How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 245

Tap!

A spark flew from the burning torch, landing, coincidentally, on the neck of a man standing guard.

“Argh! Son of a bitch!”

“Look at you, showing off.”

“Shut your mouth, you little punk.”

“Oh? You’ve grown up quite a bit?”

“I’m bigger than your rabbit-like thing.”

Two men, their upper bodies covered in tattoos that practically screamed they were pirates, exchanged curses.

Their eyes were sharp, like those who had tasted blood. Moreover, the clear pentagrams engraved on their chests indicated they were lackeys of the Order [likely referring to the Neviros Order, a dark organization].

But that was about it. Perhaps it was because they were born as pirates? Their guard duty was incredibly sloppy.

It’s natural since they’re not regular soldiers. Well, either way, it’s an advantage for me.

Hiding in the darkness, I infiltrated, avoiding the sight of the two men.

The harbor wasn’t very big. In fact, since their origins were as pirates, it was almost embarrassing to even call it a harbor.

However, the terrain was unique. The land adjacent to the coast, bordering the sea, had a cliff behind it. Because of this, one had to pass through a narrow valley to get to other parts of the island.

In other words, it was easy to enter and exit through the sea, but difficult to go out or come in through other land routes on the island.

Since pirates would naturally use ships, the inconvenient land routes couldn’t be seen as a disadvantage. Of course, it could be a problem if the opponent had overwhelming naval power.

But the sea is wide, and there are no obstacles blocking the view. If the navy approached, they could easily spot them in advance and evacuate.

I immediately understood why the Red Shark Pirates had set up their base here.

But that was only when dealing with other pirates or general subjugation forces.

I imagined it.

Fleta’s magic would be a great bombardment. No matter how many archers there were, they wouldn’t be able to withstand it if I used magic while hiding on the cliff.

The land route through the narrow valley could be blocked with a small number of troops. If Lordain [a powerful warrior or leader] were to occupy that place, who could break through it?

The picture is drawn.

But there was one blind spot. What if they fled on ships?

Let’s think about that later. What’s important now is to explore the inside.

Afterward, I moved silently, slipping through the shadows, and looked around the harbor buildings.

There were various types of buildings, from warehouses that seemed to store looted goods or tools to buildings for lodging.

But among them, one building stood out.

‘The color is different.’

The exterior of most buildings had changed color due to the sea breeze over a long period. However, among them, only one building was relatively clean.

If so, that building was probably built after the Neviros Order occupied this place.

At the same time, the security is considerable.

At the entrance of the building, there were guys in the same attire as Unholy Knights, standing guard. It was like advertising that it was an important facility.

It seemed difficult to sneak in. The senses of a knight are better than those of a beast.

Of course, I could use the Hashunar’s crest [a symbol or item granting special abilities] like crazy, but considering that I’m alone in enemy territory, the risk is too great. Let’s not rush.

Let’s remember that the purpose is reconnaissance. Then, let’s start by waiting. It will be easier to figure out their patrol radius.

As I was waiting, a pirate who had finished his shift and was returning to the building tapped his feet and turned around as if he couldn’t stand it any longer. The pirate walking with him tilted his head.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to relieve myself and sleep.”

“Really? Then I’ll go in first.”

“Suit yourself.”

It’s a good opportunity.

Nodding, I quietly followed him. Not knowing that someone was following him, he fumbled with his pants as he reached the bushes.

That was the end. The pirate was grabbed by the throat by my hand that shot out.

“Heuk… !”

Even the slightest groan that leaked out was a waste. I covered his mouth with my remaining hand. I kicked his hamstring, knocked him down, and dragged him into the forest.

After making him lie face down, I took out the dagger that was stuck in his waist and poked the back of his neck. I could feel his body stiffening.

Slightly releasing the mouth I had covered, I asked in a low voice.

“From now on, answer only the questions I ask.”

“Wh, who…”

“That’s not what I asked.”

As the dagger slightly pierced his skin, he trembled.

“Again. From now on, you only answer the questions I ask.”

“…….”

With his face on the ground, he nodded with difficulty.

“Good. How many people are there on this island in total?”

“Ab, about two hundred.”

The glimpse I stole of him didn’t seem like he was lying.

What kind of pirate group has two hundred people?

Well, it’s not entirely impossible. It’s the Order that has eliminated several pirate groups and swallowed their territories. If they absorbed all the remnants, it wouldn’t be impossible.

“How many people left today?”

“Leave?”

“Are you pretending not to know?”

“St, stop! I know! Stop!”

Feeling the strength in the dagger I was holding, he quickly continued.

“Tw, two ships left. About sixty or seventy pirates went with them? And four black guys left, two on each ship.”

“Black guys? Are you talking about knights?”

“Yes! Those black guys!”

Their outfits are all black.

Nodding, I slightly released the strength in the dagger.

“There’s a building that those black guys were guarding. What’s in there?”

“I don’t know! How would we know what those bastards are doing!”

“You don’t seem to have a good relationship for being coworkers.”

“Damn it, not only did they drag us here by force, but they also put a strange spell on us. They say if we run away, our eyes will turn over and we’ll die. How can we have a good relationship?”

“I guess so.”

“Ye, yes. My life is already ruined anyway. So, can’t you just spare me? I’m pathetic.”

I shrugged at his words begging for his life.

“So, how many of those black guys are left here?”

“Four! And their boss.”

“Boss?”

“Yeah. The black guys were all very polite to him? Don’t ask who it is. How would a low-ranking guy like me know?”

Four went to the island where Jescal is, and four are left here. And the ones left are protecting the boss.

Boss, a person of interest… Then it makes sense that the Unholy Knights, not the pirates, are directly guarding him.

“So, how many ships are left here?”

“Three.”

“Is that all?”

“Of course, there are more. But they’re not here now. They’re probably having fun somewhere else.”

“Fun?”

I belatedly realized that ‘fun’ meant plunder, judging from the faintly smiling corner of his mouth.

Right. I forgot for a moment. These guys’ essence was pirates. Even before being captured by the Order, they would have burned innocent villages, killed men, and defiled women.

Although they hated each other, the Order and the pirates were united under the evil act of plunder.

They’re the kind of guys who don’t even deserve the air they breathe.

I put strength into the hand holding the dagger.

“Kihyuk…”

He made a sound of air escaping, stuck out his tongue, and died.

Hiding his corpse out of sight, I slowly walked out of the forest.

[What are you going to do? If he’s protecting the boss, his subordinates must be quite strong too, right?] Ahphen [a companion or entity] asked me what I was going to do as I took a moment to catch my breath.

Well, what should I do? If the boss is really on this island, then his subordinates would be composed of elites, as Ahphen said. Then this island is a very dangerous place.

But…

“But I can’t just back down.”

[Are you just going to proceed?]

“Still, I came all the way here, so I have to earn my keep.”

[Earn your keep?]

“I have to find evidence.”

Evidence.

The purpose and reason for coming to the Southern Islands in the first place. That was to find the link between Rodkius [a political figure or enemy] and the Neviros Order.

Finding and executing the black-haired man and finding the origins of the Order’s inner workings and strange abilities can be postponed a little later.

What’s important right now is to secure justification as soon as possible to punish Rodkius and unite the kingdom internally.

The rest are problems that can be solved by firmly backing the kingdom.

[If that evidence is here, then the boss is the key, right?]

“Probably.”

[But don’t forget it’s dangerous. You almost got into big trouble on that island too. I saved you with my quick wit!]

“… I won’t do anything reckless as long as I’m alone. I’m just going to prepare a little.”

[Prepare?]

Instead of answering, I rummaged through the subspace bag on my waist.

Soon, in my hand was a bottle of oil that I had brought enough of for camping or making torches.

[Oh ho? Are you going to set a fire? Where?]

“The ships.”

[The ships? Why?]

“Because we don’t have wings.”

[There you go again! Explain it properly!]

“… If a battle breaks out, the victory or defeat will probably be decided quickly. Lordain is a great warrior, not a cunning strategist.”

[He’s just going to charge in and destroy everything?]

“Yeah. For example, the guys who understand the situation might run away quickly. There’s no need to worry if Lordain adjusts the pace appropriately… but like I said, it’s Lordain.”

[I guess.]

I sighed at Lordain’s personality, which even Ahphen acknowledged.

“If they run away by ship, we have no way to chase them. So, to prevent that, we have to burn all the ships.”

[I see! But are you going to do it now? Then you’ll get caught right away?]

“… Of course not. I’m going to paint the sails with oil. If they try to unfurl the sails to escape, they’ll be a great target. And then you or Fleta [another companion with magical abilities] can use a very simple fire magic and it’ll be over.”

[I see!]

Why didn’t Kerwyn instill smart wisdom into this guy?

Well, if the daughter he adopted was an old man who had transcended the world, that would be weird in its own way.

Tsking my tongue, I moved like a shadow, using the darkness as a friend.

The goal is clear. The three sailing ships that stand like fortresses on the coast. One of them was bigger and more luxurious than the usual pirate ship.

Is that the one the boss is riding?

I wondered if I should look inside, but I shook my head. It was too uncertain to take a risk.

Let’s remember. I’m the only one here right now.

Secretly immersing myself in the sea, I walked through the water with Dark Vision activated. Soon, I found the anchor that had been lowered from the pirate ship, and I grabbed the anchor rope and slowly began to surface.

After that, it was smooth sailing.

There were a few people standing guard on the ship, but befitting their pirate origins, they were extremely lax.

Thanks to that, I climbed up the mast without much effort and began to soak the sails, which were rolled up for mooring, with oil.

Will they smell the oil?

I didn’t think I needed to worry. The torches that had already been lit to provide light were giving off a pungent smell.

After sufficiently oiling the ship’s mainmast, which was the largest sail, I took a deep breath and crouched down as much as possible.

Then, I leaped towards another pirate ship moored nearby.

A silent flight continued above the ground, tens of meters above. Soon, I landed lightly on the mast like a cat and surveyed the deck while crouching.

It didn’t seem like I was caught. They were still just yawning and nodding off.

[You’re like a black cat in the moonlight.]

“Shut up.”

After silencing Ahphen, I took out the oil bottle again. Then, I began to apply it to the sails as if applying hair oil.

After oiling all three sailing ships’ sails, I took a moment to catch my breath when I felt an atmosphere that broke the silence that had been quiet until now, and I quickly turned my head. At the end of that gaze was the newly built building that I had been paying close attention to.

The front of the building was busy. The figures that came out through the entrance of the building gathered together and began to buzz.

Who came out? Could it be the boss?

It was a pity that I couldn’t hear the voices because the distance was hundreds of meters away. Because even a small piece of information was precious.

“What’s going on?”

[Didn’t you get caught?]

“Well, they’re having a very friendly conversation, so I don’t think so.”

It didn’t seem like I was caught. But still, I held my breath and waited quietly. The senses of the knights are extremely sensitive, so I shouldn’t give them even the slightest chance.

After a few minutes that felt like hours, the figures slowly began to move. And the place they were heading was the ship I was hiding on.

This is not good news.

[You didn’t really get caught, did you?]

“…….”

No way? It can’t be. They don’t have a radar on their heads, how could they find out that I’m oiling the sails from this distance?

Let’s not panic.

I quickly looked around for an escape route. If necessary, I’ll use the crest and jump into the sea as it is. Then, I’ll walk through the shallow sea as I’ve been doing and escape through the distant mountain range.

As I made that decision and gathered my strength, that’s when it happened.

“…….”

The five figures approaching this place, four of them were Unholy Knights in all black attire.

And the remaining one.

Was it a trick of fate? That one person was a face that still remained clearly in my mind.

The Bashrun territory war that happened a year or two ago.

The mastermind behind the three nobles who caused the civil war at that time, and the successor of the Rodkius family who dealt me a big blow.

‘…Alione Rodkius!’

That guy was now walking towards me on this island.