How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 183

Time passed, and winter arrived with its biting winds.

After spending two months mostly in bed following the Founding Day celebration, and then secluding myself in the Blue Mountains for training, time seemed to fly by.

“War, huh…”

Rahelna, who had accompanied me to the Northeast, prepared to leave as soon as we reached the mountain near Kalandart’s residence.

“I can’t understand why people of the same race would turn their swords against each other, especially when the reason is simply for more gold and power. It’s so… pointless.”

“Well, that’s just how humans are. Anyway, Rahelna, you’re still planning to visit Kalandart, right?”

At my question, Rahelna, who had stepped out of the carriage, turned to me and chuckled.

“Trying to act like you don’t know when you’re the one sending me off.”

“Isn’t it a good thing? You even received a gift from Kalandart, so you should pay him a visit to show your appreciation.”

When I mentioned the portrait, a gift filled with Kalandart’s earnest feelings, she scoffed.

“Do you think my heart would be swayed by a mere painting?”

“Well, it doesn’t really resemble you at all for a portrait. You should have asked him to embellish it a bit. Seems like he’s quite smitten.”

“That venom on your tongue never seems to fade.”

“I guess not.”

Rahelna chuckled softly, and I gave a wry smile in response.

“Anyway, since you’ve agreed to do what I asked, I’ll see you again soon.”

“How am I supposed to bear the boredom until then?”

“I don’t know. Judging by how that guy lives, I don’t think Rahelna will have a dull moment.”

“How he lives?”

It’s better to keep the fact that Kalandart lives like a recluse in a cobweb-filled house a surprise.

“Anyway, I’ll be waiting for the day we meet again.”

“You be careful too. Always remember that if you abuse the power you have, you’ll be consumed by it instead.”

“Yes.”

As the short farewell ended, Ruth, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, looked at me.

“Shall we depart then?”

“Yes.”

“Our destination is the central city of the Trot Barony in the Northeast, right?”

I nodded, thinking of Baron Trot, who had secretly made an agreement with me and offered me a battlefield.

“Well, that’s where we’ll start, for now.”

“Yes! Then let’s go!”

The carriage, which had been briefly stopped, slowly began to move again.

* * *

The Trot Barony, which I visited again, had a grim atmosphere.

Many people were unable to hide their worries and showed their anxiety on their faces.

The reason was clear: the war Redran had started.

Of course, the Southeast was invaded first, but it was obvious that the threat would eventually turn towards this place as well.

“The city’s atmosphere is quite gloomy.”

At Ruth’s words, I clicked my tongue.

“Don’t get infected by it. We will definitely win this war.”

“Of course.”

“Let’s sell the carriage for now and head to the central inn to fill our stomachs. We need to check for news as well.”

“Understood!”

The countless messengers traversing the continent gathered at designated inns in each city.

I headed to the inn to check for a reply to the messenger I had sent from the Sky Fortress, returning the carriage and grabbing a table.

“Welcome! What would you like to order?”

“Three servings of warm stew, two smoked chickens, and potatoes instead of bread, please. Ah, would you like a drink?”

At Ruth’s question, I nodded.

“Sounds good.”

“Great. And three mugs of beer.”

“Understood!”

I called out to the waitress who had cheerfully taken our order and was about to leave.

“I have a question to ask.”

“Yes? I’m a bit busy right now…”

Ruth, quick on the uptake, flicked a silver coin, which the waitress swiftly caught and then placed her hands on her hips.

“Alright! What are you curious about? If you’re asking about tourist attractions, you should give up. There’s nothing to see around here!”

“We’re not interested in tourist attractions. We’re travelers heading to the Southeast, but I think I heard a strange rumor around here. I’m a bit curious about it.”

Upon hearing my words, the waitress’s expression suddenly turned serious.

“The rumor that the East is in crisis due to the war, and someone will soon appear to save it?”

It seemed that the work I had asked Jess Ourlian to do was progressing very well. The story had spread properly even to this northeastern part of the East.

“That’s right.”

“Don’t even mention it. At first, there was an order throughout the East to find the person who started the rumor.”

“Even a search warrant?”

“Yes. But as time passed, wouldn’t you know it, a real war broke out? Life is full of strange things.”

“Then traveling to the East is impossible for the time being.”

“Of course! If you travel to the East in this situation, you might run into deserters or mercenaries and get robbed of your underwear! This city is relatively safe, so I recommend staying here and going around to other areas.”

“What do you mean by ‘this place is safe’?”

The waitress leaned in, cupped her hands around her mouth, and spoke in a low voice.

“When other lords treated the rumor as nonsense, our lord silently repaired the castle walls and stockpiled military supplies and weapons, you know?”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes! Everyone was complaining about the sudden tax increase, but now it seems he had foresight.”

*Do nothing and wait.*

Baron Trot was faithfully adhering to the conditions I had set while also making his own arrangements.

It was a good sign. A smart partner meant that future tasks would be easier.

“He’s an excellent lord.”

“Anyway, I don’t know how the war will go, but the important thing is that most people have started to believe the rumors.”

“Believe the rumors?”

“Yes! They accurately predicted the war, so won’t some hero appear and stop the Basarak family?”

“I hope so.”

“Me too! I’ll bring your food then!”

“Ah, before that, could you check if there’s a messenger here for me?”

“Sure. What’s your name?”

“Kind.”

“Wait here.”

The energetic waitress stepped away, and Ruth, who had been listening next to me, smiled.

“Jess did a good job.”

“Not bad. The fact that the rumor has reached this far means it’s definitely spread throughout the East.”

“And Sella will be the savior in the rumor.”

“Yes.”

“Redran must have heard the rumors too. Don’t you think he’ll realize it’s our doing?”

“Probably.”

“Huh? Is that okay?”

Ruth tilted her head at my affirmation.

“Why wouldn’t it be? There’s no evidence to hold us accountable in the first place. Besides, you heard what the waitress said earlier. Other lords treated it as a strange rumor.”

“That’s right.”

“Redran has eyes and ears, so he must have observed the reactions of the surrounding lords. But after confirming that they dismissed it as a strange rumor and took no action, he must have felt relieved and proceeded with his plans.”

As we were talking, the waitress brought the food and a letter.

I received it, quenched my thirst with beer, and opened the letter.

[Proceeded as planned.]

It was a short phrase. But after confirming the initials H.I at the end, I nodded.

“Who is H.I?”

“Those are the initials of Marquis Halin Irphe.”

“Ah, but what does ‘as planned’ mean?”

“It means he’ll send Sella soon.”

“I see.”

“Are you happy?”

“Huh?”

Ruth’s face turned red at my question, and she hurriedly waved her hands.

“W-well, what’s the plan from now on?”

“Trying to change the subject. Anyway, the plan from now on is simple.”

“Simple, you say?”

“First, the protagonist of the first plan will be Illia.”

“Illia?”

Illia, who had been quietly eating her stew, looked up when her name was suddenly called.

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yes. You’re the only one among us who can move freely.”

My identity is widely known throughout the kingdom, and Ruth belongs to the Wind Knights. Therefore, she couldn’t openly participate in this war. Lindeyer and Basarak had already signed a non-aggression pact.

But Illia is different. She may be acting as my escort knight now, but her actual affiliation is with the Frost Mercenary Group.

“What do you mean by me being the protagonist…”

“War brings blood, and mercenaries are always present where there’s the scent of blood. Illia, from now on, you will organize a mercenary group and actively interfere with Redran’s plans.”

“Interfere?”

“Yes.”

Ruth, who had been listening, narrowed her eyes at my words.

“But sending Illia into the middle of the battlefield is a bit concerning.”

“Who said we’re doing that?”

“Yes?”

“What Illia’s mercenary group will do is build a reputation while Redran is busy beating up the Southeast. We don’t need a positive reputation. Act like mercenaries, looting supply lines and hunting down scattered Basarak soldiers. We’re building a *bad* reputation, so that the mere mention of the mercenary group’s name makes the enemy sick to their stomach.”

“You want me to become a scavenger.”

At Illia’s words, I nodded.

“Yes. It may not be pleasant, but…”

Mercenaries were largely divided into two categories.

Those who stormed the battlefield and acted no differently from regular troops, and those who specialized in ambushing the enemy’s rear and targeting supply lines.

The latter were called scavengers, likened to animals that cleaned up corpses, and were not welcomed by either side due to the nature of their role.

It was a bit harsh for Illia, who had once dreamed of becoming a knight and still considered herself one. Scavengers were a despicable role that abandoned the honor and beliefs of a knight.

But Illia nodded without hesitation at my suggestion.

“Understood. I’ll do it.”

“Hey, Illia. Do you even know what that means? Young Master, too. Isn’t that too harsh for Illia?”

Ruth, who had been listening silently, unusually objected to my words. Ruth also knew that it was a disgraceful act for a knight.

Originally, I had no intention of making Illia do such a thing. But after recalling what happened in the Blue Mountains this time, I changed my mind.

Illia’s honor? Of course, it would be nice to protect it, even if it took a bit longer.

But I didn’t have time to waste on such things now. I didn’t know how the situation on Earth was unfolding at this very moment.

“It’s alright. I wouldn’t have been able to gain this power if it weren’t for you, Young Master. I’ll do anything to repay your kindness.”

“Illia, you…”

Ruth, flustered by Illia’s reaction, tried to dissuade me this time.

“Young Master, do you really have to do this?”

“It’s a bit extreme, but it’s also the most effective method.”

“Effective method?”

“At least Redran knows that Illia is my subordinate. Therefore, he’ll also assume that I’m behind the mercenary group.”

“Then shouldn’t you avoid doing this even more?”

“No. That’s why we need to proceed with this plan even more.”

What kind of expression would Redran make if he knew that I was behind Illia, who would become a major headache?

His whole body would be filled with anger due to betrayal. After that, Redran’s goal would become clear: to somehow capture Illia and prove that I was behind her through interrogation.

“Anger is a powerful driving force, but it’s also a poison that blinds you.”

The first goal of this plan was to provoke Redran’s anger.

“Still, what if something happens to Illia while she’s acting alone?”

I tilted my head at Ruth’s words, who continued to defend Illia.

“I never said I was sending Illia alone.”

“Yes? What does that mean…”

“All I told Illia was to create a mercenary group and act as the face of it. I’ll take care of the actual movements, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Ruth’s expression was filled with shock.

She probably didn’t expect me, a noble and knight who knew honor and chivalry, to use such methods.

“…What if you actually get caught! There will be an uproar throughout the kingdom!”

“Is there any chance of getting caught?”

I raised my beer glass and bared my teeth.

“I have no intention of leaving any survivors.”

*Massacre everyone.*

Ruth closed her mouth tightly at the declaration to kill everyone we encountered to silence them.