How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 86

Living as the Third Son of a Wasted Masterpiece – Episode 86

Chapter 26. Treason

With only a day left until Reidin’s celebration, I was savoring my last moments with Rahelna.

She looked quite tired.

Well, considering that Ruth and I were also feeling the accumulated fatigue, she must have been feeling it even more.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“I consider it a visit to my hometown after a long time. It wasn’t a bad trip.”

“I won’t forget the help I received this time.”

“I only did what I had to do. Besides, I had a promise with someone.”

“Well, anyway.”

“Yes, what are you planning to do from now on?”

“I need to settle down first, don’t I? Running around here and there has too many drawbacks right now.”

“I wish you good fortune.”

I glanced at Ruth.

Ruth was busy packing, preparing for our imminent arrival in Reidin.

“Have you considered the deal?”

“You mean the Crest of Hashunar.”

“Yes.”

“They said they would give me the Druid’s territory in the future if I handed it over.”

“That’s right.”

“It’s a hard condition to refuse. I can’t live as a wanderer forever.”

“Then…….”

“But I can’t make a decision now. I can’t discuss it alone. Besides, the test isn’t over yet.”

She was saying that she would watch my actions and judge whether I was qualified to have the crest.

Well, she’s not wrong. It’s a powerful force, so she should be careful about giving it away.

“Hmm. So when can I pass that test?”

“That’s why I have a job for you.”

“Yes? A job?”

Rahelna took out a scroll sealed with wax from her bosom.

“There is a Druid hiding in the east. Deliver this to him.”

“What’s inside?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you the test questions in advance, would it?”

“Is this scroll the test?”

“Yes.”

“You’re giving me another task like this.”

“So you don’t like it?”

“It’s not that.”

“There is an isolated mountain in the northeast. It won’t be hard to find. Figure out how to find it on your own.”

“……Can’t we take the easy way?”

“Does the world ever work the way you want it to?”

Rahelna chuckled, then turned and slowly began to walk away.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

“How should I contact you when I pass this test?”

“Wait. I’ll send you word.”

She is a Druid. If she wants, she has the ability to send me news at any time through a messenger.

“I understand. Then I’ll be waiting.”

“Yes. I’ll be watching from now on.”

After speaking, a bright light emanated from Rahelna’s surroundings. Then, Rahelna, who had transformed into a huge white wolf, leaped off the ground and disappeared into the mountains.

“Did she leave?”

Ruth, who belatedly jumped out after seeing the light, stared at the white wolf disappearing into the distance.

“Yes.”

“Eek. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

“She must have thought we were destined to meet again.”

“Meet again?”

“Yes. We’ll meet again.”

Because what will happen soon won’t be just a human problem.

It was likely to be a chaos involving all kinds of races, including elves and druids, monsters, and perhaps even transcendent beings. Because of that, I will definitely meet Rahelna again.

“Until then, I’ll just do what I can.”

“Yes?”

“No. It was just a soliloquy. Let’s go.”

Turning around and getting back into the carriage, Ruth sat in the driver’s seat with a puzzled look.

“Well, anyway, we’re going to Reidin now.”

“Yes.”

“Time has passed in an instant, but when I think about it, it seems like it’s been quite a long journey.”

It was a tiring journey.

“So let’s go quickly.”

“Yes, I understand.”

At Ruth’s whip, the carriage began to move again.

* * *

What woke me up from my deep sleep, using the swaying carriage as a lullaby, was Ruth’s quiet voice.

“Young Master.”

I thought we should rest in Reidin since we were resting anyway, so we skipped even the overnight stay. When I opened my eyes, I could feel the deep darkness spread out beyond the window.

As I jumped up, Ruth’s words were heard again.

“It’s Reidin.”

“Really?”

Stretching my stiff body, I looked out the window and saw the city’s appearance that remained in my memory.

“Thanks for your hard work.”

“Yes. I’ll find a place to stay as soon as we get in.”

“Let’s do that. I need to soak my body in warm water and have a beer.”

“Sounds good.”

Ruth smiled brightly and continued to lead the carriage, and I got out and sat next to Ruth, buttoning up my coat.

“I hope they don’t refuse to let us in just because it’s dawn.”

“Reidin is under the direct control of the kingdom. According to the kingdom’s law, those with confirmed identities can enter even at dawn.”

“That’s a relief.”

As I faced the chilly wind, we arrived in front of the gate, and a black figure suddenly appeared above the wall.

“Stop! Stop!”

As Ruth stopped the carriage, a torch was raised above the wall.

“What’s going on!”

“We want to enter Reidin.”

“Oh, at this early hour?”

“There’s no reason why we can’t, is there?”

“Well, that’s true. If your identity is confirmed.”

At the guard’s words, Ruth tilted her head.

“Ruth Mayer, a knight of the Wind Knights serving the Lindayer County. If you need proof, send someone down. I’ll show you my identification badge.”

A flustered gesture was clearly visible even in the darkness.

“Wi, Wind Knights! Are you a knight?”

“That’s right.”

“Please wait a moment!”

The sound of the guards’ footsteps was clearly heard as it was a quiet dawn.

How many minutes had we waited? A small window on the gate opened.

“Excuse me, but could you show us your identification badge here? The regulations require us to check it first.”

“You’re so picky.”

Ruth, who got off the driver’s seat, took out the badge from her bosom and threw it into the window.

The subsequent procedure was simple. In fact, even if they were suspicious, it would be difficult to investigate further.

Because Ruth’s affiliation is not just anyone, but the Wind Knights, the best knights in the north.

After that, the door opened just enough for one carriage to pass through. A guard approached Ruth, who led the carriage there.

“Thank you for waiting. Now that the confirmation is complete, I will assign someone to guide you to the Lord’s Castle.”

“I refuse. I’m just going to stay at an inn.”

The guard tilted his head at Ruth’s answer.

“Yes? The Lord’s Castle is already prepared to welcome guests.”

“Didn’t I say I didn’t need it?”

“Still, the Lord had ordered in advance…….”

“So, are you saying you’re going to drag me away if I keep refusing?”

“O, of course not. Then I understand.”

The guard quickly stepped back at Ruth’s stern voice.

I wondered if it was necessary to insist so much, but I couldn’t completely understand it.

Because knights are usually of noble status, and people of such noble status usually go to the Lord’s Castle and are treated as guests.

But Ruth and I were not used to such treatment, so we refused.

Ruth threw a silver coin to the guard who was bowing his head and drove the carriage again.

“Shall we go to the place we stayed before?”

“Not bad.”

I remembered the inn we had rented out last time. It wasn’t a fancy place, but it had good beer and a clean stable, so it left a good impression.

“I’ll drive there.”

Reidin was quiet at dawn.

It was far from bustling, so it wasn’t a neat landscape. But it was also a small city that had everything.

As we passed through such a place, a familiar street came into view. It was the alley where the inn we stayed at last time was located.

Ruth skillfully drove the carriage and stopped in front of the inn. At the same time, I also roughly packed my luggage and got out of the carriage.

The owner, who opened the door as if wondering who the uninvited guest was at this early hour, had a face full of annoyance.

But the owner, who soon remembered Ruth’s face, hurriedly bowed his head.

Ruth took out a gold coin and lightly flicked it to the owner.

“First, bathwater. And just prepare some simple snacks and beer. This is an advance payment, and we’ll settle the rest later if it’s not enough.”

“Of course.”

“The horses must be tired from the long journey. So please give them good feed and warm water.”

“I understand.”

After that, Ruth and I entered the inn together, took the keys given by the owner, and headed to our respective rooms.

First of all, I threw off the old cloak and armor that had been stained with dirt from the long journey.

Then, I took out a clean shirt to change into and headed to the bathroom.

“Young Master.”

I thought I had moved relatively quickly, but Ruth had already arrived one step ahead and was taking off her clothes.

“You’re so fast.”

“I wanted to wash quickly and have a beer… This is embarrassing.”

“It’s okay. I agree with that thought too. Let’s go in together.”

To enter the bathroom with the master she serves.

Ruth, who was scratching the back of her neck in an unfamiliar situation, nodded.

“I understand.”

She seemed to be quite used to the fact that there was no malice in my suggestion and my usual personality.

The bathroom we entered was already full of hot steam, so much so that it was suffocating. Feeling the full effect of giving the gold coin, Ruth and I soaked our bodies in the hot water.

“Ugh…….”

“Melting, melting.”

“I don’t know how long it’s been.”

“Isn’t that why we skipped sleep and ran all the way here?”

“That’s right.”

Ruth chuckled, feeling like she was floating on air.

“By the way, Ruth.”

“Yes.”

“Tell me more about the exam.”

“Are you talking about the knight exam?”

“Yes. I said I’d take it, but I don’t even know the proper procedure, so I need to know now.”

“Well, ordinary trainees have a lot to know, but in your case, Young Master, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about?”

“There are two main types of exams: becoming a formal member and starting as a trainee knight.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Formal knight members are wandering knights who have become free from the lord they served, or people with monstrous talents who are immediately selected for their combat ability.”

“What about trainee knights?”

“If you show your talents and get recognized for your potential, you’ll be selected as a talent to be nurtured by the Knights. Ilia was such a case.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Of course, the things I mentioned earlier don’t apply to you at all, Young Master.”

“Is it that much?”

At my words, Ruth washed her face with both hands and nodded.

“Aren’t you an Expert [a skilled warrior, one rank below Master]? That level means you are already a complete knight and a talent that anyone on the continent would covet. Moreover, you have inherited the Count’s bloodline.”

“That’s true.”

It’s been over a year since I came to this world. But the level I’ve achieved in that one year is unprecedented even if I look back on history.

Even Count Lindayer, who is at the level of a Master, took half a year to feel mana and 3-4 years to reach Expert.

‘Munchkin is a munchkin [overpowered character].’

The talent given by the Lindayer family’s bloodline.

And the perfect body to fully unleash that talent.

In addition, the secret technique that made Emperor Belangkas the best swordsman on the continent.

It would be strange if I didn’t get stronger.

Even at this moment when I’m breathing, my body was repeating the tempering of accumulating and emitting mana.

Even if I rest like others, I’m in a miraculous situation where I’m training.

“Well, anyway.”

“Yes.”

“So, what benefits do you get when you become a knight?”

“Well. Usually, you get a salary, a house, and land, and various rights that you can enjoy as a knight, but that’s meaningless to you, Young Master…….”

After thinking for a while, Ruth nodded.

“Taking the example of the first young master, Dane Lindayer, you gain powerful followers?”

“Followers?”

“Yes. Don’t you know? All the knights are loyal to the Count right now, but if you look at each individual, you can’t help but think about the future.”

“Because the person who succeeds as a martial artist is more likely to become the next successor?”

“That’s right.”

“So if I become a formal knight now?”

At my words, Ruth smiled brightly.

“There’s nothing better. You are already a young master who has made considerable contributions. In addition, your qualifications are perfect, so who would try to entrust the future to another young master? Besides, you’re an Expert.”

“Right now, Dane is also a beginner Expert. The same as me.”

“Well. The gap between someone who has trained for decades and is an Expert and someone who has become one in just a year or two will widen over time.”

“Still, don’t show it. It’s not good to make enemies unnecessarily.”

“I understand.”

“Let’s get out now. It feels like my body is getting too hot.”

“Good. Let’s go have a beer.”

“Good.”

Just as Ruth and I came out of the bathroom, wiped our bodies, and put on clean clothes, it happened.

“Hello.”

As if he had been waiting for us, an armed soldier bowed his head politely.

“Who are you.”

At my question, the soldier raised his head and handed over a small letter sealed with wax.

“I am a guard of Lord Gorde, the Lord of Reidin. I was only ordered to deliver this letter. I don’t know the other circumstances well.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

After receiving the letter, the guard bowed once again and disappeared from the inn.

Lord Gorde’s guard?

For a moment, I wondered how he knew me and came to find me, but then I remembered that I had revealed our identities to the gate guard.

Perhaps the entry report went up to the Lord’s Castle. So that’s why he came like this.

The fact that he came to the inn accurately means that it would be easy for the Lord to inquire about the inn.

‘So, what’s going on this night?’

The answer must be in the letter.

I roughly released the seal and unfolded the paper with the contents written on it.

“What does it say?”

At Ruth’s question next to me, I sighed lightly.

“It looks like I’m in trouble.”