How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 253

I was momentarily stunned by the Marquis’s words, but a thunderous shout jolted me back to my senses.

“His Majesty the King is entering!”

The massive doors began to open. Soon, King Belintess appeared, and the court musicians began to play a solemn tune. At the same time, the maids waiting on either side of the door scattered pure white flower petals into the air.

The women dancing slightly lifted their skirts with both hands and curtsied, while the men knelt on one knee at the grand entrance.

My group and I also rose from our seats and paid our respects. I slowly knelt on one knee and lowered my head, a subtle sneer on my face.

‘Marquis Rodkius? In Capital [the kingdom’s main city and political center]?’

He’s no ordinary man. Capital is like walking into the tiger’s den for him.

I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.

King Belintess, dressed in golden robes, waved his hand. Behind him followed Master Graham, the commander of the Royal Knights.

Belintess had a slightly naive and innocent expression, befitting his age. Of course, that was just an act.

“Everyone, please rise. Thank you for attending my banquet today. I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

After speaking, Belintess sat in a specially prepared seat, and Graham stood firmly by the King’s side.

The music changed back to a waltz. The paused banquet resumed.

I slowly sat down and whispered to the Marquis, “Marquis Rodkius is entering the palace?”

“Of course, there’s a justification. All nobles are welcome to banquets held in Capital. But that was just a formality. I didn’t expect him to actually come here.”

“Well, he probably came to see me.”

“Wouldn’t you think so? Even the neighborhood kids know you’re playing the role of a royal lackey.”

“How kind of you to say that.”

The Marquis smiled and said,

“What are you planning to do?”

Marquis Halin’s eyes gleamed.

‘Is he testing me? He’s always eager to take a bite.’

I shook my head.

“I don’t know. But given the location, Marquis Rodkius won’t do anything out of the ordinary, even if his son is held hostage. But this isn’t good.”

“Not good?”

“It applies to us as well. This is Capital.”

“Oh, would you explain in detail?”

‘You know why, you sly old fox.’

“Rodkius is a powerful noble. The manors he owns in the South alone are enormous. If he were to become independent, he could establish a small kingdom with just his vassals. Such a great noble cannot be easily oppressed in Capital, where influential figures gather—at least, not now.”

Marquis Halin filled my glass with wine. I took it and took a sip.

“Moreover, Marquis Rodkius is the *de facto* [in reality, even if not legally recognized] supporter of the anti-royalist faction. Even nobles who don’t follow him consider him an important figure. As always, excessive royal intervention is a cause for concern for all nobles, regardless of their inclinations. He’s a welcome shield against the King. And even the royalists who are loyal to His Majesty feel the same way deep down.”

“Indeed. So?”

“No matter how many accusations there are against him, he must still be treated as a meritorious subject of the kingdom unless there is an official announcement. And more than anything…”

“More than anything?”

“Marquis Rodkius must not be captured here. He must fall in the South. The reason is an extension of what I said earlier.”

Marquis Halin smiled and nodded in satisfaction at my answer.

“I see.”

“Let’s postpone the plan for a while. Let’s watch for now. Then we’ll decide. But preparations must continue so we can start at any time.”

“Just say the word. It’s possible anytime.”

“Even here?”

“There are investigators here too.”

‘How scary.’ I swept my gaze across the banquet hall without realizing it. The thought of secret investigators disguised and hidden here made the back of my neck tingle.

Marquis Halin chuckled at my reaction and added,

“Be careful with Rodkius. Like you said, he’s a bear who lost his cub. You must keep that in mind. Don’t think of antagonizing him rashly. Any conflict would be a problem in itself. After all, this is the royal palace. It would be unsightly for guests to fight in a place that clearly has an owner.”

A bear who lost his cub… The symbol of the Rodkius family was a huge grizzly.

I lowered my voice slightly.

“Where is his son, Alione, now?”

“The investigators are in charge. The exact location is confidential.”

“I understand.”

Silence returned.

I sipped my wine and looked around the banquet hall.

Many nobles were greeting the King and presenting their gifts. That trite and old-fashioned scene was interrupted by a clattering sound from afar.

Wait, clattering?

I turned my head in disbelief, and Marquis Halin’s expression began to harden. I immediately rose from my seat, and Ilia and Ruth followed suit.

But Jescal moved even faster than us. He was at the same table as us, and he headed for the door with his hand on his sword hilt.

In that short time, a loud shout was heard from outside the door.

“Get out of the way!”

“M-Marquis! No one is allowed to enter here armed except for the Royal Knights!”

“Then only I will enter. I’m empty-handed, aren’t I? Get out of the way!”

Thud!

The massive door opened, revealing a man wrapped in a black cloak. The palace official, pushed aside, stumbled but tried to grab him, but unfortunately, he ended up falling on his butt.

The man, having removed the obstacle, strode confidently into the banquet hall.

With each step, the silver-shining breastplate and gauntlets, and the steel greaves that shook the ground, were slightly revealed from within the cloak.

Looking up, I saw a magnificent physique and a strong middle-aged face to match. Dark brown hair and a very short, trimmed beard.

It was the appearance I had heard of before.

Marquis Rodkius.

Glancing out the door, I saw a group dressed similarly to Marquis Rodkius standing in an orderly fashion. They seemed to be his knights.

“Is that possible?”

At the implied question of whether a noble’s knights could enter the palace, Marquis Halin shrugged.

“I just told them to let him in. His Majesty also approved. Well, I didn’t expect him to be so rude. But considering what’s to come, it’s not bad. Should I rather thank him? He’s volunteering to be the villain.”

“Isn’t there a safety issue?”

“Huh. Tell me, Count Cain, was the Royal Knights such a secretive group?”

As Marquis Halin said, the Royal Knights, including Jescal, who had already rushed out, surrounded the Marquis at a certain distance.

On the other hand, Commander Graham remained standing by the King’s side, but his intense energy remained unchanged.

The banquet hall instantly became as silent as if ice water had been poured over it. Everyone’s eyes were on Marquis Rodkius, but he ignored the Royal Knights surrounding him as if he couldn’t see them, and bowed to the King.

“I apologize for the commotion, Your Majesty. I will only take care of my business and leave, so please bear with me.”

He was rude—rude to the point of arrogance.

The Marquis, without even hearing the King’s reply, turned his head and looked around the banquet hall. Then, he easily found me and twisted his lips.

Thud, thud, thud.

The Marquis’s footsteps echoed through the silent banquet hall. In addition, the Royal Knights also moved without releasing the encirclement.

Finally, the Marquis arrived in front of me and tilted his head. It was a bitter smile.

“Nice to meet you, Count Cain.”

I also stood up from my seat and faced him.

“Nice to meet you, Marquis Rodkius.”

He looked at the wine glass in my hand and erased his smile.

“You’re living a pretty peaceful life for a kidnapper. I should say you’re brave.”

He didn’t seem to want to lower his voice. His intention was clear.

The surroundings became a little noisy with murmurs. So I didn’t bother to speak quietly either.

“Kidnapping? Far from it. It’s protection.”

“From what?”

“From the subversive purposes of mocking the kingdom.”

“Are you trying to play word games?”

“Where do you think this is for me to joke around?”

“I’ll be direct.”

The Marquis took another step closer to me. Now the distance between his face and mine was only a hand span [approximately 9 inches]. I could see the anger quietly burning in the Marquis’s eyes.

“Give me back my son.”

“There will be a summons soon. If you faithfully participate in the investigation and cooperate, you will get what you want.”

“Summons? Who summons whom?”

“The royal family summons the Rodkius family.”

“With what right?”

“With the right that the vassal entrusted to the lord while swearing allegiance.”

At my words, Marquis Rodkius whispered in a low but strong tone.

“Cain Arphen, is all you do with that brilliant mind to be a dog for the royal family? What a joke! To bury the ambition that could shine in filth and fade away. I can’t help but lament.”

“Is that so?”

“Mistakes can be corrected; that’s why they are mistakes. It’s not too late. Give me back my son and accept the invitation from my family.”

“I will accept the invitation. I don’t think you’re going to respond to the summons anyway. I’ll see you soon.”

“With swords and spears?”

“It’s not polite to go empty-handed.”

The Marquis growled.

“Good, but you’ll regret it.”

“They say that those who force regret on others look pathetic.”

“I hope you have the skills to match that venomous tongue.”

“I’ll try. And I’d like to say one more thing.”

“I don’t allow it.”

“You’ve made a very dangerous friend.”

A small but definite flinch.

The Marquis’s eyes wavered, but the movement disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

“Are you going to interfere with my friendships now?”

“You said that mistakes can be corrected; that’s why they are mistakes. I’ll return those words to you.”

“A crude counterattack.”

After speaking, the Marquis turned around without hesitation. Then, he looked at the King, who was quietly watching the situation from afar, and opened his mouth.

“I’ll take my leave now. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon, so I hope you stay healthy until then.”

It was a clear declaration of war.

The Royal Knights, including Jescal, who were listening, hardened their faces. The Marquis sneered at the sight.

“You’re not thinking of inviting me to the banquet and using it as a trap, are you? Protect your honor. Of course, I don’t know if there’s any honor left since you kidnapped my son.”

The Royal Knights looked at Commander Graham. Graham, who was standing next to the King, nodded slightly, and the encirclement slowly loosened.

With that, Marquis Rodkius fluttered his cloak once to wrap himself again and left the banquet hall with a sneer.

The situation began to change rapidly. The nobles who had watched the series of events quickly made their judgments. Just as the nobles who were connected to Rodkius were about to leave in a hurry,

“Let’s begin.”

At my words, Marquis Halin Irphe raised his hand.

All the people who were supposed to gather had already gathered. Of course, some were late to enter the palace, but Marquis Rodkius’s appearance meant there was no more time to delay.

Squeak-!

The door leading to the banquet hall was firmly closed. The King’s figure had disappeared. The Royal Knights who had been stationed in advance began to guard the door.

Marquis Halin Irphe slowly moved towards the platform. Then, he lightly bowed his head and slowly opened his mouth to the audience.

“I hope all of you will wait here without exception.”

It was a cruel remark. Those with bright minds understood the situation by connecting it to the appearance of Marquis Rodkius earlier, but some of the dull ones had puzzled faces.

Soon, the nobles began to frown and protest. Of course, most of them were naturally Rodkius’s henchmen and anti-royalist forces.

Looking at them, Marquis Halin smiled.

“It’s not a request. It’s an order.”