How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 225

Living as the Third Son of a Trash Novel – Chapter 226

Getting cooperation was easy.

Kuhn wanted to repay his debt to me, and Blaue also agreed to help me in exchange for a new residence.

Redran immediately took action. Using the Beastmen’s powerful physique, he eliminated any paths that could threaten our rear.

At the same time, Ilia, under Redran’s command, trained the Dark Elves. She didn’t look pleased, but she didn’t complain because I had given Redran command.

After some time, when the desolate castle had become somewhat bustling, I slipped away and headed to the location of the space- 이동 [teleportation] magic circle.

Aphen was stuck next to the magic circle.

The amber jewel embedded in the guard [of the sword] was constantly emitting light, as if it were doing something.

I slowly walked over and sat down in front of Aphen, reaching out to grab the sword’s hilt. Then, an uninvited guest visited my quiet mind.

[Why did you come so late? I thought I was going to starve to death!]

“Do you think I’m your servant?”

[Aaaargh~ I don’t care! Give it to me quickly! I’m hungry!]

I gritted my teeth and poured mana into Aphen as it screamed and whined.

Then, Aphen began to devour my mana like a ravenous ghoul. Feeling the terrifying drain, I opened my mouth.

“So, what did you find out?”

[Hehehe. If you give me mana like this for another week, I might be able to figure it out~]

“I might just forget about the barrier enhancement and go back.”

[Aah! Okay, okay, I got it.]

Aphen, caught with its ulterior motives, grumbled in a sulky voice.

[The decryption is almost done. Activating the magic circle shouldn’t be a problem if we borrow Mom’s mana.]

“Where is it connected to?”

[I tried to find out, but… I don’t think I can figure it out.]

“Well, it’s a shame, but there’s nothing I can do.”

[Are you really going to use this?]

“I’m thinking about it.”

The problem is where it’s connected to.

If it’s really connected to the center of those guys, the chances of surviving are slim. I can’t take that risk.

But it’s a shame to just ignore it. It’ll have definite information, dangerous as it is.

“Honestly, I don’t have the confidence to survive if the black-haired guy is waiting.”

[Of course not! You’re not ready yet. You have subordinates too; you’ll get your head chopped off if you go there!]

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

[Hehet.]

That wasn’t a compliment. Suppressing the urge to visit the furnace [a place to cool down or vent frustration], I slowly stood up.

“Keep decrypting it, and keep the mana charged so we can activate it at any time.”

[Huh? Keep it charged?]

“Yeah.”

[You’re not going to use it, are you?]

“Maybe.”

[What are you talking about!]

I didn’t answer Aphen’s outburst and released the hilt.

Aphen started buzzing, angry at the abrupt disconnection. Leaving it behind, I slowly walked out of there.

Then, I climbed to the highest spire in the castle. The vast North came into view.

‘It’s quiet.’

The atmosphere in the North was calm.

Occasionally, the cries of monsters could be heard from far away, but that was quiet enough to be considered a lullaby.

Yes, it’s no different from a lullaby. Compared to the storm that will soon come.

* * *

Clear. A sky without a single cloud.

I deliberately waited for this kind of weather and postponed D-day.

That was Redran’s idea: to fight flying monsters, there should be as little to obstruct the view as possible.

The weather was cool, and the time was early in the morning. Even if all this is over, it won’t get dark.

“Good weather for a fight.”

Kuhn summed up my thoughts in one sentence.

I chuckled and nodded.

“Yeah. It’s good weather for a fight.”

After speaking, I looked around.

The Dark Elves, led by Blaue, and the Beastmen, led by Kuhn, were gathered.

All of their eyes were on Redran, who was standing in the center. The atmosphere was such that he should throw out a grand declaration, but Redran simply said one word with a nonchalant face.

“Let’s fight well.”

As soon as Redran finished speaking and gestured, the Dark Elves and Beastmen disbanded and began to head to their respective positions.

“Cain.”

Just as I was about to move, Ilia approached and grabbed the hem of my cloak.

“Oh, why?”

“If the situation becomes unfavorable, you must come to me immediately.”

“Come? Are you going to catch all the monsters for me?”

“At the risk of my life.”

“I feel reassured just by your words.”

I reached out and patted Ilia’s shoulder, and her eyes narrowed.

“I’m not joking. You must come.”

“Okay, okay.”

“By the way, are you really going to let Redran run wild?”

“Yeah. So don’t worry about it either.”

“Still….”

“It’s okay. Then, good luck.”

I waved my hand lightly and turned away to find my place.

There will be a battle soon. I’m not particularly nervous. It’s just that the clattering at my waist is a bit of a concern.

‘It feels empty when it’s not there.’

I had a spare longsword hanging on my waist, which I had packed in my subspace pocket. It definitely felt foreign. Compared to that, Aphen is really as light as a feather.

I gently stroked the scabbard and slowly climbed onto the ramparts. Kuhn was already there, puffing out his breath.

“Kuhn, I’m counting on you.”

“We don’t repay debts carelessly.”

“You’re a diligent debtor.”

After nodding, I turned around.

Then, I looked for Redran, who was watching me from the spire in the center of the castle, and sent a signal.

In response, Redran scanned the entire castle from the high ground. He must be checking if everyone is ready.

Soon, as if he had finished all the checks, Redran sent me a signal back.

‘He’s telling me to start.’

I kicked up the shortbow that had been set up in advance on the ramparts and picked it up. Then, I nocked an arrow that had been leaning against it.

I bent my back, raised both arms, and aimed at the sky. The fully drawn bowstring pressed against my cheek, and at the same time, I released my hand, and the arrow began to scream.

Peeeeeep-!

It’s the sound that signals the start of the barrier enhancement. At this rate, Aphen, who I left embedded in the inner castle, would have heard it well enough.

The arrow that was fired against the sun slowly fell and soon landed in the not-so-distant ground.

Grrr….

A small whimper from Kuhn was heard next to me. He seems nervous.

And so am I. I don’t know how it starts either.

Several minutes passed without anything happening, and just as I was starting to think something was wrong, it happened.

Saaaaaa-!

It’s a storm. A storm began to blow in this clear weather. And the beginning of that storm was right in the center of the inner castle.

“Good heavens.”

Kuhn’s voice was hollow as he turned around.

Kugugugugu….

Is this what it’s like right before a pressure cooker explodes?

An unprecedented aura began to be felt, centered on the inner castle. This is not a joke. I had never felt such an intense aura in my life.

Soon, blue energy began to pour out from all the passages connecting the inner and outer areas.

“Ugh!”

“Hold on! I’m flying away!”

The aftermath of the strongest magician’s power ever, which had been endlessly condensed, being released.

The ramparts became a scene of chaos. Some of the Beastmen, who had not been able to brace themselves properly, were barely held back by their comrades as they tried to fly out.

The Dark Elves were even worse. Because they were small and light, they rolled around helplessly like fallen leaves.

What about Redran?

I lowered my stance as much as possible and raised my head to look for Redran, who would be standing on the spire. Because he was in the highest place, he was pulling up mana with all his might to endure.

“Grrr! Hold on! It’s getting weaker!”

It was as Kuhn shouted. The energy that had been concentrated and poured out in a narrow and limited passage gradually lessened as the path opened up.

At the same time, my gaze turned to the sky.

In the air, the mana that had poured out from the inner castle was divided into hundreds and thousands of strands and spread out like blooming flowers.

Perhaps that phenomenon will continue until Aphen’s barrier enhancement is complete. And as a result, it will attract new guests.

How long has it been since Kerwin’s mana spread to the North?

“They’re coming!”

Redran, who was looking into the distance from the top of the spire, shouted.

At that, everyone who had been staring at the mana covering the sky came to their senses. Then, they returned to their positions and prepared for battle.

I also slowly stood up and leaned against the ramparts. Then, I raised my head and looked beyond.

Kaaaaa-!

Kireuk-! Keereuk-!

Grotesque screams that would haunt my dreams began to be heard from the other side.

“Monsters.”

At Kuhn’s words, I quickly asked back.

“What kind?”

Kuhn’s eyes narrowed.

“Troll hordes and Cyclops. There are harpies in the sky.”

“The vanguard is flashy. What’s the number?”

“There aren’t many visible. About twenty or thirty. It seems that the ones who were nearby ran first.”

Yeah, that’s not a lot. But all of them are medium to large monsters?

Whether he knew my dismay or not, Kuhn sniffed with his eyes narrowed.

“They keep coming from far away, biting their tails [following closely].”

“Anyway, that’s the extent of the vanguard.”

Turning around, I quickly signaled Redran the number and type of the enemy vanguard.

Seeing that, Redran responded with a signal so that everyone spread out could see.

The Dark Elves snipe the harpies.

The rest go out of the castle and intercept the ground monsters.

They fight outside, leaving the ramparts behind. At first glance, it seems like a foolish decision, but it was Redran’s calculated plan to minimize damage to the ramparts as much as possible.

Because stamina is restored, but the ramparts are not. If a large monster mindlessly rams into the castle and the gate collapses, it’s the worst.

Of course, this operation was possible entirely because the opponent was a monster and because Ilia and I were there.

Swish!

I drew my sword, climbed onto the ramparts, and looked at Kuhn.

“Lead your clan and follow me. However, some must be left behind to support the Dark Elves and open the gates as soon as we want.”

“Understood.”

After confirming Kuhn’s nod, I pulled up mana as it is and jumped off the ramparts.

Bang!

After absorbing the impact roughly by kneeling on one knee, I kicked off the ground and rushed forward.

“Cain!”

I heard Ilia’s voice from behind in my ear.

“Don’t overdo it! Let go of what you can! The following wolf friends will take care of it!”

“I understand!”

Ilia also answered loudly to my shout.

Now all that remains is really battle. Is it because of the adrenaline rush? I couldn’t help but laugh.

Thump! Thump!

The first opponent was the one-eyed giant, Cyclops, who scattered dust every time he moved his heavy steps.

The one eye, which was largely embedded in the center of his face, rolled around and found me. It’s truly disgusting and unpleasant.

Growooo-!

The guy dragged a huge log as if he had just pulled it out whole from somewhere and rushed at me.

Fssst!

As if responding to that, blue energy surged and soared from my sword in my hand.

Wooong!

My sword drew a half-moon towards the club that was swinging with a sonic boom. There was nothing caught in my hand. It was that perfect of a trajectory.

The Cyclops’s eyes blinked at the tree that was cleanly cut, leaving only the stump.

He looks flustered? I laughed and stepped on the cut log and jumped high.

And once again, a blue trajectory was drawn.

Thwack!

The Cyclops’s head flew into the air, scattering blood on the dry ground.