Chapter 10

How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work - Chapter 10 (10/278)

How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work Chapter 10

Chapter 4. The Great Mage of Manelopf

On the sixth morning after leaving the fief.

As the sky gradually brightened, I was momentarily speechless at the massive sight before me.

"The Bolroom Mountains."

"We've arrived."

We spent most of the day traveling. The horses, seemingly exhausted, were snorting, and the people, straightening their bent backs, let out small sighs.

'Just as I heard.'

The Bolroom Mountains, like the Baekdudaegan of the Korean Peninsula, divide the region and set the limits of the human domain.

According to the world's lore, the northern region beyond these mountains is teeming with all sorts of monsters, making it a kind of barrier.

"We arrived earlier than expected. We've gained half a day."

Luss wiped the sweat streaming down his face and pointed to a ridge hidden among the clouds.

"The place you wish to go, Manelopf, is there."

I saw a peak covered in snow, its shape like ice spikes.

It was majestic.

The mountains, spreading wide to the left and right, played the role of a natural fortress, and the atmosphere was overwhelming.

It wasn't the highest peak. It was only slightly higher than the Taebaek Mountains I had felt in Gangwon Province.

Moreover, there was a route established by the annual extermination army, so it could be climbed on foot.

"Fortunately, it's early spring, and the weather is good. If there are no major changes, it should be fine from now on."

"Good. Since we're here, let's climb right away."

"That might be a bit difficult."

Luss pointed behind me.

Turning my head, I saw Leo's face, half in a daze.

"…We need to rest for a bit."

"Are you alright, Young Master?"

I am tired, but I don't think I've reached my limit.

'Sure enough.'

Something felt off.

For the past few days, I spent the whole day on horseback and received sword training from Luss in the evenings.

Every night, I was exhausted and went to bed, but by the next morning, I was fully recharged.

'I didn't recover this quickly even when I was in the middle of intense exercise.'

It felt like I had taken steroids.

I speculated that it might be due to mana. After all, mana gives humans superhuman strength.

Indeed, Luss, a high-level mana user, looked more annoyed by a sore bottom than tired during the journey.

Even if I can't manipulate mana, if my sensitivity is good enough to feel it, it might have some effect.

"I'm fine. But we need to rest for a day because of Leo."

"I'm sorry. Because of me…"

Leo, panting, apologized to me, and I waved my hand.

"No. We need to rest the horses anyway. It's better to take a break and review our plans. Luss, you said there's a place to stay here, right?"

"Yes. Shall we go to the shelter first?"

"The place where the extermination army stays?"

"It's not exclusively used by the army. Hunters and rangers often stay there too."

"Rangers. We might meet some."

"That would be even better. We could get recent information about the mountains or seek cooperation."

"Leo, how much food is left?"

Leo, who had caught his breath, counted on his fingers.

"Enough for two days."

"We need to stock up soon… Luss, let's take care of everything today while we rest."

"That's a good idea."

"How far is it to the shelter?"

"The shelter at the entrance is about half an hour away on foot."

"Good. Let's go."

* * *

At the entrance of the mountains, there was a wide basin, and on it stood a shabby tent.

It looked shabby, but it was a fully equipped shelter.

A clear stream flowed nearby, and the dilapidated stable next to it had enough hay for the horses.

"Leo, take the horses and take care of them. Luss, scout the area and come back."

Perhaps it was a habit.

I gave orders as if I were in the military, and Luss and Leo, who followed my instructions without much thought, hesitated for a moment.

But since my orders weren't strange and there was no reason to challenge a noble, they followed them awkwardly.

"I…"

Maybe I'll start a fire.

I walked briskly and opened the door of the shelter.

The inside of the shelter was simple. There were a few wooden beds and a fireplace under a crude chimney.

The state of the half-burned logs suggested that someone had been there recently.

Looking around, I saw a pile of flint and steel next to the fireplace.

'After using lighters all the time, what is this?'

I smiled wryly, opened the creaky window to ventilate, and used the flint and steel to start a fire.

Squeak—

After a few tries, the fire caught.

The cold shelter began to warm up. It felt good to be staying in a place that felt like home for a change.

"Young Master."

The door opened, and Leo came in.

His hands were red from the cold, probably from fetching water for the horses.

"Come here. Warm your hands."

"How…"

"Ah, really."

Frowning, I saw that Leo, now quite familiar with it, ran over and sat next to me, warming his hands by the fire.

"How are the horses?"

"They're fine. They were trained as military horses."

"What about the saddles?"

"They were newly replaced before we left the fief, so there's no need to worry for a while."

"Good. We need to ride them back, so take good care of them. Can I trust you with that?"

"Of course. If I have any talent, it's only for that."

"Good job."

Leo, who was awkwardly twisting his body at my praise, looked quite cute, like a junior soldier.

"Anyway, to warm up, shall we boil some tea?"

"Good idea."

I left Leo, who was humming a tune and preparing to boil tea, and went outside the shelter.

"The air is so clear."

I recalled the days I spent in the military in Gangwon Province, wearing a mask due to fine dust.

In contrast, this world was free from environmental pollution.

As I enjoyed the refreshing air deep in my lungs, I suddenly noticed Luss dragging something from a distance.

"What is it?"

A wild boar?

No, how long have we been here?

Luss, dragging a wild boar as big as an adult, casually threw it into the yard. His strength was truly unbelievable.

"What is this? Did you hunt it?"

"Yes. Since we're resting, I thought we could have a hearty meal and smoke the leftovers."

"Good idea."

Luss, dragging the wild boar to the well, began to skillfully butcher it with a dagger.

"Can I help?"

"It's fine. I can do it alone."

"Still, your skills are impressive."

Luss, hanging the wild boar upside down, began to cut its throat to drain the blood and then quickly skinned it.

I don't know much about butchering, but I know it's not as easy as just slicing with a knife.

"Born to it, I guess…"

Luss smiled wryly and trailed off.

Indeed, slaughtering animals has always been considered a lowly job, regardless of the era. It's not a skill to be proud of in this world either.

Of course, I don't care. I'm not from the Joseon Dynasty, and there's no reason to feel uncomfortable about being a butcher.

"Luss, show me while you do it."

"Excuse me?"

"I might need to use it someday."

Luss, who had wide eyes, alternated his gaze between me and the wild boar.

"That's not something you should do, Young Master."

"Then what, will I starve if I'm left alone?"

"If the viscount finds out, my head will be on the line."

"Just keep it a secret."

"…Even if you don't know, you will."

"Is that a compliment?"

Now, as if he didn't know what to do, Luss began to explain the butchering process.

New knowledge is always interesting.

Especially if it's not a headache-inducing academic theory. Preparing and cooking game with your own hands is a dream for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Luss, seeing my enthusiasm, seemed secretly pleased and began to share his unasked-for expertise.

"It's harder than I thought."

"This is a simplified version. If we were to butcher it by parts, it would never end."

"Alright. I'm not selling it anyway."

Luss, chuckling, started a fire and began to smoke the meat, which he had cut into bite-sized pieces. With Leo, who had come out, helping, the work was quickly done.

The three of us sat in front of the sizzling meat, drooling.

I looked at Luss, finding it a bit amusing.

"Luss."

"Yes, Young Master."

"I have a few questions."

"I'll answer to the best of my knowledge."

A diligent boy.

"How is the atmosphere in the knightly order now?"

"The atmosphere in the knightly order…"

"You're asking about factions."

Luss, who was roasting the meat, paused to think.

"Basically, all the knights and minor nobles are loyal to the viscount. But you're asking about the specific situations of each of them, right?"

"Yes."

"There aren't distinct factions, but if we have to divide them, there are three."

"Three?"

"The first two are obvious: those who follow the first and second young masters. The third one is…"

"Neutral, right?"

"Yes. People who don't have much to gain or lose regardless of who becomes the lord."

"Like you were until recently?"

"Of course, not anymore."

Luss, chuckling, scratched the back of his neck.

"Overall, the first young master is far superior in numbers. He has strong ties with the minor nobles who follow the viscount, and as a knight who can manipulate mana, he has the trust of the knights."

Dain Lindair.

The eldest son of the viscount, 32 years old, and my older brother by ten years.

"An Expert初级, right?"

"Yes. He may not be an unparalleled genius, but his skills match the traditional martial family of the viscount."

"An Expert初级 at 32? That means he's been training for nearly 20 years."

"…Young Master, manipulating mana isn't directly proportional to the length of training."

"True, but still."

"Even so, an Expert初级 is a level that can easily be selected for the royal knightly order. It can't be ignored. Considering he is the son of the viscount, it's even more significant."

"He doesn't have to devote his life to the sword, right?"

"Mostly, that's the case."

That's true.

"What about his reputation?"

"He has a strong, knightly character, similar to the viscount, but his political skills are considered lacking."

"His brain is all muscle?"

"…"

Luss couldn't affirm it but smiled faintly.

"What about the second brother?"

"The second young master, Sain Lindair, values 文 (literature) more than 武 (martial arts). At 28, he has already established his own trade routes and has excellent political skills, making him a hot topic in the royal social circles."

"He wins with money, then."

"…In a simple sense, yes. He is supported by those who prioritize reality over ideals. However, since the Lindair family has traditionally been a martial family, his legitimacy is considered lower."

"In other words, his brain is filled with ink."

"Ha ha!"

Luss, who couldn't help but laugh, quickly covered his mouth.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Then, should I aim for the neutral faction?"

"Actually, even if we call them neutral, they are just like buoys. They can't make any decisions on their own, like me."

"So, gathering them won't really add much strength, right?"

"There is one person who stands out, though."

"Who?"

"Gilain Esteban. The Knight Commander."

Oh.

"Interesting."

"Actually, if we can bring the Knight Commander to our side, the succession battle will be over that day."

"Why?"

"The Commander is an Expert中上级, nearly reaching the level of a Master, one of the few in the kingdom. How many people can oppose such a knight?"

"His influence is so great that he remains neutral?"

"Yes. The Commander himself knows this, so he has always maintained a neutral stance. Therefore, both the first and second young masters avoid approaching him tacitly."

"That's good."

"Excuse me?"

There's no need to complicate things.

If there's a niche market, there's no reason not to exploit it.

"If I can win over the Commander, there's no need to think too hard, right?"

"Are you targeting the Knight Commander?"

"You said one person can end the succession battle, right?"

"I can't say that's impossible, but I can assert that it's impossible."

"Asserting it?"

"The Commander is naturally strong. Perhaps even stronger than the viscount."

Stronger than the viscount…

"The royal family offered him the third princess, all kinds of treasures, and territory, but he stayed by the viscount's side to keep his promise. Can you imagine him going back on his word?"

"Who knows. The princess might be ugly."

Luss laughed helplessly.

"…She is said to be a beauty of legendary proportions. Of course, it's not just about her appearance, but her refusal of the royal background is even more impressive."

Listening to this, it seems he has a very strong character.

Still,

"As long as he's human, there must be a way."

If there's a clear shortcut, it's a bit too much not to try.

Rather than complicating things, let's just try it.

"It's done. Let's eat."

"Enjoy your meal."

"Young Master, I will enjoy it."

Let's put the future aside for now.

It's more important to secure money immediately than to deal with manipulating mana or the succession battle.