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

mage, Glenn Poeff. He tried to stop Bud from visiting Jopis's residence. But he's not the type to listen, so Glenn Poeff agreed for Bud

no

Mercenaries Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently

The calling video communication device was Bud’s, so Glenn Poeff

Alberu interjected.

confirmed that the Mercenary King was taken hostage?” That is

Poeff walked over with an awkward smile on his face and bowed toward Cale

video recording device as he started to speak. I recorded the contents of the call I received and you should be able to understand

Chhhhhhh-

recording device soon shined as the saved recording

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

frown while looking at the screen.

could see a simple and neat

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

heard Alberu's voice

would give a dethroned

be nice; the room they were looking at was old

but clean bed in the room, and those

on top of that old but clean bed… Mmph,

Bud was flailing around.

arms and legs were tied down and there

say something as he looked at the video

in the video at that

also

were made of

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

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

of Duchess Violan as he looked at

up without

came from her expression made

gave off the

voice as she said the tea was wonderful

not look like someone who

than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked

it? Why are you looking at

turned away

won't be easy

“…Yes.”

agreed with

looked like

certain after hearing her

Click.

teacup down before starting to speak

Smile.

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

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

would not be easy to deal with. Human! Bud seems like

disagree with

of knowing how Bud who was a sword master and had an ancient power ended up being captured and tied down by Jopis, a dethroned

Jopis looked elegant without a single

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

struggled and shook his

to offer them? For being the Mercenary King's smart close

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

learn to speak like

‘Me too.’

was speaking quite uniquely while sounding elegant in

shook his

to talk like that.

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

Smile.

made her look as if she was

voice. Well, anyway, who you are is not important right now, right,

a long time as a princess even if she was dethroned

on Jopis in

at that moment and he ended up making eye contact with the Jopis

that he came to learn

He was captured

could hear

didn't care as he continued to focus

elegantly, but her eyes had