How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 267

Living as the Third Son of a Trash Novel – Chapter 268

Chapter 63: Retreat

Even after I requested Duke Bashrune to retreat, the siege against the walls of Antio continued relentlessly.

It was like moths drawn to a flame. Death was everywhere around the castle.

Perhaps sensing the desperation of the enemy’s attacks, the atmosphere within the castle was grim. I pushed through the gloom and climbed onto the wall.

“What’s the situation?”

A weary soldier, preparing for the next assault, shook his head in response to my question.

“…They’re insane. They keep pushing endlessly. Their eyes are bloodshot, like they’re on some kind of drug.”

*On* some kind of drug? Did they use magic stones to brainwash them before these suicide attacks? Nothing surprises me anymore.

It really feels like the back of my head is going numb.

People shouldn’t die here. But I can’t just open the gates and let those rushing in recklessly through.

In the end, we’re stuck in the castle, passively enduring their attacks. Could anything be more helpless?

“Damn it.”

As I spat out the curse, staring at the battlefield littered with corpses, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“Count Kain.”

Turning around, I saw Duke Bashrune, with Fleta following beside him.

Duke Bashrune approached me with a stern face, as if he had been in deep thought.

With a gesture, Duke Bashrune dismissed the saluting soldiers and stood beside me, gazing at the horrific battlefield outside the wall before slowly speaking.

“Terrible.”

“As you can see.”

“I’ve thought about it deeply.”

Duke Bashrune, getting straight to the point, nodded slowly.

“The 4th Corps, including myself, has decided not to retreat from Antio.”

“Not retreat?”

“There’s no way to retreat safely. We can’t avoid annihilation. What’s the point of retreating with such heavy losses?”

“There will naturally be losses, but we must return to the capital. Didn’t I tell you?”

“All your predictions are circumstantially correct, but they are not certain. There’s always a chance, however small. I can’t send innocent soldiers to their deaths because of that tiny possibility.”

So, it’s come to this.

I understand Duke Bashrune’s choice, but I also couldn’t understand it. To me, the coming future was all too clear.

I turned to face Duke Bashrune directly. His stern face seemed particularly cold.

“The discussion is over. I will leave this place. I have one last request. If you’re going to charge me with desertion, could you at least postpone it until after this war is over?”

Duke Bashrune nodded.

“I won’t charge you. Rather, I want to give you an order: Find out the truth. And if what you fear turns out to be true, you must find a solution and stop it.”

“…”

“I’ll support you with half of the Knights Order.”

“The Knights Order?”

“Knights aren’t really needed much for a siege anyway. Mages are enough.”

“In that case…”

“Tonight, use the Sky Knights Order to escape from Antio with as many knights as you can take. And…”

Pausing, Duke Bashrune took a letter from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Go straight to the 2nd Corps. They should be heading here, so they won’t be far away. Furthermore, I will transfer the command of the 2nd Corps, made up of the Eastern Army, to you. Deliver this to Corps Commander Count Amalem.”

Taking the letter Duke Bashrune handed me, I said awkwardly.

“The 2nd Corps…?”

“Lead them. If your prediction is correct, you’ll probably need troops. But as you know, we’ve scraped together all the royal armies, haven’t we?”

“What about the Commander? Weren’t you planning to join forces with the 2nd and 6th Corps to crush the enemy?”

“The enemies are consuming enough troops. Considering that, it won’t be a problem to pull out one corps. Besides, there’s a unit waiting for reorganization in the rear, isn’t there? It’s not that difficult to sit here and defend until they’re ready.”

Even if he said that, that wouldn’t be his true feelings. As a rule, the more troops an army has, the better.

Giving away an arm when he wants to borrow even a cat’s paw must be a decision that Duke Bashrune has prepared for a considerable loss.

“Won’t you come with us? The capital needs you, Commander.”

“Are you serious? I’m the one who led them into the heart of enemy territory. And you want me to abandon them here and run off to the capital? Your jokes are too much!”

Duke Bashrune laughed heartily and shook his head.

“And if your prediction is correct, my staying here might induce the enemies to be careless. It will be more helpful for you to move around.”

“That’s true, but…”

“And take my daughter with you. I’m planning to entrust her with the seal. If you’re with Fleta, you’ll be able to get all the support possible from the Bashrune family. Furthermore, your snake-like tongue will have more power.”

I chuckled at his last joke and light wink.

“I’m quite surprised. I said it, but I didn’t think you’d trust me this much.”

“Actually, I still hope you’re wrong.”

“Is that so?”

“But what if your prediction is correct? Then I’d be a historical fool who kicked away the last chance to save the kingdom, wouldn’t I? If I can get away with just one corps, it’s a bargain.”

Duke Bashrune chuckled and nodded, looking at the setting sun.

“Leave when it gets dark. On behalf of the Royal Allied Forces, I thank you for your faithful service, Chief of Staff.”

At Duke Bashrune’s permission, I saluted sharply.

“It was an honor to assist you, Commander.”

* * *

The lukewarm, humid air filled my lungs. The procession of griffons and hippogriffs flying over the rainy mountains had been flying for over a day since leaving Antio Castle.

Fleta, who was riding behind me, tugged at me and shouted in my ear.

“Considering the last contact and travel time, the 2nd Corps should be beyond that mountain peak.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve verified it several times. I’m sure.”

Fleta’s face showed undeniable fatigue from the long flight, but her voice still contained unwavering determination.

Finding it harder to meet her eyes, I turned my head and looked ahead, opening my mouth.

“Are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“Leaving your father in enemy territory like that… It also means the knights and the 2nd Corps are also being pulled out.”

“I don’t work while being swayed by such personal feelings.”

Turning my head at her firm answer, I saw Fleta’s eyes glaring at me. Now it feels a little easier to face her.

Right. Let’s postpone the guilt a little. That’s not what’s important now.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll change my words. Thank you for being with me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the mountain peak hidden in the mist swept past under the griffon. A long line of torches like fireflies came into view.

“It’s the 2nd Corps.”

I gently pressed the back of the griffon’s neck to convey my intention to descend. The griffon opened its mouth and let out a cry, then folded its wings and dove towards the ground.

Behind the griffon, the hippogriffs also began to descend. Fleta raised her hand and cast a spell, worried that they might be wary of us.

Soon, a silver fox, the symbol of the Bashrune family, was drawn in the dark night sky. I could clearly feel the torches moving wildly and the commotion.

The griffon, landing gracefully, roared at the soldiers aiming their bows and raising their spears. I pulled the griffon’s neck and dismounted.

“Stop! Who are you! Identify yourselves!”

The soldiers shouted at me.

It’s a tense atmosphere.

Ilia and Ruth, seeing the weapons aimed at me, flared up and immediately jumped out, drawing their swords.

“You are not to treat this person disrespectfully. Put down your weapons. You will die if you act rashly.”

The soldiers, seeing Ruth’s warning and the mana that Ilia raised, stepped back in fear.

“It’s okay. Stop it. Fleta? Can you light it up a bit?”

I restrained Ruth and Ilia and looked for Fleta.

It’s dark, and since I’m not holding a torch, my appearance must look like a dark shadow to the soldiers.

Fleta, noticing my intention, gestured again, and light magic unfolded.

The soldiers’ eyes widened as they saw my attire again in the brighter light.

“Who are you…”

“I am Count Kain Arfen, Chief of Staff of the Royal Allied Forces. Where is Corps Commander Jeffrey Amalem?”

“C, Chief of Staff?”

“It’s Kain, Count Kain!”

Some soldiers who recognized me belatedly made a fuss and shouted, and the atmosphere shifted. Knights wearing shiny breastplates rushed out and saluted.

“No, aren’t you Sir Kain? You guys! Put down your weapons! I guarantee his identity!”

I asked the knight who vehemently pushed the soldiers away.

“Do you know me?”

“Of course! What knight in the kingdom wouldn’t recognize Sir Kain?”

“Good. I need to meet the Corps Commander. Where is he?”

“Follow me! I’ll guide you!”

The place we reached, weaving through the encampment, was a huge tent of considerable size. It was obvious that the highest-ranking person resided there.

The knight stood in front of the tent and shouted.

“Corps Commander! We have a guest!”

“A guest?”

“It’s Count Kain Arfen.”

“What?”

Soon, the sound of clanging armor was heard, and then a gaunt middle-aged man with a rather tired expression appeared.

Inside the tent, a meeting was in progress, and quite a few people were seated at the table, sending their gazes this way.

“Is it really you? What about the 4th Corps? Why did you come all the way here?”

“Are you 2nd Corps Commander Jeffrey Amalem?”

“That’s right.”

I took the letter Duke Bashrune had given me from my pocket and handed it to Jeffrey, touching his chest.

“I’ll keep it short. From now on, all command of the Royal Allied Forces’ 2nd Corps is mine. Please read it.”

Jeffrey, with his eyes wide open, hurriedly tore open the letter I handed him. Then, after reading through the contents, he looked at me with a face filled with bewilderment.

“What is this…”

“It’s as written in the letter. I have something to do, and I need the corps for that. So assist me and help me with my work.”

Jeffrey Amalem was a prestigious nobleman from the East, and it was obvious what he would think of me.

It’s hard to say it myself, but I was clearly the one who drove out Redran, revived the Flores family, united the East, and absolved them of their original sin against the royal family.

As expected, Jeffrey saluted with a stiff face and paid his respects.

“Understood. From now on, all command and control of the 2nd Corps, including myself, is the sole right of Count Kain Arfen. Give your orders.”

Hearing his words, I gave my first official order since taking office.

“We will immediately retreat the troops and return to the capital. Use any means necessary, and execute it immediately.”