Chapter 9

How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work - Chapter 9 (9/278)

How to Live as the Third Young Master of a Failed Work Chapter 9

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Late at night, after riding all day and into the afternoon.

After a simple meal, I stood by the bonfire with Ruth.

At first, Ruth was skeptical, but as I showed genuine enthusiasm, she adopted a more serious attitude.

"The foundation of all martial arts is physical strength. No matter how extraordinary your swordsmanship, without the physical strength to back it up, it will fade."

I understand.

Even though I look this way, I've been trained in kendo, taekwondo, and judo since my school days.

The memory of striving to become a black belt in each is still vivid.

There were bonus points for college entrance exams, and a longing for strength.

So, I understand even better.

Physical strength is the foundation. That's why I've always taken training seriously.

Thanks to that, during my cadet days, I always came first in physical fitness tests and competitions.

'Of course, I've lost all of that now.'

It's only natural, given that my body has changed.

But I've done it before.

It shouldn't take too long to regain it.

"The foundation of martial arts is physical strength, right?"

"Yes."

"Then? Be more specific. What standards will you set?"

"At the very least, you should have the stamina to swing a sword for thirty minutes without rest."

"I'll have to start riding alone again from tomorrow."

In terms of calorie consumption per unit time, horseback riding is twice as effective as swimming. It's a full-body workout just by riding.

"Will you be okay?"

"I can manage."

Muscle pain is like an old friend I've had for a long time.

When learning martial arts, or working out at the gym.

"Let's focus on basic posture for now, and we'll start with the actual sword techniques once your physical strength is up to par. How about that?"

"Sounds good."

Learning sword techniques directly, which I've only seen in novels and dramas, is incredibly exciting.

When I gestured, Leo ran over with the sword sheath that he had been holding.

The leather feel of the hilt when I gripped it was peculiar. As I slowly drew the blade, I could feel it slide out of the sheath.

'Unbelievable.'

The white blade, now fully revealed, gleamed under the moonlight.

Whoosh!

I swung the sword in a circle to gauge its weight.

It's probably around 1.5 kg.

It's not particularly heavy. But unlike a dumbbell, its straight shape makes it harder to handle.

Thud!

Perhaps because I learned through theft, I instinctively took the basic stance of kendo.

The most fundamental stance in kendo is the chudan-no-kamae.

The tip of the sword points between the opponent's eyebrows, and the end of the hilt is positioned in front of the lower abdomen.

The knees are relaxed and flexible. The feet are shoulder-width apart in a straight line. The right foot is forward, ready to jump or retreat at any moment.

And finally.

The gaze should always follow the opponent's eyes.

'This is tough.'

Compared to a bamboo sword, a long sword is more than twice as heavy, making the stance feel unnatural.

'What's with that look?'

But it's strange.

When I finally took the stance, Ruth's expression was peculiar.

"Master."

"What is it?"

"Have you ever learned swordsmanship before?"

Did I slip up?

For a third young master who has never learned swordsmanship to take such a proficient stance.

Even I find it strange.

Fortunately, kendo is a martial art that doesn't exist in this world.

Since its basic principles are quite different from Western swordsmanship, I thought I could get away with it.

"Just."

"Excuse me?"

"Just trying it out."

"Just trying it out?"

"I felt it was instinctive to do it this way..."

Ruth pursed her lips.

Then, after a moment of thought, Ruth picked up a branch that was meant to be firewood.

She then pointed it at me.

"What? You said you'd just watch my stance."

"Consider it a simple test."

"What do you want me to do?"

"React instinctively, as you see fit."

What does that mean?

If she attacks, should I pretend to be a beginner and take the hit? Or should I use my full strength?

But before I could think about it, Ruth's branch came at me.

Swish!

The sword path, low at first and then rising, was like a snake. Moreover, the tip of the branch was aiming directly for my eyes.

In the end, with no other choice, my body reacted first.

"Ah!"

Thwack!

I quickly stepped back and swung the sword sideways to knock the branch away.

"Wow!"

Leo, who had been watching from a distance, let out an exclamation.

From the reaction, it seemed like I had blocked it well.

But I know better.

It's like catching a mouse while backing up.

The fact that my body reacted instinctively means I couldn't follow it with my eyes.

"What, Ruth! How am I supposed to react to such a sudden attack?"

"I'll try again."

Before I could say anything, Ruth swung the branch at me again.

Ruth's second attack was quite straightforward.

She simply stepped forward and swung it down like an ax, aiming for my head. It was a completely obvious move, and I couldn't help but feel annoyed.

'Does she think I'm a scarecrow?'

My competitive spirit flared up.

Should I try a counterattack?

Of course, Ruth wouldn't be hurt. She's a seasoned knight who has fought in countless battles.

'Let's give it a try.'

I took a step back and angled the sword diagonally.

Thud!

The branch, hitting the blade, slid along and stopped at the guard.

"Huff!"

I immediately applied strong force, scattering and striking at Ruth's wrist.

Deflecting and countering the opponent's attack.

But she was calm. Ruth twisted her body to avoid it and countered by striking my shoulder.

Thwack!

The dull impact on my shoulder made me clench my teeth as I thrust the sword again.

Thud!

Ruth easily deflected the sword and struck my thigh.

The sudden impact made me buckle, and I ended up like a punching bag.

Thud! Thud!

The two consecutive attacks hit my wrists, and I lost my grip on the sword.

'Damn it.'

I feel terrible.

Although I was hit in several places in a short time, there was no clear pain.

She probably reduced the force at the moment of impact.

Just from that delicate control of strength, it's clear she's a far superior expert.

That's why I feel even worse.

"Just hit me to save face. As long as my bones don't break, it's fine."

Despite my grumbling, Ruth just stared at me intently.

"Why?"

In response to my question, Ruth remained deep in thought.

The atmosphere began to turn serious.

After a few minutes, Ruth finally spoke.

"Master."

"What is it?"

"It's one of two things."

"What are they?"

"Either Master's claim that you've never held a sword before is a lie."

"..."

You're sharp.

Well, my knowledge is shallow, and kendo is a martial art with a long history.

For a wild young master who has never held a sword to mimic it?

I would be suspicious too. Damn it.

"The other one?"

"If it's not a lie, then Master must be an exceptionally talented prodigy."

"..."

The atmosphere became serious, and Leo, who had been watching, moved away to heat up some water.

Suddenly, it was just the two of us in an awkward situation.

Ruth's gaze was making me uncomfortable, so I licked my lips.

"What do you think? Do you think I'm lying?"

"That's not the case."

"Why?"

"Most of the rumors I've heard about Master so far have been exaggerated."

Rumors about being spoiled by power, ignoring subordinates, and being obsessed with women and alcohol...

"That's the kind of rumors you're talking about."

"But the story about never having held a sword is accurate."

"Why?"

"If Master had ever learned swordsmanship within the territory, such a stance, or rather, such swordsmanship, would never have appeared. Moreover, Master's hands."

"Hands?"

When I showed my palms, Ruth nodded.

"Master's hands are incredibly soft. If you had held a sword, there would have been calluses."

"That's true."

"That's why it's even more surprising."

"Surprising?"

Ruth then picked up the fallen sword and mimicked the stance I had taken.

"The basics are very solid. It's like a needle. There are no obvious weaknesses. Of course, if I had wanted to, I could have exploited them, but that's because of Master's limited experience."

As Ruth swung the sword, demonstrating the movements, he nodded.

"Everything is well-balanced, making the transition between offense and defense smooth. Moreover, beginners often focus only on their stance and neglect their footwork, but I could feel that Master paid special attention to it."

"That's quite a compliment."

"Of course, there were also flaws."

"What flaws?"

After a moment of thought, Ruth spoke.

"A situation where only two people are left."

"What do you mean?"

"It seems like swordsmanship designed for one-on-one life-and-death battles."

"..."

"Have you heard of 'yielding the flesh to take the bone'?"

"I have."

"Exactly that. The energy you possess is excessively fierce."

"Fierce...?"

"Instinctively, you defend vital points well, but I can feel that you pay no attention to your shoulders, arms, or lower body."

'Yielding the flesh to take the bone.'

Ah, is that why?

In kendo, there are limited areas where you can score points.

The areas Ruth mentioned are not scoring areas.

Since there's no need to block them, I didn't pay attention, and it became a habit.

Indeed, a monster is a monster.

To recognize all that just from a few exchanges with the sword?

"Adaptation is the key. If you can improve, the flaws mentioned earlier won't be a problem. Of course, the strengths might also diminish."

Swish!

As Ruth continued to mimic my stance, swinging the sword, he let out a small exclamation.

"It's definitely unfamiliar. Even among the knights, no one has a similar style of swordsmanship."

Thud!

After a series of sword movements, Ruth planted the sword in the ground and looked at me directly.

"In short, it's not something that can be created out of nowhere in the middle of the night."

Damn.

How can he figure out so much, as if he's a ghost?

I can't say it's Earth's swordsmanship now.

"Master clearly held a sword for the first time today, and you said it was instinctive, right?"

"That's right."

"Remarkable."

Ruth looked up at the night sky with a bitter smile, as if feeling defeated.

"Personally, I thought my passion for the sword was unmatched by anyone in the world."

"..."

"That's why I worked hard. I believed that effort was the talent given to me, so I swung the sword until my hands bled, and I kept swinging. After experiencing the sweet fruits of my labor, it became my belief."

The bitter smile turned into a sigh.

"But today, seeing Master, I realized that innate talent does exist."

There was a sense of resignation on Ruth's face.

I felt guilty.

I had inadvertently made Ruth feel deprived.

"Perhaps."

"..."

"Perhaps I won't be able to earn a hundred gold coins."

"What do you mean?"

"Your depth in swordsmanship is evident, and as a member of the Lindayer family, a traditional martial arts lineage, your talent in mana is also clear."

The resignation on Ruth's face had disappeared.

Instead, there was a new passion for something unknown.

"I'm curious."

"About what?"

"What would happen if my dedication is infused into Master's talent? Perhaps, it could lead to the creation of a new history with my own hands."

Thud!

Suddenly, Ruth knelt on one knee.

He then placed his right hand horizontally and bowed his head on it.

The atmosphere became solemn.

I couldn't help but feel tense, licking my lips.

"What are you doing?"

"I will dedicate everything."

"Everything?"

"All the sword techniques I have learned and the countless trials and errors I have experienced in handling mana, I will offer them to Master without reservation. If you need a servant, I will be one. If you need someone to get their hands dirty, I will do it for you."

This is serious.

It's clearly not just about teaching swordsmanship.

"Explain what you mean in detail."

"Last night, Master asked me to keep the sword training a secret from the outside."

"That's right."

"The reason is, first and foremost, to avoid the scrutiny of the first and second young masters, isn't it?"

As a knight of the family, he must have a general idea of the family's internal affairs.

"Moreover, Master's current behavior is very different from the rumors I've heard. You postponed your marriage and are heading to the mountains for a grand plan, didn't you?"

"That's right."

"Then, can I assume that the carefree image of Master so far was just a disguise to hide your true self?"

That might be a bit too much.

But it's not entirely wrong. I won't live like the original owner, Cain.

"So, what are you trying to say?"

"If, by some chance, Master succeeds."

The success he's referring to is clear.

"Could you provide me with a background?"

Ruth's desire is also clear.

"What makes you believe that? What if I turn out to be a rotten rope?"

"My life as a knight is already rotten."

"Rotten?"

"How can I be called a knight without honor or status? I'm no different from a mere mercenary who can wield a sword."

The frustration of being limited by birth.

"I have nothing now. No people, no wealth, just a mountain of debt."

"Then, you have gained your first follower today."

"I might be no different from other nobles."

"If that were the case, would you have considered my honor and let me fight Holren? Or would you have brought another knight instead of me?"

"..."

At this point, I felt a sense of sympathy for Ruth.

How much inner turmoil must he have gone through to choose a third young master with nothing to offer as his lifeline?

But let's put that aside.

What would I gain by taking Ruth under my wing?

'A lot.'

First, learning swordsmanship is a given.

In my lowly position, being pushed around by everyone, I can't be someone's lackey.

Moreover, his aspirations are modest.

He doesn't desire gold or a special status.

He just wants a background in return for his full loyalty, which is an excellent deal.

My birth is irrelevant to me, as I'm essentially from Earth.

"So, will you support me from now on?"

"Yes."

"Even if I fail, you'll share the consequences?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Do you have a taste for high-risk bets?"

"There's no great reward without risk."

What a funny guy.

Well, I plan to earn money quickly, pay off my debts, and delay the marriage.

That means I need to prepare for what might happen afterward.

Having a skilled follower like Ruth wouldn't be a bad thing.

Alright, I've made my decision.

"Let's work together. Ruth."

Ruth stared at my outstretched hand.

But then, after wiping his hands clean, he firmly shook it.

"Please take care of me from now on, Master."