How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 257

The sky was gloomy. The torrential rain that had poured down overnight had lessened, but a persistent drizzle remained this morning.

The sun was hidden behind the rain clouds, creating a dark, overcast atmosphere—perfect conditions for a surprise attack.

‘A somber beginning for such a momentous first operation,’ I thought.

Feeling the strong wind rushing past my ears, I looked down.

Brin Castle, seen from the dizzying height, looked tiny, like a sandcastle built by children on a beach.

“Kyak!”

As the target stronghold came into view, I gently pressed down on the Gryphon’s neck. The Gryphon responded with a fierce cry and began a steep descent.

“Pee-ik-!”

As if answering that cry, the Hippogriff squadron following behind me also cried out, and the knights riding them began their descent, mirroring my movements.

The Sky Knights. A secret weapon, painstakingly created and trained. Today, their existence would finally be revealed.

Last night, during the strategy meeting, Duke Bashrun had stared at me as if I’d lost my mind when I unveiled my plan.

‘The Sky Knights?’

‘Yes, my knights.’

‘You possess such a knight order?’

‘It’s a knight order that has been kept secret until now for security reasons. Given the timing, it seems most appropriate to deploy them now.’

After I briefed him on the general capabilities of the Sky Knights and the plan to strike Brin Castle, Duke Bashrun couldn’t find a logical reason to refuse.

A unit that could bypass the high, thick walls and strike directly at the heart of the castle? How could he possibly reject that?

Of course, there was some debate about whether deploying such a secret weapon was truly necessary at this stage. However, the 4th Corps’ advance was remarkably swift, and to maintain that momentum, we couldn’t afford to get bogged down at Brin Castle.

The Southern Army’s strategy was transparent: hold us off for as long as possible at Brin Castle, reorganize their shattered forces, and attempt a more organized defense from the rear. That shortsighted plan had to be crushed immediately.

I pushed aside those lingering thoughts. Brin Castle, firmly rooted to the ground, grew larger with each passing moment.

The soldiers guarding the walls hadn’t spotted us yet, thanks to the dark sky and strong winds. It was the perfect element of surprise.

“Good heavens! What is that?”

Finally, as we drew close enough to distinguish the enemy’s faces, the soldiers screamed as they noticed the approaching Hippogriff squadron.

But it was already too late.

“Yulker! Open the gates!”

At my command, Yulker, the leader of the Sky Knights, raised his hand and gave the signal. Simultaneously, the Hippogriffs following me surged towards the firmly closed gates.

As for me?

I kicked off the Gryphon’s back and leaped towards the center of the castle.

The Gryphon didn’t even glance back as it soared back into the sky, a testament to its understanding of my intentions.

*Is it because it’s a divine beast?*

Thud! Thud! Thud!

At the same time, a heart-shaking drumbeat echoed from beyond the walls. The 4th Corps, having witnessed our descent, had begun their advance with impeccable timing.

The Sky Knights will handle the gates. My next course of action is clear.

Eliminate the variables.

Narrowing my eyes, I focused my senses, feeling a prickling sensation on my skin from various locations.

“It’s a surprise attack! Defend! Defend the gates!”

A commander in disheveled attire, as if he had just rushed out of the barracks upon hearing the drums, was frantically issuing orders.

I immediately kicked off the ground and charged towards him. I swung my sword, bisecting his waist, then turned my head to spot those running towards the walls.

Frail-looking bodies. Intelligent eyes that contrasted with their physical weakness. Mages.

The atmosphere inside the castle was chaotic. The soldiers who met my gaze seemed unsure whether I was friend or foe.

How absurd.

Ignoring them, I picked up a fist-sized stone from the ground and leaped.

Hoo-eup!

In mid-air, I drew my hand back, then unleashed explosive power as I hurled the stone.

Boo-woong!

The stone, flying with an unnerving sound, pierced straight through the chest of the mage who was climbing the castle stairs.

“Keo-eok…….”

I have no interest in death rattles. Immediately after throwing the stone, I spun around to find another mage.

Some quick-witted individuals, finally grasping the situation as they saw me moving like a shadow with a low posture, screamed.

“Protect the mages!”

*Will you be able to?*

I smirked and infused mana into my sword, swinging it horizontally. The bodies of a group of soldiers blocking my path were cleaved apart, their souls departing this world.

“He’s no ordinary soldier! He’s a knight!”

Knights face knights.

Following that old-fashioned but unchanging principle, knights who had belatedly rushed out of the barracks charged at me.

“You!”

At the threat that held no menace, I swung my sword without a word. Fragments of mana scattered in the clash of auras.

The clash lasted no more than three exchanges. With the first strike, I shattered the opponent’s aura; with the second, I severed his sword; and with the third, I claimed his life.

I kicked the headless knight’s corpse aside to clear a path and ran again. The mage’s face grew paler as my approach drew closer.

“Fi, Fireball!”

*Is he still a war mage [a mage specializing in combat magic]?*

A large fireball materialized in front of the mage, who somehow managed to chant the spell with trembling hands.

But I didn’t avoid it. I didn’t even attempt to deflect it. I simply ran.

Just before the fireball touched my body, the armor hidden beneath my black cloak shimmered.

The great magic circle devised by Kerwyn himself [likely a powerful enchanter or artificer].

It absorbed my mana in an instant and extinguished the fireball that had been about to engulf me.

“What is this……?”

That brief question was the last utterance he made in this world. I withdrew the sword that had pierced his heart and casually turned to find another mage.

Drrrk…….

At the same time, I heard a heavy grinding sound on the ground. It was the Sky Knights, having seized the mechanism room, throwing open the castle gates.

“Charge! Charge! Break through!”

“Find the lord of the castle!”

Through the opened gates, warhorses charged in at full speed, crashing in without restraint.

The knights of the allied forces riding atop them clashed against the hastily formed defenses inside the castle gates, emitting a fierce aura.

“Kuh-erk!”

“Aaaaargh!”

Shredded by auras, pierced by spears, and trampled under hooves, fountains of blood erupted in all directions.

The knights who clashed first dismounted and began securing the opened gates, eliminating the remaining enemy soldiers.

Of course, the onslaught showed no signs of stopping. The relentless cavalry charge was so intense that it seemed they would have crashed into the castle walls and died if the gates hadn’t been opened.

“Kain Arphen!”

As I watched the brutal charge, I heard someone calling my name. Turning my head, I saw a figure clad in armor bearing the crest of the Bringer County.

It wasn’t a familiar face. I lowered the hand holding my sword, faced him, and tilted my head.

“Do you know me?”

“I saw your face a few years ago during the Vashrun Civil War when you acted as a mediator.”

“Ah, is that so?”

My indifferent response seemed to discourage him from expecting a warm welcome, as he gave a bitter smile.

“Liang Bros.”

“A knight of the lord?”

“Indeed. I am the commander of the Bringer Knights.”

“Where is the lord of the castle?”

“He heard the news of the gate being opened and took his own life. A lord who has lost his castle has lost everything.”

A moment of silence passed. Liang lowered his head briefly before speaking again.

“You brought a formidable secret weapon.”

“I didn’t expect to use it here. Such a magnificent castle was blocking the way.”

Of course, the sturdy Bring Castle was now being ruthlessly violated with its gates wide open.

Liang Bringer also glanced at the scene and smiled bitterly.

“Thank you for the compliment. But that’s all in the past now.”

“Will you surrender?”

“Are you joking?”

No further conversation was needed. I raised my sword, and Liang also powerfully lifted his sword. It was then.

“Chief of Staff!”

Several allied knights who saw the confrontation between me and Liang rushed over. But I raised my hand to stop them.

Liang gave a faint smile at my gesture.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

No further conversation was needed. Liang raised his left hand, tore off the cloak he was wearing, and threw it away. Then, he took a stance and charged straight at me.

A posture of all-or-nothing. I slightly twisted my sword to skillfully deflect Liang’s attack.

Liang quickly twisted his waist from the missed attack. But my sword had already seized the opening and pierced his heart.

“Damn it.”

After uttering that short farewell, Liang’s body slowly crumbled.

* * *

On the evening of the fierce battle, Duke Vashrun summoned me. I, who had been handling all sorts of trivial post-war matters, headed to the lord’s hall with a sense of relief.

As I entered the hall, the Duke, who was rubbing his temples as if his head was throbbing, showed a bright expression when he saw me.

“Let’s have a drink.”

As the Duke reached out, a bottle of wine floated from the cabinet at the edge of the hall using magic. Following that, Duke Vashrun summoned two glasses and poured the wine casually.

A drink with the commander… It’s not even surprising anymore. He’s relatively easygoing in private.

“What is the extent of the damage?”

“Hey, is the Chief of Staff trying to receive a report from the commander right now?”

“I have more than one or two things to do.”

Duke Vashrun, who chuckled at my blunt reply, nodded.

“Would you believe it if I told you it’s less than the damage we took in the first skirmish? Good heavens, dropping the Sky Knights [airborne knights] in the middle of the castle using raw materials? I feel like everything I knew about tactics is being denied.”

“It’s something you can’t use twice.”

“I suppose so?”

“I’ve done my best to surround and control the castle, but there will definitely be fleeing remnants. And they will inform the enemies of the details. And then there are the civilians who survived in this castle.”

“If there were no fleeing remnants, what would you have done?”

Are you thinking of killing all the civilians to prevent the secret weapon from leaking out? Why are you being so childish?

I sighed at Duke Vashrun’s smiling face.

“I’ll think about it when the time comes.”

“How boring.”

Duke Vashrun, who seemed to have lost interest, drank his wine and waved his hand, and a map of the south unfolded on the table.

“We have quite a bit of time before the defeat of Bring Castle becomes known. Well, let’s say about a week if we’re generous. The remnants will be hiding like mice for the time being to avoid being caught by the search party.”

A week.

Perhaps Marquis Rodkius doesn’t think Bring Castle will last a very long time either. But he wouldn’t think it would collapse overnight either.

In other words, there is at least time to catch them completely off guard. And Duke Vashrun called me to put our heads together and think about how to use that time.

And the answer was already decided.

“It’s only a matter of time before the Sky Knights become known. We must reap all the benefits we can within that time.”

“That’s right, that’s right. So how?”

“Well, shall we go to Rodkius’s territory, which he believes is safe in the rear, and stage a show of force?”

At my words, Duke Vashrun narrowed his eyes, and I shook my head.

“I can’t even make a joke.”

“I’m a selfish old man who only likes the jokes I make, our faithful Chief of Staff.”

I sighed deeply and nodded.

“Alright. Do you have any thoughts on future plans?”

“The answer varies depending on how much you can do.”

“I can do everything.”

At my firm answer, Duke Vashrun finally began to let out a chilling laugh.