How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 20

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Episode 20

Chapter 7. Winning Bets is Always Fun

Several weeks had passed since I turned the Lindayer family’s achievements and reputation into my own.

During those weeks, my routine was simple.

I would eat breakfast, go to the training grounds, and spar with Ruth until evening to strengthen my body.

To properly wield Vane Lindayer’s power, a strong physique was essential above all else.

I had postponed the Blade Song Tribe subjugation until I had rested enough, giving me time to spare.

I didn’t need to worry about others’ opinions since I had permission to use Count Lindayer’s private training grounds.

“Private training grounds? Why?”

“If I’m going on a subjugation, I should at least be able to protect myself. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to use the Knights’ training grounds.”

The Count gave me a suspicious look, but he wasn’t one to dislike his son wanting to practice martial arts.

“Young master.”

Ruth’s panting voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“I’ll go again.”

“Come on.”

Originally, Ruth would get beaten to a pulp even with a wooden sword, but now, in terms of pure swordsmanship, he could hold his own to some extent.

Clang! Clack!

The sound of wooden swords colliding echoed cheerfully in the training grounds.

“Hmph!”

Swish!

Finding an opening, I deflected the wooden sword for a moment and swung at his neck, causing Ruth to quickly crouch down to avoid it.

“Oh, my. I’ll be caught off guard if I’m not careful, young master.”

Ruth took a few steps back, gasping for breath.

“Saying things you don’t mean.”

“Have you ever seen me say things just to flatter you? I mean it.”

“Stop whining.”

“Let’s take a break. It’s been three hours already.”

Ruth shook his head as if he was fed up.

And for good reason. He had been held by me for more than half the day, swinging a wooden sword until his hands were blistered.

Moreover, from Ruth’s perspective, I was the third son, so he would be constantly tense and even more exhausted.

“Shall we take a short break then?”

“Yes. Would you like some water?”

“I’d appreciate that.”

As I wiped away sweat with a towel and drank water, Ruth approached and admired my body in a low voice.

“You’re really improving quickly. If I only looked at your physique, I would believe you were a decent knight.”

“Is that so?”

“Usually, beginners focus only on building muscles in unnecessary areas, but your balance is very solid.”

“Really? That’s good then.”

That’s what I said, but in reality, I had focused on building my body every single day since coming to Midland.

I also adjusted my diet and exercised whenever I had time, to the point of addiction.

I could confidently say that I had worked like crazy. I could feel my body changing day by day.

Of course, that’s not what’s important now.

“Ruth.”

“Yes, young master.”

“I heard that knights need to handle mana.”

“That’s right.”

“To handle mana, you need to awaken your mana heart, right?”

“Yes, but.”

I felt a sting for a moment, but soon realized it was Ruth’s joke.

“Yeah. I awakened it and now I’m trying to handle it. I might become a master soon.”

“Oh, my. The kingdom will be in an uproar.”

Ruth chuckled and then stroked his chin with a serious expression.

“To handle mana, you must first make it your own.”

“My own?”

“Just because you catch a wild horse doesn’t mean you can ride it right away, does it?”

“No, you can’t.”

“Yes. You have to learn how to ride and subdue the horse, training it to be yours. Mana is the same.”

“So, training that mana means using mana cultivation techniques?”

“That’s right. Well, regarding cultivation, it’s better to search the Knights’ library than to listen to my explanation. I’m not very good with words, so it’s hard for me to explain.”

Subdue it, huh?

I had a hunch. Lately, whenever I swung my sword, I felt mana lukewarmly circling around me.

It meant I had to make it my own through cultivation, not just leave it at that.

I should stop by the Knights’ Order tonight.

At that moment.

The training ground door opened, revealing a servant sweating profusely.

“Young master.”

“What’s wrong?”

“You are expected to attend a luncheon today.”

“Luncheon? Why suddenly?”

“The first young master has returned from inspecting his direct territory. The lord wishes to have a meal together after a long time.”

Dean Lindayer returned?

“I thought it would take quite a while for him to return.”

“Yes, he returned earlier than expected.”

“Do you know why?”

“I am only delivering the message.”

“Alright, I understand.”

“Understood.”

After confirming that the bowing servant had left, I looked at Ruth.

“What could make him return earlier than expected from inspecting his direct territory?”

“I don’t know the details, but wouldn’t it mean that something went wrong?”

“That could be it.”

“There’s about an hour left until the luncheon. You should start preparing to return.”

“Alright. Let’s spar one last time.”

Clang!

Ruth wore a fed-up expression as I kicked the wooden sword and slung it over my shoulder.

“Who can stop you, really.”

* * *

A lavish feast was laid out on a long table that could easily seat twenty people.

‘Who are they expecting to eat all this?’

Realizing that all this food was for just a few people, I was once again reminded that nobles are nobles.

I looked up to see who was already seated. The number of people was small. It was me, the Count, and the eldest, Dean.

I heard that the second son, Zane Lindayer, was away on business, handling trade matters with other territories.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yes, Lord.”

At the Count’s words, I bowed respectfully.

Dean Lindayer, seated to the Count’s right, looked at me with a displeased expression and gave a slight nod.

“It’s been a while, Cain. It’s hard to see your face these days.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, brother.”

After exchanging brief greetings, I took my seat to the Count’s left.

At the same time, maids approached, placed a napkin around my neck, and neatly arranged the tableware.

“Just a glass of milk.”

At my words, a maid began to pour milk, and Dean chuckled at the sight.

“What’s this? Milk instead of wine.”

“I just wanted to drink it.”

“How strange. It feels like just yesterday you were insisting that it’s something only children drink.”

From his words alone, it seemed like the brothers were being friendly. However, I could clearly feel his intention to humiliate me in front of the Count.

“I heard you broke off the engagement.”

“Yes, that’s what happened.”

“Why did you do that? The Bashrun Duchy is a well-known powerful family in the kingdom. If you went there, you could have enjoyed your hobbies to your heart’s content.”

“What do you mean by my hobbies?”

“Wasn’t it drinking and women?”

“I can enjoy that even without the Duchy.”

“Did you think I would continue to tolerate that? How foolish.”

The situation was so absurd that I covered my mouth with my glass and chuckled.

What could he do if he didn’t want to see it?

Ah, was he so sure that he would become the next lord no matter what? That he wouldn’t tolerate it then?

I glanced at the Count. It was clearly not a topic to be discussed at the dinner table, but unexpectedly, the Count had an interested look on his face.

In that case, should I play along?

“Well, it’s okay. It’s not like a hobby once decided has to last forever.”

“I don’t think you’ll change that easily.”

“Didn’t you change your hobby and pick up a sword, brother? Then I can change too.”

“My hobby changed? What do you mean?”

“If you go to the city, there are plenty of women who know your size. Doesn’t that mean you weren’t much different from me in the past?”

“What?”

“If I had to find something different, it would be that mine is a little bigger than yours?”

“Ahem.”

The Count, who had been toying with his tableware, cleared his throat.

It was clear that he was barely holding back his laughter.

On the other hand, Dean seemed very uncomfortable, biting his lip tightly.

“Where did you hear such grotesque rumors? No, you wouldn’t have heard them anywhere. You must have just made them up.”

“Yes, you guessed it. I just made them up.”

“You bastard!”

Thud!

Dean pushed his chair back roughly and stood up, causing the Count to frown.

“Sit down.”

“Father.”

“I told you to call me Lord.”

“Lord!”

“I thought we were throwing jokes around and playing like brothers used to, but it seems only one of you thought so.”

Dean, who had suddenly become the bad brother who couldn’t take his younger brother’s jokes, scowled.

“But Dean is right. Cain, you’re not a child anymore, so refrain from such remarks in the future.”

“I’m sorry. I misspoke.”

Since I readily admitted my mistake, the situation made Dean look narrow-minded.

The Count chuckled at the sight and raised his hand as if to change the atmosphere.

“It’s getting cold. Eat quickly.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

I was feeling hungry from the sparring, so I thought it was a good thing.

I tore off a leg of the well-roasted chicken in front of me and put it in my mouth.

‘Delicious.’

I wasn’t particularly interested in gourmet food, so I usually just packed a lunch box and wandered around, but I regretted not trying various foods sooner.

After a while of only the clattering of tableware, the Count wiped his mouth with a napkin and opened his mouth while holding a glass of water.

“Cain will be going on a subjugation this time.”

“Yes?”

Dean looked up as if he had been electrocuted.

“What do you mean by subjugation?”

“Do you know the Blade Song Tribe?”

“Of course, I know them. Aren’t they notorious? They haven’t been caught for ten years.”

“Cain said he would subjugate them.”

Dean looked at the Count and then glared at me.

“Are you saying that he’s going on a subjugation? And you allowed it?”

“Yes.”

“I’d rather go! There’s no need to pour the family’s funds into a subjugation that will most likely fail.”

“We won’t be forming a separate subjugation force. He will only be accompanied by two wind knights with the cooperation of the rangers.”

“Yes?”

The boiling anger quickly subsided. What arose next was doubt.

“There have been five subjugation forces dispatched in the past ten years. Even after gathering the best hunters and mercenaries in the kingdom, they all failed against the Blade Tribe.”

“That’s right.”

“Do you think Cain can do it?”

“So, you’re saying my decision is a foolish act?”

Dean quickly shut his mouth as the Count glared at him.

“That’s not what I mean, but then why not entrust it to me instead? I have a plan and confidence. If you give me some troops and knights, I will definitely succeed.”

“You couldn’t even root out the bandits stirring up your direct territory and came back empty-handed, yet you’re so eloquent.”

“That’s.”

It was clear why Dean had returned earlier than expected.

“Well, if you really want to do it, I can’t say no. Then will you bet the same thing as Cain?”

“What do you mean by the same thing?”

“Cain obtained permission for the subjugation by betting his legitimacy.”

“…”

Dean stared at me as if I were crazy, his eyes wide open.

“If you don’t have the guts to do that, then you should cheer him on instead of feeling jealous.”

“They’re not just any rabble, they’re the Blade Tribe. He will definitely fail.”

Dean said firmly, even though the Count had spoken. That’s how confident he was.

“Is that so, Cain?”

The Count raised his eyebrows as he looked at me.

The meaning was clear. It seemed this old man wanted to see me perform.

‘Maybe it’s better this way.’

I thought that now might be a good opportunity.

If I was going to start something anyway, it might be cleaner to do it now with the Count present, without any further ado.

“Then, brother.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“Would you like to make a bet with me?”

“A bet?”

“Whether my subjugation will succeed or fail. Just think of it as a little fun.”

“Why would I do such a vulgar thing?”

“That’s strange. You seemed so confident a moment ago.”

Dean closed his mouth.

It must be because he had just confidently declared that it would definitely fail.

In the end, the situation flowed into an atmosphere where he had to accept the bet.

“A bet. Alright, what will you bet?”

I wanted to tell him to bet his legitimacy as well, but that seemed like crossing the line too much.

“If I win, I will go to the kingdom’s founding anniversary this year.”

The kingdom’s founding anniversary.

It was the day of the kingdom’s largest banquet, and the noble who attended as a representative was certified as the most influential figure in their family.

On the other hand, the Lindayer family had a tradition of sending a strong successor as a proxy instead of the head of the family, and so far, the eldest, Dean, had always made his mark.

In that sense, Cain’s words to go to the anniversary were a declaration of war against Dean.

Even if Dean’s brain was all muscle, he wouldn’t be able to miss this.

As expected, Dean’s expression twisted in a sight to behold. On the other hand, the Count still had an interesting look on his face.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, brother. I just want to see the capital after a long time.”

In fact, I had to go to the capital someday, even if it wasn’t for the anniversary.

There were so many things to do there.

I had to make the achievements of various prestigious families my own to increase the number of incarnations, and I had to secure useful artifacts in advance. Not to mention talent.

Just thinking about that, I didn’t have time to laze around in the north.

So, I casually mentioned the anniversary.

Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Dean still had a face that looked like he would devour me.

“Alright, if you do that, what are you going to bet?”

“Well, I have so little that I don’t know what you would like.”

Clang.

Dean, who had picked up a knife to cut the bread, bared his teeth.

“Will you marry the woman I’ve arranged for you? If you lose the bet, you’ll lose your place anyway, so you’ll need a comfortable background, won’t you?”

“What do you mean by a comfortable background?”

“I know a baron who owns territory in the southern archipelago. I heard he has a daughter of marriageable age.”

He was going to send me to the southernmost part of the country, where I would never be seen again?

What an evil man. Well, it’s not bad. I’m going to win this bet anyway.

“Alright. I like seafood, so it’s not a bad condition.”

Dean looked at the Count as if asking for permission after hearing my words, and the Count sipped his tea and gave a faint smile.

“It will be interesting.”