How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 164

The atmosphere turned frigid at my words, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over everyone.

“You did?”

“Yes. I requested Flores’s pardon.”

Belintes stared directly at me upon hearing my confident reply.

I could feel an intense energy beneath Belintes’s calm gaze. How should I interpret this changed demeanor?

‘Has he been pretending to be an ignorant, young king all this time?’

The sudden outbreak of the Second Tribal War.

The nobles, dissatisfied with the royal family, seized the chaos to raise armies.

The kingdom, facing significant internal and external strife, eventually fell, plunging Midland into turmoil.

That was the story as I knew it from the novel.

The same went for Belintes. A role in which he disappeared into the annals of history without wielding any real power. That’s why I thought I had to help.

But it seemed I was wrong. Just looking at the venomous glint in his eyes right now, he was far from weak.

“Graham.”

At Belintes’s call, Count Graham Diaz stepped forward from the doorway.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“It seems there is a traitor here who defends the impure ideologies of the Flores family, a family of rebels.”

Wasn’t that going a bit too far?

However, Graham, the only one armed here, placed his hand on his sword hilt without a moment’s hesitation.

“Just give the order.”

At Graham’s words, Belintes turned his head to look at Count Lindayer.

“Count Lindayer.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What should we do with this criminal?”

“As you wish.”

“He says, ‘As you wish.’”

At Belintes’s gesture, Graham’s hand moved slightly.

Indeed, it only moved slightly, but a cold blade was already against my neck.

Is this what it means to be a master swordsman? I didn’t even hear it, but when did he draw his sword?

“……”

Perhaps it was thanks to the chill I felt on my skin, but unlike the seemingly urgent situation, my mind was utterly calm.

‘He wouldn’t have arranged this meeting just to pin such a flimsy charge on me.’

It’s obvious when you think about it. The people gathered here aren’t idle layabouts; why would they go to such trouble just to kill me?

If they really wanted to kill me, there would have been plenty of cleaner, easier ways.

Well, then it’s either one of two things.

Either Belintes has truly lost his mind, or he’s testing me.

Of course, the latter is more likely. If he were truly insane, the nobles gathered here wouldn’t have quietly obeyed in the first place.

So, what is this test for?

Considering what I’m trying to do, the answer is obvious.

My plan to control the East was certainly plausible. No, beyond plausible, if successful, it would undoubtedly greatly aid in strengthening the monarchy. Marquis Irfe certainly agreed on that point, so there’s no need to say more.

But Belintes must have been afraid.

In a time when the authority of the royal family is already wavering, he must have wondered if I harbored other intentions.

His wariness must have risen. That’s why he wanted to judge me, the person, directly.

Then the answer is clear.

Belintes wants to gain certainty from me right now.

Of course, if Marquis Irfe had actively defended me, this situation wouldn’t have arisen in the first place.

But looking at the current situation, it’s obvious that that old man has merely been standing by.

‘Watching to see how I handle it without any help?’

I glanced at Marquis Irfe, who was wearing a subtle expression, and took a light breath.

In any case, the situation has unfolded.

Then the only thing left is how to resolve this situation, entangled with all sorts of interests.

Then we must go back to the beginning. I need to find the reason why Belintes is trying to pin such a foolish charge on me.

“If you willingly admit your guilt, I will show leniency and allow you to leave a final word, Cain Lindayer.”

And with Belintes’s following words, I was finally able to find the answer.

“I will admit my guilt, Your Majesty.”

“You admit your guilt?”

“Yes.”

Belintes’s eyebrows lifted slightly at my willing admission of the obviously unjust charge.

“Your honesty is admirable. So, what is your last wish?”

“A last wish? Speak.”

“Since I am destined to return to a handful of dust, I would rather be allowed to burn for the kingdom, Your Majesty.”

Belintes tilted his head at my words.

“Burn your body for the kingdom?”

“As a subject of the kingdom, how can I wash away this grave sin of daring to defend a family of rebels? Nevertheless, I wish to burn this defiled body to illuminate the path of the kingdom even a little, to correct my errors and gain an opportunity to repent, Your Majesty.”

Belintes, who had been tilting his head, straightened up and looked at Marquis Irfe.

“What does the Chief of the Royal Court think of this criminal’s words?”

“It seems that he feels the approach of death and is spouting promises he cannot keep in order to prolong his wicked life even a little. Therefore, Your Majesty, I urge you to immediately cut off the limbs of this criminal and display them in the capital square to once again make the severity of the kingdom’s laws known to all under heaven.”

“Is that so? What does Count Lindayer think?”

“I also share the same thoughts as the Chief of the Royal Court, Your Majesty.”

……Of course, those old men didn’t mean it sincerely either. They were merely reciting the script as extras in a play.

But still, it’s a little disappointing to hear them openly say they want to kill me, isn’t it?

“Hmm, does Duke Bashrun think the same?”

As Belintes turned the arrow [shifted the focus], Duke Bashrun slowly opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, if we can gain benefit by sacrificing a criminal, wouldn’t there be nothing to lose?”

“Are you speaking as Bashrun? Or as a mage?”

“I am giving you advice as a mage.”

“I appreciate your realism.”

At the words of Duke Bashrun, the only one who took my side, Belintes gestured.

Then, as quickly as it had been placed, the sword disappeared from my neck.

“The stench of a burning corpse is hard to bear.”

Belintes, who suddenly mentioned the stench, spoke again.

“So, I ask Cain Lindayer, who says he will burn his body: what benefit can I gain by enduring the stench of the criminal’s body burning?”

It was the scenario I had anticipated. Nothing more, nothing less.

Feeling like the protagonist of a predictable play, I slowly opened my mouth.

“The head of one who seeks to incite division in the kingdom, Your Majesty.”

One who seeks to incite division in the kingdom.

I didn’t mention it directly, but it wouldn’t matter since Marquis Irfe had already informed him of Rodkius’s insidious nature.

Whether my guess was correct or not, the corners of Belintes’s lips lifted slightly.

“I heard from the Chief of the Royal Court that there are seditious forces in the kingdom trying to reveal their ambitions.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“So, you are saying you will repay sin with sin?”

“If you bestow your boundless grace and allow it, I will fulfill my duty, Your Majesty.”

“Can you swear to find them and punish them?”

At Belintes’s question, I nodded, wearing an artificial smile.

“I solemnly swear, in the name of Lindayer, to completely eradicate the source of sedition for the sake of the royal family.”

Should I say it’s a hundred out of a hundred [a sure thing]?

Yes. This is the answer Belintes wants.

The success of the plan means the downfall of Rodkius, and all of Rodkius’s possessions will be taken by the victor.

Of course, the spoils will be mostly mine, who led and executed this entire plan.

Perhaps knowing that, Belintes staged this extreme play.

‘With a childish charade of saying he’ll pardon my sins in exchange for capturing Rodkius.’

Even if Rodkius is captured, there’s no guarantee that someone else who has seized his wealth and power won’t become the second Rodkius.

Therefore, all of Rodkius’s possessions will revert to the royal family. Can you still work for the royal family knowing that?

That must be what he means.

Of course, as I’ve said several times, I have no interest in anything else as long as I can protect the royal family in preparation for the upcoming Tribal War.

Well, what could there be in the way of crumbs anyway?

Gold? Thinking about the wealth that Blue Wind Merchant Guild will earn in the future, I can only scoff.

Territory? It’s just real estate that will become scraps of paper when the upcoming Tribal War breaks out.

Belintes, who doesn’t know my thoughts at all, slowly nodded.

“Although you are a sinner who harbored unforgivable seditious thoughts, your heart to serve the kingdom, even belatedly, is truly commendable.”

“……”

“Very well. I will give you one last chance.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“So, I ask you, how do you intend to punish those seditious forces?”

Now the play is over.

I stood up and, as if I had expected this to happen, slowly moved towards the tactical map placed prominently on one wall.

Then, turning around, I bowed to those sitting around the round table.

“From now on, I will explain the plan to expel the Basarak family, which has seized Red Castle through the pardoned Flores family, then control the East gathered under the name of the restored Flores, and finally, to eliminate the seditious forces that are inducing the division of the kingdom.”

As I announced the start of the plan’s briefing, Marquis Hallin Irfe let out a faint laugh upon hearing my words.

“Isn’t the name of the plan too long?”

Duke Bashrun and other nobles began to speak one by one at Marquis Irfe’s joke, signaling that the atmosphere had changed.

“It seems hard to remember. Are we supposed to take notes?”

“If I asked you to say it again now, could you say it exactly the same way?”

“How good can old people’s memories be……”

What are these old men doing?

I glanced at Belintes in disbelief, and he also chuckled.

“It is long.”

“……Understood.”

Shorten it.

Are they telling me to decide on a project name or something?

It’s enough to just understand it roughly, why are they making such a fuss about deciding on something like that? Anyway, the higher-ups’ emphasis on formality is the same in both the Republic of Korea and Midland.

Clicking my tongue inwardly, a movie I had enjoyed watching suddenly came to mind.

A story about gathering divided forces into one and controlling them by deploying people under a thoroughly planned script.

Yes. That would be it.

Nodding slightly, I slowly opened my mouth.

“New World, it’s the New World Project.”

* * *

The result can be said to be successful.

Because everyone cast a unanimous vote of approval.

Well, it’s a natural story. Since the king was the first to roll up his sleeves and approve the plan, there’s no way the pro-royal nobles would cast a dissenting vote.

Anyway, after such a successful result, all the nobles, including the king, returned to their residences.

Except for me, of course, who still had business to attend to.

“Were you waiting?”

“……”

Marquis Irfe slowly appeared in a secluded garden located on the outskirts of the palace.

“Have you arrived?”

“You speak better than I thought.”

“I couldn’t afford to stammer when I was in danger of being framed as a traitor thanks to the Chief of the Royal Court.”

“Oh, are you still holding it against me?”

“I plan to take it to the grave.”

“To the grave? Hahaha!”

Marquis Irfe burst into hearty laughter at my answer.

“I’m sorry. No matter how small the risk, my advice shouldn’t sway His Majesty the King. It’s right that he should see, hear, and make his own judgments.”

“Still, you could have given me a heads-up.”

“Unfortunately, I’m on the side of the royal family, not your side.”

He said it was to ensure that the vast spoils to be gained after conquering Rodkius would be entirely for the royal family.

I can’t say I don’t understand. No matter how much we share the same goals, there’s no guarantee that I won’t become the second Rodkius.

“I was hoping for a little bit, though.”

“Hoping for what?”

“I imagined you arguing with His Majesty the King to avoid giving up any benefits. But you stepped back without complaint, contrary to expectations. Do you really have no greed?”

“Why wouldn’t I have gained anything? Didn’t His Majesty say he would pardon my sins?”

“My friend, even if things went wrong, there’s no way the royal family would really frame you. If you’re still not feeling well, I’ll apologize again, so please let go of your anger.”

I sighed softly at Marquis Irfe’s appeasement.

You do all the work and then comfort me belatedly. Anyway, you’re quite the sly old fox.

“It’s not like I started this because I was greedy for Rodkius’s wealth and power in the first place.”

“If it’s not greed, do you really mean that you stepped forward only for the sake of the kingdom, as you said back then?”

“Do I have to say it one more time?”

“……Alright. Well, it would be ridiculous to doubt someone who swore on their family name.”

Of course, if you only look at the surface, there’s nothing I can gain.

But the marquis, who doesn’t know that I still have the card called Sella Flores, seemed to believe my words readily.

Then, turning around, the marquis looked at the tranquil garden.

“More than that, what are your impressions of seeing His Majesty the King’s true self today?”

“He’s been wearing a mask until now.”

“That’s natural. A young lion that hasn’t grown up will only be torn apart by hyenas if it reveals its claws.”

A young lion that hasn’t grown up.

Yes. No matter how much of a king of beasts a lion is, a young cub is just a lump of flesh.

“You must have seen it today, but His Majesty’s potential is great. If given time and conditions, he is capable of reigning as an emperor.”

“He was quite extraordinary.”

“So, I want you to take care of the hyenas scattered around.”

“……”

“If you do that, I guarantee it.”

The marquis, who had been silent for a moment, turned around and faced me directly.

“His Majesty will never forget your dedication, who kept his oath.”

It was the answer I had been hoping for the most.

I don’t know for sure, but if I succeed in this plan, my position in the royal family will skyrocket. I might even be able to become the king’s closest aide in an instant.

Yes. That’s enough.

To solidify my position so that I can deeply intervene in the royal family in preparation for the upcoming Tribal War.

That was the true first step towards my ultimate goal.