How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 161

Living as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel – Chapter 162

* * *

Rebuilding the Flores family, once the spiritual pillar of the East, and reuniting the scattered lords of the East with one heart.

Afterward, the royal family controls the Flores family, ultimately dominating the East.

With the East behind them, the royal family joins forces with the royalists to punish Lord Kius, who intended to incite a civil war in the kingdom.

My plan, which I had been refining alone in the Red Castle to this very moment, finally flowed out of my mouth.

“…….”

Duke Irfe’s reaction to the story was indifferent.

Of course, I didn’t expect him to be particularly surprised or dismissive. But even so, I felt a twinge of nervousness seeing him maintain such a poker face.

*Does he accept it, or does he not?*

Duke Irfe doesn’t have the authority to decide.

However, he can judge whether it’s a good idea or not and advise based on that.

And for the young king, that advice will significantly impact his decisions.

In other words, it’s no exaggeration to say that the success or failure depends on Duke Irfe’s will.

“I have a few questions.”

The Duke opened his tightly closed mouth.

“First, how did you find the direct line of the Flores family, which was thought to have been extinct?”

“I recently visited the Red Castle, which is under the control of the Basarak family. While exploring the ruins there, I happened to obtain information and found them based on that.”

“You found them by chance?”

“Yes, I found them by chance.”

“You, who suddenly visited the Red Castle one day, found what no one had been able to find for hundreds of years?”

“Hearing you say that, it seems I was quite lucky.”

“…….”

*What’s the point of questioning further? He says he was lucky.*

The important thing now isn’t how he found them, but how he’s going to use what he found.

“Well, if you say so, then that’s how it is. Anyway, there’s a way to prove whether they are the direct line of Flores.”

Fortunately, the Duke wasn’t a fool.

“You must be talking about the Flores family seal.”

“Is there any other way to prove it besides that?”

“No, there isn’t.”

“Then why ask?”

The Duke clicked his tongue, leaned back in his chair, and clasped his hands together.

“Dominating the East… you’ve been imagining something truly absurd.”

“It’s not impossible.”

“It would be if a few problems are solved.”

“Do you have any concerns?”

“Asking like that, do you have a solution?”

“Perhaps.”

“Then let me ask. First, what are you going to do about Basarak? No matter how much Flores is rebuilt, its legitimacy comes from the Red Castle and its territory, which it originally owned. People won’t gather just because you put up a nameplate. But currently, the territory including the Red Castle belongs to Basarak. Surely you’re not going to forcibly take it away now, are you?”

“You don’t have to worry about that issue.”

“Don’t have to worry?”

“Basarak will soon raise an army and try to pacify the East. At that time, we can break Basarak’s sword and hold them accountable for their crimes, recovering the territory.”

“They’re going to start a war soon? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I heard it directly.”

“I knew he would eventually cause trouble, but I didn’t expect it to be this fast. Is the information reliable?”

“It’s reliable. But did you also expect Basarak to cause trouble, Duke?”

“I’ve known about that young friend Redran’s ambition for a long time. But I didn’t think he would raise an army this quickly. I thought it would be at least a decade later.”

The Duke didn’t know about the secret of Redran’s Red Knights, which is why he thought so. In fact, if it weren’t for that power, Redran’s actions would have been much later, as the Duke expected.

The Duke, who had been lost in thought for a moment, shook his head.

“But there are still problems. Even if Lindayer intervenes and stops Basarak’s invasion, that’s all it will be. They won’t be able to invade the Red Castle in the end. So the Red Castle will still belong to Basarak, won’t it?”

If the Lindayer family supports the lord who was invaded by Basarak, then the Duke’s words are correct.

The assistance should end with stopping the invasion. If they attack the Red Castle in reverse, it would provide justification for the anti-royalist forces to help Redran.

But that’s only if Lindayer intervenes.

“Lindayer will not intervene.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The army raised by Redran will be defeated solely by the power of Flores and the Eastern lords gathered under it, without any external factors. That way, we can expect a more dramatic effect.”

“…….”

“Of course, it won’t just end with stopping them. Flores, who has united the Eastern lords, will march all the way with them and eventually reclaim the Red Castle and its territory.”

“…….”

The rebellion of Redran, who revealed his wicked ambition, and the East in danger as a result.

The sudden appearance of the direct line of Flores to save them.

Afterward, those gathered under the name of Flores defeat Basarak, restore the safety of the East, and Flores, who saved the people, receives amnesty from the royal family in recognition of their merits.

The ending is, of course, Flores, moved by the kingdom’s consideration, pledges allegiance to the royal family again to uphold their past vows.

The Duke, who heard a scenario that could be made into a movie, let out a hollow laugh.

“Stopping Basarak with only the power of the East, without any external help, and even taking the Red Castle?”

“Yes.”

“Is that even possible?”

“Yes, it is possible.”

I smiled faintly at the Duke’s bewildered expression.

“I’ll make it happen.”

* * *

The atmosphere on the first floor was a mixture of joy and gloom.

The joy came from the beaming Ruth and Rihas, and the gloom came from Taylor, Duke Irfe’s aide, who was tearing at his hair.

At first, I wondered what was going on.

But soon, I saw the reason on the table. It must be the chessboard, which clearly favored Rihas.

“Gasena!”

Duke Irfe, with a stern face, called Taylor as he descended the stairs.

Taylor, who belatedly noticed us coming out, jumped up from his seat.

“Ah, I understand.”

At Taylor’s appearance, Rihas reached out his hand.

“You have to settle the bill before you leave.”

“…….”

“Let’s call this game a draw. So, I’ve won five times?”

At Rihas’s sly smile, Taylor took out five gold coins from his pocket with a look of disgust.

“You said your name was Rihas? Let’s play again next time.”

“Anytime.”

One gold coin per game. That’s a huge stake.

“You lost five games in a row?”

“…….”

Duke Irfe clicked his tongue at Taylor’s appearance and put on his raincoat.

“I feel like you and I are just getting beaten up here.”

“Did something happen?”

At Taylor’s stern question, the Duke shook his head.

“It’s nothing. Go prepare the carriage.”

“Yes, sir.”

At the Duke’s words, Taylor hastily opened the door and rushed outside, wearing his coat haphazardly.

Seeing that, I slowly walked to the Duke’s side.

“Let’s go together. I’ll see you off.”

“See me off?”

He refused in words, but he didn’t seem to dislike it, so I stuck to the Duke’s side.

When we stepped outside, we were greeted by thick raindrops that had turned into a downpour.

“Did a hole open up in the sky?”

“You can stay the night, you know.”

“What do you think my wife would say?”

The Duke sighed deeply and took the first step. I matched his pace, stood next to the Duke, and opened my umbrella.

“You don’t have to try to look good.”

“Then can I just use it myself?”

“……You’re a heartless friend.”

“I’m just kidding.”

The Duke chuckled at my joke, and the atmosphere softened.

“I’ll think carefully about the stories you told me today and give you an answer.”

“I hope it’s positive.”

“I don’t have the authority to make a decision, but from the royal family’s perspective, it’s a win-win situation, so you can expect it. The amnesty for Flores can be decided after your plan proceeds as planned.”

“I understand.”

“…The words ‘win-win’ mean that if your plan goes wrong, the royal family will deny knowing anything about it. Are you aware of that?”

“Of course, since I said I would take the lead in the work, isn’t that obvious?”

“I don’t know if you’re reckless or just that confident.”

The Duke shook his head and changed the subject.

“By the way, what was her name, Sella? The child with the name of Flores.”

“Yes, it’s Sella.”

“Sella Flores… Bring her to the palace next time. I should talk to her in person.”

“I understand.”

When we arrived at the main gate, Taylor was waiting for us in the driver’s seat.

I strode forward and opened the carriage door, and the Duke slightly raised the corners of his mouth and stepped into the carriage.

After settling down, the Duke looked at me through the window frame.

“Third Son.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“His Majesty the King is curious about you.”

“About me?”

“Yes. You should have caused some trouble externally.”

“……Is that so.”

“I’m just kidding. He has a good impression of you, so you may have a chance to meet him soon. Especially if he knows about your plan that I heard today. So, you should be prepared.”

“I understand.”

“Anyway, I enjoyed hearing your story today, Third Son. No, I can’t even call you Third Son anymore. How many snakes are you raising inside you?”

When I gave a wry smile, the Duke chuckled and gestured to Taylor.

“Let’s go.”

“Please go in.”

“I’ll see you again soon, Baron Kain.”

With the Duke’s words correcting my title, the carriage departed.

I stood there blankly, watching the carriage disappear into the darkness.

‘The King…’

Belintes Aransel.

The image of the youthful boy, the descendant of Belangkas the Great and the owner of the current dynasty, came to mind.

Last year, I could only watch from afar at the National Foundation Day celebration, but this time I might be able to meet him alone.

Belintes is curious about me.

The reason was roughly predictable.

It’s probably because I’m rooted in the Lindayer family, the royal family’s most reliable supporter, and I’m the center of attention these days.

Moreover, after winning the tournament, I made a fundamental statement that I would follow the will of the Great Emperor when asked about the reward.

But it would be nice if it stopped there. If he just wants to meet someone who will be his strong supporter, I’m willing to get along with him as much as he wants.

But if he wants anything else, it’s a bit difficult.

‘If I stay still, things will work out fine, but I hope he’s not trying to meddle here and there.’

Well, Duke Irfe is there, so he’ll stop him, right?

Anyway, the work has begun, and the first button seems to have been fastened well, judging from the Duke’s reaction.

‘Next…’

Next is Count Lindayer.

He said he would depart earlier than the National Foundation Day, so he will arrive in Capital soon.

Let’s think about how to overcome the Count’s nagging about the work I’ve been doing.