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

Glenn Poeff. He tried to stop Bud from visiting Jopis's residence. But he's not the

came out no matter how long

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

device?” Yes, sir. The calling video

Alberu interjected.

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

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

started to speak. I recorded the contents of the call I

Chhhhhhh-

video 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. Mmph,

could see a

than what he expected for the residence of

Alberu's

they would give a dethroned

it simple to be nice; the room

those bookcases were full of books that seemed to

that old but

Bud was flailing around.

there was a gag

his body and seemed to be trying to say something as he looked at the video communication device, but the gag made it impossible to understand what he was

a woman's voice in

were also an old

were

chairs

wooden cup was dressed simply but neatly. Human! She

reminded of Duchess

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

of grace that came from her expression made

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

as she said the tea was wonderful sounded

not look like someone

speaking, she looked more majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked toward

is it? Why are you looking at me like

slowly turned away

won't be

“…Yes.”

with

like a difficult

after

Click.

down before starting to

Smile.

Mister, tea truly does taste wonderful when you drink it

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

easy to deal with. Human! Bud seems like a stupid idiot who

didn't disagree with

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

single drop of sweat on her

to her in the recording. Shit, you must

struggled and shook

majestic voice respond. Sir, who would assist a dethroned princess that has nothing to

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

learn

‘Me too.’

while sounding elegant in the process. I

shook his head toward

what happens if you learn to talk like that. No

her. …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 you think I have shit for

Smile.

elegant smile made her look as if

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

if she was dethroned and lived in exile now, had continued to speak respectfully

on Jopis

the video recording device at that moment and he ended up making eye contact with

Sir, he said that he came to

was captured after saying

hear Glenn

he

but her eyes had not smiled even