How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 204

Having finished my bath, I set aside the information about the complete scripture that filled my head and headed to the dining hall.

“You’ve arrived.”

Count Lindaier, who had been waiting before the meal, nodded as he saw me enter.

I bowed my head lightly in greeting.

“It’s been a while, Count.”

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

“Your last memory was lying unconscious in the Capital. How is your body?”

“As you can see, I am healthy.”

Sitting down, I began my meal, tearing off a piece of buttered toast.

For a while, only the sound of utensils clattering filled the air. Just as I was starting to feel full, Count Lindaier spoke.

“I heard. You succeeded in ending Basarak and restoring Flores.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t seem happy, even after succeeding in such a great task.”

“It was something that was bound to succeed.”

The Count’s eyebrows twitched at my answer.

Something that was bound to succeed.

It sounded quite arrogant at first glance, but the Count couldn’t fault my words. After all, I had proven everything with results so far.

“Something that was bound to succeed… Can you explain the meticulous plan that made you so confident?”

I then revealed the plan regarding the Eastern Civil War, concealing what needed to be concealed and revealing what needed to be revealed.

Count Lindaier listened in silence while continuing his meal.

The story grew longer, but Count Lindaier listened intently without interrupting me even once.

When I finished, the Count put down his utensils, picked up a glass of wine, and began to speak.

“From now on…”

Count Lindaier hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly.

“I should call you Count Kain.”

This meant he no longer regarded me as a member of the Lindaier family, and that he recognized me as a dignified noble.

Understanding the Count’s intention, I nodded slowly.

“Even so, my roots are, after all, Lindaier. And that fact will never change.”

“…”

Count Lindaier’s expression was calm as he moistened his throat with wine, but his slightly trembling eyes betrayed his feelings.

“You don’t need to feel sorry. I would have made the same decision if I were in your position.”

“…I briefly considered that.”

Count Lindaier put down his glass and stared at me intently.

“I once considered you a disgrace to the family. Sein had a cunning side, but he knew how to use it. Dane’s stubborn personality was a disadvantage, but he had a charm that attracted people. But you…”

“I was a useless bum.”

“I won’t deny it. But seeing you change, I had to admit that I was wrong.”

*You weren’t wrong. The story just changed.*

The Count, unaware of my inner thoughts, deepened his voice.

“I’m not ashamed of you anymore. I’m proud that you’re my son. My heart swells every time your name echoes across the continent, and yet, it’s painful to let you go from the family.”

“…”

“If only your abilities were less outstanding, it wouldn’t have come to this.”

“…”

“No, that’s ridiculous. Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“It’s just independence. It’s not like we won’t see each other again.”

Count Lindaier chuckled softly at my consolation.

“Yes. That’s right. So, what are you planning to do now?”

“I’m going to rest in Windnest for a while and do things I’ve been putting off. Is that okay?”

“Of course. The gates of Windnest will always be open to you.”

The Count readily agreed, then let out a hollow laugh.

“By the way, I heard Ruth Meyer is going to marry Flores?”

“That’s right.”

“And you’re going to be the guardian family of Flores.”

“Yes.”

“It’s obvious what you’re thinking. You’re going to gain Ruth and have independent influence against the royal family?”

“Isn’t that how it always is?”

“Of course. If the royal family offered you everything, it would be suspicious. Humans can’t exist without greed.”

“Anyway, Ruth Meyer…”

“She’s going to marry Flores, so what can I do to stop her? It’s a welcome thing to have a connection with Flores.”

“Ruth won’t forget Lindaier.”

“Yes. She’s a loyal knight.”

I agreed with the Count’s words as he nodded.

With that, the meal ended. Sensing it was time to leave, the Count nodded slowly.

“Come by for a meal from time to time. As I said, Windnest will always be open to you.”

“I understand.”

“I’ll see you as a colleague on the battlefield from now on.”

“I guess so.”

“Please take care of me, Count Kain.”

I nodded at the Count’s words.

“I also look forward to working with you in the future, Count Lindaier.”

* * *

Ruth’s departure ceremony took place quickly.

In front of all the Wind Knights, Count Lindaier took back the insignia of the Wind Knights that he had bestowed.

Count Lindaier listed Ruth’s achievements and praised her, and everyone who watched gave her respectful applause.

Having left the affiliation, Ruth followed me out of Windnest and headed to the Volum Mountains.

“It must be bittersweet to leave the Knights you’ve been with, Ruth.”

“It is. I also feel guilty that I’m leaving without repaying the Lord much. Ah, he’s not the Lord anymore. It breaks my heart.”

“Everything is made up of interests anyway. Count Lindaier let you go because of the benefits he’ll get from you joining Flores.”

“That’s true, but still…”

“What about your family, by the way?”

“All preparations for moving are complete. As soon as your business is over, I plan to head to the Flores territory.”

“You’re fulfilling your filial duty.”

“It’s all thanks to you.”

“I’m independent now, so I’m not a Young Master anymore.”

“Once you’re a Young Master to me, you’re always a Young Master.”

“…Do as you please.”

“By the way, you said our destination is the Volum Mountains.”

“Yes.”

The place I first met Ruth, and the place that clearly pointed out my purpose in this world.

“What are you going there for?”

“I was called.”

“You were called? You?”

“Yes.”

“There are only small territories near the Volum Mountains. Who are they to summon you?”

“I’m not going to meet them.”

“Then why are you going there…?”

“For now, think of it as a trip down memory lane.”

“A trip down memory lane?”

Ruth made a strange expression, but soon smiled, perhaps recalling old memories.

“Come to think of it, I first met you on a mission to guide you to the Volum Mountains.”

“That’s right.”

“Leo was with us then. I remember all sorts of things that happened while traveling together.”

“What do you remember the most?”

“What do I remember the most… Do you remember when you asked me to teach you swordsmanship?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“It was strange. Back then, you were clearly…”

“I was a useless bum.”

Ruth scratched the back of her head, perhaps embarrassed by my words.

“Well, that’s how it was. But not at all now. Anyway, I remember recognizing your talent and swearing allegiance to you.”

Talking about past memories, Ruth and I arrived at a shelter made for scouts.

After that, it was no different from my past visit. I fetched water from a nearby stream, fed the horse hay, and lit a bonfire in the fireplace.

“I’ll go catch some game.”

“Okay.”

After sending Ruth off to hunt, I sat alone at a table near the fireplace.

Then, I rummaged through my coat and took out a scroll. It was the complete scripture with the sealing magic that Dane had told me about.

I had only been carrying it around, worried that Aphen’s identity might be revealed, and I could only take it out now that I was alone.

[Mom! It’s Mom!]

As soon as I grabbed the complete scripture, Aphen’s voice echoed in my head.

Aphen’s mom… It was clear who he was referring to.

Kerwyn Aphen, the legendary figure who led the tribal war to human victory with Emperor Belankas hundreds of years ago and founded the kingdom.

“Can you feel it?”

[Of course! I smell Mom!]

*Does mana have a smell? Well, mana is just food for this guy, so it could be.*

I chuckled and spoke to Aphen.

“Can you undo it?”

[Of course! I bet they put a seal on it so that no one but me could undo it?]

*Can that be done? Well, she’s a great wizard with inhuman skills, so what can’t she do?*

No sooner had I finished speaking than a light burst out of Aphen and faded away.

The rolled-up scroll began to unfold on its own. Inside, I saw neatly written letters.

[If you have received this complete scripture, you are probably heading to the Volum Mountains. Come as soon as possible. Let’s share the details then.]

The content was short. Kerwyn seemed to have predicted that I would head to the Volum Mountains as soon as I received the sealed complete scripture.

I was a bit let down. I thought the reason for calling me would be written.

“Hmm.”

Leaning back in my chair, I stared at the complete scripture and fell into thought.

*Kerwyn is looking for me… What’s going on? Could she be giving me a powerful artifact to help me? That’s unlikely. If so, there would be no need to urge me to come so quickly. Then, did something happen to her? This is also unlikely. Who could touch Kerwyn, that monster-like woman? Her only rival is her lifespan.*

Then there’s only one thing left.

Something is wrong with the current situation.

*Kerwyn is single-handedly preventing monsters from invading the kingdom, monsters teeming in the north beyond the Volum Mountains.* [The Volum Mountains serve as a natural barrier, and Kerwyn’s presence reinforces this defense.]

This was a fact known only to me and Kerwyn.

Kerwyn was protecting the kingdom from monsters to keep her promise with the Emperor.

However, her remaining lifespan was short—at most 5 or 6 years. After that, the monsters would rush down without hesitation.

The Second Tribal War that breaks out was the main point of Midland Saga, this damn novel.

*But the current Midland has changed a lot. There’s no guarantee it will continue to follow the novel.*

A sense of foreboding suddenly soared.

*How nice if everything went according to the novel, but the history I’ve twisted is significant.*

Fleta Baschren should have gone through hardships and had her personality changed, but I prevented it by protecting her.

Redran also should have unified the East and exerted tremendous influence, but I prevented it by subjugating him.

The Nebiros Order and the Unholy Knights, who should have been quietly plotting, were exposed because of me.

These are just the major events, but how much alternative history have I created if I add up what I haven’t recognized?

And how much will the events I’ve changed affect the future?