How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 49

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 49

* * *

Champion Slayer.

This was the moniker given to me after leading the opening match to victory. Of course, that nickname will soon fade. My goal, after all, is to win the tournament.

Baron Hogarde returned to his territory, crestfallen after his defeat. It was the right choice; he wouldn’t have heard anything pleasant if he had stayed.

After that, I announced that I would seclude myself in the annex to train my mind and body.

There were still many matches left in the tournament, and attending tedious banquets seemed pointless.

It would be more efficient to practice Hans Rodgon’s spear techniques during that time.

So, I continued to fight in the tournament for several days.

‘Defeating Baron Hogarde was no fluke.’

‘The Third Son Lindayer’s spear technique is divine.’

‘It’s like watching the reincarnation of Lord Rodgon.’

I achieved consecutive victories.

The tournament is a fierce competition. Even if you win, you can suffer minor and major injuries. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for people to drop out even after winning.

Thus, the tournament, which started with nearly a hundred knights, was nearing its end, with the final match ahead.

* * *

“Young Master!”

“Ruth.”

Ruth came to me as I was lightly warming up in the annex’s training ground.

She looked quite excited, waving a piece of paper and wearing a broad smile.

“What’s got you so excited?”

“Have you seen this?”

“Seen what?”

“It’s the result of the bet placed on the opening match!”

That does pique my interest.

As soon as I received the paper, Ruth exclaimed.

“A whopping three thousand gold coins were bet on Baron Hogarde! Three thousand coins!”

Three thousand gold coins, huh.

It’s a small amount considering the prominent nobles gathered in the Capital.

Well, I can understand it. Prestigious nobles wouldn’t participate in gambling because of their status.

Only the immature young nobles would have gleefully bet their money. Thinking that way, three thousand coins is definitely not a small amount.

“Is that so? How much did you win?”

“I bet fifty coins, so I’ll get about one hundred and fifty coins.”

Getting excited over one hundred and fifty coins.

Most of the three thousand coins bet on it are mine, you know.

Ruth, unaware of my thoughts, who had a smile plastered on her face, cleared her throat.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Was I too excited? You didn’t bet any money, Young Master.”

Ruth didn’t know that the money Fleta bet was my money.

“It’s okay. I’m happy that you won money. So, what are you going to do with it?”

“I don’t have any plans. I’ll just save it and use it when my siblings get married.”

“How thoughtful.”

Ruth scratched the back of her neck, as if thinking of her family back in Windnest.

“By the way, aren’t you going to attend the banquet today either, Young Master?”

“No. Why would I?”

“You’ve been winning every match since the opening game, haven’t you? All the nobles are curious about you.”

“That’s why I don’t want to go.”

“Pardon?”

“The main character always appears last.”

The banquet continues even after the final match. I’ll be dragged around relentlessly from then on, so I’d rather rest while I have an excuse.

“Then what are you going to do?”

“What else? I have to train.”

Ruth gave me a look as if she wasn’t tired of hearing it.

“You should take a break sometimes. And to keep the promise you made with me.”

“Promise?”

“Didn’t you say we’d have a drink together when we came to the capital? I’ve been waiting.”

Ruth mimicked snapping a glass.

“Damn it. Tomorrow is the final match, why are you doing this?”

“You always have to have a drink before a major event.”

“Alright, let’s go, let’s go.”

Ruth smiled and nodded as I sighed, shaking my head.

“That’s great. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, there’s a guest outside right now.”

“A guest?”

“Yes. Baron Basarac has arrived.”

Redran? Why?

“Why is that guy here?”

“I don’t know. But he said he has a debt to repay to the Third Son.”

“A debt? What is he talking about?”

I tilted my head and headed out of the annex with Ruth.

As Ruth said, there was a carriage parked outside. The red lion painted on it made it clear that it was Redran’s.

“Champion Slayer!”

Redran jumped out of the carriage and called out to me. The red uniform and the twisted corners of his lips. He hasn’t changed.

“What brings you here?”

“This body will rule the East in the future. As such, I must finish what I started.”

What did he eat wrong? Why is he suddenly like this?

That’s when it happened.

“Are you trying to weasel out of it in a pathetic way? You have no integrity at all.”

Fleta got out of a carriage in the distance and spoke to us. She was full of ridicule towards Redran and approached me directly.

“Third Son, nobles must take responsibility for their words.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Make him parade around Capital naked so he doesn’t make empty promises again.”

Ah. I remember now.

Redran had said something about the opening match victory the other day.

He said that if I won, he would run around Capital naked. He also said he would treat me like a brother.

“Why are you butting in when I’m talking to the Third Son?”

“Is the Third Son your subordinate? Why are you questioning whether I can butt in or not?”

“What? Parade around Capital naked? If that happens, it’s war.”

“Do you think our family is afraid?”

“You’re not even the head of the Duke’s family yet, are you? I am.”

“The territory’s people will be wailing if a woman like you becomes the lord.”

“Enough. Take off your clothes.”

Redran turned his head and looked at me with a tearful expression.

“Are you really going to make me do it?”

It’s quite funny to see Redran’s usually sharp expression crumble.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Think? Can’t we just have a good drink and forget about it?”

Redran Basarac.

The Red Baron will, in the distant future, stain his hands with countless blood, eliminate enemies, and eventually seize control of the East.

It’s an image that doesn’t match the current Redran. Of course, it’s a figure from nearly 10 years later.

What can I gain from such a person?

“Then.”

“Then?”

“If you grant me one small favor, I’ll cleanly forget about it over a drink.”

“A small favor, huh.”

Redran’s eyes, which had seemed closed, opened strangely.

“What is it?”

“It’s simple. Show me around your territory later.”

“Show you around?”

Redran tilted his head, as if he hadn’t expected that.

“Since when has our territory been a tourist spot?”

“Not just sightseeing.”

“Then.”

“I just want to feel the old achievements of the Red Castle. It’s famous.”

Red Castle.

Also known as the Fortress of Blood, it belonged to a lord who rebelled against Emperor Belangkas during the Great Continental War.

However, he was defeated by the Emperor and beheaded, and his family was torn apart and destroyed.

Now, the Basarac Barons rule the Red Castle, but the memories of the desperation at the time still live and breathe in that castle.

“The Red Castle?”

“Yes. Is that not possible?”

Redran looked at me with strange eyes. He seemed to be trying to figure out my intentions. But there’s no way he could know.

“As a guest?”

“Yes, as a guest.”

“In that case, I have no reason to refuse.”

Redran lightly extended his hand. I also firmly grasped it.

“Good. The deal is done.”

“You have an unexpectedly modest side, Third Son. Good. In return, I’ll buy you a great drink today. There’s a very good place nearby. A place where all the beauties of Capital are gathered…….”

Redran shrugged, feeling Fleta’s hot gaze.

“Well, we’ll have to postpone that. Let’s go have a drink.”

Redran then looked at Fleta.

“Are you coming too?”

“I have something important to discuss with the Third Son. If you don’t like it, you can leave.”

“Huh, what are you going to talk about alone? I’m curious, so I have to attend.”

“Vulgar human.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Redran smiled and reached out to the carriage, looking at me.

“Let’s continue the story on the way. Are you confident about tomorrow’s final match?”

“Of course.”

“You said it was Baron Barangka? He’s very skilled. And since you’re family, you know each other’s skills well. I’m looking forward to it.”

Well. I wonder if Barangka has properly grasped my skills.

“Anyway, the important thing is that this year’s winner will come from the Lindayer County. Count Lindayer must be very happy. How long has it been since you regained the throne?”

I scoffed at Redran’s fuss.

It was a story that I had no interest in. I was just trying to get what I needed.

* * *

Doo… Doo… Doo…

The sound of drums raising the atmosphere and the cheers of the crowd were transmitted as vibrations.

It was a stadium that I was getting tired of now. But the mounted spear match ends today. This was the last match, the final.

“Third Son.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”

Ilia put a cloak on me and stepped back.

Since the opponent was Barangka, Ruth went to the other side this time, and Ilia was with me.

I wasn’t nervous. Rather, as time went by and the matches went on, Rodgon’s spearmanship became more complete.

Now, I’m quite confident in my spear techniques without summoning the Avatar.

“I wish you victory.”

“Huh? Are you saying you want Baron Barangka to lose?”

“Ah, it’s not like that.”

“Then, do you want me to lose?”

“Young Master!”

Ilia looked up at me with a wronged face. I smiled at her pouty expression and gestured to the guard.

“I’m ready.”

At my words, the guard sent a signal, and the other side also announced that they were ready.

Drrr…

The iron gate began to open. I kicked the horse’s side and headed for the gate.

Waaaaa!

Dong! Dong! Dong!

As I’ve felt so far, the feeling of thousands of cheers wrapping around my body was truly the best.

“Champion Slayer!”

“Become the champion today!”

“Glory to the Lindayer County!”

As usual, I started riding around the edge of the stadium.

What has changed since the first opening match is the countless petals and envious glances that pile up in front of me.

Doubt has long since disappeared. I’ve already proven it with my skills. The only thing I feel in people’s eyes is one thing.

Envy.

Ttak, ttak…

I exchanged glances with Barangka as I passed the middle wall of the stadium.

Barangka bowed his head so that anyone could see and raised his right hand to pay his respects.

I also responded, and the crowd shouted loudly at the sight of the chivalrous spirit.

“Hoo.”

After that, Barangka and I stood far apart and prepared to start.

The stadium became quiet. But thousands of eyes were still staring at me.

Woo-oong!

The horn sounded to announce the start. At that, Barangka and I started our horses at the same time.

Doo doo doo doo…

The victory or defeat will be decided in the blink of an eye. Neither Barangka nor I will use futile tricks.

And I will be the winner.

It was an unfailing intuition. That would be the same for Barangka. He had seen my past matches.

“Hup!”

At the beginning of the middle wall, I summoned Hans Rodgon’s Avatar.

Saaaa…

I felt the heaviness in my soul and gripped the spear tightly.

‘This is the end.’

The tournament, which was long if long and short if short, will soon be over.

Then, all that remains is the meeting with the King that starts right away.

I have prepared everything to demand and explain at that time. Now, all that remains is to thrust out the spear.

The legacy of Emperor Belangkas.

For that.