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…

to explain

he's not the type to listen, so Glenn Poeff agreed for Bud to enter the residence

came out no matter how

well or contact the Mercenaries Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently got a call on his

video communication device?” Yes, sir. The calling video communication

Alberu interjected.

confirmed that the Mercenary King was

over with an awkward smile on his

contents of

Chhhhhhh-

video recording device soon shined as

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

to frown while looking at the screen. Mmph,

see a simple and

was much smaller than what he expected for the residence of a former

Alberu's voice

there’s no way they would give a dethroned

simple to be nice; the room they were looking at was old and

an old but clean bed in the room, and those bookcases were full of books that seemed to

that old but

Bud was flailing around.

and there was a gag in

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

a woman's voice in

than the bed and the bookcases… There were also an old table and two chairs

chairs and table were made of old

sitting on one of those chairs smiled

woman who was drinking tea in a wooden cup was dressed simply but

Cale was reminded of Duchess Violan as he looked

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

the refined look of grace that came from her expression made him think of Duchess

exile, but she gave off the grace of a woman enjoying a short tea time at the

said the tea was wonderful

not look like someone who had lost

speaking, she looked more majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously

is it? Why are you looking at me like

turned away as he

won't be easy to

“…Yes.”

with

like a difficult

certain after

Click.

the teacup down before starting

Smile.

her face as well. Mister, tea truly does taste wonderful when you drink

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

would not be easy to deal with. Human! Bud seems like a stupid idiot who walked

disagree

had no way of knowing how Bud who was a sword master and had an ancient power

without a single drop of sweat on her right

Glenn respond to her in the recording. Shit, you must have accomplices in

and shook his

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

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

want to learn to speak

‘Me too.’

was speaking quite uniquely while sounding elegant in the process.

his head

what happens if you learn to talk like that. No more snacks for

Glenn respond to her. …You know who I am? Sir, how can I not? The two of you were a famous combination long before I started farming

Smile.

smile made her look as if she was a painting.

heard Glenn’s anxious voice. Well, anyway, who you

who had lived a long time as a princess even if she was dethroned

his gaze on Jopis in the

moment and he ended up making eye contact

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

That idiot! He was captured after

hear

care as he continued to

her eyes had not smiled even