Chapter 4

### How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work - Chapter 4 (4/278)

How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work - Chapter 4

* * *

The barracks where the Wind Knights stayed were located at the boundary between the inner and outer walls of the castle.

It seemed that they had to be able to quickly respond to any incident that might occur anywhere in the castle.

Despite the rather cold weather, the atmosphere in the barracks was hot. This was due to the knights continuously sparring and training their bodies in the training ground.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

I found myself captivated by a sword duel taking place in one corner.

Two long swords were clashing, sparks flying, and performing a dazzling dance. The actual sight was even more moving than I had imagined from descriptions.

"Who are you?"

"Judging by your appearance, you seem to be one of the inner wall guards."

"How dare you... Do you know where you are?"

Just then, the knights who noticed me began to frown and show signs of displeasure.

"Why are they acting like that?"

"Seems like it's because of you and the young master."

"Because of us? Why?"

"Well, I'm like this anyway, but... the young master's attire is such that the knights didn't recognize you."

Ah.

Wearing the cloak of an inner wall guard and accompanied by just one servant, it's understandable that they were mistaken.

"Well, if that's the case, I can just reveal who I am."

Despite my nonchalant words, Leo's expression remained dark.

Just as I was about to ask him why, a knight approached with his sword drawn.

"Who are you to dare to act so insolently in the presence of the knights?"

What kind of reaction will this get?

I hid my curiosity and pulled off my hood.

The knight's expression quickly changed, recognizing me as the third young master.

He quickly sheathed his sword and bowed.

It was the bare minimum of etiquette.

Is this how it's supposed to be, or is it intentional?

"Why has the young master come here?"

"Why? Is this a place I can't come to?"

"Such an absurd statement..."

The knight, not in full armor but only wearing a silver breastplate, scratched the back of his neck.

The Wind Knights are the elite force of the Lindair Earl.

That's why their reaction was different from the people I've met so far. They didn't seem to care much even after I revealed myself as the young master.

"So, what brings the young master here? Unfortunately, the knights don't have any alcohol, and there are no dancing maidens."

The other knights, who had been watching from a distance, started to chuckle at the knight's words.

'Ah, I see.'

I immediately understood the image they had of me.

Even if I am the young master of the earl's family, it's not a reasonable image, but I shook my head.

'The Wind Knights are the earl's right hand.'

The earl's will is the knights' will.

As a result of being cast out of the line of succession and falling out of the earl's favor.

Of course, I have no intention of sitting idly by and accepting it.

It's too unjust to be ignored for something I didn't do.

"I want to meet the captain of the knights."

"Captain of the knights? The young master?"

The knight tilted his head.

His attitude clearly said, 'How dare a brat like you?'

'Look at this.'

I thought it was a bit much.

If I let this pass, I won't be able to sleep tonight.

"What's your name?"

On a scale of 1 to 10, it's probably around 7 or 8.

My experience of reading fantasy novels for over a decade has been a great help in pretending to be a noble.

"Excuse me? My name?"

"Yes, your name. Are you deaf or something? Why do I have to repeat myself?"

"What do you mean..."

"Are you deaf, I said."

This line, I've always wanted to use it.

Crunch!

The knight's face began to contort.

After all, he probably hasn't heard such blatant insults from anyone in his life.

So what can he do, even if he gets angry?

No matter how incompetent, I am still of the earl's blood. A knight of the family can't do anything to me.

"My name is Holn."

"Good. Knight Holn. What authority do you have to block my way?"

"Block your way? How could I do such a thing?"

"Then why are you standing in front of me, acting so insolently?"

"I am addressing the young master."

"Addressing? Not turning me away?"

"How could I do such a thing?"

"If not, then shut your mouth and call the captain over immediately. That's what real addressing looks like, isn't it?"

"..."

Holn's eyes narrowed.

"You may not know, but only the lord or the baron has the right to summon the captain of the knights."

"So?"

"..."

"So, call him over."

Flap!

I unfurled the scroll I was holding, and Holn's face began to turn pale.

It was understandable.

The seal on the scroll was that of the Lindair Earl.

Holn's face turned ashen as he confirmed the seal. He didn't even read the content, just the seal was enough for him to nod in agreement.

"I will call the captain immediately."

Holn rushed into the barracks as if he had seen a ghost in the middle of the night.

A bitter feeling washed over me.

Even with the earl's seal, treating the third young master as less important than a mere seal.

I felt that something had to change.

* * *

"I see the third young master."

The captain of the Wind Knights was a man with a sharp, wind-like aura.

'Gilein Esteban.'

A name I remembered.

The only title the captain of the Wind Knights could bear, the Knight of the Cold Wind, and a mid-level expert.

He was also the second strongest in the earl's territory, just behind the earl himself, and was on the verge of reaching the Master level, the realm of true superhumans.

He was a talent coveted by the royal guard as well as the earl.

Now, he was kneeling before me, bowing his head.

'Not that it's directed at me, though.'

This gesture was directed at the earl's seal on the scroll.

Since I brought a scroll containing the earl's will, I am receiving the same treatment.

It would be normal to feel bad.

Indeed, the previous treatment made me feel bad.

"So, you've come to find a knight to accompany you."

"More or less, yes."

Even if I am the young master, since the captain is the leader of the knights, I must show at least a minimum of respect, unlike Holn.

He is the strongest knight in the territory, after the earl himself.

"Our knights, from the top to the bottom, are all highly skilled. You will be satisfied with whoever you choose."

I can't help but feel that he's suggesting I take a low-ranking knight.

It's hard to brush off as a misunderstanding after what happened with Holn.

"Or I can recommend someone for you."

"No, I will decide after looking at the roster."

"Excuse me?"

"I said I want to see the roster."

Gilein stared at me intently.

"The roster is top secret."

"I understand."

"It also means that it is not information the young master should read."

"That doesn't mean it's impossible."

"..."

"The knights are the family's. Therefore, anyone with the blood of Lindair has the right to know the truth about their own."

Gilein's mouth was tightly shut. His plan to easily deal with the naive third young master had failed.

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs, watching his expression with satisfaction.

"Leo."

"Yes, young master."

"Bring some warm tea."

"Ah, I understand."

As Leo left the reception room to do my bidding, Gilein let out a low sigh.

"I will allow you to read it, but I will not tolerate any copying or taking the roster away."

"Of course."

I'm not going to take it home to cook soup with it.

With my agreement, Gilein called a subordinate to bring the roster.

A minute later.

A steaming cup of tea and a neat book were placed before me.

With Gilein looking at me sternly and Leo bowing nervously beside me, I opened the roster.

'Hardly any familiar names.'

After all, even a knight like Gilein, who is a renowned hero, is often relegated to a supporting role when the continent's top heroes are highlighted. It's unlikely that ordinary knights would be known by name.

'Wait a moment.'

Then, a familiar name caught my eye as I flipped through the roster.

<Holn Berg>

24 years old. Knight. Intermediate mana user.

Born into the Berg baron family.

Is this the guy who acted so insolently toward me earlier?

I definitely remember his name.

'This isn't the important part, though.'

The important thing is to find the knight I need.

There are about thirty members in the Wind Knights.

Will there be anyone who meets my criteria among them?

As I read the roster with a nervous heart, I came across a name near the end.

<Lus Meyer>

28 years old. Knight. Advanced mana user.

Born in the Ballroom Mountains, a peasant.

Being an advanced mana user at 28 is a remarkable talent.

However, his background adds to that talent. Being from a peasant family, not just any commoner, makes it even more impressive.

I could picture a commoner-born knight striving alone without any connections.

He would be a talent that others would try to dissuade me from taking as a bodyguard for the young master of the earl's family. But he fits my plan perfectly.

"I've decided."

Thud!

I loudly closed the roster, and Gilein nodded.

"Who did you choose?"

"Lus Meyer."

"Unfortunately... Excuse me?"

Gilein, who expected me to take the top-tier talent, opened his eyes wide.

"Knight Meyer? Are you serious?"

"Is there a problem? You said all the knights, from top to bottom, are highly skilled."

"Of course, but..."

"Then, if that's not possible, how about Knight Belon?"

Belon was the next best after the captain and the deputy captain.

"Ah, no. Knight Meyer is an excellent knight, and I'm sure you will be satisfied."

Gilein shook his head and waved his hand.

His expression was annoying, but there was a valid reason.

'Well, his intention doesn't seem bad.'

After all, the Lindair territory, which is at the northernmost part of the kingdom, is constantly under threat from hungry monsters and beasts from early winter to late spring. Gilein would need strong knights under his command.

"By the way, is Knight Lus Meyer definitely from the Ballroom Mountains?"

"That's certain. I personally noticed his talent and brought him to the knights."

"Captain, you brought him personally?"

"I first saw him in a peasant village in the Ballroom Mountains that was attacked by monsters. Despite not having any formal training, he single-handedly killed three orcs with a rusty blade."

"How old was he then?"

"Seventeen, I believe."

Killing three orcs at seventeen, without even learning how to use a sword.

He must be a natural fighter.

"His skills are certainly not lacking. However..."

"However?"

"Given his background, he may not be well-versed in etiquette and could offend the young master."

"It's fine. I don't care about that."

"Please understand, he hasn't had the chance to learn. He is a man of good character."

Gilein's expression made me feel a bit awkward.

There are scum like Holn, but there are also true knights like Gilein.

"Anyway, when do you plan to take Knight Meyer?"

"The sooner, the better. If possible, right now."

"Even if he is to serve the third young master, there are things he needs to learn..."

"Swords have their own roles. There are already people to take on other roles."

"I understand. If that is the young master's wish, I will send Knight Meyer as soon as possible."

As the conversation came to a close, I bowed slightly.

"I am grateful for the knights' generous cooperation."

For someone of Gilein's caliber, it's necessary to set aside pride and approach first.

In response to my gratitude, Gilein's expression changed strangely.

Perhaps he was surprised that I, who had been arrogant and ignorant, was showing gratitude first.

After a moment of hesitation, Gilein regained his composure and lightly knelt on one knee.

"The knights are the earl's. Please don't worry."