How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 112

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 113

The griffin, its condition having improved instantly as if it had never been sick, slowly rose to its feet.

Then, as if awakened from a long slumber, it stretched its body to the fullest, luxuriating in the movement.

Not satisfied with that, the griffin stretched its entire body and even began to run around the basement.

The sight of it was like watching a giant pigeon, and a chuckle escaped my lips.

“How on earth did you do it?”

Alphonse, unable to hide his excitement, approached Loven and asked. Loven shrugged, looking annoyed.

“I treated it with a simple surgery and a very potent elixir.”

“To think that a wound inflicted by Aura [a magical energy] could be healed… its effects seem comparable to a legendary elixir, judging by the results.”

“……It’s an elixir that humans shouldn’t consume. The griffin was able to withstand it because it has a strong constitution.”

Despite Loven’s warning, Alphonse remained skeptical, so Loven presented the explanation he had prepared.

“I anticipated your doubts, so I prepared a demonstration.”

At Loven’s words, I quickly brought the cage filled with the mice I had caught earlier.

Then, Loven poured a few drops of the remaining elixir from the vial he had used on the griffin into the water bowl inside the cage.

The result was, of course, predictable. The mice that drank the water soon flipped over, shuddered, and began to vomit dark red blood.

“If you want to test it on humans, be my guest.”

At the gruesome sight, Alphonse shook his head.

“No mouse would die from a mere elixir. That’s definitely a potent poison.”

“I thought it was worth trying, considering the griffin stubbornly endured even after being struck by Aura.”

“Yes, indeed……”

Alphonse, who had been unusually quiet, raised his head as if struck by an idea.

“We can’t keep this good news to ourselves! We must inform everyone immediately.”

“Go ahead.”

At Loven’s permission, Alphonse turned and hurried out of the basement.

Seeing him go, Loven, finally feeling that the ordeal was over, let out a long sigh.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Loven turned to me at my words of comfort.

“I was too preoccupied to ask this sooner.”

“Is there something you’re curious about?”

“I understand that it exhibits efficacy comparable to an elixir, as you said. But how on earth did you discover this recipe?”

“Well, does it really matter?”

“You’re not going to tell me?”

“I don’t think you’d believe me even if I did. So, wouldn’t it be better to remain silent?”

“That vague way of speaking is still the same. I knew from the village incident that you were full of cunning.”

“Sir Loven is no slouch either. I vividly remember you testing me when we first met.”

“It’s pointless to pry further.”

“Probably.”

“Well, nothing will change even if I find out. I suppose I’ve lost my ambition as I’ve aged.”

“……”

“I’m just glad that the will of my old friend hasn’t been broken.”

At Loven’s words, I nodded.

“And you must ensure that that will continues.”

“Continues? Ah, that proposal you made?”

When I first revealed the existence of the elixir to Loven, I proposed a plan.

As the benefactor who healed the griffin, he should become the key figure in continuing the legacy of Coles Nide.

At the time, Loven said he would consider it, but I didn’t know his current feelings.

Of course, for me, it was a proposal that Loven had to accept. It was crucial for my future plans.

Thud!

While I was waiting for Loven’s answer, the door burst open and a group of people rushed in.

“It’s, it’s real! The griffin has recovered!”

“It’s even running around?”

The faces of the people who saw the griffin running around the basement were filled with joy.

And among them was Dane.

Even after capturing the troll alive, Dane looked disheveled, covered in blood and sweat as if he hadn’t had time to wash, and ran to me with a face of immense relief.

“Cain!”

As soon as he reached me, he threw his arms around me.

“What’s this all of a sudden……”

“Thank you.”

“……”

“Thank you, Cain. Thank you, really thank you. It’s all thanks to you. I owe you a great debt.”

“……There are a lot of people watching.”

“What does that matter? Coles Lord’s plan hasn’t been disrupted, and I didn’t have to kill the griffin.”

Dane released me from the hug, turned, and looked at the griffin.

“I don’t know how much I blamed myself for raising my sword against it. But to think it would recover like this.”

“Give your thanks to Sir Loven. I only assisted.”

At my words, Dane quickly composed himself and approached Loven, bowing deeply.

“Thank you for your hard work. I owe you a great debt. I will never forget this kindness.”

“Enough with the pleasantries. Rather, it seems you’ve sufficiently reflected and suffered in the meantime, so now you should carry yourself with the dignity befitting the first son of the Count’s family.”

“……”

Only then did Dane recall his disheveled appearance and awkwardly straightened his clothes.

Shrugging, I looked at the people who were forming a circle around the griffin, stroking it.

Then, I suddenly remembered that the ailing griffin had wanted to see the sky.

“Sir Alphonse.”

At my call, Alphonse, his eyes still red, looked at me.

“Yes.”

“It seems like it hasn’t been able to fly for a long time, so would it be alright to let it out? I’d like to see the griffin’s flight, which I’ve only ever imagined.”

“Is it able to fly?”

As if seeking permission, Alphonse looked at Loven, who nodded.

“The wound has completely healed. Unless it resists and we force it, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“If so.”

Alphonse nodded and waved to his commanders.

“You lot are going to get your hair pulled out! Everyone step back!”

At Alphonse’s rough shout, everyone retreated, and Alphonse, confirming that the area was clear, opened the huge door leading outside.

The scenery revealed through the open door was breathtaking.

The sunset, already complete, was reflected in the eternal snow of the blue mountain range, emitting an ethereal light, and the wind felt particularly cool.

Flap!

The griffin, gazing at the scenery, suddenly spread its wings. The force of the movement caused some to stumble back.

The wings were enormous. A wingspan of about 8 meters? No, the spacious basement seemed to shrink, so it must be more.

Following that, its forefeet, like those of a bird of prey, moved in tandem with the hind legs of a lion.

The sharp eyes of its raised white head were fixed on the blue mountain range, and its long lion’s tail stood stiffly erect. The griffin, having assumed this stance, suddenly stopped moving.

‘Why is it doing that?’

Unlike me and Loven, who were puzzled, the faces of the others, including Alphonse, were filled with surprise.

“Why is it doing that?”

“That stance is the one Lord Coles used to take when riding the griffin.”

“Yes? Riding? The griffin carries people?”

“Yes, but only allowed it to the Lord.”

“Is that so? If you’re going to carry someone, carry everyone, and if you’re not, don’t. What a strange creature. So who is it trying to carry now?”

I was scoffing at the absurdity when-

Slap!

The griffin’s long tail lashed my thigh like a whip.

“What is this bastard doing……”

As I, caught off guard, flushed with anger, Alphonse hurriedly stopped me.

“No, that’s a signal to ride.”

“Ride?”

“Yes.”

“Me?”

“I think so.”

“……Why?”

Alphonse hesitated before answering my bewildered question.

“……Well?”

Everyone’s eyes were on me.

What did they expect me to do?

Feeling pressured, Loven placed a hand on my shoulder as I tried to back away.

“Try riding it.”

“Am I crazy?”

“Isn’t it considered a spirit animal? I think it’s probably expressing its gratitude.”

“Sir Loven is the one who healed it.”

At my retort, Loven chuckled and whispered in my ear.

“Well, it might have eyes that easily see through our lies.”

“I still don’t like it. Who knows what it’ll do……”

“What if I said I’m seriously considering your proposal?”

Was he going to use that as leverage?

I turned and looked at the griffin.

Its eyes were fixed on me. Not only that, but the subtle twist of its beak looked like a sneer.

‘What’s with looking at people like they’re cowards?’

Provoked by that expression, I made a decision and looked at Loven.

“Okay.”

“Oh, a brave young man.”

“Instead, keep your promise.”

Nodding, I walked to the griffin and straddled it.

I expected it to be uncomfortable, but it was surprisingly pleasant. It wasn’t comparable to a warhorse, but the feeling of stability was strong due to its size.

“If you drop me, you’re going to die too.”

I lowered my posture and whispered to the griffin.

At the same time, I gathered my mana and firmly gripped the griffin’s neck. It was a warning: if you’re going to kill me, be prepared to die too.

Did it understand my words? The griffin exhaled forcefully.

Peeeeeeep-!

Then, the griffin let out a cry unique to birds of prey and launched itself off the basement floor.

‘Oh my god.’

The moment I lost contact with the ground,

an unbearable tickling sensation struck my lower abdomen as I was freed from gravity.

Swish-!

A strong wind rushed past, and my hair whipped wildly. I finally came to my senses and looked around.

“……”

The blue mountain range stretched out beneath my feet.

The countless strangely shaped cliffs scattered in a dizzying array looked like miniatures, and the sky fortress had become a small toy castle.

I tightened my grip on the griffin’s neck. Perhaps sensing it, the griffin slowed down and began to glide gently.

Peeeeeeeeep-!

The griffin’s cry, tearing through my eardrums, echoed across the sunset sky.

“Ah…….”

I was certain.

I would never forget this experience until the day I died.

* * *

As soon as I returned and night fell, Alphonse opened the warehouse and threw a banquet.

It wasn’t just a showy display like the one he put on when I first arrived. It was a celebration of the griffin’s recovery and the preservation of Coles Nide’s legacy.

Everyone gathered in the inner castle, except for those on essential security duty.

It was a small and cramped banquet hall, but that didn’t matter. If there were no seats, people stood; if there was no room to stand, they gathered in the hallway to celebrate.

“Lord Coles must have been a truly righteous person, to inspire such dedication to his ideals.”

At my observation, Alphonse, watching the laughing and chatting crowd, nodded.

“The people in the Sky Fortress are either stubbornly devoted or burdened by unspeakable stories.”

“The former is understandable, but what about the stories?”

“Well, excluding those who came as Wind Knights like Lord Coles, most of the supervisors here are from the Northeast.”

“Does that mean……”

“Without exception, everyone has lost friends, acquaintances, family, or relatives to monsters. That’s why they dedicate their youth to protecting the Sky Fortress, with Lord Coles’s will etched in their hearts.”

“Aren’t there people from the Northwest too?”

“That’s a thing of the past. Most recruits come from the Northeast. Even the few remaining from the Northwest wouldn’t easily voice their opinions, even if they were replaced. That’s why security has been so thoroughly maintained.”

Indeed, the soldiers who served in the Sky Fortress and returned after their service often described the experience as hellish, but they never dismissed or belittled the beliefs they had upheld.

‘Well, that’s that.’

Having confirmed that the atmosphere was right, I turned to Alphonse.

“By the way, when I return, I plan to report Sir Loven’s achievements to the Count and recommend him as an advisor to the Sky Fortress.”

At my words, Alphonse’s face lit up.

“Sir Loven is an experienced knight and a long-time friend of Lord Coles. He’s perfectly qualified. If that happens, we’ll have no reason to refuse.”

“Then I’ll take that as acceptance.”

“Okay.”

I raised my glass of wine, and Alphonse raised his in response, clinking them together.

“Please take good care of Sir Loven and the newly appointed Lord, and uphold the will of Coles Nide.”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

What kind of expression would Alphonse make when he found out about the newly appointed Lord?

I suppressed my urge to laugh and happily drank the wine before getting up.