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

the type to listen, so Glenn

no matter

Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently got a

video communication device was Bud’s, so Glenn Poeff

Alberu interjected.

Mercenary King was taken hostage?” That

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

as the

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

to frown while looking at the screen. Mmph,

see a simple and neat

was much smaller than what he expected for the residence

Alberu's voice behind

give a dethroned

the room they were

old but clean bed in the room, and those bookcases were full of books that seemed to have been read a lot. Mmph,

that old but

Bud was flailing around.

there was

looked at the video communication device, but the gag made it impossible to understand what he was saying. Oh

voice in the video at that

bookcases… There were also an old table

were made

of those chairs smiled toward

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

was reminded of Duchess

hair was tied up without a single stray strand and

refined look of grace that came from her expression made him think of Duchess

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

she said the tea was

not look like

majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked toward

it? Why are you looking at

turned away

won't be easy to

“…Yes.”

agreed with that

looked like a

after

Click.

down

Smile.

well. Mister, tea truly does

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

deal with. Human! Bud seems like a

didn't disagree

a sword master and had an ancient power ended up being captured and tied down by Jopis,

because Jopis looked elegant without a single drop of sweat on her

the recording. Shit, you must

struggled and

princess that has nothing to offer them? For being

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

want to learn to speak like

‘Me too.’

sounding elegant in the process. I want to

shook his head

to talk like

Sir, how can I not? The two of you were a famous combination long before I started farming

Smile.

look as if

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

had lived a long time as a princess even if she was dethroned and lived in exile now, had continued to

focused his gaze on

that moment and he

he said that he came to learn the secrets of

He was captured after saying

hear

care as he continued to focus

smiling elegantly, but her eyes had not