How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 258

How to Live as the Third Son of a Wasted Masterpiece – Episode 259

The honor of a knight should be purely honorable, and only undefiled, righteous things should follow that name.

But in my case, it’s different.

To me, honor is just a heavy, cumbersome fur coat soaked in water. It’s just that I can’t walk around naked in front of everyone else, so I have to wear it—a truly miserable and inefficient garment.

Of course, I’m ready to throw it off at any opportunity. And Duke Bashrun, in front of me, is also a figure close to a similar nudist.

That’s why Duke Bashrun smiled slightly at my words implying he was a shady duke.

“Everything? Are you sure?”

“Are you really asking because you’re worried?”

“Of course! Aren’t you the undisputed strategic genius and paragon of knights in our Allied Forces?”

“……Let’s get to the point.”

When I frowned, Duke Bashrun laughed heartily and raised his hand.

“Alright, alright. Um, you know that you have to pass through three gates to enter the Rodkius family’s direct territory, right?”

“Yes. Brinn, Gorgon, and Antioch in order. We captured Brinn today, so there are two left.”

“That’s right. And while our 4th Corps, the main force of the Allied Forces, is at the forefront heading towards enemy territory, the other corps are focusing on occupying and stabilizing the areas we’ve passed through.”

“Why are you bringing up facts that everyone knows?”

“How about bypassing Gorgon Castle?”

I gave a bitter smile at Duke Bashrun’s words. It’s not like I hadn’t thought about that too, but it’s realistically impossible. This is enemy territory, after all.

If we leave Gorgon Castle, a key enemy stronghold, behind us, how on earth are we supposed to get supplies?

Local supply is also out of the question. The land we’ve already passed through has been turned into black earth by its original owners [scorched earth policy].

“Are you saying we should head to Antioch with Gorgon Castle behind us? That would be annihilation.”

“But if we use the week that we… no, let me correct that. If we use the week that you earned as efficiently as possible, bypassing Gorgon Castle is the most efficient way. As I said, they still don’t know that Brinn Castle has fallen.”

“You want to go straight to Antioch?”

“If we destroy only that place, it’s right in the territory of that wicked Rodkius. If we capture Brinn and Gorgon, these two castles, in order, they will realize that Antioch is their last bastion. Then our advance will surely stop, and from then on, we will be showing our weaknesses to the enemy.”

The prolongation of the war is the Allied Forces’ fatal Achilles’ heel. The Allied Forces are made up of troops from various regions and numerous nobles, so as time goes on, division will inevitably arise from within.

Besides, it’s almost full winter. Even though the South has a relatively warm climate, winter is still winter. The harsh weather will gradually erode the body and mind and eventually make them sick.

Considering these points, it is understandable that Duke Bashrun is showing impatience.

But…….

“But even if we succeed in bypassing it, the 4th Corps will be isolated. We will be burdened with countless unpredictable variables.”

“That’s why I called you to reduce those variables.”

“Do you have a good plan?”

“Yes, if we have you and the Azure Knights.”

Duke Bashrun sent a meaningful look, and I could easily read the intention in that look.

“You want me to destroy the command system of Gorgon Castle?”

“Wow! You know everything when I say one thing. Give me a chance to speak, won’t you?”

Duke Bashrun’s words were simple: if we bypass Gorgon Castle, there may be a problem of being attacked from the front and back and being surrounded.

Then it’s simple. Instead of wasting our strength to capture the castle, why not just make it impossible for them to come out of the castle?

Troops who have lost their commander cannot leave the castle. No, even if they want to go out on their own, they can’t. That’s a crime [insubordination].

“Is authority a cumbersome garment?”

Duke Bashrun sent a proud look at my words.

“That’s right.”

“I see. Command is a sacred thing. It’s not something that individual aides or knights can wield. That would be infringing on the rights of the owner of Gorgon Castle.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“If we kill all the nobles in Gorgon Castle, that force won’t be able to move until a legitimate successor from elsewhere appears later. That’s a really despicable idea.”

“Isn’t it despicable?”

“It’s very despicable.”

Duke Bashrun and I smiled at each other.

He’s a shady guy. Of course, that applies to me too.

I nodded.

It certainly makes sense. After all, the Allied Forces’ goal is Marquis Rodkius. The fewer conflicts with other forces, the better. Once we defeat Marquis Rodkius, those small fries will submit on their own.

“Alright. I will select the necessary personnel and go on the operation. What about the commander?”

“I will lead the corps and bypass it. I’ll take care of that. I have a conscience, you know.”

“Will we join up in Antioch?”

“That’s right.”

“Then it will be a counterattack. What was there…… um, Plainsi Plains, right?”

Duke Bashrun’s eyes widened at my words predicting the future.

“You thought that far?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“If it’s obvious, it’s obvious. But you just told me about the bypass operation.”

“Because 1 plus 1 is 2.”

Bypass Gorgon Castle and destroy Antioch Castle, which is not yet fully prepared. Then immediately enter the territory of Marquis Rodkius.

That would put the Marquis in a very troublesome situation. Antioch, a huge castle right in front of his territory, becomes the base of the Allied Forces.

In short, the battlefield is changing to his own home.

He probably wants to prevent that at all costs. Then it’s obvious how he will come out.

“He will probably send troops as soon as he learns that Antioch Castle is under attack. We will have shed enough blood in the siege, so he will try not to give us time to recover.”

“You’re planning to take advantage of that, Commander.”

“Yes. I will confront the rats rushing in thinking of a siege head-on and wipe them out in an instant. And then I will immediately take advantage of the momentum and pierce the heart of Marquis Rodkius.”

How hot-blooded.

Of course, if we only consider the gains and losses, it would be better to defend in the occupied castle, but if we do that, it will be difficult to inflict a devastating blow on the enemy. As much as it is difficult for the enemy to attack, it will be difficult for us to jump out of the besieged castle.

On the other hand, if we face each other head-on instead of in a castle, the risk is high, but the return is certain. If we win, we can take an overwhelmingly advantageous momentum and end the war in an instant.

The deliberation wasn’t long. I am also vehemently opposed to the war dragging on. Should I rather be grateful that Duke Bashrun is not being passive?

I got up from my seat and bowed lightly.

“There’s no need to delay any longer. I’ll be on my way.”

“That’s right. Chief of Staff.”

“Then rest well.”

“See you in Antioch.”

There was no send-off. Duke Bashrun just took out the paper and began to rack his brains to come up with a bypass operation.

I also didn’t particularly want a warm welcome, so I lightly left the tent.

* * *

“It’s an operation.”

“I’ll go too.”

Ilia, who had been waiting outside the tent, declared her participation as soon as I finished speaking.

“Do you even know what kind of operation it is?”

“You’re going anyway, aren’t you, Count? I’ll protect you from the side.”

“Can you ride a hippogriff?”

“I don’t know.”

Ilia is also a member of the Azure Knights, but to ride a hippogriff, you had to build a long-term bond and practice flying for a long time. Unfortunately, Ilia didn’t have time for that.

“Then how are you going to go with me?”

“I can ride behind you, Count.”

Who does she think I am, a taxi driver?

When I looked at her with a frown, Ilia coughed in vain.

“It’s not possible. It’s a one-seater.”

“Don’t lie. Didn’t you take me and Baron Redran on the griffin together when you went to the North before?”

Ah, that’s right. I did.

When I closed my mouth feeling cornered, Ilia gave a faint smile. It’s the expression of a winner.

Damn it.

“……Do as you please.”

“Thank you.”

Ilia followed me with a brightened face as if she was happy that permission had been granted.

Hanging her behind me like a tail, I headed to the barracks where the Azure Knights were staying.

Soon, when I entered the huge tent with the griffin crest hanging at the entrance, the eyes of the knights who were taking personal maintenance widened.

Just for a moment, Yulker, who was quick to notice, jumped up from his seat and slammed his heels hard. The knights who came to their senses also took a still posture.

“Have you come, Lord?”

“Yes, listen comfortably while resting.”

When I waved my hand, Yulker gave a look, and the atmosphere became more comfortable. I nodded with a small smile.

“There’s an operation tomorrow night.”

At my words, the knights, including Yulker, only nodded.

What are they, robots? Don’t they have any questions? They would nod even if they were told to jump into a fire pit.

When I clicked my tongue, Yulker, who sensed the atmosphere, opened his mouth with a cautious attitude.

“May I ask about the outline of the operation?”

“The destination is Gorgon Castle. The goal is to assassinate the lord of Gorgon Castle and his family.”

In an instant, the atmosphere became heavy again. Yulker had a sullen expression, and I drove a wedge into it.

“Yes, it’s an assassination operation. The meaning is to neutralize the command of the troops by destroying the leadership. In the meantime, the corps will bypass the castle.”

“…….”

“Of course, it’s called assassination, but there will be close combat. There will definitely be knights guarding the residence.”

Only a year ago, they were judged to be disabled and dropped out of the knight candidates to become heavy cavalry. But now they are clearly full-fledged knights who handle mana.

How will the operation I told them sound to these people? Will they bring up their honor in accordance with the common notions of the world?

The worry was unfounded.

“That sounds fun.”

One Azure Knight said.

“Under the wings of the Azure Knights, they are already dead.”

“I don’t care how many knights are guarding them. What can those guys who were burning their fat on a sunny beach see?”

“I know, right! If you put them in the sky fortress, they’ll be crying and looking for their mom in a day?”

The leader, Yulker, smiled at the sight of the members laughing and looked at me.

“Do you have any more orders?”

“No. Get some rest.”

At my command, the Azure Knights, including Yulker, paid their respects, and I waved my hand and left the barracks.

On the other hand, Ilia’s face, following behind me, was half pale.

“Was that the operation?”

“Why, do you want to back out now?”

“……That’s not it!”

She shook her head firmly and then asked back in a small voice.

“Will you be okay, Count?”

The meaning is clear. She must be worried about my honor.

When this war is over, as it should be, all battles and results will be recorded in history. And the Gorgon Castle raid operation will also be written down without any lies about the planner and commander of the operation.

I scoffed at the question of whether I would be okay with taking on such a disgraceful thing.

“Ilia.”

“Yes.”

“After seeing me for the past few years, do you still not know me well?”

“I know, but the things that have happened so far have been strictly unofficial…….”

Listening to Ilia’s words, I looked up at the sky.

A clear early winter sky without a single cloud. Feeling the vastness that is no different from the sky of Earth, I shook my head.

“I just want to finish this quickly and go home.”