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

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 he would assist from

out no matter how long he

Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently got a call on his video communication device at that

Yes, sir. The calling video communication device was Bud’s,

Alberu interjected.

confirmed that the Mercenary

motioned to someone. Glenn Poeff walked over with an awkward smile on his face

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

Chhhhhhh-

soon shined as the saved recording started

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

while looking at the screen.

see a simple

for the residence of a former princess who fought for

Alberu's voice

no way they would give a dethroned princess in exile a nice

nice; the room they were looking at

room, and those bookcases were full of books

that old but clean bed… Mmph,

Bud was flailing around.

were tied down and there was a

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

in the video at that

There were also an old table and two chairs in

and table were made of

of those chairs

was drinking tea in a wooden cup was dressed simply but neatly. Human! She reminds me of

reminded of Duchess

but the way her hair was tied up without a single stray

from her expression made him think

gave off the grace of a woman enjoying a short tea time

voice as she said the

not look like someone who had lost

looked more majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked toward

are you looking

turned away as he

won't be easy to

“…Yes.”

agreed with that

like a

became certain after hearing her next

Click.

down before starting to speak

Smile.

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

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

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

disagree

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

a single drop

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

struggled and shook his

princess that has nothing to offer them? For being the Mercenary

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

I want to learn to speak

‘Me too.’

in the process. I want

shook his head

you learn to talk

two of you were a famous combination long before I started farming in

Smile.

her look as if she was a painting.

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

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

focused his gaze on Jopis

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

came

idiot! He was captured

could hear

care as he continued

was smiling elegantly, but her eyes had not smiled even