How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 158

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Episode 159

* * *

The journey to Capital was pleasant, thanks to the well-maintained roads and frequent stopover points.

However, it seemed like indulging in leisurely travel was out of the question today.

“Young Master, it looks like we’ll have to camp here tonight,” Roos said, pointing to a wide basin and seeking my permission.

“Really? What about going to the next village and resting there?”

“The coachman says the next village is quite far. He says we’d have to travel all night to get there, and that might disrupt our rhythm…”

“If that’s the case, then we have no choice.”

With my permission granted, Roos, Ilia, and Rihas skillfully began preparing the campsite.

Watching them, I suddenly felt like having a barbecue since it was a rare camping trip, so I got up.

Seeing me, Sella cautiously approached and spoke to me.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going hunting.”

At my cold reply, she narrowed her eyes. She must have sensed my deliberate distance, except when we were in the Flores estate.

It was an unavoidable response for me. She was destined to live as a puppet of the royal family.

There was no point in forming unnecessary attachments in such a situation; it would only increase my guilt.

However, despite my cold attitude, she didn’t seem particularly dissatisfied. Perhaps it was due to the pressure that the name Lindaier brought.

“Can I come with you? They don’t ask me to do anything here anyway.”

“If you want.”

I put on simple clothes, grabbed my sword and bow, and as I set off, Sella followed me like a chick.

How long had it been since we entered the forest and started looking for traces of game?

Sella, who had been silently following me, started fidgeting as if she had something to say.

Unable to watch any longer, I finally spoke first.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Yes? Oh, there are a few things I wanted to ask.”

“Ask away.”

“Um, you said I’m a descendant of Loongsen, right?”

“Do you still not believe it?”

“It’s not that. There’s no reason to deceive me and take me all the way to Capital. I’m just curious about a few things.”

“Such as?”

“How did you find me?”

“…”

I can’t tell her the truth as it is. How should I explain it?

“I received information that a member of Loongsen’s bloodline was sent to the Riley family in disguise. I’ve been searching for quite a while.”

“But there are quite a few survivors in the Riley family. How did you know it was me among them?”

“You were the only one among them with exceptionally red hair.”

At the mention of red hair, Sella widened her eyes and stroked her hair.

“Is it a characteristic of the Flores family?”

“Probably.”

“…Well, I was the only one among my relatives with such strikingly red hair, so it was strange.”

With that, the conversation stopped again.

After that, I continued to look for traces, and Sella silently followed me.

Eventually, her patience ran out, and she spoke again.

“If the Flores family is rebuilt, I’ll become the head of the family, right?”

“Since you’re the only direct descendant, probably.”

“But shouldn’t I receive some systematic education to do that?”

“There’s no need for that. You’ll probably have a suitable advisor by your side.”

“I don’t think that advisor will sincerely care about me. I’m not mistaken, am I?”

“I wonder.”

“…That means I’m right? I don’t like that very much.”

“I think you’re misunderstanding something.”

Stopping in my tracks, I turned to face her.

“This is just a simple transaction. It doesn’t mean I’m trying to rebuild the Flores family out of some special mission or sense of justice.”

“A transaction?”

“The royal family will take responsibility for your family and help you with your revenge, and you will provide the royal family with the Flores bloodline. That’s all. Whether your abilities are proven or not is not a consideration.”

Sella nodded at my stern words.

“I knew that much when I agreed. I’m not a child. But even so, a puppet with no power…”

“I told you in advance that you’ll have to serve the royal family for the rest of your life. Didn’t you know and agree to that?”

“I’m not saying I’ll betray the royal family. But I don’t want to be dragged around by the royal family. Doesn’t taking responsibility for my family also mean taking them hostage to control me?”

That’s absurd.

The rebuilt Flores family will be entirely the result of the royal family’s and my power.

How can she have her own will when it’s not something she achieved on her own? That’s just greed.

“Then you’ve come to the wrong person.”

“Wrong person?”

“Yes. I don’t think I can do anything for you.”

“You’re lying.”

Hmm? How did she know I was lying?

But still, my mind won’t change. There’s no reason to create friction with the royal family. It’s just stirring up trouble.

“Even if I’m lying, nothing will change.”

Her face was calm despite my cold reply.

“I told you, I’m not a child. I’m not going to whine to you.”

“Then the story is over. There’s nothing I can do for you, and you won’t whine.”

“I’m not asking you to catch fish for me. But can’t you at least teach me how to catch them?”

“How can someone without a fishing rod catch fish?”

“I’ll just try with my bare hands.”

“…”

At her continued stubbornness, I sighed softly and looked her straight in the eye.

“I’m saying that you don’t have the ability to stand on your own right now.”

“Maybe not. But I don’t want to give up without even trying.”

Her face was still calm.

Considering that what’s happening to her now is very far from everyday life, she’s strangely calm.

Ah, or is it?

I noticed her fingers were trembling slightly.

Perhaps noticing my gaze, she quickly hid her trembling hands behind her back.

That reminded me of my real father, who had lived a righteous life.

You always told me not to turn a blind eye to those in need.

Is this one of those situations?

‘I shouldn’t have thought of that.’

What should I do?

I might cause an accident by giving her empty hope as advice, but if I think about it, her life has been turned upside down because of me.

After much deliberation, I made a decision and opened my mouth quietly.

“I think I’ve already given you a hint.”

“Yes? You gave me a hint?”

“I told you earlier that you and the royal family are making a deal. Surely you’ve bargained at least once in your life, right?”

“…”

“In that light, my position is just that of a broker connecting you and the royal family. But who knows? There might be something only a broker can do.”

If she’s a promising talent, she’ll understand enough with just this.

I nodded slightly and turned away without waiting for an answer.

“It’s getting dark soon. Let’s move quickly.”

“…”

As I moved, she quietly followed me without saying a word.

* * *

After dinner, it was still a bit early to go to sleep.

My group, including me, had settled around the crackling campfire, each taking a rest.

Ilia had the first watch, so she went to sleep early. Rihas was playing chess with the hired coachman, and Roos seemed lost in thought while grooming his sword.

What about Sella?

Leaning against a tree trunk, she was staring blankly at the campfire with her knees drawn up.

‘I’m sure giving her advice wasn’t a good idea.’

It feels like I threw a rock in front of a smoothly flowing wheel.

But what can I do? It’s already spilled milk [an idiom meaning it’s no use crying over something that has already happened].

Then it’s right to think about what to do in the future.

After finishing my thoughts, I gestured.

“Roos.”

At my call, Roos tilted his head and approached me.

“Did you call me?”

“How far does your burden of conscience go?”

“Burden of conscience?”

“You said it yourself at Red Castle.”

Roos belatedly recalled that he had told me at Red Castle that he would take care of the descendants to resolve Loongsen’s resentment.

“Well, I’ve released it by wiping out the guys who looted the Riley family…”

“Is that the end? Are you satisfied?”

At my question, Roos scratched his head.

“Actually, I don’t think it’s just a matter of doing something or not.”

“Tell me simply.”

“I hope she’s not having a hard time.”

“You hope she’s not having a hard time?”

“Um… it’s cliché, but I hope she’s happy. That’s the last wish Loongsen left in this world.”

“What? Haaappppyyy? Oh my, are you some prince on a white horse?”

“N-No, don’t make me cringe like that.”

“You got cursed out plenty on the ship, and you’re still saying that?”

“Well, it’s true that I brought her here by force. I did something to be cursed out for.”

“You’re kind of annoying me?”

“Yes?”

Because of you, I feel like I’m the only bad guy?

Anyway, to be happy….

Loongsen burned himself for the sake of countless territory residents, but conversely, his blood relatives suffered because of it.

That must be what remained as resentment.

‘Anyway.’

This guy and that guy, why do they have so much resentment?

Suddenly, the task Hashunar left me came to mind, and I sighed, lay down, and made a pillow with my arms.

“You take my watch tonight.”

“No, Young Master. Why suddenly the watch…”

“Think of it as the price for my labor in the future. I’m giving you a cheap price, so accept it without complaint.”

“Yes?”

“To be happy. Okay, I accept it.”

“Are you going to help, Young Master?”

“Yeah. So, from now on, get rid of unnecessary thoughts and focus on the work I’ve entrusted to you.”

“…Did you know?”

“You’ve been making complicated expressions whenever you see that woman. How could I not know?”

“Um, I see.”

“Don’t gamble anywhere. It’s all over your face.”

“I understand.”

At Roos’s nod, I glanced at Sella.

She still had a thoughtful look on her face. She’s probably preparing something in her own way.

But it won’t go as she wants. It’s no exaggeration to say that Capital’s political arena is a fierce battlefield.

But in such a place, she’s going to win what she wants against the bureaucrats and nobles who have survived?