How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 60

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 60

* * *

Ruth and Illia, regaining their senses, looked bewildered. Their memories seemed to cut off right after they arrived in the Yma Basin.

“I’ll explain everything later, so just wait for me in Leydin for now.”

They looked like they had many questions but held back for the moment.

After sending them off, I remained in the log cabin with Rahelna.

At first, she was reluctant to give me Mana Herbs, but after hearing my reasons, she reluctantly agreed.

“I need to become stronger to fulfill Kerwyn’s will more perfectly. Besides, these herbs will be discovered by other humans anyway, right?”

After that, things went very smoothly.

I simply practiced swordsmanship in front of the log cabin, and wild animals brought the herbs to me.

“This time, it’s a wild rabbit.”

Just moments ago, foxes brought herbs in their mouths, and now it’s a wild rabbit.

Three or four rabbits dropped the herbs they were carrying in front of me and then hopped away. It’s a sight I can’t get used to, no matter how many times I see it.

“How… thoughtful.”

As I sorted the herbs and put them in a sack, Rahelna, who was sitting behind me sipping tea and reading a book, nodded knowingly.

“Yes. Indeed, everyone in the world should always be grateful to nature.”

Although we hadn’t spent a long time together, I had a rough understanding of her personality. She seemed very rational and valued harmony.

“It’s also a virtue that humans, who are more inclined to destruction than harmony, should possess. When you think about it, it’s truly foolish—a disposition that can only benefit by destroying something.”

“……”

“Looking back on history, humans have always been like that. They constantly fought, struggled, and killed, believing that they were developing and becoming stronger in the process. But the reality is just an excuse to rationalize their base desire for conquest. Why don’t they realize that a path achieved through destruction leads to ruin?”

“……”

“Ah, not all humans are like that. Kerwyn was different. A graceful being who knew what symbiosis is.”

A Kerwyn fanatic mixed with a bit of a *kkondae* [a Korean term for an older person who is condescending and insists on their way of thinking].

I deliberately ignored her, picked up a herb, put it in my mouth, and began to chew.

A bitter taste filled my mouth. At the same time, I could feel raw Mana intensely spreading throughout my body.

Originally, these herbs should have undergone a refining process and been reprocessed into Mana Stones.

But I was able to eat them raw because I had a Mana Tunnel that could instantly convert raw Mana.

The raw Mana absorbed in this way is not docile. It will probably tear everything apart as it passes through the tunnel.

But the damaged tunnel will regenerate and expand to absorb a larger amount.

‘Bitter, astringent, and painful.’

It was a series of pains, but I endured it, thinking of it as a training regimen.

“By the way.”

Rahelna, who had closed the book she was reading, stared at me as I chewed on herbs and swung my sword.

“How strong are you among humans?”

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yes.”

“Well, there are so many people stronger than me that I can’t even count them.”

“You’re weak.”

“I don’t remember saying I was strong.”

“Hmm.”

She pondered something, then closed the book she was reading and walked out onto the terrace.

“Come to think of it, it’ll be troublesome.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means it would be troublesome if you suddenly died in the Great Forest because you promised that you would guide me to Kerwyn.”

I was dumbfounded by her words, which were all about Kerwyn, without any context.

“I’ll help you a little.”

Then, as she gestured, the raccoon dog lying under the table jumped up and went inside.

The raccoon dog returned with a rapier. Rahelna naturally took the rapier from the raccoon dog and walked towards me.

“……Did you also learn swordsmanship?”

Considering how long she had lived, she might be skilled, but still, a Druid with swordsmanship?

Rahelna smiled mockingly at my questioning expression.

“When you live alone in the mountains, you experience all sorts of situations.”

In an instant, I felt as if my heart was pierced by a sudden surge of killing intent.

Whoosh!

I hurriedly leaped backward, and Rahelna’s rapier swept past where I had been standing.

“I don’t transform and fight every time. It’s a waste of energy.”

Fast? Smooth? Sharp? Violent?

If you combined all of those things, wouldn’t you get swordsmanship like that?

In any case, it’s certain that she’s skilled.

As I got up and took a stance, Rahelna’s rapier twitched.

It was a signal to come at her.

I thought it was a good thing.

I didn’t have to hide all my skills like I did with Ruth and Illia, and there was no need to worry about hurting the other person.

In other words, it meant that I could finally do my best without worrying about my surroundings.

“Then.”

I nodded lightly, kicked off the ground, and rushed forward, soon meeting Rahelna’s curious eyes.

* * *

A few days later.

Ruth and Illia, whom I met after returning to the inn in Leydin, looked like they were about to cry when they saw my condition.

It must have been because of the scars all over my body.

Rahelna showed no mercy. Even when I gave it my all, Rahelna unleashed her power to match it.

Rolling on the ground and getting hurt was a natural consequence.

I had been fighting day and night until I was so exhausted that I couldn’t even hold a sword, and then I came back down to Leydin.

“Young Master! What on earth happened?”

At Ruth’s extreme reaction, I shrugged my shoulders and put the sack of herbs on the floor.

“How have you been?”

“No, Young Master! What are these wounds? What is this luggage? And why are we just waiting around? I feel like I’m going to die of frustration because I really don’t know what’s going on.”

Ruth, who was complaining while pounding her chest, suddenly widened her eyes when she saw Rahelna, who had followed behind.

“Who is that woman?”

“Didn’t you see her back then?”

“Yes?”

“In the basin. On top of the flat rock.”

Swish!

At my words, Ruth and Illia drew their swords almost simultaneously.

“Don’t tell me that woman did something to you, Young Master?”

An unintentionally perfect situation for misunderstanding had been created.

Glancing around, I saw the inn employee who had come out to see what the commotion was all about, looking terrified.

Even if I had rented the entire inn, spreading rumors beyond this point wouldn’t be good.

“Put them away.”

“Yes?”

“I said, both of you, put your swords away.”

At my quiet command, Ruth gritted her teeth and slowly put her sword away.

“Let’s move to my room for now. I have a lot to say.”

“……Understood.”

After telling the employee to guide Rahelna to a room, I took Ruth and Illia to the table in my room.

Ruth was silent for now, but her face showed that she was far from satisfied.

Well, it’s true that I’ve been hiding and concealing too much all this time. No matter how loyal Ruth is, she must be reaching her limit.

“You must have a lot of questions, but listen quietly for now. I’ll answer all your questions later.”

“……”

Ruth reluctantly nodded.

“First of all, the name of the woman who came with me is Rahelna Grantree. She is a Druid, a member of the race of nature.”

Was that what it means to have your eyes pop out?

Ruth and Illia, with their eyes as big as they could get, opened their mouths wide.

“A, a Druid, you say?”

“Yes.”

Illia, instead of Ruth, who had stopped speaking due to the shocking revelation, asked a question.

“Then, is that the rumored wolf?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s impossible!”

“Why?”

“Druids were definitely extinct……”

“She was just hiding her identity and living, but she definitely existed around us.”

Ruth, who belatedly came to her senses, clenched her fist tightly.

“Even so, contact with other races is strictly prohibited by law!”

“So, are you going to report me?”

“It’s not that, but still!”

“Didn’t I tell you? I’m planning to win the upcoming successor competition and become the Young Lord.”

Illia seemed to know the story roughly from Ruth earlier.

“But becoming the Young Lord is by no means my ultimate goal right now. It’s just a passing process. What I’m thinking about is a more distant future. For that, I need the existence of that Druid.”

“……The future, you say.”

“Listen carefully from now on.”

At my serious words, Ruth and Illia straightened their postures.

“Both of you must also feel that the current situation is unusual. The unfortunate incident that occurred during the process of attending the national foundation day celebration can be said to be a harbinger of that.”

Illia’s fist clenched tightly.

She must feel it even more because she was the one who actually went through the difficult situation with me.

“Wasn’t the attack at that time simply the work of forces trying to harm the Vashuran Duchy?”

“Things aren’t that simple.”

“You’re saying it’s not just a conflict between families.”

“That’s right.”

“I would like to ask what you are thinking.”

Ruth, who had calmed down, asked seriously.

“War.”

“Of course, the Vashuran Duchy can’t just stand still.”

“I’m not talking about a simple war between families.”

“Could you possibly be talking about the entire continent?”

“Yes. The entire continent will probably be engulfed in flames.”

“By whom……”

“That’s what we need to find out from now on. What we’re doing now is one of those things.”

It’s truly an absurd statement.

A war is going to happen, but I don’t know who is causing it. There is no evidence. All I have is an uncertain hunch.

If a stranger had said it, they would have been called crazy, and I would have had nothing to say.

But Ruth and Illia’s expressions were serious. As if they had received a difficult assignment, they were lost in deep thought for a long time.

It was Ruth who broke the silence that had been flowing for a while.

“Before long, the entire continent will be caught up in war, and everything we are doing now is preparation for that time. Is that how we should think about it?”

“That’s right.”

“Understood. Anyway, now that I know the goal, I feel relieved. I feel refreshed.”

Illia also nodded in agreement with Ruth’s words.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at their surprisingly accepting attitude.

“Aren’t you believing me too much without any basis?”

“Honestly, at this point, I think it’s more comfortable to think that Young Master received a divine revelation. There’s also the precedent so far.”

“I am quite capable.”

“To be honest, it would be a lie if I said I completely believed it without a single doubt. But anyway, I’ve dedicated my future to Young Master. To be honest, I’m willing to seriously consider it even if Young Master starts a rebellion.”

Illia, who was next to her, also flinched.

It’s understandable. For a knight to talk about rebellion… It’s an act that should never be done unless it’s in front of someone you trust very much.

“You’re crazy. Do you think Illia is deaf?”

“It doesn’t matter since she’s not affiliated with the Knights and she’s Young Master’s person anyway.”

I ended up laughing at Ruth’s smiling face.

“You’re too carefree.”

“Anyway, back to the main point, may I ask why you need that Druid?”

“It’s simple. My current destination is the Great Forest, and the only ones who can guide me there are Elves or Druids who once lived there.”

The Great Forest.

Ruth, as if she wasn’t surprised anymore, just smiled lightly and scratched the back of her neck.

“The Great Forest, huh? Nothing is surprising anymore. Anyway, you know that the Elves who live there want to use humans as targets as soon as they see them, right?”

“I know.”

“You must have preparations, of course.”

“Yes.”

“Then, is there anything else to say? I’ll just believe and follow you.”

Ruth nodded with a face that was now half resigned.

“From now on, treat Rahelna as being in the same position as me. She is a valuable guest.”

“Understood.”

“I’m saying this now, but honestly, I wasn’t planning on taking you to the Great Forest this time. In fact, the success or failure of the mission doesn’t depend on you.”

“……”

“But the reason I’m taking you anyway is simple. If you stay in the territory, you’ll be burdened with all sorts of trivial tasks, and you’ll waste a lot of time because of that. It’s a very unfortunate situation for me. The more you develop, the stronger my influence will be.”

“……”

“At least now, I’m thinking of you as my limbs, not my father’s.”

You are my trustworthy limbs.

This is probably the first time I’ve said it directly with my own mouth. As if to prove it, Ruth had a deeply moved expression on her face.

“Without further ado, we’ll be departing for the Vashuran Duchy tomorrow. I’m planning to go through there and enter the Great Forest, so keep that in mind and get some rest.”

“Understood.”

Ruth and Illia, who had been silently nodding at my words, got up.

At that sight, I gestured again.

“Ah. Illia, stay for a moment.”

“Yes? Yes.”

Illia, who had tilted her head for a moment, soon sat back in her chair, and Ruth bowed her head and disappeared through the door.

There was silence for a moment.

“Illia.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Get up.”

“Yes?”

“I said, get up.”