believed his impetuous and hot-blooded nature would make him easily manipulable.

However, witnessing him lose his senses so readily was proving somewhat inconvenient.

He remained an ally, after all.

Young Master Jimon.

He was the master of this very castle, where the Order of the God of Chaos was currently stationed.

He was still of use.

"Mr. Kase."

Head Steward Hitelis addressed Clopeh in a low, almost cautionary tone, gently removing his hand from Jimon's shoulder.

"Young Master."

Then, she gently took hold of Young Master Jimon’s arm.

It was necessary to bring the foolish young man to his senses.

Slap!

“Don’t you touch me!”

However, Young Master Jimon raised his voice and forcefully struck away the steward’s hand.

He then immediately sprang to his feet.

“I cannot believe this! I simply cannot believe it!”

Clutching the birth certificate as if he might crush it in his hand, he spoke.

“I will verify this myself! You claim to be an actual blood relative of my uncle? Someone as lowly as you?”

Clopeh shook his head.

“That would be quite difficult. Your faction might end up damaging the birth certificate, after all.”

“…What?”

Young Master Jimon’s face flared with sheer rage.

“How dare you— what do you think I am!”

Clopeh strode deliberately toward him.

He then swiftly snatched the birth certificate from Jimon’s grasp.

“Should you wish to verify it, do bring an experienced appraiser with you next time.”

Clopeh looked down at Jimon, his expression devoid of any smile.

“……”

Jimon found himself utterly speechless.

He could only stare blankly at the birth certificate held before him.

“……”

Clopeh observed him for a brief moment, then slowly shifted his gaze.

His eyes then settled upon Head Steward Hitelis.

Hmm.

Hitelis realized anew that this peculiar man named Clopeh was by no means a simple opponent.

Distinctly different from the second brother trailing behind her, who kept his head bowed in fear, the man before her exuded a palpably chilling aura the instant his smile vanished.

“Head Steward, the Young Master does not appear to be in a suitable condition for further conversation at this moment, so we shall take our leave.”

Clopeh carefully tucked the birth certificate away and continued speaking in a voice that was both even and measured.

“We possess more than sufficient funds to acquire the mine. If, at any point, you wish to discuss either the authenticity of the birth certificate or the particulars of the mine’s sale, feel free to visit the annex.”

It was precisely at this juncture that it happened.

“Hey. You—”

Young Master Jimon opened his mouth.

“Why did you tell me that you exist—”

He paused momentarily, then continued.

“Why did you reveal your identity to me?”

Upon hearing this, Clopeh gazed into the empty air for a moment.

Clopeh shifted his gaze from the empty air and looked directly at Young Master Jimon.

“Count Lupe expressed this sentiment.”

And once again, with a gentle smile gracing his features, he stated:

“Blood relations can be trusted.”

Young Master Jimon could not conceal the burgeoning complexity reflected in his eyes.

His entire body was visibly trembling.

“Terosa— the Demon King’s faction—must have wronged Count Lupe. I cannot possibly assist individuals like that. Not as Count Lupe’s own blood. Is that not correct?”

Clopeh’s gaze remained remarkably calm, almost detached.

“Is that not the very reason you, too, are contending against the Demon King’s faction, Young Master Jimon?”

“……”

Jimon remained silent.

Clopeh signaled to Cale that it was time to depart and headed towards the door.

However, before stepping outside, he delivered one final, pointed remark.

“Young Master, I sincerely hope that next time we meet, we can share a proper meal together. Not this kind of dismissive treatment.”

Head Steward Hitelis could sense the distinct ease in Clopeh’s smile as he looked down upon Young Master Jimon.

It was the unmistakable smile of a victor.

In stark contrast, Young Master Jimon stood there with his head bowed, his fists clenched tightly, his body quivering with suppressed emotion.

It was as if he were struggling to contain his burning anger.

Hitelis failed to notice the tears glistening in Jimon’s downcast eyes.

Having held those tears back, Young Master Jimon ultimately never lifted his head.

“Then we shall be departing.”

Quite unlike their initial entrance, Clopeh’s party now exited with an air of complete confidence, as though the very castle already belonged to them.

After they had completely disappeared from view, Hitelis finally broke the silence.

“Young Master Jimon.”

Jimon slowly lifted his head.

With numb, emotionless eyes, Hitelis delivered her answer.

No—it was not delivered for his sake.

It was for the Order of the God of Chaos.

“That man will also meet his demise.”

The birth certificate?

Whether it proved genuine or not, once that particular bloodline was extinguished, everything would be concluded.

“……!”

Jimon’s pupils dilated in shock.

Hitelis firmly seized the hand that had dared to strike her away moments before.

Then, she spoke with deliberate slowness:

“We will handle the matter. All you need to do is remain still.”

At her words, the wavering uncertainty in Jimon’s eyes solidified.

However, he instinctively avoided Hitelis’s scrutinizing gaze.

Observing this behavior, Hitelis allowed herself a subtle smile.

Yes. This was indeed the expression that truly suited him.

“Th—”

Young Master Jimon opened his mouth.

“It was the Demon King who caused my uncle’s death, wasn't it?”

“Yes. That is precisely correct.”

Hitelis responded with the unvarnished truth, without the slightest trace of hesitation.

“...I understand.”

The strength seemed to drain entirely from Young Master Jimon’s body, and he sagged back into his chair.

Only then did Hitelis pat his shoulder in a manner suggesting genuine comfort, saying:

“By tomorrow night, the demons dispatched by Terosa—and Kase’s group along with them—will all be eliminated. So, please set your mind at ease and rest. Tonight, tomorrow night, and every night from this point forward.”

Young Master Jimon looked up at her.

“H-heh, haha—”

A laugh unexpectedly escaped his lips.

Hitelis met his mirth with a deep, knowing smile.

After all, the laughter of a mere puppet often sounded rather amusing.

“Haha—”

And Jimon found himself utterly unable to stop laughing.

The very moment Kase had extended the birth certificate—

he had distinctly heard the voice of a small child.

The next morning. Having enjoyed a deep sleep, a rare occurrence, Cale recalled the words of Count Lupe, relayed through Aurora, the head of the mediation group, as he awaited breakfast. ‘Jimon was the child who was closest to me. And that child joined hands with the Order of the God of Chaos? I cannot fathom it.’ Count Lupe had mentioned that some of his blood relatives were untrustworthy. He stated that their insatiable greed made them too unpredictable. ‘After his family was lost in his childhood, he was raised by my side until he reached adulthood. It was because of me that he inherited Moraka Castle and the mine. This is strange.’ Knock, knock. Precisely on schedule, servants from the main castle arrived with breakfast. The meal was laid out in the dining room on the second floor, and after everyone else departed, a single old man remained. He approached Clopeh. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance.” With a bow, Clopeh inquired: “And who might you be?” “I am the head steward.” At that very moment, Clopeh’s gaze met Cale’s. Clopeh then spoke. “So the genuine article has finally arrived.” Not Hitelis. The true head steward. The individual who originally oversaw Moraka Castle. One of the loyal retainers Count Lupe had assigned to the young Jimon. According to the information gathered, this steward was later sidelined when Young Master Jimon began aspiring to the lord’s position. Yet, he still formally introduced himself as the head steward. This indicated Jimon’s intent. As anticipated. Perhaps Young Master Jimon had not actually betrayed Count Lupe after all. Observing the seasoned steward, Clopeh casually remarked: “So, you managed to evade the notice of the Order of the God of Chaos.” “!” The steward’s eyes widened considerably. The Order of the God of Chaos. Even the Demon King’s faction was unaware of their existence—so how could these individuals possibly know? However, the head steward did not rashly speak. Observing this with a sense of satisfaction, Clopeh calmly addressed him: