How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 62

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 62

Chapter 21. The Great Forest

Bashurno.

It was the central city where the Lord’s Castle of the Bashurn County was located.

The time of arrival was late in the evening. As with other cities, the castle gates were tightly locked.

As Ruth drove the horse closer to the castle gate, a head popped up over the high walls.

“Who is it? State your affiliation and identity.”

The voice of the guard, who appeared to be a guard, was weary, as if he had just woken up from a nap.

“We are travelers. It’s late, and we need a place to stay, so we came here.”

“The castle gate opening time has passed, so come back tomorrow when it’s daylight.”

“It’s too cold. Can’t you just let us in?”

Ruth took out a gold coin from his pocket and showed it to the moonlight.

However, the guard remained unmoved. Even with the gold coin.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think Bashurno is some kind of inn? Do you think you can come and go anytime you want just because you have money? Come back tomorrow when it’s daylight, or reveal your proper identity. Do you understand?”

Ruth, who was scolded, tried to say something but scratched the back of his neck.

He seemed to recall my words not to reveal my identity.

“They’re more strict about the rules than I thought. What should we do? Should we just reveal our identity and then silence them?”

“The rumor that I came here must never spread. Let’s back off for now. There’s no need to create any future troubles.”

“Looks like we’re going to be sleeping outside again tonight.”

“No. I’m determined to soak my body in warm water tonight.”

I don’t even remember the last time I washed.

I was determined to find a place inside Bashurno today.

“Yes? How do you mean? Are you thinking of climbing over the walls?”

“Just follow me for now.”

After that, I turned the horse back to where the carriage was and immediately looked for paper and writing utensils.

After scribbling a simple sentence, I looked for Rahenna.

“Is it possible?”

“There’s no reason why not.”

As she waved her hand, a pigeon flew and landed on the window frame.

“Ah, so there was such a method.”

Listening to Ruth’s exclamation, I tied the folded paper to the pigeon’s ankle.

“Where should I send it?”

“To the middle window of the three spires of the same height in the castle.”

“It’s good that you’re specific.”

The pigeon flew towards her study, which Fleta had previously told me about.

How long had we waited?

A shadow began to head this way from the distant castle gate.

At that, Ruth and Ilia placed their hands on their sword hilts and stepped forward to face the figure.

The shadow that appeared before us was a knight dressed in a neat uniform.

“Stop.”

Ruth warned, and the horse’s speed slowly decreased.

“Who are you?”

“I am Lude Beris, the princess’s escort knight. I have been ordered to guide you to the inner castle.”

* * *

After that, everything went smoothly.

Guided by the knight Beris, we visited the Lord’s Castle, were assigned rooms, and were able to soak our bodies in hot water.

After coming out, as if they had been waiting, the maids guided me to the hall where the meal was prepared.

“It’s been a while, Third Young Master.”

And Fleta was waiting there.

Still with her beautiful face, she was wearing a black uniform that suited her silver hair.

It was definitely not the clothes she would be wearing late at night. She must have changed because of me.

“I’m sorry it’s so late.”

“Since you apologize, I’ll gladly accept it.”

“I was just going to stay at an inn today if the castle gate had opened.”

“Would it have worked?”

“No. They wouldn’t budge even when I showed them the gold coin.”

“It was worth the effort.”

Goodness, how much did she crack down on them for the guards not to budge even when they saw the gold coin? I felt sorry for them at Fleta’s confident smile.

As I walked to the table, the maids who had been waiting left in droves, as if they had made an appointment.

“What? Why is everyone leaving?”

“Don’t play dumb. I know what you’re here for.”

“You have a good sense.”

As I picked up a wine glass, Fleta waved her hand, and a bottle of wine floated in the air and filled the glass.

Ting!

After lightly clinking wine glasses with Fleta, I took a sip.

“Let’s get straight to the point.”

“There’s no need to waste time.”

“So, the permission to enter the Great Forest?”

“Well.”

“Well? That’s not the answer I wanted.”

“There are a few things I need to confirm before that.”

“Confirm? What if I can’t answer?”

“Permission will not be granted.”

“What if I sneak in?”

“I will do everything in my power to interfere.”

“Oh, how scary.”

As I joked, Fleta narrowed her eyes.

“I’m just trying to confirm a few things.”

“What are you so curious about?”

“At least I need to know the purpose. It’s a place our family controls.”

“Purpose? It’s simple.”

There’s no need to lie about this.

“The guys who attacked us before. Remember?”

“Yes.”

“The clue to those guys is in the Great Forest.”

“…….”

Fleta tilted her head.

“Is there any connection? They were humans, not elves.”

“Isn’t that why we’re going there because there is one?”

“……Is that reliable information?”

“Why else would I risk my life to go to that dangerous place?”

“Can’t you explain it simply?”

“No.”

Her eyebrows were bent in the shape of the number eight.

“Please tell me.”

“I told you because you were curious about the purpose, and now you’re trying to dig up information?”

“I’m giving you permission in return.”

“Wait. Let’s get the words straight.”

Where are you trying to gain an advantage with such nonsense?

Leaning back on the backrest, I opened my mouth indifferently.

“Entering the Great Forest is what I’m asking for in return for saving your life. Besides, the reason for finding that place is even desirable since it’s a common goal for you and me. So why are you talking as if you’re doing me a favor?”

“…….”

“You cooperate with me, and I use that help to find and punish those guys. Isn’t this a win-win for each other?”

Fleta, who had nothing to say to my words, bit her lip tightly.

“You’re not stupid enough to try to stop me when I’m offering to find them myself, are you?”

“All right. But how will you verify the authenticity of the information you get in the Great Forest? You might have other intentions and be lying.”

“If you don’t believe me, quit right now and go your separate ways.”

At the final notice, Fleta covered her mouth with her hand and fell into thought.

But the deliberation didn’t last long.

Soon, Fleta nodded and opened her mouth.

“Let’s say, on the premise that you can get information about them in the Great Forest.”

“It’s not a premise, it’s real.”

“Chasing a common enemy is certainly an undeniable fact. And the value of the information is not something I can discuss. As long as you don’t break the rules set by the kingdom and our family in the Great Forest, there’s no difficulty in giving permission.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything unnecessary.”

“But.”

“But?”

“I can’t understand why you’re showing such enthusiasm. Since when have you been such a person full of a sense of justice?”

“Then am I a despicable human being?”

“Let’s just say you’re an extremely rational human being.”

Her intention was simple.

The person who was targeted by the attacker was herself, so why was I taking the initiative?

It’s understandable to think that way. The inside story that only I know is that they were aiming for me, but outwardly, it was clearly a guise of aiming for the princess.

“What other reason could there be? I’m doing this all for you.”

“That’s not a funny joke.”

It doesn’t work.

Well, she wasn’t the kind of woman to be easily fooled in the first place. I was prepared to reveal my cards to some extent from the beginning.

“I received a request from the royal family.”

“……From the royal family, who?”

“The Chief of the Royal Household.”

“Are you talking about Marquis Hallin Irfe?”

“Is there another Chief of the Royal Household?”

Fleta closed her eyes for a moment.

Soon, Fleta’s eyes, which she opened again, were shining.

“The royal family also wants to intervene.”

“Yes.”

“I know what the intention is. The assassination of nobles without a declaration of war is strictly prohibited by the kingdom’s law. If only the mastermind can be revealed, it will mean that they will gain the justification to move the Royal Knights.”

“That’s right.”

“And if the leading force is a noble family, and if they can reveal it, summon them, and make them kneel, the royal family will be able to dream of strengthening the royal authority and weakening the noble forces.”

“That’s right.”

“So, that’s why they entrusted the request to you, who knows the face of the attacker.”

“Yes.”

“So, what is the price of that request?”

“Where are you trying to ask me subtly again?”

“……That’s a shame.”

Fleta, who licked her lips, tilted her head again.

“Anyway, it’s a little strange that you accepted it. If you catch those guys, it’s an opportunity to solidify your position within the family, so wasn’t it a waste to hand it over to the royal family?”

“It’s okay. My physique isn’t right to catch those guys by running the business alone. I don’t have an army. It doesn’t pay off. Either way, I have to borrow someone else’s hand to catch them.”

“Then why is the person you joined hands with the royal family, not Count Lindaier?”

“Well. Let’s just say it’s a minor loyalty.”

From the beginning, everyone except me was just grasping at straws.

Everyone suspects the Rodkius family, but the attackers were more likely to be a third force.

The reason I accepted the royal family’s request was only because they offered immediate compensation, and from the beginning, the situation was not going as they thought.

Fleta was also working hard on her own without knowing that fact.

“Anyway, it seems that the conditions set by the royal family were quite satisfactory. It seems that you don’t even want to share the benefits with the family you belong to.”

“Well.”

Perhaps because she didn’t get a satisfactory answer.

There was still regret in Fleta’s eyes.

“Anyway, can I assume that permission to enter the Great Forest has been granted?”

“Yes. But as I said before, I need to check if you are following the rules properly.”

“What do you mean? Are you going to attach someone to me?”

“Yes.”

“What if I kill the guard and then claim that I was attacked by an elf? Are you going to send the commander of the Knights?”

“That won’t happen.”

“Huh?”

“Because I’m going with you.”

Hmm.

I didn’t expect that.

“That place is dangerous.”

“I know.”

“You, in a place that even the knights struggle with?”

“I won’t be a hindrance.”

“You don’t know where an arrow will fly from and get stuck in your butt.”

“……Why the butt?”

Fleta, who frowned, picked up her teacup.

“Anyway, I need to update the information about the Great Forest. The current one is decades old, so it’s outdated. The Duke also said that he should deal with it sometime, and it seems like this is the right time.”

She’s lying.

What update. It’s obvious that she’s trying to follow me and find out the information about those attackers somehow.

But I can’t help it. Her justification is clear.

Anyway, if I have to take someone with me, Fleta would be better than a guy I’ve never seen before, as the old saying goes.

‘She’s so fearless.’

A faint smile appeared at the sight of Fleta looking at me.

Okay. Good. I’ll listen. But not willingly.

“Okay. But only you, without any other escorts.”

“……Why?”

“If there are more people than necessary, it will only unnecessarily instill hostility. It’s not like we’re going to fight the elves.”

“I’ll take just one knight.”

“No. If not, the negotiation is off. I’ll enter the Great Forest on my own, so try to stop me.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Think of it as an adjustment.”

It’s the law to give one and take one. And Fleta, who knew that well, eventually nodded.

“All right.”

“One more thing.”

“Is there more?”

“I swear to keep silent forever about everything you see and experience while you are with me from now on.”

“It sounds like you’re going to do something strange.”

“No. I will perfectly keep and do all the rules set in the Great Forest. I swear on my name and family.”

Her name and family have come out, so what else is there to say? Fleta nodded.

“All right. If you keep that, I will also keep silent forever about whatever you do in the future. I also swear on my honor and family.”

“You’ll shut your mouth. But you’ll watch closely what I’m doing?”

“If that’s how you see it, I can’t help it.”

“Let’s do it. You find it, and I hide it.”

As I let out a smirk, Fleta also smiled faintly.

“All right.”