Chapter 5

### How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work - Chapter 5 (5/278)

How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work Chapter 5

* * *

The moment Gyllen left his seat, a man entered the reception room.

"Knight Ross Meyer pays his respects to the Third Young Master."

Ross Meyer, standing at least 190 cm tall with a broad and muscular build, entered.

Despite the bitterly cold northern region, he had a bronze-like complexion and a scar running across his cheek, giving a glimpse into the life he had lived.

"Sit down."

"Y-Yes?"

"Sit."

Unable to resist my insistence, Ross sat down at the opposite table.

"Tea?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Or alcohol?"

Do you like alcohol?

For a moment, Ross's eyes wavered, but he soon shook his head slightly.

"I'll have tea."

"Leo."

"Yes. I'll bring two cups of tea."

As Leo was about to leave, I gestured to him.

"Bring one for yourself too."

"Y-Yes?"

"Why do you all say 'Yes, Yes' whenever I say something? Are your ears blocked?"

"N-No!"

As Leo hurriedly left, I looked at Ross, who had a bewildered expression.

"Ross Meyer."

"Yes, Young Master."

"28 years old. Born in the Bollom Mountains as a settler. Is that correct?"

"......Yes, it is."

At my words, Ross clearly looked uncomfortable.

Is his birth status a complex for him?

Well, from Ross's perspective, I probably just seem like a reckless person who was born into a baron's family by sheer luck.

"Alright. I assume you've heard the story, right?"

"About guarding the Young Master for a month?"

"Pretty much."

"Then, may I ask why you specifically chose me? I've only learned how to wield a sword since I was born."

This guy is clearly being defiant.

Well, anyone would become like this if they had to survive as a commoner among knights of noble birth.

But that's one thing, and this is another.

It would be very troublesome if the person I have to work with for a month is uncooperative.

"Do you not want to do this?"

"No, that's not it."

"Then there's no problem."

"But a bodyguard isn't just someone who can wield a sword well......"

"You talk too much."

I tilted my head and stared intently at Ross.

With that, Ross, who had been indifferent, straightened his posture.

"Does a sword choose its wielder?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Does a sword choose its wielder, or does the wielder choose the sword?"

"......Of course, it's the wielder."

"Then don't ask unnecessary questions. A sword has no mouth. Understand?"

Only then did Ross close his mouth.

He seemed to have realized he had overstepped his bounds.

"Bollom Mountains."

"......"

"We're heading there for a month."

Ross's eyes widened.

"What business do you have there......?"

"I have something to find. That's why I chose someone who grew up in the mountains and rivers, someone who knows the wild terrain well."

"What do you mean?"

"Coincidentally, you were available."

"Is that so?"

What's with him? Why is he acting like this?

For a moment, Ross gave a faint smile, which was uncharacteristic of him.

"If that's the case, I can be of great help. The Bollom Mountains were my childhood playground and practically my home."

"Is that so? Good."

"By the way, what are you looking for in the mountains?"

"There's something."

"The maximum duration will be a month, right?"

"Yes."

"In that case, there's a lot to prepare. The Bollom Mountains have many streams, so water isn't a concern, but we need to prepare a lot of food due to the season. What size do you plan for the investigation team?"

The concept is quite unusual. Why is he suddenly so talkative?

"Size? Small."

"Is that so? If only I'm the knight assigned, the rest will be regular soldiers. If you allow it, I'll take charge of preparing supplies and finding suitable people for the expedition."

"The people are already chosen. We'll procure most supplies locally, except for a few items."

"Y-Yes?"

While Ross was still bewildered, Leo returned with a tray of tea.

I took a cup and, savoring the aroma, continued.

"You, me, and him. We're going to the Bollom Mountains with just these three."

"......Y-Yes?"

"What do you mean, Young Master?"

With his mouth agape, Ross and Leo, who looked equally surprised, stared at me.

"We'll discuss the details later."

I shrugged between the two of them.

"From now on, you both need to take a vow of silence to me."

* * *

"Brr, it's cold."

After a short tea break, I instructed Ross to pack his things and went outside to get some fresh air.

There was a lot to prepare. Time was ticking away by the second.

'Even if the decorative items are fine, there's one crucial thing left.'

Windnest, being the central city of the barony, is arguably the most prosperous place in the northern kingdom.

Therefore, you can find almost anything you need. The problem is that what I need is not a common item.

"I'm ready."

"Already?"

Turning my head, I saw Ross with a small bag.

"I've packed everything except my sword."

"True to your word as a knight. But what about your armor?"

Ross was wearing a simple tunic and a cloak, with no sign of armor.

I pointed to my chest, and Ross shook his head.

"If we're going to the Bollom Mountains, steel armor isn't necessary. We'll be camping for a month, and maintenance is a problem, plus it weakens in the cold."

"Then what?"

"Oiled leather armor is more practical. It's durable and better for the cold."

"Good choice. Can you prepare two more sets for me and Leo? And it would be great if you could get me a sword too, though I doubt we'll need it."

"Both swords and armor are standard issue for soldiers, so they're readily available in the castle. Is that acceptable?"

"Acceptable? What do you mean by that?"

Did he think I was going to ask for a shiny full plate mail?

"......No."

Ross, who was about to say something, scratched the back of his neck.

"If there's nothing else, let's head to the castle. There's a lot to prepare."

Just as I was about to step out, thinking how tiring it was to maintain this reckless image,

"Hey, Ross. Where are you going?"

Hollen, who had been standing nearby, approached.

He was sweating, so he must have been training. The reason he came over is obvious. It's because of the hit I gave him earlier.

Ross looked quite uncomfortable when he saw Hollen.

But as I stepped back and watched, Ross reluctantly bowed to Hollen.

"I have to leave the knight squad for a while, Squad Leader."

"That's a relief. What's up?"

Huh?

Wasn't Ross a high-level mana user and Hollen a mid-level one? Why does it seem like their ranks are reversed?

"Third Young Master has a task for me......"

"Is that so? I was about to suffocate from the stench of commoners in the barracks. Good timing."

Ah.

Hollen is from a viscount's family, and Ross is a commoner. That's it.

Snap!

Ross's expression turned quite fierce.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

"There's more to say."

"......"

"I don't know what it's about, but do your best. You'll probably just stand guard in a gambling den, right?"

This guy is really overstepping.

"It's not that kind of mission."

"Is that so? Then what? Are you going to sniff out some stench? Well, even if you're a commoner, the ladies will still flip for a Wind Knight."

Hollen's words made the surrounding knights chuckle. Seeing Ross's trembling hands, I spoke up.

"Ross."

Ross, with a burning gaze, looked at me.

"Yes."

"What are you doing?"

"......Let's go. I'll follow you."

Clenching his teeth, Ross bowed to Hollen and stood behind me.

Seeing this, I sighed and spoke again.

"No. What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"What's your current affiliation?"

"My current affiliation?"

Ross looked puzzled.

"The Wind Knights, of course."

"No. From now on, for the next month, you're my bodyguard, not a knight or anything else."

"......What do you mean?"

"If you let that insult slide, are you saying I'm a pushover?"

Did he understand my intention a little?

Ross's gaze changed slightly.

On the other hand, Hollen looked flustered, having just realized Ross was my bodyguard.

It's an interesting scene.

Ross's expression gradually relaxed, while Hollen and the surrounding knights' faces hardened.

"Ross, I'll take responsibility for the aftermath."

"Are you serious? Knight Hollen is from a viscount's family......"

"Are you telling me to consider the Berg family's stance now? That's really unpleasant."

Swish!

In the middle of the cold barracks, a sword was drawn, and a clear sound echoed.

Following that, Ross, with a determined stance, pointed his sword at Hollen and spoke.

"Knight Hollen."

"What? This brat dares to challenge me without any respect......"

"My lord feels insulted. I challenge you to a duel. Draw your sword."

Ross's fierce momentum made Hollen take a step back.

At that moment, the game was over.

As fellow knights, they know each other's skills well.

Hollen, who had bitten his lip at the sudden change, glared at me fiercely.

"Third Young Master, is this really okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Our Berg viscount family has a very close relationship with Dain Lindair......"

Dain Lindair?

Is he talking about my older brother?

"So what?"

"You know the First Young Master is the most likely successor, right?"

Ah.

That's why he's been acting so confidently. He has a strong background.

"So, are you threatening me with the possibility of retaliation in the future?"

"......Not exactly."

What a ridiculous guy. The most disgusting people are those who act tough based on their connections.

"Go and tell him."

"Y-Yes?"

"Go and tattle like a girl."

"......"

"Of course, finish your business first. Ross!"

At my call, Ross looked at me.

"Yes, Young Master."

"Are you confident?"

Ross's lips curled up.

The scar on his face, which crinkled with the smile, looked incredibly trustworthy.

"Should I cut off his limbs?"

Ross's sinister words made Hollen's face turn pale.

"There's no need to draw blood inside the castle."

Most importantly, the knights belong to the baron as well.

There's no need to escalate the issue unnecessarily.

"Then......"

"Just beat him up, but not to the point of death."

"As you wish."

There's no way out.

All the knights, including Leo, had heard Hollen's words.

Even Gyllen, who had just realized the situation, looked worried but made no move to stop it. It means the justification is sufficient.

"......You'll regret this."

"Shut up and draw your sword, Knight Hollen."

It's a bit disappointing that I can't beat him up myself, but I'll be satisfied with seeing that arrogant face turn into a mess.