How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 3

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel 3

Chapter 2. Escort Knight

After Cain Lindaier stormed out.

Only the Count with a frown and the butler with a bowed head remained in the office.

“Chief Butler.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Find out every name of those who have been in contact with that guy in the last two weeks, the stories they shared, and the things they did together. Someone might have put nonsense in his head.”

“Are you serious?”

“Does it look like I’m lying? If anyone acts even slightly suspicious, cut off their limbs and drag them here. Since words must be spoken, leave their tongues intact.”

The butler quickly bowed his head at the fierce command.

“Also, what was his diet yesterday? He wouldn’t be spouting such nonsense unless he ate something wrong.”

“It was no different from the other members of the household. However…….”

“However?”

“He seemed to have a strange dream, and he was saying incomprehensible things from this morning.”

“A strange dream? Huh, I see. Did he see his dead mother or something? So, what did he say?”

“He seemed confused about where he was and who he was. However, considering he came home drunk from a bar in the city the day before, it might be because of that.”

“Unbelievable. Did the alcohol turn his head or something?”

It was a ghostly matter.

How could a person change so much overnight without eating something wrong?

He was the third son, whose arrogance knew no bounds.

He was a more twisted child because he knew his mother died giving birth to him. That’s why I usually turned a blind eye even when he caused accidents.

However, his arrogance grew day by day, and I was worried about the future.

I was afraid that he might do something terrible to his brothers after I died. So, after a long deliberation, I was about to send him to the Bashrun Duchy as a bridegroom.

That way, he could at least live out his natural lifespan.

“It’s ridiculous.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know how many years it’s been since that guy looked me straight in the face.”

“Is that so?”

“Why is someone who should know acting like this? Didn’t you feel it too?”

“Certainly, the weak young master seems to have changed.”

“Weak? What weak? He was a cowardly character who was strong against the weak and weak against the strong.”

The butler bowed his head without particularly denying it.

“But he was definitely different just now.”

“I think so too. But that doesn’t mean…….”

“Mean?”

“Do you think he can collect gold coins within a month?”

“There’s no way!”

The Count leaned back in his chair and burst into hearty laughter.

“A guy who has never earned a single copper coin with his own hands? A half-wit who only knows how to brag by selling his father’s name can earn fifteen hundred coins? It’s more realistic for a chick to become a dragon.”

“That’s true.”

Fifteen hundred gold coins is an unimaginable fortune.

No matter how I think about it, I couldn’t imagine the immature third son earning that amount.

However, unlike his words, the Count couldn’t easily be sure inside.

‘That guy’s eyes are bothering me.’

Was that really the weak guy who used to tremble with fear whenever he saw me?

Besides, that look he showed when he reduced a hundred gold coins to ten gold coins at the end.

It was definitely a look of firm determination to show me what he was capable of.

‘We’ll see.’

If he couldn’t earn the money, it was a good opportunity to get rid of an old problem.

But what if he really earns the money?

Tap, tap.

The Count, who was tapping the table, opened his mouth quietly.

“Put someone around him. At least we need to know what he’s doing.”

“I understand. Also, should I give the knights who the young master might designate as his escorts a heads-up in advance?”

“Are you suggesting that I have my knight spy on him?”

The butler quickly lowered his head at the Count’s suddenly changed attitude.

“I overstepped my bounds. Please forgive me.”

“It’s okay. It’s not like you had malicious intent. Tell the knights to focus on their assigned duty of escorting him.”

The Count waved his hand and then picked up the work he had put aside for a moment and sighed softly.

“It would have been better if he had come to his senses sooner…… tsk tsk.”

* * *

I am not the protagonist in the Midland Saga.

However, it is not like there is a protagonist recognized by the author.

The protagonists of the Midland Saga can be said to be the numerous warlords and villains of the continent, and supernatural beings.

Then what is the reason I came into such a world?

‘I have a guess.’

Everyone in the Midland Saga shared one dream.

To reunify the continent that was falling apart.

The great kingdom founded by Emperor Bellancus, after its long history, slowly began to be torn apart from the inside, showing signs of ruin.

And the fall of history is the beginning of a new history.

Those who formed their own forces, and even monsters and other races. All those forces wanted to seize Midland, which had lost its master after the fall of the kingdom.

And the Midland Saga was a grand novel containing the stories of all those people.

‘Is he telling me to end that sluggish novel?’

The current time, that is, the current point in time, is the beginning of the novel before the war clouds loom over the continent.

In that situation, I, who knows the major events of the future, became a character in the novel.

[Why don’t you try it, you bastard.]

The author’s reply came to my mind again.

It is clear that he wants me to directly end the novel.

The more I think about it, the more resentful I become.

Damn author, are you trying to screw me over like this?

“Young master, preparations for departure are all finished.”

I turned my head at the words that woke me from my thoughts.

I saw the face of a maid who was very intimidated.

In her hand was a flowing dress. It was a splendid coat made of fabric that looked as soft as silk and embroidered with gold thread.

“I have prepared an outing outfit.”

“You want me to wear this?”

“……Yes?”

I’d rather walk around the main street naked than wear something like this. It’s a dress that shouts, ‘I’m an important person!’ and I can’t wear it because it’s embarrassing.

“Haa, however, the young master always told us to prepare this…….”

“I did?”

I remembered that the original owner of this body was inherently extravagant and arrogant.

‘I’m so embarrassed.’

Why is the embarrassment my responsibility?

I shook my hand, muttering curses at Cain inwardly.

“I don’t need it, take it away.”

“Haa, but…….”

“What again?”

“Even though it’s spring, the wind is still cold. If you catch a cold…….”

It means they will be punished.

“Okay. I got it, I got it.”

I don’t want to wear that dress.

Then, I suddenly saw a soldier guarding the inner chambers of the castle.

“Hey.”

“Ye, yes?”

I walked up to the guard and looked at the cloak he was wearing over his simple armor.

The fabric looked thick and warm. The gray falcon drawn on the cloak symbolized the Count’s family, so it had a proper dignity. It had a hood to block the strong wind.

I thought this would be fine and pointed at it with my hand.

“Can you lend me that?”

“T, this is my personal item…….”

“You talk too much. Give it to me.”

“Ugh…….”

When I forcibly pulled it, the guard started to take off his clothes in a hurry.

Suddenly, the military came to mind, and I smiled without realizing it. If you only consider the situation, it’s no different from the division commander’s son asking to borrow his coat.

‘What does it matter.’

Since I’ve been dragged into this shitty world anyway, let’s enjoy it.

I smiled and looked at the mirror in one corner with the cloak I had taken.

‘Damn, he’s handsome.’

Gray hair and dark features that prove he is from the Lindaier family. Those things were combined with a tall height to create a model-like appearance.

“Is that enough?”

I turned my head and looked at the maid.

The maid, who was holding a flowing coat, hurriedly erased her dazed eyes at my question and bowed her head deeply.

“Y, yes.”

Seeing women being fascinated by a face that wasn’t originally mine made me feel good and dirty at the same time.

But what can I do? It’s my face now. It’s something I have to get used to.

“Shall we go out?”

It’s been two days since I entered the novel.

A strange sense of anticipation welled up as I thought about finally going outside the castle.

I was going to see the world I had only read about in novels with my own eyes.

I smiled, thinking that this might be a kind of successful fan, and then I moved my steps.

“Hmm?”

I felt strange and turned around.

“…….”

When I moved one step, the dozen or so servants who followed me took the same step.

When I stopped, they stopped too.

When I moved one step slyly, they followed me again.

‘I really can’t get used to it.’

I was annoyed, so I quickly moved my foot back that I had taken one step forward.

“Ugh…….”

“Oh, my!”

Crash!

I couldn’t even laugh as I watched them stumble and fall over each other trying to follow that movement.

“I don’t need all of you, you.”

The servant who managed to stand awkwardly without falling widened his eyes at my designation.

“Y, you mean me?”

“Yes. Only you follow me.”

“Y, young master!”

The remaining people called out to me with bewildered faces, but what could they do?

I’m the boss.

“You. What’s your name?”

The servant who was designated by me quickly bowed his head and answered.

“It’s Leo, young master.”

“Good. Leo, guide me to the barracks where the Knights are staying.”

“Yes? You mean the barracks?”

“Why? Do you hate it?”

Leo’s expression, as well as all the servants’ expressions, changed strangely.

The reason is obvious. They must have thought I was going to the city to chase women again.

It seemed like it would take quite a long time to change this perception.

* * *

The Lindaier Count’s Lordship Castle was located in Wind Nest, the central city in the north.

Wind Nest.

Directly translated, it means Wind Nest.

Considering the north wind that blows from the north all year round, it is a very appropriate name.

‘It’s damn cold.’

Even considering it’s still early spring, it’s cold enough to be called midwinter.

I raised my hand and put on my hood and gestured to Leo, who was following me.

“Leo.”

Leo, who quickly came to my side at my call, bowed his head.

“Did you call me, young master?”

“How much further do we have to walk to get to the barracks?”

“We have to get out of the inner castle and go to the outer castle. It will take at least dozens of minutes on foot. Shall we call the carriage again now?”

How big is this castle?

Of course, the Lindaier family’s Lordship Castle was more of a fortress to prevent foreign invasions than a residence.

It was definitely a part described in the novel. But experiencing it in person is a different feeling.

I regretted refusing the fancy four-wheeled carriage because it was burdensome. But I shook my head because I felt embarrassed to bring back what I had returned.

“It’s okay. Let’s walk a bit. I’ll get some exercise.”

I also had some more things to think about.

As I walked, I took out the scroll I had put in my arms.

The authority to choose a knight to use as a tool.

It is an opportunity that I managed to get from the Count’s negotiation.

I have to pick one person who can help me from among them.

I have conditions in mind. But I have to go and see if there is a knight who meets those conditions.

‘I hope there’s someone who fits.’

To pay off the damn fifteen hundred gold coins.