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

tried to stop Bud from visiting Jopis's residence. But he's not the type to listen, so

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

calling video communication device was Bud’s, so Glenn

Alberu interjected.

Mercenary King was taken hostage?” That is correct,

motioned to someone. Glenn Poeff walked over with an awkward smile on his

contents of the call I received and you

Chhhhhhh-

soon shined as the saved recording

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

frown while looking at the screen.

a

much smaller than what he expected for the

Alberu's voice

guess there’s no way they would give a dethroned

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

those bookcases were full of books that

that old but

Bud was flailing around.

and there was a gag in his mouth

and seemed to be trying to say something as he looked at the video communication device, but the gag made it

heard a woman's voice in

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

chairs and table were made

woman sitting on one of those chairs smiled toward the screen. The tea

was dressed simply but

of Duchess Violan as he looked at

the way her hair was tied up without

grace that came from her expression made him think of

was wearing old grey clothes because she was living in exile, but she gave off the grace of a woman enjoying a short tea time at the

the

like someone

majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked toward

it? Why are you looking at me

away

won't be

“…Yes.”

with

like a

after hearing

Click.

put the teacup down before

Smile.

tea truly does taste wonderful when

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

Human! Bud seems like a stupid idiot who walked into a Dragon's

didn't disagree

way of knowing how Bud who was a sword master and had an ancient power ended up being captured and tied

because Jopis looked elegant without a single drop of sweat

recording.

and shook

that has nothing to offer them?

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

I want to learn to speak

‘Me too.’

elegant in the process. I

shook his head toward

happens if you learn to talk like

…You know 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

Well, anyway, who you are is

if she was dethroned and lived

focused his gaze on Jopis in the

device at that moment and he ended

said that he came to learn the secrets of the Molden

idiot! He was captured

could hear

care as he continued

but her eyes had not smiled