How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 182

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Episode 183

Chapter 47. War Clouds

The three months we were given passed, leaving many things behind.

Ruth and Ilia reveled in and adapted to their Avatar’s powers without worrying about anything, which significantly improved their basic skills.

In my case, there were pros and cons.

Achieving mental awakening, skillfully wielding the Scripture’s power, and unlocking Bain Lindaier’s Avatar up to the third verse were great achievements.

However, realizing a fact I had unknowingly ignored until now weighed heavily on my mind.

It wasn’t just a matter of feeling uncomfortable. When I saw food, I was reminded of my father’s meager meals, and when I closed my eyes to sleep, I pictured his funeral.

These facts tormented me, to the point where I wondered if I had developed trauma.

“Young Master.”

As the sun set and darkness fell, Ruth found me drinking on the balcony of the Sky Fortress.

“Ruth.”

“Drinking again?”

I raised my glass slightly at Ruth’s disapproving look.

“What about it? My body is damn sturdy, so I won’t get sick.”

“You’re clearly worried about something. It makes me uncomfortable just watching you.”

“Why, do you think I’m going to jump off here or something?”

“Don’t even joke about that.”

Ruth sighed and leaned against the balcony next to me.

“What about the others?”

“Ilia is training, and Lady Rahelna seems to be reading. I don’t know how Ilia isn’t tired of it. After going through so much, she’s still swinging her sword.”

“Well, I gave her a separate task. It must be tough, but she seems to be doing well silently.”

“A task you gave her?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Ilia is the only one who looks pitiful. Honestly, I don’t even want to see a sword for the time being.”

“You have to set an example.”

“Is Ilia the type to learn from others? She does well on her own.”

“That’s true, but.”

Silence fell again after my reply.

The reason Ruth came to find me is obvious. She must be worried about how I’ve been acting lately.

I know it too. That my attitude has changed a lot since that day.

But that’s something I can’t help. Honestly, who in the world is crazy enough to live leisurely as usual after going through such an experience?

“Young Master.”

Ruth broke the silence first.

“What.”

“Something I’ve been wondering about.”

“What is it?”

At my question, Ruth, who had been leaning against the balcony, turned her head towards me.

“I know your ultimate goal because you’ve told me several times. To overthrow the kingdom using evil forces… Oh, you called them the Neviros Order, right? Anyway, to deal with those guys and prevent the second Race War that will occur due to the monsters coming down from the north in the future. Is that right?”

“There are a few things missing, but the overall framework is correct.”

“Hmm, that’s where my question comes from.”

“What is it?”

At my question, Ruth, who had been leaning against the balcony, turned her head toward me.

“What are you going to do after that?”

What am I going to do after that?

I narrowed my eyes at Ruth’s question.

“What are you talking about?”

“No, isn’t that right? When I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard about what you’re going to do after that. Like becoming a guardian knight of the royal family, or building a new family and becoming a great lord in the future, plans like that.”

“I’m still too young to make retirement plans.”

“Even if it’s not in the distant future, like rebuilding the kingdom after preventing the Race War, or dating, or getting married and having kids. I’ve often told you stories like that, and so has Ilia.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“But it feels like you don’t care about anything else as long as you can achieve your goal. Uh, I’m not good at explaining, but… Yeah. Honestly, I think you’re like a stranger.”

“A stranger?”

“Yes. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“No. It’s okay. But can you tell me why you feel that way?”

At my words, Ruth scratched the back of her neck and sighed deeply.

“Honestly, who in the world lives only for the sake of a great cause? People are bound to have desires. But you’re just running non-stop with only the one goal of saving the kingdom.”

“No, I have a lot of desires. Don’t you know that from seeing me make money?”

“Isn’t that money just for future military funds anyway?”

“……”

“Even when you became a Count this time, you didn’t rejoice simply because your title was higher, but rather you sneered that things would be a little easier in the future. How can a person be like that?”

“……”

“You have no desire for material possessions or fame. And it’s not like you’re interested in women. If you wanted to, there would be noble ladies willing to jump into your arms, sitting in the Capital’s central square with their numbers on display.”

“Ha. Two laps is a bit much.”

“I’m a knight, so I don’t have time to date, but you’re not like that, Young Master? How can you be so abstinent?”

“Are you trying to meddle in my love life now?”

“I’m just saying, just saying.”

Ruth said, sounding sulky, and then shut her mouth.

Once again, silence flowed. This time, the silence lasted longer, and Ruth opened her mouth again when I was about to finish my glass of wine.

“…It seems like you’re not trying to leave anything behind. Like a stranger who has to leave someday. So sometimes it’s a little scary. That you might suddenly disappear one day.”

A stranger… Ruth has a sharper side than I thought.

No, if you look at what I’ve shown so far, anyone would think that way, right?

Well, Ruth is the one who has spent the most time by my side. So that’s why she felt a sense of incongruity like this.

It suddenly occurred to me again.

If I were to pick a true friend in this world, Ruth would definitely be one of them.

So, for a moment, I felt a strong urge.

About the worries I have now, and about revealing that I came from Earth and that I am not the Kain Lindaier you know.

But the words that had risen to my throat were swallowed back down by drinking more wine.

Somehow, it felt like that fact had to be kept a secret in this world until I die.

‘Because there’s always a chance of something happening.’

If the being who sent me to Midland really has power like a god, then I shouldn’t say anything that denies the existence of this world.

Who knows, that being might not like me and push me into an even deeper abyss.

‘I’m sorry, Ruth.’

After conveying that short apology in my heart, I raised my hand and smacked Ruth on the back of the head.

“Ouch! Why did you suddenly hit me?”

“A stranger? What nonsense are you talking about?”

“…Yes?”

“I want to date too. But what can I do? The kingdom is on the verge of collapse. Do you think I’d have time to flirt with a woman when I know that?”

“……”

“I’ve already made so much money that I’m wondering how to spend it. Once all this is over, I’m going to buy an island in the south and build a harem, you bastard.”

“Ha, a harem?”

I chuckled at Ruth’s flustered face.

“I’m busy, busy. The worries I have these days are because my head is complicated with future plans.”

“That’s a relief, but…”

“Don’t worry. At least until I see you get married and settle down properly, I won’t disappear out of spite.”

“M-Marriage?”

Look at this guy? Why is his face suddenly red?

“Why, do you have a girl in mind?”

“W-Why are you suddenly talking about that…?”

“Hmm, there aren’t any eligible female knights in the Gale Knights. And it’s not like you, who only followed me around, would have dated somewhere else.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Is it Ilia?”

“Who would like a blockhead like that?”

A blockhead. Judging from his reaction of saying it so bluntly, it’s not Ilia.

Then it’s obvious. The candidate pool is too small from the start, right?

“Then Sella?”

“N-No.”

“It’s Sella.”

“I, it’s late, so I’m going to go to bed.”

“Where are you going?”

I grabbed Ruth by the scruff of the neck and sat him back down in the chair, raising the corners of my lips.

“When did it start? Aha, I told you to teach swordsmanship in the Capital, and you fell in love in the meantime?”

“T-That’s not what…!”

“Or perhaps the desire to take care of the descendants of Runcen has turned into a sense of responsibility? Wow, manly! So manly!”

“S-Stop it!”

I was interrogating Ruth, who I had forcibly sat down, when there was a knock and Ilia appeared.

Ilia, who was sweating as if she had rushed over from training, narrowed her eyes at the sight of Ruth’s red face and me pressing down on his shoulders.

“What are you doing now?”

“Ilia, come and listen. This guy, you see…”

“Y-Young Master!”

Ilia, who sighed at Ruth’s attempt to cover my mouth while struggling, shook the envelope she was holding.

“Young Master, a letter has arrived.”

“A letter? Well, whatever, let’s start with my story first…”

“It’s a letter from the East.”

The East.

Upon hearing that, Ruth and I immediately stopped playing around.

“From the East?”

At my question, Ilia nodded.

“It seems they’ve started to move.”

“Bring it here.”

I immediately turned around and headed to the table, sitting down and receiving the letter from Ilia.

Ruth and Ilia also approached me, who had begun to tear open the seal, and focused their attention.

As I unfolded the torn letter, the contents inside came into view clearly.

[To Count Kain, this is Jess Orlean. As you said, a war has broken out in the East. Redran Basarac has raised an army, and it seems the first attack began today, as I am writing this letter, by invading the vicinity of the Basarac territory. I am sending the declaration of war issued by the Basarac family together, in case you need it.]

“It has begun.”

I nodded at Ruth’s words.

“Yes.”

Afterwards, I unfolded the other letter that Jess had sent together, and its contents were revealed.

[The foolish lords of the East are ignorant of reason and do not know how to unite, and only pursue greed, repeatedly oppressing countless citizens and squeezing them dry. Therefore, I, Redran Basarac, the rightful lord of the Red Castle, cannot ignore those pitiful and helpless citizens, and I am keenly aware of my duty to execute justice and correct order. I hereby declare that I will take up the sword on their behalf and restore stability and peace to the East.]

“He’s a madman.”

I crumpled the letter I had finished reading and nodded at Ilia’s words.

“I agree.”

“What are you going to do now?”

I chuckled at Ruth’s question.

“What are you asking? Tomorrow at dawn, as soon as the sun rises, I’m leaving for the East.”