Trash of the Count's Family

“…Bud is being held hostage by the dethroned princess?” That is correct, young master-nim.

Ron's benign smile didn't register correctly in Cale’s mind.

Alberu confirmed that the underground stone chamber was not visible to Raon and Ron as they were in the middle of the staircase before starting to speak toward Cale who seemed to be deep in thought.

“Elisneh the First, the current monarch of the Molden Kingdom, rose to the throne in her early thirties. She is said to have used her amazing leadership to turn the Molden Kingdom into the strong kingdom it is today.” That is correct, your highness.

Ron respectfully agreed with Alberu.

Alberu leaned on the wall as he continued to speak.

"There are many people in the Eastern continent who consider the Roan Kingdom to be the second Molden Kingdom.”

There were talks about the Roan Kingdom being similar to the Molden Kingdom as both nations had a young person coming into power and developing their nation into a strong kingdom.

“But there is one thing that was different.” It was the issue of successorship.”

Alberu smiled and casually commented toward Ron.

“Looks like you’re quite knowledgeable about the Eastern continent's situation.” It isn’t much, your highness.

Ron feigned ignorance and stopped talking.

Alberu quietly watched him for a moment before continuing to speak. He continued his explanation for Cale.

“Originally, there were two monarch candidates who fought viciously for the Molden Kingdom's throne.” It wasn’t much of a fight because Elisneh the First was superior in every category.

“Correct.”

Intelligence, strength, background of maternal relatives, number of followers, and capital. Elisneh was superior in every category.

“Elisneh the First from the beginning to the end… Showed superiority in all aspects and ascended to the throne. However, there was a moment when her younger sister, Princess Jopis, threatened Elisneh the First's hold on the throne.”

“…Jopis.”

Cale mumbled that name.

“Yes. Princess Jopis. Unlike the others, she aggressively tried to defeat Elisneh the First. However, she is said to be living quietly after losing the battle. Well, she can only live quietly as she has been exiled.”

Unless the heir to the throne is determined early as it was with Alberu, there were only two options left for the others who fought until the end.

Death or exile. Should they choose exile, they had to live the rest of their lives as quiet as a rat under surveillance.

“…Honestly speaking, I still don’t know why Jopis tried to go up against Elisneh the First.”

This was because Elisneh the First's victory was almost guaranteed.

“Furthermore, the two of them are blood-related siblings. They aren't even half-siblings.”

“Siblings?”

“Yes, that is why Jopis couldn't even get support from her maternal relatives. They all supported Elisneh.”

Alberu tilted his head to the side.

He had been gathering information about the Molden Kingdom after Cale told him about the Molden Kingdom and the Illusionist last time.

“Furthermore, the two of them were said to have a very good relationship with each other until Jopis suddenly started to fight for the throne. Jopis and Elisneh's maternal relatives still don't know why Jopis suddenly started to rebel against her older sister.”

“…Really?”

Cale’s eyes clouded over. Alberu looked toward Cale and responded.

“I guess you felt the same thing I felt while telling you about it.”

Alberu looked toward Cale, Raon, and Ron as he continued to speak.

“Doesn’t it feel odd?”

“That does seem to be the case.”

Cale started to think about Bud.

“The Mercenary King, Bud is not someone who bluffs. He told me he would get information about the Molden Kingdom, so the fact that he approached Jopis should mean that she has some sort of secret.”

“Yes. Either a secret or the key to revealing the secret.”

A secret or a key.

Cale turned back toward the video communication device.

“How did Bud end up getting captured?” Using the information from Glenn Poeff who was watching from the rear…

started to explain

from visiting Jopis's residence. But he's not the type to listen, so Glenn Poeff agreed for Bud to enter the residence alone while he would assist from the

no

made Glenn debate whether he should enter the residence as well or contact the Mercenaries Guild to

video communication device was Bud’s, so Glenn Poeff immediately accepted

Alberu interjected.

Mercenary King was taken hostage?” That is correct,

someone. Glenn Poeff walked over with an awkward smile on his face and bowed toward

of the call I received and you should

Chhhhhhh-

device soon shined as the saved recording started to

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

to frown while looking at the screen. Mmph,

see a simple and neat

expected for the residence of a former princess who fought for

Alberu's

there’s no way they would give a dethroned princess in

the room

old but clean bed in the room, and those bookcases were

on top of that old but clean bed…

Bud was flailing around.

and legs were tied down and there was

his body and seemed to be trying to say something as he looked at the

a woman's voice in the video at

bed and the bookcases… There were also an old

were made

woman sitting on one of those chairs smiled

was dressed simply but neatly. Human! She reminds me

Raon mentioned, Cale was reminded of Duchess

but the way her hair was tied up without a single stray strand and the

refined look of grace that came from her expression made

in exile, but she gave

as she said the tea was wonderful sounded

did not look like someone who had lost

majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked toward

is it? Why are you looking at me

slowly turned away as he

be easy to

“…Yes.”

with that

like a

became certain after hearing her next

Click.

teacup down before starting

Smile.

well. Mister, tea

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

Human! Bud seems like a stupid idiot who walked into

didn't disagree

who was a sword master and had an ancient power ended up

elegant without a single

her in the recording. Shit, you

struggled and

has nothing to offer them? For being the Mercenary King's smart close friend, can't you use

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

learn to speak

‘Me too.’

sounding elegant in the process. I want to

shook his head toward

to talk like

of you were a famous combination long before

Smile.

as if

Glenn’s anxious voice. Well, anyway, who you are is not important right

even if she was dethroned and

his gaze on Jopis in the

looked straight into the video recording device at that moment and he ended up making eye

speak. Sir, he said that he came to learn the secrets of the Molden royal

That idiot! He was

could hear

as he continued to

smiling elegantly, but her eyes had not smiled