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

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 would assist

Bud never came out no

residence as well or contact the Mercenaries Guild to get reinforcements. Glenn Poeff apparently

it Bud’s video communication device?” Yes, sir. The calling video communication device was Bud’s, so Glenn Poeff

Alberu interjected.

when he confirmed that the Mercenary King was taken

an awkward smile on his face and bowed toward Cale

recorded the contents of

Chhhhhhh-

recording device soon shined as the saved recording started

“Human, it's Bud!”

‘It sure is.’

It was Bud, but…

started to frown while looking at the screen.

a simple

for the residence

heard Alberu's voice

no way they would give a dethroned princess

was calling it simple to be nice; the

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

that old but clean bed… Mmph,

Bud was flailing around.

were tied down and there was a

the

heard a woman's voice in the video at that

were also an old table and two chairs in the

were made of old

woman sitting on one of those chairs smiled toward the

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

reminded of

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

of grace that came from her

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

voice as she said the tea was wonderful

not look like someone who

looked more majestic than Alberu. Cale subconsciously

Why are you looking at me

slowly turned away

won't be easy to

“…Yes.”

agreed with

looked like a difficult

after hearing her next

Click.

the teacup down

Smile.

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

didn't disagree

had an ancient power ended up being captured and tied down by Jopis, a dethroned

a single drop of sweat on

recording. Shit, you must have accomplices in there with

and shook

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

Cale heard Alberu's voice.

want to learn to speak

‘Me too.’

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

shook his

learn to talk like that. No more snacks

I not? The two of you were a famous combination

Smile.

smile made her look as if she was a painting. No,

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

even if she was dethroned and lived in exile now, had continued to

his gaze on Jopis

video recording device at that moment and he ended up

said that he came to learn the secrets of

He was

hear Glenn

he continued to focus

but her eyes had