How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 54

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 54

Chapter 19. Return

The next day.

Everyone was lined up, ready to depart.

The Gale Knights, widely known even in the Capital, were a rare sight, drawing a considerable crowd.

“All preparations are complete.”

Barangka approached me with his report, and I nodded.

I turned my head to look around.

The Capital’s panorama was visible at a glance, thanks to the inner castle’s high altitude.

Although we were leaving as if fleeing, I didn’t feel regret.

After all, I would have to revisit this place someday because of the Chief of the Court’s request.

“Return to the territory.”

“Understood.”

At my command, Barangka stepped forward and gestured.

“Departure!”

The carriages and knights began to move.

Returning to the territory.

* * *

The return to the territory proceeded at maximum speed.

Nearly a week passed, and a fork in the road appeared before us.

Going north led to Count Lindaier’s territory, while heading west led to the Duchy.

Thud-!

The peaceful meadow where the fork was located was filled with sharp tension.

It was due to the hundreds of soldiers lined up in formation.

They seemed like one mass at first glance, but their camps were divided, and the banners they held were different.

Grey Falcon and Silver Fox.

The Duke’s and Count’s forces had come out to meet us in advance at the rendezvous point.

“Who was supposed to come out to greet us?”

“Of course, our side would be the Commander of the Knights, and wouldn’t it be the same for the Duchy?”

I nodded at Ruth’s answer and cleared my throat.

Soon, two mounted soldiers were seen galloping towards us.

As Ruth said, one was Gilaine. The other was a face I had never seen before, but his momentum was no less than Gilaine’s.

“You’ve had a long journey, Third Young Master.”

Gilaine looked the same as before. The only difference was that he seemed a bit nervous.

Of course, it must be because of the attack on me and Fleta.

“Nice to see you, Commander.”

“This is Baron Edir Wire.”

“Edir Wire, Commander of the Wisdom Knights, Third Young Master.”

He was a man who seemed as upright as a well-honed sword.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You saw the end of Livern, the Knight?”

At the mention of Fleta’s initial escort captain, I nodded.

“He tried to carry out his mission to the end.”

“On behalf of the Knights, I express my gratitude for accomplishing what he could not.”

Edir bowed deeply, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude.

I understood. If Fleta had died there, the Knights’ prestige would have plummeted.

“There are many stories I would like to share about Livern, but the Lord ordered me to return quickly.”

“I understand. Perhaps there will be another opportunity in the future.”

“Thank you.”

In a tight, solemn atmosphere, Fleta, escorted, approached me.

“It’s time to part ways.”

“Well, it wasn’t all good things.”

“I thank you again on behalf of the family for your and the Count’s goodwill.”

“If you’re grateful, I think fulfilling my request would be an appropriate reward.”

Fleta frowned at the mention of the Great Forest.

“Didn’t I tell you? It’s not something I can easily allow or disallow.”

“At least you can persuade the Duke.”

“…….”

After a moment of silence, Fleta glanced around and whispered.

“What exactly are you going to do there? The Otherkin [referring to non-human races, often elves in fantasy settings] are extremely exclusive. We cannot be held responsible for what happens there.”

“You don’t have to worry because I won’t hold you responsible for anything that happens.”

“Frankly, I don’t care if you get hurt. I’m worried about what you might do to them.”

“Do you think I’m a thug?”

“Maybe. Even clergymen can go crazy because of them.”

I scoffed at her words, which referred to the dazzling appearance of the elves.

“I know what you’re worried about. I promise on my honor.”

“……Don’t get your hopes up.”

“I’ll be expecting it.”

At my brazen reply, Fleta bit her lip and moved away.

After confirming that Fleta had moved to the carriage, Edir looked at me.

“The Lord said he would reward you for rescuing the Princess.”

“The price has already been paid to the Princess.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Well, if that’s the case. Then take care on your way back.”

After speaking, Edir led his troops and began to move in formation.

Gilaine approached me as I stared blankly at the scene.

“Shall we depart soon?”

At my nod, Gilaine gave the order, and the group began to move as one.

“Commander of the Knights.”

“Yes, Third Young Master.”

“Let’s talk as we go.”

“Understood.”

Since I’ve been away for a long time, I’m completely in the dark about the current situation in the territory.

“How is the atmosphere in the territory?”

“Half worried, half joyful.”

“The worry must be about the attack, and the joy?”

Gilaine, who had been tense, smiled for a moment at my question.

“Isn’t it thanks to the Young Master, who has spread the family’s prestige throughout the continent?”

“Are you talking about the tournament?”

“The territory is buzzing. Perhaps the Lord is also eagerly awaiting the details.”

“Is that so?”

“By the way, Third Young Master.”

“Yes.”

“There is one thing you should know.”

“Something I should know?”

Gilaine, who had been hesitant for a moment at my question, whispered.

“Dane Lindaier, the First Young Master, has officially requested the Lord to select an heir.”

“……First Brother?”

That guy finally did something.

Still, he’s bolder than I thought. To confront that iron-clad Count head-on.

Of course, Dane must have been impatient because my actions were too unconventional.

“Did the Lord just stand still?”

Gilaine smiled bitterly at my words and shook his head.

“As a price for challenging his authority, the First Young Master is under indefinite house arrest. But.”

“But?”

“The Lord seems to feel that he can no longer stand idly by. Perhaps the time for a choice is near.”

Heir selection.

I didn’t think it wouldn’t come, but the preparation is still insufficient.

‘But I’m not going to avoid it.’

I felt that the time to move in earnest was approaching.

* * *

There was no enthusiastic welcome.

Despite the achievement of winning the tournament, the attack held us back.

The return date was kept strictly confidential in preparation for any possible conspiracy, and the time of arrival in the territory was late at night.

“Welcome back, Third Young Master.”

As I entered the castle gate, greeted by the brief welcome of the guards, the quiet scenery of Windnest came into view.

And in the middle of it.

The Count, leading the remaining knights, was there to greet me.

His appearance hadn’t changed at all.

Still a stern impression, dressed in an impeccably neat uniform.

But that was clearly the Count’s own welcome.

“You’ve arrived.”

“I participated in the kingdom’s founding anniversary and have now returned.”

“You’ve worked hard. The official welcoming ceremony will be held tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

“Let’s talk as we go.”

After that, at the Count’s gesture, Gilaine began to dismiss the escort.

Thus, without any outsiders, only the Count and I began to move towards the Lord’s castle.

“You saw the guy’s face?”

He must be referring to the attacker. The Count was getting straight to the point.

“Yes.”

“Was it a familiar face?”

“No.”

“I heard he was very skilled. At least an Expert of the highest level.”

“Yes.”

“As far as I know, there is no one with that appearance among those with that level of skill.”

“Is that so?”

“I released some people to look for him after that incident.”

“Did you find him?”

“If I had, his head would be hanging in that square.”

The Count’s low anger was conveyed.

“He’s an elusive guy. He’s definitely not an ordinary person.”

“I see.”

The Count, who had been silent for a moment at my answer, sighed softly.

“It seems like we’ve only talked about heavy topics. By the way, you won the tournament?”

“I was lucky.”

The Count chuckled.

“I know because I’ve won it myself. That position is not something you can achieve with mere luck.”

“…….”

“Did you learn the Mystic Spear Arts from someone?”

“I learned from Sir Barangka.”

“You don’t want to talk about it, do you? Well, I won’t pry any further. The results are obvious.”

“There’s nothing particularly hidden.”

“Yes, that’s right. Who said anything?”

Is this guy sulking?

I held back the laughter that was leaking out at his uncharacteristic behavior and opened my mouth.

“Rather than that, I heard that the First Brother made a request.”

“You heard it from Gilaine?”

“Yes.”

“Loose-lipped fellow.”

The Count, who clicked his tongue, sighed briefly.

“He was a mess when he was a good-for-nothing, but somehow he keeps giving me headaches even after he came to his senses.”

“Should I say I’m sorry?”

“Of course not. It’s a happy problem.”

Koo-oong…….

We had already reached the entrance of the Lord’s castle, and the guards, upon confirming the Count’s appearance, hurriedly opened the gate.

After passing under the huge gate, the Count spoke again.

“It’s funny when I think about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can still see the back of you, offering a deal to earn 1,500 gold coins.”

The Count had a faint smile on his face, recalling the old days.

“And what about the second deal? To subjugate the Blade Song tribe leader. It was ridiculous. But you really did that ridiculous thing.”

“…….”

“Then, on the way to the Capital, you rescued the Princess and even won the tournament. All of that recently. So, how can it not be funny?”

“Well, there were some obstacles in between.”

When I meant that I was backstabbed during Fleta’s escort mission, the Count nodded.

“Did you feel bad?”

“Of course.”

“There should be that much adversity.”

“Still, you went too far.”

“Think about the price. It’s about putting the Lindaier Count in debt.”

“So, I’m going to get it back expensively.”

“Kuh-hat!”

The Count burst into laughter at my words, but only for a moment. The Count, who had returned to his original appearance, opened his mouth.

“Yes. Certainly, the achievements I mentioned earlier are incredibly great. But.”

“You mean it’s not enough to become an heir.”

“Yes. There are clearly customs.”

“It’s a family of swordsmen.”

“The head of the Lindaier Count family is like the kingdom’s first knight. It’s a maxim that has been passed down since the family’s founder. So, not being able to use a sword is a deviation from legitimacy.”

“That’s why the First Brother is so confident.”

“I admit that he is at least an Expert [a high rank in swordsmanship].”

“I acknowledge it.”

“Are you giving up on being the heir after all?”

“Of course not.”

“Then?”

“I’ll propose a third deal.”

The Count’s lips finally twitched as he listened silently to my words.

This guy was clearly enjoying it now.

What kind of bizarre deal I would propose again. And whether I would eventually succeed again.

“You like deals so much that I would believe you even if you were a merchant. So, what is that third deal?”

“Isn’t there an exam held every year by the Gale Knights?”

“Are you talking about the knight exam that trainee knights take?”

Knight exam.

The process by which trainee knights prove the operation of mana through legitimate procedures and are finally appointed as formal knights.

When I mentioned that, interest appeared on the Count’s face.

“Are you going to start as a trainee knight now?”

“That’s not it.”

“Tell me in detail.”

“The knight exam is just a means to prove my ability to the First Brother.”

“It’s definitely a traditional exam, so no one can deny it.”

“However, I will proceed with the training independently.”

“That’s your freedom, so I won’t say anything. But it’s already too late. No matter how talented you are, you’ll have to devote yourself to the sword for at least several years to pass that exam. But you only recently picked up a sword.”

“I don’t need a long time. I’ll apply for the exam on the day of the next exam.”

The Count’s face hardened.

“Do you know when the next exam is?”

“Yes. There’s less than half a year left. I’m definitely aware of it.”

The Count, who was looking at me like I was crazy, finally shook his head.

“That’s impossible.”

“That’s why I said it was a deal.”

“On the premise that you take and pass the next exam?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to challenge your legitimacy, as I did before.”

“I don’t care.”

“Ha.”