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

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

the Mercenaries Guild to get reinforcements.

Yes, sir. The calling video communication device was

Alberu interjected.

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

someone. Glenn Poeff walked over with an awkward

of the call I received and you should be able to understand the situation after taking a

Chhhhhhh-

video recording device soon shined as the saved recording started

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

to frown while looking at the

could see a simple

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

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

that old but

Bud was flailing around.

tied down and there

as he looked at the video communication device, but the gag made it

voice in

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

chairs and table were made of

sitting on one of those chairs smiled toward the

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

of Duchess Violan as he looked at

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

that came from her expression made him think of Duchess

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

as she said the tea was

not look like someone who

than

is it? Why are you looking at me

away as he

won't be easy to

“…Yes.”

agreed with that

looked like a

certain after hearing her

Click.

teacup down before starting to speak

Smile.

smile on her face as well. Mister, tea truly

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

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

disagree with

who was a sword master and had

looked elegant without a single drop of sweat on her

to her in the recording. Shit, you must have accomplices in there with

and shook his

a dethroned princess that has nothing to offer them? For being the Mercenary King's smart close friend, can't you use

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

to learn to

‘Me too.’

sounding elegant in the process. I want to learn

his head

learn to talk like that. No

…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

Smile.

smile made her look as

anxious voice. Well, anyway, who you are is

time as a princess even if she was

focused his gaze on Jopis in the

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

Sir, he said that he came to learn

was captured after

could hear Glenn

care as he continued to focus

but her eyes had not smiled even