How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 132

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Episode 133

Chapter 37. The Red Castle

In the eastern part of the continent, a lord has raised an army, taking advantage of the kingdom’s chaos from war.

Redran Basarac.

If one had to divide him into good and evil, he leans towards evil.

Now, he is called by a derogatory name close to ‘young lord,’ but as time passes, he will rise to become the overlord of the East, wielding strong influence under the prestigious name of the Red Baron.

‘This is good.’

Putting aside the issue of finding a ship needed for the Bluewind Merchant Guild, he was someone I had to meet at least once anyway.

There are things that can only be obtained from the Red Castle in his territory, and more importantly, the most crucial issue remained.

‘There’s a possibility that Redran is associated with those guys.’

As one can tell from his prestigious title of the Red Baron, all of Redran’s soldiers and knights wear red armor, earning them the name of the Crimson Army.

Among them, Redran’s knights, called the Bloody Knights, were important.

According to the novel, his knights, who would later display great power in the war, were born as berserkers who were not afraid of death, with red glints in their eyes using the Mad Blood Grass.

At first, I just thought that was the case, but now that I’ve met the mysterious group called the Unholy Knights, the situation has changed.

Their power and Redran’s power clearly had something in common.

I had a hunch that there might be some kind of connection.

For these various reasons, several days had passed since heading to the Basarac territory.

“That is the central city of the Basarac Baron family.”

Ruth expressed admiration at the sight of the city revealed in the distance.

First, the Red Castle, called the symbol of the Basarac family, was perched high on a hill, standing aloof. And below that hill, a tall and sturdy fortress surrounded the dense houses.

“Just by looking at that city, you can see why his power is so strong, even though he is just a baron.”

“I agree.”

As Ruth said, just looking at the scale of that city, it was hard to believe it belonged to a mere baron.

Moreover, the villages and cities we passed on the way here were extremely prosperous.

This was probably thanks to the fact that the eastern region has very fertile land, as well as being adjacent to the sea, which is called the treasure trove of life.

“State your identity and affiliation.”

As we approached the city gate, soldiers wearing red cloaks stood in our way.

One of the soldiers, stepping forward, questioned Ruth about his identity with an indifferent face.

It was an extremely overbearing attitude, unlike the guards of other cities. Usually, the work attitude of the guards follows the disposition of the lord, so it would be right to see this atmosphere as Redran’s intention.

Normally, I would have pretended to be a traveler while concealing my identity, but there was no need to do so now. Because I had sent a letter in advance for this business.

“Watch your words. This is Baron Cain Lindayer.”

Ruth stepped forward and introduced me in my place.

What kind of reaction will I get? I can tell how Redran thinks of me based on the attitude of the guards.

“I apologize for not recognizing you and committing a discourtesy. I am sorry.”

Despite the words of apology, the overbearing attitude and indifferent expression remained the same.

“Please wait here for a moment. I will send word inside.”

At the guard’s words, Ruth looked around.

The cold wind was blowing, making it quite chilly to stand there.

“You’re telling us to wait here?”

“Yes. Please wait here.”

Ruth questioned, as they were told to continue standing at the gate even after their identity was known, but the answer that came back was the same.

“The hospitality is truly impressive.”

“It is the lord’s command.”

“Can’t you at least provide a place to avoid the wind? The weather is like this.”

“The guard’s break room is strictly off-limits to outsiders.”

Ruth clicked his tongue as if he was dumbfounded at the sight of the guard who turned away after leaving those short words.

“It’s absurd. The discipline seems to be properly in place, but how can the hospitality be like this?”

“They’re probably trying to gain the upper hand.”

“Even so, isn’t it too unnecessary? We’re not enemies.”

“Perhaps, from Redran’s perspective, all the nobles of the continent feel like enemies, so he doesn’t want to be looked down upon.”

“Feels like enemies?”

“There were several scandals in the process of inheriting the Basarac family. Redran must know that everyone is quiet in front of him, but different behind his back.”

“Scandals… are you perhaps talking about the rumor that he secretly assassinated his father to inherit the family?”

“That’s right.”

“Is it true?”

“Whether it’s true or not, it’s not important to us. So be careful not to make a mistake in front of him.”

“Well, I don’t know if I can bear it if the treatment continues like this.”

“Bear it. We’re the ones who need to ask for favors right now.”

“Ah, we came to get a ship. I understand.”

Ruth smacked his lips, belatedly recalling the purpose of the visit.

How long had we been waiting at the gate like that?

Just when I was longing for a warm cup of tea, a single warhorse was seen galloping towards the gate in the distance.

“Someone is riding a horse. But they’re not pulling a carriage, just one horse, what could it be?”

Ruth’s curiosity was soon resolved.

The person riding on the handsome white horse was none other than Redran.

It was the same appearance I had seen in Capital before.

The always curled-up corners of his mouth, the red uniform, and the brooch in the shape of a red lion attached to his chest.

“How long has it been, Cain Lindayer?”

Redran got off the white horse in one stride and began to walk towards me with his arms open.

At that sight, Ruth stepped forward and moved to block me.

However, Redran lightly pushed Ruth aside with his hand without any change in expression.

“Ugh…”

The movement was so smooth without any hesitation that Ruth missed the timing to respond and was pushed aside.

“I told you to come and play, why are you coming now? Aren’t you too late?”

Redran, leaving the pushed Ruth behind, suddenly hugged me.

‘This guy, he was originally this kind of character.’

His unreserved behavior, despite the eyes watching around, reminded me of Redran’s behavior in Capital.

“Why didn’t you come straight to the lord’s castle when it’s so cold?”

“Well, the guards told me to wait here.”

“Ah, really?”

Redran, with wide eyes, turned his body and looked at the guard who had ordered me to wait.

“Knight Stones, did you really do that?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Knight? Not a gate guard?

Ruth had a bizarre look on his face at Redran’s words. Of course, my expression would be no different from that. Because no noble in the world has ever heard of or seen a knight being assigned to guard the gate.

“I told you that Cain Lindayer is an important guest.”

“However, the guidelines that the lord gave earlier stated that no one is an exception, so I had no choice but to do so.”

“Ah, was that so?”

“Yes.”

It was a knight who brazenly retorted as if he was the lord’s subordinate.

“Then it’s my fault. Sorry.”

Redran turned his body and apologized to me.

‘How sly.’

Of course, that’s 100% acting. Is it possible that the lord would not remember the guidelines he gave?

It’s just a play to shift the blame for making me face the cold wind to himself, not someone else.

“You have to understand. My subordinates are so stubborn.”

“It’s nice to see such loyalty.”

“Right? Let’s go together since it turned out like this. I’ll guide you to the lord’s castle.”

As Redran and I got back on our horses and stood side by side, Ruth followed behind us.

As we slowly began to enter the city, Redran opened his mouth.

“You’ve probably looked around the territory on the way here.”

“I did.”

“What are your impressions?”

“It seems that everyone is living prosperously even in the cold season, which is nice to see.”

“Right? Others might think it’s natural because the land is fertile, but surprisingly, a lot of work goes into it.”

“A lot of work goes into it?”

“When people are full, they become lazy. If there were no special measures, the results would not have been good even with fertile land.”

I didn’t bother asking what those measures were.

It was obvious how the lords with manors squeezed the peasants, so I didn’t need to ask.

It was bitter. Such methods were not easily understood by me, who had lived on Earth.

But that doesn’t mean there’s anything I can do.

I can’t suddenly start a revolution for the human rights of farmers, so I have no choice but to turn a blind eye. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

“I wanted you to come in a warmer season, Cain.”

“I couldn’t find the time.”

“Well, you must be so busy that your story is all over the place, even here.”

“Story?”

“I heard you intervened in the territory war between Bashrun and the three nobles and mediated? In the process, you also rescued the Bashrun princess who was captured as a prisoner.”

“A word without feet goes a thousand miles [news travels fast].”

“There’s one more thing besides that.”

“One more thing?”

“The Lindayer Count family has declared Dane Lindayer as the official successor.”

“Ah, that happened.”

At my affirmation, Redran slightly tilted his head and looked at me.

“Why did you give up?”

“Give up?”

“I’m asking why you gave up the position of successor. You’re not the type to be ousted from the successor structure, so there’s no conclusion other than you gave up on your own.”

Redran’s eyes felt like he was telling me to quickly reveal what his intentions were.

“I can’t reveal all the family’s circumstances.”

“Is that so? Then I can’t ask any further. But it’s still incomprehensible. I thought you were similar to me.”

“Similar, in what way?”

“Ambition.”

“You can even recognize my ambition? That’s amazing.”

“I felt it right away at our first meeting.”

“If it’s our first meeting, are you talking about the National Foundation Day?”

“That’s right. I went to see because I heard there was a rookie young master who provoked the former tournament champion, and I thought it would be interesting. Do you remember that banquet hall?”

“I do.”

“At the time, I went to see if he was just a crazy guy full of arrogance, but what do you know, a guy who was too different from what I expected was sitting there. That’s when I started to get interested.”

The image of Redran, who came to me without hesitation with a bottle of alcohol, vaguely came to mind.

“I liked the attitude and face that didn’t care about what others were saying. If he was just a crazy guy full of arrogance, he would have been busy enjoying that attention and packaging himself. But you were different. You were very calm. As if you had a bigger plan, and this was just a trivial and boring thing happening in the process.”

Redran contorted his face strangely, as if trying to imitate my expression at that time.

“That’s when I first felt like this was the guy. I’ve finally met a guy who I can properly talk to, and with a young and fresh guy, not old and cunning raccoons.”

“Who are you calling a fish?”

“Anyway, my conclusion is.”

Redran, who had been sparing his words for a moment, stopped his horse and turned to face me.

“Cain Lindayer, as I judged, is not the type to come here to look around the territory leisurely. Right?”

Before I knew it, the huge red castle walls, perched high on the hill, were visible behind Redran.

And Redran standing straight in the center in front of it.

It was a scene that seemed to shout, ‘The owner of this castle is me, standing in front of you now!’

And Redran, a member of that scene, stared straight at me with thinly opened eyes.

“So I’m feeling so excited right now that I can’t stand it.”

Like a child who enjoys crushing ants, Redran laughed silently with a sinister yet innocent face.

“I’m wondering what the real purpose is for Cain Lindayer, who used to act so aloof and expensive, to come to the Red Castle.”

“…….”