How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 206

Living as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel – Episode 207

Beyond the Bollum Mountains and the Azure Mountains, which form the northern border of the kingdom, lies the Forsaken Land.

And in that Forsaken Land dwell countless monsters, defeated by humans during the Race Wars and driven out.

Kerwin, who helped the Great Emperor drive those monsters north, erected a barrier to prevent their return.

Upon hearing all this, Ruth’s face twisted in a strange expression.

Understandably so. It meant that what Lindaire had protected thus far would have been impossible without Kerwin’s power.

Kerwin glanced at Ruth’s expression and continued.

“Originally, that barrier should have remained in place even without me.”

However, Kerwin said that decades after the Race Wars ended, the barrier slowly began to weaken.

“Of course, at first, I thought it was a simple malfunction. So, I just re-established the barrier.”

“But that wasn’t the case.”

“Right. Someone was intentionally breaking down the barrier.”

“Couldn’t you find them?”

“I considered it. But the north is vast, and I am but one person. It’s impossible for me to monitor that entire area alone.”

“What about asking the royal family for help…?”

“Well, I didn’t want to at the time.”

He didn’t want to.

It’s understandable. The Great Emperor, whom he loved, eventually entered into political marriages with powerful families to stabilize the hastily unified kingdom.

The Great Emperor would have been dead when the barrier started to fail. And those in the royal family would have been the children of the woman who ‘stole’ the Great Emperor [a common trope for a second wife or consort who gains influence].

For Kerwin, asking them for help would have been a blow to his pride.

“Besides, even without the royal family’s help, there was a way to maintain the barrier.”

“And that method was…?”

“To build a domain to oversee all the barriers, and then continuously inject mana without leaving my post.”

“So, you’ve been in these Bollum Mountains all this time?”

“Yes. The barrier blocking the kingdom and the north is controlled entirely from here, where I am.”

“But didn’t you say that the barrier is weakening now?”

“Until now, no one would have dared to touch the barrier. There is no being in this world with more mana than me, except for dragons.”

“Then the situation has changed because…?”

I didn’t say it outright, but it was probably because your lifespan is running out. But she nodded as if it were no big deal.

“Over the long years, my lifespan is ending, and my power is fading accordingly. They noticed that and are breaking down the barrier, hastening the end.”

“And the barrier is being attacked so fiercely now probably because of me.”

Kerwin, having read Aphen’s memories, wore a faint smile.

“Yes. Thanks to you doing a good job with the task you were given, this problem has arisen.”

Their plan was to accumulate enough power until this barrier lost its strength, then incite a division of the kingdom through the Race Wars and overthrow it.

But all those plans were thwarted by my appearance. The royal family’s power was only getting stronger, and their identities were increasingly exposed, putting them in danger.

So, they sped things up. To start before I completely stabilized the kingdom, even if it was a bit early.

“Then you must have called me because there’s something I can do.”

Kerwin nodded at my question.

“It’s not complicated. I can teach Aphen how to reinforce the barrier, so all you have to do is take him to that barrier.”

“By ‘take him,’ you mean…?”

“Yes. You’ll have to head north, beyond the mountains. As I said before, I can’t leave this place.”

It’s not a simple task. But to do that simple task, I have to go north.

North…

It was completely unknown territory to me. It wasn’t even described in the novel.

“I have no choice.”

Right. I have no choice.

To lead the Race Wars to victory, the kingdom had to be united, and to do that, Rodkius had to be eliminated.

However, to eliminate Rodkius, I needed at least a minimum amount of time to stabilize the east. And to buy that time, the barrier couldn’t collapse right now, no matter what.

“How much time do we have?”

“We need to finish everything within three or four months at the latest to avoid any setbacks.”

Three or four months… It’s not a short time, but considering the vastness of the north, it’s not much time either.

But that doesn’t mean I can give up.

“Alright. I’ll give it a shot.”

Kerwin smiled and nodded at my positive response.

“That’s reassuring. Good. I’ll give you a map of the north. If you take Aphen to the area marked on it and seek cooperation from those around, things will be easier.”

Wait, I understand finding it, but seek cooperation?

I tilted my head at Kerwin’s words, not understanding what she meant.

“Cooperation? What do you mean?”

“Reinforcing the barrier requires a lot of mana. Naturally, countless monsters sensitive to mana will flock there. You can’t handle that situation alone, can you?”

“…Are there humans in the north?”

“There are no humans. But there are other races who received help from me in the old days, besides elves and druids.”

“Other races…?”

“They haven’t forgotten the debt they owe me. Even if they have, it doesn’t matter. You have the power to revive their forgotten memories.”

“…Are you telling me to go to those other races and, if necessary, use violence to collect the debts of the past?”

“Why, can’t you do it?”

I bit my lip at Kerwin’s smirk.

Of course, things wouldn’t go this easily.

But that doesn’t mean I’ll obediently do as I’m told.

“Of course, I can. But you’re not going to send me empty-handed, are you?”

“You’re stating the obvious.”

As soon as Kerwin finished speaking, the surrounding environment changed.

Was it space- 이동 [teleportation] magic? The table laden with delicacies had vanished without a trace, and all that could be seen around us was an armory filled with countless weapons.

“Where is this?”

“Take whatever you want. However, keep in mind that anything you can’t wear on your body can’t be taken out of this space. I’ll be resting, so let me know when you’re ready.”

With those words, Kerwin disappeared. Ruth and I, left alone in the armory, stared blankly at each other for a moment.

“She means… we can take the weapons, right?”

“I guess so.”

I nodded at Ruth’s words and slowly looked around.

Swords, spears, bows, axes, and so on, as well as all sorts of protective gear that could be worn on the body, were on display.

I was at a loss as to what to pick up first, so I grabbed a cloak that was in front of me.

“What’s this?”

“That is a cloak enchanted to protect the wearer from heat and cold.”

“You startled me.”

A pale-faced servant, floating without legs, was standing behind me.

It seemed Kerwin had summoned him in case we couldn’t recognize the weapons.

“…Heat and cold?”

“The north is a region plagued by extreme cold, so it will be helpful. It also has a dyeing enchantment, so you can take on camouflage colors to suit the situation.”

I nodded at the servant’s advice.

“That’s useful. Then I’ll pick this one first… What’s that over there?”

I pointed to a leather armor hanging there.

It was armor I wouldn’t normally have given a second glance. But it seemed to have a strange black glow, making it seem like no ordinary item.

“That is leather armor made from the hide of a magic dragon.”

“…A magic dragon? You don’t mean the one from the Race Wars?”

“If you’re thinking of the Black Drake that Emperor Belangkas dealt with, then you’re correct.”

Magic Dragon (魔龍) [Demon Dragon].

Two years ago, when I visited the Lindaire family’s secret library, I experienced the memories of Bain Lindaire.

I had participated in the battle against the magic dragon in the north, and I saw Emperor Belangkas personally finish it off.

Armor made from the hide of that magic dragon?

“What kind of item is it?”

“Since it’s dragon hide, its defensive power is beyond question. Moreover, the master personally engraved magic circles on it, so its magic resistance is also limitless depending on the wearer’s power.”

“Magic resistance…?”

“The anti-magic circle is activated by the wearer’s mana. The stronger the mana poured in, the higher the magic resistance rises.”

“I see.”

A dragon hide armor with magic circles designed by a great mage like Kerwin. It’s a real cheat item, isn’t it?

I immediately took off what I was wearing and put on the new cloak and black armor.

‘I feel like I’ve leveled up just by changing clothes.’

Is this why people look for luxury goods so much? I feel great just by changing my clothes.

Smiling, I suddenly noticed Ruth holding a sword with his mouth wide open.

“What are you doing with your mouth open?”

“L, Lord.”

“What? What is it?”

“This, it looks like Bishurar’s sword to me… I’m not mistaken, am I?”

“Bishurar?”

Isn’t Bishurar the hero who led the Race Wars to victory as the Great Emperor’s right-hand man? His sword is here?

At Ruth’s words, I approached and carefully examined the sword.

The faintly reddish blade, the elegant cross-guard, and the jewel embedded at the end of the handle were clearly not ordinary items at a glance.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s Sir Bishurar’s Flame Blade. A magic sword with fire attributes engraved on it.”

“Why is a sword that was said to have disappeared from history here?”

“Because it’s a magic sword created by the master. The master learned of Sir Bishurar’s death and retrieved the sword.”

“…”

A light of greed flickered in Ruth’s eyes.

Well, is there any race in the world as greedy for swords as knights?

“Could I possibly take this?”

“Well, Kerwin didn’t say no, but…”

When I trailed off and looked at the servant, the servant nodded.

“The master has allowed all items to your companion as well.”

“Ooooh! Thank you!”

Ruth blinked his eyes and immediately grabbed the Flame Blade, putting down the sword he had been wearing.

I chuckled at the sight and pointed with my chin at the pile of weapons still remaining.

“Pick out some more. She said you can take anything you can wear on your body. I should pick out some more too.”

“No! This sword is all I need.”

“Even though they’re magic weapons?”

“As a knight, my pride doesn’t allow me to rely on magic weapons.”

“Oh really? Isn’t that sword a magic sword?”

“Ah, of course, the sword is an exception. Besides, isn’t it Sir Bishurar’s sword? I can’t refuse a sword imbued with his honor.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Haha!”

Leaving Ruth, who was satisfied with just one sword, behind, I looked around to see if there was anything else to take.

I have Aphen for swords, I have armor, I have a cloak. Boots… At best, they have haste magic on them, but frankly, with a knight’s agility, haste magic is nothing.

“What’s this?”

“That is a bag with subspace magic on it.”

That was the answer I got when I asked about a small bag that I simply wore around my waist.

“Subspace?”

“Think of it as being about the size of a small room. When you put things in and take them out, you can grab what you want by thinking about it.”

“This is the real deal.”

Nodding, I picked up the bag and tied it around my waist. Then I raised my hand and pointed to a cabinet in one corner.

“Those look like elixirs to me, am I right?”

The servant nodded at my question.

“That’s right.”

Elixirs.

Miracle potions that instantly heal any wound. The recipe is very simple, but no one can make them without Kerwin’s magic skills.

“As much as I can carry.”

Nodding, I picked up the elixirs with both hands. Spreading my hands as wide as possible, I picked up five bottles and looked at the butler.

“Is this okay?”

“Yes. Please take them.”

“Good.”

Should I tell Ruth to take some too? But she said as much as I can carry. Ruth already has a sword in his hand, so it won’t work.

Anyway, I seemed to have packed everything I needed.

In fact, even though they were magic weapons, most of them had lower-level magic on them, so there weren’t that many options.

In my case, if I needed magic, I could just use Aphen.

Of course, even so, the dragon hide armor, the bag with subspace, and artifacts like Bishurar’s sword were definitely a great gain.

I glanced at Ruth and chuckled as I saw him holding a fancy necklace.

“You said you didn’t need the help of magic?”

“Ah, this has a shield magic on it, so I thought I’d give it as a gift…”

“A gift? To Sella?”

“Yes, well.”

“You’re quite the devoted husband.”

Leaving Ruth, whose face was turning red, behind, I looked at the servant.

“I’ve picked everything.”

Immediately after I said that, the place changed again, and when I came to my senses, I was back at the table where I first met Kerwin.

“You’ve taken good things.”

“Yes. Well, thank you.”

“If they are helpful.”

A small rolled-up scroll floated up and flew to Kerwin, who nodded.

“This is a map of the northern terrain. You can proceed with your work based on this.”

I took the map Kerwin handed me, put it in my bag, and nodded.

“I will proceed without any setbacks.”

“You must.”

Realizing that the time to leave was approaching, I looked at Kerwin.

She was still sipping tea with a calm face. Her face seemed to have forgotten any semblance of human emotion from the start.

But I know. I know what thoughts Kerwin has been enduring for so long in that calmness.

So, I suddenly had an idea.

“Hey, Kerwin.”

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“I will be acting independently from the Lindaire family from now on.”

“So?”

I nodded at her, who tilted her head as if it had nothing to do with her.

“So, can I use the surname Aphen from now on?”

“Aphen?”

“I combined Kerwin’s name and surname.”

“…Anyway, why?”

“It’s just that I’m a little annoyed that people in the world don’t know about Kerwin’s existence.”

“Annoyed?”

“Yes. In reality, I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without Kerwin’s help. But people in the world will just think that I did everything alone, right? I’m a little uncomfortable just letting it pass like that… Anyway, that’s why.”

Kerwin, who had been lost in thought for a moment at my words, soon smiled faintly and nodded.

“So be it.”

With permission granted, I felt that this meeting was coming to an end, so I got up from my seat and bowed to her.

“Then I’ll be off.”

“Yes. Be off.”

There was no grand farewell.

As soon as Kerwin finished speaking, Ruth and I were standing in the middle of a desolate peak in the Bollum Mountains again.

It was like a dream. Ruth, who seemed to feel the same way, was just standing there with a blank face.

It was Ruth who broke the silence first.

“It was real.”

“What?”

“That a war is going to happen.”

Ruth, who felt the terrible Race Wars of the past coming back to him, wore a complicated expression.

“Don’t worry too much. Whether it happens again or not, we just have to stop it.”

“I understand. I will serve you well in the north without any setbacks.”

“No, you’re not going to the north.”

“Yes?”

I nodded at Ruth’s wide-eyed expression.

“You have something to do. You will stabilize the east with Sella while I am away.”

“That’s…”

“I’m planning to conquer Rodkius as soon as I finish cleaning up the surroundings. We don’t have much time, so we need to use it efficiently. Marquis Irfe will help you from behind, so help Sella stabilize the east as soon as possible. That’s what you have to do now.”

“But isn’t it too dangerous to go alone?”

“I never said I was going alone?”

“Yes? Then with whom?”

Who else could it be? The guy who’s just eating and doing nothing.