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

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

Bud never came out no matter how long

the residence as well or contact the Mercenaries Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently got a call on

The calling video communication

Alberu interjected.

that the Mercenary King was

awkward smile

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

Chhhhhhh-

video recording device soon shined as the

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

while looking at the

see a simple

what he expected for the residence of a

Alberu's voice behind

no way they would give a dethroned princess in exile a

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

old but clean bed in the room, and those bookcases

old but clean bed…

Bud was flailing around.

down and there was

looked at the video communication device, but the gag made

voice in the video at

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

were made of

one of those chairs smiled

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

reminded of Duchess Violan as he looked

was tied up without a single stray strand and

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

in exile, but she gave off

as she said the tea

like

looked more majestic than Alberu.

you

slowly turned away as

won't be

“…Yes.”

with

looked like a difficult

became certain after hearing her next

Click.

teacup down before starting to

Smile.

Mister, tea truly does taste wonderful when you

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

Human! Bud seems like a stupid idiot who walked into

didn't disagree with

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

a single drop of sweat

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

and shook his

heard a majestic voice respond. Sir, who would assist a dethroned princess that has nothing to offer them? For being the Mercenary King's smart close friend, can't you

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

to learn to speak like

‘Me too.’

quite uniquely while sounding elegant in the

his head

you learn to talk like that. No more snacks for

were a famous combination

Smile.

smile made her look as

anxious voice. Well, anyway, who you are is

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

gaze on Jopis in

at that moment and he

said that he came to learn

He was

hear

he continued to focus

smiling elegantly, but her eyes had not