How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 261

How to Live as the Third Son of a Wasted Noble – Episode 262

Rahenna is a druid skilled in magic, and Lordain is a master of elemental magic. Both have lived long lives and witnessed much of this continent’s history. It stands to reason they’ve seen and heard a thing or two.

Yet, even they struggled to understand the Twilight Plan I described.

“That stuttering druid [referring to Kalandart] mentioned things that should have disappeared, right? Is that connected to this ‘Twilight’ thing?”

Rahenna frowned, listening to Lordain’s question.

“How crude.”

“Think what you want, wolf girl.”

Wolf girl? Well, Rahenna *can* transform into a wolf.

I quickly intervened, worried they’d start bickering.

“We need to consider something first. What did Kalandart mean by ‘things that should have disappeared remain’?”

Luth, who’d been scratching his head, shrugged at my question.

“Wouldn’t undead be a prime example? Isn’t it obvious that those who should be dead are still wandering around?”

“He said he felt it recently. There were undead monsters before that, too.”

“Ah, that’s right. Then what about those Unholy Knights? I heard some of them survived even after being stabbed through the heart.”

“Those guys… Hmm, Rahenna, when exactly did Kalandart say he felt these signs?”

“About two months ago.”

“Then that doesn’t fit either. We encountered them in the Southern Islands before that. However, if the sign only becomes noticeable after a certain threshold, you might be right.”

“Ugh. Still, that sounds like wishful thinking.”

“If it was two months ago, that’s around when the war started…”

“It’s reasonable to assume they started plotting something after the war declaration.”

“Seems likely.”

Nodding, I turned back to Rahenna and Lordain.

“By the way, did you two come all this way just to tell me that? Surely not.”

“Of course not!”

Lordain slammed the table, grinning.

“There’s land we’re supposed to get after the war, right? We can’t just sit around and let the Royal Allied Forces lose. That would make it all for nothing.”

“We can’t exactly put an elf like you on the battlefield. We said we’d call you when we needed you.”

“That’s something my wolf friend can handle.”

“Handle?”

Rahenna nodded at my question.

“It’s possible to temporarily alter one’s appearance with magic.”

“So, you want to be covered in blood in the middle of the battlefield?”

“No, get the context. What was the reason we came here?”

“What Kalandart told you, right?”

“Then we have to figure it out. Anyone can see this is a plot by those Neviros Order [a heretical group] bastards. What if they succeed and you lose?”

“We won’t get the land.”

“Listen, kid, that was a joke. Do you think you’re the only ones living here? If those guys win, it’s a disaster for us too.”

“Well, they already use elves as slaves.”

“That’s why we came to stop them. It seems that stuttering druid wasn’t just spouting nonsense.”

“Is there a way?”

“Now that’s for you to figure out.”

What a load of crap. Did I ask you to leave it all to me?

I rubbed my temples and looked at Rahenna.

“Rahenna, do you feel the same way?”

“Lordain is one of the best warriors on the continent. He’d be a suitable bodyguard for something requiring discretion.”

“……”

“And I intend to help as well. As Lordain said, this isn’t just a human problem. Kalandart also urged me to.”

“No, to investigate this properly, we’ll need to infiltrate enemy lines, and you’re suggesting I do that with you two? I’d rather go alone.”

Lordain and Rahenna tilted their heads simultaneously.

“Kid, what’s wrong with me?”

“Is there something wrong with me?”

Are you seriously asking? Anyone can see you’re far from ordinary humans.

I leaned back in my chair and sighed.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I’m still tied to the military. I can’t say for sure if I can get away from the battlefield right now.”

Lordain frowned.

“So you’re not going to do it?”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t. I said I don’t know yet.”

“Then you should find out, shouldn’t you?”

“Easy for you to say. Do you know how much work I have? When and how am I supposed to hand it all over? Finding a suitable replacement will be difficult.”

Snap!

Luth, who’d been smiling beside me, snapped his fingers.

“I think I can help with that.”

“You can help?”

“Probably around tomorrow… Princess Fleta will arrive at the 4th Corps. I sent a letter in advance to share information. She should be able to adequately fill the Young Master’s vacancy, don’t you think?”

Fleta? Well, if it’s the intelligent her, she’ll be able to handle the role of chief of staff. As Duke Bashrun’s daughter, there’s no need to worry about compatibility.

“But wasn’t she guarding Bashruno? How did she agree to come when you asked?”

“Lady Rahenna asked, and she readily agreed.”

“Lady Rahenna did?”

“She said a new crisis was coming to the Allied Forces.”

“You believe that?”

“Well, why don’t you ask her yourself?”

“Damn it. Fine, fine. Okay. I’ll go ask Duke Bashrun.”

“If possible…”

“You want me to get you out too?”

“As expected, the Young Master is the only one who understands my heart.”

“You’re hilarious.”

Well, as long as things go well even without me, I don’t care. But what about the command of the Azure Knights?

* * *

Duke Bashrun nodded, diligently approving the report with his quill. He agreed so easily that I wondered if he’d heard me correctly.

“Go ahead.”

Duke Bashrun readily agreed as if there was no problem. I couldn’t help but look dumbfounded.

“You’re letting her go that easily?”

“Didn’t you say Fleta was coming? If Fleta’s your replacement, well, she’ll be useful enough.”

“……Should I thank you?”

“Hahaha! Can’t I even joke? Of course, you’re important to me, but don’t worry too much. It’s not like the army will collapse like autumn leaves just because you’re away for a while. If it were such an army, it would be better to lose to Rodkius early on. It’s just sacrificing precious lives without ability.”

“……”

“And the command of the Azure Knights is yours alone. But as you know, that knight order can’t be used as a fighting force once the information is out. Defending the sky is easier than you think. How about deploying some mages? On the ground, knights can avoid them with quick movements, but the opposite is difficult. I know well because I’m a mage. Sniping flying beasts in the sky without any cover isn’t that difficult.”

“If the Commander says so, that must be right.”

“So, should we abandon the hippogriffs and use them as a regular knight order on land? Well, rather than sacrificing them with useless greed, it would be a better decision for the future to save them and train future generations. Aren’t they a rare type of troop?”

“That’s a valid point.”

“Well, I’m not just going to let you go. The fall of Antioch Fortress is a prerequisite. What’s important to us now is a place to use as a base even in the middle of enemy territory.”

“That’s right.”

“If we occupy Antioch, we’ll welcome the follow-up troops and reorganize. We’ll have to start invading Rodkius’ territory in earnest. Of course, there will be some time left. Use that time.”

“Weren’t you looking forward to a major battle with Rodkius?”

“Ahem, that’s exactly why I’m sending you.”

You cunning old fox.

I sighed, anticipating what he would say next.

“Are you also asking me to act as a spy?”

“You know two things when I say one! You’re my chief of staff, after all.”

“……Understood. I’ll send information about the movements of the Southern Army via messenger pigeon as soon as I grasp them.”

“Good.”

“When is the offensive?”

“I’m thinking of the day after tomorrow. As soon as the morning sun rises.”

“That’s fast.”

“I’m planning to have dinner in Antioch Fortress that evening.”

“Is there anything else you want me to do separately?”

“What was that friend’s name, Lordain? I heard he’s good with a sword?”

“He’s not just good. He’s extremely, incredibly, monstrously good. You’d have to attach those kinds of modifiers to describe him.”

“Then have him intercept the enemy’s knight order with you. Leave the tactics of this siege to me. I’m thinking of using mages this time.”

A magic corps… Well, who knows more about mages than Duke Bashrun? I’d only mess things up if I interfered.

“By the way…”

Duke Bashrun, still writing, asked again.

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

“About that ominous plot. What specific things are expected? The more I think about it, the more worried I am because it’s *you* saying it.”

“Because I’m saying it?”

“There have been precedents where impossible things have become possible when you said them, so I’m very uneasy.”

Is that a compliment or an insult?

I sighed softly.

“As the Commander already knows, our enemy isn’t just Marquis Rodkius.”

“I know. There’s that heretical group called the Neviros Order, and there’s also an unknown enemy called the Unholy Knights.”

“……Well, maybe that’s not all there is.”

“If not all?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m a little worried about the Neviros Order itself.”

“Those heretics?”

“You know what they worship, don’t you?”

Duke Bashrun laughed.

“Ha! In the long history of the kingdom, haven’t there been mad black mages before? They’ve always tried to bring chaos by summoning unholy beings. But in the end, those heretics are also human. The human body is too weak to be used as a vessel, so there are clear limitations. Don’t worry too much.”

“I hope so.”

Duke Bashrun, still doubtful, put down his quill. He clasped his hands together and spoke seriously.

“Count Kain Arphen, doubt is the basis for reform and revolution. I won’t tell you to abandon that driving force, but it can also be a seed of unrest. You know that well, don’t you?”

“I’ll watch my mouth.”

“We’re in the middle of a war that risks the fate of the royal family. Keep that in mind, and be sure to find and root out the problem you’re worried about, if it exists.”

Duke Bashrun got up and patted me on the shoulder.

“Even a born hero can’t single-handedly sway the fate of an army.”

“……”

“But heroes create justification, and justification inspires fighting spirit. And the most important thing for an army is that fighting spirit. I know you are such a hero, so please, do it.”

Fighting spirit.

I’ve heard similar words before.

“In a dogfight, it’s not the size of the dog that matters, but the size of the fight in the dog.”

“Hmm? That’s a very good saying. Did you come up with that?”

“No, it’s just something someone I know said.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The unparalleled commander who fought against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, which turned the entire Earth into hell. That was what he said.

Right. After all, the current war with Rodkius is just a prelude. So, what’s important to me now is to find justification.

‘Because that’s how I can instill fighting spirit in the hearts of everyone in the kingdom.’