How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 79

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Chapter 79

Chapter 24. Proof of Qualification

The sight of the Phantom Knights slowly rising was spectacular.

No other knight order could act with such precision.

As if they were one, the black knights rose simultaneously, drawing their swords and emitting a dark aura at the same time.

Soon, the black knights began to move as a single mass. It was like a black wave. Not just me, but everyone must have felt like they were about to be swallowed by that wave.

“God damn it.”

I couldn’t help but curse.

Dealing with five Phantom Knights was already difficult, but now there were twenty times that number.

“Let’s retreat for now. We’ll be surrounded if we stay here.”

“……Good idea.”

At my words, the group, including Lordain, retreated to one corner of the chamber.

Ilia and the two elves, belatedly grasping the situation, couldn’t hide their surprise, their mouths agape.

“Lordain, what is that……?”

“I don’t know either, you guys.”

Lordain gave a bitter smile at Mirang and Kana’s questions.

Clang, clang, clang.

The Phantom Knights slowly approached, while Aslahina watched us, cornered from afar.

The situation was hopeless. It seemed that stepping foot here meant we couldn’t leave alive.

“L, Lord?”

Even Ruth didn’t know what to do, constantly wiping the sweat from his palms.

“We’re going to die without even knowing what’s going on.”

Fleta’s sigh pierced my ears.

But unlike the others who were in despair, I was pondering the questions that had arisen in my mind.

‘Why? Why these Phantom Knights?’

It was a question about the root of this situation, rather than the situation itself.

Why did Kerwyn deploy such a legion of Phantom Knights here, and for what purpose?

To use the unsealed demonic sword? And to lead these Phantom Knights to turn the continent upside down and create a living hell?

‘It doesn’t make sense.’

There was no reason to do that, and even if she had such intentions, Kerwyn would have had easier and better ways.

Yet, she gathered such irrational and ferocious war machines here.

For what?

Okay. Let’s concede that the Phantom Knights are what they are. But why did Aslahina come back to life?

‘Aslahina made a will to watch over the other races even in death.’

To watch over even in death.

That means she was willing to fight if necessary, even after death.

Did Kerwyn cast a resurrection spell for her and create an army for her?

If so, why did they wake up now?

My gaze turned to Lordain, then to Mirang and Kana.

Did they awaken because of those elves? If so, that means their mechanism is set to awaken and kill the opponent whenever they see other races.

‘That can’t be it.’

If that were the case, they should have attacked me in the first place. Considering everything, it seems that the Phantom Knights follow the will of Aslahina, who controls them.

‘Control?’

A sudden thought flashed through my mind, and I reached out and pulled Fleta closer.

“Fleta.”

“Why do you call me?”

“The Phantom Knights are magical creations, right? Then can’t you control them?”

“I’ve already tried.”

“You have?”

“Yes.”

Well, she’s intelligent, so she would have tried.

“The result?”

“They are subordinate to a powerful will. They are not simple marionettes.”

“Does that mean?”

“It means that a stronger expression of will is needed than the one that controls them.”

A stronger will.

It felt like the fog in my head was slowly clearing.

“They’re coming.”

Lordain’s words, breaking my train of thought, were heard.

The sight of the black knight order, made up of Phantom Knights, charging towards us came into view.

“We’ll grow old and die if we fight them one by one. It seems like this will only end if we catch the leader. I’ll clear a path, so save your strength.”

Lordain offered a solution that was endlessly 불안한 [anxious] and stepped forward.

Following him, he unleashed a powerful force and began to fight the Phantom Knights.

But the enemy is an immortal army.

His sword swept through and shattered dozens of Phantom Knights, but the remaining ones quickly filled the void.

Meanwhile, the fallen Phantom Knights rose and joined the ranks.

It was an endless cycle of attrition.

But Lordain had no choice but to keep fighting. It was all he could do at the moment.

“I’ll help!”

Mirang and Kana, unable to bear it any longer, joined the fray. Ilia and Ruth, who had been watching, stepped forward as if they couldn’t wait any longer.

Everyone went out to fight, leaving only Fleta and me behind.

Fleta stared blankly at the surreal scene, bit her lip, and turned to me.

“What are you thinking so intently about?”

“A woman’s heart?”

“Is this a joke, even in this situation?”

“No. I’m serious.”

Because I need to figure out the heart of the woman named Kerwyn to unravel this situation.

Let’s think.

Kerwyn. Kerwyn. Kerwyn.

Why did that woman do this?

“To think that I would face an unexpected death in an unexpected place. I’m not happy about it. I might resent you.”

Fleta, with a tired face, clenched her wand tightly and joined the battle.

I watched all of this from behind and turned my gaze.

And I met the empty gaze of Aslahina, who was standing still in the distance, watching this place.

I asked with my eyes.

‘Why are you standing still? What are you waiting for? If you just come and swing your sword a few times, we’re all done for.’

Why is she just standing there watching us?

As if she’s testing us.

“Test.”

Test.

Okay. If this is a test, then what are we supposed to prove? What does she want me to prove?

The scattered puzzle pieces began to come together.

Kerwyn created the Phantom Knight Legion under Lake Daesu in preparation for a possible coup by other races.

The one who commands that legion is Aslahina, who vowed to watch over the other races even in death, and the five Phantom Knights modeled after the Emperor’s knights.

If so, Aslahina would only awaken when there is a proper reason. If a mere tomb raider awakened them, all he would face is death.

‘Ah.’

From that point of view, aren’t we just mere tomb raiders to them right now?

Then what we need to do now is not to fight against them…….

“Proof of qualification.”

The words I spoke to myself felt like the answer someone was telling me.

Proof of qualification.

The method of proof is obvious.

Aslahina and the five knights of the Emperor, and Kerwyn, ultimately follow only one person.

I reached out with my limp hand and strongly gripped Aphen again.

“Hey.”

As if waiting for my call, Aphen replied.

[Yeah.]

“About Emperor Belangkas.”

[My dad?]

“Yes.”

[Why suddenly my dad?]

“Do he and I look alike?”

[What are you talking about? Compared to Dad, you’re just half-baked dough.]

Half-baked dough?

“Do you want to be thrown into a furnace?”

Aphen, who was cackling at my words, changed her tone.

[I know what you want to ask.]

“You know?”

[I read your mind because you were showing an opening.]

“Didn’t I tell you not to read it carelessly?”

[Hehe, what can I do if I hear it?]

“Anyway, if you read it, you know. Is it possible?”

[I don’t know.]

I suddenly lost confidence.

[But.]

“But?”

[If your idea is right, it’s worth trying. The conditions are met.]

“The conditions are met?”

[My mom entrusted me to you. And I’m giving you strength too.]

“What’s so important about that?”

[It’s important!]

Aphen shouted and started to snap at me.

[This guy doesn’t know anything. Listen carefully. Do you think my mom would have created me with any random soul she found lying around? No way! What makes me is Belangkas and Kerwyn. What does that mean? In other words, I am the guardian saint and spirit of the royal family.]

“You mean the soul that makes up your ego…….”

[That’s right. I am the Emperor and Kerwyn. I am made by taking pieces of both of them. Do you think you can just grab me and use me as a sword because you’re just going to use me as a sword? No way!]

“You can use me because you acknowledged me?”

[Yes! That I acknowledged you, that’s the end of it! There’s no need or reason to be verified by anyone! Even if the human I acknowledge is a slave, at that moment, that human becomes the second guardian saint and emperor!]

Aphen’s birth story was surprising, but it was also a moment when I newly realized the meaning she had.

Emperor Belangkas, who founded the kingdom, and the guardian saint Kerwyn Aphen, who protects the kingdom.

Aphen was the one who included both of them.

[Do you need my strength?]

Aphen continued, humming a tune as if she had never been angry.

[Then ask for it. I’ll lend it to you anytime.]

Kwaaaang!

The power that Lordain emitted shook the chamber. It wasn’t a good sign that he was using all his strength against mere Phantom Knights when he should be facing Aslahina.

It probably means he’s slowly being pushed back.

I started to move.

I brushed off the fragments of the Phantom Knight that flew towards me with my hand and moved towards the battlefield.

Ruth, soaked in sweat, was horrified when he saw me.

“Please step back! Ilia! Protect the Lord!”

At Ruth’s cry, Ilia approached and grabbed my arm. But I slowly shook off her arm.

“L, Lord?”

I moved forward, leaving Ilia’s call behind. Ilia’s hand, which should have grabbed me again, was not felt.

‘Then let’s borrow it for a while.’

[Okay.]

Saaaaaa…….

As Aphen answered, golden light flowed out from the amber jewel embedded in the sword.

The flowing light slowly created an aura. The golden energy that spread out like that was soon laid low and thick like a fog.

It was a clear contrast to Aslahina’s dark energy. Ilia’s body stiffened when she saw this.

“Third Lord?”

Fleta, who was constantly emitting magic, looked behind me and widened her eyes, losing her words.

I also glanced back.

I could see the gathered golden energy becoming wings and taking place behind my back. It was no different from the one symbolizing the Emperor.

‘Golden wings. What a unique taste.’

I smiled and moved my steps.

In front, Mirang and Kana, Lordain, and Ruth were roughly smashing the Phantom Knights.

I opened my mouth towards them.

“I’ll take it from now on.”

“Take what? If you have the strength to talk nonsense, come and help…….”

Lordain, who was smashing the Phantom Knights at my words, turned his head and froze in place.

The reactions of the others were no different. Mirang and Kana, and Ruth also widened their eyes and stared at me.

“You brat…….”

Lordain’s pupils shook.

Who is he seeing in me right now?

“I think they’re waiting for me to come out.”

At my words, everyone turned their heads and looked back at the Phantom Knights.

They were stopped.

The black knight order, which had been trying to crush us until just now, was quietly stopped and watching me all at once.

With a clear reaction, Lordain had no choice but to step back.

“You, you…….”

Leaving Lordain, who was stuttering as he stepped back, I stepped forward.

Leaving everyone behind, I stopped in front of the black knight order.

‘It’s good to come out, but what should I do now?’

Aphen cackled at my short 고민 [worry].

[Oh my god, how can such a bland man be the Emperor? Show some dignity!]

“Shut up.”

After dismissing Aphen’s sarcasm, I closed my eyes for a moment.

The thought that came to my mind right now was a sense of futility.

Yeah. Kerwyn, that woman, isn’t stupid, so she wouldn’t just throw a sword at me without any countermeasures and tell me to do everything.

At the same time, it was a sense of pressure.

Saving the world is already heavy enough, but am I supposed to play the role of the Emperor?

‘I have to do what I’m told.’

I’m not going to run away after coming this far, am I?

I took a low breath and opened my eyes.

Nothing had changed. Still, over a hundred black knights were watching me, not frightened or wary.

Yeah. The Phantom Knights haven’t changed.

But I have changed.

I glanced sideways and looked for Aslahina, who was standing proudly in the distance.

She was looking at me with her sword on the ground. Her empty eyes were still the same, but somehow she seemed to be seeking an answer from me.

If so.

I licked my lips and slowly took a step. The goal was Aslahina. There were still Phantom Knights between her and me, but now they had nothing to do with me.

And my thoughts were right.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The Phantom Knights began to kneel.

The metallic sound of metal clashing echoed through the chamber. Like throwing a stone into a pond, the metallic sound spread evenly from near to far.

The sword tips were facing the ground, and their heads were bowed.

It was a familiar sight. It was no different from the 예 [respect] that the Knights of Radiance in Capital showed to the king.

In that way, over a hundred black knights knelt towards me with etiquette, and in the middle, a path to Aslahina was created in the space they had cleared.

I could tell without asking.

This path was for me.

I started walking that path. Then, the energy that was emitted from me began to wrap around the Phantom Knights.

The black light in their eyes slowly turned golden. At the same time, like the sun rising and the dawn breaking, Aslahina’s dark energy slowly began to recede.

I moved my steps and arrived in front of Aslahina, and I called her in a low voice.

“Aslahina.”

“…….”

She was standing on the altar, so I had to look up.

But soon my head was facing down.

Clang!

Her knee pads collided strongly with the floor. The tip of her sword was facing the floor, her hands were stacked on the handle, and her head was dropped to the floor.

[……My Lord.]

At the same time, a stronger thought than ever before pierced my mind.

It was the call of Aslahina, who had been sleeping here for hundreds of years.