How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 55

Living as the Third Son of a Trash Novel – Chapter 55

* * *

It’s been a while.

It had been a long time since the family had gathered for a meal. Of course, whether they were my real family was another matter.

‘Am I the first one here?’

No one was in the dining hall yet except for the maids attending to their duties.

It wasn’t important. I pulled out a chair and sat down, and a maid approached me.

“Juice, please.”

“Yes, sir.”

Soon, I received a glass of juice with ice floating in it and took a sip. Just then, the eldest, Dane Lindayer, appeared.

“Cain.”

“You’ve arrived.”

“……Yes.”

His face was gaunt. I had heard that he had directly confronted the Count and received a disciplinary punishment. He must have suffered a lot lately because of it.

Dane looked at me with an unreadable expression, sighed softly, and sat down.

“Wine.”

At his words, which seemed to express deep anguish, the maid quietly bowed and stepped back.

Dane took a sip of the wine that followed and looked at me.

“Cain.”

“Yes.”

“You were attacked?”

“Yes.”

“Have you found the culprit?”

“Not yet.”

“Find them as soon as possible.”

“…….”

I hesitated at the incomprehensible words, and Dane opened his mouth again.

“Anyway, you also share the same blood as me. An attack on Lindayer is the same as an attack on me.”

“Is that so?”

“We must find them and hang them. It must be done. I have a duty to protect the family. Personal feelings come after that.”

“…….”

“Just for a moment.”

Dane sighed deeply.

“I thought, what if you didn’t come back.”

“…….”

“And I regretted it. Thinking like that. I was ashamed of myself.”

It was quite different from his usual self, who always tried to suppress and dominate me.

Did he have a change of heart?

“So, I told Father.”

“About the successor, you mean?”

“Yes. I decided to seriously consider you and stand up against it.”

Dane gave a faint smile.

“You won the tournament?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing. I’ve participated dozens of times, and all I could do was get through the preliminaries.”

“I was lucky.”

“Luck is also a skill. And coincidences, when they overlap, become inevitable. Seeing you, I’m even more convinced.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Even so, I haven’t given up yet. I’m confident too. It’s not like I’ve been lazing around all this time.”

Let’s have a fair competition.

That’s what I wanted, but I can’t deny that I feel a little disappointed. The more careless the opponent, the easier things would have become.

“What are you guys talking about so interestingly?”

Sein appeared.

It was the first time I had seen Sein since he had subjugated the Blade Song tribe.

His slender physique and hair tied back were still the same.

“Long time no see, little brother.”

“Indeed.”

“I heard you almost died?”

“…….”

“I told you to know your place and live accordingly, didn’t I?”

Anyone who heard it would mistake Sein for sending the assassins.

Of course, I know that Sein doesn’t have the ability to do that. But Dane couldn’t let it go and frowned.

“Sein, your jokes are too much.”

“Were you offended?”

“Your tongue hasn’t changed from the past.”

“Well, I’m just saying it because I’m disappointed, just like you, brother. Would it have been better if you had just died?”

“This bastard is now…….”

“The Lord has arrived for the meal.”

The servant’s words echoed just as Dane was about to burst into anger.

In an instant, the three men, including me, shut their mouths and stood up from their seats.

“How can the dining table be so noisy?”

The Count appeared. He still looked businesslike and sharp.

The Count coldly scanned the two brothers, including me, and took his seat at the head of the table.

“Sit down.”

Screech…….

As everyone sat down, the Count wiped his hands and opened his mouth.

“Dane.”

“Yes.”

“I told you to fix the habit of baring your teeth at trivial matters.”

“I’m sorry.”

Dane lowered his head.

“And Sein.”

“Yes.”

“If you keep wagging your tongue carelessly, it might get cut off.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Sein smiled faintly and leaned back against the chair.

“Lastly, Cain.”

“Yes.”

“Hiding your strength too much is not a virtue for a ruler.”

Does that mean I need to parry and exchange blows appropriately?

“I can’t engage in a war of words with a dog just because it barks, can I?”

“…….”

The hall turned cold. No need for air conditioning.

I felt a gaze and turned my head to see Sein’s expression. It was quite a sight.

He stared at me as if he was dumbfounded, and just as he was about to say something,

Dane started laughing.

The wine in his glass was sloshing around as if he found something very funny.

Sein isn’t stupid either.

He twisted his lips as he felt the insult I had thrown and Dane’s ridicule.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s funny, so I’m saying it’s funny.”

“That guy is ignoring the hierarchy right now, are you just going to laugh it off?”

“Hierarchy? Not at all.”

Dane shrugged his shoulders as he poured wine into his mouth.

“There is no hierarchy among the three of us anymore.”

“What does that…….”

“Dane is right.”

The Count, who was holding utensils, skillfully cut the meat and answered instead.

“I plan to formally select the successor to the Lindayer Count family. Until that result comes out, all three of you, regardless of age, status, or rank, will be treated the same as prospective successors.”

“That’s absurd!”

Sein hurriedly lowered his head as the Count’s eyebrows twitched.

“I’m sorry. Still, that’s a bit strange. It’s understandable for the eldest brother, but to give Cain formal rights as well? I can’t accept it.”

“Why?”

“Why, you ask? Because…….”

Isn’t he a scoundrel!

Sein gritted his teeth as if he had struggled to swallow the words that were about to come out.

“It’s clear that Cain has made remarkable achievements recently, but that doesn’t erase all his past mistakes.”

“Are you not confident?”

“Pardon?”

Sein became speechless at the Count’s words.

“It’s true that Cain’s past was wrong. But it’s also strange to be so afraid of a guy who has spent so many years in vain.”

“…….”

“Are you that unconfident?”

Are you not confident in fighting fairly against a scoundrel and winning?

Sein, who had noticed the Count’s intentions, sat back down.

There’s no point in arguing about qualifications.

Past deeds?

It’s just like a presidential candidate digging up and tearing apart the shortcomings of their competitor.

No matter how much you try to belittle me, the blood flowing through my body proves my right.

Dane, who had sneered at Sein, looked at the Count.

“How do you plan to select the formal successor?”

“It’s a method that has been passed down through the Lindayer Count family for generations. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“If that’s the case…….”

“It will be given to the one who best meets the three abilities.”

“…….”

Three abilities.

First, martial prowess. Usually, this meant swordsmanship. This is obvious. The Lindayer Count family is a prestigious family of swordsmanship.

Second, political power.

This is to evaluate leadership. You can’t become the head of the family just because you’re good at swordsmanship. You must have the ability to lead the countless minor nobles under the family.

Third, intellectual ability.

A vast territory is like a small world. The head of the family can either prosper that world or ruin it. It’s the ability to look around and manage it well.

Each had their strengths.

Dane had martial prowess and political power, while Sein had political power and intellectual ability.

‘On the other hand, what do I have…….’

My martial prowess is currently inferior to Dane. Sein cleverly amassed wealth with his smart mind. Their connections were also better than mine.

It means that I am not ahead in any of the three.

But if I have time, everything will be resolved.

The Count wiped his mouth with a napkin and opened his mouth again.

“Of course, a lot of time will have to pass before I step down from the position of head of the family. I’m still healthy. The structure can change as much as possible depending on the abilities during that long time.”

“Then there’s no point in selecting now. It’s also hasty.”

Sein revealed his disapproval with an impatient face.

“Yes. Simply selecting a successor now has no meaning. So.”

“…….”

“I have decided to grant the position and authority of the Lesser Lord to the one selected this time.”

Lesser Lord.

Sein shut his mouth at the words meaning the second-in-command of the vast Count territory.

When the Count is away or absent, the Lesser Lord will be delegated all the authority of the Lord.

That way, they can solidify their position as the next Lord with tremendous power.

Of course, it was my idea.

Even if I win the successor selection competition, there is still a lot of time left. I don’t know what Dane and Sein will do in the meantime.

But if I become the Lesser Lord, it’s easy to crush the power of my competitors.

It means that I can definitely nibble away at and dismantle the power of Dane and Sein.

“All three of you seem to be interested. Judging by the silence.”

The Count rinsed his mouth with water and nodded.

“Find a way to prove it yourself. I will watch all of that and make a decision.”

The Count finished his meal, got up from his seat, and left the hall.

After that, it was Sein who broke the silence.

“This will be fun.”

Sein chuckled, got up from his seat, and left the hall as if he had something urgent to do.

“Lesser Lord, huh.”

Dane, who kept muttering the word Lesser Lord, also left the hall with determination in his eyes.

‘Everyone seems to be firmly prepared.’

I, who was left alone, pulled the dishes towards me and belatedly started eating.

“Is anyone there?”

A maid appeared at my call.

“Is there anything you need?”

“Summon Ruth Meyer.”

“Yes, sir.”

Thirty minutes later.

Ruth, dressed in uniform, entered the castle and approached me.

“Did you call for me?”

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Sit down. Let’s talk while you eat.”

“How can I…….”

At his uncharacteristic formality, I gestured, and the maids rushed out and closed the door.

“I will gladly eat.”

Ruth, who quickly sat down in front of me when the prying eyes disappeared, picked up a piece of bread.

“What’s going on?”

“There’s something I need to find out.”

“Will it take long?”

“No. It’s a matter that requires simple fact-checking.”

“Do I need to go outside the territory?”

“That’s up to you.”

“It feels like it’s going to be a troublesome task.”

“So. You don’t want to?”

“Of course not.”

Ruth shrugged his shoulders, chewing on the bread.

“What kind of confirmation do you need?”

“Leidin.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s a city called Leidin. It’s located at the end of the northern mountain range and is under the direct control of the kingdom.”

“I think I’ve heard of it.”

“Check if there are any rumors there.”

“Rumors, you say?”

“Yes.”

To ask not what kind of rumors there are, but to check if there are any rumors. It would be a difficult request for Ruth. But Ruth was Ruth. He nodded without any particular questions.

“I understand. What kind of rumors are they?”

“Just rumors.”

“……Pardon?”

Ruth, who was in the middle of chewing bread, tilted his head.

“If I’m right, there will be strange rumors spreading there. Investigate the various stories and possibilities about those rumors.”

“Strange rumors, is this something the Lord entrusted to you?”

“That’s not it.”

I picked up a glass of water to quench my thirst and shrugged my shoulders.

“Don’t you think it’s sudden to ask about strange rumors?”

“……I’d be lying if I said no.”

“There are several things to do in the future. The matter regarding Leidin is just a precursor to those things. Of course, it would take too long to explain each one, so let me just say the conclusion.”

Ruth, with eyes full of questions, listened carefully.

“If I successfully complete all those tasks, I can become the Lesser Lord.”

Ruth’s eyes widened, and he clenched his fist.

“Did you say Lesser Lord?”

“Yes.”

“The competition has finally begun in earnest.”

Ruth’s eyes were filled with determination.

“I will serve you with my life.”

“You don’t have to risk your life.”

“There’s no time to be doing this.”

Clang!

Ruth put down the utensils and dusted off his hands.

“I will head straight to Leidin and investigate what you ordered.”

“Good work.”

Ruth bowed lightly and left the hall.

I saw him off and remained alone in the hall, lost in thought.

‘Let’s solve it one by one, step by step.’

I raised my hand and looked at the ring on my index finger.

The spirit stone that flowed out of the shattered magic stone last time.

The black, small bead was attached to the ring like a jewel.

‘First of all, it’s the Great Forest. There is no one in this world who knows more about spirits than the elves.’

A journey to uncover the identities of those attackers. To do that, I had to go to the Great Forest, and Leidin was the first step.