How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 140

Living as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel 141

A brief silence followed my simple, yet loaded, words, broken only by Ilia.

“If Basarak swallows the East, I agree it signals the rise of an unwelcome new power. But to unconditionally brand them as enemies…”.

Lihas, listening intently, shook his head. “Given Basarak’s history, and the East’s history, viewing them as near-enemies is probably accurate.”

“The history they’ve walked?” Ilia questioned.

“The East has been mistreated and ignored, seen as a land of rebels. The Basarak family has also suffered much humiliation due to their perceived lack of legitimacy. Right now, scandalous rumors are circulating that I brazenly assassinated the previous head of the family and seized power.”

“You mean…” Ilia started.

“A strengthened Basarak won’t forget that past.”

“Are you saying they’ll commit treason?”

“Even if they don’t go that far, they’ll likely walk a path of anti-royal sentiment. No matter how much they increase their power, they can’t simply fabricate legitimacy. They’ll crave reforms more than anyone.”

“New reforms, like what?”

Lihas glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice. “Simply put, the downfall of the current royal family.”

“So that’s why you called them potential enemies.”

Ilia nodded, understanding. But her expression clouded over again. “Even so, it’s difficult for the Lindaier family to act first…”

“It’s already too late.”

At my curt reply, Lihas nodded. “If it weren’t for the information you uncovered, Young Master, Lindaier would have already moved. And they would have suffered a setback due to the opponent’s unexpected strength. It would be like kicking a hornet’s nest. Even a mongrel has the advantage in its own territory, and with Basarak’s current power…”

“That’s right. It’s too late for the Lindaier family to take the lead. And if the royal family tries to intervene? That won’t be very effective either. Redran isn’t stupid. He’ll probably subtly evade the law and slowly consume the East.”

Lihas, who had been listening, tilted his head. “Now that I think about it, that’s strange. If that’s the case, isn’t Lindaier an obstacle for Basarak? But why did they let you into their territory and allow you to investigate freely? Even to the point of obtaining this military intelligence.”

“They want me to be a messenger.”

“…Ah, as a shackle to prevent you from directly mobilizing Lindaier?”

“Even if Redran is reckless, antagonizing Lindaier is a significant burden. He probably didn’t want to shed unnecessary blood.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

“Therefore.”

Clang!

I slammed my beer glass down, shifting the atmosphere, and announced, “We have to move from the shadows.”

“From the shadows?”

“It’s too late for open action anyway. So, while Redran is busy building his tower, we secretly remove a cornerstone or two.”

“You mean we should prepare for when Basarak goes on a rampage.”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t we get a lot of help if we consulted with the Lord [referring to the head of the Lindaier family]?”

“No. Too many sailors will only steer the ship in circles [an idiom meaning too many people involved will complicate the task]. Rather than attracting Redran’s attention, it’s better to move discreetly. I’ll inform the Lord separately when things are certain.”

“Understood.”

“Anyway, now you understand that I don’t have time for leisurely swordsmanship practice with you, right?”

Lihas smiled awkwardly. “Yes, I understand. Then where should we begin?”

I nodded at Lihas’s question. “First, with Baron Troot.”

“Baron Troot?”

“Yes. I have a plan in mind. But its success hinges on Baron Troot’s reaction. So, winning him over is the top priority.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

As Lihas and Ilia nodded, I picked up my beer. “Let’s enjoy ourselves since it’s been a while, and start properly tomorrow.”

* * *

The next day.

After spending the night at the inn, my party and I set out to meet Baron Troot at a relaxed pace.

After a while, as Baron Troot’s castle came into view, Lihas offered a brief observation. “It looks like a hedgehog.”

“I agree.”

It was an apt comparison.

Even if its purpose is military, a castle is usually designed to project the lord’s authority to some extent.

But the small fortress before us was built solely for combat. The fact that they hadn’t even bothered to wash off the dried, dark red bloodstains on the walls suggested they were quite successful at breaking invaders’ spirits.

“Was it really necessary to build the castle like this?”

“Considering the history of the East, nothing is surprising.”

“Indeed, the East is all about war, war, war… They only know how to fight.”

“There’s a reason it’s called the land of savages.”

“There’s even a saying that children’s fights end in stabbings.”

“It’s funny that it actually happens in this neighborhood.”

A place where the proverb about children’s fights escalating to war actually holds true because no single power dominates.

That was the East.

“Stop! Who are you?”

Perhaps because of that environment, even the guards at the castle were sharp and wary.

A gruff-faced guard stopped us, and Lihas, abandoning his usual smile, stepped forward seriously. “Lihas Rodita, a member of the Wind Knights.”

“Wind Knights? What brings a knight from the North here?”

“I’m here on official business to meet Baron Troot.”

The guard carefully examined the identity badge Lihas presented, then glanced at me and Ilia standing behind him. “And these people?”

“They are Baron Cain Lindaier, the heir of the Lindaier family, and his attendant.”

“That person is?”

The guard narrowed his eyes, scanned me up and down, and then nodded. “I’ll send word inside. Please wait a moment.”

The guard turned and entered the castle gate, and Lihas, suddenly unsure of what to do, looked at me. “They’re strict.”

“Because we’re outsiders.”

“I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome, but it’s still a bit disheartening.”

“What, is this your first time?”

After a short wait, permission to enter was granted, and we entered the castle, heading past the fortress to the main castle.

There, a group of knights was waiting. One of them, seemingly the leader, stepped forward and glanced at Lihas and Ilia before speaking. “I am Talogan, the lord’s escort knight. Only Baron Cain is permitted to have an audience. The rest can wait here or return outside the castle.”

“…”

At Talogan’s words, which lacked any warmth, Lihas and Ilia looked at me.

“It’s okay, go back to the inn.”

“We’ll wait here.”

“Really? It’s cold.”

“We’ll wait.”

“Am I going to die or something? Go back and finish the work I told you to do.”

At my insistence, Ilia and Lihas reluctantly turned back.

Talogan, confirming their departure, gestured, and the gate of the main castle slowly began to open.

As I headed into the castle surrounded by a dozen knights, Talogan glanced at me. “What brings a person from the North, especially from Lindaier, here?”

His tone omitted honorifics, but I understood. This was their territory, and to them, I was an uninvited guest with unknown intentions.

But I’m not generous enough to treat someone openly hostile with kindness.

“I don’t have anything to say to a subordinate.”

Instantly, the knights around me stopped and stared. Thrilling.

“…A subordinate?”

“Then are you superior to Baron Troot?”

“Are you trying to insult me?”

“If that’s how it sounded, I can’t help it. So, are you going to challenge me to a duel, Knight Talogan?”

“…”

What are you looking at, you bastard.

Talogan, who had been staring at me for a long moment, slowly turned his head with a look of disgust. “If it weren’t for my position, I would have challenged you immediately.”

“I’m sure you would have.”

“…Anyway, I apologize if you felt offended by the treatment. I was merely concerned that you might have impure intentions.”

“You’re so scared you’ve cut off all your limbs [an idiom for being overly cautious], but you’re still so worried.”

“This place is very different from where you’re from. I’m sure you knew that when you came here.”

Caution, and more caution, huh?

Feeling that this was definitely a brutal place, I shrugged. “I swear on my honor that I didn’t come here to harm Baron Troot.”

“A person like you must understand the importance of honor. I understand. I won’t inquire about your purpose further.”

The short battle of wills ended, and I followed Talogan to a large hall in the castle.

Talogan, who had moved ahead, lightly knocked on the door of what seemed to be our destination.

“Lord, it’s Baron Cain.”

“Come in.”

Creak-

The thick door opened, revealing a brutal space.

There was no warmth or softness to be found. The walls and ceiling were decorated with steel, steel, and more steel. It was easy to guess Baron Troot’s preferences.

The dozen knights who had been standing behind me and Talogan entered in a line and stood on both sides of the hall.

Then Talogan gestured for me to follow him and took a step forward.

Following him to the center of the hall, I made eye contact with a man.

‘Baron Troot, huh…’

There’s no rule that nobles have to dress a certain way, but isn’t wearing a bearskin with the head still attached a bit too much?

“I greet Baron Troot.”

As I lightly bowed my head, Baron Troot, who had his chin resting on his hand on the armrest, nodded slightly. “Welcome to my castle, Baron Cain.”

“I’m not sure how to take such a welcome.”

When I indirectly criticized the terrible hospitality, Baron Troot chuckled. “The rumored Third Young Master… You’re as bold as I’ve heard.”

“What rumors have you heard?”

“I heard that you cause all sorts of incidents like a spring colt [a metaphor for someone energetic and reckless].”

“You heard correctly.”

“So, what kind of incident are you planning to cause in my territory?”

“There are too many ears listening.”

“I don’t believe I should be kept from hearing what my people hear.”

“Oh, is that so?”

If that’s the case.

“I’ve come to make a beneficial offer to the Troot family, who are cowering like mole crickets in fear of Basarak.”

“You!”

“How dare you!”

Swish!

I felt the knights around me draw their swords and aim them at me.

This brutal feeling, it’s been a while.

“…Mole crickets?”

“Yes. Mole crickets.”

“You have no restraint in your words.”

“Didn’t you say there were many ears listening?”

I could feel the smile gradually disappearing from Baron Troot’s face at my words.

“What do you gain by provoking me?”

“Originally, you wouldn’t even consider listening to an outsider’s story, would you?”

“So what’s different now?”

“You’ll listen to everything from beginning to end to clearly distinguish right from wrong, right?”

“…”

Baron Troot, who had been sitting with a silent, stiff face, twitched his lips.

“That’s right.”

Baron Troot raised his hand and waved it. “Everyone except Talogan, leave.”

“Lo, Lord!”

“We don’t know what intentions he has.”

Talogan chimed in at the surrounding knights’ protests. “Get out.”

“But…”

“Are you going to disobey the Lord’s command?”

“…”

Eventually, the knights, agreeing with Talogan’s words, began to leave one by one.

“I’ve prepared a place as you wished.”

Baron Troot called to me while sitting in his chair.

“So explain clearly the reason for your previous words and actions. If you can’t, you will surely pay the price for insulting my family.”

“I was just telling the truth… Well, fine.”

I leisurely sat down at a table placed at the edge of the hall, crossed my legs, and met Baron Troot’s gaze. “I’ll explain it to you now.”