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

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 to enter the residence alone while

out no matter how

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

it Bud’s video communication device?” Yes, sir. The calling video communication device was Bud’s, so Glenn

Alberu interjected.

he confirmed that the Mercenary

an awkward smile on his face and

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

Chhhhhhh-

soon shined as the

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

frown while looking

see a simple and

than what he expected for the residence of a

heard Alberu's voice behind

they would give

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

bed in the room, and those bookcases were

of that old but clean

Bud was flailing around.

were tied down and there was

at the video communication device, but the gag made it impossible to

voice in the video at that

also an old table and

were

chairs smiled toward

wooden cup was dressed simply but neatly. Human! She reminds me of

reminded of Duchess Violan as he looked at

tied up without a single stray strand and the

refined look of grace that came from her expression made

old grey clothes because she was living in exile, but she gave off the

voice as she said the tea was wonderful sounded extremely

did not look like someone

majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked

are you looking

turned away as

be easy

“…Yes.”

with

like

certain after hearing

Click.

gracefully put the teacup down

Smile.

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

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

seems like a stupid idiot who

disagree with

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

single

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

struggled and

that has nothing to offer them? For being the Mercenary

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

learn to speak like

‘Me too.’

elegant in the process. I want

shook his head toward

what happens if you learn to talk

two of you were a

Smile.

as if she was a painting.

anxious voice. Well, anyway, who you are is not

princess even if she was dethroned

on Jopis in

and he ended

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

That idiot! He was captured after

could hear Glenn

didn't care as he continued to focus

elegantly, but her eyes had