How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 45

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 45

* * *

The next day, after experiencing Hans Rodgun’s Saga firsthand throughout the night, absorbing all his senses and know-how, I headed to the inner castle early in the morning.

As if to prove the Lindayer family’s power, the detached residence assigned within the inner castle was a massive mansion.

Upon entering the mansion, I saw Ruth wielding a sword in the small training ground set up in the front yard.

“Young Master! Where have you been?”

Ruth, ever the training fanatic, was already drenched in sweat from the morning.

“Just out. I was sightseeing in the capital all night.”

“How was it?”

“Good. The drinks and food were all delicious.”

“You have to take me sometime.”

“Sure.”

Nodding, I drew my sword.

Ruth smiled and took a few steps back, assuming a stance.

“It’s been a while. I hope you haven’t been neglecting your training?”

“You better be nervous.”

Ruth no longer uses a wooden sword.

He must have sensed it—that my skills are now at a level he can’t ignore.

Clang!

Soon, our swords clashed, neither of us yielding.

After a round of exchanges, Ruth stepped back, a faint smile on his face.

“What on earth happened while I was away?”

“Why?”

“Your skills have deteriorated even further.”

What?

I naturally expected praise.

No.

Looking closely, I saw the corners of Ruth’s lips slightly raised. Only then did I realize it was a joke, and I smiled back.

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“Come at me.”

Clang!

The sword dance began again.

Ruth, who had been leisurely at first, began to concentrate, biting his lip as I showed my true skills.

‘Ruth, who seemed so high and mighty…’

Swordsmanship is a kind of basic guideline.

Even if you learn the same swordsmanship, it eventually transforms to suit the user, changing its nature.

The same goes for me.

Although superficially, I have already tasted the essence of the family’s swordsmanship through Bain Lindayer.

Moreover, I have also mastered the swordsmanship of the current Wind Knights. At first glance, they seem to have the same origin, but mastering both different swordsmanships means I have analyzed their strengths and weaknesses.

Is that all?

I already had the basics of Kendo, a martial art with a long history on Earth.

And, decisively, this body.

I have inherited the talent of Master Lindayer, even surpassing his lineage.

Just looking at the talent of the body alone, it means I am one of the best on the continent.

I was sure.

That in terms of pure swordsmanship, I had already surpassed Ruth.

“Haa!”

Ruth couldn’t withstand my onslaught and took a step back. Of course, I had no intention of letting him go.

I dug in low and raised my sword.

Just as Ruth was about to counterattack, I twisted my body and extended a side kick.

Swish!

The boot stopped right in front of Ruth’s chin.

It was an amazing distance control. Ruth, who had been momentarily stunned, eventually let out a hollow laugh.

“A kick during a sparring match?”

“It’ll look bad if you complain after losing, Ruth.”

“…I admit it. How did your skills improve so much?”

Ruth raised both hands, admitting defeat.

I lowered my foot and sheathed my sword.

“Did you think I was just playing around?”

It’s already been almost two months since my last sparring match with Ruth.

One or two months. It’s a short time.

But I had explosive growth potential. For me, a month is similar to half a year for others.

“Frightening growth. I’ve lost to you a few times before, but this is the first time I haven’t been able to do anything.”

“So, you should train too.”

“If others heard that, they would really think I’m slacking off.”

It was at that moment when Ruth was making a wronged expression.

Clap clap clap!

The sound of applause came from afar.

Turning my head, I saw Baron Varranca watching. He seemed to have watched our entire sparring match.

“I heard that you have been practicing your sword since the engagement was called off, but I didn’t expect it to be this good.”

“You’ve arrived.”

“Excellent. Would you like to spar with me sometime? I think it would be helpful for both of us.”

Varranca grinned.

At the same time, Varranca’s arm, as big as an average adult’s head, came into view.

That’s right, this guy was a monster who wielded a two-handed sword with one hand.

Glancing over, I saw Ruth sticking his tongue out from outside Varranca’s line of sight.

Even Ruth, who is addicted to training, is like that, so I could guess what Varranca’s sparring style would be like without experiencing it.

“If I have the chance next time, I’d be happy to.”

“I understand. Anyway, Young Master.”

“Yes.”

“You have the skills and the title of Banneret [a knight entitled to lead his own banner in battle], so how about participating in the national foundation day tournament?”

Oh, Baron Varranca asked me what I was thinking about.

But if I jump at it here, they might think it’s strange.

“Can I participate?”

“Of course. If you want to give it a try, there’s no reason not to. The first young master, who attended the anniversary before, always participated. I’d be happy to teach you how to use a lance. If you just taste the preliminaries lightly, it won’t be too dangerous.”

Varranca also seemed to assume that I wouldn’t be able to stand out.

By the way, I’m a little curious about the fact that Dane Lindayer participated every year.

“How was my brother’s performance?”

“Well, he always made it to the finals.”

“Is Baron Varranca also participating?”

“Of course. That’s why I volunteered to attend this escort. This tournament is also a battle of momentum between forces.”

A battle of momentum.

That’s true. If you win, the reputation of the affiliated knight order or family will increase.

“When was our family’s last win?”

“About twenty years ago, when the Count was young. After that….”

“Still, Baron Varranca is the best in our territory, so that’s why you’re attending.”

“That’s not true. The Lord is better than me. But usually, those with great fame and skill don’t participate. It’s a place for the juniors.”

“I see. How has Baron Varranca been doing so far?”

“Every year, he unfortunately fails a few games before the finals.”

Baron Varranca, who represents the Knights, is at best in the top 16 or top 8.

“What if I win?”

Surprisingly, Varranca didn’t laugh at my words. Rather, he appreciated the passion and nodded, his eyes shining.

“Well, I don’t know what kind of reward there will be, but what’s certain is that the Count will come out to greet you without even putting on his shoes. But you shouldn’t overdo it. A jousting match can be very dangerous.”

Varranca’s words somehow painted a picture in my head.

That taciturn man would come out barefoot to greet me, rejoice, and give me a reward?

I was going to participate anyway, but things were flowing more interestingly than I thought.

* * *

Late that afternoon.

To celebrate the national foundation day, Varranca and I headed to the palace where a grand banquet was being held.

Was it because it was the national foundation day? The entire capital was in a festive mood.

Even though the weather hadn’t warmed up that much yet, the people gathered in the square were enjoying the anniversary, sharing drinks and food.

After passing through such a scene, the carriage soon passed through the inner castle and arrived at the palace.

There was nothing to stop us along the way.

Every guard we encountered held their halberds forward and paid their respects. At most, only the chief guard in charge briefly checked our identity.

Well, who would stop a carriage with the Lindayer family crest?

‘The banquet is held in two main places.’

The palace had several huge halls as large as its scale.

The key figures of each family, who can be seen as the real protagonists, are in the Hall of Radiance, which is the ultimate in grandeur.

And the escort knights and aides who serve them are in the Hall of Knights, which is smaller than the Hall of Radiance.

In this way, they enjoy the banquet in different spaces. Ruth and Ilia will probably head to the Hall of Knights separately.

Of course, knights with titles such as Baron Varranca could attend the Hall of Radiance.

However, Varranca said that it was not a place that suited him and said that he would only escort me and then go to the Hall of Knights.

“Let’s get off.”

When we arrived in front of the palace, Baron Varranca opened the door himself.

When I opened the carriage door, I saw the entrance to the huge palace.

And in front of that entrance, there were beings who looked down on the entrants without moving at all.

“Those are….”

“Yes. The Capital Knights, the Brilliance Knights.”

The Brilliance Knights.

They, called the Knights of Radiance, belong to the royal family and protect the capital and its direct territories.

A knight wearing a golden cloak.

Certainly, there was an aura that would make anyone kneel.

“Then there must be royal guards inside the palace.”

“If you’re talking about the ten guardian knights, of course there are.”

“The ten guardian knights. The royal knights made by selecting only ten from the Brilliance Knights, right?”

“You know exactly what you’re talking about. The number of guardian knights has neither decreased nor increased for hundreds of years.”

“In other words, they are the ten strongest in the capital.”

“That’s true, but our Lord and the commander of the Knights are not at all inferior to them, so you can feel proud.”

The ten guardian knights.

They are the king’s sword and shield, and the number has remained unchanged at ten for hundreds of years.

‘Then Jescal must be there too.’

Jescal Highclans. The strongest in the Midland world recognized by the author, and at the same time, the man who invented the incarnation I have been using.

Of course, it will be quite a while before he becomes the strongest.

Still, I was looking forward to seeing him in person. He was almost a leading character in the Midland Saga.

“No matter how many times I come, I always feel intimidated when I pass through this place.”

Listening to Varranca’s words, I entered the palace, and soon a wide corridor appeared where I had to bend my head to see the ceiling.

After that, I began to slowly head inside, stepping on the red carpet made of velvet.

But the pace was very slow.

The splendid decorations and works of art scattered everywhere caught my eye.

Varranca, who had had the same experience, silently matched my speed.

How much further did we walk down the hallway?

A noisy sound was heard nearby.

Turning my head, I saw a crowd of people gathered in one place. They were surrounding one person, and the man in the middle seemed to be a nobleman based on his attire.

“Why are they gathered there?”

“Last year’s tournament winner, Baron Hogrde.”

It’s not a name I particularly remember.

“What kind of nobleman is he?”

“He is a nobleman with quite fertile land in the south-central part of the continent. He has a strong force for a baron. It is said that he is better than the usual count who is only a shell.”

“But if he is a tournament winner, does that mean he is also a knight?”

“Yes. He is now at the beginner level of Expert. Well, the tournament has nothing to do with mana.”

Last year’s winner.

Baron Hogrde was a handsome man with a sturdy build and a cool appearance. Anyone could see that he was attractive. In fact, more than half of the crowd gathered around him were women.

‘Good for him.’

I was about to pass by with a little envy.

“Oh, isn’t that Baron Varranca?”

Baron Hogrde recognized Varranca.

At the same time, the eyes of the crowd gathered around him turned to this place. Varranca stopped, realizing that it was not an atmosphere where he could simply say hello and pass by.

On the other hand, I just kept walking. I didn’t think there was any point in mixing words.

As I was walking, I heard the story behind me.

“It’s been a year, Baron.”

“Are you representing the Lindayer family alone this time? I heard that the first young master did not come to this anniversary.”

“That’s not true. Young Master Cain Lindayer has also decided to participate in the tournament this time.”

“Hmm? As far as I know, the third young master does not have a knight title.”

“He was given the title of Banneret by the Lord this time. He has the right qualifications.”

“Banneret? Ha!”

A laugh with a clear intention of ridicule was heard.

I stopped walking.

I turned around.

The faces of Varranca, who was embarrassed, and Baron Hogrde, who raised only one corner of his mouth, came into view.

“Baron Varranca. Don’t you know? The national foundation day tournament is a sacred game. But a Banneret….”

The crowd gathered around the baron’s words chuckled.

Well, at this point, it’s intentional.

I passed the road I had walked and headed to Varranca’s side.

Hogrde, who found me, smiled and bowed his head lightly.

“Isn’t that the third son of Lindayer?”

Bullshit. He saw everything and is now playing dumb.

“Nice to meet you, Baron Hogrde.”

“I heard from Baron Varranca that the third son will also be participating in the tournament this time.”

“That’s right.”

“It’s a game where bones are broken and flesh is torn. It’s best not to make a choice that you’ll regret with premature confidence.”

“I don’t regret it. It will be a good experience.”

“The third son’s brother, Dane Lindayer, is an excellent knight. But he always drank a bitter cup in the finals. That’s how the national foundation day tournament is a competition where the strong men of the continent gather. I appreciate the third son’s confidence, but why don’t you give up this year’s tournament and challenge it after becoming a dignified knight in the future?”

Still, Dane is a Wind Knight, and a fake knight like Banneret can’t join.

That must be what he means.

I thought it was too blatant.

Well, I can’t quite understand it.

No matter how much I have the powerful Lindayer Count family behind me, my position is still the third son who has been pushed far out of the succession structure.

So, Baron Hogrde must have said it in a way that praised Dane. He thinks Dane will be the one to inherit the family in the future.

But. So what.

I’m not trying to do it by force even though I’m not qualified, so what’s it to you?

‘I feel bad.’

As a rule, you have to show the bitter taste to those who discriminate against people like this.

“Thank you for your thoughtful concern, but I have no intention of changing my decision. After all, everyone is on equal footing.”

First, throw the bait.

“There was a condition that you don’t use mana. But that doesn’t mean that the experience you’ve built up with blood and sweat will disappear. It doesn’t mean that it’s a game that you can suddenly decide to participate in.”

“Well. I’ve seen a few jousting matches in the territory. It doesn’t look very difficult on the surface.”

Next, spread the bait.

The reaction was worth it. The baron’s eyebrows were bent.

“Not difficult. That’s a bit too much.”

“I didn’t mean to ignore it. It’s just that it didn’t seem very difficult to me, so I’m just telling the truth.”

“It doesn’t seem very difficult?”

“Yes. It didn’t seem very difficult.”

“That’s too much confidence. Then, third son. Can you make me feel that confidence too? Then I’ll directly nominate you as the opponent for the opening game.”

In the end, the baron was interested in the bait.

“What do you mean by the opening game? This is my first time at the national foundation day tournament.”

He asks even though he knows. That’s how the baron’s momentum will live.

“The winner of last year’s tournament nominates one of this year’s participants to hold a jousting match.”

Usually, the opening game is to nominate the most dark horse among the participants that year to stir up the excitement.

The baron’s intention became clear.

The tournament is watched by a crowd of people like clouds.

And the opening game is to announce the start.

He’s going to nominate me there? This means he’s going to openly humiliate me. Or he might break one part of me and send me home.

“Everyone is on equal footing and you say you have confidence, so you have to accept it, right, third son?”

I glanced around.

Varranca had an expression that he didn’t know how things had turned out like this.

The crowd that had gathered all seemed to be laughing, thinking that I would give up.

“I’ll do it. I’ll accept it.”

When I accepted unexpectedly, the baron twitched his lips. He had a face that said I should have given up.

At the same time, the surrounding crowd began to stir.

Then this is the last one.

“If I lose, I will never participate again in order to apologize for taking the tournament lightly.”

“Hmm, then….”

“Instead.”

The baron’s face, which had been about to soften, hardened again.

“Instead?”

“If I win, apologize in front of the crowd gathered at the opening game for your previous remarks that you judged my skills without checking them and told me to stop participating.”

“Did you just say apologize?”

“Yes. My talent almost didn’t bloom.”

“Young Master!”

Swish….

Just as Varranca was about to step forward belatedly, the baron, who had pulled up his mana and emitted energy, raised his hand to stop him.

Varranca, who could neither approach nor retreat, bit his lip.

On the other hand, the baron, who had a light in his eyes, looked straight at me and opened his mouth.

“That’s right. If the third son wins, it means that my eyes were clearly wrong. Good. If that happens, I will gladly admit my mistake. But if the opposite is true, you better be prepared to spend some time lying in bed, third son.”

The baron swallowed the bait.

I smiled faintly and nodded.

“Okay.”