How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 90

Late evening.

I had drunk so much beer that I still felt tipsy, but there was still work to be done.

Since things had turned out this way, I rented out an entire floor of the inn, and only Ruth and I were in the quiet hall.

“So, about the task I entrusted to you?”

“I’ve roughly taken care of it. It cost a bit of money, though.”

“Money is no object. I have more than enough to spare.”

The gold coins earned from the tournament alone amounted to thousands.

Ruth scratched the back of his neck at my words, telling him not to worry about money.

“Anyway, what did you find out?”

After I told him the stories I had gathered while wandering around during the day, Ruth’s face was dumbfounded, and his mouth dropped open.

“Drugs!?”

“Yes. Opium, to be exact.”

“Not just a little, but enough to fill an entire carriage?”

“That’s what they say.”

“Good heavens. That’s beyond the level of an individual’s doing.”

“That’s what I mean.”

“But the ones who were caught……”

“About six or so merchants who were transporting those drugs at the time.”

“Indeed, it’s a bit strange. The number is too small.”

“Right?”

“Besides, if what you heard is true, Young Master, even if they were really smugglers, wouldn’t they have been caught too foolishly?”

“That’s what I think too.”

Those who bring in so much opium brazenly turn over boxes in front of the garrison commander?

“It’s either one of two things. They’re either incredibly foolish smugglers.”

“Or they didn’t know the inside story.”

“Exactly.”

Ruth nodded at my answer.

“If we assume they were used without knowing the inside story, it means there’s someone behind them.”

“Right. I heard they didn’t even resupply until they reached Leydin. What’s the reason?”

“It would be troublesome if they were robbed while stopping here and there under the guise of resupplying.”

“Exactly.”

“The reason why Leydin is the final destination becomes clear too.”

“Right. It’s a direct territory [a territory governed directly by a noble family], so entry and exit are free, and Leydin is called the city of hunters, so many outsiders come and go, making it perfect for distributing such smuggled goods.”

“It’s also easy for transporters disguised as hunters to come and go.”

“Anyway, even if they were used and there’s someone behind them, it’s clear that this isn’t the first time. According to the innkeeper, the merchants who were caught this time have brought in goods like that more than once.”

“Has this happened more often until now?”

“That’s the situation.”

“But, Young Master……”

Ruth trailed off, wearing a cautious expression.

“Is it okay to dig into this?”

“Is it okay to dig into it?”

“If we just lay out what’s come out so far, doesn’t it mean that someone inside the Lindaier family was involved in drug smuggling?”

“If we assume so, yes.”

“If that assumption is correct, the moment this matter comes to the surface, it won’t be a minor issue.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“What I mean is, if we make it public and end up being wrong, we’ll face a backlash.”

“I suppose so.”

Ruth thumped his chest with a frustrated expression at my answer.

“Oh, Young Master. ‘I suppose so,’ you say. This isn’t something that can be brushed off within the family. It involves the direct territory and could escalate into a diplomatic issue.”

“But Ruth.”

Ruth replied with a dubious look at my call.

“Yes.”

“If the circumstances are like that, it’s mostly right.”

“Yes?”

“After that, each person’s circumstances are added, but it’s rare for a rumor to end as just a rumor, I’ve heard.”

“……”

If the circumstances are like that, it’s mostly right.

It’s rare for a rumor to end as just a rumor.

It was a line from a favorite office drama. It was a line the protagonist heard while digging into corruption in that drama too.

It felt like that line was now intensely consuming my mind.

The circumstances were mostly pointing to one conclusion. There was still much to find to get there, but I somehow had a feeling that the effort wouldn’t be in vain.

After being lost in thought for a while, Ruth carefully opened his mouth.

“Are you sure about this?”

“What do you think?”

“Yes.”

“For now, yes. It’s certain that there’s something. It’s still in the cloud stage, though.”

“Then I’ll follow you for now too. But please promise me just one thing.”

“Promise? What?”

“Solid evidence. Without it, let’s not cross a certain line.”

“A certain line, as in.”

“Accusing a suspect without confirmation, or doing something irreversible. This is a promise I need from you for your sake, not mine.”

I could feel the worry for me in Ruth’s eyes. At that, I couldn’t say anything else and nodded.

“I promise.”

Ruth nodded at my words and clapped his hands to change the atmosphere.

“Good. Then what should we start with?”

I smiled as I handed Ruth a piece of paper I had written in advance, seeing his appearance change into a spirited one.

“The start is the garrison commander, who is the starting point of all this. All plans are after that person.”

“The garrison commander, you mean?”

“Yes.”

“Will he cooperate with us? From the garrison commander’s perspective, we’re outsiders.”

At Ruth’s words, I leaned back against the backrest and nodded.

“I know that much.”

* * *

Leydin is a local city, but thanks to its location at the end of the line stretching from the center to the west, it was a place with considerable military advantages.

Therefore, it was not surprising that a knight who could handle mana [magical energy] was appointed as the garrison commander.

Thus, Sir Galanto, a dignified middle-aged man, was sending distrustful glances at Ruth and me.

“I am Galanto Beyner, the garrison commander of Leydin, a knight. So, what is the reason for bringing me here?”

The tightly closed lips and stubborn, upright eyes represented the garrison commander’s personality.

Indeed, knights belonging to the direct territory are those who endure with a sense of duty. Nobles who desperately want knights are everywhere, and the salaries they offer are not comparable to those belonging to the direct territory, which are no different from civil servants.

However, it didn’t seem like he had a desire for power towards the capital. Galanto’s age was already approaching twilight.

“First of all, I apologize for bringing you here so suddenly.”

“Ahem.”

It was good that I waited for him on his way home, as I had heard from the drunken guards, revealed my identity after encountering him, and brought him to a quiet restaurant without any notice.

However, Galanto’s wariness was at its peak because of that. Well, I would be upset if someone used their status to force a meeting out of the blue.

So, I bowed my head first.

“Let me formally introduce myself again. I am Cain Lindaier, the third son of the Lindaier County.”

“I am Ruth Meyer, belonging to the Wind Knights of the Lindaier County.”

Following my greeting, Ruth also bowed his head and introduced himself.

Ruth, who knew the faith and honor of a knight belonging to the direct territory, did not hide his courtesy.

At that, Galanto’s face softened quite a bit.

Perhaps it was because he realized that I had taken a step back.

Besides, Galanto’s skill was only at the intermediate level among mana users. The fact that Ruth, who was more skilled than him, bowed his head must have had a significant effect.

“Ahem.”

As expected, Galanto, who cleared his throat once again, did not show any anger on his face.

“Well, I was craving a drink on my way home, so don’t worry too much about it.”

Ruth, who was quick-witted, quickly called the waiter and ordered food and drinks.

“By the way, what brings the Third Young Master to Leydin?”

From Galanto’s words, I could tell that the fact that I had visited this place had not yet spread.

Well, it was the lord’s castle I had entered this morning. I told them I was leaving soon, so they wouldn’t have taken any special measures.

Or maybe they didn’t want to let anyone know.

“Yes. I stopped by Leydin to rest for a while on my way.”

“I see. But what made you want to see me? Surely it’s not to boast about your achievements in the tournament.”

“Haha. Was I found out?”

Galanto smiled faintly at my words.

“If it’s about that much boasting, it wouldn’t be enough to call out someone who’s not there. So, are you going to boast to me?”

As if to say he was a knight, Galanto, who wanted to hear the story of the tournament, spoke indirectly, so I also joked.

“I have no choice. Since I’ve been found out, I’ll have to boast once.”

“Ha! It will surely be a grueling time, but I will listen patiently.”

Just in time, drinks and food came in, and my achievements in the capital echoed in the room for a while.

As the drinks went back and forth, and a warm energy began to fill each other’s stomachs, Galanto raised his hand.

“I’ve heard the story well.”

“Was it interesting?”

“It was very exciting. Congratulations on becoming the champion, though it’s late.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s right.”

Galanto’s face, which had been showing a pleasant expression, suddenly changed.

“Isn’t it time to get to the point?”

“The point?”

“You didn’t really come to me just to brag, did you?”

“That’s right.”

At my words, Ruth snapped his fingers and called the waiter. In an instant, all the food was cleared away, and only high-quality wine, cheese, and fruit remained on the empty table.

After that, Ruth, who had risen from his seat, went out the door, looking left and right, checking for eavesdroppers.

Galanto also straightened his posture, feeling that the atmosphere was unusual.

I also straightened my posture. Then, I poured wine into the glass in front of Galanto and opened my mouth quietly.

“I heard that you recently arrested drug dealers as flagrant offenders.”

“That’s right.”

“I arranged this meeting because I wanted to hear that story.”

Galanto’s eyebrows twitched.

“It’s already over. All the circumstances and evidence were perfect, and they will duly pay for the crimes they committed.”

“I’m not here to discuss the knight’s investigation methods.”

“Then.”

“I’m just sorry that the current situation is just cutting off a few protruding leaves.”

“Just cutting off a few leaves?”

“That’s right. What’s the use of cutting off only the surface while leaving the roots when removing weeds?”

“It sounds like you’re dissatisfied with my investigation.”

“No. The knight has achieved the best results in the given situation. I have no intention of discussing that.”

A moment of silence flowed.

Galanto slowly raised his glass, took a sip of wine, and let out a hollow laugh.

“It seems you know something I don’t.”

“In fact, I don’t think the knight really doesn’t know.”

“What do you mean I know?”

“Then let me ask you. Didn’t you really feel even a hint of suspicion while arresting and dealing with them this time?”

“……”

Galanto took another sip of wine.

“I did my best within what I could do.”

“I have no intention of denying that.”

“Yes. As you said, Third Young Master, I can’t say that there wasn’t a single suspicious part. That would be a lie. But at the same time, that’s all I can do. Anyway, it’s my duty to catch the vicious guys. Judging them is up to others. That’s all. But I don’t know what you’re asking me to do now. Are you telling me to feel guilty for possibly arresting an innocent person? Or are you telling me to abuse my power and turn Leydin upside down?”

I could feel conviction in Galanto’s words.

Galanto, who was the garrison commander, must have felt something suspicious too.

“Not at all.”

“Then what are you trying to do now? It just looks like you’re deceiving me.”

Just as Galanto’s patience was running out, I brought up the main point.

“What if I could make that judgment?”

Galanto’s eyes widened.

“What are you talking about now?”

“I’m saying I’ll give you a justification. The knight just needs to act within the authority you have with that justification.”

“Such nonsense…… What are you? There’s nothing you can do here! Don’t tell me you’re mistaking this place for the Lindaier County?”

“No. I am aware that this is a direct territory and that Baron Gorde is the lord of Leydin.”

Bang!

Galanto, whose patience had reached its limit, slammed the table.

“Are you playing with me now?”

“Of course not.”

Thud.

I smiled at Galanto as I took out something from my pocket and placed it on the table.

“I’m just saying that I have the authority to create justification.”

What was placed on the table was the proof that he was a secret investigator directly under the royal family, with a black base and a dragon embossed in gold.