How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 66

Living as the Third Son of a Wasted Novel – Chapter 66

* * *

After venturing deeper into the Great Forest, we encountered a group of elves blocking our path.

Kana offered to explain the situation and stepped forward.

“Should we follow her?”

Rooss asked, glancing at Kana’s retreating figure, but I shook my head.

‘She probably thinks she fooled us nicely and will betray us. It’s an obvious scenario. Of course, that doesn’t change the outcome,’ I thought.

And Kana’s actions were as expected.

Quickly changing her attitude, Kana limped towards the group of elves, sneering at me.

“You fools!”

Fleta sighed at Kana’s taunt.

“Didn’t I tell you that you can’t trust other races?”

“Well, I knew she would run. I just didn’t expect her to act so childishly.”

“You let her go knowing that?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted her to take us to the center somehow.”

Fleta pondered my words for a moment before nodding.

“I see.”

‘Getting information through torture or coercion has many variables. They might hold a grudge and remain silent, or they might give you completely wrong information,’ I reasoned. ‘It’s better to induce them to guide us actively, even if the result is betrayal.’

‘Once you catch a fish, it’s easy to catch it again.’

I slowly nodded and looked around. I could sense an encirclement of roughly a hundred elves.

The elves, well-positioned among the sparse trees, were drawing their bows, aiming at us as if their fingers didn’t hurt.

As I turned my head, I met Kana’s eyes.

“You’re dead if you get caught.”

After giving her a slight warning, she flinched and hid behind her comrades.

An elf, looking at Kana with disdain, clicked his tongue and stepped forward.

“I am Mirang Hareyan, the captain of the guard and the heir to the name of Hareyan.”

It was in the common tongue, so no translation was needed.

I glanced at Rahenna, and she calmly spoke.

“Inheriting a name means they are of noble status. In human terms, you could say they are aristocrats. If they can speak the common tongue, their position is quite high. And they said they are the captain of the guard.”

Turning back, Mirang Hareyan pointed at us with a threatening expression.

“You have guts. Crawling into the heart of the Great Forest. Have you made this place your grave?”

“Crawling? Can’t you see we walked in on two feet? Are your eyes worse than rotten fish?”

“…Shut up!”

“Chicken? You need to give a chicken to shut it up.”

I could feel the piercing gazes from Fleta and the others around me.

‘Whatever. This is all part of a provocation strategy,’ I thought.

As expected, the elf captain’s eyes flashed with murderous intent at my absurd joke.

She gnashed her teeth and then scanned our group before speaking again.

“The human bitch from Basrunga, raise your hand.”

Fleta, who was called a bitch, opened her mouth calmly, as if she had no more anger to spare.

“If you call me a bitch one more time, I will mobilize the army and burn down the Great Forest.”

The elf captain coughed, feigning composure at her low but clear words.

“Ahem, are you the human from Basrunga?”

“So what?”

“I will assign you a scout. If you go straight out of the Great Forest, nothing will happen.”

‘If you go back, I’ll spare you,’ she implied.

Fleta, realizing her intention, sighed lightly.

“Third Son.”

“What?”

“Do we have to endure this humiliation any longer?”

“I’m just as annoyed as you are.”

After speaking, I glanced at Rahenna. She nodded slightly, acknowledging my gaze.

Confirming that, I took a few steps forward.

Thwack!

Then, an arrow flew like light and struck right in front of my boots.

“If you move one more step, I’ll pierce your head next.”

At the grim warning, I sighed lowly and opened my mouth.

“Bring the elf named Kana back in front of me. If you do that, I’ll let it pass quietly.”

I expected to be looked at like a madman.

‘Well, I didn’t say it expecting them to listen in the first place. It was just a greeting. Just that much,’ I mused.

“You’re a crazy human. Heiress of Basrunga, listen. We clearly warned you. And you must take responsibility for not listening.”

“So they say.”

I turned to Fleta and conveyed the message, and she glared at me.

“Is this the time to be playing word games with me?”

I turned back to the elf captain and relayed.

“So they say.”

“Shoot.”

There was no further small talk. The elf captain gave her final answer by lowering her hand.

Thang!

As if only one arrow was shot, the elves released their bows simultaneously.

“Ugh…”

With Rooss’s groan, the sky was covered with arrows.

“Rooss.”

I called out, watching the pouring rain of arrows, and Rooss nodded.

“Yes.”

“Go catch them.”

“The elf captain? Or the one who betrayed us?”

“Both.”

“Tsk. It won’t be easy.”

“I’ll support you, so do your job.”

“Understood.”

There was no hesitation. Rooss stepped forward as if he was just doing what he was told.

Then, Rooss took a breath and crouched down, drawing his sword. Immediately, an explosively rising mana enveloped Rooss’s body.

At the same time, Fleta cast a spell. A barrier twice as thick as usual surrounded the group, excluding Rooss.

Thatt!

Rooss kicked off the ground at the same time.

The swaying mana stretched out, and Rooss’s figure seemed to stretch for a moment.

Woo-oong-!

Rooss escaped Fleta’s shield, but the amulet exerted its power. The unfolded green barrier protected Rooss from the arrows.

Simultaneously, Rahenna gathered both hands in front of her. An unprecedented power gathered in her hands. She, who had only provided support until now, was finally about to use her power in earnest.

“… !”

“Wh-what is that!”

A cry mixed with surprise erupted from both sides.

Thus, humans and elves stared at Rooss with wide eyes.

More precisely, at the dozens of Roosses.

“Uh, uh!”

Dozens of Roosses continuously emitted blue mana from their bodies, scattering in all directions.

Despite the captain’s control, some of the panicked elves shot arrows. However, most of the arrows futilely pierced through the illusions.

“… What kind of magic is that?”

Fleta bit her lip and looked at Rahenna. She was just concentrating with her eyes closed.

Then, Fleta turned to me and urgently opened her mouth.

“Third Son, how can you use such high-level illusion magic…”

“It’s not illusion magic.”

“Yes?”

“It’s shamanism, more precisely, illusion, one of the many branches of shamanism. Druids are not mages.”

“…”

Fleta, with her mouth agape, watched the dozens of Roosses darting through the trees.

As if each had its own ego, Rooss’s clones ran around in all directions, confusing the elves.

The clones didn’t necessarily have physical power. However, the vitality of the clones was a level above illusions created by magic.

Every time Rooss, continuously emitting blue energy, swung his sword, the elves instinctively dodged.

Even though they knew it was a false illusion, they couldn’t help it. It’s not easy to suppress the instincts ingrained in the body with reason.

“I’ve heard about it in documents, but even so, how can they…”

Fleta had been secretly despising Rahenna, though she hadn’t shown it.

The reason was, of course, because she was a different race.

Moreover, she was once an enemy of humans and had ultimately been defeated by humans.

But now, Fleta, who had actually encountered shamanism, which she had only read about in records, had the face of someone who had experienced a new civilization.

The contempt that had lingered in her eyes disappeared without a trace, leaving only awe.

Indeed, I had to admit that even I, who was watching directly, found it hard to believe.

‘Illusionist Rahenna Grantri,’ I thought.

If Druid Hashunar is a shadow assassin (鬼影術士) who moves through the shadows like a ghost,

Druid Rahenna Grantri was an illusionist (幻影術士) who deceives the eyes of thousands.

“Fi-find the real one!”

“It’s a formless illusion! Maintain formation!”

Some of the elves shouted at the top of their lungs to try to reorganize the ranks, but it was too late. They had already wasted a considerable amount of time.

On the other hand, our goal was clear, so I could easily find Rooss.

Thatt! Thatt! Thatt!

Being able to only attack without worrying about defense is a huge merit. The elf captain, Mirang Hareyan, nimbly dodged and fired arrows in succession, but it was not enough to penetrate the shield deployed by the amulet.

Eventually, Rooss, who had caught up from behind, swung his sword.

Clang-!

The elf Mirang hastily drew the sword from her waist and blocked it. Of course, the price was high. Mirang, unable to withstand the force of Rooss’s sword, collided violently with a tree.

“Cough!”

Mirang, spitting out blood, felt that she would be caught if she continued like this, and she frantically waved her hand.

Saaaaaa…

Then, a strange thing happened. Suddenly, thick branches gathered under Mirang’s body as she fell from colliding with the trees.

“Spirit magic.”

Fleta’s eyes widened at my mutterings.

“Is that it?”

“Look at the way the trees are moving. She’s using Ents [tree-like beings with great strength].”

The gathered branches caught Mirang without much impact. Not only that, but a thick branch was swung at Rooss.

It was just a branch, but because the trees were so huge, it was like a wooden club that giants would use.

Boo-oong!

Rooss took a deep breath at the trees’ attack on him.

Swish!

Then, Rooss’s sword drew countless lines. The huge branch was split into finely chopped firewood and scattered into the air.

Meanwhile, half a dozen clones quickly gathered around Rooss. Then, they moved erratically through the scattering wood fragments, chasing Mirang.

Mirang’s pupils shook erratically as she watched him. She couldn’t distinguish which of the Roosses rushing in from all directions was the real one.

“Eek… !”

In the end, Mirang blindly chose two or three clones and used Ents.

But unfortunately, all the ones she chose were clones, and Rooss’s hand, which had approached unnoticed, struck the back of her neck.

Thatt!

After that, there was nothing stopping Rooss, who had subdued Mirang. The elves belatedly shot arrows, but it was impossible to keep up with Rooss’s quick movements.

Rooss, continuing his momentum, subdued even Kana and quickly escaped, landing in front of me.

“Young master.”

As I placed the two limp elves in front of me, I called out to Rahenna, who was still concentrating.

“Rahenna, that’s enough.”

At my words, Rahenna lowered her hand.

Then, Rooss’s illusions, which had filled the surroundings, disappeared in an instant like melting snow.

All that remained were the elves with their empty faces.

One by one, they came to their senses and hurriedly rushed in, surrounding me and my party.

At the sight, I crossed my arms and opened my mouth.

“The battle is over. You lost.”

No elf refuted my words. They were just in awe, looking at Mirang, who had fainted and fallen in front of me.

It was natural. Mirang was of noble status, having received a name, unlike Kana, who had been captured earlier.

In human terms, it was no different from capturing the enemy’s lord.

“Rooss.”

I gestured to Rooss, who was standing next to me. Then, Rooss squatted down and tapped Mirang’s cheek.

“Ugh…”

What Mirang, who had regained consciousness, faced was Rooss, who was giving her a bitter smile.

“Get up. If you don’t want a hole in your neck, don’t even think about doing anything foolish.”

“…”

Mirang’s face darkened as she finally realized that she had been captured.

I calmly opened my mouth to her.

“Mirang Hareyan, you lost.”

“So, are you going to humiliate me? Do you think I’ll give in?”

“Humiliate? Not at all. I have no intention of doing that.”

“What?”

“There’s no use in accepting your surrender. All I want is for you to clear the way. That’s all.”

“Do you think we’ll just step aside if you let us go? It’s my duty to stop you!”

“Stop me.”

“What?”

“Stop me. It’s your duty, right?”

Mirang’s face was filled with absurdity.

“Is it difficult to understand? I’ll say it again. I’ll let you go, so stop me again.”

“…”

“Are you worried about being retaliated against if you get captured again? Don’t worry. Even if you get captured again, I’m going to let you go again.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s as it sounds. No matter how many times you stop me, ten or a hundred times, you’ll just be captured and released repeatedly. You can’t stop us.”

“I don’t know how you created those clones, but do you think I’ll fall for the same trick twice?”

“Ah, you won’t fall for the same trick. So we’ll gradually raise the level. We were lucky that no one was hurt this time, but will that be the case in the future?”

Mirang pressed her lips together and glared at me. Then, she turned her gaze to Fleta, then to Rahenna and Ilia, and finally to Rooss.

Then, she seemed to be thinking hard about something for a moment.

‘She’s probably gauging whether she can win by fighting again,’ I thought.

In fact, if Mirang continued to block us, reinforcements would soon arrive, and it was a clear fact that we, with our limited numbers, would be pushed back.

Nevertheless, Mirang couldn’t easily say that she would fight back. And I know the reason why. That’s why I was acting cocky, telling her to block me if she wanted to.

‘Although there are more of them than Druids, elves also have a very small population,’ I reasoned.

Elves are the race of nature. New life is born as much as there is abundant nature, and they can only live there.

For them, the Great Forest is a narrow space. As such, the population must have exploded compared to the past.

In that situation, what if they were to lose a warrior who had been raised with difficulty for decades and would have to endure as an active member for more than a hundred years?

It’s no different from the cornerstone being broken. It means the foundation is shaken.

“I don’t trust humans.”

Mirang, having finished her deliberation, slowly opened her mouth.

“But it is also true that I don’t have the ability to stop you.”

“So?”

“I’ll take you. But remember. It doesn’t mean I won’t be hostile. If I get the chance, I’ll catch you and kill you at any time.”

“Whatever.”

And in the end, Mirang moved as I expected.

Mirang, who had struggled to get up, raised her hand and sent a signal.

At that, the elves, who were still aiming at us with bows from the trees, lowered their hands.

“Escort these people to Elven Forest.”

“Escort?”

“I said I’d take you, but I didn’t say I’d guide you.”

After saying only what she had to say, Mirang started walking ahead.

Chat!

Then, a dozen elves came down with tense faces and surrounded us. If someone who didn’t know saw it, it would look like we were being dragged away.

But so what? They’re taking us to the elves’ base and the center of the Great Forest, Elven Forest.

I shrugged coolly and gestured to my party.

“Let’s go.”

Just as we were about to move slowly, Mirang, who was walking ahead, suddenly turned to look at me, who was standing behind.

“… There’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Why are you so desperately trying to break into the interior of the Great Forest?”

“Is that what you’re curious about?”

“If you just had business with us, you wouldn’t have needed to go this far, would you? Or do you have two lives?”

“Well, it’s a secret, but I’ll tell you especially.”

“…”

Mirang’s ears perked up at my words, and I smiled and opened my mouth.

“It’s simple. For world peace.”