How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 83

Living as the Third Son of a Trash Novel – Chapter 83

War, huh?

Strictly speaking, it’s more of a civil war. Three minor nobles, who were vassals of the Bashrun Duchy, are breaking their oaths of fealty and declaring independence.

Of course, the weight of an oath is significant.

So, at first glance, it seems like the three nobles are clearly in the wrong, but if you look closely, it’s not quite that simple. The Bashrun family essentially gained their loyalty through force in the past.

‘But war, huh.’

Will it be easy?

Of course, if the Bashrun family fights the three minor nobles, the outcome is obvious. Bashrun will make short work of them and easily steamroll them.

But there are variables. It’s only a suspicion so far, but it’s highly likely that the Rodkius family is firmly backing the three nobles. That’s probably why these nobles with their weak forces could declare independence.

Fleta is aware of this fact. But she can’t back down either.

A precarious tightrope walk is in the making.

“The royal family.”

“Will stand by and watch.”

“How are you so sure?”

“Because I’ll make them.”

“Are you planning to start a full-scale war, not just a local conflict?”

“If necessary.”

Fleta, who answered briefly, looked up to check the position of the sun.

It was as if she was showing that she had already made up her mind.

‘I don’t like this.’

Both Rodkius and Bashrun don’t avoid fighting if necessary. And when the moment to fight arrives, they don’t care about the means or methods.

A fight between these two families is nothing short of a loss for the entire kingdom. It’s definitely not good news for me.

That’s not to say the royal family can stop them. The royal family has neither the justification nor the real power. All they can do is try to coordinate to prevent it from turning into an all-out war.

It’s definitely a problem worth thinking about.

“Time is of the essence. There’s no time to stop by Bashruno. I have to go straight to the front lines, so I’ll leave first.”

Fleta, who quickly packed her things, grabbed the reins of her horse.

She looked precarious at first glance. Her body must be exhausted from the grueling schedule since she arrived in the Great Forest.

“Take Ilia with you.”

That’s not to say I’m just being nice.

It’s almost impossible to observe the confrontation between the two families from afar, so I was planning to keep Ilia close.

The situation will change every minute and every second. It wouldn’t be strange if the information obtained over a long period of time has already turned into scrap paper. In that case, it’s better to have a reliable contact person attached to Fleta, who is one of the key figures.

At my words, Ilia quickly sensed the situation and came to help Fleta pack her things.

“It’s our family’s business.”

“I know. But troublesome things might happen along the way. The area between the Great Forest and the continent is barren, so it’s dangerous to be alone. Besides, you’re going straight to the front without stopping by Bashruno, right? You’ll need someone to take care of you along the way, and you’ll need someone to keep an eye on things.”

Fleta paused for a moment.

But the decision won’t be difficult. She’ll probably consider her situation, her physical strength, and whether or not she has a guide to help her quickly navigate the schedule.

“I understand. If you put it that way, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse your kindness.”

“Kindness?”

“Excuse me?”

Fleta frowned at my question.

“I just made an introduction.”

“An introduction? What do you mean?”

“Ilia is no longer a knight of the Lindaier family. So hire her as a mercenary.”

“She’s not a knight?”

“She left the order a long time ago.”

“Left the order? Then what is she now…?”

“She started a mercenary group. It’s called the Frost Mercenary Group. Well, Ilia is the only member, but she’s still a useful one, right?”

Ilia had already guarded Fleta, who had lost her escort during the anniversary of the founding of the nation.

Of course, there wasn’t any particular trouble between them. Considering Fleta’s personality, it means they got along pretty well.

“Even in this situation…”

“Don’t suddenly look for righteousness. We were in a business relationship from the start, weren’t we?”

“Tch.”

Fleta clicked her tongue as if dissatisfied and turned her head to call Ilia.

“Ilia Frost.”

“Did you call me?”

“I heard you’re a mercenary now. So I’ll omit the honorifics.”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then, Ilia, I’d like to request a commission to protect me for the time I need.”

At Fleta’s words, Ilia glanced at me. She didn’t seem to dislike the memory of being with Fleta, so she didn’t show any signs of reluctance.

I shrugged my shoulders at that.

“You’re the leader of the mercenary group, why are you looking at me?”

“…”

“But a business is something you have to make sure of so that there are no complaints later.”

At my tacit permission, Ilia gave a faint smile. Then, she paused for a moment, then turned her head to meet Fleta’s gaze.

“I accept.”

“What are the conditions?”

“The salary is one gold coin per day. All expenses incurred during the contract period will be provided by the employer, and the term is until the employer wants it. However, if I judge that the employer’s safety is definitely secured, I will accept the contract with the condition that it can be terminated at any time without disadvantage. And.”

“…And?”

“I request that the broker who arranged the commission be paid 10% of my total salary as a brokerage fee.”

At the audacious request, Fleta let out a hollow laugh and looked at me.

“You seem to have a talent for influencing people, Third Young Master.”

“What did I do?”

“I’m very worried that your greed has tainted a noble knight.”

“I hear I taught her to take care of herself.”

“Anyway, the thirsty dig the well [meaning: necessity is the mother of invention]. Good. I accept the conditions.”

Ilia nodded and got on the horse.

I snapped my fingers and called Ilia.

“Lend me a minute.”

After moving away from the carriage for a while, I stood facing Ilia, who approached me.

“Ilia.”

“Yes, Third Young Master.”

“The power you have is a secret power. Don’t let strange rumors spread on the continent.”

“I know.”

“And one more thing. Report and listen to everything that happens by Fleta’s side and send me a letter.”

“Everything…? What do you mean?”

“The Bashrun family will soon raise an army. Gather and send me all the information about the beginning, the end, and the progress of the war.”

“Are you making me a spy…?”

“A spy? It’s something everyone in the world will know anyway. I just want to know more details.”

“I understand.”

“You’re smart. So I’ll leave it to you and won’t say anything more.”

“I’ll finish my work as soon as possible and rejoin you, Young Master.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Ilia’s gaze, which was full of regret.

“Don’t worry. I have Ruth even without you. And I’m much stronger than you right now.”

“Still, there must be something I can do.”

“Yeah. Your skills will grow quickly and will soon meet my standards. But.”

“…”

“The world isn’t all about being strong. Follow Fleta and listen and learn many things. She’s a smart woman, even though she’s younger than you. There’s a lot to learn. And don’t neglect your training.”

Fleta has been recognized as the official successor from an early age and is capable enough to handle some of the public affairs on behalf of the Duke.

Ilia will be able to learn a lot by following her around.

Even if it’s something ugly.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“Yeah. Take a look around the world as well. Haven’t you been trapped in the north since you were young?”

“…It’s a luxury for me.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard, it’s not like you’re a clergyman. Anyway, go. I can’t even talk because I’m too aware of her.”

I gestured at Fleta, who took out her pocket watch and tapped it.

Ilia bowed to me.

She was no longer a knight, but she still treated me as a knight.

I lightly patted her shoulder, recalling the oath made at Aslahiina’s tomb.

“Come back safely.”

“I will.”

* * *

After Ilia and Fleta left.

Ruth was driving the carriage, and I sat facing Rahelna.

“Your face is full of curiosity.”

“Isn’t it the biggest and most important purpose of coming here?”

Even if it’s Aslahiina’s tomb or connections with Lordain, the biggest purpose of this journey is strictly the Spirit Stone.

Rahelna nodded lightly at those words.

“It’s been resolved well. I heard it was successfully revived.”

I wondered if I had misheard for a moment at her words, which were so light that they felt empty.

But as if my worries were a delusion, Rahelna rummaged through her bosom and took out a small bead and threw it to me.

After catching it and checking, the Spirit Stone, which looked clearly different from before, caught my eye.

The color, which had lost its vitality and was dark and dull, had regained its luster. Besides, it felt strange to hold it tightly in my hand.

I looked up at Rahelna. Then, I waited for her explanation, which would naturally follow.

But unlike my expectations, she just closed her mouth and filled her tobacco pouch. I waited a few more minutes, thinking she would speak slowly, but the silence did not go away.

I took a short breath, thinking maybe.

“Is that it?”

“Hmm? Didn’t you want it revived?”

“That’s right, but wasn’t there anything else? Something like an explanation.”

“Yeah. There wasn’t.”

“It’s revived. And that’s it?”

“What else do you want to ask?”

“Is that all Glorian really said?”

“There was one more word.”

That’s right.

If this aunt had something to say, she would have told me long ago…

“Don’t forget the promise.”

“…What?”

“It doesn’t seem like difficult words.”

“Don’t forget the promise?”

“Yeah.”

What does it mean? Ah. Does it mean the story we shared in the illusion Rahelna created before?

‘If the culprit is revealed, promise to make them pay for their sins.’

‘I promise.’

Recalling the conversation at that time, Rahelna’s words that followed naturally came to mind.

“The promise made with the elves…”

“Is a covenant that must be kept unless you give up your life.”

“No, so is that all?”

“Yeah. That’s all.”

“If it’s revived, shouldn’t you read or say something about the memory? Didn’t you have anything like that?”

“You’re dull. If that were the case, would I be keeping my mouth shut now?”

I feel absurd.

I came all the way to the Great Forest while suffering all sorts of hardships, and what? You just revived it and there was nothing else?

Even at my absurd question, Rahelna just put the filled tobacco pipe in her mouth with a satisfied expression. It’s a situation that I can’t understand unless she’s trying to frustrate me.

“Glorian said before that if it’s revived, you can read the memory.”

“The memory was distorted. Glorian didn’t say you could read it.”

“Then?”

“He said you could listen to the story.”

“No, isn’t that the same thing? Reading or listening to the memory…”

A sense of unease arose for a moment.

And the unease that comes at this timing usually hits the mark.

“Are you saying that the spirit kept its mouth shut?”

“I guess so.”

“Why is that?”

“How would I know? What can I do if it doesn’t want to talk?”

Rahelna answered simply and blew out smoke, giving a subtle smile.

“If you’re so upset, you can ask yourself.”

Are you telling me to ask myself?

Is that what you’re saying now?

“Where in the world is there a race that knows more about spirits than elves? It’s not like I have the talent to talk to stones.”

“Well. Wouldn’t it be different if there was an interpreter?”

“An interpreter?”

“I don’t know if the analogy is appropriate, but I have no other way to express it.”

“What are you…”

“It means try to persuade him yourself.”

I was feeling absurd at her words, but I belatedly realized that I was intoxicated with tobacco smoke.

“Is it magic?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you going to send me to the spirit world?”

“The spirit world is an area that no one can go to. However, spirits have the ability to cross dimensions, so I’m just calling them to a place I created.”

“Are you creating a new neutral zone? Because you can send me there?”

“You understand quickly.”

I felt absurd at the unrealistic story, but for a moment, I felt like my body was floating.

“…”

What came into view was not the inside of the carriage, but a new space.