Trash of the Count’s Family Chapter 1292

“Savior……?”

The moment Cale met the eyes of the city’s highest official, who was cautiously calling to him—

Right.

He made up his mind.

Let’s avoid the worst-case scenario.

The sight of the demon god’s power being bestowed upon him like a blessing while Cale performed a purification ritual before countless demons.

He had to avoid that.

Rather than putting the badge back in his pocket, Cale roughly pinned it somewhere visible on his clothes and opened his mouth.

“Thank you for welcoming me.”

A gentle, soft smile for achieving his goal naturally equipped itself on his lips.

—Human, why are you smiling like that? You were saying this was driving you insane, and now you’re smiling like you do when you scam people!

He lightly ignored Raon’s words.

Because—

Time!

From now on, time was important.

“What a relief! All of our city’s residents have been waiting only for you, Savior—”

“Yes. I understand that feeling.”

Cale cut the other man off.

Then he spoke in a warm but firm voice.

“But I would like to perform the purification ritual right away, as quickly as possible.”

“Ah!”

The official looked startled, then smiled brightly.

“Yes. We began preparing as soon as we heard you were coming, so if you would wait just a little—”

“No.”

Cale was firm.

“As quickly as possible, please.”

Countless cheers.

What did he need in order to stop them?

Speed!

So fast that the cities needing purification would not have time to prepare welcoming parades or grand events!

Extremely fast!

So fast that crowds would not be able to gather, and no opportunity would arise to praise him!

Extremely fast!

Hit and run!

He could not skip the purification ritual.

So he would perform the purification ritual as quickly as possible, and then he would leave!

Before anyone could properly get their head together.

Then the moon on this badge won’t have time to fill.

And also—

I cannot give that lunatic Clopeh Sekka time to pull anything.

Cale spoke firmly.

“The festival used for the ritual does not need to be excessive. A suitable number of demons need only enjoy that moment of joy.”

“Ah—”

“So let us proceed as quickly as possible. Every moment matters.”

“But what we prepared—”

“I know. I know how much effort you put into preparing it. But you see.”

Cale was truly firm.

“I want to purify this place as soon as possible. We have no time.”

Cale’s smile had vanished before anyone knew it.

Seeing his face, the official’s expression changed.

The savior who had saved and would save the Demon World.

The many things they had prepared in order to make a good impression on him.

“…….”

The highest official was speechless for a moment.

He wants to purify them as soon as possible—

What could those words mean?

This person truly is a savior.

He had heard and seen things, but because he had not met Cale in person, he had still possessed one grain of anxiety.

As that vanished, the highest official was able to sincerely respect the human before him.

“Yes. We will prepare the purification as quickly as possible.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

He had seen the savior’s true expression. That was sincerity.

“I want to purify everyone and leave as quickly as I can.”

…This human truly is good.

He is literally a savior.

“Yes. Please come this way.”

The welcoming ceremony for the savior, and the meal in the splendid banquet hall prepared for him.

All of it was canceled.

But the savior showed not the slightest regret about it.

He paid it no attention at all.

He simply headed toward the place where demons who had been quarantined for weeks, infected with gray sickness until no trace of their former selves could be seen, had gathered.

A place no one in the city wished to go near, while the infected people’s families still lingered nearby day and night.

The quarantine center.

The savior headed there without a moment’s hesitation.

The savior said,

“The clearing before the quarantine center is spacious. I will conduct the purification here immediately.”

He was resolute.

He did not accept even a little of the grand procedure we had prepared.

“Purification comes first. A space to watch the purification, demons to watch it—that does not come first.”

The savior’s gaze was directed solely toward the infected.

Those who, because it was still day, did not show their aggression and slept like corpses.

“These people come first.”

The savior’s gaze turned beyond the iron fence surrounding the quarantine center and clearing.

“There are already enough people here who will help with the purification, people who long for it more desperately than anyone.”

Rather than going to welcome the savior, the demons who had waited anxiously outside the iron fence, wondering how the infected would be purified after the savior appeared.

The families and close acquaintances of the infected.

Looking at them, the savior calmly ordered,

“Open the quarantine center doors.”

The main doors, which had remained shut since the infected were confined.

The savior pointed at the large doors of the building.

And his companions opened the quarantine center’s front doors wide without the slightest hesitation.

“I will begin.”

The savior entered purification immediately without any particular speech.

The quarantine center was on the outskirts of the city, so it was not a place that could accommodate all the demons coming from far away because they wished to see this purification ritual.

Rather, their approach had to be stopped.

Because the ritual had already begun.

“Ah.”

“…O demon god—”

But there was something that could be seen even from far away.

Gray mist.

Gray particles rising through that mist.

“Urgh.”

“Ha, haha—h, h-hngh.”

Wrapped in gray mist, the demons recalled happy moments and saw gray particles rising from themselves.

The families and acquaintances of the infected. And the soldiers and officials who had suffered while guarding the quarantine center.

Some of them laughed, then cried.

They were tears of joy.

“Ahh—”

“The light—”

It was on a completely different level from watching through a recording.

The particles of light became like stars, sparkling within the gray mist.

They were like a gray galaxy embroidering a gray night sky.

And those lights wrapped around the Savior and the entire quarantine center.

Gray rain did not fall.

But the officials and soldiers waiting inside the quarantine center saw droplets of water running down the bodies of the infected who had risen into the air.

To them, that was gray rain.

The purification ritual.

Its process was neither grand nor splendid.

Rather, it was incredibly quiet and calm.

But it was reverent.

CLANK—

When the purification ended, the gate of the iron fence opened wide.

“Ahh, honey—!”

“Brother!”

“Sister!”

“My daughter, oh, demon god, my daughter!”

Now this place was no longer quiet.

Those who had been silently choking back tears ran into the quarantine center with bright smiles.

The soldiers and officials felt their hearts surge as they watched the scene.

“It is finished.”

Amid all that, the savior calmly declared the end of purification to the highest official.

“But the ritual is not over. You understand, yes?”

For the purification ritual to end, a joyful festival had to unfold.

“Savior—of course I understand. We will hold the festival immediately.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

The savior’s complexion was pale, but his gaze remained clear and firm. The official sensed something from his words.

“Savior, by ‘thank you,’ do you mean—?”

Did that not sound as if the Savior would not enjoy the festival himself?

To begin with, the official had heard that the original tour schedule would proceed by giving the unwell Savior at least one or two days of rest between infected regions.

Surely—

The moment a thought entered the official’s mind.

The savior was resolute.

“I must go to the next city.”

“But—”

But your health! Your body!

The official wanted to say this, but the savior had already turned away and spoken calmly.

“I would like to purify the corruption and be at ease as soon as possible.”

Truly, the savior—Cale—wanted to finish the purification quickly and rest at ease. Of course, even while resting, he had many things to do.

Saving Alberu’s father, the king.

Finding out why the God of Death had gone silent.

Going to help Alberu and Anlomann, who were probably fighting a political and media war against the Transparent Blood family.

Finding the Absolute God and stopping its birth.

Ending the Five Colored Blood family.

“Haa.”

I have a filthy amount of things to do.

Cale sighed without realizing it.

The official bit his lip at the sight.

He must be exhausted!

The savior had turned away without lingering attachment, almost cold enough to seem heartless.

But even while looking at his back, the official did not resent him in the slightest.

Instead, deep respect for him took root.

The one chosen by the demon god truly is different.

This was different from meeting the Demon King.

Just as something beyond respect was blooming in the official’s heart—

“Mm?”

Cale stopped walking.

A soldier ran out of the quarantine center in a panic and was hurrying toward the official, but upon seeing Cale, the soldier froze, not knowing what to do.

“What is it?”

At the highest official’s question, the soldier opened his mouth.

“A snake, no, water.”

“Hm?”

“I mean, a water snake was eating the water that had fallen from the bodies of the infected!”

Cale stared at the water snake in the soldier’s palm with an incredulous expression.

Cale knew that although it looked like a snake, that thing was actually a dragon.

“Then it yawned and fell asleep!”

The water dragon had yawned as if full and fallen asleep.

The Dragon King third Emperor’s water dragon.

How did that bastard get here?

Did it follow me?

He had teleported. How had it followed him?

No matter how close this city was to Midi, it was still a full day’s distance away, was it not?

Unless it had known his route in advance, this would have ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) been impossible.

Cale, who had ignored the water dragon at the ancient site, gave Ron an order.

“Ron. Please bring that thing over.”

“Yes, young master.”

For now, he took custody of the sleeping water dragon.

The thing, now as small as a thread snake, must have drunk quite a lot of the water that came from the infected through purification, because its belly was very round.

“Let’s go.”

Cale told his companions to head to the next city.

“Yes, Cale-nim.”

Meeeow!

Meow!

There were quite a lot of companions.

Ron and Beacrox, the average ten-year-olds, and Clopeh Sekka. They were traveling together.

Choi Han and the ancient dragon Eruhaben had been left in Midi.

Because the team leader and Choi Jung Soo will come.

Beacrox had come a step ahead and decided to travel with Cale, while the other two were apparently going to meet Choi Han soon.

The team leader said he managed to contact the Heavenly Demon.

The Heavenly Demon, who had left with the highest-ranking holy knight of the Order of the God of Chaos.

He might also return with them.

“Clopeh. Prepare the next teleportation circle with Raon.”

“Cale-nim.”

Clopeh spoke with a smile on his face.

“The Demon King’s side has not even arrived yet.”

Strategist Ed of the Demon King’s side was supposed to join this work.

And Cale had already decided to go to the next city before they arrived.

“Clopeh Sekka.”

At this point, Cale decided to tell Clopeh his honest feelings.

“You want a legend. You want to make a heroic tale.”

At least once.

Since he had accepted Clopeh Sekka as a companion, Cale needed to say this to him at least once.

“I genuinely have no need for that crap.”

Clopeh quietly smiled and simply looked at Cale.

His green eyes shone clearly in the midday sunlight. Yet because of that, they felt strangely eerie. Because no emotion could be seen in them.

But Cale conveyed his meaning more firmly than ever.

“What comes first for me is the safety of my companions here, and my companions somewhere else. I do not care about anything else. So we will wrap this place up as quickly as possible and leave. Understood?”

He patted Clopeh’s shoulder and spoke as nicely as he could.

“I like things comfortable and easy. So let’s take the easy path.”

“Cale-nim.”

Clopeh asked quietly.

“Is the path you are taking now an easy path?”

“Yeah.”

The worst-case scenario.

The sight of the demon god’s power being bestowed upon him like a blessing while Cale performed a purification ritual before countless demons.

This was the only path to avoid that.

Deal with everything as quietly and swiftly as possible and slip away!

Flee the Demon World!

“Cale-nim.”

Clopeh’s eyes began to smile.

“I was gravely mistaken. After hearing your words, I have realized. I will follow your will, Cale-nim.”

His green eyes smiled, shining as clearly as green leaves filled with sunlight.

Cale found Clopeh’s appearance rather unsettling, but he felt a little more at ease.

It seemed the smart bastard had understood properly.

“We will complete the purifications as quickly as possible and leave the Demon World at once. And you wish all of it to happen quietly, without others’ gazes or cheers as much as possible. Is that correct?”

“Yes, exactly!”

So please stop getting in my way!

That was the meaning behind Cale bringing this up now.

“Very well. I accept that will.”

Seeing Clopeh accept it at once, Cale asked Raon with an easy heart to receive the teleportation coordinates from Clopeh and draw the circle.

“…….”

And Clopeh quietly watched this.

I was mistaken.

Clopeh knew that Cale had never wanted to become a hero.

He also knew that Cale wanted to protect his companions and those around him, and that he wished to give them comfort.

What comes first for me is the safety of my companions here, and my companions somewhere else. I do not care about anything else.

Cale-nim’s words.

Now, within those words, “here” included Clopeh himself as a companion as well.

I have done something ridiculous.

The Eruhaben Miru Birth Ceremony in the Seven Evils.

And then this Demon World-wide tour schedule.

Clopeh Sekka realized his own misunderstanding.

He had prepared a stage where Cale would receive maximum attention and be regarded like a god. He had spread all kinds of rumors and encouraged those around him to cheer for Cale.

Exactly like what I once did.

Clopeh’s gaze sank.

The Guardian Knight of the North, Clopeh Sekka.

Clopeh Sekka, who had wanted to make himself into a legend, into a hero, realized that he had been doing to Cale what he had once done for himself, and goosebumps seemed to rise all over him.

How dreadful.

His method was a failed method.

And Cale-nim had never decided on a “method for becoming a legend” and moved according to it in the first place. He simply moved for his own goals.

To save those around him and for his own peace.

By moving that way, Cale-nim had always created legends on his own.

The fast and easy path.

Whenever he walked the path he called effective, the path he called easy, respect and worship naturally followed him.

Just like now.

Yes, just like now.

The people who had trembled in fear while cheering for and welcoming the savior.

Now they were instead holding their breath, gazing hotly at Cale-nim’s departing back.

The easy path Cale chose was ultimately the path of saving everyone by performing purification quickly, without rest.

Cale-nim said that was easiest.

The path you walk is right.

Clopeh saw the highest official approaching him.

“Um—”

The official tried to speak, and Clopeh showed him a gentle smile. Seeming to gain courage from that smile, the official carefully asked,

“Is the Savior always like that?”

To this question, Clopeh answered readily.

“Yes.”

Then he added,

“I prepared the welcome ceremonies and banquets and arranged this tour schedule. But Cale-nim scolded me in the end.”

Cale’s words had awakened him from his delusion.

He had truly been scolded deeply.

“The essence matters more than appearances—”

Clopeh bowed his head to the highest official.

“Then we will take our leave.”

He, too, could leave this city without lingering attachment.

The cheers of countless people for Cale were unnecessary.

Such manufactured things were not important.

Clopeh realized this as he looked at the gazes of those watching Cale move through the teleportation circle.

So this is the path.

So this is how a legend is made.

Truly, it is a path I cannot reach.

That is why it is a path I can follow.

PAAAT—!

With bright black light, Cale’s group left the city after finishing every purification within one hour of arriving.

“…….”

“…….”

The people who watched that sight then held a festival. But that festival was quieter than expected.

Rather, it flowed gently as they looked around themselves and smiled at this peace.

Because their hearts already held a resonance deeper than any splendor a festival could offer.

PAAAT!

But Strategist Ed and the Demon King’s castle officials who arrived afterward could not hide their bewilderment.

“He already left?”

“Yes. He performed only the purification immediately and left. He told us to enjoy the festival.”

“What kind of—!”

“Strategist! Another city has contacted us! They say the Savior has arrived!”

“Hah—!”

Strategist Ed had to hurriedly chase after Cale.

“Ha!”

Even so, he could not help letting out a laugh.

“He has not changed.”

Even after fainting for two weeks and waking up, this human had not changed.

That was why Strategist Ed could make no complaint.

Because all his actions were noble.

*****

And so, excluding the nights when the infected suffered seizures, Cale handled the purification schedule as quickly as possible and reached the final city after several days.

“Why!”

And Cale wanted to cry as he looked at the badge in his hand.

“Why!”

Why on earth!

Why was the badge nearly a full moon now?

In real time, the moon was filling even faster.

He definitely was no longer experiencing events where he was cheered!

He was not attending things like banquets!

He was moving after performing only the purification rituals at quarantine centers very quickly!

There should be more demons who did not even know he had arrived!

So why!

Cale could not understand at all why the moon on the badge was filling.

At this rate, if he made one wrong move, the moon would soon become full.

Damn it.

Cale bit his lip and looked out the window.

By the time he reached the final city, the sun had already set and night was falling.

He could not perform purification in this situation.

Unless it was a situation like Midi and Mika, there was no need to create unnecessary variables.

Therefore, he had decided to conduct the final purification quietly tomorrow morning as soon as the sun rose.

Right. I just need to hold out tomorrow, go to the ancient site of the demon god, and conduct a small but reverent ritual for the demon god!

That should work!

Cale firmly resolved himself.

And then I run!

Once he obtained the power, it would be farewell to the Demon World.

He would return to New World immediately!

“Human, eat!”

Cale ate dinner for now.

He was properly eating every meal while staying with Ron and Beacrox.

Eating steak, he said,

“Beacrox, Ron. Let’s have a glass of wine tonight.”

Tonight.

Unlike the past few days, when he had been rushing around without pause, tonight had a little room to breathe.

“Let’s talk.”

This was the right time to talk.

It might be his last night before leaving the Demon World.

“Yes, young master.”

“Yes.”

Hearing Ron and Beacrox’s answers, Cale briefly looked out the window, which was growing darker and darker, then turned his gaze away.

And at that time—

“Savior, thank you for returning peace to our family like this.”

“We will not forget this grace, and we will protect those around us by doing quiet good deeds, just like the example you showed us.”

“Savior, we will never forget the will you showed through your actions.”

Across the Demon World, in the cities Cale had passed through, some demons were offering prayers to the savior.

And even if it was not to that extent, stories of the savior’s noble actions were rapidly spreading by word of mouth.

Even if they had not managed to see him.

The peace left along the path he had passed.

The demons felt far too deeply the peace gained at the end of terror and fear.

They were deeply moved by the one who had created that peace, by the one who had wordlessly shown only action.

Cale did not know this.

But the badge could feel it.

Cale never dreamed that this badge could feel things like that.

*****

DRIP, DRIP, DRIP—

Instead, as Cale watched his glass fill with the wine Ron poured—

“Ahem. Hm!”

He was nervous in a way unlike himself.

The way he glanced at Ron made him look just like a young son moments before being scolded by his father.