How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 176

Living as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel – Chapter 177

* * *

Beyond the narrow gorge stretched a seemingly endless cliff, and across the chasm in the basin stood the imposing Sky Fortress.

“Impressive.”

“So, this is the Sky Fortress…”

Ruth and Illia murmured, awed by the Sky Fortress that overlooked the entire northeast.

“The view must be nice.”

Even Rahelna, frugal as she was, expressed admiration for the Sky Fortress.

As if noticing our arrival in front of the Sky Fortress, the drawbridge connecting the narrow gorge to the basin slowly lowered.

As the bridge descended, the firmly shut gate creaked open, revealing a figure.

“Welcome back, Lord.”

It was Alfons Lingle.

Once the loyal adjutant who served Lord Coles Nide, he now managed the Sky Fortress as my proxy.

“It’s been a while.”

Alfons, his bronze skin still striking, gripped my outstretched hand firmly.

“I received the letter, but I didn’t know when you’d arrive, so I couldn’t come out to greet you. I apologize.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I didn’t set a date.”

“Please, speak more comfortably. You are now the lord of the Sky Fortress, and I heard you even received the title of Count?”

“It’s just a nominal position. Nothing much to it. Anyway, we can relax the formalities later.”

“As you wish. But who are these people?”

“Let me introduce them. In order, Sir Ruth of the Wind Knights, my bodyguard Sir Illia, and my companion, Miss Rahelna.”

“It’s an honor to meet a senior knight serving such a noble mission.”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Illia Frost.”

Ruth and Illia received the greetings smoothly, but Rahelna merely nodded slightly.

Alfons tilted his head at her reaction, but prioritizing the welcome, he gestured towards the Sky Fortress.

“Let’s go inside first. The wind is biting.”

After the brief greeting, Alfons led me towards the Sky Fortress, speaking quietly.

“Lord, is that woman perhaps…”

“Perhaps?”

Alfons gave a sheepish smile at my question.

At first, I was puzzled, but I soon understood. Alfons seemed to have mistaken Rahelna as my lover or someone in a personal relationship with me.

Initially, I intended to correct the misunderstanding, but I changed my mind.

‘No, this might actually be for the best?’

I am the lord of the Sky Fortress. That means no one in this fortress can interfere with me.

And if Rahelna is perceived as my lover? Then there’s no need to waste effort hiding her identity. Who would dare to suspect or touch the lord’s woman?

“Anyway, let’s handle the important matters first. I’ve been receiving regular reports via letter, but I’d still like to hear a detailed update on the fortress’s current state.”

Alfons chuckled softly at my evasive words and nodded.

“Let’s head to the inner castle to assign accommodations to your entourage. I’ll give you a formal report there.”

“Let’s do that.”

Following Alfons, I glanced at Rahelna.

In appearance alone, she still looked like she was in her twenties. Who would think that this woman was actually a centuries-old hag?

Thinking it was all for the best, I slowly stepped inside the Sky Fortress.

* * *

“Who have we here!”

Upon entering the inner castle, I was greeted by a second familiar face.

It was Loven Wonders. He was staying at the Sky Fortress as an advisor at my request, while also serving as the commander of the Knights. He looked delighted to see me.

“Have you been well, Commander?”

“Commander? Just hearing it gives me goosebumps.”

Despite his words, Loven wore a faint smile, seemingly not disliking the title.

“But who are they?”

“They are my escort knights. Ruth, Illia, introduce yourselves. This is Commander Loven Wonders.”

“Pleased to meet you! I’ve heard a lot about you. I am Ruth Meyer.”

“Illia Frost.”

After their introductions, I waved my hand towards them.

“You two can unpack your luggage in your assigned quarters and rest for a while.”

“Yes? Is that alright?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? This is my castle.”

Ruth and Illia, belatedly realizing that I was the owner of this place, laughed awkwardly. It must be due to their habit of always wandering from one place to another.

“Miss Rahelna, please rest comfortably as well. I will visit you separately in the evening.”

Miss Rahelna. Even as I said it, I felt something rising up inside me.

It seemed that I wasn’t the only one feeling that way, as Ruth and Illia also wore subtle expressions.

Anyway, after roughly settling things, I headed to the castle’s conference room with Alfons and Loven.

In the conference room, I gazed at the panorama of the Sky Fortress through the wide-open balcony and let out a small exclamation.

“The fortress has changed a lot.”

“Is that so?”

“When I visited before, it felt… desolate, but now it feels more like a place where people actually live.”

Indeed, it was true.

When I came with Rihas before, I only felt desolation here, but now there was laughter on the faces of the people.

As I admired the scenery within the castle, I suddenly noticed a strange sight.

The sight of women hanging laundry and children playing in front of the newly built structures in the residential area was the problem. I had never imagined seeing such a scene in the Sky Fortress, and my expression hardened.

“What are those women and children?”

“Ah, you saw them?”

Alfons, who had approached me, nodded with a smile.

“Commander Loven brought them.”

“Commander Loven?”

Loven, who was sitting on a chair and drinking water, shrugged at the mention of his name.

“I didn’t bring them. They’re staying here thanks to the newly appointed lord.”

“Thanks to me?”

“Wasn’t the gold you sent quite a sum? I used it to make this place feel more like a home in many ways.”

Hmm, I did tell them to renovate the infrastructure along with the establishment of the Knights.

But considering this place is located in the Sky Mountains, I still find it hard to believe.

As if sensing my question, Alfons nodded.

“It’s part of a plan that Commander Loven devised after much deliberation.”

“Part of a plan…?”

“He brought the residents of the village where he used to be the chief to the Sky Fortress.”

“To the Sky Fortress?”

Loven cleared his throat as I narrowed my eyes at the news I hadn’t heard before.

“As you know, I was protecting that village from monsters while serving as its chief.”

“That’s right.”

“But since I ended up staying here, they were suddenly forced to abandon their village.”

“…”

“So, I decided to just bring them here. There weren’t that many of them, so I thought we could accommodate them. Besides, this fortress has many unused areas compared to its size, doesn’t it?”

“Well, the intention is good, but…”

“Worried that we’ve just increased the number of mouths to feed? Don’t worry. As you said, we need manpower to renovate this place anyway, right? But it’s difficult to find skilled workers from elsewhere. All the new buildings you’re seeing were built by the villagers we brought. The women have taken over all the chores that the soldiers used to do, and the children are bringing life to this desolate place.”

“Is that so?”

“Isn’t it a good thing? The soldiers can now focus on their duties and have more free time, and that manpower can be sent down the mountains to procure necessary supplies. If we had tried to solve everything by hiring mercenaries and laborers, even the gold you sent wouldn’t have been enough.”

Listening to Loven, I realized he was right. Materials and manpower were essential to redevelop the fortress anyway.

Bringing mercenaries and laborers to the Sky Fortress would have been incredibly expensive.

But Loven brought the villagers he had a connection with in the past and solved everything at once.

No, beyond solving it, he had created an even more positive outcome.

“Once the security of the northeast stabilizes, people will gradually gather. If we send those who stay here down to cultivate the land and build villages, it will be much easier.”

“You’ve thought far into the future.”

“Old age comes with many worries.”

Listening to him, Loven’s words were absolutely right.

I was glad I had made Loven an advisor. He was managing the internal affairs so well even without me, exceeding my expectations and making it a great success.

“Still, I’m a little disappointed that you proceeded without telling me.”

As I playfully grumbled, feeling like I had nothing to say, Loven burst into hearty laughter.

“Hey, you left everything to me and even planted an agent, didn’t you?”

“I was just saying. I’m honestly surprised that you’ve done even better than I expected.”

“It was possible thanks to Sir Alfons’s active cooperation. My plan would have been nothing but a piece of paper if that friend hadn’t helped.”

Alfons, who was listening to Loven’s praise, shook his head.

“All I did was provide the troops.”

Leaving the balcony, I sat down at the conference table and faced Loven again.

“Anyway, the current state is more than satisfactory. I will continue to entrust the Sky Fortress to Commander Loven’s leadership.”

“I’m glad you like it. But you wouldn’t have come all the way here just to supervise me, so what did you come for?”

“Well, there are several reasons, but to put it briefly…”

I took the water Alfons offered and cleared my throat, nodding.

“You’ve heard about what happened in Capital, right?”

“I have. It was a terrible incident. But I heard you used your wit to make a contribution and it ended well.”

“Well, I didn’t do much.”

“Anyway, so?”

“I’m exhausted from what happened there. So, I came back here to take a break.”

“If you needed a break, you should have gone to the warm south, why come to the Blue Mountains?”

“Let me correct that. It’s a break combined with work.”

“You’re such a workaholic.”

I smiled silently and nodded.

“So, I plan to stay here for the time being, helping with internal affairs and taking a break.”

“You’re the lord, so do as you please.”

“More importantly, how is the establishment of the Knights progressing?”

“I’m laying the foundation as you said. We’re building facilities for the knights to use, and I’m racking my brains to create a new curriculum to teach them. The Knights that will be created will be unlike anything before.”

Indeed, the Knights that will be created will be a new kind that breaks the mold of what has been before.

Loven, who will be training such knights, will have a lot to think about.

“Then I can gradually send the candidates over.”

“Well, do as you please if you’re going to pick and choose. I won’t mind having more time to prepare.”

“Good. Ah, by the way, how is the hippogriff breeding going?”

At my question, Loven and Alfons exchanged smiles.

Then Alfons showed me a confident expression.

“Let’s not talk about it here, let’s go see it directly.”