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

to stop Bud from visiting Jopis's residence. But he's not the type to listen,

never came out no

the Mercenaries Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently got

video communication device?” Yes, sir. The calling video communication device

Alberu interjected.

confirmed that the Mercenary King

with an awkward smile on his face and bowed

a video recording device as he started to speak. I recorded the contents of the call I

Chhhhhhh-

recording device soon shined as the saved

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

to frown while looking at

could see a simple

he expected for the residence of a former princess who fought for

Alberu's voice

way they would give a

the room they were

room, and those bookcases were full of books that seemed to have

of that old but clean bed…

Bud was flailing around.

and legs were tied down and there was a gag in his mouth as

body and seemed to be trying to say something as he looked at the

woman's voice in the video at that

the bookcases… There were also an old

were

one of those chairs smiled toward the screen. The tea tastes

a wooden cup was dressed simply but neatly. Human!

of Duchess Violan

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

that came from her expression made him think

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

said the tea was wonderful

look like someone

than Alberu. Cale subconsciously started looked

is it? Why are you

away

won't be easy

“…Yes.”

with

looked like

became certain after hearing her

Click.

put the teacup down before starting to

Smile.

as well. Mister, tea truly does taste wonderful when

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

to deal with. Human! Bud seems like a stupid idiot who walked into a Dragon's

didn't disagree

way of knowing how Bud who was a sword master and had an

looked elegant without a single drop

respond to her in the recording.

and

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

‘Me too.’

in the

his

to talk

respond to 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

Smile.

made her look as if she was

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

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

his gaze on

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

said that he came

idiot! He was captured after saying

could hear Glenn

as he continued

her eyes had not