How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 27

Living as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel – Chapter 27

Act 10. Drive a Sword into the Heart of Evil

Darkness prevailed, severely limiting visibility.

Luth and I, cloaked in black, stood on the ridge, greeting the night breeze.

D-Day stretched from yesterday until the day after tomorrow. Everyone had practiced together for this day and become familiar with the terrain.

According to Leia, the number of traps used in this operation could have lasted for half a year’s worth of operations.

In other words, we poured all our efforts into this one operation.

“He didn’t come yesterday, will he come today?”

“Who knows? It could be tomorrow.”

“If he’s coming, I wish he’d hurry up.”

Luth’s eagerness escaped as a puff of white breath in the cold air.

An indefinite wait is always difficult.

Like yesterday, we had been waiting since noon, each at our designated points. We’ve been waiting for at least half a day.

I had it better, at least, being on the ridge where I couldn’t be seen from below.

But those positioned below were careful not to make even the slightest movement, fearing they might leave a trace.

If he doesn’t come today either, we’ll have to wait tomorrow just like today. I was starting to worry that it might affect morale when…

“He’s coming.”

The ranger with us spoke softly.

Luth and I immediately followed the ranger’s pointed finger and turned our gaze.

“It’s them.”

A figure emerged from the darkness. Following it, countless shadows appeared.

Taller than a robust man by a head, with angular muscles that would make even a bodybuilder step back.

It was an Orc.

The glint of their weapons reflected the light intermittently. The heat they emitted was clearly visible even from a distance.

Krrr, kurk…

That disgusting cry reached even this far.

“They’ve finally come.”

Luth revealed his white teeth in the darkness.

“How many?”

At my question, the ranger quickly moved his fingers, counting.

“Fifty… no, it looks like about a hundred.”

“Isn’t that fewer than expected?”

I shook my head at Luth’s question.

“Their next target is probably the village in the northwest. It’s not very large and unnecessarily rugged. There was no need to bring a lot of troops.”

Since they operate on a regular routine, it’s easy to guess their plan.

“I see. But if there are only about a hundred… the Commander could probably take them all out alone.”

“If it were that easy, we wouldn’t complain.”

I said that, but the possibility was slim.

Orcs using evil magic.

In the novel, they had reason to call the hunter a liar. They hadn’t seen it themselves.

But I’m different.

Magic, Bloodroot [a plant that can drive people into a frenzy], and Mana Stones.

A combination that couldn’t possibly be unrelated.

I don’t know what tricks they used. But I’ll find out soon enough.

“They’re going in.”

The Orcs crossed the steep, inclined hill and entered the basin-like depression.

After confirming that they were slowly disappearing into the cave, I raised my hand and signaled.

Swish…

The twenty rangers began to move like shadows. They quickly surrounded the basin, as if spreading a net.

After confirming that they were in position, I looked at the entrance of the basin.

There, as if he had been there from the beginning, a figure stood tall with his arms crossed.

It was Gillaine.

“Young Master.”

The ranger looked at me.

He had already taken out a small bow and notched a signal arrow.

I nodded.

“Begin.”

At my words, the ranger aimed his arrow at the sky.

Peeeeeep-

The signal arrow tore through the night sky.

* * *

Peeeeeep-

At the sound of the signal arrow tearing through the sky, Gillaine unfolded his arms and placed his hand on his sword hilt.

‘I can’t figure it out.’

The Orcs guarding the perimeter heard the signal arrow and rushed out.

Gillaine chuckled as he watched the Orcs discover him and charge.

How could the Third Young Master’s plan be so accurate? How did he get that information, and from whom?

There were many questions. But he couldn’t answer them.

The Third Young Master has a sharp aura unlike in the past. As if he would cut you if you touched him wrong.

If I, the commander of the Knights, feel that way, that says it all.

Swoosh!

The blue flash emitted from the sword hilt pierced the heart of the charging Orc.

Crackle…

The blue aura wrapped around the sword burned the spurting blood, creating smoke.

Kuaaa!

A group of Orcs, belatedly confirming the death of their comrade, charged.

Gillaine took a small breath and swung his sword.

Swaaaaaack!

Like drawing a line, the upper bodies of the Orcs collapsed like dominoes from the horizontally swung sword.

Thud!

Gillaine stepped back to avoid the spurting blood and smiled bitterly.

‘Will the Third Young Master revive the family, or will he bring a bloodbath?’

Hearing the earlier cry of the signal arrow, the Orcs in the cave rushed out.

The Orcs who discovered Gillaine rushed at him, each emitting screams and cries.

They were quite excited. I didn’t know if they were upset that their ritual was interrupted, or if it was because their opponent was alone.

One thing was certain.

Don’t let the Orcs survive as much as possible.

Gillaine’s body moved like lightning.

Bang! Pow! Paaang!

His fist, elbow, leg, and every part of his body, including the sword, were weapons. Wherever Gillaine’s touch reached, the Orcs exploded like fireworks.

‘What’s certain is that the Third Young Master is not someone that Dane or Seine can suppress.’

Ssae-aack!

Hearing the tearing sound, Gillaine raised his head.

The arrows shot from the ridge by the surrounding rangers were pouring down like rain.

* * *

Peeeeeep-

At the sound of the sky-tearing signal arrow, Leia led her rangers and occupied the first point.

Then she climbed a tree and looked at the basin.

What came into view was a scene of slaughter.

The sight of the Orcs writhing to avoid Gillaine’s aura was vivid.

It was a brutal sight. She thought, wouldn’t it be like this if you put loaches together and sprinkled salt on them?

“They’re coming out.”

When the gathered loaches wriggle, some of them are bound to jump out.

The Orcs who had squeezed out, stepping over the bodies of their comrades, slowly began to emerge.

“Shall we start preparing?”

It was the moment she was about to nod at her ranger’s question.

“Wait.”

A strange sight caught her eye.

Among the Orcs desperately running away, there were some who were unusually tightly packed.

It was an intentionally formed formation. As if they were trying to protect someone.

Her eyes lit up.

“Do you see those guys over there, huddled together?”

“Ah, could it be?”

“Yes, let’s target those guys.”

“Understood.”

Leia turned her head and looked at Gillaine.

Dozens of Orcs were rushing at Gillaine like moths to a flame, trying to buy time for their chief to escape.

‘That guy is tied up for the time being.’

Now that it’s come to this, we had to proceed as planned.

“We’re ready.”

At her subordinate’s words, Leia raised her hand.

Then, when the Orc presumed to be the target came within range, she resolutely lowered her hand.

Thwack!

Dozens of bolts poured out from the installed traps. Some of the Orcs who tried to block with their bodies became honeycombs and collapsed.

Twang! Twing!

At the same time, Leia and the rangers shot crossbows at the Orcs in confusion.

Some of the Orcs who confirmed this rushed towards where she was.

But before they could even swing their heavy axes, the Orcs began to step on the installed traps.

Clang!

Kwoeok…

It was a bear trap weighing over ten kilograms [about 22 pounds]. No matter how strong the Orc’s skeleton was, their ankles began to be torn off without being able to withstand it.

“That’s enough.”

She waved her hand after seeing the target heading towards the planned route in the distance.

She had already succeeded in attracting the attention of a considerable number of Orcs. There were already half a dozen rushing at her.

“Move to the next point!”

Peeeeeep-

She shot a signal arrow and disappeared into the shadows with her rangers.

* * *

The battle was proceeding so smoothly that I wondered if this was possible.

But it wasn’t just left to luck.

Everyone saw the bones scattered in the basin and fueled their anger.

Everyone was burning with revenge and perfectly completed dozens of rehearsals without complaint.

That’s why we were able to achieve these results.

Peeeeeep-

The last signal arrow rang out.

“It was shot from the last point.”

I also nodded at Luth’s words.

The situation was heading towards the end.

The ambush was successful, and the operation proceeded as planned.

The advance team, including Gillaine, had annihilated more than half of the Orcs.

Drosch managed to slip away, but that was it.

The traps and rangers scattered in all directions continued to guide Drosch in a certain direction, like herding rabbits.

After passing the last point, all the rangers spread their wings wide to form a net. Gillaine maintains balance in the center.

Then, the only place he can go is the place prepared for the showdown.

A place with steep cliffs. It was also the place where Luth and I were waiting.

‘Rabbit hunting.’

I laughed as I imagined the huge Orc running around like a rabbit.

“What’s so funny?”

“There is, something like that.”

I patted Luth’s shoulder, who was tilting his head.

‘When will he come?’

Rumble!

Speak of the devil.

The bushes parted, and a dozen Orcs covered in blood appeared.

Not one of them looked unscathed.

Even the relatively unscathed Orc had half a dozen arrows in his forearm. It was a sight that proved how terrible the ambush was.

Clang!

At their appearance, Luth and two rangers drew their swords.

“Looking at that appearance, I feel a little sorry for them, although it’s only a little.”

“So, should we let them live?”

“No. I want to peel off their flesh piece by piece, but…”

I smiled at Luth’s words, kicked the horse’s side, stepped forward, and opened my mouth.

“Drosch.”

The Orcs, who had been watching us for a while, realized that the front was a cliff and raised their weapons.

Then, an Orc dressed in rather luxurious clothes for an Orc stepped forward.

Unlike the surrounding subordinates, he had more wrinkles, a smaller build, and a hunched back. In human terms, he would be about the age of an elder.

He was also not in good condition.

He was bleeding in places and panting, constantly shaking his back as if he was very tired.

“Kruk, are you the leader?”

The sound of clearing his throat was annoying, but he was clearly speaking in human language.

It was Drosch, the nightmare of the North and the chief of the Blade Tribe.

“Yes.”

“Krrr, I guessed you set up a cunning trap and waited here.”

“Cunning? I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Drosch snorted at my words.

“Kruk, are you the only ones here?”

“What?”

“Kuruk, I mean, are you the only ones here?”

“So?”

“Kuluk, you’re a fearless human.”

“I’m a bit bold.”

“Kluk, that’s a pattern I’ve seen a lot. You seem to be quite an important guy among humans.”

Drosch nodded, looking at the gray hawk pattern on my cloak.

“Kruk! We must keep that guy alive. We need to make a deal.”

Drosch pointed at me and said to his subordinates. His intention to take me hostage was clear.

He was indeed quick to assess the situation. For an Orc, that is, for an Orc.

“You even know how to take hostages. You’re smart.”

“Do you think I’ll be captured so easily, you brat? Kruk.”

Drosch stepped forward and reached out his hand.

He must be thinking of finishing the situation quickly. He would have to settle things before Gillaine and the rangers joined.

Drosch’s eyes glowed red as he looked at me.

“Kruk, De Hella Adursch……”

Drosch began to chant a spell, spreading his hand. Then, a dark and sinister energy gathered above it.

It became clear. Whether he was a mutant or a variant, Drosch was no ordinary Orc. If I had to name him, I would call him an Orc Shaman.

“Luth.”

“Yes.”

Swish…

A blue aura swirled around Luth’s sword.

It wasn’t as dense as Gillaine’s, but anyone could see that it was filled with mana.

“Kill everyone but that guy.”

There’s something I need to check with Drosch.

“Yes.”

At my command, Luth stepped forward.

“Narak De Gehenra……”

I confirmed that an evil incantation was dwelling in Drosch’s hand as he continued to chant.

Kieeee…

Was it the spirits of the humans who had been sacrificed while performing the ritual, the gathered black energies screamed and swirled around Drosch.

“Kwooo……”

“Kruk, Krreuk……”

At the same time, the eyes of the Orcs next to him began to burn red. As if they were berserkers who had eaten Bloodroot.

Swish.

I watched the scene and took out a magic scroll from my pocket.

An Orc using magic.

It was a scroll that I wouldn’t have brought if it hadn’t been for what the hunter in the novel said.

“Shut up. Silence.”

Light poured out from the torn scroll.

At the same time, only silence lingered on the relatively flat area above the cliff, without any noise.

Luth had heard about it from me in advance, so he wasn’t flustered and continued what he was doing.

On the other hand, Drosch seemed flustered when no sound came out of his mouth as he chanted the spell.

Then Drosch glared at me as if asking what I was doing.

‘What are you looking at, you bastard.’

I flipped Drosch off.