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

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

Bud never came out no

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

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

Alberu interjected.

he confirmed that the Mercenary King

someone. Glenn Poeff walked over with an awkward smile

to speak. I recorded the contents of the call I received and you should be able to understand the situation after taking

Chhhhhhh-

shined as the saved recording

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

to frown while looking at the screen.

a simple and neat

expected for the residence of a former princess who

heard Alberu's voice

they would give a

calling it simple to be nice; the room they were looking at

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

old but clean bed… Mmph,

Bud was flailing around.

there was a gag

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

woman's voice in

were also an old table and two chairs

were made

sitting on one of those chairs smiled toward

tea in a wooden cup was

Cale was reminded of Duchess

way her hair was tied up without a

that came from her expression made him

old grey clothes because she was living in exile, but she gave off the

the tea was wonderful sounded extremely

look like someone who had lost

than Alberu. Cale subconsciously

is it? Why are you looking

away

be easy

“…Yes.”

agreed with

like a

certain after hearing

Click.

put the teacup down before starting to speak

Smile.

well. Mister, tea truly

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

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

disagree with

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

looked elegant without a single

the recording. Shit, you must have

struggled and shook

to offer them? For being the Mercenary King's smart close friend, can't

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

I want to learn to speak like

‘Me too.’

sounding elegant in the process. I

his head toward

happens if you learn to talk like that.

of you were a famous combination long before I started farming in this remote countryside. I guess

Smile.

elegant smile made her look as if she was a painting.

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

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 Jopis

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

he came to learn the secrets of

was captured after saying

hear Glenn

as he continued to focus

elegantly, but her eyes