How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 216

How to Live as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel – Chapter 217

Even the Dark Elves suspected there was a traitor in their ranks.

However, they hadn’t actively tried to catch them because they knew it would only invite greater retaliation.

In that situation, Blauer’s decision to bring in outsiders like me and my group created a lot of anxiety.

“Fight them? How?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just live as we are?”

“What if we upset them and something terrible happens…?”

Even after being subjugated for so long, their reactions were unbelievably pessimistic.

Curious, I arranged a private meeting with Blauer to learn more.

“How many of them come here?”

“About six or so.”

“That’s not a lot. There are quite a few patrol members who can manipulate mana. Haven’t you thought about fighting back?”

At my question, Blauer subtly opened his collar.

Following the line of his skin and collarbone, I saw a dark red pentagram branded in the center of his chest.

“…I think I have a rough idea what that’s for.”

“Yes. With just a word from the mages they bring, we become helpless and unable to resist. That’s why we haven’t even considered resisting until now.”

Looking at the ominous brand, I asked Aphen telepathically.

‘Do you know what that is?’

[It’s not like any ordinary magic I know. It seems like they’ve cast a seal using a special object as a medium…]

‘A special object, like a Mana Stone?’

[Maybe. The energy I feel is very similar. Ugh! Just looking at it makes me feel sick.]

‘You can’t undo it?’

[Breaking magic I’ve never encountered before is beyond my abilities. Maybe your mom could, though.]

So, they used Mana Stones for that too? Seriously, it’s like they think it’s a magic bullet for everything.

Tsking, I excluded the patrol members from our plans and considered our options.

‘Redran and Illiar…’

Both are capable knights. And here, I can use my full strength without holding back.

I paused my thoughts and looked at Blauer.

“What are their skills like?”

“They are several levels above Gair. Moreover… they use some strange method to become two or three times stronger than their actual abilities. We wouldn’t stand a chance even without the brand.”

Some strange method… Is it the technique those two Unholy Knights used during the Baschran territory war? If so, we have something similar on our side.

I glanced at Redran, who was leaning against the wall, and he frowned as if asking what I was looking at.

“Anyway.”

I looked away from Redran and waved my hand at Blauer, signaling him not to worry.

“We’ll take care of the fighting, so help us with something else instead.”

“Something else…?”

In response to Blauer’s question, I took out the map of the North I had in my pocket.

“I have a lot of other things to do besides what’s happening here.”

After speaking, I pointed to the area Kerwin had marked for me.

“Do you know what’s here?”

Blauer’s eyes widened at my question.

“Why the Forgotten Castle…?”

“Forgotten Castle?”

“Yes. We can’t leave the forest now, but our ancestors used to explore various places to find better environments.”

“And?”

“When I was young, I vaguely heard that there is an old castle in the place you’re pointing to. Our ancestors called it the Forgotten Castle because they didn’t know what it was built for or how old it was.”

An old castle that no one knows what it was built for or how old it is…

Could the conditions be any more perfect?

But, didn’t Kerwin mention there was a castle? Oh, maybe he didn’t need to? Since it would be obvious once I got there.

I nodded.

“Okay. That’s probably the place I’m looking for. So, what kind of information do you have about it?”

“As I said, my generation has hardly ever left the forest, so there isn’t really any information to…”

Blauer shook his head at my question. Just as I was about to click my tongue at the lack of substance in the most important part, he spoke again.

“But there are people who know a lot about that area.”

“People who know a lot?”

“The Beastmen live in the area where the castle is located. They would know a lot about it.”

Beastmen, like those creatures that are half-animal, half-human? I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought that there were so many different races.

“Will they cooperate willingly?”

“I’ll write you a letter of introduction.”

“You will?”

“In the past, the Beastmen owed our ancestors a great debt. So, if my request is added, they won’t be negative.”

Hmm, I thought I’d have to get into another brawl, but it’s fortunate if things work out that way.

“Of course, to write that, I need to…”

At Blauer’s cautious words, I shrugged.

“You want me to save you guys first? Don’t worry about that.”

* * *

That night.

I called Illiar and Redran out separately and began to speak in the quiet forest.

“Killing is easy.”

“…Easy? What are you talking about?”

Redran tilted his head at my words.

“Exactly what I said. Killing is easy, no matter how many opponents there are. You just have to go all out. But saving them is difficult. Especially if the opponent’s skills aren’t low.”

“…”

“But I have to keep them alive. The reason, of course, is that there’s a lot to gain from capturing them alive. But they’re not stupid, so they won’t just let it happen.”

The Unholy Knights I met in the Baschran territory war disappeared in flames after they died.

Considering that, they might have a way to end their own lives at any time so they don’t give information to the enemy.

“There’s something I don’t understand.”

Redran raised his hand.

“What is it?”

“It would be easier to just kill them all cleanly, so why are you trying to capture them? Are you trying to find their base and wipe them out? Why? Once you get what you want, who cares what happens to those Dark Elves?”

I sighed softly at Redran’s words, asking why I was making it so difficult.

“Do you want to know why I have to capture them?”

“Yes.”

“Because those guys are the ones I told you about yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

Redran’s expression changed strangely.

He probably remembered the story I told him last night when we were ambushing in the forest.

“That story about the cult trying to swallow the continent or whatever?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Redran rubbed his forehead with one hand as if he was hearing that again.

“Do you think I came all the way to the North to listen to that nonsense?”

“Decide whether it’s nonsense after you hear it.”

“I’m going crazy.”

Redran sighed deeply and sat down on a tree stump.

“Tell me. I’m looking forward to hearing what other crazy things you’ll say.”

“Shut up, Redran.”

Illiar snarled and glared at Redran at the word ‘crazy’. But Redran didn’t back down and met her gaze.

“You, are you believing and following that nonsense? Villains plotting in the shadows to swallow the continent?”

“What do you know?”

“What do I know? Of course, I wouldn’t know. It’s just a delusion that only a madman would spout.”

Swish!

Illiar finally drew her sword. The sword, shining white in the moonlight, was aimed at Redran.

Redran didn’t stay still either. The two quickly drawn swords collided under the night sky.

Clang!

Sparks flew, decorating the space between Redran and Illiar.

“I told you to shut up.”

“Oh, did the delusion spread?”

Illiar’s eyes flashed at Redran’s mocking words. Recalling the duel she had in front of the Red Castle, Redran also bared his teeth.

“Why didn’t you just kill me then? Oh, did you keep me alive to listen to this bullshit?”

“The warning is over.”

Her anger disappeared, and Illiar’s eyes turned cold. At the same time, mana began to gather on her sword. And so did Redran.

Seeing the two crossing the line, I finally drew my sword as well.

Clang!

I swung my sword vertically to separate the two facing each other and sighed.

“Stop it.”

Despite my plea, Redran with his red eyes and Illiar with her blue aura were still glaring at each other.

“I said stop it.”

“…”

Eventually, Illiar lowered her sword first. However, she turned her head in the opposite direction from me, unlike usual.

Angry Illiar… I’m afraid of the aftermath.

I sighed softly and looked at Redran.

“Redran, I was the one who established our relationship as client and contractor. But it’s still good to keep the line. Do I look like a madman to you? If so, you can leave at any time. The choice is yours. But there’s always a responsibility that comes with the choice.”

“…”

“Why don’t you realize your situation a little more? Then we can all have a pleasant journey.”

Did he realize that without me, he’s just a war criminal who lost the war? Redran quietly lowered his head.

After a while, Redran raised his head again and looked at Illiar with a calmer face.

“I crossed the line. I’m sorry.”

“…”

Illiar didn’t answer. She just turned her gaze back to me from the distance.

Feeling that the situation had calmed down, I sighed and opened my mouth.

“I’m not telling you two to be friends. But don’t try to ruin things with personal feelings. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“…Understood.”

Hearing their answers, I nodded. The traffic was cleared. To get back to the main point, I pointed at Redran with my finger.

“Let’s start again. You want to know why we have to capture them? To explain that, there’s something you need to know.”

“Something I need to know?”

“The power you have and the power they have are similar.”

Redran tilted his head.

“If it’s the power I have, are you talking about the sorcery [a type of magic]?”

“Yes. You also gained powerful strength through the inscription carved by sorcery. They have similar power. Their eyes burn red, and they unleash inhuman strength.”

“There are people with the same power as me? How is that possible?”

“It’s only similar in appearance. From what I’ve experienced, the two powers are completely different in terms of usage and essence.”

That was the reality. Except for the fact that the source of both powers was Bloodroot, they were completely different powers.

First of all, the power Redran has has the side effect of losing reason and going berserk, but it’s still controlled by the relatively gentle power of the inscription, so it’s far from evil.

But those Unholy Knights are different.

Just like the Blade Clan’s Drosh, they took powerful strength by controlling the side effects of Bloodroot with the power of Mana Stones instead of sorcery.

Of course, if you only look at the content, you might wonder if that’s a bad thing, but the story is different when you find out how those Mana Stones are made.

First, they create a Spirit Stone that seals the spirits of darkness. Then, they inject evil energy into the Spirit Stone through black magic that sacrifices humans.

That way, the Spirit Stone becomes a Mana Stone that emits evil magic whenever mana is injected, and they use that power to control the side effects of Bloodroot and increase its effectiveness.

“…”

Redran was silent for a moment after hearing this explanation. Then, the face of the guy who opened his mouth hesitantly was literally distorted.

“Is that true?”

“Why, do I look like a madman again?”

“…”

A moment of silence flowed.

But after a while, Redran’s expression began to change sharply.

“They use humans as sacrifices?”

“Yes.”

“Are those Neviros Cult and Unholy Knights not human?”

“As far as I know, they are the same humans.”

“But why?”

But why do they commit such acts.

I couldn’t logically explain that simple question. It was something I couldn’t even understand.

“Because they are those kinds of guys.”

They’re just those kinds of guys.

As I said that, Redran’s eyes flashed.

“Those damn bastards.”

“That’s not all.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Redran, the power you have is definitely powerful. But even with that power, you eventually lost in the Eastern Territory War. Why is that?”

“What’s the point of being strong alone? The defeat was obvious the moment I lost the Red Knights.”

“Yes. That’s why Mana Stones are dangerous things.”

“Because of that, what are you talking about…”

Redran, who was about to continue, suddenly closed his mouth. Then, he continued again in a lowered voice.

“Is that all you need, that Mana Stone?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t need inscriptions, mana, and swordsmanship like me or the Red Knights? All you need is that Mana Stone? That’s absurd.”

“I actually saw with my own eyes the Orcs of the Blade Clan using that power using Mana Stones.”

“…Even monsters?”

Redran’s voice trembled.

He must have imagined it. The reason why humans have won against monsters despite the overwhelmingly small number is thanks to the power of mana.

But if they can possess Mana Stones, monsters can have power comparable to that.

Moreover, knights are a very small number of resources. But what about monsters? If you only count the numbers, you can say that they are overwhelmingly large.

If all those monsters gain power similar to Redran’s due to Mana Stones….

“That’s a dangerous thing.”

Redran left a simple but not simple comment.

“Yes. It’s a dangerous thing.”

“So, is that why you came to the North?”

“To be exact, the reason I came to the North is a little different. But in the big picture, my ultimate goal is to track down the guys who are trying to create Mana Stones and overthrow the kingdom.”

Hearing my words, Redran smiled bitterly.

“So, that’s what you did at the Red Castle?”

“Did what?”

“At that time, I clearly told you to join hands and aim for the hegemony [leadership or dominance] of the kingdom. But you acted as if that was just child’s play. Was that because you knew all this?”

Well, that’s not the only reason, but there was no need to explain it in detail, so I glossed over it.

“That’s right.”

“Who knows this fact?”

“For now, only my closest aides.”

“Why didn’t you spread it widely?”

“The reason is obvious. I’m chasing them now. But imagine that the fact spreads throughout the kingdom when I haven’t even caught their tail yet.”

“…They would probably try to avoid being discovered at all costs.”

“Yes. Moreover, there will be guys involved with them inside the kingdom, so there will be more harm than good. Furthermore, if that rumor spreads, there will be great chaos throughout the kingdom. That’s not desirable.”

Hearing my words, Redran narrowed his eyes.

“Does the fact that there are internal collaborators involved with them mean you’re talking about Rodkius?”

“For now, in my guess.”

Redran, who now knew most of the story, let out a hollow laugh.

“So, that’s why you said Rodkius was the ultimate goal back then?”

“Well, yes.”

After that, Redran fell into thought.

He seemed to be organizing the facts I told him in his head. After a short time, Redran slowly nodded.

“To be honest, I can’t say that I completely believe it even now. But the truth will be revealed soon. The guys who will come here soon are the ones you talked about.”

“You got the point.”

“It seems like there are enough reasons to fight and capture them to resolve my doubts.”

“Can we finally get to the point?”

“Sorry for taking up so much time.”

I chuckled at Redran’s apology and nodded.

“It’s an extension of what I said at the beginning. Killing is easy, but saving is difficult. Moreover, they are probably so cruel that they would choose suicide rather than being captured by us. It’s fortunate that there are only six or so.”

Redran wasn’t stupid, and he quickly realized what I wanted.

“Are you saying that it’s better to capture even one properly than to aim for many?”

“Yes.”

After speaking, I put my hand in my bag and took out what I had brought from Capital.

It was a very expensive restraint that suppressed the wearer’s mana. I always carried it around because I didn’t know when such an opportunity would come.

This will prevent suicide using magic.

“I’ll pick one and put the restraint on them, then send them to you and Illiar.”

“You’re going to send one to us? It’s not like they’re blind, they won’t just let themselves be captured.”

I shrugged at Redran, who replied as if he was dumbfounded.

“That’s my job.”

“That’s absurd. So, assuming that’s the case, what’s next?”

“It’s simple. As soon as you receive the prisoner, run away with all your might.”

“Run away?”

“Yes. Run away. As fast as possible, and as far as possible.”

“Wait, if that happens, you’ll have to face everyone alone, will that be possible?”

I sighed in boredom at Redran’s words.

“I keep saying, killing is easy.”