Chapter 3

### How to Live as the Third Son of a Failed Work - Chapter 3 (3/278)

How to Live as the Third Son of a Failed Work Chapter 3

Chapter 2: Attendant Knight

After Cain Lindair kicked the door and left,

only the frowning viscount and the bowing butler remained in the office.

"Chief Butler."

"Yes, my lord."

"Find out everything about everyone who has had contact with that guy in the past fortnight. Investigate the names, conversations, and actions. Someone might have put ideas into his head."

"Do you mean it?"

"Does it look like I'm joking? If anyone acts even a little suspicious, bring them in, even if you have to cut off their limbs. Just make sure their tongues are intact."

At the chilling order, the butler quickly bowed.

"Also, what did he eat yesterday? He couldn't have spouted such nonsense unless he ate something wrong."

"It was no different from what the other household members ate. However, ... "

"However?"

"He has been speaking incomprehensibly since this morning, as if he had a strange dream."

"Strange dream? Huh, really. Did he see his dead mother or something? What did he say, then?"

"He seemed confused about where he was and who he was. But considering he got drunk at a city tavern the night before and came home, it might be due to that."

"Unbelievable. Did he go crazy from drinking?"

It's a matter that would make the ghosts weep.

How could someone change so much overnight without eating something wrong?

He was the third son, arrogant and heaven-fearing.

He was a twisted child because his mother died giving birth to him. That's why I usually turned a blind eye to his mischief.

However, his arrogance grew day by day, and I was worried about his future.

I feared that one day, after I was gone, he might suffer at the hands of his brothers. After much deliberation, I was planning to send him as a son-in-law to the Barshun Dukedom.

That way, he would at least live a long life.

"Unbelievable."

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"I don't know how many years it's been since that guy looked me in the eye."

"Is that so?"

"Why wouldn't you know? Didn't you feel it too?"

"Indeed, the young master, who used to be weak, seems to have changed."

"Weak? What do you mean by weak? He was a despicable character, strong against the weak and weak against the strong."

The butler bowed without denying it.

"But just now, he was definitely different."

"I agree. But even so, ... "

"Even so, what?"

"Do you really think he can gather a thousand gold coins within a month?"

"There's no way!"

The viscount leaned back in his chair and burst out laughing.

"Has he ever earned a single copper coin in his life? The only thing he knows is to swagger by selling his father. A thousand gold coins? It's more realistic for a chick to become a dragon."

"That's true."

A thousand gold coins is an unimaginable sum.

No matter how I think about it, it's impossible to imagine the third son, who is no different from a fool, earning that amount.

However, the viscount, despite his words, couldn't easily dismiss it.

'That guy's eyes were unsettling.'

Was that the same weakling who used to tremble in fear whenever he saw me?

Moreover, the look in his eyes when he reduced the thousand gold coins to a hundred was definitely a determined one, resolved to show me his true colors.

'Let's see what happens.'

If he fails to earn the money, it will be a good opportunity to eliminate a long-standing problem.

But what if, by some chance, he does earn the money?

Tap tap.

The viscount, who had been tapping the table, spoke softly.

"Place someone around him. We need to know what he's up to."

"Understood. Should I also give a heads-up to the knights he might choose as his bodyguards?"

"Are you suggesting I use my knights as spies?"

The butler quickly bowed at the viscount's sudden change in demeanor.

"I overstepped my bounds. Please forgive me."

"Never mind. You didn't mean it maliciously. Tell the knights to focus on their assigned duty of protection."

Waving his hand, the viscount picked up the work he had set aside and sighed.

"If he were to grow up, it would have been better if it happened sooner... tsk tsk."

* * *

I am not the protagonist of the Midland Saga.

But there isn't another protagonist officially recognized by the author either.

The protagonist of the Midland Saga is the numerous warlords, villains, and supernatural beings of the continent.

So, why did I end up in this world?

'There is one thing I can guess.'

All the characters in the Midland Saga share one dream.

To reunify the continent, which is falling apart.

The vast kingdom established by Emperor Velancas began to show signs of decline from within after its long history.

And the fall of history is the beginning of a new history.

Those who have built their own forces, and even monsters and other races, all want to seize the ownerless Midland after the kingdom's fall.

And the Midland Saga is an epic novel that tells the stories of all these people.

'Am I supposed to bring this sluggish novel to an end?'

At this moment, the story is still in its early stages, before the continent is engulfed in war.

In this situation, I, who know the major events of the future, have become a character in the novel.

The author's reply came to mind again.

It's clearly a challenge to see if I can bring the novel to a conclusion.

The more I think about it, the more infuriating it is.

You damn author, are you feeding me shit?

"Master, the preparations for your departure are complete."

The words that broke my thoughts made me turn my head.

I saw a maid who looked very nervous.

In her hand was a long, luxurious coat. The fabric looked as soft as silk, and it was embroidered with gold thread, making it look very ornate.

"This is for you to wear."

"Me? This?"

"......Yes?"

I'd rather be naked than wear this. It's a clear statement of 'I'm important!' and I can't bear the embarrassment.

"But, Master, you always asked for this to be prepared... "

"Me?"

"Yes, my lord."

I remembered that the original owner of this body was originally extravagant and arrogant.

'I'm so embarrassed.'

Why is the embarrassment mine?

Muttering curses at Cain in my head, I waved my hand.

"I don't need it. Put it away."

"But, ... "

"Why?"

"Even though it's spring, the wind is still cold. If you catch a cold... "

It means they will be punished.

"Alright, alright."

But I still don't want to wear that coat.

Then, I noticed a soldier guarding the inner chambers of the castle.

"Hey."

"Yes, my lord?"

I approached the guard and examined the cloak he wore over his light armor.

The fabric looked thick and warm. The gray hawk embroidered on the cloak symbolized the viscount's family, giving it a suitable air of authority. The hood could also protect against strong winds.

This should do, I thought, and pointed at it.

"Can you lend me that?"

"This is my personal item... "

"Stop talking. Give it to me."

"Uh... "

I grabbed it half-forcibly, and the guard started to take it off, flustered.

Suddenly, I thought of the military and couldn't help but smile. In a way, it's like the son of a division commander asking for a coat.

'What's the problem?'

Since I'm stuck in this shit world, I might as well enjoy it.

Smirking, I put on the stolen cloak and looked at myself in the mirror in the corner.

'Kid, you have a good face.'

The ash-gray hair and sharp features that proved his Lindair lineage, combined with his tall stature, gave him a model-like appearance.

"Is this good enough?"

Turning my head, I looked at the maid.

At my question, the maid, holding the luxurious coat, quickly erased the dazed look in her eyes and bowed deeply.

"Yes, my lord."

Seeing a woman fall for a face that isn't even mine made me feel both good and dirty.

But what can I do? It's my face now. I need to get used to it.

"Let's go out."

It's the second day since I entered the novel.

Thinking about finally going outside the castle, a strange sense of anticipation welled up.

After all, I'm about to see the world I've only read about in the novel with my own eyes.

I smiled and took a step forward.

"Hmm?"

A strange feeling made me turn around.

"......"

Every time I took a step, a dozen or so servants and maids followed me exactly.

When I stopped, they stopped.

When I took a quick step, they followed.

'Really can't get used to this.'

Annoyed, I took a step and quickly pulled it back.

"Uh... "

"Oh, oh my!"

Thud!

Seeing them trip over each other and fall, I couldn't even laugh.

"None of you, you."

The servant who managed to stay standing looked at me with wide eyes.

"Me, my lord?"

"Yes. Follow me."

"Master!"

The others, who didn't fall, called out to me with bewildered faces, but what can they do?

I'm the master.

"You. What's your name?"

"Leo, my lord."

The servant I pointed to bowed hurriedly and answered.

"Good. Leo, lead me to the barracks where the knights are staying."

"Barracks, my lord?"

"Why? Don't you want to?"

Leo and all the servants' expressions changed strangely.

The reason is obvious. They probably thought I was going to the city for women or something.

It seems it will take a long time to change this perception.

* * *

The Lindair Viscount's castle is located in the central city of the north, Windnest.

Windnest.

Literally, it means 'wind nest.'

It's a fitting name, considering the harsh winds that blow from the north all year round.

'It's damn cold.'

Even considering it's early spring, it's as cold as mid-winter.

Pulling up my hood, I gestured to Leo, who was following me closely.

"Leo."

Leo, who quickly moved to my side, bowed.

"Did you call me, my lord?"

"How much longer until we reach the barracks?"

"We need to leave the inner city and go to the outer city. It will take at least a few dozen minutes on foot. Should I call a carriage now?"

What the hell, is the castle so big?

Of course, the Lindair family's castle is more of a fortress designed to defend against external invasions rather than a residence.

This was clearly described in the novel. But experiencing it in real life is a different feeling.

I regretted refusing the flashy carriage because it seemed too ostentatious. But I felt awkward asking for it back, so I shook my head.

"No. Let's walk. It will be good exercise."

I also had something to think about.

As I walked, I took out the scroll I had tucked in my coat.

"To Cain Lindair, I grant the authority to choose one knight from the Wind Knights, excluding the captain and vice-captain, to serve as an attendant for one month."

The authority to choose one knight to use like a limb.

It was a hard-won opportunity from my negotiations with the viscount.

I need to choose one knight who can be of help to me.

I have some criteria in mind, but I need to go there to see if any of the knights meet them.

'I hope there's someone suitable.'

To pay back the damn thousand gold coins, I need to.