How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 70

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 70

Chapter 22. Lordain

The next morning.

Before moving, I paused for a moment, tapping the table as I pondered.

It was because of the story Aphen had told me last night.

‘Her last words were that she would watch over the demi-humans even in death.’

Sword Demon Aslahina.

Kerwyn, who lost his escort knight and close friend, is said to have spent the night in tears.

A truly touching story. A knight who gave her life for her lord, and a lord who honored such a knight.

Yes. It was just another old tale that would have ended there. But Aphen’s words changed the situation.

‘Aslahina’s tomb is in the Great Forest?’

It is true that Kerwyn built a tomb just for her somewhere on the continent. However, the location was not even properly mentioned in the novel, so I couldn’t know. But I felt a sense of excitement when I unexpectedly got a hint from Aphen’s words.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

A voice calling me snapped me out of my thoughts.

Turning my head, I saw Ruth and Ilia, who had already finished preparing and were waiting.

“What about the elf who will guide us?”

“He said he would be here around this time…”

Ruth trailed off for a moment before nodding.

“He’s not punctual. He’s coming over there.”

Turning my head, I saw two elves in patrol uniforms outside the window.

As the distance closed, the features of the two elves became visible. Mirang and Kana. It was an old acquaintance.

Their wounds seemed to have healed, perhaps because they had been treated in the meantime. Unlike Mirang, who walked confidently, Kana’s gait was quite uneasy.

The reason is clear. They had a history of stabbing us in the back.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

Mirang, who entered after a simple knock, greeted us with an awkward face.

All of her previous hostile demeanor had disappeared.

Perhaps because Glorian himself had accepted us as guests, the two elves were giving us the appropriate treatment.

“Are you two guiding us?”

“That’s right.”

“Looking at the two of you, it seems like a disciplinary measure.”

“Because there probably aren’t any elves who want to guide humans.”

Indeed. It would be a similar concept to asking humans to become the henchmen of orcs and goblins.

“On the other hand, you two already have a record, so?”

Mirang nodded with a bitter face.

“That’s right.”

“We’re not thrilled either. Who knows when you’ll stab us in the back again?”

Kana, who was standing awkwardly behind Mirang, flinched at my words.

“Still, as the Elder has told us to treat you as guests, there will never be anything like that again.”

“But why two people?”

“One must be awake while the other sleeps.”

“Are you worried we’ll do something else?”

“It’s not surveillance, but a measure to ensure we can always offer advice.”

“Whatever.”

Tsk, I lightly clicked my tongue and got up from my seat, grabbing my sword.

“So, where should we start looking to find Lordain?”

“That’s up to you to decide. I’m just here to guide you.”

“Still, you can read the memories of the trees, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then let’s take a look around. We might find a trace.”

“The Great Forest is very vast.”

“But we don’t have any other good ideas, do we? First of all.”

I tilted my head to the side and looked at Kana, who was hiding behind Mirang as if she was about to disappear.

“Hey.”

“Yes? Ah, no, what, what is it?”

Kana stuttered as she answered, looking overly nervous.

“Before we leave, don’t we have something to settle?”

* * *

After leaving Elven Forest, the journey was simple. We walked aimlessly, and after about an hour, Mirang would read the forest’s memories. Of course, it was all in vain so far, and we started walking again.

We spent half a day without any particular harvest, and the night in the dense Great Forest came quickly.

After finishing the preparations for the camp, I nodded to Kana.

“What are you doing?”

“……Yes?”

“What are you doing? Not preparing the meal.”

Kana, who was about to say something, shut her mouth and started climbing a tree. It seemed she was planning to gather some tree fruits.

“Indeed, people shouldn’t live with sin.”

Ruth chuckled at Kana’s appearance, who was taking care of us throughout this journey as a price for her previous betrayal.

“Don’t laugh and let’s review it.”

“Understood.”

Ruth, who was sitting at the campsite, took out a map and began to erase the roads we had passed so far.

“We’ve only covered this much even after searching all day.”

“At this rate, it will take quite a while.”

“Yes. Not even a month would be enough. Assuming it’s found in the last place we visited.”

“Let’s take it easy. It’s not like he’s running away.”

“But wouldn’t that elf elder who ran away keep moving too?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

I was so focused on finding him that I forgot that Lordain could also move.

“If that’s the case, there’s no problem.”

“Huh?”

“I left a memory while passing by. If Lordain confirms it, he will return to Elven Forest.”

“He’s a weirdo, right? He might just ignore it.”

“Watch your language.”

“Why is it wrong to call a weirdo a weirdo?”

Tak!

Mirang, who jumped up from her seat, placed her hand on the sword sheath.

“Just as you honor your king, we also pay respect to the name of Lordain. So, show proper respect.”

“But you don’t show respect to the human king, do you?”

“……Are you trying to start something?”

“You lost last time, so what.”

“I wouldn’t have lost if it weren’t for the druid.”

“Oh, so you’re saying you can win now?”

“Of course.”

“That sounds fun. Ruth!”

At my call, Ruth, who had been watching with her chin resting on her hand, shook off her seat and stood up.

“Yes.”

“She sees you as a pushover?”

“Losers are always like that. They don’t find the defeat in themselves and attribute it to other factors.”

Sparks flew in Mirang’s eyes at Ruth’s sneer.

“A loser!”

“Then, aren’t you?”

“Watch your mouth!”

“Try to make me.”

I clapped my hands loudly at the sparking war of nerves to temporarily lighten the atmosphere.

“Good. If you’re so upset, why don’t you have a sparring match.”

“Sparring?”

“Why, you said you lost because of the druid back then?”

“Good.”

Sreung!

A sword with a graceful curve was drawn by Mirang’s hand.

Responding to it, Ruth also drew a long sword that stretched straight out.

“Elven swordsmanship and human swordsmanship. It’s fascinating.”

“If I win, promise to apologize for your rash remarks just now and show respect from now on.”

“That’s not difficult. Conversely, if we win?”

“I won’t lose, so there’s no need to discuss it.”

“Your confidence is good to see. Good. If you lose, how about answering a few questions without lying? Of course, I won’t ask anything that violates the law, so don’t worry.”

“It’s meaningless. I won’t lose in the first place.”

“Well, we’ll see.”

That’s how Mirang and Ruth faced each other.

It’s interesting. Ruth handles mana, and Mirang handles spirits. They both handle the same sword, but their detailed tendencies are different, so I was curious about how the development would unfold.

The start was Mirang first.

Mirang began to explore around Ruth. Her movements were light. So light that it sparkled. At least for a knight using mana.

‘What about Ruth?’

On the other hand, Ruth slowly took a few steps back. At that moment, Mirang rushed in, and Ruth also swung her sword like lightning.

Kaaang!

A clear metallic sound echoed through the forest.

Ruth, who had knocked the sword away nicely, smiled. On the other hand, Mirang, who was pushed back by the force and landed with a somersault, bit her lip.

“How is it?”

At my question, Ruth shrugged.

“From now on, we can send Ilia out.”

“Is it that much?”

Perhaps her pride was hurt by Ruth’s words, Mirang began to mutter something in a low voice.

Then, a strange thing happened. Suddenly, a breeze began to blow around the surroundings, which had been quiet until now.

‘The spirit of the wind.’

Mirang, who had become noticeably faster, began to unleash her fast sword. Ruth, who had been relaxed at first, realized that it was no joke and bit her lip.

What unfolded after that was a festival of speed.

Only the afterimages of each other were intertwined, and only the sparks left by the swords colliding were visible.

“It’s evenly matched.”

“Isn’t this the Great Forest? If it were on flat ground, Lord Meyer would have already subdued her.”

Kana, who appeared from behind with a handful of food, snorted at Ilia’s words, who was subtly taking Ruth’s side.

“Doesn’t she know that she’s already holding back from the start by only using the sword without using other weapons?”

“She’s not using it because her skills are crude and she can’t even touch her clothes.”

“Are you ignoring the elven archery now?”

“Do I have to ask that one by one to know? How foolish.”

Kana gritted her teeth at Ilia’s retort.

“Try it once.”

“It’s a miscalculation if you thought I’d avoid it.”

Kana and Ilia, who were glaring at each other and grinding their teeth, soon moved their seats and started sparring.

In an instant, only the sound of swords colliding echoed in the forest.

“……What are they going to do if someone gets hurt?”

At Fleta’s question, I shook my head.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s anything to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about?”

“Actually, all four of them can just attach any reason to the sparring.”

“No matter what? Are they doing it because they want to?”

“Yes. Because the current humans and elves are from different cultures that they haven’t experienced. They want to prove that their swordsmanship is superior by breaking the origin of each other’s swordsmanship. Warriors are originally like that.”

“It’s hard to understand.”

“Actually, it’s hard for me to understand with my head too.”

I shrugged my shoulders as I watched the elves and humans happily clashing swords.

Well, the good is good. New experiences in the mana-rich Great Forest will dramatically improve their skills.

“Then I, in the meantime…….”

I stretched lightly and thought about preparing a meal, but when I saw the food that Kana brought, my motivation faded away.

‘Why is it all tree fruits…….’

Clicking my tongue, I turned around, and Fleta tilted her head at me.

“Where are you going?”

“Look at that.”

When Fleta saw the tree fruits that my gaze pointed to, she nodded her head quietly.

“I’ll have to go hunting.”

“Is it illegal to catch prey in the Great Forest?”

“Well. Even if that’s the case…….”

“We just have to not get caught.”

“Shall I go with you?”

“No. I’m enough alone. It’s also a reconnaissance, so it might be a little late. In the meantime, keep a good watch over them.”

“Am I some kind of nanny?”

“It suits you quite well.”

“…….”

Ending the nonsensical joke, I walked alone deep into the forest.

‘Now that it’s come to this.’

It would be good to look around so that I wouldn’t have to come back the way I came.

How long had I been moving like that?

When I got to a distance where my shouts wouldn’t be heard by the group, I lightly grabbed Aphen.

“Hey.”

[Woong?]

“Tell me in detail what that place that Kerwyn visited every year is like.”

[Hmm…… I don’t know in detail! But Mom said that a very big and bright moon can be seen there.]

A very big and bright moon?

Is it a place with a very open view? Is it a mountain? But I don’t think there are any particularly high mountains in the Great Forest…….

“Is that all?”

[She also said it was a beautiful place where you could hold the moon in your arms.]

“…….”

Holding the moon in your arms?

What kind of bullshit is that?