How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 10

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Episode 10

Chapter 4. The Great Mage of Manelop

It was the sixth morning since leaving the territory.

As dawn slowly broke and visibility increased, I was momentarily speechless at the sight of the immense grandeur before me.

“The Volum Mountains.”

“We’ve arrived.”

We spent most of the day traveling. The horses seemed tired, snorting constantly, and the people straightened their hunched backs, sighing softly.

‘It’s just as I heard.’

The Volum Mountains, like the Baekdu Mountain Range in Korea, divide regions and limit human territory.

According to the world’s lore, the northern region beyond is teeming with all sorts of monsters, so it acts as a kind of barrier.

“We arrived earlier than expected. We’ve gained half a day.”

Ruth wiped away the sweat streaming down his face and pointed to a ridge hidden among the clouds.

“Manelop, where the Young Master wishes to go, is over there.”

A peak covered in snow, resembling an ice pick, came into view.

It felt majestic.

As a mountain range that spreads wide to the left and right, serving as a natural fortress, its atmosphere was overwhelming.

It wasn’t that high, a little higher than the Taebaek Mountains I remembered from Gangwon Province.

Moreover, there was a route cleared by the annual subjugation forces, so it should be possible to climb on horseback.

“Fortunately, the weather is good despite it being early spring. Unless there are any major changes, it should be fine going forward.”

“Good. Now that we’re here, should we go up right away?”

“That might be difficult.”

Ruth pointed behind me.

Turning my head, I saw Leo’s half-dazed face.

“……We should rest for a bit.”

“Are you alright, Young Master?”

Fatigue had accumulated, so I was tired.

But I didn’t feel like I had reached my limit.

‘Certainly.’

Something was strange.

I had been riding horses all day, receiving maps from Ruth in the evening, and swinging my sword.

Every day, I was exhausted and went to bed.

But the next morning, I was fully recharged.

‘Even when I was working out a lot, my recovery wasn’t this good.’

It felt like I was on steroids.

If I had to guess, it was probably thanks to mana. Mana gives humans superhuman strength.

In fact, Ruth, a high-level mana user, looked more annoyed about his sore butt than tired throughout the journey.

Even if I couldn’t wield mana, if my sensitivity was good enough to feel it, it might have some effect.

“I’m fine. But we should rest for a day, even if it’s just for Leo’s sake.”

“I, I’m sorry. Because of me…….”

I waved my hand at Leo, who was panting and apologizing.

“No. The horses need to rest anyway. It’s better to take our time and review our plans than to go up right away. Ruth, you said there’s a place to stay here, right?”

“Yes. Shall we go to the shelter first?”

“The place where the subjugation forces stay?”

“It’s not just for the military. Hunters and rangers also stay there from time to time.”

“Rangers, huh? We might even meet one.”

“That would be even better. We could get information or cooperation regarding the mountains recently.”

“Leo, how much food do we have left?”

Leo, who had regained his breath, counted on his fingers.

“We have enough for two days.”

“We need to procure some soon…… Ruth, let’s take care of everything while we rest for the day.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“How far is it to the shelter?”

“The shelter at the entrance is about half an hour away at a jog.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

* * *

At the entrance of the mountain range, there was a wide basin, and on top of it, a shabby barracks stood bleakly.

It looked ramshackle, but it was a shelter that had all the basic necessities.

A clear stream flowed nearby, and the dilapidated stable next to it had enough hay to feed the horses.

“Leo, take the horses and take care of them. Ruth, go and scout around.”

Was it because it had become a habit?

I gave instructions without realizing it, as if it were a military training exercise.

Ruth and Leo, who were following my orders without thinking, paused for a moment.

But my instructions weren’t strange, and they couldn’t argue with a noble, so they just followed along, bewildered.

“I’ll…….”

Should I start a fire in the meantime?

I strode over and opened the door of the shelter.

The inside of the shelter was simple. There were a few wooden beds and a fireplace under a crude chimney.

Judging by the state of the half-burnt firewood, it seemed like someone had been here recently.

Looking closer, I noticed a pile of tinder and flint next to the fireplace.

‘I’ve only ever used lighters, what’s this?’

I chuckled and opened the rattling window to ventilate the room, then used the tinder and flint to start a fire.

Chik-

After a few tries, the fire started.

A warm air began to circulate in the chilly shelter. I felt happy that I could spend a night in a place that felt like home, rather than camping out in the open.

“Young Master.”

The door opened and Leo came in.

His hands were red, probably from carrying water for the horses in the cold weather.

“Come here. Warm your hands.”

“H, how could I…….”

“Ah, you little…….”

I frowned, and Leo, now quite used to it, scurried over and sat next to me, holding his hands to the fire.

“How are the horses?”

“They’re fine, probably because they were raised as military horses.”

“What about the horseshoes?”

“We replaced them before leaving the territory, so we don’t have to worry for a while.”

“Good. We have to ride them back, so take good care of them. Can I trust you with that?”

“Of course. If I have any talent, that’s all I have.”

“Well done.”

Leo squirmed and looked awkward at my praise.

He looked like a new recruit, which was quite cute.

“By the way, shall we make some tea to warm up?”

“Good idea.”

Leaving Leo humming a tune as he tried to make tea, I went outside the shelter.

“The air is so clear.”

I was reminded of the days when I had to wear a mask because of fine dust, even though I served in the military in Gangwon Province.

On the other hand, this world had no environmental pollution at all.

As I enjoyed the refreshing air deep in my lungs, I suddenly noticed Ruth dragging something in the distance.

“What is that?”

A wild boar?

No, how could he already……?

Ruth, dragging a wild boar that was at least the size of an adult, lightly threw it into the yard. I still couldn’t get used to his superhuman strength.

“What’s this? Did you hunt it?”

“Yes. Since we’re resting, I thought we’d have a hearty meal and smoke the leftovers.”

“Good idea.”

Ruth dragged the wild boar next to the well, took out a dagger, and skillfully began to butcher it.

“Shall I help you?”

“It’s alright. I can do it alone.”

“By the way, you’re very skilled.”

Ruth hung the wild boar upside down, slit its throat to drain the blood, and immediately began to skin it.

I don’t know much about butchering. But I know that it’s not something that can be done so easily just by using a knife.

“It’s because of my background…….”

Ruth trailed off and smiled bitterly.

Indeed, regardless of the era, slaughtering livestock was considered lowly. It wouldn’t be a skill to be proud of in this world either.

Of course, I didn’t care. I wasn’t a person from the Joseon Dynasty [historical Korean kingdom], and there was no reason to feel uncomfortable just because he was a butcher.

“Ruth, teach me as you do it.”

“Yes?”

“I might have a use for it someday.”

Ruth looked back and forth between me and the wild boar with wide eyes.

“It’s not something the Young Master should be doing.”

“Then what, am I supposed to starve to death if I’m left alone?”

“If the Count finds out, my head won’t be safe.”

“Just don’t let him find out.”

“……You’re really someone I can’t figure out.”

“Is that a compliment?”

As if he didn’t know either, Ruth began to explain the process.

New knowledge is always fun.

Especially if it’s not a headache-inducing academic theory. Hunting and preparing food with your own hands is every outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

Ruth also seemed secretly excited when I showed enthusiasm, and he shared his know-how without me even asking.

“It’s harder than I thought.”

“This is a simplified version. If we were to break it down by parts, it would never end.”

“That’s enough. I’m not going to sell it.”

Ruth smiled and started a fire to smoke the meat that had been cut into bite-sized pieces. With Leo, who had come outside, helping, the work was quickly finished.

Three men sat blankly in front of the sizzling meat, drooling.

Thinking it was a bit funny, I looked at Ruth.

“Ruth.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Let me ask you a few questions.”

“I will answer anything I know.”

A sincere guy.

“What’s the atmosphere like in the Knights Order right now?”

“The atmosphere in the Knights Order is…….”

“I’m asking about factions.”

Ruth stopped grilling the meat and pondered for a moment.

“Basically, all the knights and minor nobles are loyal to the Count. But you’re asking about their individual circumstances, right?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s not really a faction, but if I had to divide them, there are three.”

“Three?”

“Two are obvious: those who follow the First Young Master and those who follow the Second Young Master. And the other one is…….”

“Neutral, I guess.”

“That’s right. They’re people who don’t have much to gain or lose, no matter which side becomes the lord, like me.”

“Like you until recently?”

“Of course, not anymore.”

Ruth smiled bitterly and scratched the back of his neck.

“The First Young Master is overwhelmingly stronger. His ties with the minor nobles who support the Count are strong, and the knights trust him because he’s a mana-wielding knight.”

Dein Lindayer.

In the setting, he’s the Count’s eldest son and my older brother, ten years older than me at 32.

“Expert Beginner, was it?”

“That’s right. He’s not a peerless genius, but he has the skills befitting the Lindayer family, a traditional martial arts family.”

“Expert Beginner at thirty-two? That means he’s been training for almost twenty years.”

“……Young Master, mana doesn’t simply increase in proportion to the length of training.”

“That’s true, but…….”

“Still, an Expert Beginner is good enough to be selected for the Royal Knights. We can’t ignore him. Especially considering he’s the Count’s son.”

“Because he doesn’t have to dedicate himself to the sword to the death?”

“Wouldn’t that be the case?”

I see.

“What’s his reputation like?”

“He has the strong-willed nature of a knight. He’s similar to the Count, but his political skills are considered inferior.”

“All brawn and no brains?”

“…….”

He couldn’t quite affirm it, but Ruth gave a faint smile.

“What about the Second Brother?”

“The Second Young Master, Sein Lindayer, values literature over martial arts. At the age of twenty-eight, he has already pioneered his own commercial routes and has excellent political skills, making him a hot topic in the royal social circles recently.”

“He fights with money, is that it?”

“……In simple terms, yes. He’s supported by those who value reality over faith. But the Lindayer family has been a martial arts family for generations, so his legitimacy is lacking.”

“In other words, his brain is full of ink [highly educated and intellectual].”

“Puhaha!”

Ruth, who burst out laughing without realizing it, quickly covered his mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. So, should I aim for the neutrals?”

“Actually, even though they’re called neutrals, they’re just like buoys, to be honest. They can’t decide anything on their own, like me.”

“There’s no one who can be a real help if I win them over, is that it?”

“If I had to pick one, there is one person.”

“Who is it?”

“Gillean Esteban. The commander of the Knights Order.”

Oh ho.

“That’s unexpected.”

“In fact, if you can get the commander on your side, the succession battle will end that day.”

“Why?”

“The commander is an Expert Mid-Level, close to being a Master, which is rare even in the kingdom. How many people in the world would dare to be at odds with such a knight?”

“His influence is so great that he’s become neutral instead?”

“That’s right. The commander himself knows that, so he has declared neutrality from the beginning. That’s why neither the First nor the Second Young Master approach the commander.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes?”

There’s no need to lead things in a complicated way.

There’s a niche market right in front of me, so there’s no reason not to exploit it.

“If I can win over the commander, I don’t have to waste time scheming, right?”

“You’re aiming for the commander of the Knights Order?”

“You said the succession battle would be over with that one person, right?”

“I can say with certainty that it’s impossible, even if I don’t know anything else.”

“You’re certain?”

“The commander is inherently strong-willed. Perhaps even more so than the Count.”

More stubborn than the Count…….

“Even when the royal family tried to win him over by bestowing the Third Princess, all sorts of treasures, and territory, he stayed by the Count’s side to keep his promise. For such a person to go back on his word? I can’t imagine it.”

“Who knows? Maybe the princess was ugly.”

Ruth laughed in vain.

“……They say she’s so beautiful that she’ll go down in history. Well, it’s not just about her looks, but the fact that she rejected the royal family is even more amazing.”

Listening to him, it seems like he has a very steely personality.

Still.

“As a human, there must be some room for negotiation.”

There’s a clear shortcut, so it’s not good to not even try.

Instead of going around in circles in a complicated way, let’s at least try.

“It’s all grilled. Let’s eat.”

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Young Master, thank you for the food.”

Let’s put off the aftermath for now.

It’s more important to secure money right now than to wield mana or fight over succession.