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…

started to explain

to stop Bud from 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

no

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

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

Alberu interjected.

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

motioned to someone. Glenn Poeff walked over with an awkward smile on his face and bowed toward

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

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

a simple

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

heard Alberu's voice behind

they would give a

be nice; the room they were looking at was old and

were a few bookcases and an old but clean bed in the room, and those bookcases were full of books that seemed to have

old but clean bed… Mmph,

Bud was flailing around.

and legs were tied down and there was a gag in

seemed to be trying to say something as he looked at the video communication device, but the gag made

in the video

There were also an old table and two chairs in the

and table were

those chairs

was drinking tea in a wooden cup was dressed simply but neatly. Human! She reminds me of

reminded of Duchess Violan as he

up without a single stray strand and

look of grace that came from her

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

said the tea was

not look like someone

looked more majestic than Alberu.

you looking at me like

slowly turned away

won't be easy

“…Yes.”

agreed with that

like

became certain after hearing her next

Click.

put the teacup down

Smile.

on her face as well. Mister, tea truly does taste wonderful

“Ah.”

Cale was certain.

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

disagree

master and had an ancient power ended up being captured and tied

elegant without a single

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

and shook

has nothing to offer them? For being the Mercenary King's smart close friend, can't you use your f*cking

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

I want to learn to speak

‘Me too.’

was speaking quite uniquely while sounding elegant in the process. I want to learn

shook his head toward

talk like that. No more

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.

Smile.

her look as if she was a painting.

anyway, who you are is not important right now, right,

lived a long time as a princess even if she was dethroned and

focused his gaze on Jopis in

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

that he came to

was captured after saying

could hear

care as he continued

elegantly, but her eyes had not smiled