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 the

friend and highest-grade mage, Glenn Poeff. He tried to stop Bud from visiting Jopis's residence. But he's not the type to

Bud never came out no matter how long he

Glenn debate whether he should enter the residence as well or contact the Mercenaries Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently got a call on his video

it Bud’s video communication device?” Yes, sir. The calling video communication device was Bud’s, so Glenn Poeff immediately accepted

Alberu interjected.

that was when he confirmed that the Mercenary King

over with an awkward

immediately activated a video recording device as he started to speak. I recorded the contents of the call I received and you should

Chhhhhhh-

device soon shined as

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

started to frown while looking at

could see a simple

much smaller than what he expected for the residence of a former princess who fought

heard Alberu's

they would give a dethroned princess in exile a

be nice; the room they

those

that old but

Bud was flailing around.

arms and legs were tied down and there was a gag in his

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

heard a woman's voice in the video at that

There were also an old table and two

were

chairs smiled toward the

tea in a wooden cup was dressed simply but neatly. Human! She

was reminded of Duchess Violan as he

was much younger than her, but the way her hair was tied up without a single stray strand and the noble

look of grace that came from her expression

grey clothes because she was living in exile, but she gave off the grace of a woman enjoying

the

did not look like someone who

majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked

Why are you

turned away as

be easy

“…Yes.”

agreed with that

like a

became certain after hearing

Click.

gracefully put the teacup down before starting

Smile.

tea truly does taste wonderful when you drink it

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

seems like

didn't disagree with

sword master and had an ancient power ended up being captured and tied down

looked elegant without a single drop of

her in the recording. Shit, you must have accomplices in

struggled and shook

that has nothing to

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

want to learn

‘Me too.’

sounding elegant in the process. I want

shook his

if you learn to talk like that. No more

who I am? Sir, how can I not? The two of you were a famous combination long before I started farming in this remote countryside. I guess

Smile.

her look as if she was a painting. No,

anyway, who you are is not

a long time as a princess even if she was dethroned and lived in exile now, had continued

his gaze on Jopis in

the video recording device at that moment and he

he came to learn the secrets of the Molden

idiot! He was

hear

as he continued to focus

smiling elegantly, but her eyes had not smiled even