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 the

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

out no matter

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

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

Alberu interjected.

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

Poeff walked over with an awkward smile on his face

recorded the contents of the call

Chhhhhhh-

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 and neat

smaller than what he expected for the residence of a former princess who fought for the

Alberu's voice behind

give a dethroned princess in exile a

to be nice; the room

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

top of that old but

Bud was flailing around.

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

trying to say something as he looked at the

voice in the video

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

table were made of

on one of those chairs smiled toward the

was drinking tea in a wooden cup was dressed simply

of Duchess Violan as he looked at

hair was tied up without a

that came from her expression made him think of Duchess

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

as she said the

not look like someone

looked more majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously

it? Why are you looking

slowly turned away as

be easy

“…Yes.”

agreed with that

like a difficult

certain after

Click.

teacup down before starting to speak

Smile.

tea truly does taste wonderful when

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

be easy to deal with. Human! Bud seems like a stupid idiot who walked into a

disagree

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

single drop of sweat

in the recording. Shit, you must have accomplices

struggled and

Sir, who would assist a dethroned princess that has nothing to offer them? For being the Mercenary King's smart close friend,

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

to learn to

‘Me too.’

in the process. I want to learn

shook his head

what happens if you learn to talk like that.

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

Smile.

look as

anyway, who you are is not important

was dethroned

on Jopis in

and

said that he came to learn the secrets of the Molden

was captured after

could hear Glenn

care as he continued to

her eyes had not smiled