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

and highest-grade mage, Glenn Poeff. He tried to stop Bud from visiting Jopis's residence. But he's not the type to listen, so Glenn Poeff agreed

never came out no

the Mercenaries Guild to get

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

Alberu interjected.

the Mercenary King was taken hostage?” That is correct, your

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

the contents of the call

Chhhhhhh-

as the saved recording

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

started to frown while looking at the screen. Mmph,

a simple and neat

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

Alberu's voice behind

they would give a dethroned princess in

to be nice; the room

and an old but 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.

down and there was a gag in

say something as he looked at the video communication device, but the gag made it impossible

a woman's voice in the video

the bed and the bookcases… There were also an old table

table were made of old

those chairs smiled

who was drinking tea in a wooden cup was dressed simply

Cale was reminded of

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

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

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

as she said the tea was wonderful sounded extremely

did not look like someone who had lost

than Alberu. Cale subconsciously

are you looking

turned away as

be

“…Yes.”

with that

like a difficult

after

Click.

put the teacup down

Smile.

her face as well. Mister, tea truly

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

seems

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

her in the recording. Shit, you must

and

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

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

want to learn to speak

‘Me too.’

sounding elegant in

his

if you learn to talk like that. No more snacks for

who I am? Sir, how can I not? The two of you were a famous combination long before I started

Smile.

smile made her look as

Glenn’s anxious voice. Well, anyway, who you

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

on

that moment and he ended up making eye contact with the

he came to learn the secrets of the

He was captured

hear Glenn

he continued to

was smiling elegantly, but her eyes had not smiled even