How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 9

Living as the Third Son of a Failed Novel – Episode 9

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After running all morning and afternoon the next day, it was late at night.

After a simple meal, I stood with Ruth in front of the campfire.

Ruth, who had been skeptical at first, took on a rather serious attitude when she saw my enthusiasm.

“The foundation of all martial arts is physical strength. No matter how extraordinary your swordsmanship, it will fade if you don’t have the stamina to support it.”

I know.

Even though it doesn’t look like it, I have been trained in kendo, taekwondo, and judo since my school days.

I vividly remember desperately trying to earn a black belt in each.

There were bonus points added to the entrance exam, and there was also a longing for strength.

That’s why I know better.

Physical strength is the foundation. That’s why I took training so seriously.

Thanks to that, I was always selected as the top student during my cadet days, not only in physical fitness tests but also in inter-school competitions.

‘Of course, I’ve lost it all now.’

It’s only natural since my body has changed.

But I’ve achieved it once.

It won’t take that long to achieve it again.

“The foundation of martial arts is physical strength, you mean?”

“That’s right.”

“So? Tell me more clearly. How are you going to set the standard?”

“At the very least, you should have the stamina to swing a sword for thirty minutes without rest.”

“I’ll have to start riding alone again from tomorrow.”

In terms of calories burned per unit of time, horseback riding burns twice as many calories as swimming. Just riding itself is a full-body workout.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“There’s no reason why I wouldn’t be.”

Muscle pain is like an old friend I’ve been with for years.

Whether I was learning martial arts or lifting weights at the gym.

“Then, let’s learn the basics of swordsmanship when your stamina is complete, and I’ll teach you the basic stance first?”

“Sounds good.”

Learning swordsmanship directly, which I had only seen in novels and dramas, is incredibly exciting.

When I gestured, Leo grabbed the scabbard I had left and ran over in one go.

When I grabbed the handle, the leather feeling that stuck to my hand was subtle. Then, as I slowly pulled it out, I could fully feel the blade coming out of the scabbard.

‘I’m going crazy.’

The completely revealed white blade showed off its figure under the moonlight.

Whoosh!

I turned the sword around once to check its weight.

It must be about 1.5kg [approximately 3.3 pounds].

It’s not heavy. But unlike a dumbbell, it’s straight, so it’s difficult to handle.

Clang!

Maybe it’s because I learned how to steal, but I instinctively fell into the kendo stance.

The most basic stance in kendo is the middle stance [chūdan-no-kamae].

The tip of the sword aims between the opponent’s eyebrows, and the end of the handle is in front of the dantian [a point below the navel believed to be the body’s center of gravity].

The knees are relaxed and flexible. The distance between the two feet placed in a straight line is shoulder width. The right foot is placed in front, ready to jump out or back at any time.

And finally,

The eyes should always follow the opponent’s eyes.

‘It’s hard.’

The stance is unnatural because it is a long sword that is more than twice as heavy as a bamboo sword.

‘What, what’s with that expression?’

But it’s strange.

After taking the stance with difficulty, Ruth’s expression was strange.

“Young master.”

“Why.”

“Have you ever learned swordsmanship anywhere?”

Ah, did I make a mistake?

For the third son, who had never learned swordsmanship, to take a stance skillfully.

It’s strange even if I think about it.

Fortunately, kendo is a martial art that does not exist in this world.

Since the basic origin itself is far from Western swordsmanship, I thought I could just gloss over it.

“Just.”

“Yes?”

“I just tried it.”

“Just, you say?”

“I instinctively felt like I had to do it this way……”

Ruth presses her lips tightly.

Then, Ruth, who had been lost in thought for a while, picked up a branch that she was going to use as firewood.

Then Ruth aims it at me.

“What? You said you were just going to look at my posture?”

“You can think of it as a simple test.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Would you like to deal with it according to your will, according to your instincts?”

What does it mean?

If he rushes in, should I pretend to be an amateur and get hit? Or should I do it with my real skills?

However, before I had time to think about it, Ruth’s branch dug in.

Whoosh!

The sword path that is laid low and extends upwards is like a snake. Moreover, the end of the branch was aiming exactly at my eyes.

In the end, my body reacted first without any way to deal with it.

“Uh oh!”

Clang!

Momentarily pulling my foot back, I raised the sword sideways and knocked out the branch.

“Wow!”

Leo, who was standing far away and staring blankly, exclaimed.

Judging by the reaction, it seems like I blocked it well.

But I, the person involved, know.

This is like a blind cow catching a mouse [a lucky accident].

The fact that my body reacted instinctively is proof that I couldn’t even follow it with my eyes.

“What, Ruth! What am I supposed to do if you come in so suddenly?”

“I’ll go again.”

Before I could say anything, Ruth swung the branch again.

Ruth’s attack this time was quite plain.

He just took a step and swung it from top to bottom like chopping wood. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the obvious movement aimed at the top of my head.

‘Do you think I’m a scarecrow?’

I felt competitive.

Should I try to counterattack?

Of course, Ruth won’t be defeated. He is a knight who has been worn out on the battlefield where blood and flesh fly.

‘Let’s do it.’

Momentarily, I took a step back and leaned the sword diagonally.

Clack!

The branch that collided with the blade slid and stopped, caught in the guard.

“Gasp!”

Immediately, I applied strong force to scatter it and struck out, aiming for Ruth’s wrist.

A parry that takes advantage of the opponent’s attack.

But the opponent was relaxed. Ruth twisted her body slightly to avoid it, and then struck my shoulder in reverse.

Bang!

I gritted my teeth at the dullness that was transmitted to my shoulder and stretched out my sword again.

Tak!

Ruth, who lightly deflected the sword, struck my thigh.

The moment my leg buckled, I became a sandbag.

Clack! Tak!

I was hit on both wrists by two consecutive attacks and dropped my sword.

‘Damn it.’

I feel bad.

I was hit in several places in an instant, but there was no clear pain.

Perhaps at the moment of collision, he cut off the movement and reduced the force.

Just looking at that delicate force control, it was clear that he was a far superior expert than me.

That’s why I feel even worse.

“It hurts my pride, so just hit me. I don’t care as long as my bones aren’t broken.”

Even at my grumbling, Ruth just stared at me intently.

“Why are you doing that?”

Even when I asked back, Ruth was just lost in thought.

The atmosphere began to flow in an unusual way.

It was after a minute or two that Ruth opened her mouth again.

“Young master.”

“Why.”

“There are two possibilities.”

“What is?”

“The young master’s statement that he has never held a sword is a lie.”

“……”

He’s a sharp guy.

Well, the problem is that my depth of learning is shallow, but kendo is clearly a martial art with a long history.

That a fool who had never held a sword before imitates it?

I would doubt it too. Damn it.

“What’s the other one?”

“If it’s not a lie, then it means that the young master was born with an exceptionally outstanding talent.”

“……”

As the atmosphere became serious, Leo, who had avoided the spot, started heating water from a distance.

An awkward situation where only the two of us were left.

I licked my lips as Ruth’s gaze became burdensome.

“What do you think? Do you think I’m lying?”

“That’s not it.”

“Why?”

“Clearly, most of the rumors I’ve heard about the young master so far have been absurd.”

He is steeped in power, ignores his subordinates, and is hungry for women…….

I guess you’re talking about those rumors.

“But the story that you have never held a sword is an accurate rumor.”

“Why is that?”

“If the young master had ever learned swordsmanship in the territory, such a posture, no, such swordsmanship could never have come out. Moreover, the young master’s hands.”

“Hands?”

When I showed my palm, Ruth nodded.

“The young master’s hands are extremely soft. If you had held a sword, you would have calluses.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s why it’s even more surprising.”

“Surprising?”

Then Ruth pulled out the sword that had fallen on the ground and imitated the posture I had taken.

“The basics are very solid. Should I say it’s like an awl [a small pointed tool used for piercing holes]? It’s not easy to see a gap. Of course, I could have attacked as much as I wanted, but that’s because the young master’s skills were poor.”

Ruth, who was swinging the sword while distinguishing the movements, nodded.

“The balance is well-balanced in all parts, so the transition between offense and defense is smooth. Moreover, beginners often neglect footwork while focusing only on posture. But I could feel that the young master paid special attention to his feet.”

“That’s an excessive compliment.”

“Of course, it’s not just advantages.”

“What are the disadvantages?”

Ruth, who had been lost in thought for a while, opened her mouth.

“A situation where there are only two people in the world.”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems like a swordsmanship that assumes that you only fight to the death in a one-on-one battle.”

“……”

“Give up flesh and take bones. Have you heard of it?”

“I’ve heard of it.”

“That’s exactly it. The energy you have is excessively fierce.”

“If it’s fierce……”

“I think you instinctively defend your vitals well, but I can feel that you don’t pay any attention to your shoulders, arms, or lower body.”

Give up flesh and take bones.

Ah, is that why?

In kendo, the striking areas where you can score points are limited.

The places Ruth just mentioned are areas where there are no points.

There was no need to block those places, so I didn’t pay attention to them, and in fact, it became ingrained in my body.

He’s definitely a monster.

Did he figure it all out just by sharing the sword a few times?

“It’s a matter of application. If you can make up for it, the disadvantages I mentioned earlier won’t be a problem. Of course, the advantages may also become dull.”

Whoosh!

Ruth, who was imitating my posture while repeatedly swinging the sword, let out a small exclamation.

“It’s definitely strange. Even if I search the Knights, there is no one with a similar swordsmanship.”

Thud!

Ruth, who had finished a round of sword dance, stuck the sword into the ground and looked straight at me.

“In short, it means that it’s not something you can create out of the blue in the middle of the night.”

Damn it.

What kind of ghost is he that he can figure it out so meticulously?

But I can’t say that it’s swordsmanship from Earth now.

“The young master clearly held the sword for the first time today and said that he took it instinctively, didn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s amazing.”

Ruth looked up at the night sky with a look of exhaustion.

“Personally, I thought my passion for swordsmanship was second to none in the world.”

“……”

“That’s why I tried. I thought that effort was the talent given to me, so I swung it until the skin on my hands peeled off, and then I swung it again. After personally feeling the sweet fruit, it became my belief.”

The bitter smile soon turned into a sigh.

“But today, seeing the young master in this place, I realized again. That innate talent definitely exists.”

I could feel the sorrow on Ruth’s face.

I felt apologetic.

I ended up making Ruth feel deprived.

“Maybe.”

“……”

“Maybe I won’t be able to receive 100 gold coins.”

“What?”

“I’ve already confirmed the depth of your swordsmanship with my own eyes, and you have the talent for mana as you are from the traditional Lindayer family.”

The sorrow had disappeared from Ruth’s face.

Instead, what bloomed in its place was a desire for something unknown.

“I’m curious.”

“What is?”

“What will happen if my devotion is embedded in the young master’s talent? Perhaps, I might be creating a new history with my own hands?”

Thud!

Suddenly, Ruth knelt on one knee.

Then, he held his right hand horizontally and bowed his head on it.

The atmosphere suddenly became solemn.

I unknowingly felt a sense of tension and wet my lips.

“What are you doing now?”

“I will dedicate everything.”

“What do you mean by everything?”

“All the swordsmanship I have learned and the countless trials and errors I have experienced in handling mana, I will give them all to the young master without holding back. I will do whatever you want me to do. If you want me to get blood on my hands, I will get it on my hands instead of the young master.”

It’s not a good sign.

Clearly, it doesn’t just mean that he will teach me swordsmanship.

“Explain in detail what you mean.”

“Last night, the young master asked me to keep learning swordsmanship a secret from the outside.”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t the reason for that because you are worried about the first and second sons’ jealousy?”

As a knight of the family, he must know roughly how the family is doing.

“Moreover, the young master’s appearance these days is very different from the rumors I’ve heard. You postponed the marriage and headed to the mountains like this for a great cause, didn’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, can I assume that the young master’s dissolute appearance so far was a disguise to hide his true self for a while?”

That’s a bit too much.

Well, it’s not wrong. I won’t live like Cain, the original owner of the body.

“So, what are you trying to say?”

“If, just if, the young master wins.”

It’s clear what that victory means.

“Could you perhaps give me a background too?”

What Ruth wants has also become clear.

“What do you believe in? What if I’m a rotten rope [unreliable person]?”

“My life as a knight is already rotten.”

“Rotten?”

“How can I be called a knight when I have no honor or status as a knight? I’m just a mercenary who uses a sword.”

The limitations of birth. It must be resentment about that.

“I have nothing now. I have no people, no wealth. Rather, I have only mountains of debt.”

“Then you have your first subordinate today.”

“I may not be different from other nobles.”

“If that were the case, would you have let me fight Holn in consideration of my honor? No, in the first place, you would have brought another knight instead of me.”

“……”

At this point, I felt sorry for Ruth.

How much heartache must he have gone through to make the third son, who has nothing to show off, his lifeline?

Well, whatever.

What benefits will I get if I take Ruth here?

‘A lot.’

First of all, learning swordsmanship is natural.

Because he is of humble status and is pushed around here and there, he cannot be someone’s puppet.

Moreover, what he wants is modest.

He doesn’t want gold and silver treasures, and he doesn’t want a special position.

He just says that if I give him a background, he will give me his loyalty, so the cost-effectiveness is excellent, no, it’s the end king [ultimate deal].

My origin is that the core is an Earthling, so I don’t have to worry about it from the beginning.

“So, you will support me in the future?”

“That’s right.”

“If I go wrong, you could get caught up in it too.”

“I don’t care.”

“Is taking big risks your hobby?”

“There is no big reward without risk.”

He’s a funny guy.

Well, I’m planning to earn money right away to pay off my debts and cancel the marriage.

That means I have to prepare for what will happen afterwards.

In that situation, it wouldn’t be bad to have a skilled subordinate.

Okay, I’ve decided.