How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 162

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 163

* * *

About fifteen days had passed since my conversation with Marquis Irfe.

Having rested well during that time, I made sure I was presentable and headed to the Capital’s gate with my party.

The reason for visiting the gate was to greet someone. The letter I received indicated that Count Lindaier would arrive today.

“Hmm, it certainly has a festive atmosphere.”

“You can say that again,” Ruth said, munching on a snack he’d bought from a street vendor.

The main street was adorned with decorations, and the shopping district bustled with laughter in anticipation of the upcoming holiday.

With the founding anniversary fast approaching, the atmosphere in the Capital was heating up.

“When did the Count say he would arrive?”

“It should be about time.”

“Hmm, I’m a bit disappointed.”

“You’ve had plenty of fun for fifteen days. What more do you want?”

“Isn’t the real festival after the founding anniversary begins? It feels like the most important part is missing.”

“You have it so good. Hey, did you spill something?”

“Oh no!”

Ruth, having spilled seasoning from his snack on his collar, began to fret.

“So clumsy.”

“Ah, I don’t think this will come off. What should I do?”

“What do you want me to do? Take care of it yourself.”

“You’re so cold!”

Unable to watch any longer, Illia sighed and took out a handkerchief to wipe it off.

Shaking my head at the sight, I looked at Rihas.

“How is Sella doing these days?”

Rihas, who had been nervous about seeing the Count soon, reacted in surprise to my question.

“Ah, yes. Sella? Well, she’s the same as always. She sits in the garden all day, lost in thought, then gets tutored by me when it’s time, and after that, she takes walks while thinking again. I don’t know what she has so much to think about.”

“Doesn’t she say anything in particular?”

“I’ve tried talking to her a few times, but she doesn’t tell me anything, so what else can I do?”

“Well, she’ll figure it out. Leave her be.”

“Could she be suffering from depression or something?”

“Am I a doctor?”

We were having such idle conversation when it happened.

Woo-oong-!

Suddenly, a majestic horn sounded from the top of the fortress walls. It was a signal to clear the traffic whenever a high-ranking noble visited.

“Looks like they’ve arrived.”

“Ah! Is that so?”

At the word ‘arrived,’ Ruth stuffed the rest of his snack into his mouth in one go.

“Make way!”

“Everyone, step aside!”

Near the gate, the guards began pushing people away to clear a path.

As it was the kingdom’s capital, this happened often enough that the passersby begrudgingly made way.

“I can see the flags.”

Beyond the opened gate, a massive carriage procession began to appear in the distance.

It was quite far away, so I couldn’t see it properly, but I could still recognize the flags at the front.

“It’s the Grey Falcon. It must be the Count… Hmm?”

Next to Lindaier’s flag, a completely different but familiar emblem caught my eye.

“The Silver Fox.”

“…Looks like Bashrun came along too. Oh, Bashrun’s emblem is a little different?”

At Rihas’s words, I narrowed my eyes and examined the emblem again.

As he said, it was the same emblem with the silver fox that I knew, but a golden crown was placed above the fox’s head.

“It seems Duke Bashrun himself has come this time.”

“Is that what it means?”

“Yes. Bashrun uses that emblem when the head of the family is included in the procession. It’s a unique custom, so I remembered it.”

“Always with the formalities.”

I snorted at Rihas’s words and slowly adjusted my attire.

In the meantime, an enormous crowd began to gather at the edge of the main street.

The reason was obvious: Count Lindaier and Duke Bashrun. With the reputation of these two giants, this level of interest was only natural.

‘Duke Bashrun himself has stepped forward… He must have sensed that the recent situation is unusual. The recent territorial war must also be a reason.’

Even now, bizarre rumors were spreading that the Duke had been assassinated during the territorial war or had suffered serious injuries.

There was no more certain way to quell such public rumors than to show his face in person.

How long had it been?

I nodded, confirming that the carriage procession had reached right in front of the gate.

“Prepare yourselves.”

“Yes.”

Ruth, Rihas, and I took off the robes we were wearing.

Underneath, the black uniforms unique to the Wind Knights Order were revealed.

“I’ll take care of these.”

“Thanks.”

Illia, who was no longer a member of the Wind Knights Order, silently took the robes from the rest of the group.

Afterward, I walked slowly toward the gate with Ruth and Rihas behind me.

Of course, it was only natural that I received the full attention of the crowd gathered on the main street.

“What is that uniform?”

“I’ve seen it before! It’s the Wind Knights Order!”

“The Wind Knights Order? Then the grey-haired man at the front is…”

The murmurs were so loud that they were easily heard.

Hmm, it’s a little embarrassing.

But what can I do? I can’t abandon the duty I have to fulfill.

“Cain? Isn’t that Baron Cain?”

“It’s Lindaier’s third son! It’s the third son!”

Of course, people who recognized my face began to appear.

“Waaaah-!”

“Champion! Champion!! Champion!!!”

Those who remembered my performance at last year’s tournament shouted with thunderous cheers.

“Oh my! Young master, you must be feeling good.”

“…Shut up.”

I frowned at Ruth’s malicious words and continued walking.

Having reached just inside the gate, I stopped and stood still, and Ruth and Rihas also stood on either side of me, following my lead.

As if responding to this, the carriage procession, which had already approached, stopped all at once in front of the gate.

Afterward, the door of the carriage at the very front opened, and a figure appeared.

A man with grey hair like mine and a dignified appearance that belied his age of nearly sixty.

It was none other than the shield of the kingdom and the lord of the north, Count Lane Lindaier.

“…”

The Count, who had revealed himself, scanned the crowd with eyes indifferent to everything in the world.

The crowd held their breath, forgetting even to swallow their saliva. It must have been because of the overwhelming presence of a superhuman who had transcended the limits of humanity.

‘It’s been a while.’

After spotting me, the Count slowly began to walk. Then, he stopped a short distance from me.

Swish!

Ruth, Rihas, and I simultaneously drew our swords without a single error and held them straight forward.

Then, we turned the swords halfway around, pointing the tips toward the ground. Then, we folded our hands over the handles and knelt on one knee at the same time.

Afterward, I took a deep breath while bowing my head.

Hmm, I should have warmed up my throat beforehand.

“The sword of the wind, guarding the north, pays respects to the lord of the Grey Falcon with its presumptuous honor.”

My powerful and clear voice echoed in the air.

Saaa…

Afterward, a gentle breeze blew through the silence, where everyone held their breath, and my hair fluttered.

Hmm, how must I look in the eyes of others right now?

No, let’s not think about it. I want to run away right now because it’s so embarrassing.

“Raise your heads.”

At the Count’s dignified voice, Ruth, Rihas, and I simultaneously raised our heads.

Since we raised our heads, it was only natural that our eyes met. The Count’s gaze was truly dry and indifferent.

‘…The atmosphere is unusual.’

The Count was someone who would show at least a little emotion to his children, if no one else.

But now, his eyes were empty. He looked down at me with indifferent eyes, as if looking at fish laid out on a stall.

“I express my infinite gratitude for your loyalty.”

Afterward, the Count responded with very short and simple words.

Having heard him, my party and I rose to our feet and approached the carriage, naturally forming an escort formation.

The Count, who was about to turn around and head to the carriage, stopped next to me for a moment and spoke.

“I received the letter you sent.”

“Is that so.”

“It seems there will be many stories to share.”

After finishing the short conversation, the Count moved on.

“Waaaah-!”

“Long live Lindaier! Long live Bashrun!”

“Glory to both families!”

As the Count stepped into the carriage, the crowd, who had finally released their tension, slowly began to cheer.

‘Is there something he’s dissatisfied with?’

However, feeling the Count’s somewhat changed attitude, I felt uneasy and matched my pace with the moving carriage.

* * *

The mansion provided to Count Lindaier, befitting his status and reputation, was of great scale.

In front of the grand mansion, where all the accompanying staff could have their own single rooms and still have plenty of space, I met the vice-commander of the Wind Knights Order, Beylne Barangka.

“It’s been a while, young master.”

“Indeed. Is the commander at Wind Nest [the Wind Knights Order’s headquarters]?”

“Someone has to guard the place.”

“That’s true.”

“How have you been?”

“So-so. How is Wind Nest?”

“What would be different? It’s always the same.”

After exchanging simple greetings, I revealed the purpose of my visit.

“Where is the Count?”

“The Count is currently preparing to enter the palace.”

“Already?”

“Someone came by a little while ago.”

“If it’s someone…”

“Well, I don’t know their name, but from what I heard, it seems they were sent from the Royal Court.”

Someone from the Royal Court was sent…?

Is Marquis Irfe starting to make moves?

In any case, entering the palace was a higher priority than anything else, so it seemed my private meeting with the Count was delayed.

I was about to leave through the main gate, thinking of coming back again in the evening, when it happened.

“It’s been a while, Baron Cain.”

I heard someone calling me from outside the main gate. Turning my head, I saw a carriage with a familiar fox emblem.

The person who leaned out of the carriage window was Duke Bashrun. It was the first time since the last territorial war, so I bowed my head.

“Have you been well?”

“Nothing special. You still have your head on your shoulders?”

My head is still on my shoulders? What are you talking about?

“Judging by the level of trouble you’re causing, I thought you wouldn’t live long.”

“…That’s why I check every morning to make sure my head is still intact.”

“Good attitude.”

The Duke and I exchanged meaningless jokes and shared faint smiles.

The Duke had a different atmosphere from the sensitive figure I had seen mediating the last territorial war.

Well, that was probably because it was a touch-and-go situation with the war right in front of us.

“By the way, why did you leave right after the territorial war without even showing your face? I was planning to hold a banquet in the lord’s castle to commemorate the victory, but it was a shame that the main character was missing.”

“I apologize. I had urgent business, so I unintentionally committed a discourtesy.”

“It’s fine. What can I do if you’re busy? But please be sure to visit again next time.”

“I understand. By the way, how is Duchess Bashrun doing?”

“Fleta? She’s doing well. Nothing much has changed. She’s a strong-willed child.”

“That’s a relief.”

“She told me to tell you to be sure to visit Bashruno [the Bashrun family’s territory]. She said she couldn’t properly express her gratitude at the time, and she wants to see you again.”

She wants to see me? You’re lying! There’s no way Fleta would say that.

It’s obvious. This is all a shallow trick by the Duke to somehow connect me with Fleta. Especially since he’s emphasizing the words ‘wants to see you’ so much.

“If I have the opportunity, I will definitely visit.”

“So, about when is that opportunity…”

“Enough with the chatter.”

It wasn’t me who interrupted the Duke’s persistent words, but the voice from behind.

Turning my head, I saw the Count, dressed neatly in the formal attire of the Lindaier family.

“Cain.”

“Yes, Count.”

“You came at a good time. Get in the carriage too.”

“Yes?”

Get in the carriage? Why all of a sudden?

The Count nodded slowly at my questioning gaze.

“You will also enter the palace with us.”