How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 5

How to Live as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel – Part 5

* * *

As Gillaine left, a man entered the reception room.

“Knight Ruth Meyer is here to see the Third Young Master.”

Ruth Meyer was a robust man, easily over 190cm tall with a broad build.

Despite the freezing northern climate, he had a tanned complexion and a scar across his cheek, hinting at the life he had lived.

“Sit.”

“Yes, yes?”

“I said sit.”

Unable to resist my forceful tone, Ruth sat at the opposite table.

“Tea?”

“Yes?”

“Or alcohol?”

‘Does he like alcohol?’

For a moment, Ruth’s eyes wavered, but he shook his head slightly.

“I’ll have tea.”

“Leo.”

“Yes, I’ll bring two cups of tea.”

As Leo hurried to leave, I gestured with my hand.

“Bring something for yourself too.”

“Yes?”

“Seriously, why do you all just say ‘yes, yes’ whenever I say something? Are your ears blocked?”

“Ah, no!”

Leo startled and left, and I turned back to Ruth, who still looked bewildered.

“Ruth Meyer.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“28 years old. From a slash-and-burn farming family in the Volum Mountains. Am I right?”

“…That is correct.”

Ruth looked visibly uncomfortable at my words.

‘Is his humble background a complex for him?’

Well, from Ruth’s perspective, I probably just seem like a good-for-nothing who was lucky enough to be born into a noble family.

“Good. You’ve probably heard the story, right?”

“You mean guarding you for a month?”

“Something like that.”

“Then, if I may be so bold, why did you choose me? All I’ve ever learned is how to swing a sword.”

‘This guy is being openly difficult.’

Well, anyone would become like this if they had to survive among knights of noble birth as a commoner.

But that’s that, and this is this.

It would be very troublesome if the person I have to work with for a month is uncooperative.

“You don’t want to do it?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“Then there’s no problem.”

“But a guard isn’t just about being good with a sword…”

“You talk too much.”

I tilted my head and stared intently at Ruth.

Ruth, who had been indifferent, straightened his posture.

“Does a sword discriminate against people?”

“Yes?”

“Does a sword discriminate against people, or do people discriminate against swords?”

“…Of course, it’s people.”

“Then don’t ask any more questions. Swords don’t have mouths. Understand?”

Only then did Ruth shut his mouth.

He seemed to realize belatedly that he had overstepped his bounds.

“Volum Mountains.”

“…”

“We’re leaving for there for a month.”

Ruth’s eyes widened.

“What business do you have there…?”

“I have something to find. That’s why I looked for someone who grew up in the mountains, not in the city. I needed someone who knows the wilderness well.”

“Are you saying…?”

“That you happened to be there at the right time.”

“Is that so?”

‘What’s with him? Why is he like this?’

For a moment, Ruth gave a faint smile, which was unlike him.

“If that’s the case, I think I can be of great help. The Volum Mountains are my childhood playground and practically my home.”

“Really? That’s good.”

“By the way, what are you going to the mountains to find?”

“Something like that.”

“The period will be up to a month, I presume.”

“That’s right.”

“Then there’s a lot to prepare. There are many streams in the Volum Mountains, so we don’t have to worry about drinking water, but since it’s this time of year, we’ll need to prepare a lot of food. What size are you planning for the expedition?”

‘What a strange concept. Why is he suddenly so talkative?’

“Size? Small.”

“Is that so? Since I’m the only knight assigned, the rest will be regular soldiers. If you allow me, I will take responsibility for preparing supplies and finding suitable people for the mountain trek.”

“The personnel are already decided. We’ll procure most of the supplies locally, except for a few things.”

“Yes?”

While Ruth was dumbfounded, Leo brought the tea on a tray.

I took a teacup and held it in my hand, savoring the aroma as I continued.

“You. Me. Him. The three of us are going to the Volum Mountains.”

“…Yes?”

“What do you mean, Young Master?”

Ruth’s mouth dropped open, and Leo’s eyes widened as if asking what was going on.

“We’ll talk about the details later.”

I shrugged between the two of them.

“From now on, you both need to make a vow of silence to me. Both of you.”

* * *

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

After a short tea time, I instructed Ruth to pack his things and went out to get some fresh air.

There was a lot to prepare. Even at this moment, a month’s worth of time was being chipped away second by second.

‘Even if we set aside the fancy supplies, there’s still the most important thing left.’

Windnest is the central city of the Count’s territory and arguably the most prosperous place in the northern part of the kingdom.

As such, you can assume that you can find almost anything there. Of course, the problem is that what I’m looking for isn’t an ordinary item.

“I’m ready.”

“Already?”

I turned to see Ruth with a small bag.

“If I have my sword, I have everything I need.”

“A true knight. But what about the armor?”

Ruth was wearing a plain tunic and cloak, with no sign of armor.

When I pointed to my chest, Ruth shook his head.

“If we’re going to the Volum Mountains, steel armor is unnecessary. We’ll have to camp for a month, and it’s hard to maintain and easily weakened by the cold.”

“Then?”

“Well-oiled leather armor is useful. It’s good for rough use and much stronger against the cold.”

“I chose well after all. Good. Can you prepare two more, one for me and one for Leo? Well, we probably won’t need them, but it would be nice if you could get me a sword too.”

“There are plenty of swords and armor among the soldiers’ supplies in the castle, but would that be alright with you?”

“Alright? What do you mean by that?”

‘Did he think I was going to ask for a shiny full plate mail?’

“…Nothing.”

Ruth scratched the back of his neck, as if he was about to say something.

“If you have nothing more to say, let’s go to the castle right away. There’s a lot to prepare.”

Just as I was about to take a step, thinking that I was sick of this good-for-nothing image.

“Hey, Ruth. Where are you going?”

Holln, who had been standing at a distance, approached. He was sweating quite a bit, so it seemed like he was in the middle of training, but the reason he came over was obvious. It must be because I got one over on him earlier.

Ruth looked quite uncomfortable when he saw Holln.

However, when I stepped back and just watched, he reluctantly bowed his head to Holln.

“I have to leave the Knights for a while, Squad Leader.”

“That’s good news. What’s going on?”

‘Huh?’

‘Wasn’t Ruth supposed to be an advanced mana user and Holln an intermediate one? Why does it seem like their ranks have been reversed?’

“The Third Young Master has some work for me to do…”

“Is that so? I was about to be suffocated by the foul smell in the barracks anyway. That’s great.”

‘Ah.’

‘So, Holln is from a Baron family, and Ruth is from a commoner background, is that it?’

Clench!

As I expected, Ruth’s expression became quite fierce.

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be on my way.”

“I have more to say.”

“…”

“I don’t know what it is, but do your best. Well, what else would you do but stand around flexing your muscles at the gambling house.”

‘This bastard is really crossing the line.’

“It’s not that kind of mission.”

“Really? Then what is it? Going to sniff out some women? Well, even if you’re from a lowly background, the women’s eyes will be rolling if you’re a Wind Knight.”

The knights around Holln began to chuckle at Holln’s words. At the same time, I saw Ruth’s hands trembling and opened my mouth.

“Ruth.”

Ruth, with his blazing eyes, looked at me.

“Yes.”

“What are you doing?”

“…Let’s get going. I’ll follow you.”

Ruth, gritting his teeth, bowed to Holln and stood behind me.

At that sight, I sighed briefly and opened my mouth again.

“No. What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“What’s your affiliation right now?”

“Are you asking about my affiliation?”

Doubt filled Ruth’s eyes.

“It’s the Wind Knights.”

“No. Knights or whatever, from this moment on for a month, aren’t you my guard?”

“Are you saying…?”

“If you just stand there after being insulted like that, what am I supposed to be, some pushover?”

‘Did he understand my intentions even a little?’

Ruth’s eyes changed slightly.

On the other hand, Holln had a flustered look on his face because he belatedly realized that Ruth had become my guard.

It’s an amusing sight.

Ruth’s expression is slowly relaxing, and Holln’s and the surrounding knights’ expressions are stiffening.

“Ruth, I’ll take responsibility for what happens next.”

“Are you serious? Knight Holln is from the Baron Berg family…”

“Are you telling me to be mindful of the Berg family now? This is very unpleasant, you know?”

Clang!

A clear sound rang out as a sword was drawn in the middle of the cold barracks.

Following that, Ruth, as if he had nothing more to hold back, pointed his sword at Holln with a resolute movement and opened his mouth.

“Knight Holln.”

“What? This bastard dares to act without knowing his place…”

“My lord has been insulted. I challenge you to a duel. Draw your sword.”

Holln took a step back at Ruth’s fierce momentum.

The game was practically over there.

As fellow knights, they would know who was superior in skill.

Holln, biting his lip at the sudden change in the situation, glared at me sharply.

“Third Young Master, are you sure you want to do this?”

“What?”

“Our Berg Baron family has a very strong bond with Dane Lindayer.”

‘Dane Lindayer?’

‘Is he talking about this body’s older brother?’

“So?”

“I’m sure you know that the First Young Master is the most likely successor.”

‘Ah.’

‘So that’s why he’s been acting so cocky since earlier? Because he has a strong background?’

“So, are you threatening me that I might be retaliated against in the future?”

“…That’s not exactly what I mean.”

‘What a load of crap.’

This funny bastard, anyway, the guys who act up relying on their connections are the most disgusting.

“Go tell him.”

“Yes?”

“Go and tattle like a girl.”

“…”

“Ah, of course, finish your business before that. Ruth!”

At my call, Ruth looked at me.

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Are you confident?”

Ruth’s lips curled into a smirk.

The scar that was crumpled along with it was somehow more trustworthy.

“Shall I cut off his limbs?”

Holln’s face turned pale at Ruth’s wicked words.

“There’s no need to see blood inside the castle.”

Above all, the Knights belong to the Count as well.

There’s no need to make the problem bigger than necessary.

“Then…”

“Just beat him up enough not to kill him.”

“I will obey.”

‘There’s no way out.’

All the knights around, including Leo, heard Holln’s words and actions.

Even Gillaine, who belatedly grasped the whole story from afar, only had a worried look on his face, and there was no particular restraint. It means there is enough justification.

“…You’ll regret this.”

“Shut up and draw your sword. Knight Holln.”

It’s a bit of a shame that I can’t beat him up myself, but let’s be satisfied with that arrogant face being beaten to a pulp.